Discover Malta – 10 Best Things To Do

Malta is a tiny Mediterranean country that stands out for its uniqueness, long and rich history, and breathtaking natural beauty.

Malta has been shaped into an extremely culturally diverse and historical place, dotted with numerous fortresses and megalithic temples, by being ruled by some of the world’s greatest empires, including the Byzantines, Romans, Moors, Knights of St. John, French, and then the British Empire.

There’s a surprising amount to see and do on such a small island. In fact, despite being the only country in Europe where every corner of the island can be reached in a couple of hours by car, I still didn’t see everything Malta has to offer.

In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten things to see and do in Malta, including the best tourist attractions suitable for all types of travelers – solo and couples, all ages, young and old.

Explore Valletta

Valletta is a historic fortress city located on a peninsula in the island’s east.

The Maltese capital city, which was the former headquarters of the Knights of St John during the Crusades, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When traveling to the Holy Land to fight in the Crusades, the Knights Templar (also known as the Knights of St. John) used Malta as a base on the outskirts of Europe.

When visiting Malta, you must include Valletta on your itinerary. Packed with hidden gems, beautiful restaurants and hip cafes, and, of course, stunning architecture that tells the story of Malta’s diverse colonial heritage. Explore Malta’s hidden beauty by getting lost in Valletta’s alleyways!

The Siege Bell War Monument at Lower Barrakka Garden is one of the best things to do in Valletta, as are the breathtaking views of the Grand Harbour.

Cliff Jumping & Boat Ride at Blue Grotto

The Blue Grotto is a collection of stunning sea caverns near the fishermen’s harbour village of Qrendi on Malta’s southern coast.

Blue Grotto has become one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island, with incredibly blue waters, brilliant phosphorescent colors of underwater flora and fauna, and the mirroring of the seawater on the caves due to light rays. It is an absolute must on your Malta things to do bucket list.

Blue Grotto is only an hour’s bus ride from Valletta and is best visited early in the morning. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a clifftop hike, a boat ride through the caves, and jumping from the rocks into the shimmering blue waters, with some of Malta’s most breathtaking views.

Wander the Silent City of Mdina

Mdina / Rabat, Malta’s former capital, is known as the Silent City due to its small population of only 250 people!

Everything in this UNESCO World Heritage Site is within walking distance.

Take a 35-minute bus ride from Valletta to Mdina. When you arrive, you’ll notice the fortified walls and a bridge leading to the gated entrance known as Mdina Gate. Within the walls of the old city is a network of alleyways, cobbled stone roads and open squares full of stunning medieval and Baroque architecture.

You’ll find some true hidden gems down these alleyways and enclosures, including this building with the most stunning vertical garden of violet flowers!

Visit the Popeye Village

The Popeye Village at Anchor Bay is a children’s water park that was the filming location for the 1980 Popeye TV show.

The set is still there, and the bay is beautiful except for the water park, which obstructs the views from certain angles.

Popeye Village is one of the best places to visit in Malta for families. As one of the island’s main tourist attractions, it’s the ideal place to take your kids for an exciting day out.

Before getting back on the bus, walk up to the cliff edge for a breathtaking panoramic view of Anchor Bay from above.

Marsaxlokk & St. Peter’s Pool

Marsaxlokk is a picturesque harbour village known for its daily open-air market, which features some of Malta’s best fish.

You’ll get a glimpse of authentic Maltese life here, where locals go about their daily lives in a relaxed manner. You may notice a distinct tradition: the boats are brightly colored, and each one has a pair of piercing eyes on the front!

It’s also great for walks around the harbor and has untainted, beautiful natural water bays that are becoming increasingly popular as a result of Instagram.

And don’t forget to swim in St. Peter’s Pool, a beautiful aqua-blue natural pool not far from Marsaxlokk.

Armier Bay & the Open Caves

Armier Bay and Little Armier Bay are probably the most popular places in Malta to enjoy water activities.

These large bays have crystal-clear, calm, shallow waters that are ideal for snorkeling around the reefs. There are also boats docked here, where you can rent a 2-person canoe for €30 for two hours.

If you hire a canoe, be sure to visit the nearby open caves at the Coral Lagoon – one of Malta’s hidden gems!

It’s also worth hiking up through the caves afterwards to get a different perspective on the Coral Lagoon’s awe-inspiring blue waters. It’s a bit of a walk over the rough rocks (strong, comfortable footwear is advised!) But it’s so worth it – the views are breathtaking.

Vibrant Nightlife in St. Julian’s & Paceville

The village of St. Julian’s is well-known for its vibrant nightlife, particularly in the core, known as Paceville.

This is Malta’s top spot for the ultimate clubbing experience, with a variety of bars and nightclubs open until the early hours.

In addition to the clubs, St. Julian’s is a popular destination for dining and entertainment. Paceville is home to Malta’s largest cinema complex, a bowling alley, a shopping mall, numerous hotels, and St. George’s Bay, a small man-made beach.

A short drive west will take you to St. Paul’s Bay, another popular tourist destination. This is another popular family destination, with shopping malls, streets lined with cafes and restaurants, and a vibrant club scene similar to St. Julian’s.

Crystal Lagoon on Comino Island

Comino, Malta’s third island, is famous for the Blue Lagoon, the island’s most popular attraction, and for having some of the most crystal clear aqua waters in Europe. But even better is the secluded but breathtaking Crystal Lagoon.

Despite being over-commercialized as the best of Malta’s tourist attractions, Blue Lagoon is unfortunately spoiled by pollution and hordes of tourists scrambling for space on the small beach, even crowding the waters like a flock.

But don’t worry! Because there is an even better location on Comino island known as The Crystal Lagoon.

The Crystal Lagoon is a secluded little gem on Comino’s southern coast with few tourists. And, just like the Blue Lagoon, there are stunning, crystal blue waters here!

From the moment your boat docks at Blue Lagoon, make your way through the crowds that fill the waters and line the beach, up towards the food stalls past the overflowing trash bins, and onto the offbeat, slightly hidden path that leads up over the rocks.

Panoramic views at Golden Bay & Ghajn Tuffieha

Golden Bay, a stretch of coastline on Malta’s western coast, is one of the best beaches on the island.

It’s also one of Malta’s few sandy beaches. Along with Ghajn Tuffieha, this is the ideal location for a trek along the magnificent vast coastline and to take in the breathtaking panoramic views.

It’s quieter in the morning, a good time to lay in the sun and relax in the cool shallow sea.

Tal Mixta Caves on Gozo Island

Gozo, Malta’s sister island, is a more rural and scenic destination, famous for the Azure Window, which sadly no longer exists after collapsing into the sea in 2017.

Nonetheless, with its historic Megalithic temples and ruins, salt pans, numerous beaches, and diving sites such as the Blue Hole, it’s well worth a day trip or two.

The Tal Mixta Cave, located on Gozo’s northern coast, is one of my favorite spots. After climbing up into the cave, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking view of the coastline, including the bright orange sands of Ramla Bay, one of Malta’s best beaches and the best spot for sunbathing on Gozo.

Plan your vacation to Malta

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