What’s to not love about Malta? This small European island nation, positioned within the Mediterranean, presents a wealth of historical past, wonderful structure, pure magnificence, and nice meals. I spent three weeks touring round Malta and would return in a heartbeat. Let me present you 22 nice issues to do in Malta.
1. Experience a Dghajsa by means of the Grand Harbour
I’ll begin with my single most favourite of those many nice issues to do in Malta. Dghajsa are the standard Maltese water taxis that transport passenger forwards and backwards throughout Malta’s extremely scenic Grand Harbour. It’s the quickest and most handy strategy to join between the capital metropolis Valetta and a historic space often called The Three Cities.
It’s a way more intimate transportation expertise than the bigger ferries that additionally function by means of the harbor. They seat not more than six riders at a time, and sometimes we had been the one two passengers. The view from these small boats is without doubt one of the greatest in all of Malta. Take the time to speak to the drivers. Many are third era, working boats which have been handed down from their grandfathers.
2. Discover the three cities
The Three Cities was my favourite district in Malta. Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua are three small fortified cities that date to the sixteenth century. They’re located round a scenic marina – an offshoot of Malta’s Grand Harbour.
Every is small and straightforward to discover, that includes scenic streets & again alleys, historic forts & museums, and a few fairly nice eating places.
3. Dine at waters edge
My favourite eating location in The Three Cities was alongside the Senglea waterfront. Right here you’ll be able to select from a number of eating places with tables located proper alongside the marina’s edge. Watch the boats come and go, whereas taking within the views throughout to each Vittoriosa and Valletta.
4. Hand around in a conventional Maltese balcony
Whereas strolling down any road in Malta, you’ll be able to’t assist however discover the excessive density of brightly coloured Maltese balconies jutting out from each floor. These coated balconies present shade in the summertime and safety from cooler temps within the winter, whereas the encircling home windows nonetheless present that out of doors feeling you count on from a balcony.
If you’re like me, and like to keep in trip leases, attempt to hire one with a conventional balcony. We did, and it was our favourite place to hang around every morning.
5. Go to Fort St Angelo
This large fort sits on the fringe of Vittoriosa, completely positioned to assist guard the Grand Harbour. It was constructed by Malta’s founding Knights of St John within the sixteenth century to assist defend in opposition to the Ottomans. And, it was nonetheless utilized by the British throughout World Conflict II.
At this time, Fort St Angelo is a vacationer attraction and positively one of many nice issues to do in Malta. It’s an enormous advanced of buildings, however my favourite a part of visiting the fort was all the nice 360 diploma views throughout the Harbour and The Three Cities.
6. Be taught concerning the Roman Inquisition
One other nice cease whereas exploring The Three Cities is The Inquisitor’s Palace. This was my favourite museum in Malta. It was on this constructing, positioned within the coronary heart of Vittoriosa, the place the Knights of St John underneath the route of the Pope, administered the Roman Inquisition from 1561-1798, routing out all of the native heretics.
Numerous shows by means of the constructing clarify the standard “crimes”, the standard punishments, and the method of the Inquisition. Whereas studying about this ugly historical past, you additionally go to the constructing’s numerous rooms together with the tribunal (the place the trials occurred), the torture chamber, and the jail cells.
7. Wander Europe’s smallest capital metropolis
Valetta is Europe’s smallest capital metropolis measuring solely 0.6 sq. kilometers – roughly 1 kilometer a technique and 0.6 kilometer the opposite. You possibly can wander the whole metropolis in only a matter of hours. Although with 320 totally different monuments, loads of buying alternatives, and nice eating places you’ll actually wish to spend a couple of days actually exploring this metropolis.
Associated learn: High Cities in Europe – Rome, Barcelona and Madrid
8. Be blown away by St John’s Co-Cathedral
One among Valletta’s prime monuments is St John’s Co-Cathedral. Primarily based on the variety of individuals inside throughout our go to, it’s most likely the preferred of those 22 nice issues to do in Malta.
Whereas the surface of this sixteenth century cathedral is pretty austere in comparison with a lot of Europe’s nice Catholic cathedrals, the within is very embellished in a shocking over-the-top Baroque model. Shade and ornament is in all places – each wall, the ceiling, the ground. The truth is, the ground is roofed with the uniquely marble-decorated tombs of 400 Knights of St John. It will possibly all be a bit visually overwhelming, however the Co-Cathedral is an absolute must-visit.
9. Witness the Midday-Day Gun
Whereas exploring Valletta, you should definitely time your day so that you could watch the noon-day cannon announce the time. This occurs on the Saluting Battery within the Higher Baraka Backyard.
This centuries-old ceremonial cannon firing really occurs twice day by day – at midday and at 1600. Plus, the view over to the Three Cities from the Higher Baraka Backyard is without doubt one of the greatest in Valletta.
10. Dine on Metropolis Stairs
Valletta is constructed on a hill that rises up from a harbor on each side. Consequently, there are many out of doors stairways all through town. As with most Mediterranean international locations, out of doors eating in Malta is a lifestyle. And stairway-side eating places situate their out of doors tables alongside the assorted ranges outdoors their doorways.
It’s an incredible place to tug up a chair, have an incredible meal, lookup and down at your co-diners, and watch the world climb by.
11. Strive rabbit stew
And talking of meals, no journey to Malta can be full with out consuming its nationwide dish. You’d suppose that seafood would dominate the menu on a Mediterranean island nation. However not so in Malta. Rabbit is the favourite protein. And whereas rabbit is served some ways in Malta, rabbit stew is taken into account by many to be the nationwide dish. And sure, rabbit does style like hen.
12. Uncover the Maltese Platter
The “nationwide appetizer” of Malta is the Maltese Platter. We discovered this on virtually each menu in a single type or one other. It normally features a collection of sausage, bread or crackers, sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, olives, and a dip known as Bigilla – manufactured from broad beans, olive oil, and garlic. Stunning to have a look at, scrumptious to eat.
13. Get pleasure from nice Italian meals
Nice Italian meals is simple to search out in Malta. Malta was as soon as dominated by Sicily – solely 70 miles to the north. And so unsurprisingly, the pizza, pasta, and risotto in Malta is excellent.
The truth is, one among our favourite eating issues to do in Malta was eat Italian meals – as a result of it was simply so good.
14. Stroll the Sliema promenade
Sliema is one among Malta’s extra fashionable and upscale neighborhoods, and some of the widespread locations for vacationers to remain in Malta. Like The Three Cities on the other facet of Valletta, it’s related to the capital by brief ferry journey.
Strolling alongside Sliema’s 1.2 mile seaside promenade, with its unobstructed view of the Mediterranean, and its uncommon limestone seashores, is without doubt one of the nice issues to do on this a part of Malta.
15. Wander a Silent Metropolis
Mdina is the unique capital metropolis of Malta, relationship again to Norman instances within the Center Ages. It’s located within the middle of Malta’s fundamental island, excessive up on a hill, with views out throughout the whole island. Mdina an exceptionally well-preserved walled medieval metropolis. It’s often called the Silent Metropolis as a result of no automobiles are allowed inside. It’s additionally generally used as a film setting.
Ridley Scott’s Napoleon had filmed there on the day earlier than our go to. And Recreation of Thrones followers can even acknowledge its entry gates. Guided excursions of Mdina are some of the widespread issues to do in Malta outdoors of Valetta.
16. Descend into Roman Tombs
Not removed from Mdina, within the adjoining city of Rabat, you’ll discover St Paul’s Catacombs – an enormous underground Roman cemetery. These catacombs had been used for burials from the years 300-800 AD when Malta was dominated by Rome. This large metropolis of the lifeless was regularly carved out of the world’s underground limestone, and housed as much as 1000 our bodies at one level.
The catacombs had been looted centuries in the past and all their contents eliminated, but it surely’s nonetheless fascinating to stroll by means of this underground maze, whereas studying about historic burial practices.
17. Go to Gozo
Gozo is Malta’s different inhabited island. It’s extra rural and agricultural than the primary island, and Gozitans very a lot have their very own id. No journey to Malta can be full with out spending time on Gozo – whether or not on a day journey or for a extra prolonged interval.
Taking a day journey to Gozo is simple. Take the 45 minute “quick ferry” from Valletta after which taking a hop-on hop-off bus to all of Gozo’s fundamental websites. Or rent your individual type of transportation (we did it with a RAZR 4×4). Whereas on Gozo discover historic temples, hilltop forts, big church buildings, small fishing villages, and a shocking shoreline.
Associated tour: Full-Day Gozo Sightseeing Bus Tour with Lunch
18. See the world’s second oldest artifical construction
For my part, the one most essential and mandatory web site to go to on Gozo is the Ggantija temples. This monolithic temple advanced is the second oldest artifical construction on earth! It dates to 3600 BC.
The builders didn’t go away behind any written file, so little is thought about their tradition. However one way or the other they found out a strategy to create spectacular locations of worship out of giant monolithic slabs of stone.
19. Take a look at different Megalithic Temples
Ggantija isn’t the one monolithic temple web site in Malta. The islands boast seven websites in complete – and they’re collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. Maybe the best of those websites to go to is the Tarxien Temple advanced positioned only a few miles south of The Three Cities on the primary island. Right here you’ll discover a cluster of three well-preserved temples relationship to 3150 BC.
20. Go off the overwhelmed path in Marsaskala
Marsaskala is a former fishing village on the southern finish of Malta’s fundamental island. It’s not on the same old vacationer path, and that’s an enormous a part of Marsaskala’s appeal. Extra locals, extra genuine, and it’s lovely too.
The city is located round a small scenic harbor with a still-active fishing neighborhood. We stayed in Marsaskala for 1 week and cherished it!
21. Sunbathe on Stone
While you consider issues to do on a Mediterranean island like Malta, seaside actions most likely come to thoughts. And whereas Malta does have a couple of sandy seashores and seaside resorts, geographically wonderful limestone “seashores” are way more widespread. And similar to their sandy counterparts, you’ll be able to equally solar bathe and entry the ocean from a number of widespread limestone seashores across the island. Plus, no sand to scrub off if you find yourself carried out!
22. Stroll by means of Salt Pans
And in lots of spots alongside this limestone coast, salt pans had been carved centuries in the past to gather sea salt. Except a single salt farm on Gozo, these are not in use. But it surely’s enjoyable to stroll by means of their geometric designs, and so they positive are photogenic.
As you’ll be able to see, there are such a lot of nice issues to do whereas visiting Malta. I may have simply added 22 extra to this listing. After which once you additionally take into account Malta’s nice Mediterranean local weather, it turns into clear that Malta is a good place for a European trip. Put it in your listing!
Steven Jepson
My title is Steven and I’m a retired doctor who lives in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah. Journey has all the time been my ardour. Regardless of what was a busy skilled profession, I made it some extent to see as a lot of the world as I may. And now that I’m retired, I plan on seeing much more of it!
