Malta is one of the countries that is not very famous as a tourist destination in Europe. So when we decided this year to book a family trip to Malta, everyone started saying, “What?? Malta?? Then why not somewhere else?”
Honestly, what we experienced in Malta is unlike anything I have seen in any other country I have visited! The buildings are very old and distinguished by colorful balconies lining the streets. In addition, you can see the sea from almost everywhere, with decorated streets in summer, colorful boats at every corner along the great sea, and fireworks at all times. It truly transported us into another world with its magic!
Malta is very small, but the number of experiences you can enjoy there is countless! We spent 7 days (6 days touring + 1 free day where everyone did what they wanted) and still didn’t manage to do half of what there is to see and do in Malta!
Currency: Euro
Visa: Schengen
Language: Maltese, which is a mix of Arabic and Italian, and most of the time, Arab travelers can understand many words in Maltese. Additionally, besides the official language (Maltese), all locals speak English fluently, so there are no communication problems
Transportation: Malta has a very good bus network that traverses all cities and regions. There are also mobile applications for taxis like eCabs and Bolt, which are very fast but relatively expensive. In Malta, driving is on the left side of the road (the opposite of the Arab world), and the streets are very narrow and crowded with cars, so if you are not an experienced driver, I do not recommend renting a car! However, you can also take boats and ferries to and from several cities at a lower cost and with more fun. For example, the cost of a boat ride from Valletta to Sliema is only 1.5 euros.
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6 Days of Tourism in Malta: What Should I Do? Where Should I Go?
Day One: Valletta and St. Julian
Valletta is the capital and the most famous city in Malta. Start your day with the famous Maltese pastry: Pastizzi stuffed with cheese or mashed peas. It tastes great and costs only 40 cents!
After breakfast, you can begin your journey! Head to the Church of Our Lady of Carmel, which was built in 1570. This church is one of Malta’s most famous landmarks, visible from many cities due to its large size! It is worth noting that there are 732 churches in Malta, and you could spend a month visiting beautiful old churches and buildings and still not see half of them!
Now head to the Triton Fountain, located next to Valletta’s city gate. This fountain was built in 1959 and consists of three statues of Triton, the son of Poseidon (according to Greek mythology). The fountain is one of the most famous landmarks of modern art in Malta, and its beauty is stunning both in the morning and at night when it is lit!
After that, visit the entrance to Valletta City, known as Valletta City Gate, where many activities are available, such as visiting the Upper and Lower Barracca Gardens built in 1560. The Upper Barracca Gardens overlook the sea and several cities, with a yacht marina nearby offering stunning views. You can also attend an artillery firing show there every day at 12 and 4 o’clock. I must say that the evening view is incredible and the garden is very peaceful. If you love picnics in gardens, you’ll appreciate the night view!
Other attractions in Valletta include St. John’s Co-Cathedral, built in 1572, and the famous Teatru Manoel, considered one of Malta’s most important theaters. Check the Manoel Theatre website to buy tickets for concerts or plays.
Another venue for shows and concerts is the Royal Opera House Pjazza Teatru Rjal. The opera house was built in 1866, but it was demolished after a big fire, and even after its reconstruction, a bomb fell on it 65 years later, destroying a large portion of it. The exterior structure remains, and it is now used as an open-air theater for concerts.
In front of the main entrance to the opera house, there is a great ice cream shop. You must try the pistachio ice cream there; it’s the best ice cream I’ve ever had!
You can then stop for a snack at one of the many restaurants in Valletta, the most famous being Submarine, which serves custom-made sandwiches at very cheap prices!
Then you can visit Casa Rocca Piccola, a palace belonging to a noble Maltese family. The palace was constructed in 1580 and is open for visits daily except on Sundays. It consists of more than 50 rooms, with luxurious interior designs that reflect its nobility.
Another beautiful spot in Valletta is the Valletta Waterfront, an area filled with restaurants and cafes right by the sea. There are also restaurants offering small performances while you dine!
At night, you can head to the most vibrant and youthful area in Malta, St. Julian. This area is famous for its luxury and is packed with cafes, restaurants, and 5-star hotels. You must visit Portomaso Marina, which is the yacht marina with villas overlooking the sea. The view is breathtaking!
Day Two: Gozo and Comino Islands
This trip is one of the best you can make in Malta. At Marina Sliema, you will find tourist offices selling cruises from Sliema or Mellieha (a city in Malta) to Comino and Gozo islands. The journey lasts 8 hours: 1.5 hours to Gozo, followed by a two-and-a-half-hour tour with a guide on Gozo, then two hours in Comino, and finally an hour and a half back to Sliema.
The first stop on this trip is Gozo Island. It is a very small island, but it has many sights to see and activities to do—churches, monuments, castle, beaches, sea caves, walking in the city center, snorkeling, salt ponds, visiting vineyards, tasting local wines, and many unique attractions!
After a short tour of Gozo, the boat takes us to Comino Island, famous for its Blue Lagoon (or Blue Sea). The Blue Lagoon is a sea of stunning blue shades, so clear that you can see the seabed clearly! The boat docks for several hours at the Blue Lagoon, where you can swim or take a boat trip to nearby sea caves.
Day Three: Sliema and Gzira
Sliema is Malta’s trendiest city and the largest shopping district in the country. Fortunately, we rented an Airbnb apartment in Sliema. The area is very lively and full of restaurants, cafes, and clothing stores, plus its location right by the sea. If you’re a shopaholic, you will find everything you desire!
In the evening, enjoy a walk along the pier from Sliema to Valletta. The walk takes about 12 minutes and offers charming views and many restaurants by the sea, making for a wonderful sunset experience!
If you like the pictures of Malta sure you will like the pictures of Cyprus click here to see the beautiful Cyprus .. there are pictures from the archive
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Day Four: Mellieha and Popeye Village
Begin your day at Popeye Village, which is 30 minutes from Sliema and just 10 minutes from Mellieha. Popeye Village was the filming location for the 1980 movie “Popeye.” The site has been transformed into an amusement or theme park. Don’t forget to walk to the opposite rock from Popeye for some beautiful photos!
After that, you can visit Mellieha, which is known for its beautiful sandy beaches and wonderful swimming areas. The beaches are free, and you can rent chairs and umbrellas at very low prices. Alternatively, you can sit in one of the beachfront restaurants and enjoy a cold drink or seafood.
Day Five: Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk
The Blue Grotto is an extraordinary and unique experience! It’s located in an area called Zurrieq in southeastern Malta. The trip to the caves involves a cruise on a small boat costing 8 euros per person, with a journey time of about 20 minutes. The scenery is magical—I think I held my breath for 10 minutes while marveling at its turquoise waters and the caves reflecting blue hues. It literally took my breath away!
After the trip, you can swim in the area where the boats leave for the caves, sunbathe on the rocks, or enjoy coffee at the seaside restaurants.
For photography enthusiasts, there is a remote 12-minute walk from the boats that leads to a fantastic vantage point to photograph the caves from above. I highly recommend going there because the view is unbelievable!
Day Six: Mdina
Mdina was the ancient capital of Malta and is now known as the Silent City, as cars are prohibited on its streets except for a few belonging to residents. The city is small but beautiful, with a charming archaeological character.
Mdina features several historical sites, museums, and churches that can be explored by walking in this ancient city. The narrow alleys, colorful doors, and the beautiful roses climbing the walls enhance its charm.
After visiting Mdina, you can attend one of the many festivities held in Malta. Malta is known for its love of joy and celebrations (as anyone who has witnessed it will tell you), with a celebration called the Malta Feast almost every day in the summer. Festivities honoring a specific saint are held weekly in different towns, culminating in fireworks, street decorations, and musical performances. I suggest attending one of these celebrations and enjoying the company of the friendly Maltese. You can find the schedule here: Malta Celebrations Schedule.
Malta was indeed an extraordinary experience, combining the beauty of the clear turquoise sea, colorful balconies, ornate boats, kind people, and magnificent celebrations! It truly deserves more than a week of exploration. And we will definitely return!
Do you also live abroad and want to share your experience with the readers of “Exploring Earth’s Wonders”? It’s simple, just send me a quick email 🙂
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