What to see in Malta, an island of legendary knights and mysterious caves
Malta is an archipelago full of magical spots, both historical, thanks to its close links to the Order of St John, whose members occupied the islands in the 16th century, and natural, with secret caves, artificial blue lagoons and incredible cliffs in perfect harmony with the Mediterranean Sea
Towns and cities in Malta
Valletta
The capital of Malta has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980 for several reasons, not least its 320 monuments. It’s a walled city of cobbled streets and stone buildings whose balconies are painted in red, green, blue or white to create a truly special atmosphere.
Make sure to visit Republic Street, the longest street in the city, and St Lucía’s St Steps, a stairway that’s one of the most popular photo spots in the country.
Important monuments include St John’s Co-Cathedral, built by the Order of St John and the burial place of the Order’s Grand Masters; the Auberge de Castille, the residence of Malta’s prime minister; the Teatru Manoel, the oldest working theatre in Europe; and the Auberge D’Italie, built by the knights in the 16th century.
And don’t miss the impressive cannon salutes that are fired from Barrakka Gardens at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day.
Mdina
Mdina was formerly the capital of Malta before this honour was passed to Valletta. It’s in the centre of the island and is one of its most important historical cities. The city’s old walls, stone monuments and labyrinthine streets lined with artisan shops are particularly captivating when night falls and the city is illuminated by medieval-style streetlamps. This is partly why Mdina has earned itself the nickname ‘the Silent City’.
Legend tells that St Paul the Apostle lived here after his boat sank in the Mediterranean, bringing Christianity to Malta with him. Today, an impressive church stands in his memory.
While you’re in Mdina, make sure to visit the Palazzo Falson, which reveals what life was like for the Maltese aristocracy in centuries past, and the Carmelite Priory.
Interestingly, Mdina was used as a filming location for many scenes in Game of Thrones because it retains the true essence of medieval times.
Rabat
Rabat lies on the other side of Mdina’s walls and shares many of the former’s style, legends, and beauty. Surprisingly, the main monuments in Rabat are below ground, in the catacombs and caves that were used for centuries as burial grounds by the people who lived here.
The most famous is St Paul’s Grotto, around four kilometres of tunnels where the apostle is said to have prayed during his time in the area.
Rabat was an important town in Roman times, and numerous Roman remains that have been unearthed here can be seen in the Roman Villa museum.
Marsaxlokk
This fishing village in the south of the island is one of the most picturesque in Malta and a great place to learn about the traditions of a land inhabited by the Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks and Carthaginians.
Today, Marsaxlokk is one of Malta’s main ports and the best place to eat lampuki or mahi-mahi, the traditional fish of Malta.
One of the main tourist attractions in Marsaxlokk is the seafront promenade and the colourful luzzu, traditional Maltese boats that have the eyes of Osiris or Horus painted on their prows. This was an ancient Egyptian ritual that was brought to Malta by the Phoenicians ‒ the eye was said to protect sailors and bring them safely back to land.
Another fascinating place to visit while in Marsaxlokk is the church of Our Lady of Pompeii.
The Cottonera Lines
The Cottonera Lines are three cities, Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa, that stand opposite Valletta; they were built from the 16th century onwards and have the best views over the Maltese capital and its walls.
The most enjoyable way to get to the cities is to take a ferry from Valletta, and you can then explore them on foot; they’re all connected by one road that runs along the coastline.
Each one features fortifications, basilicas, city walls and charming streets with colourful balconies in the typical Maltese style.
St Julian’s and Sliema
These two towns are right next to Valletta and have become the favourite holiday destination of both foreign tourists and Maltese locals. The seafront promenade is lined with exclusive Maltese and international hotels, bars, and restaurants serving a wide variety of food.
Paceville neighbourhood in St Julian’s is famous for being Malta’s nightlife hotspot, while nearby Portomaso Marina is where luxury yachts are moored when their owners visit the island.
Ta’qali
This former aerodrome is in the centre of Malta, close to Mdina and Rabat. It’s been turned into a craft village where you’ll find excellent examples of ceramics, filigree jewellery and blown glass.
The rounded aircraft hangars have been refurbished and converted into artisan workshops that are free to visit. Seeing glassblowers at work is perhaps the most eye-catching attraction, and thanks to their skills the area now specialises in this craft.
Popeye Village
Disney chose northern Malta as the filming location for the 1980s film Popeye and the company built Popeye’s village here. The film set was never pulled down after filming and instead the village was turned into a hugely popular theme park.
Packed with fun, rides and leisure activities, Popeye Village in Anchor Bay also has incredible views.
The other islands
Gozo Island
Gozo is the green island of the archipelago and, according to legend, Odysseus stopped here on his return to Ithaca ‒ today you can even visit Calypso’s Cave. The island’s capital is Victoria, named in honour of the British queen, and it has an ancient citadel that looks down on the city and has amazing views. The island has many spectacular natural sights, such as the Azure Window, a natural sea arch; sadly one of the main arches that joined it to the mainland collapsed due to erosion. However, it’s still well worth visiting to admire the incredible blue water and marvel at how the force of nature has shaped the rocks.
Comino Island
This small island can be visited in around four hours and is home to one of the most popular attractions in the country: the Blue Lagoon. A natural sea pool with clear, warm, turquoise waters, the Blue Lagoon is a favourite spot of the many holidaymakers who visit to the island by boat or ferry.
Despite its popularity, Comino remains undeveloped and still only has one hotel and one restaurant, although a beach bar opens in summer and you can hire beach umbrellas and sunbeds in the Blue Lagoon area.
Beaches by the sea in Malta
Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto is one of Malta’s biggest tourist attractions and is a series of six caves that have been carved out in the rock by the sea. They can be visited by boat, and a trip can be booked with one of the small boats moored at the nearby dock. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the rocks and over half an hour to pass through the caves.
The most impressive part of the cave is the intense blue that’s projected onto its walls by sunlight reflecting off the sea, and the best time to visit it is between dawn and 1 p.m.
There’s a swimming area close by where you can also go snorkelling and scuba diving to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this place.
Dingli Cliffs
This is a fabulous place to visit at sunset and is also home to the highest village in Malta, which stands at 270 m above sea level.
The cliffs are over 220 m high and are a breath-taking sight, equally as impressive as other cliffs around Europe. Numerous defensive towers were built along the coastline and their remains can still be seen today.
Several hiking routes start from the cliffs and they’re extremely popular due to the fantastic views you enjoy along the way; one of the best leads to the Blue Grotto and takes about four hours.
St. Peters Pool
This natural pool is about 7 km from Marsaxlokk and is famous for its transparent, intensely turquoise waters. Despite being extremely well-known by tourists and locals, the pool is still in pristine condition.
You can reach the pool on foot from the fishing village of St Peter’s, by boat from the dock, and by car (paying close attention to the signs).
It gets rather busy in summer and there are no facilities, so you should bring everything you need with you.
Hms Maori
This is Malta’s most famous dive site and it lies opposite Valletta; divers can explore the wreck of a Second World War destroyer that sank in St Elmo Bay. The HMS Maori was launched in 1937 but in 1942 it received a direct hit to its machine room and sank.
The shipwreck is at a depth of about 18 m ‒ all its weapons have been removed but you can still see the bow section with a gun platform. You’ll also spot a multitude of fish species swimming around the wreck.
Gadira bay
This sandy beach in the north of Malta, next to Mellieħa, is one of the biggest on the island. The beach is easy to access and isn’t usually crowded, even in summer, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for a peaceful day out. Gadira Bay has all the facilities you could need, and sunbeds, boats, and beach bars, making it a popular destination for holidaymakers with children.
Golden bay
This is one of the most famous beaches in Malta thanks to the way its red sand contrasts with the crystal-clear waters. The bay is next to a cliff and is one of the best spots on the island to watch the sun go down.
The beach has blue flag status so its waters are extremely clean, and it can be reached by bus. It has all the necessary facilities: sunbeds, restaurants, showers, and a lifeguard service. It isn’t normally busy, even in summer, despite being a picturesque beach that’s well worth visiting.
Xemxija bay
This swimming zone is part of St Paul’s Bay, to the north of Valletta. Its name, Xemxija, means ‘sunny’ and it couldn’t be more appropriate because this peaceful bay usually enjoys good weather for excursions and days by the sea.
It has a pretty port and all the facilities you could need because you can walk to St Paul’s Bay from here.
Where to stay in Malta
One of the best accommodation options is the Barceló Fortina Malta, a hotel right on Sliema Promenade, halfway between Valletta and San Julian. This five-star hotel has been fully refurbished and offers a unique experience whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple or with friends.
It has 183 elegantly decorated rooms with terraces, most of which have incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea or the fortified city of Valletta.
It’s perfectly located to visit the many nearby restaurants, bars, and shops, and to explore the island’s historic sights.
The hotel restaurant serves both local and international food so there is always something for everyone. It also has a wellbeing centre and an adults-only spa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the essential sights in Malta?
If you visit Malta, don’t miss the historic cities of Valletta and Mdina, the prehistoric temples and the Blue Grotto, one of the island’s natural wonders.
How many days do you need to visit Malta?
A week is enough time to explore Malta, and Gozo and Comino islands.
What activities are free in Malta?
The prehistoric temples, museums and important buildings charge an entrance fee, but you can enjoy the cliffs, beaches and explore the incredible cities of Valletta and Mdina for free.
Is Malta expensive?
Prices in Malta are similar to those in Spain, while the price of flights to the island depends on the time of year and how far in advance you book.