Malta Travel Guide

1. Attend the Carnival

Malta has been throwing its own version of Carnival every February for over 500 years! Celebrations are held all around the island during the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, with parades, dancing, and costumes. Much of the population heads to Gozo for the weekend, so be sure to plan ahead as public transportation during that time can be a nightmare (more so than usual). Book your accommodation in advance because everything fills up!

2. Cruise around the island

If you want to get a different view of the island, take a ride around the coast. Tours usually stick to a certain region of the island and the more expensive trips include lunch. They cost from 20-30 EUR, last between 4-8 hours, stop off at a few beaches, and highlight some of the many shipwrecks around the country. Get Your Guide has a great full-day tour that covers all the highlights and gives you three hours of free time to explore on Gozo, if you want to go beyond the beaches.

3. Explore the Citadel

This fort was built by the British in Rabat/Victoria (this is the Rabat on the island of Gozo, not to be confused with Rabat on the main island of Malta). Known as the Cittadella or the Castello, it was built in the 16th century, though fortifications that have been found in this spot go back over 2,000 years (the area was settled in the Bronze Age). Inside, you can see the Cathedral of Gozo and the Bishop’s Palace, along with other historic buildings throughout the winding streets. Some of the damage you’ll see on the structures was actually from Napoleon’s troops in the 18th century, though a fair amount is due to the exposure to the elements. It’s free to enter and explore, with lots of little shops hidden down the alleys. For 5 EUR, you can check out the Visitors Center, the Nature Museum, the Gozo Archaeology Museum, Gran Castello Historic House, and the Old Prisons. The fort offers a great view of the city and surrounding area, making it a good place to come at sunset.

4. Go diving

Malta is surrounded by a plethora of shipwrecks that make for some great diving expeditions. The water in many places is incredibly clear so you have excellent visibility as you explore. Some of the most popular dive sites are the Um El Faroud oil tanker (it was sunk intentionally to act as a reef), the Double Arch cave in Gozo, and the Blue Hole (also in Gozo). You can also dive to see the fallen Azure Window (a famous rock formation that collapsed in 2017). A two-dive package starts around 90-120 EUR per person.

5. Hit the road

Most tourists who visit Malta never stray far from Valletta. If you want to really see the country, rent a car. There are lots of remote places to explore in Malta and a car gives you the freedom to do so. Considering the island is so small, you can just spend the day exploring the aging and battered towns that dot the island. You can find car rentals for as little as 20 EUR per day so it’s an affordable choice if you want to get away from the crowds and see the country beyond Valletta.

6. Relax in the Lower and Upper Barrakka Gardens

I love these gardens. Located in Valletta, on the southern side of the peninsula, they overlook the harbor and make a great place to watch the comings and goings of people and boats. They were created in 1661 as the private grounds for some of the knights that resided here. They were opened to the public in 1824 and are a relaxing nook of the city. Bring a book or a snack, grab a spot on a bench, and watch the world go by. The gardens are full of palm trees and there are different flowers and plants around based on the season. You’ll also see fountains and shaded spots to relax. Don’t miss the Siege Bell Memorial, which was built in 1992 to commemorate the 7,000 people who lost their lives during the Siege of Malta in World War II (the bells chime daily at noon).

7. Explore St. Paul’s Catacombs

Located near Mdina, these underground tunnels were used by the Romans as cemeteries up until the 4th century (and possibly as late as the 7th century). They were built in the 3rd century and are composed of over 30 different areas, 20 of which are open to the public. The entire network of underground passages covers 2,000 square meters. In one of the chambers, you’ll an ornate alter and the two large halls have pillars carved to look like columns. In the Middle Ages, the catacombs were used for religious worship, though they later just became storage areas until their re-discovery in the 1980s. They are an amazing thing to see. I loved them. Don’t miss them! Admission is 6 EUR.

8. Visit the Hypogeum

This is one of Malta’s most popular historical attractions. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hypogeum was carved over 5,000 years ago and was an ancient temple/burial site in the Neolithic Age (over 7,000 bodies have been found here). It’s really cool and the displays provide lots of detailed descriptions and context. The halls, rooms, and passages were carved into three levels from the limestone under the city. In some of the chambers, you can see remaining frescos and other artwork carved into the rock. It is so popular during the summertime (and into the autumn) you need to book your tickets up to four weeks in advance. Admission is 35 EUR and includes a guided tour. It’s one of the best-preserved historical sites in the country and worth every penny. Don’t skip it! It’s just 15 minutes south of Valletta by car.

9. Visit the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is situated between Comino and Cominotto (i.e. between the main island and Gozo) and is the most iconic beach in the country because of its pristine white sand beach and turquoise water, which is some of the clearest in the world. It can get incredibly busy here on the weekend, so be sure to come early to stake out a good spot. There is a regular ferry service from Malta, however, if you want to visit from Gozo you need to take a private boat. It takes about 45 minutes to drive to the ferry from Valletta. Half-day catamaran trips to the Blue Lagoon costs from 25 EUR.

10. See the Marsaxlokk fish market

This market happens every Sunday morning. It’s a bit touristy and gets quite crowded but it’s the best place to buy fresh fish. You can find lots of other items such as fresh produce, honey, and other local goods here too. There are plenty of restaurants around (though you should expect to pay tourist prices here). Marsaxlokk is on the southern tip of the main island, about 25 minutes away from Valletta by car.

11. Explore Popeye Village

What started out as the film set for the quirky 1980 Popeye musical starring Robin Williams is now a large tourist attraction. You can explore the village, watch a documentary about its creation, and even play mini-golf. There are actors dressed as characters from the film walking around and interacting with visitors. This is a fun place to go if you’re traveling with kids. You can take boat rides, watch a silversmith demonstration, and bounce around on water trampolines. When the weather is warm, they offer boat rides around the area. Off-peak admission is 15 EUR while peak-season admission is 24 EUR.

12. See the Gozo Salt Pans

Lining the coast of Gozo, these salt pans have been in use for over 350 years. The traditional methods of harvesting salt have been passed down for generations, and even to this day you can find locals engaged in harvesting the crystals. There is salt for sale in shops all around the island (it’s a great souvenir to take home).

13. Visit the Three Cities

Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua trace their origins back to the Middle Ages and have been inhabited more or less since people arrived on the island. The Three Cities were also the original home of the Knights Hospitallers (a Catholic military order known as the Knights of Malta) and feature a lot of wonderful architecture and history. They aren’t as visited as other destinations on the island so it can be a good way to get away from the crowds. They’re just across the water from Valletta. Half-day tours of the Three Cities cost 36 EUR.