After visiting Malta a few weeks ago I can now say it is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets! This is why I was eager to create this travel guide and share all the best things to do in Malta. Malta is a shocking 24km long and 18 wide. It’s a tiny speck on a map between Sicily and Northern Africa, which is why it sometimes feels like Europe, sometimes feels like Italy, and a lot of the time feels like Africa. At this point in time, a lot of people don’t know much about Malta, which has allowed it to stay under the radar from large groups of tourists. I came here with little knowledge of this country, and had no expectations, but was constantly surprised during our weeklong stay.

Why You Should Visit Malta

In Malta, the cities are uniquely beautiful and filled with history, the locals are SO friendly, beaches are plentiful, and because it hasn’t been overrun with tourists, everything is really inexpensive. Essentially it ticks all the boxes for a holiday destination in Europe! My biggest piece of advice when travelling to Malta is to go with no expectations and a curious mind. Malta has a different vibe than any other European country I’ve been to, which is why we enjoyed it so much. As much as I don’t want this country to be ruined by over-tourism, I can’t help but want to share this hidden gem with you. Just promise me you will leave it as you found it, clean and cultured.

What Language Do They Speak in Malta

Since Malta used to be under British rule, some things are still heavily influenced by the UK. The most useful being that almost everyone speaks English – YAY! Although they do have their own language, Maltese (a mixture of French, Italian, and Arabic), we were so happy that everyone understood us while travelling in Malta.

Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to make an effort to learn some basics words of the local language. In this instance, we learnt some simple Maltese words, which went a long way to being polite and making friends with the locals. Here are some common words to get you started on your trip.

Hello & Good Morning: Bongu

Please: Jekk Joghgbok

Thank-you: Grazzi

Goodbye: Addiju

Know Before You Go to Malta

Electrical Plugs

Although Malta is in Europe, we didn’t realize that their plugs were the same as in the UK, due to its history and connection to the UK. So if you have UK plug adapters, I suggest packing it for this trip. Alternatively, I recommend buying this international adapter plug. This is the one I have, and we love it because you can use world wide, and it has multiple USB ports. This way, if you are also travelling to another destination in Europe, before or after Malta, you can use this plug for your whole trip!

Currency

Since Malta is now an independent country and part of the EU, the currency they use is Euros.

Weather

Malta gets so hot -up to 35 degrees in the summer! Because of this, a lot of things close mid-day, and re-open around 4 pm. Some restaurants and tourist attractions stay open but keep this in mind for shopping and eating.

Drinking Water

Although it is safe to drink the water in Malta, I don’t recommend it. I found the taste to be quite unbearable, but that might just be because I am spoiled with fresh glacier water in Canada. Even when we tried boiling the water, the mineral taste didn’t go away. Luckily, our reusable self-cleaning UV water bottle saved the day!

This water bottle has a built-in UV-C light that neutralizes up to 99.99% of harmful viruses and bacteria from the water. It also eliminates odours and purifies the water. This means, you can fill it up from any tap or water source, and have safe and clean drinking water at all times.

Plus, since this water bottle is reusable, you’ll be reducing your plastic waste significantly. Not to mention, it will save you money in the long run, since you won’t have to constantly buy bottled water.

*Trip Changer: Malta Discount Card*

An incredible pass for tourists that includes 50% off 40+ popular restaurants and 30-50% of entry to 46 major attractions. This includes museums, Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours and even Blue Lagoon Cruises. The discount card allows unlimited use, and covers the cardholder, one guest, and up to three children (under 12) – making it ideal for couples or families. The card can be purchased online, and then delivered to your Malta hotel for pickup at the reception. 

We used it during our trip and I can’t  recommend it enough. Since there is so many fun things to do in Malta, this card not only helped us save money, but it also saved us the time of waiting in line and buying tickets at each attraction. Check out this website to see if the pass includes the attractions and restaurants you want to visit. And if you are interested in the pass, I recommend purchasing it before your trip so they can deliver it to your hotel before you arrive. 

During the course of this Malta itinerary, I will show you which attractions we used the card at.

How Long to Go to Malta

Since it is such a small country, a week is plenty of time to see Malta and soak up the local culture. However, if you are short on time and very organized, you could see it all in just 5 days.

It also might be helpful to mention that Malta is great to tie in with a trip to Sicily. This is because, Malta is located only a 30-minute flight from Sicily. Stay tuned – Sicily blog post coming soon!

When to Go to Malta

From a Canadian’s point of view, Malta is a country that rarely gets cold, making it a wonderful warm country to visit all year-round. In the summer months (June – August), temperatures can rise to 35°C with high humidity. Whereas in the winter months (November – February), temperatures range from 12-18°C. I image the shoulder season (September-November & March- June), would be the most pleasant time to visit, as it will still be hot, but less humid and not as busy.

Ben and I visited Malta in July and we did find it to be very hot. So daily swims were a must to keep us cool. We liked the warm weather, however, we found it extremely hot to explore and walk around in the middle of the day. Also, since it was peak season, I found it difficult to find a nice Airbnb or hotel in July in our budget. If you are planning a trip in the summer months, make sure to book at least 3-4 months ahead of your visit. When looking for an Airbnb we noticed most places did not have air conditioning, as the structures are older and have few modern features. With that being said, if you struggle in the heat, air conditioning might be something to keep in mind when looking for accommodation.

Where to Stay in Malta

Valletta

When I started to share our Malta experience on my Instagram, the number one question I had was where to stay. So I knew I had to include my suggestions in this Malta Travel Guide. If I were to go back to Malta, my first choice would be to stay in Valletta, the capital city. It is the heart of the country, and where you will find most of the attractions, restaurants, bars, and other happenings. You know the saying, “all roads lead to Rome”, well in Malta, it feels like all roads lead to Valletta! At least all the buses do, which makes it much easier to get around and see everything.

Three Cities: Birgu, Senglea, or Cospicua

Another fantastic area to stay is in one of the Three Cities (Birgu, Senglea, or Cospicua), which are right across the harbour from Valletta. Ben and I stayed in Senglea, and absolutely loved it! It was across the street from the beach, had a more local vibe, and was quieter then Valletta. Plus we were surrounded by tons of relaxed cafes and inexpensive restaurants around the harbour! We used the local ferry system to get over to Valletta, which took only 10 minutes, and otherwise used the bus to get to other areas of the island. If you stay in one of the Three Cities, you’ll get a real sense of what life is like for a local in Malta.

Sliema

I’ve also heard Sliema is a great area to stay, as it is a tad more cosmopolitan with modern apartment buildings. When we visited Sliema we noticed it had plenty of nice restaurants, tons of tourist shops, and a nice ocean-side promenade.

If you are like me and love to swim on your holiday, a nice thing to know is that all these areas have places to swim. Not all swimming areas are sandy beaches, but I was happy to hear that the water is clean enough (and safe) to swim in the harbour. Our local ‘beach’ was a small rocky area that had a ladder descending into the water and was perfect for daily swims to escape the heat of our Airbnb.

Getting Around Malta

Personally, I do not recommend renting a car or driving in Malta, unless you are a very confident driver. It’s for sure the fastest way to get around this small little island, but everyone drives on the left-hand side (opposite to what I’m used to in Canada). And Maltese drivers have a different set of rules to what I’m used to. As an alternative, here are a few different options to help you get around Malta.

Hop On Hop Off Buses

See all the major sights with this handy Hop-On Hop-Off Bus that has two different loops. I heard these were great, but unfortunately, they only run 9am-3pm, which didn’t really work with our remote working schedules. If you have the time, this would be a way more efficient and fast way to see the sights I share below! 

Price: €17.5 with the Malta Discount Card or €25 per person.

Explore Bus Card

The Explore Bus Card is €21 for 7 days unlimited. It can be purchased at the airport, and is great if you are using the buses to get around for the week. We debated the more expensive ‘Explore Plus pass’ (€39), but didn’t opt for it, as we weren’t sure we would use the extra inclusions (Valetta ferry & Blue Lagoon/Comino ferry or hop on hop off bus). In the end, we were happy with our choice, and we definitely got our money’s worth. For more information on the various bus cards see here.

• For your knowledge, each bus ride is €2 in the summer months. So you only need to take 10 buses to make the Explore Bus card worth your money. However, if you think you won’t use it that much, then it may be best to pay per trip.
• Note: Maltese buses tend to run on ‘island time’. They can sometimes be late, or not show up at all. One of the buses we took overheated, so we had to take an entirely different route. Everyone was extremely helpful, but the moral of the story is to give yourself plenty of time! And if you need to be somewhere at a specific time, or opt for Taxify (see below).
• Also, since we were staying in Senglea almost every trip we made required us to take at least 2 buses. This didn’t bother us, but as I mentioned above, this might be a reason to stay in Valetta on our next visit.

Download Free App Taxify

Taxify operates exactly like Uber and works in 24 countries. We tried the app to get around Malta, and I was very pleased with our experience. Prices are quoted ahead of time, and were less than a standard taxi. Plus, you can pay in cash to avoid international credit card fees.

Ferries & Boats

Use the inter-city ferries, or get a more traditional ride by hopping on a small local boat called ‘dgħajsa’. The public ferries run until midnight and it saves you a bit of money to buy a return ticket (€2.80 return, per person).

Sites to See & Things to Do in Malta

Valetta

The capital city of Malta, which was recently proclaimed a world UNESCO site, is something you absolutely cannot miss when visiting Malta. Walking through Valetta feels like you’ve stepped back into an ancient medieval city, due to its stunning Baroque architecture. Keep your eyes peed for old British phone booths, horse-drawn carriages and the colourful Maltese balconies, that have become an iconic symbol of Malta. Since the city is so small, it is best to explore Valetta by foot, and make sure to visit the following sites on your walk:

• St John’s Co-Cathedral
• Siege Bell War Memorial
• Upper & Lower Barrakka Gardens: for amazing views of the harbour

The Three Cities: Birgu, Senglea, and Cospicua

Located across the main harbour from Valetta, The Three Cities is a large fortress that showcases the authentic Maltese lifestyle and the laidback vibe of the locals. You also might recognize this area from the famous movie The Count of Monte Cristo. This region is spectacular to see at night when The Three Cities are all lit up.

• Highly recommend walking around and eating in Senglea harbour
• Also, make sure to visit the Gardjola gardens for incredible harbour views (see photo below).

Marsaxlokk & St. Peter’s Pool

Marsaxlokk is a small fishing village, which is famous for its Sunday fish markets and its harbour full of traditionally painted boats. Even if you miss the weekly market, Marsaxlokk is still worth a visit. I highly suggest visiting the town for lunch or dinner. If you do, include a trip to St. Peter’s Pool, which is a neighbouring swimming hole. It’s perfect for a swimming and cliff jumping to beat the heat.

To get to St. Peter’s Pool from Marsaxlokkyou have a few options: it is either a 30-40 minute walk (free), €5 cab (per person), or a €10 boat trip (per person). Photo: bottom left.

Pretty Bay

As the name gives away, Pretty Bay is another beautiful beach in Malta that is steps away (20-minute walk) from Marsaxlokk. Ben and I took the bus straight to this beach, on our way to Marsaxlokk. It’s an easy stop to include on your journey there. (Photo: top right)

Scuba Diving in Malta

Ben and I love to dive but don’t do it nearly as much as we like because the waters are so cold in Canada. When we heard the diving was top notch in Malta, we were keen to make the time for it. After some research, we decided to go with Cresta Dive Centre, based in Saint Julian’s.

We opted for the afternoon dive, and requested it be at Cirkewwa Harbour, which we heard was one of the best dive sites in Malta. At this site, we got to swim through caves, under rock-wall overhangs, but my favourite part was seeing an octopus. The one shore-dive was €50 per person, included a guide, all our equipment (including tanks) and our private van transfer to and from the dive site.

If you’ve never dived before, and want to give it a try in Malta, check out this introduction dive at St. Paul’s Bay.

Saint Julian’s

Also known as, San Giljan. For lack of a better phrase, this area is a bit of a tacky tourist trap. Ben and I happened to check out this area because a scuba diving company we were recommended was located here. Happy we did the dive but was surprised by this area. Saint Julian’s is famous for its pubs, bars and hotels, so if you are looking for a holiday filled with nightlife, this would definitely be the place I would recommend.

Blue Lagoon – My Malta Highlight

As I’ve mentioned before, Malta doesn’t feel touristy; however, the Blue Lagoon was one spot that was swimming with tourists – literally, LOL! But in its defence, the Blue Lagoon is a stunning spot that Malta is famous for, so it’s no wonder so many people flock here to enjoy its natural beauty. In all honesty, Ben and I debated going to the Blue Lagoon because of the full day commitment. We were also nervous all the tourists would take away from the location. But in the end, we went, and I can confidently say that it was one of my favourite things we saw in Malta.

Now you might be looking at my photos thinking, “that is SO edited”, but I promise you, the water IS that blue! This place is seriously as gorgeous as it looks. The Blue Lagoon truly feels like paradise in the Mediterranean!

Amenities at The Blue Lagoon

To help you plan your visit, it might help to know there are umbrellas and chairs you can rent, food trucks to grab something to eat, and public bathrooms available. There are also day lockers you can rent for €5 to keep your belongings safe while you swim in the lagoon. To keep my mind at ease, and my iPhone and camera safe, I rented one so I didn’t have to worry about our stuff getting stolen while we swam around for 2 hours. I like to believe the best in people, but in a busy tourist place like this, I’d rather be safe than sorry.

How to Visit the Blue Lagoon

There are numerous ways to get to the Blue Lagoon, but I have broken down the two options we considered for our trip. In the end, we went with the second option, which we highly recommend for a relaxing experience.

Option #1: Comino Ferries

The ferry is located at the north end of the island, so depending on where you are staying you will need to take a bus or two to get to these ferries (this will take 1-2 hours). From here you can walk onto the ferry for €10 round-trip (per person), the ferry takes around 30 minutes, and then you can walk to the Blue Lagoon from the Comino ferry terminal. Check this link for the ferry schedule.

Approximate total cost: €10 ferry + €2 bus there + €6 lunch/drinks + €2 bus back = €20 per person

*Bugibba: Gozo, Comino, and Blue Lagoon Sightseeing Cruise

For €30 per person, this cruise allows you to see both Gozo and the Blue Lagoon in one day. This full-day boat tour takes you to explore Gozo and Comino islands, where you can swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. Then, visit key cities and landmarks of Gozo, and discover the Comino Sea Caves. This cruise gave us plenty of time to explore, swim, and relax at the Blue Lagoon, which was our biggest concern.

Although we were one of many other tourists on this boat, Ben and I opted for the tour, as it saved us a lot of time and stress. We realized that 1-2 hours in transit hopping from buses to the ferry wouldn’t be nearly as relaxing or enjoyable. Instead we got to relax on the boat, and watch the scenery drift past us. Overall, this day was the highlight of our Malta trip, and we would recommend this tour to anyone going to Malta.

Total cost: €30 per person OR €21 with the Malta Discount Card

Other Sights to See in Malta

Although we had full intentions of seeing the following sights, we weren’t able to fit it all in, due to something that came up on our travels. I have included them below, for your trip planning. Guess we’ll just have to go back to tick these spots off our list.

Once again, if you are short on time, and want to see as many tourist sights and attractions as possible, I really recommend the Malta hop-on hop-off bus tours. Although, a lot of people avoid them, they really are the most efficient way to see all the main tourist attractions in a destination. Plus, you usually hear some fun facts and history during the drive. Personally, I’m a big fan of them!

Mdina

Mdina is the oldest city of Malta that dates back more than 4000 years. Woah, now that’s old! Step back in time by visiting this ancient walled city, which just happens to be one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones. We were gutted we didn’t get here, as we heard so many great things from other travellers we met. If we went back to Malta, this would definitely be our first thing on our list! Don’t make the mistake we did and make time for it.

Blue Grotto

A massive cave-like structure that can be seen from above, or by a boat below. Located on the south side of the island, about an hour bus ride from Marsaxlokk. For more information on visiting the Blue Grotto see here.

What & Where to Eat

One of the great things about Malta is that it isn’t over-saturated by tourists and therefore food, amongst other things, is still fairly inexpensive. For example, standard prices for a beer would be €1.5, a burger with fries would be €5, full English breakfast €5. At a nicer restaurant, we found entrees like king prawn risotto for €10, which is still less than you would see it in other countries.

Local Cuisine

Keep an eye out for some of these local foods/beverages to try:

• Cisk Beer: Light and easy to drink beer. Refreshing and cheap on a hot day
• Pastizzi: Small pastries filled with a green pea paste or ricotta cheese. Also very inexpensive (we found some for 30 cents)
• All the fresh seafood
• Rabbit is a local specialty and is included in things like stews or spaghetti
• Maltese Sausage
• Stuffed marrow (marrow is a squash, not bone marrow like I had guessed)

Where to Eat

The Malta discount card I mentioned above offers a one-time 50% discount on bills at over 45 different restaurants. Which can add up to significant savings if you’re eating out frequently! Review the discount card information to see which restaurants are eligible, but if you’re looking for suggestions, here are some restaurants we enjoyed during our stay.

Senglea Harbour Front

Any of the snack shacks or restaurants set up along the water, in Senglea’s harbour front. Don’t go expecting fine dining, but you can expect friendly service, breath-taking views of the harbour, and inexpensive prices for good food. We loved that this area was steps from our apartment door! But it was the upbeat atmosphere and views that kept us coming back throughout the week. The picture below is the typical view you would see from the Senglea harbour side restaurants.

Valetta Indoor Food Market (Is-Suq tal Belt )

This building was originally built in 1861, but was damaged in the war and then re-built multiple times as an indoor marketplace. Recently they’ve converted this old building into a more modern hangout. Here you can find various food stalls and a high-end grocery store downstairs. Since Ben and I were here during the World-Cup, we came here to watch the game. And while enjoying a drink on their outdoor patio, we met the loveliest local couple. This market has lots of communal tables, so it’s a great place to make new friends.

Soul Food

A cute vegetarian & vegan café in Valetta. Ben and I were craving a healthy meal and loved their fresh smoothies and hearty bowls. Highly recommend their cheesy chickpea burger bowl.

Il Teatro

Delicious thin crust pizza and Caprese salad in Valetta

Il-Malti

Maltese cuisine in Sliema. Loved their fish & vegetable soups, Maltese sausage, and stuffed squash dish.

Maltese Mama’s Restaurant

If you do happen to go to Saint Julian’s make sure to eat at Maltese Mama. It has authentic Maltese dishes like rabbit spaghetti and king prawn risotto, with a sweet ‘Grandma’s kitchen’ ambience.

Malta Travel Guide: What to Pack

Since I am an anxious packer, and always fear not packing something important, I wanted to include this packing section in my Malta Travel Guide. Depending on which month you travel, pack light-weight clothing for a normal beach holiday. However, consider bringing the following items.

• Swimsuit (obviously)
• A small, quick-drying beach towel. We’ve found it rare that Airbnbs or hotels provide you with them, and a small towel will come in handy with all the swim spots in Malta
• One dorky thing that Ben packed on this trip (and that I keep stealing) is a pair of swim goggles. Call me crazy, but I LOVE looking under water, especially at all the fish. And goggles are so much smaller and easier to pack than a snorkel mask.
• A international plug adapter (as I mentioned above)
• Good walking sandals for exploring the cities
• A hat & sunscreen. The sun here is STRONG, so protect your beautiful skin and bring a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen.

For more packing tips, be sure to check out my 10 Proven Packing Tips to Make Every Trip Easier. Learn how to save space and make packing a breeze! 

Conclusion: Things to Do in Malta

So there you have it, my Travel Guide with all the best things to do in Malta. Hopefully you found everything you need to plan the perfect Malta holiday. If you have any questions, feel free to share them in the comments below. I think I’ve said it enough, but I’ll say it again. Malta is an up-and-coming European destination, so I highly suggest visiting it in the next couple years before it becomes the next hot spot. It’s only a matter of time!

Have a missed anything in this Malta Travel Guide? Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below.

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