11 Best Things To Do in Malta

St John’s Co-Cathedral – Must see in Malta!
St John’s Co-Cathedral might not look like much from the outside, but the inside will stay in your memory forever. It’s probably one of the most luxurious cathedral interiors, with incredible marble, artwork, gold gilding, and ceiling murals. The entrance fee to the cathedral is 15 EUR.
Tip: The floor is incredibly intricate and delicate so you’re not allowed to wear high heels and you must cover up as a sign of respect.

Upper Gardens & Lower Gardens

The Grandmaster’s Palace was one of the first buildings built in Valletta, so it’s one of the most historical places to visit in Valletta, Malta. The government has always used the palace as an office, whether that was the knights, the British governor, or the president.

As it dates back to 1571, the architecture is spectacular. Wander inside to see the grand courtyard, luxurious furnishings, artwork, frescoes, and armor. It costs 6 EUR to enter and it’s definitely worth a visit!

Birgu (Vittoriosa)

Birgu is the oldest of the three cities just across the water from Valletta (also known as Vittoriosa). It was also the capital city at one point before it was moved across to Valletta. One of the best things to do in Malta is to jump on the local boat, cruising around the city’s edges before arriving in Birgu. The traditional Maltese boats are painted in bright primary colors and look very similar to those in Venice. 

Once you’re in Birgu, enjoy the charming village atmosphere, wander the tiny narrow cobbled streets, find cute wine bars, or enjoy a candlelit dinner on the waterfront.

How to get to Birgu
You can take one of the gondola-style water taxis across the water to Birgu for 2 EUR (in 7 minutes). Alternatively, for a more scenic route, choose the slightly longer 30-minute harbor tour.

Visit Malta’s beaches

Malta has great beaches for sunbathing, cooling down, and spending the afternoon. The island’s beaches are mostly rocks (some with small pools) and a handful of sand beaches. The most popular beaches are Mellieha Bay and Golden Bay.

The best beaches in Malta:

• Mellieha Bay

• Golden Bay

• Riviera Beach (Għajn Tuffieħa)

• Fond Għadir Beach – Rocky beach in Sliema

• St. Peter’s Pool

• The Blue Lagoon

• Paradise Bay

• Ġnejna Bay

• Armier Bay

• Ta’ Fra Ben (Qawra Point)

Popeye Village

The Popeye Village is an unusual location, created specifically as a movie set for the 1980 film ‘Popeye’, starring Robin Williams. Now, it’s been turned into a theme park for families to relax and see the picturesque views out over the water. Although you have to pay for the park, the viewpoint is free to visit. 

The quirky style of houses against the cliffs and the Caribbean-looking water is a sight to remember. A must-see on your trip to Malta!

Mdina (One of the best things to do in Malta!)

The ancient city of Mdina looks like something straight out of the pages of a historical novel (it’s no surprise why it was used as a movie set on the Game of Thrones!). The dusty walled city sits high on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside, making it the perfect place to watch out for invasions.

For this reason, it was originally the capital until it was decided to move it to Birgu. This is when Mdina became virtually uninhabited and known as ‘the silent city’ of Malta.

Now, although there are people living here, silence is still respected, with very few cars allowed inside the city walls. This gives visitors the unique experience to see a city that is incredibly peaceful and well preserved; it feels like stepping back in time!

Palazzo Falson

Make sure to make a stop at the Palazzo Falson. It’s the second oldest building in the city, a former palace, and a museum open to the public. It’s beautiful from the outside, but inside you’ll also find historical belongings and beautiful antiques.

Tip: at night the city feels even more ‘silent’, as darkness sets in and the old-fashioned gas lamps turn on.

Rabat, Malta

The name Rabat literally translates as ‘suburb’. It was given this name as it used to be a suburb of Mdina (the old capital city). Now it’s a small village located in the southwest of Malta that sits above the city of Mdina with beautiful views below.

Must-sees in Rabat, Malta

The history of Rabat is fascinating, known in the past for defending against pirate attacks.

Visit:

• The Catacombs: an underground cemetery that is the earliest sign of christianity in Malta. (5 EUR to enter) 

• Casa Benard Palace: you can take a tour to see how Maltese nobility once lived. In fact, the same family still live there now! 

• Howard Gardens: a beautiful public garden that divides Rabat and Mdina. It’s one of the largest gardens in all of Malta.

Meridiana Wine Estate

Malta has an amazing climate and many days of sunshine. These conditions and the soil make it a great place to produce wine. The Meridiana Wine Estate is a traditional winery with a farmhouse at the center, surrounded by beautifully neat vineyards. Book a tour to taste delicious wines and learn about how wine is produced in Malta.

St. Peter’s Pool
St Peter’s Pool is an iconic spot and a great thing to do on Malta to tick off your bucket list. The natural pool shape has been created by the white rock arch surrounding it, and it’s a beautiful place to spend a day. Climb down the ladders into the refreshing turquoise water to cool off from the hot sun or snorkel and see marine life. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, skip the ladders, and jump straight from the edge into the deep pool below. Bliss!

Marsaxlokk is a charming traditional fishing village in the southeast of Malta. Most of the fish you’ll see for sale in Malta have been caught by fishermen from this village, so it’s very well known on the island. It has a rich fishing history which you can really feel from the harbor, with the colorful Luzzu boats bobbing in the background. On the front of the boat, you’ll see the fisherman have painted an ancient Egyptian symbol that protects them while they’re out at sea.

If you’re in Malta on a Sunday, visit the famous Marsaxlokk fish market which takes place close to the water. 

• Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is one of those bucket list things you have to see while in Malta. It’s intensely blue and feels like total paradise. However, it’s one of the most popular attractions in Malta so please note that in peak season it will be very busy! 
• Crystal Lagoon. The Crystal Lagoon is lesser known than the Blue Lagoon so it’s a bit more peaceful for swimming. It’s also rockier, and not quite as intensely blue, but it’s still a beautiful place to visit and the remoteness of it is very special.
• Santa Maria Caves. Malta really has it all: Caribbean-style beaches, turquoise lagoons, and even beautiful caves! The Santa Maria Caves are a famous spot for snorkeling; it’s a unique spot where a variety of marine life live. The journey to get there is interesting too, as you have to pass through a cave tunnel from Santa Maria Bay.
  
  Comino Island

  Malta is made up of 3 islands, and the smallest of the islands is Comino, situated between Malta and Gozo. It’s incredibly remote and beautiful, with wild nature and very few people living there. Its name means ‘cumin’, and you’ll see the flowering plant growing all over the island, as well as many other wildflowers and herbs. Go hiking across the rocky and wild landscapes. There are no proper roads, and the secluded feel can make you feel like the only person in the world! 

  What to visit on Comino

• Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is one of those bucket list things you have to see while in Malta. It’s intensely blue and feels like total paradise. However, it’s one of the most popular attractions in Malta so please note that in peak season it will be very busy! 
• Crystal Lagoon. The Crystal Lagoon is lesser known than the Blue Lagoon so it’s a bit more peaceful for swimming. It’s also rockier, and not quite as intensely blue, but it’s still a beautiful place to visit and the remoteness of it is very special.
• Santa Maria Caves. Malta really has it all: Caribbean-style beaches, turquoise lagoons, and even beautiful caves! The Santa Maria Caves are a famous spot for snorkeling; it’s a unique spot where a variety of marine life live. The journey to get there is interesting too, as you have to pass through a cave tunnel from Santa Maria Bay.
• How to Get to Comino
  Some ferries take you between the islands or from Malta mainland to Comino. The most popular boat leaves from the harbor at Marfa Bay. It only takes 10 minutes and is 13 EUR for a return ticket.
  The alternative is to join a Blue Lagoon boat tour, which may be a bit more expensive but gives you the benefit of having the boat to jump from instead of looking for a spot on the shore. 

The second biggest island is Gozo, which sits the farthest north. Although there is still a lot going on in Gozo, it’s a bit more relaxed, quieter, and more natural than the main island of Malta.

How to Get to Gozo, Malta

Gozo Channel Ferry is huge and allows the option to bring your car. It takes just 25 minutes, but it leaves from the northern tip of the main island of Malta which is a bit inconvenient. 

The ticket price for the Gozo Channel Ferry is currently 4.65 EUR for a return ticket. You have to pay for this ticket on your way back from Gozo, meaning there is no payment required at departure from Malta.

Best Time to Visit Malta

Malta has a fantastic climate all year round. The summers are hot and dry, and the winters, although a bit cooler, are still warm and sunny. It’s a popular European summer destination, so the beaches can become crowded during the summer, especially as many are fairly small. Because of this, it’s a great idea to visit in the shoulder seasons, during the spring or the fall.