22 Best Things To See And Do In Malta – A Travel Guide for 2024

This Is A Comprehensive List Of What To Do In Malta

Wondering what is worth seeing in Malta? We spent a considerable amount of time researching this location so we could discover the best sights and attractions located around the islands. We planned to stay for a full week to give us time for exploring, sightseeing and some relaxed days as well. We managed to see quite a lot.

Malta is a small place and having some extra time really gave us the ability to explore all that it has to offer in depth. Below we have created our list of what not to miss on Malta based on our own experiences. We are going to cover the best things to see and do in Malta that will help you plan your trip to this Mediterranean gem.

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What Is Malta Best Known For?

Located in the Mediterranean, the island of Malta is a wonderful place to visit. Although small,  it has many significant things to do and see.

1. Delve Into History In Valletta

This will likely be where you arrive if coming by an international flight. The capital of Valletta is a beautifully restored city, that has an incredible history since it was built by the Order of the Knights of St. John. The city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its many significant sites to visit. 

Wandering the streets, enjoying the many viewpoints and relaxing at the numerous street cafes is a perfect way to spend some of your time here. We found so much to see that it filled three of our days in Malta. 

✅ We took this great small group tour in Valletta that gave us an excellent understanding of the history of the city and an introduction to the major sites.

2. Explore St John’s Co-Cathedral

Perhaps one of the most popular places to visit in Malta is the St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. Built in the 16th century by the Knights of St John, its Mannerist style looks quite plain from the outside. This makes it an even bigger surprise when you enter the cathedral and see the extremely ornate decorations. This is one of the most elaborate cathedrals we have ever visited! 

Many chapels line the edges that were utilized by each of the langues (divisions) of the Order and they are dripping in gilded floral designs, massive statues and frescos. It seems like every surface is covered with something shiny.

The main floor is lined with the tombs of the Knights and details their service to the Order and devotion to the church.

Also located in a separate room are paintings by Caravaggio that date to the early 1600s. One of the paintings is the largest the artist created and the only known piece that he signed.

This is definitely one of the best places to see while in Malta.

3. Uncover the Charm of Mdina

Once you have explored the current capital of Malta you should then plan a visit to the original capital city of Mdina that dates to the 7th century. This is an incredible walled city and makes you feel like you have stepped back to Medieval times.

It is a tiny spot with a population of only 300 people but it is one of the best places to visit in Malta. After entering the majestic gate, the small stone passageways and cobblestone streets lead you to the centre square where Saint Paul’s Cathedral is located.

This was the original cathedral in Malta and why St John’s in Valletta is called a Co-Cathedral so as not to overshadow the first one. It is a quiet location – beautifully decorated with many frescos covering the ceiling, a pretty dome and massive red marble columns.

There is also a very interesting Cathedral Museum that houses artifacts from the church as far back as the 1300s.

There is a Museum of Natural History, lots of boutique shops and some great restaurants with amazing views over the island.

While in Mdina, be sure to just wander the streets. Here you can see the lovely Palazzos with hand-carved and painted doors, wrought iron balconies and elaborate door knockers. We couldn’t believe how the entire city is so well-maintained and just beautiful to look at. 

✅ We enjoyed a wonderful small group walking tour with a guide of Mdina. It is a great way to learn about the history of this beautiful city.

4. Go Underground In Rabat

Right beside Mdina is the interesting city of Rabat. Here many of the most popular sights are underground! The city is known for its incredible catacombs and many of them are open to visitors. We visited the largest St Paul’s Catacombs and were amazed at the size of the underground crypts. It was amazing to learn about the burial customs that date to the 3rd century BC. 

Be sure to also visit the Wignacourt Museum which provides access to the St Paul’s Church and Grotto, an interesting museum housing exhibits and artifacts from the 17th-19th centuries and also cisterns that were turned into bomb shelters during WW2.

Rabat also has some amazingly preserved Roman mosaic floors that are worth a visit. These floors were found when excavating for the nearby garden and now have a museum built around them. It was awesome to see something from nearly 2000 years ago. 

5. Discover Fort St Elmo

A spot to learn about the military history of Malta is the Fort St Elmo. Located in a strategic spot at the point leading into the Grand Harbour of Valletta, here you can get an understanding of Malta’s long history and its occupation by so many different groups over the ages.

It also houses an incredible War Museum filled with military history, artifacts and important information on Malta’s involvement in many battles and most notably its significant role in WW2. The signage and explanations were excellent (and in English) and provided some good background to understand what you were viewing.

This museum is very detailed and a must-visit location for anyone interested in military history. Entrance is also included with the Malta Heritage Pass.

6. Be In Awe Of The Grandmaster Palace

To learn about the St Johns Order and its history in Valletta, a great place to start is the Grandmaster Palace. Now the office of the President, many sections of this amazing building are open to the public to visit. 

The museum has recently been restored and you can now visit many of the State Rooms and the incredibly decorated corridors with amazing frescos on the ceilings. You can feel like royalty walking these halls! 

There is also a vast armoury on the premises. Housing more than 7000 pieces of military artifacts it is quite the place to see. Weapons and armour are all meticulously catalogued by country and date. 

It is evident how important this collection is to the country given the large space and beautiful showcases that it is displayed. It is worth putting on your list of places to visit and it is included with the Malta Heritage Pass.

7. Learn At The Malta Maritime Museum

Continuing with history lessons, the Malta Maritime Museum on the waterfront in Vittoriosa is currently housing a temporary exhibit. The displays are still quite extensive and to be honest, when we visited we didn’t realize it was only a section of what the full exhibit will eventually be.

The exhibit covers many interesting topics related to Malta’s unique position in the Mediterranean and how that has shaped its history. Here you will see interactive and video displays, paintings, models, artifacts, and maps all from different periods in time and covering different aspects of the Maritime history of the country. 

We found it to be an interesting display and imagine that the final Museum when it opens will be quite impactful. This site is included with the Malta Heritage Pass.

8. Relax On A Harbour Cruise

Adding to Malta’s important location in the Med is the fact that the natural Grand Harbour was highly sought after as a perfect defensive location.

Now the harbour is a wonderful place to visit on a cruise. From Sliema you can take a 75-minute boat ride that will cruise through the creeks, show you several marinas, and the cruise liner dockyard. 

You will also see the Three Cities from the water and enjoy beautiful views of the walls and forts that surround the city of Valletta.

There is commentary given about the history of the area and some explanations about the significance of the Grand Harbour in Malta’s history. 

We found this to be a very pleasant way to see this beautiful area from a different perspective. On a sunny day be sure to put this on your list to do.

✅ There are several tour companies to consider but we enjoyed this family-run one. The boat was clean, the commentary very informative and the crew onboard was friendly.

9. Consider The View At Upper Barrakka Gardens

If you are looking for the best view of the harbour, be sure to visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta. The Gardens was originally built for the Knights as a leisure area and it isn’t surprising that was its purpose as the gardens and terrace are a perfect getaway. Here there is a peaceful garden with fountains, plants and statuary. 

The garden leads out to the terrace that has the most spectacular view of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities across the water. We came here a few times to take in the impressive sight.

This can be a super busy place, particularly 45 minutes before 12:00pm and 4:00pm. That is when crowds gather to find a spot on the terrace edge to view the daily gun salute. This is a fascinating thing to see as the soldiers prepare the guns and then precisely at the top of the hour, initiate a simulated canon firing.

It is a cool thing to see and special too, since it is the oldest remaining saluting battery in the world, dating back to 1640.

10. Travel Through The Three Cities

Across the harbour is an area affectionately known as the Three Cities – Cospicua, Senglea and Vittoriosa. These cities are much older than Valletta and hold much of the history of the settlers in Malta.

On one of our tours, we had a driver take us to visit two of the three cities and found them to be far less crowded, quaint and quieter than Valletta. The streets are beautiful and walking the area along the marina is a wonderful way to spend a day.

We went back a second time on our own to Vittoriosa by gondola. You can pick up these gondolas from the lower level in front of the Barrakka Gardens (take the Panoramic elevator down and walk towards the water). It is a quick ride across and only costs €2 each.

We spent time walking around the pretty streets, admiring the balconies and numerous churches. There are several shops with local products.

We also stopped at a shop where the proprietor, Manuel, hand-makes tiny wooden balconies. The work is so intricate and detailed – we loved it and bought a balcony to bring home as a souvenir!

After a leisurely walk, we enjoyed lunch at one of the restaurants along the marina. It can be a perfect half or full-day trip on your Malta itinerary.

The Three Cities are also accessible by a regular ferry.

✅ But if you would like a little more background on the history and sights, the best way to see these beautiful cities is by a tour. This is a highly-rated walking tour of Vittoriosa.

11. Visit Gardjola Gardens

If you visit the Three Cities – while in Senglea be sure to check out Gardjola Gardens. In our opinion, the small garden isn’t really the reason to visit but it is from this vantage point which allows you to see a perfect view of Valletta. It is an excellent spot for pictures and also a peaceful location since it is located in a residential neighbourhood.

There is also a tower situated at the point that has an ear, eye and crane carved into it. Our guide advised that the ear and eye are symbols that meant the city was being listened to and watched over. Sounded kind of ominous to us.

12. Check Out Sliema

The city of Sliema is across the creek from Valletta. It is here that many people find reasonably priced accommodations and as a result, there is a thriving restaurant and bar scene that supports the people staying in this area of the island.

We stayed in Sliema and found it convenient although on a future visit, we feel we would likely stay in Valletta to save some transit time. But if staying on this side, the ferry that runs every 20 mins is a cost-effective way to get over to Valletta.

The area is mainly residential but also has shopping available. There is a nice promenade along the water where many people enjoy running, walking and biking. This is also where the boats depart for various cruises around the island.

There are also some very busy bars/restaurants in this area. We had a very nice meal at Giorgios right on the Strand. But we also had a not great meal at one of the bar/restaurants. So make sure to choose wisely.

13. Enjoy Maltese Food

On the subject of food – we found there were great local dishes that we enjoyed. Due to the history and multiple nationalities that have ruled the island, there is a large assortment of food types. And the Maltese foods seem to be a mix of Italian, Arabic, Spanish and general Mediterranean styles.

Savory pastries such as pastizzi, and sandwiches such as fitira are very popular.

Many of the dishes are quite hearty and one of those (seemingly the national dish) is rabbit stew. Plus loads of traditional Italian dishes are available.

Being an island there are also a lot of seafood and fish dishes. We certainly didn’t go hungry!

✅ We really enjoyed the food tour that we took in Valletta. It allowed us to try several different traditional foods and was a good way to learn about some recommended restaurants from a local guide.

14. Shop In Marsaxlokk

If you enjoy checking out local markets make sure you get to the HUGE market in Marsaxlokk on a Sunday morning. This is an extension of the market that takes place daily along the water but also includes a large fish market.

This is the best place in Malta for shopping. They have virtually everything that a shopping centre would have – souvenirs, household items, clothing, decorative items, and so much food – baked items, fruit and vegetables, spices, honey and of course a lot of fish and seafood. If you have cooking facilities you can make an awesome fresh feast.

Be sure to walk behind the market as well to see the pretty fishing boats that are moored in the harbour. They are brightly coloured and it is very picturesque in this little fishing village.

15. Marvel At St Peter’s Pool

Quite close to Marsaxlokk, and known as one of the best swimming spots in Malta, is St Peter’s Pool. This natural cove is a stunning place with deep water and is perfect for swimming, snorkelling and jumping.

The location takes a little bit to get to from the parking area at the top of a cliff. But once you get down to the flat rock area you will see it is completely worth the trek.

The pool is surrounded by enormous rocks that have been carved by the wind and the surf into smooth terraces. So while there isn’t a beach here, you can easily sit on the flat rocks between dips in the beautiful, clear, blue water.

This location was made more popular by a viral video of a man who swims there regularly with his dog who loves to jump from the cliffs. Check out the video here.

We were told that the water can become quite rough when the wind is high so keep this in mind if you decide to venture into the water. Also, there are no services here so bring your water, sun shade and sunscreen to stay protected.

16. Admire The Blue Grotto

Further along the southern coast of Malta is another very popular spot to visit called the Blue Grotto. This is a series of sea caves that visitors can explore by tour boat. On sunny days the reflection from the sandy bottom reflects up in the caves and the water turns several shades of iridescent blue.

The boats go out for 20-minute rides daily and this is a great way to see the beautiful water reflections. You can find the boats operating as long as the weather cooperates. But keep in mind they won’t go out when the wind is high either. That was unfortunately the case on the day we visited. 

However, you can see the top of the caves from above and you can glimpse part of the hollow area towering over the water. We imagine that it must be a spectacular spot to see when the weather is pleasant and the sun shining. We will have to go back to Malta again to check it out.

17. Be In Awe At Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples 

One place that was a huge surprise for us was the megalithic temples of Malta. Located not far from the Blue Grotto is an awesome archeological park where ruins were found and are now preserved under enormous tents. They were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

We certainly didn’t expect to see these structures that date back over 5000 years. This location is considered to be one of the oldest religious sites in the world so it was pretty special to see. 

There is a museum and film at the start of the site that explains the timeframe and people who are thought to have lived here. Then you proceed outside to the first site of Hagar Qim.

It is a large complex built from limestone that has designated rooms, benches, and doorways and it is quite easy to see how the original structure might have existed. It is thought that there was potentially an altar located here and that rituals were undertaken in this location.

Further down the hill is another series of buildings called Mnajdra. Here you can see more stairs, rooms, doorways and passages. Some of the buildings are semi circular which is incredible considering the timeframe that they were constructed.

It is amazing to see what was excavated in this spot. Not often do you see locations even older than the Pyramids of Egypt. Make sure you go to the southwest coast of Malta to take in this incredible site.

18. Be Surprised By Mosta Rotunda

In the central part of the main island of Malta is the incredible Rotunda Church. Here you can visit the church that is said to have one of the largest unsupported domes in the world.

It is really impressive to see the outside facade with large columns that look similar to the Pantheon in Rome. It was built in the mid-1800s on the site of an original church that was built in the 1600s.

The inside is fabulous with its stunning dome. It really is immense rising over 55 metres high. The pattern on the ceiling is delicate and symmetrical and this is complemented by paintings on the walls by Giuseppe Cali.

Be sure to walk up the 74 steps to see the dome from a walkway around the upper perimeter as you can see everything from the overhead view and the interior of the church is amazing. You can also go outside to see the bell towers and a nice view of the city.

This church was hit by bombs during the war and it is said that one bomb dropped in the church but thankfully didn’t detonate. It was considered to be a miracle. There is a replica of the bomb also on display.

✅ Some of these sites noted above are a little more difficult to get to without a car. We hired a private driver for the day and it was a perfect way for us to see the specific sites that we were interested in. The car was clean, Chris our driver was very professional and we could fully customize the itinerary for the day.

19. Be Impressed At Camino Island And The Blue Lagoon

Located between Malta and Gozo is the minuscule Camino Island. To get there we enjoyed a great boat cruise from Sliema that took us up the coast of Malta. The country is so small that the ride only took 1 1/2 hours to cover the entire east coast. This is a nice way to see the cities and sights from the water and the captain provides a full commentary of what you are viewing.

The wind was quite high on the day that we took the ride and this made the waves very rough. Kim was well prepared with motion sickness medication but many other passengers were not and they had a difficult ride.

We asked the captain if it is always like this and he advised that it  isn’t always as rough but due to the island being in the middle of the Med, the waves going northbound tend to be strong but that the ride back would be very smooth and easy. This was our experience exactly.

After our coastal sightseeing tour, the captain brought us right to a small dock on Camino and we couldn’t believe the colour of the water. Located here is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Malta – the Blue Lagoon.

Once we landed on Camino, we trekked quite a way up the hill to see wonderful views all around the stunningly blue waters within the surrounding bay. It is quite a small place – only 3 1/2 square kilometres. And the ground is covered with flowering bushes, herbs and brushes. It is a lovely place for a walk.

It has one of the best beaches with soft white sand and crystal clear water. We were here during the off-season but there were still people braving the cold water. Having seen photos of this area in the summer we can imagine how very busy it would be.

Apparently, there are only a couple of farmers that live in this quiet place. There was a hotel but is it closed now. There also isn’t much in the way of services here except some food trucks that are open during the season so you need to be prepared with food, drinks and sun cover.

Most of the boat tours will bring visitors for several hours – depending on where you board the boat – either Sliema or Bugibba.

On the far side of the island are also the Santa Maria caves. This is a series of five caves that have beautiful, blue water and are known to be a good spot for swimming and snorkelling. On our boat tour, we cruised by this area but in the off-season, they do not stop for swimming.

If you are looking for one of the best things that Malta has to offer – be sure to make your way to the Blue Lagoon.

✅ This is the company that we used for our boat ride to Gozo and Camino. It was a great full day trip.

20. Peruse Gozo

After our time spent on Camino, our day trip continued to the next island of Gozo. Here you will find a quieter side of Malta. We were picked up by a fun driver who shared with us some of the highlights of his island. 

Victoria is the capital and from here you can enjoy most of the things to do in Gozo. There are some nice shops and restaurants along Republic Street. Of course, this small island has quite a few churches – 47 to be exact. There is one along the main street and also an Opera House, although much less fancy than the Teatro Colon In Buenos Aires.

There are some gorgeous coastal areas here including Xlendi Bay which is a beautiful spot to visit.

But the major site here is the Citadel which sits high above the city. The history suggests that the citadel dates to late Neolithic times and was fortified around 1500 BC. It was also occupied by the Phoenicians and served as an acropolis during Roman times. 

The Knights of St John made changes to the fortifications and used the location as a defensive spot when fighting off the Turks, even having the population of the island stay within the walls. Unfortunately, it fell during a siege and most of the people of Gozo were taken into slavery. It took many years to rebuild both the citadel and the population of the island.

Nowadays it is a wonderful place to explore as you can clearly see the ruins of a city that existed within the walls and there are some beautiful buildings including a baroque cathedral, the Bishops Palace and Law Courts.

While walking around the walls you are afforded stunning views over the entire island. This site is also included with the Malta Heritage Pass.

21. Go Underground In Valletta

One of the unique things to do in Malta is to learn about the underground tunnel system that exists beneath the city of Valletta. We took a tour of this elaborate infrastructure that was originally built by the Knights of St John for storage and provided a way for their troops to move about the city undetected. 

During WW2 these passageways were enlarged by the Maltese people as non-stop bombs fell on the island. They excavated them by hand and created rooms and tunnels where people could live for several years. 

Portions of the tunnels have now been opened up and can be visited with a guide. It is an incredible place to see how people who were desperate for survival lived under the ground and made these tiny spaces their homes.

There is also a visit to an enormous cistern that was sealed during the war but you can see tree roots breaking through the concrete to continue growing above.

Malta has a long history and the guide provides a good background of the underground maze and paints a picture of the lives of the Maltese people during this time.

Our guide even referred to his mother’s time living underground when she was a child. While it shows a difficult part of Malta’s history it is also an important story of resilience and survival.  This is a highly recommended activity on your trip to Malta.

22. Take A Look At Casa Rocca Piccola

One of the fascinating places to visit in Valletta is Casa Rocca Piccola. This beautifully preserved 16th-century Palazzo is a private home that is open to visitors.

We loved exploring the stunning house that is full of treasures including furniture, paintings, statues, artwork and household furnishings that are several hundred years old. The rooms are all decorated completely differently and provide a look at what a Palazzo would have been like in the times of Valletta’s creation.

There is quite a bit to explore since onsite is also a pretty courtyard garden and underground bomb shelters that were used during WW2. 

This beautiful property allows you to see all the best of Maltese nobility in a private residence. It is one of the coolest things to see in Valletta.

✅ You can skip any lines by pre-purchasing your tickets to the Palace.

FAQs

Best Time To Visit Malta

Malta has a temperate climate so visiting in the off-season or shoulder seasons is a good option. The Spring is a nice option as it isn’t too hot nor too busy. During the summer months, it can be crowded with tourists and the prices can be increased as a result. The winter can see some rain and more wind.

How Many Days In Malta Is Enough?

This really depends on how much of the island you want to see. There are certainly enough things to do in Malta for a week. That is the amount of time that we spent there. It provided us with enough days to see the major sights located around Malta and also get to Gozo and Camino. 

Best Places To Stay In Malta

Ideally staying in Valletta gives you a centralized spot with many restaurants, shops and sights around. A highly recommended property is Palazzo Consiglia. A converted Palazzo, here you can enjoy amazing service, comfortable rooms and a roof top patio with a pool.

On our visit, we stayed in Sliema at the Palazzo Violetta. This was a clean, comfortable property. The rooms were sizeable and ours had a small kitchenette that was very convenient. The staff on site were friendly and helpful.

If you are looking for a more lively area – plan to stay in St Julian’s. Here there is a well-recommended property Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort. Guests commented that rooms are spacious, staff is helpful and the location perfect.

Restaurants in Malta

The best restaurants in Malta are mainly located within the more populated cities. We enjoyed several great meals in Valletta, Sliema and also Rabat.  There are numerous restaurants to choose from but here are a couple that we enjoyed.

In Valletta, we had wonderful homemade pasta and gnocchi at Trattoria Romana Zero Sei. Another spot with a great atmosphere and outdoor tables was San Paolo Naufrago. 

In Sliema, we had a great meal at Girogio’s which is located on the waterfront. Here we enjoyed rabbit spaghetti and goat cheese tortellini. Everything was fresh and so tasty!

While in Rabat we had traditional Maltese food that was amazing while sitting in a 300-year-old Palazzo. Be sure to check out Bottegin Palazzo Xara.

The Final Word…Best Things To See And Do In Malta

During our time in Malta, we tried to cover all the best attractions and explore as much of the three islands as possible. We were impressed with all this little place had to offer and hope that we showed all the possibilities of what you can do when planning a trip to Malta.