What should i see in malta

Lastly, the San Anton Gardens are among one of the most gorgeous gardens you could set your eyes on in Malta. They offer a diverse selection of flowers and other plans, having been open for public visitors since Besides Gjardola Gardens, the San Anton Gardens offer perhaps some of the most relaxing moments for travelers while in Malta. Be transported back in time with a visit to the three fortified cities of Cottonera; Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua.

Jutting into the waters of the Grand Harbour, the inlets of these maritime towns have been used since Phoenician times. Today the are filled with swanky yachts and surrounded by picturesque homes my kind of place! The most common way to see the Three Cities is to take a sightseeing boat ride , but for a more unique experience try a self-guided tour with the Rolling Geeks. With you at the wheel, their electric carts direct you where to go and give you a history lesson on the way.

It make it easy to tour at your own pace, stopping longer at the sites that interest you. For another option, let someone else do the driving while you relax on a Vintage Bus Ride through the Three Cities. The capital city is not only home to St. Walk the hilly streets and keep an eye out for the colorful enclosed balconies that date back to the early 17th century. I absolutely fell in love with them and have s of photos to prove it!

When your feet start to get tired and they will! It is believed that over the years around 7, people have been buried throughout the chambers. The fascinating subterranean structure only allows a handful of visitors each day, so make sure to book well in advance.

Traditional Maltese food is a blend of cultures — you will spot the rustic flavors from Britain, Sicily and even a dab of France. I am still dreaming about this salad! Though there are plenty of other options, the golden-colored lager is very refreshing on warm day by the sea. Plus, it is low-carb! A popular fast-food for the Maltese is a savory pastry called pastizzi. This tasty treat is typically filled with either mushy peas or ricotta the latter of the two was my favorite! But, it does!

And they actually produce some really nice wines. We went wine tasting at one of the upper echelon wineries, Meridiana. You will see the Meridiana vineyards wine listed on almost every restaurant in Malta.

Book a tour and tasting to find your favorite. And yet, Malta is a country that is filled to the brim with interesting history — much of which none of us probably learned in school! Have you ever planned to visit Malta before now?

Which of the places on this list sounds like the most exciting thing for you to do once there? From the airport to the capital of Valletta, you can take the Express Bus, which connects the airport to all the top neighborhoods on Malta island. Tickets can be purchased from the driver on the bus. Where to Stay in Malta: There are many different areas to stay in Malta, but I found Sliema conveniently located near tons of restaurants, the Valetta ferry and easily accessible to the tour boat departures.

The beautifully restored Palazzo Violetta is a centrally located boutique hotel right on the border of Sliema and St. In St. Valletta Mint Apartment 1 is a great choice in the capital of Valletta. Staying in Sliema is convenient, beautiful, and more affordable. If you choose to book your hotel in Sliema, try the Pebbles Boutique Aparthotel moderate. Or search some great deals on hotels of your choice at Booking. Getting Around: Renting a car in Malta is a great option if you want to explore the further ends of the island, and RentalCars.

If you are not renting a car, there are plenty of options. You can check out pricing at Travelex Insurance. Universal Adapter: Your American plugged equipment will need an adapter. I use the Celtic Universal Adapter , which has brought me around the world with no problems. What a lovely post really it is very fascinating thank you for sharing such a nice post with all the relevant information about Malta. Excellent post! The streets in Malta look beautifully quaint, and that blue water in the Blue Lagoon brings me back to my travels in the Bahamas…stunning, crystal clear water in a gorgeous spectrum of shades.

And good job exploring the local gastronomy — everything looks amazing! Would love to visit Malta on our tour of Europe. The turquoise waters look so refreshing. Plus the food looks delicious too and only 30 cents for local delicacies! Sounds perfect! Lovely mallta, land of my birth, every body should go and enjoy delicious food and the warmth of the Maltese people.

Natural rock formations of pools with crystal clear water. What a great source of info! Enjoy Malta!!! It is an incredible place to explore, and please eat a tuna ftira sandwich for me! There are many different areas to stay in Malta, but I found Sliema conveniently located near tons of restaurants, the Valetta ferry and easily accessible to the tour boat departures. A budget-friendlier choice in Sliema would be Three Pillows Boutique Hostel where you can opt for a private room or shared.

Malta is truly a golden haven for tourists because of the ton of great places and fun things that you can do on this magnificent island.

Plus, most of the hotels, restaurants, and sites there are very affordable as well. I bet you had a blast during your stay. Your pictures look absolutely lovely. Yes the people are so relaxed welcoming and I felt soon much pride even when they laughed at me with my Aussie accent speaking Maltese.

Getting around is very easy the buses are so good I just love I fell in love with my beautiful home land. I came to the US when I was 2, on my birthday, that was 50 years ago and I have only been back when I was 16! Meet the occupant s and be shown their home, complete with its antique, historical and artistic treasures. Site of the Great Siege of as well as the Second World War encirclement of , the harbour lies between Valletta and the Three Cities, with iconic castles both sides of the water.

Cruising these protected waters provides a different perspective from land-based exploration, taking you in and out of hidden creeks and watery corners. It gets crowded and there is little space and no shade on land, so a boat that stays with you all day, offering a deck to laze on and liquid refreshment, is definitely a plus.

Unless of course you choose to stay the night at the only accommodation on the island, the Comino Hotel. Predating both Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids, the temples are proper buildings with monumental doorways, curved rooms once decorated with plaster and ochre paint , stone furniture and statues originals now in the National Museum of Archaeology. Beneath the ground at the centre of the island of Malta lies a labyrinth of Roman-Byzantine catacombs — a complex of stone-cut tombs ranging from oblong holes-in-the-wall to carefully carved window graves and once-opulent four-poster sarcophagi.

Different from any in Rome, these catacombs include round stone tables where the funerary meal was taken. To make the most of the experience, take a torch. Legligin wine bar in Valletta Alamy.

Meridiana makes some of the best wines in Malta and offers tours of its vineyard near Mdina at 2pm Mon-Fri, followed by a tasting with cheeses and cold meats. Or stop by the tiny artisan winery at Tal-Massar, Gozo — visit the vines before an alfresco tasting of four wines and a platter of Gozitan produce. After the war the site remained secret as Soviet submarines were tracked; the tunnel control centre was only closed in Today, map rooms and original communications equipment are evocatively displayed alongside tunnels lined with bunks.

Malta had a tough and strategically important war, and there are plenty of Second World War sites to explore, several of them preserved by the same foundation as the Lascaris War Rooms. Take a fun, eco-friendly roll around Gozo with a local guide who will show you how to safely use your Segway, then lead you to lesser-known beauty spots of this lovely island.

Tips for Tourists : During high season, this beach is often crowded by am, so it is best to arrive early. The lagoon is less crowded after 4pm, however the returning ferries stop running around 6pm. The ferry ride from Mgarr on the island of Gozo takes about 15 minutes to arrive at the Blue Lagoon on the Island of Comino. From the Island of Malta departing from the port of Marfa or Cirkewwa , the ferry ride to the Blue Lagoon takes about 30 minutes.

The Blue Grotto, Island of Malta. The breathtaking coastal vistas on the approach to the Blue Grotto, on a winding cliffside road high above the Mediterranean Sea, provide an exciting introduction to this spectacular nature site. The water shines a brilliant blue in the sun, in sharp contrast to the limestone bluffs and caves. The scenery has a serene, mesmerizing quality.

It explains why according to mythology, the Blue Grotto was home to the sirens sea nymphs , who captivated sailors with their charms. Tourists can take a guided boat tour in one of the brightly painted Maltese fishing boats called luzzus. Boats leave frequently year-round, when the sea is calm.

The minute joyride speeds through the sea past six caves, including the Blue Grotto, a meter-high cave with a luminous pool of cobalt-hued waters. Tip for Tourists: The best time to visit is early in the day, ideally before 2pm, when the sunlight best illuminates the water. Tourists will enjoy a meal at one of the restaurant terraces overlooking the gorgeous expanse of azure sea.

The Blue Grotto is also a popular scuba diving destination because of its bountiful marine life. Those who appreciate awe-inspiring coastal scenery should take a short drive or bus ride from the Blue Grotto in Wied iz-Zurrieq to the Dingli Cliffs. The appeal and the drawback of this location is its remoteness.

The sheer meter Dingli Cliffs plunge dramatically into the Mediterranean Sea, and the sloping hillsides are fertile land used by small farms. The highlight of Dingli Cliffs is the viewpoint that offers stunning seaside panoramas. Besides a short walking trail, there is nothing at Dingli Cliffs except a tiny hilltop chapel closed to the public , which is devoted to Saint Mary Magdalene. Sometimes tourists will find a pop-up souvenir and refreshment stand. Dingli Cliffs does not have a visible bus stop ask the bus driver where to get out , and buses run infrequently, but the sensational photo-ops make it worth the trek.

With its sheltered sandy shores tucked away behind a mountainous coastline and sloping cliffs, Golden Bay in Northwest Malta is one of the island's prettiest beaches. Golden Bay Beach is easily accessible by car or bus; the bus stop is only a five-minute walk away from the beach.

Unlike other beaches in Malta, Golden Bay Beach is far away from street traffic, which makes it a perfect get-away-from-it-all seaside escape. The beach has an extremely wide shoreline with soft golden sands. The clean, calm waters are safe for swimming. Many visitors spend the day here sunbathing while listening to the soothing sound of waves lapping against the shore.

Lounge chairs and beach umbrellas are available for rent, and the site has well-maintained facilities including public toilets and changing rooms. For travelers exploring the area by car, it's worth driving two kilometers from Golden Bay to the unspoiled beach at Ghajn Tuffieha Bay. Surrounded by cliffs and sloping hillsides, the beach is accessed by climbing down steps. Ghajn Tuffieha Bay Beach feels secluded in nature, except for the umbrellas and lounge chairs for rent, public restrooms, and a snack bar.

Considered one of Malta's top beaches, Ghajn Tuffieha is favored by locals who appreciate the quiet, peaceful environment. The waters are safe for swimming except when the red flag is up indicating strong currents. Continuing seven more kilometers from Ghajn Tuffieha Bay is Gnejna Bay , a small protected bay surrounded by steep limestone cliffs. Visitors must hike down a flight of steep steps to reach the gorgeous orange-sand beach, which is popular with swimmers and snorkelers. Water ski and canoe rentals are also available, as well as public restrooms and food stands.

Between Ghajn Tuffieha Bay and Gnejna Bay is the rural village of Mgarr in a bucolic landscape of vine-covered hills and small farms. Outdoorsy types will enjoy the scenic hiking trails from Mgarr into the countryside and along the coast to Gnejna Bay.

Nearby are ruins of Roman baths and ancient cart ruts grooves in the limestone plateau , which intrigue scholars and visitors alike.

In the scenic countryside of Northwest Malta, Mellieha is a family-friendly seaside destination. The beach is next to a busy road, which detracts from the natural beauty.

However, the Mellieha Beach has the largest stretch of sandy shore on the Maltese Islands with a one-and-a-half kilometer shoreline of fine white sand. Mellieha Bay has very gentle shelving, which makes it shallow enough to stand even quite far away from the shore. The calm waters with no undercurrents are safe for children to wade or swim. The picturesque village of Mellieha stands on a craggy hilltop overlooking the pastoral landscape of rocky outcrops, vine-covered hills, and small farms.

This nine-day festival begins on August 30th and features snack kiosks, traditional Maltese desserts, marching bands and fireworks. The other best diving center in Malta is located on Gozo island. You can do your first dive there too, they are very friendly! To book it, you just have to click the button below:. I book my try dive with the best instructors now!

You can book it by clicking here. And if you want more info about diving in Malta, you can read my detailed article: Diving in Malta — The Definitive Guide. The VIP try dive is definitely a great choice if you want to be only with your family and friends , or want to offer a dive in Malta to your partner!

Scuba diving in Malta Marsaxlokk The best thing to do in Malta on a Sunday is, without a doubt, going to the fish market in Marsaxlokk.

Marsaxlokk is an authentic fishing port , with colored fishing boats called luzzu. Every Sunday takes place a traditional fish market. This market is huge and usually crowded , probably because souvenirs are cheaper there than in Valletta. Most of them serve fish but you can also find pizzas and sandwiches. As always in Malta, the price is very decent.

It includes transportation from your hotel, a guide and a visit to the Blue Grotto If you want to go inside, you will need to purchase an additionnal boat trip to enter the cave. I want to visit Marsaxlokk with a guided visit Colorful boats in Marsaxlokk harbor Dug by erosion, this natural pool is a great swimming spot.

Kids in particular love this beach, they challenge themselves to jump from the small cliff rather than actually swim. In fact, the only ways to get in the water is by jumping or using ladders.

Please also note that there is very limited shaded areas , so it might not be a good place to go with young children. Another great spot to take a dip. Mosta is famous for its monumental church , whose design was inspired by the Pantheon of Rome. It was built in thanks to funds raised by the residents, and is one of the most beautiful church in Malta. The church is also famous for what happened there in a German bomb was dropped over it, pierced the dome and fell in the church during the mass, without detonating.

Some even says it was a miracle! As i told you in the paragraph about Mdina, the visit to the monumental church of Mosta is included in this night tour of Malta. Blue Grotto is located 2km away from Zurrieq town. It got its name and reputation from the intense blue color of the water in the cave.

You can see it from above at a sightseeing location just outside the city. You can also go to the small Wied Iz Zurrieq port, 2min further away by car, and take a 30 min boat tour. Wied Iz Zurrieq also has bars and restaurants, as well as a spot to go swimming. The Blue Grotto, from the viewpoint Dingli cliffs North off Blue Grotto , the Dingli cliffs are worth stopping by.

Located m above sea level , Dingli is the highest point in Malta. There are 2 kinds of tours , and you can personnalize them in order to organize the excursion that suits you! First, there is the Malta private guided tour. You can book it here:. I book my 1 day guided tour of Malta now! I want to discover the best of Malta with a guided visit The 2nd possibility is to do a private day trip around Malta with a driver , but without a guide thus more affordable :. I book my 1 day tour in Malta now!

I want to discover the best of Malta with a private driver In both cases, the team in charge of the organization will help you to organize an unforgettable day! The Dingli cliffs It could host up to fifty soldiers and had 5 cannons. Voyage Tips Advice When you exit the tower, go to the right for a nice stroll along the cliffs.

Malta Red Tower They were all built between the 4th and 3th century BCE. It includes transportation from your hotel as well as the visit of 3 sites: Ghar Dalam Cave and its museum, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples. I book my guide tour of the temples now! Doing sports and fun activities in Malta Here are the best activities to do in Malta.

No Malta holidays can be complete without a good beach day! Malta, Gozo or Comino islands all features some nice beaches and coves:. Voyage Tips - Advice If you enjoy swimming, you can go on a snorkeling session in Gozo with Sam during your stay. He will show you one of the best spots of the island , hidden from the usual tourist spots! He offers 2 snorkeling tours.

You will need to book it by clicking here. Malta is the perfect place to enjoy water sports and activities at reasonable prices. Voyage Tips - Advice In my opinion, the best is to enjoy all these activities in Gozo. You can read more about it in my Gozo travel guide click here Stand up paddle tour Gozo Renting a boat in Malta A boat rental in Malta is a great way to discover the Maltese coast from another point of view!

The best is to rent it in Gozo where the coast is the most beautifl! You can then easily go explore around Gozo and Comino islands. In Malta, the great thing is that you can rent a boat up to 90HP without boat license. For those who have a boat licence, there are also boats with over 90HP. To discover best secret spots of Malta , you should go hiking! In the North of Malta , I recommend you the walk that starts from Selmun Palace towards Mellieha and goes down to several coves before going along the seafront to Mistra Bay.

The views of the cliffs are magnificent. You may no know it, but Malta was the filming location for several key events of the Game of Thrones TV show! So if you like this TV show, you should definitely book the Game of Thrones filming locations guided tour. Your guides for the day will be Malcolm and his team: they all have been participating to the filming and will be able to tell you many anecdotes about your favorite show! As I want you to make the most of the Maltese nightlife, here is the list of the best bars and nightclubs on the island.

You want to have a drink? You should head there! This outdoor club is located in Qawra, by the sea, close to Malta Aquarium. In the evening, their pool parties are amazing! The best one is organized by Lucca, and you will see, you will have a crazy night! I book my pub crawl in Malta now! I want to discover the best of Malta's nightlife Malta pub crawl You leave the port of Sliema at 7pm towards the north of the island for the sunset, then enjoy an open bar evening whisky, vodka, rum, tequila, gin, beer and soft drinks with other party lovers from all over the world!

I book my boat party in Malta now! Here are 3 kids-friendly alternative activities:. To built this gigantic set, trees were imported from Canada to build the houses, a road to the bay was created, along with a breakwater to protect the set.

Once the shooting was over, they decided to keep everything intact.