Malta itinerary – the clash of civilizations
Given the country’s geographical position and cultural heritage, you might not know what to expect when planning your Malta Itinerary.
Home to one of the oldest megalithic civilizations, Malta was a bastion for several cultures, from North African Carthaginians and Romans to Sicilian Arabs and Normans, not to mention the Knights of Malta and the British.
This rich history is apparent in the Maltese language (a mix of Arabic and Sicilian), monuments, and historic architecture. Add to this the Mediterranean climate and landscape, and you have a great holiday destination.
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Table of Contents
- Planning Your Malta Itinerary
- Top things to include on your Malta itinerary
- Explore the streets of Valletta
- Take a walk in Mdina
- Take a ferry to Comino Island and the Blue Lagoon
- Take the trip to the Blue Grotto
- Take a walk on the streets of any town in Malta during the summertime
- Cross the sea from Valletta and pay Sliema a visit
- Take a one-day trip by sea to Sicily.
- Gozo island
- Marsaxlokk Fishing Village
- The Red Tower (St. Agatha’s Tower)
- Go back in time to the Stone Age
- Other places worth including on your Malta itinerary
Planning Your Malta Itinerary
When to visit Malta
I visited Malta in early September, and the weather was just perfect. Warm enough to get a lovely tan but mild enough for a proper night’s sleep in the evening.
Summer temperatures can get pretty high. Also, this period is considered the high season, and that’s when most tourists visit the island.
How much time to spend in Malta
We spent one week in Malta, and we had plenty of time to see most of the major attractions and to chill by the pool.
Of course, if you want to take it easy, you can stay 10 days without getting bored.
Places to stay in Malta
If you want to party and enjoy shopping, you should consider staying in St. Julian.
Families looking to relax and enjoy the lovely Mediterranean Sea should book a hotel in Mellieħa or Qawra. These quieter towns have hotels ranging from 2* to 4*, perfect for relaxation.
On the other hand, couples in search of a blend of the two should head to Valletta or St. Julian, which offers 5* hotels in the middle of the city, close to tourist sites and buses and boats.
One thing to add is that Malta is not the best place if you prefer lounging on sandy beaches.
There is actually only one larger beach, and the sand was imported from the Sahara desert. If you want to enjoy it, stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel. It is near the Gloden Sands Beach and Comino Island’s Blue Lagoon. See more about the hotel here!
With this in mind, you should know that most hotels have a swimming pool and even nice rooftop pools.
Lastly, there are no rivers or streams on the island, so sweet water is obtained from the desalination of seawater. For this reason, you’ll need a constant supply of bottled water.
Have more time to wander around Europe? Why not do a South Italy itinerary as well?
Getting around Malta
Getting around Malta was relatively simple for us; we took the bus most of the time without encountering any issues.
However, some of my friends had a bad experience. Buses were late or were canceled, leaving them waiting for hours.
Alternatively, you can rent a car to maximize your time there. Discover Cars is our go-to aggregator for car rentals. It can help you save on the price while they have a flexible cancellation policy.
Finally, you can book organized tours to see most attractions. We did that, too, in addition to using public transportation.
Top things to include on your Malta itinerary
Since we have always tried to mix relaxation with visiting, we have managed to see most of the local attractions, both in an organized manner and by ourselves.
Explore the streets of Valletta
Valletta is Malta’s capital and the site of a famous siege, during which the Knightly Order of Malta eventually defeated the Ottoman Turks.
The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a private walking tour of Valletta and discover its beauty and cultural heritage.
Of course, when considering places to stay in Malta, you can always consider the capital because there are plenty of charming places to stay in Valetta.
You can walk around the city’s fortifications, visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the Magisterial Palace (where the President of Malta has its office), and the Barrakka Gardens. And in the end, you have a lot of Mediterranean-style restaurants from which to choose, where to sit and enjoy seafood and a nice glass of wine.
Once you’re done with Valletta, take the ferry from Barrakka Gardens to the “Fortified three cities”: Birgu (Vittoriosa), Senglea, and Cospicua. The Cottonera is the collective name for the three medieval cities, with Birgu being the oldest and the most popular.
If you’re passionate about history or the Order of the Knights of Malta, you must visit these places.
I truly think you have just enough time in a week in Malta to include them all on your itinerary.
Take a walk in Mdina
I liked Mdina very much. Maybe it’s because we visited the old fortress village on a quiet day, so we had the chance to enjoy it to the fullest. Or maybe it’s because no cars are allowed inside, making it very peaceful.
Mdina was the capital of Malta until 1530 and owes its architecture to its Arab period. Also, here is where some scenes from Game of Thrones were shot, and that’s why you might have recognized these city walls. Book your city tour and learn about its history!
We strolled around the city’s narrow stone streets and sat down for a coffee and an ice cream at a restaurant on the city walls, from where you could see Rabat in the distance.
Visit Popeye’s Village
And spend a wonderful day at the water park.
The village was built in 1980 for a musical movie starring Robin Williams, and later, it became a tourist attraction (they even organize weddings if you are interested).
In all fairness, we only stopped for a few pictures, not having a child at the time. The view is really wonderful.
Take a ferry to Comino Island and the Blue Lagoon
The lagoon is breathtaking, and it is no surprise that scenes from Troy (yes, the Brad Pitt movie) and The Count of Monte Cristo have been filmed here.
The two-hour boat ride is worth it, even if you catch a stormy day like we did, risk being hit by a wave in the face, and maybe puke over the board.
But once you get to the destination and have a few hours to enjoy the clear blue water and one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, it will all be worth it.
We also took a small boat and explored the grottoes around Comino, where we saw pink corals and people jumping off cliffs into the crystal waters.
One thing to remember nowadays is that the island can get really crowded. Thus, finding a more secluded spot could be challenging. Even so, you can find the right location with some perseverance and curiosity.
Book your Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon, and Sea Caves tour in advance and save!
Take the trip to the Blue Grotto
And swim in the (very salty) azure water.
Of course, you must know that there is no beach and the cliffs are very slippery and steep, therefore maybe think twice if you are not very confident about your swimming skills.
As an option, and for a fee, you can take a boat that will take you inside the Blue Grotto – a complex of seven caves found along the southern coast of the island.
Take a walk on the streets of any town in Malta during the summertime
Here, you will see all sorts of colorful flags on display everywhere. Yes, I like the narrow streets as they are, but these flags offer them a more colorful touch.
Moreover, you can go out during the evenings, when, in the Summertime, the Maltese people make fireworks and go out for the “Festa” (it is all about keeping together the community, meeting each other and having fun during the hot season).
Cross the sea from Valletta and pay Sliema a visit
The small harbor where you can admire small Venice-like boats (some even more colorful), Sliema is one of the busiest commercial hubs in Malta.
Originally a fishing village, Sliema is now home to many and a place you can stay in Malta or just visit for a stroll through the Plaza Shopping Center or The Point Complex.
Sliema also has one of the most popular spots for bathing in the sea on the northern side of its rocky coastline.
Take a one-day trip by sea to Sicily.
We personally did not do this because the time was too short, and Sicily definitely needs more days to be visited, but since you are here, you can choose to do so since the distance is rather small and you could get a few good hours on the Italian island.
Have more time? Plan a one-week Sicilian itinerary.
Gozo island
The second-largest island in the archipelago, Gozo, is one of the best places in Malta. It was home to the famous Azure Window, which unfortunately collapsed into the sea in 2017.
Apart from that, Gozo Island has much to offer: The Cittadella in Rabat and its beautiful Cathedral, Calypso’s cave, the carnival celebrated in February, and the two photogenic lighthouses.
Spending one day away from the main island would be a great idea.
Are you looking to spend some time on the beach? Here is where you will find Gozo’s beaches.
Marsaxlokk Fishing Village
Take a day trip and explore the colorful, authentic Marsaxlokk fishing village.
The colorful traditional Luzzu Boats will surely catch your eye, and you won’t want to leave without taking plenty of pictures to bring home. These are more than just fishing boats, and their tradition dates back to the Phoenician times when they were painted in bright colors with the eye of Horus (an Egyptian symbol of protection) on them.
Since this is a fishing village, this is where you will want to feast on a seafood meal just after swimming in St. Peter’s natural pool.
Fort Delimara is another popular attraction in Marsaxlokk, which was built by the Knights of Malta.
The Red Tower (St. Agatha’s Tower)
The Red Tower, or St. Agatha’s Tower, was built between 1647 and 1649 and was the last large bastioned tower built in Malta.
Nowadays, the tower has been repaired and is open to the public. I can easily say this is one of the most picture-perfect places not to miss in a week in Malta.
Go back in time to the Stone Age
Visit the Megalithic temples dating back more than 7,000 years, learn about people’s lives on the island then, and enjoy stunning views of Malta.
Check out the tour here and book it in advance so you can plan the perfect trip for less!
To conclude, I liked the island very much and would recommend it as a wonderful holiday destination!
Other places worth including on your Malta itinerary
- Cafe del Mar Malta is a popular spot for relaxing by the infinity pool, having lunch or dinner, or partying.
- The Rotunda of Mosta is an impressive Basilica you will watch in awe.
- Stop by the Chinese Garden of Serenity in Santa Lucija, where you will get immersed in a Zen setting.
- Xlendi Bay in Gozo will charm you with its blue.
- Drop by Dingli Cliffs and take some stunning pictures.
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