Expect crystal clear beaches, heritage sites, awesome geological structures, tasteful wine, and so much more!
But how do you know what to do first?
Well, if you’re planning a trip to Malta and have absolutely no clue what to put in your itinerary, try and take a look at this short list. It will definitely give you a couple ideas on how to make the most out of your time in Malta.
1. Stay at a Luxury Hotel
Sit back and relax at one of the luxury hotels in Malta which are great value especially compared to other destinations in Europe.
There are lots of upscale hotels around Malta that offer scenic city views, or are located on the beach/coast or countryside.
If you want to try the best, the most highly rated luxury hotel in Malta is the Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour.
Second is the 1920s-style Hotel Phoenicia Malta that’s surrounded by an astounding 7-acre garden.
And third is the Hilton Malta, arguably the best hotel in Malta that offers panoramic views of Saint Julian and the Mediterranean Sea.
2. Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour
You can book a tour online or once you arrive and get taken to the most popular destinations in Malta. Starting from the docks, a double-decker bus will pick you up for sightseeing Malta’s best attractions.
Hop-On Hop-Off tours can come in different packages that include city tours, beach tours, cultural tours, or a combination of all three and more.
If you are short on time for example are just visiting Malta for one day on a cruise stop I suggest you take a quick day tour around the city instead of a beach/coast tour, as these can last 5 hours.
3. Go on a Historical Journey
Malta is a country that’s rich in history. Take a tour of Valletta, Malta’s tiny capital that was established by the Knights of St. John back in the 1500s. The tiny capital is home to landmarks made with Baroque architecture including John’s Co-Cathedral. You’ll also find grand churches, museums, and palaces inside the walls of Valletta.
4. Relax at the Beach
Malta is renowned for having some of the cleanest and most scenic beaches in Europe. Some of the best beach destinations include St. Peter’s Pool, Gnejna Bay, and Ghan Tuffieha.
If you’re into peace and quiet, I suggest you go all the way to Malta’s east coast to St. Peter’s Pool or to the west coast and head on to Gnejna Bay. These beaches may be harder to get to than most Malta beaches, but they’re surely worth the ride if you want to avoid the crowds.
However, if you don’t mind the crowd, Ghan Tuffieha maybe your best pick. It offers the best panoramic beach view in all of Malta.
5. Take a Nature Trip
Though Malta doesn’t have any mountains or jungles that you could trek or hike through, it does have an array of scenic geological formations that you can easily visit by car.
Some of the most popular geological sites in Malta are the Dingli cliffs, Sannap cliffs, Azure window, and the Blue Grotto.
If you would like to do something rewarding you could apply to volunteer in Malta and help nature and conservation efforts.
6. Try Authentic Malta Cuisine
Food is a very important part of travel. It lets you have a taste of a different culture, literally. There are so many essential foods to try in Malta including the Kapunata, Lampuki pie, Bragioli, Widow’s soup, and Gbejniet.
7. Go on a Road Trip
Nothing says adventure like riding a 4x4 truck or a quad bike, and there are lots of adventure trips available.
You could hire or book a tour to Gozo and see places like the Xweijni Salt Pans, Marsalforn Bay, Inland Sea, Ta’ Dbiegi Crafts Village, the Bronze Age Ggantija Temples, and so much more.
You can hire a driver or drive on your own - this is one of the top things to do in Gozo.
8. Tour the Set of Game of Thrones
Unless you’re not a fan of George R.R. Martin’s international bestseller and HBO’s most viral show, the fact that Malta serves as a film location for Game of Thrones may not interest you.
Otherwise, I’m sure you’d love to tour several Game of Thrones sites including the Cobbler’s square, Coppersmith’s Wynd, King’s Gate, Baelish’s Brothel, Tobho Mott, and Maegor’s Holdfast.
9. Sample the Local Wine
Malta is arguably one of the smallest countries that export fine wine. Taste all sorts of Maltese wine by going on a wine tasting tour. Try to watch out for Malta’s Grand Vin de Hauteville Moscato, Nexus Superior Red Merlot 2011, and their Medina Girgentina Chardonnay.
10. Scuba Dive Through Shipwrecks
If you love adventure sports and are keen to go scuba diving in Malta, you might want to go on an underwater adventure and try wreck diving at some of Malta’s popular dive sites.
There are a couple to choose from including the P29 wreck, Rozi tugboat, and the Bristol Beaufighter. But if you want to dive right into the most popular wreck, I suggest you take a scuba trip to Um el Faroud Wreck.
Malta really is one of the best countries to go diving and beginners and advanced courses and trips are available to book all year round.
Plan a Trip to Malta
Whether you are looking for a European city break, a summer/winter sun holiday there are so many reasons you will love visiting Malta and hopefully this guide has given you inspiration for the top things to do before leaving. If you would like to stay longer check out this guide to working in Malta.
