Malta is one of the best places to visit in the Mediterranean. It packs such a big punch for such a small country: gorgeous islands, beautiful beaches, thrilling scuba-diving, epic cliffs, hidden coves, prehistoric temples, quaint towns and an abundance of history.
Hi there – my name’s Alexander Westerlund. I grew up in the southern part of Sweden where I was surrounded by the ocean. As a kid, I started to wonder what the world was like on the other side of these waters.
From there I grew an interest and passion for travel and different cultures. I am always eager to see new places, so for me, travel is the best way of life. It allows you to never stop learning, exploring and growing as a person all at the same time.
After 4 years in Australia, it was time for me to head back home to Europe. I reached out to my family back home in Sweden, trying to figure out my next move. Then my cousin came around and offered me a job in Malta.
At first I thought it might be a bit too small of an island for me, coming from Australia. But Malta has so much to offer and lots of hidden gems that I keep finding after more than a year on this beautiful island.
One of the best things about Malta is the location. You are in the Mediterranean and no more than a couple hours flight for a weekend away.
Experience the Rich Culture of Malta
I have been in Malta for a year and a half now and do not see myself leaving anytime soon. I have probably explored almost everything in Malta. However, there are still a few beautiful spots I have missed that I would love to check out. They are meant to be amazing places.
Unfortunately, I would need to go there by car as public transport won’t bring you to these places. So I have saved some of the best places to visit in Malta for last!
There is no stress around the clock in Malta. Everything takes its own time over here. I guess that is part of their lifestyle – so you can’t really complain. It can be a little bit stressful at times when you have stuff you want to do and are used to a faster pace of life.
The best thing about Malta is the people are super friendly. Maltese culture is made up of different people from different nations that you can see, hear and feel. They once ruled Malta for centuries a long time ago.
My Favourite Places: Valletta and the West Coast
It’s hard for me to pick a favourite place in Malta but I would say that Malta’s capital, Valletta is the best. There’s so much history in every corner and it makes for a great place to take some beautiful shots.
Valletta is one of Europe’s smallest capitals. It’s easy to walk around and just take in everything as you go. They have a couple of cosy gardens called Lower and Upper Barrakka Gardens and amazing architecture everywhere.
When I visit Valletta I spend my days slowly jumping around and enjoying the awesome whiskey and rum bars.
As I love landscapes my favourite memory in Malta has to be when I took a trek along the west coast of Malta. This region of Malta has so much to offer when it comes to landscapes like limestone cliffs, rock arches, caves, coves and hidden bays.
5 Best Places to Visit in Malta
Malta packs in so much beauty and diversity into its small archipelago of three islands. If it’s your first time visiting, I recommend these as the best places to visit in Malta:
1) Valletta: The capital of Malta has so much to offer. Spend the perfect day walking around the beautiful streets of the city and then relax at night with a few cold beers in a bar.
2) The Three Cities: Birgu (Città Vittoriosa), Senglea (Città Invicta) and Bormla (Città Cospicua). These places are filled with mysteries and an authentic look of Malta. Birgu is the oldest of them all and existed before the arrival of the Knights.
3) Marsaxlokk: A fishing village with beautiful views. Offers a cosy vibe with Sunday fish markets and great local food. Certainly one of the best places to visit in Malta.
4) Comino: If you want to experience crystal clear blue waters, then you have to visit this small island archipelago located between Malta and Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea. You can take a ferry from Sliema and Cirkewwa to get to this stunning island paradise.
5) Gozo: Another island located in the northern region of Malta. It has a bit more to offer than Comino. I would recommend spending at least two days here to make the most of your time. Gozo is famous for its green surroundings and coastlines. Definitely a must see!
Visit Gozo Island: Malta’s Little Sister
Gozo offers a completely different side to Malta, as it has more nature and gives you a really cool adventure. Hard to mention any specific experiences in Gozo as the best way to see this beautiful island is to either rent a bike or a car and just drive around.
There is something to see everywhere and this place is one of my top recommendations when you are in Malta! It’s not crowded with tourists so it gives you a relaxed feeling and puts you in a mood to explore.
Tips for your Visit to Malta
Malta is about 27 km from North to South, so public transport is a good and easy way to get around. However, depending on what time of the year you visit, these buses can get overcrowded and sometimes they drive past you as they are too full.
If you arrive here during the high season I would strongly recommend renting a car or scooter. They come in handy when you want to get around and see everything, depending on how much time you’ve got.
Some cool spots you can’t reach without a car or scooter either. So if you want to take the bus, you would need to get off at the closest bus station and then trek the rest of the way. For an easy and cheap option, book with GoTo Malta who will organise your transport for your stay in Malta.
Thanks for reading my guide on the best places to visit in Malta! I hope to see you here in the jewel of the Mediterranean one day soon.
