The ultimate Malta travel guide

Between Sicily and North Africa lies the tiny Mediterranean country of Malta. It is famously known for its 300 days of sunshine every year, which together with colourful Maltese balconies, baroque architecture, rich history and stunning coastlines, has made it one of my favourite countries! Can you believe this small archipelago has more historic monuments than any other country in the world?!

Malta is a small picture-perfect island, making it easily explorable. Here’s my ultimate Malta travel guide, where I show you how to make the most of six days in this beautiful country and the reasons why it really should be on every traveller’s bucket list…

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Days One and Two) Valletta

Valletta, also known as the country’s ‘old town’, is the smallest capital in the European Union. Given that Valletta has a really high concentration of historic sites, be sure to give yourself enough time to explore this stunning capital. I spread out the below into two days, but if you are short for time, it is possible to see the city in a day.

Start your trip at City Gate, the impressive entrance to the historic city of Valletta. Here, you will also find Triton Fountain and the architecturally stunning Parliament of Malta.

Continue walking along Republic Street, the principal street in Malta, and meander into the narrow alleyways, to admire the impressive Maltese balconies. I highly recommend Triq San Gwann, St. Lucia Street and Strait Street, to get those perfect Instagrammable shots! Visit Republic Square and St.George’s Square whilst in the area too, both iconic piazzas in Valletta.

The Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens should definitely be high on your list of places to visit, if anything because the views from these vantage points are truly stunning, overlooking the Three Cities, the Grand Harbour and beyond. They both have pretty flowers beds in the public gardens, framed arches and benches, ideal to catch a bit of shade in the heat of the day. The Upper Barrakka Gardens are the perfect spot to witness the Saluting Battery and the traditional gun salute, at 12pm and 4pm each day. The Lower Barrakka Gardens are close to Fort Saint Elmo, and contain a small neoclassical temple and the Siege Bell War Memorial.

*The Saluting Battery from the Upper Barrakka Gardens*

St. John’s Co-Cathedral, St. Paul’s Cathedral and The Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel are all located in central Valletta, with breathtaking interiors and iconic structures, which all complete Valletta’s impressive skyline.

*Street view of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel*

BOOK: 3-hour Valletta Guided Walking Tour

Day Three) Sliema and St.Julian’s

Sliema and St.Julian’s are without doubt Malta’s most popular tourist resorts, with glimmering blue waters, and both are conveniently located side-by-side along the island’s northwest coast.

Sliema is a beautiful resort town on the east coast of Malta, a short bus or ferry ride away from Valletta. Its legendary promenade is a nice place to relax and the perfect location to see the Valletta skyline. The Tigne Seafront is the place to go at golden hour – you will be guaranteed a spectacular sunset view!

BOOK: Valletta/Sliema Harbour Cruise and Shopping Trip in Sliema

*Valletta skyline from the Tigne Seafront in Sliema*

In the past, St.Julian’s was a traditional fishing village, but is now lined with posh apartments and five-star hotels. Just a short walk away from Sliema, St.Julian’s boasts Spinola Bay, one of the most picturesque beaches in Malta with local fishing boats, alongside Balluta Bay and St. George’s Bay.

Day Four) Mdina and Rabat

Now that you’ve explored modern Malta, it’s time to take a step back in history to experience what the ancient island of Malta was like. A 30-40 minute bus ride away from Valletta lies the historic cities of Mdina and Rabat, both small enough and conveniently located beside each other, making a day trip to these ancient cities easy.

Mdina, the old capital of Malta and also known as the ‘Silent City’, is a 222 acre fortified city which sits on top of a hill and is filled with centuries-old buildings. If you are a Game of Thrones fan, you will probably recognise Mdina Gate, first seen in Season One! By roaming around Mdina’s narrow streets and alleyways, it will literally feel like history is coming to life. Be sure to take a photo at the iconic blue door in Mdina, the most Instagrammed spot in the city!

BOOK: Mdina and Rabat Private Insider Walking Tour

Rabat is located on Mdina’s doorstep and is also a fascinating city, with its timeless atmosphere and cultural treasures. Rabat is derived from the Arabic word for ‘suburb’, as it was the old capital of Mdina. The Basilica of St.Paul is Rabat’s main structure, built in baroque style in the 18th century. St.Paul’s Catacombs are also located just a few metres away and definitely worth a visit.

Days Five and Six) Gozo and Comino

Towards the end of your Maltese adventure, dedicate two days to exploring the beautiful Sister Islands of Gozo and Comino.

Hop on a ferry to Gozo and be stunned by the turquoise waters that you sail across. There are many impressive sights and structures on the island including the Ancient Citadella, the Marsalforn Salt Pans, the Tal Mixta Cave and the Azure Window.

Continue soaking up the Maltese sunshine on a visit to Comino, where you will be blown away by the caves and lagoons, the most breathtaking being the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. This is the place to come to discover the true magic of swimming, diving and snorkelling.

BOOK: Comino, Blue Lagoon and Gozo Boat Cruise