There are lots of unusual things to do in Malta. It has a distinct culture from the other nearby Mediterranean islands, a melange of influences from the different occupying countries of its history. Centuries of alternate Phoenician, Byzantine, Arabic, Norman and French occupation have left an indelible impression on the island, and the result is a holiday experience that blends this all together.
Is there anything to do in Malta?
A taste of things to do in Malta
You can see this mixed heritage reflected in so many eclectic ways, from its architecture to its cuisine. You’ll find yourself in a world of medieval buildings, esoteric temples, and secret underwater caves. There’s tons of history to experience, great food to taste and many small villages to visit and walk through, soaking up the local lifestyle. There are beautiful gardens, shipwrecks to explore and plenty of knight’s tales commemorated in Malta’s museums and archaeology.
The best things to do in Malta
One of the best things to do in Malta is visit the country’s historical old capital of Mdina. To get there, travel to the middle of the island in a hire car and you’ll catch sight of the ancient fortifications that dominate the town long before you arrive. It’s filled with houses dating back many centuries, with their quaint courtyards exactly as they were millennia ago. You’ll really get a sense of the island’s historical gravity here.
Malta is a prime choice for family holidays, with many sights and activities that your kids will love. There’s the Malta Aquarium, where can walk through a long tunnel surrounded on all sides by sharks, rays and eels. You can also go horse riding at Golden Bay near Mellieha or take a Segway tour of attractions like the Verdala Palace, Buskett Gardens and the enthralling Dingli Cliffs.
Fort St. Elmo is one of the most illustrious tourist attractions in Malta. It’s the finest example of the architecture left behind by the island’s most famous historical inhabitants, the Knights of St. John.
They fought against the Turkish Ottoman Empire and were rewarded with property on Malta. This was the site of the famous Siege of Malta in 1565. Guided tours of the fort are available daily.
More top things to do in Malta
Malta doesn’t only have fortress-like buildings, as numerous as these are. It also boasts some much more extravagant architecture, much of it in neo-Classical style. One of the largest and finest examples of this is Mosta Dome, the iconic church dedicated to St. Mary. It boasts a dome that is similar to that of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, only bigger. The rest is modelled on Rome’s Pantheon.
If you want to learn more about the Great Siege of Malta and the role of the Knights of St. John, visit the interactive exhibition that tells the entire tale. It’s told through a series of dioramas created by a Spanish poet who witnessed the siege, Francesco Balbi. It’s also a trip into the distant past when pilgrims relied on knights for protection when travelling to the Holy Land.
Malta is also famous for its markets, and one of the most interesting is in the small fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Naturally, there’s lots of fresh seafood on offer, and you can also take a trip on one of the ubiquitous little fishing boats known as luzzus. These are brightly painted, with staring eyes meant to ward off evil spirits. It’s a fascinating town and one of the amazing places to visit in Malta.
Things to do in Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta and holds the distinction of being one of the smallest capital cities in Europe. This doesn’t stop it from being packed with tourist attractions, however. To orient yourself, head to the city’s huge central fountain, Triton’s Fountain. It’s just outside Valletta’s City Gate, which is a historical landmark in its own right.
Another central attraction in the city is the Royal Opera House Ruins. Partially destroyed by bombing during WWII, the remains are now an open-air arena that hosts all manner of concerts and other performances. For more cultural entertainment, go to Manoel Theatre on Old Bakery Street. It has a stunning Carrara marble staircase and genuine antique Viennese chandeliers.
Lower Barrakka Gardens are a wonderful place to relax and take in more historical attractions. It contains the Siege Bell Memorial and Fort St. Elmo, which houses the National War Museum. You can also have a really good lunch here, at the nearby Il Horza restaurant, with freshly caught seafood, Malta’s own gbejna cheese and local wines. This city is one of the best places to go in Malta.
Things to do in Gozo
Gozo is a smaller Maltese island with a legendary history. It’s the very same Calypso Isle that Homer wrote about in his Odyssey. This makes it one of the most famous places in all of world mythology. It’s a quiet, picturesque place, filled with pastoral villages, making it one of the best places to visit in Malta if you want to explore the country’s natural beauty.
Gozo is a scuba diving and snorkelling paradise, thanks to the tranquil waters of its sheltered beaches. You can also go on hiking trips inland, where the scenic countryside has many well-worn pathways. These range from leisurely walks to quite challenging hikes.
The resort town of Marslforn is the main one on Gozo island. It comes to life during the summer holiday season, but there’s plenty to do at other times of the year, too. You can walk out to the promenade and have lunch or dinner at one of the many waterfront restaurants. You can also explore the old harbour for a taste of Malta’s maritime culture.
Things to do in Malta St. Julian’s
Saint Julian’s is one of the busier towns on the east coast of Malta. It has all the charm of an old Mediterranean fishing village and makes a wonderfully tranquil place for a holiday, while also offering excitement if you want it. It has plenty of restaurants, bars and good hotels and isn’t far from Valletta if you’re looking for more activities in Malta.
This is a choice place to go out on a luzzu fishing boat, for an authentic local fishing trip that makes up so much of the fabric of daily life here. You can also take a long stroll along the promenade that swings all the way around Spinola Bay, on which the town is located. This is also a great place to look out over the Med while sipping the local Maltese beer, Cisk.
St. Julian’s isn’t boring, if all of that sounds a bit sedate for you. The district of Paceville is known throughout Malta for its pulsating nightlife. It has a choice of nightclubs, bars and outdoor cafes. This is the place to come for dancing and revelry.
Is Malta cheap to visit?
Malta is one of the more moderately priced holiday destinations in the Mediterranean and is easily accessible to UK travellers. You can choose the kind of holiday you want. There are plenty of luxury resorts and extravagant restaurants, but at the same time, you can enjoy just as rewarding a holiday if you’re on a budget. There’s plenty to see and do for free, and you’ll probably be able to get a more intimate taste of the Maltese lifestyle by staying away from the tourist traps.
Malta is definitely less expensive than many other holiday options in Western Europe. You can comfortably get by on an average of about £80 per day if you want to calculate a budget. The overall cost of living is slightly cheaper than in the UK, so your daily necessities won’t be as expensive either.
What is Malta famous for?
Malta is most famous as the island fortress of the medieval Knights of St. Johns, who played an important part in protecting pilgrims during the Crusades. It has many significant historical buildings from that era that you can still visit. The most important of these is Fort St. Elmo.
Malta also has a WWII history, which you can see in its museums and historical sites. The island is a melting pot of historical cultures, which is another claim to fame. There are few other places in the world where you can see artefacts and cultural relics from successive empires, from the ancient Phoenicians to Napoleon.
Is 3 days enough in Malta?
Ideally, you’ll want to spend a bit more than that here, but if you only have limited time, you can split your three days between the major Malta attractions in its three main regions. First explore the capital city of Valletta with its ancient fortifications, WWII memorials, theatres and gardens.
On day two, head to Gozo isle for aquatic adventures. You can scuba dive and snorkel in the warm, near-transparent water. It’s also known for its restaurants that celebrate the diverse culinary heritage of Malta.
Head to St. Julian’s on day three, where you can spend your daytime relaxing in the quieter part of this fishing hamlet, and then hit the nightclubs and bars at night if you’re in the mood for a party.
