Malta Holidays

Must-see places

These are Malta’s main sights you won’t want to miss…

• Valletta – As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Malta’s capital features Baroque architecture and landmarks like St John’s Co-Cathedral, decorated with Caravaggio paintings – including the famous one depicting the beheading of Saint John the Baptist – and golden interiors. The Grandmaster’s Palace showcases over 5,000 suits of armour, then the Upper Barrakka Gardens have panoramic harbour views, and you can catch the daily cannon salutes.

• Blue Grotto – A series of sea caves near Zurrieq, which you can get to by boat. The turquoise waters and dramatic rock formations are stunning – the best time to visit is in the morning, when the sunlight turns them golden.

• Mdina – Known as the ‘Silent City’, there are no cars allowed in this Medieval walled town. You can explore narrow alleys, palaces and St Paul’s Cathedral. The views are also lovely from its bastions, and you might recognise some parts from the series, Game of Thrones.

Historical sites

For a real sense of Malta’s history, these are the top sites to visit.

• Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua) – Across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, these fortified cities are a bit quieter than the capital but still full of history. Highlights include the Maritime Museum and waterfront dining with views of Valletta’s skyline.

• Ggantija Temples – A UNESCO World Heritage Site on Gozo Island. It’s among the oldest freestanding structures in the world, dating back to 3,600–3,200 BC – before the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge.

• Hypogeum –The Hypogeum is an underground complex dating back to around 4,000 BC and is one of the oldest prehistoric sites on the island. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and so popular, you should lock in your tickets months in advance to guarantee a visit.

• Tarxien Temples – The Tarxien Temples are a complex of four megalithic structures that were built between 3,600 and 2,500 BC, back in the Neolithic times and they’ve been beautifully preserved.

Beaches

Malta might not be the sandiest destination, but there are still a few beachy spots, and its islands are a good alternative for sunbathing days.

• Golden Bay – Known for its golden sand and clear blue waters. This is one of the most popular spots for swimming and sunbathing.

• Mellieha Bay – With its shallow waters and sandy shore, Mellieha Bay is ideal for families and snorkellers. It’s got Blue Flag status, too.

• Ramla Bay in Gozo – This beautiful beach on the island of Gozo has red sand, making it a must-visit for travellers looking for something a bit different.

• Qawra point – A popular rocky beach with clear waters that are great for snorkelling and other watersports.

Shopping

Here’s where to head for those all-important holiday souvenirs.

• Boutique shopping – Malta’s capital, Valletta, is a shopper’s paradise, with streets lined with boutiques, jewellery shops and craft shops. Republic Street and Merchants Street are the main shopping areas, where you’ll find international brands, as well as local designers. Valletta’s also the best place to buy traditional Maltese lace, handcrafted filigree jewellery and artisan glass from renowned local brands like Mdina Glass and Valletta Glass.

• Malls – In Sliema, The Point Shopping Mall is the largest shopping centre in Malta, home to top international fashion brands. You can also shop for electronics, beauty products and home décor, and there are cafés and restaurants where you can take a break. There’s also the Plaza Shopping Centre – a smaller mall, still with your classic fashion, beauty and lifestyle places.

• The highstreet – Sliema’s Bisazza Street and Tower Road are the go-to spots.

Daytrips

Malta holidays offer loads of places within daytripping distance.

• Gozo Island – Accessible by ferry, Gozo’s Citadel and Azure Window show off the island’s rugged landscapes. As Malta’s quieter sister island, it has a more laidback feel but is still rich in historical sites, including the UNESCO-listed Ggantija Temples, which are older than the Egyptian pyramids. Beach lovers can also visit Ramla Bay, known for its distinctive golden-red sands.

• Comino Island – This tiny, largely uninhabited island is home to the Blue Lagoon, one of the most famous swimming spots in the Mediterranean. You can also explore Santa Marija Bay for a quieter beach or discover the island’s sea caves and cliffs, which are great for kayaking and diving. There are no cars and only a few buildings here, so Comino feels like a truly remote paradise.

• Dingli Cliffs – Rising 253 meters above sea level, these dramatic limestone cliffs have some of the best panoramic views in Malta, especially at sunset. Walk along the cliffside paths, take in the fresh sea air and you can spot the distant, uninhabited Filfla Island. This area’s also home to the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, perched at the highest point in Malta, as well as the mysterious Cart Ruts at Clapham Junction.

Family attractions

Malta has plenty of entertainment on offer for family holidays.

• Splash & Fun Water Park, Naxxar – This park features wave pools, waterslides and a lazy river, as well as trampolines and bumper cars. It’s designed for all ages, with relaxed sunbathing areas, too.

• PLAYMOBIL FunPark, Hal Far – This place combines indoor and outdoor areas where kids can play with Playmobil sets and pirate adventures. It’s ideal for families with children under 10, and a decent and affordable option that can keep them entertained for a good 2-3 hours.

• Popeye Village – Originally the film set for the 1980 Popeye film, this theme park has boat rides, water trampolines and character meet-and-greets with Popeye and Olive Oyl.

Traditional dishes

Traditional Maltese cuisine features fish, stews and different stuffed pastries.

• Fenek – A Maltese delicacy, AKA rabbit. It’s often prepared as a stew (stuffat tal-fenek) or pan-fried (fenek moqli). The stew features rabbit simmered in a tomato-based sauce with garlic, onions and herbs

• Pastizzi – A popular savoury pastry filled with ricotta cheese or mushy peas that are the perfect street food. It’s a bit like a Cornish pasty and nice and cheap.

• Lampuka – The national fish of Malta, also known as dorado or mahi-mahi. It's freshly caught throughout autumn and can be cooked and served in loads of different ways.

• Ftira – A traditional Maltese sandwich.

Something to drink

Malta is known for unique wine tasting and great local beers.

• Kinnie – Kinnie is Malta’s most famous soft drink, loved by both the locals and the tourists. It’s a bittersweet, orange-flavoured soda made from bitter oranges and aromatic herbs.

• Cisk – Cisk (pronounced ‘Chisk’) is Malta’s most popular beer, first brewed back in 1928. It’s a refreshing, pale lager with a light, crisp taste, perfect for Malta’s warm climate. Cisk has expanded its range to include variations like Cisk Excel (a low-carb beer), Cisk Pilsner, and flavoured versions like Cisk Chill with lemon or berry flavours.

• Maltese red and sparkling wine – Malta has a long history of winemaking, and Gellewza is one of the island’s most unique grape varieties. This indigenous red grape is used to produce rich, fruity red wines as well as Gellewza Frizzante, a sparkling wine that’s light and refreshing.

Nightlife

Combine a holiday to Malta with a festival abroad or some big nights out.

• Paceville, St Julian’s – If you’re looking for a night out, Paceville in St. Julian’s is Malta’s main nightlife district, packed with bars, nightclubs, casinos and late-night restaurants. The area attracts a mix of locals, tourists, international students and is a popular LGBTQ+ area, making it a lively spot every night of the week. Most venues have free entry, too.

• Strait Street, Valetta – For a more stylish and sophisticated nightlife scene, try Strait Street in Valletta. It was once known as Malta’s red-light district, but this narrow street has now transformed into a vibrant hub for wine bars, jazz clubs and cocktail lounges, with an old-world charm.

• Festivals – Isle of MTV is a festival that’s taken place in Malta in July every year since 2007, with acts like RAYE and Nelly Furtado – and it’s completely free. You can stay in Valletta and travel into the festival in Floriana because then there are after-parties back in Paceville. Malta Jazz Festival is also held in Valletta in July, so you can tick off two events in one trip.

Bus 

Malta’s public buses are affordable and cover most of the island, including popular tourist spots. A single ticket costs around €2 in summer (€1.50 in winter) and is valid for two hours. Or, Tallinja Cards offer better value if you're staying for a few days or more.  

Car hire 

Renting a car is great if you want flexibility to explore at your own pace, although traffic can be heavy and parking is competitive in Valletta and Sliema.  

Taxi  

Taxis are available but can be expensive. There are also apps like Bolt and eCabs that are cheaper and more convenient – prices will just vary depending on demand and distance.  

Walk 

Many areas, like Valletta, Sliema and Mdina are easy to explore on foot.  

Ferry 

Ferries connect Valletta to Sliema and Valletta to the Three Cities (Cospicua, Senglea, Vittoriosa). Ferry services also run to Gozo and Comino, with multiple operators and reasonable prices at around €2-€5 per trip.