Found in the central Mediterranean, Malta is an archipelago that is full of beaches, history and culture.
The summers on the island are hot and dry, making it perfect for beach holidays, but the weather remains pleasantly warm all year long for those who want to travel in the offseason, making this is a great year-round destination to explore!
Despite the small size of Malta, there is plenty to see and do. If it is on your list of places to visit, here are the top 5 places you’ll want to explore!
Golden Bay
No trip to Malta is complete without a visit to a beach. Golden Bay is one of the most popular beaches for tourists to visit because it has a large stretch of golden sand and because it is near restaurants.
Many of Malta’s best hotels are located near Golden Bay so that visitors can easily walk to the beach; check out choiceholidays.eu for a list of recommendations.
Golden Bay is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and watersports. In the evening, many people enjoy a barbeque on the beach.
During the summer months, a lifeguard is always on duty, making this one of the safest beaches for families to visit.
There is also a rocky shoreline on the northern side of the beach, making it a perfect location for snorkelers.
Dingli Cliffs
Those who enjoy a good walk and stunning coastal views need to check out the Dingli Cliffs. These cliffs are 253 meters above sea level, making them the highest point in Malta. You’ll be able to get breathtaking views of the Mediterranean sea and catch sight of the tiny islet of Filfa.
The cliffs themselves are the main attraction — just make sure you’re packed for a hike!
While the cliffs are beautiful at any time of the day, they are particularly magical during sunrise and sunset. However, most people visit the cliffs fairly quickly and then are ready for another adventure.
If you’re looking for other nearby attractions, check out the Blue Grotto, which is a famous cave complex, or the nearby woodland of Buskett.
The Megalithic Temples
History lovers will love checking out the many prehistoric temples that can be found in Malta, all of which are older than the Egyptian pyramids. The temples were built between 3600 BC and 700 BC, over three distinct eras that help show cultural evolution on the island. Seven of the temples are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
All of the temples that are considered UNESCO World Heritage sites are in good condition, however, they are vulnerable to deterioration, so research continues to be done on how to best preserve them.
Several of the temples are protected inside tents. The best-preserved temples are Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim. If you decide to visit the temples, buy tickets in advance and find reliable transportation. An alternative to visiting the temples themselves is visiting the National Museum of Archaeology, where artefacts found inside the temples are on display.
Sliema
Individuals that enjoy nightlight, shopping, and mingling with locals should spend some time in Sliema, which is the key commercial district of Malta.
Visitors can take a walk on the promenade to view some of the historical buildings in the area before moving to the town centre to do some shopping.
There are also a number of different restaurants in Sliema where you can treat yourself to Maltese cuisine.
Maltese cuisine is heavily influenced by the flavours of neighbouring countries.
Foods that tourists should sample during their time in Malta include Maltese bread, lampuka (a fish commonly served in pie form), and rabbit stew.
Valletta
Some people go to Malta just to explore Valletta without ever setting foot on a beach.
Valletta is Malta’s capital city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world, making it a popular location to stop at during European cruises. There are over three hundred historical monuments to explore throughout the city.
Just walking through the city allows visitors to experience beautiful architecture, but to get the full experience, visitors should plan to take the time to explore inside some of the buildings. Popular locations to visit include Saint John’s Co-Cathedral, the Manoel Theatre, and the National Museum of Fine Arts. You don’t have to be a history lover to appreciate everything this city has to over.
There is plenty to see and do in Malta!
The 5 places mentioned above are just the tip of what there is to explore, so plan your trip carefully.
Plan to set aside at least one day to explore Valletta, one day to go to the beach and visit Sliema, and one day to explore other miscellaneous locations such as the temples.
Richard Collett
Recent Comments