Malta

Travel Dates: September 2026

Things to do in Malta

Blue Grotto – If you’re visiting Malta, the Blue Grotto is definitely a must-visit. It’s one of those places you really have to see in person, especially for the incredible hues of blue in the water and the beautiful sea caves along the coastline.

Before heading to the boat tours, make sure to check out the panoramic viewpoint at the top of the hill as the views of the caves and arches from above are spectacular. Just be careful if it has recently rained, as the viewpoint area can get very muddy. From the viewpoint, it’s about a 10-minute walk downhill to the boat tour area. Along the way, take a quick detour near Xutu Tower for additional picturesque coastal views.

We arrived around 11:30AM for the boat tour but the line was very long, probably because of all the tour buses that had arrived. We decided not to wait and came back after lunch at 1:15PM, and there was no line at all. So, if you have some flexibility with your timing, it may be worth waiting for the crowds to clear.

The regular boat tour costs €10 per person and is cash only. If you want to skip the regular line, you can purchase a private boat tour ticket for €80, which fits up to 7 people. The regular boat can accommodate up to 9 people. One important thing to know is that there are two separate lines: one to buy your ticket and another to get on the boat. You need to purchase your ticket first before getting in line for the boat. If you’re traveling with a group, it’s helpful to split up—have one person go buy the tickets while the others wait in the boat line.

The boat ride itself is about 20 minutes, and life jackets are provided onboard. The tour was definitely worth it, especially since we ended up not having to wait at all.

Għajn Tuffieħa Bay – This is a scenic spot to visit, especially if you take a walk along the cliffs for the striking views overlooking the beach. There’s also a swing at the top before you take the stairs down to the beach, which makes for a fun photo op. Malta is known as one of the sunniest countries in Europe, so it’s no surprise there isn’t much shade here. One downside during our visit was that the whole cliff and swing area had a strong sewer smell, which unfortunately took away from the experience.

St. Peter’s Pool – We came here by taxi and they dropped us off a little outside the main area, where it was less than a 10-minute walk down to the water. Just be prepared for a rocky, downhill section that can also get quite muddy after rain, so wear shoes with a good grip and take your time. If you walk from Marsaxlokk, a fishing village nearby, it does take ~30 minutes and part of it is uphill so it can be quite tiring.

There’s a lot of people here and the only shaded area is a small cliff overhang section that can also be a bit muddy after rain. At St. Peter’s Pool, there isn’t really a shallow part of the water, and it’s better for cliff diving. You may be lucky and spot the famous old man and his Jack Russell Terrier diving together here.

Tigné Beach – If you take the ferry to Sliema, make sure to check out this beach for nice views of Valletta. You are able to swim here but it’s a rocky coastline and a small section of it is next to a dumpster.

Balluta Bay Beach – This is the first beach where we saw sand, as most beaches in Malta are rocky. You can also capture a charming photo of Knisja tal-Karmnu church.

Upper Barrakka – Another must-see in Malta for panoramic views of Valletta harbor and to view The Saluting Battery, where they fire off a cannon at 12PM and 4PM Monday through Saturday. You can see the cannons up close at the viewing platform, but that costs €3. If you do come for the free viewing, make sure you come at least 45 minutes to an hour early. We arrived a little after 11:30AM and it was completely packed. We came back at 3PM and had plenty of space. By 3:15PM it started to get crowded. The cannon fires rain or shine, so the weather won’t stop the show.

Lower Barrakka – Parts of the area are currently closed for maintenance as of fall 2026, but you can still enjoy some nice harbor views from here and it’s not as crowded as the Upper Barrakka.

Valletta – Wandering through the narrow streets of the Old City, especially the side streets, reveals beautiful harbor views and charming architectural details at every turn. One of Valletta’s most distinctive features is its traditional gallariji—colorful, enclosed wooden balconies often painted to complement the doors below, adding to the city’s enchanting character.

As you explore Valletta, there are a few practical things to keep in mind. The city is quite hilly, with plenty of stairs, and some streets are pedestrian-only or too narrow for cars. On rainy days, the stone streets can become slippery, and certain areas may experience flooding.

Day Trips from Malta Island

Comino Island with Luzzu Cruises – Booking a tour to Comino is a must for those looking to swim in turquoise waters, explore sea caves, and experience Malta’s coastline from the water. While we booked this tour because it was one of the cheaper options, I do wish we had chosen a tour with a smaller boat. Our boat was too large to go through the caves, whereas the smaller boats were able to sail through them.

So, what can you actually expect on the day of the tour with Luzzu Cruises? Here’s a rundown of the process, from checking in and boarding the boat to arriving at Comino. Before boarding your Comino boat tour, check in at the Team Blue Lagoon kiosk in Sliema, which is easy to spot because it’s blue. You’ll need to show your free Blue Lagoon pass, which must be booked online in advance for the date and time you’re visiting. Your boat tour company will tell you which time slot to book. For our 10AM tour, we were told to book the 1:30–5:30PM slot. After checking in, you’ll receive a blue wristband. Next, we headed to the Luzzu Cruise kiosk, where the staff told us which boat to board. Once we got on the boat, our tour tickets were checked. We got on around 9:20AM, when there were still plenty of seats to choose from. By 9:40AM, the boat was almost full, so I recommend arriving early if you want more seat selection options.

The boat ride was about 1.5 hours, with our first stop being Gozo to drop off passengers who had booked a tour that included three hours on the island. From there, we continued to Comino’s Crystal Lagoon, where we anchored in the water and spent about 45 minutes swimming. You could also jump off the boat or go down the onboard slide. Life jackets and pool noodles were available to use, but there was a €10 deposit per person, which you get back when you return the equipment.

After Crystal Lagoon, the boat dropped us off at the Blue Lagoon in Comino, where we had three hours of free time. Once you get off the boat, the left side tends to be quieter, and there are lounge chairs with umbrellas available to rent. On the right side, you’ll find food and drink vendors (they accept credit cards), and you can grab the famous pineapple drink that you’ll see people carrying all around the lagoon. There is a bathroom on the island, although we used the ones on the boat, so I’m not sure whether there’s a fee to use the facilities on the island. Personally, we found three hours at the Blue Lagoon to be a bit too long. There’s no shade, and with the hot sun, it became difficult to comfortably spend that much time there.

Gozo tour with Robert Arrigo & Sons – While booking a tour was convenient, especially since transportation was provided to and from Gozo, I found the stops to be somewhat underwhelming. I wished we had explored Gozo on our own to visit the sights we were more interested in. We did choose this tour company as the reviews were decent.

For the start of the tour, we met at the pickup point we had selected from the list of available locations. From there, a bus drove us to the north of Malta island, where we took a ferry to Gozo, which took about 25 minutes. There are bathrooms onboard the ferry. Once we arrived in Gozo, we got off the ferry and transferred to a coach bus, which took us around the island.

Our first stop was Dwejra Bay and Fungus Rock, where we had about 30 minutes to walk around. The ground is rocky and uneven so I’d recommend wearing sneakers. There’s also a free public bathroom at this stop.

From there, we headed to lunch, which was a prix-fixe meal with an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Wine was included, but water cost extra. After lunch, we had about 15 minutes to see nearby Xlendi Bay. We took the stairs on the right side of the bay for some nice views from the cliffs, but be careful as the steps can be slippery (I learned that the hard way!).

Our next stop was the Cittadella, where we had about an hour to explore. The fortified citadel is quite exposed to the sun, especially along the top, so be prepared for the heat.

Our final stop was the Ġgantija Archaeological Park, where our guide gave us a brief history of the prehistoric temples before walking us around the site. If you’re a history or archaeology enthusiast, you’ll probably find this stop fascinating, but personally, I found it a little less engaging than the other places we visited.

After exploring the site, we boarded the coach bus back to the ferry. From there, we crossed back to the island of Malta and took the bus back to our original pickup points, bringing our day of exploring Gozo to an end.

Mdina tour with Robert Arrigo & Sons – I did not realize I had booked the same tour company twice, since one was booked through Getyourguide and the other through Viator. Again, we chose this tour because of the positive reviews. Of the two tours, Gozo and Mdina, I thought Robert Arrigo & Sons did a better job with the Mdina tour.

For the tour, we were picked up at the location we had selected from the company’s list, with our pickup time provided in advance. Our first stop was the Mosta Rotunda, a beautiful and impressive church with a fascinating history. There is a dress code for the church. If your shorts, dress, or skirt is too short, or you’re wearing a tank top, they’ll provide you with a piece of cloth, similar to an apron, to cover up before going inside. There’s also a free bathroom at the coffee shop next to the church, which is convenient if you need a quick stop.

One of the most interesting parts of our visit was seeing the air-raid shelter in front of the church and learning about its role during World War II. You can also see the bomb that was dropped on the church during the war but miraculously failed to explode.

Our second stop was Rabat, where we visited one of the catacombs (you won’t see any skeletons). We then stopped for lunch, which was a prix-fixe meal consisting of an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Bottled water and wine were included. After lunch, we walked over to Mdina, where we had a guided tour followed by about 30 minutes to explore on our own. Since Mdina is quite small, we found that 30 minutes was enough time to walk around, see the Instagram-famous Mdina blue door, and visit spots like Pjazza Mesquita and Mdina Gate, which were featured in Game of Thrones Season 1.

From Mdina, we drove to Dingli Cliffs for a quick 10-minute photo stop before heading to Ta’ Qali Crafts Village. Here, there are shops featuring different Maltese crafts, but our main focus was the jewelry shops, where we got to see traditional filigree work being made. Filigree involves twisting and shaping very fine strands of metal or silver into intricate designs. We had about 30 minutes here; if you research ahead of time and know what you’re interested in, you can also look for ceramics, glass, and other local crafts. There’s a free bathroom here as well.

Our final stop was Il-Ġnien ta’ Sant’Anton, a garden located next to the presidential palace. While we enjoyed Mdina the most, the other stops were nice but didn’t stand out as much for us.

What to eat in Malta

Ta’ Nenu – This spot is known for ftajjar, a Maltese flatbread similar to pizza. We ordered one with roast beef and potatoes. The bread itself was good, but the toppings felt a bit heavy, so if you want to try it, I’d recommend choosing different toppings. The pork belly appetizer was delicious, while the fish soup was fine. You don’t necessarily need a reservation, but it’s recommended. We arrived around opening, and when someone came in later without a reservation, they were asked to give up their table by 7 PM.

Ta’ Kris – I ordered the Dad’s Famous Bragioli to try the traditional Maltese dish. It reminded me of a large meatball, with tasty tomato sauce . I’d recommend it if you’re a meat lover, as it’s quite beef-heavy. They also provide free bread as an appetizer.

D’Office Bistro – The mushroom risotto along with salmon and prawn penne were both tasty and came in generous portions. They also provide free bread as an appetizer.

Kamy Cocktail Bar – Art lovers should definitely check out this spot for its artisanal cocktails featuring famous works of art. Each cocktail is named after a famous painting and comes with an edible image of the artwork displayed on top of the drink. We ordered Starry Night and The Kiss. While Starry Night seems to be the popular choice because of its beautiful presentation, I personally preferred The Kiss because it was less sweet and more to my taste. The cocktail bar is quite small, so seating can fill up quickly. We arrived around 7PM and were able to find a table, but it got crowded shortly after.

Elephant Shoe – The food at this brunch spot was fine but nothing particularly special. The main benefit is its convenient location right next to the Upper Barrakka Gardens. We ordered the Diana Rosti (poached eggs with spinach and mushrooms) and the Wake Up Call (French toast). I did really enjoy their POP juice, made with pear, orange, and pineapple.

San Paolo Naufrago – Known for its pizza, but in my opinion, it was nothing to write home about. I think the main draw is the charming street decorations and the beautiful views if you get an outdoor table. If you want to sit outside, I’d definitely recommend making a reservation and going earlier in the evening.

Opa – This is a convenient spot in Sliema, especially if you’re coming from Valletta since it’s close to where the ferry drops you off. We enjoyed the chicken souvlaki here.

N Japanese Bistrot – If you need a break from Maltese or Mediterranean cuisine, this Japanese spot is worth trying. They serve delicious okonomiyaki and a pork cutlet with curry.

Aaron’s Kitchen – I ordered the Maltese traditional rabbit spaghetti and Bajtra Spritz. The rabbit had a pulled-pork texture, as it was prepared that way, but the meat itself didn’t have much noticeable flavor—it was somewhat similar to chicken and mostly took on the flavor of the pasta sauce. The drink was very sweet and not to my taste. The meal also came with bread. If you’re curious to try the rabbit spaghetti, I would recommend it.

Mamma Misu – Tiramisu fans should stop here for a cheap and generous serving of tiramisu. They offer several flavors, including pistachio, Nutella, and more. One thing to keep in mind is that they may sell out for the day and close earlier than their posted hours. We stopped by around 2:30PM on one visit and they only had the classic flavor left, while another time we saw them close around 7PM despite their listed closing time of 9PM. If you want to try the different flavors, I’d recommend going as early as possible.

Jeff’s Pastizzeria – Come here for cheap and tasty pastizzi, a traditional Maltese pastry made with flaky, crispy layers of dough with a savory filling like chicken, cheese, or peas. I had the chicken one and it was good, albeit the filling wasn’t too much.

Rampila – We came here thinking all the seating was inside the underground tunnel, which sounded like a cool experience. However, our table was actually outside next to the Valletta fortifications. I ordered the crab and lobster ravioli, which was mediocre and a small portion, but it was inexpensive.

Azul – We stopped here near the Blue Grotto. The food was fine—we ordered calamari and sweet potato fries. This was the only restaurant on our trip that asked for an optional tip. Our waitress was very nice and accommodating, so we left a 5% tip, which she appreciated.

Where to stay in Malta

The Cumberland Hotel by NEU Collective – We chose this hotel for its convenient location in Valletta, along with several nice perks: daily breakfast, a complimentary bottle of water with room service, a rooftop pool with towels, and free access to the Aqualuna Beach Club in Sliema. The beach club was quite crowded when we visited, but it had towels, showers, and food and drinks available for purchase. We also received a complimentary bottle of red wine as a welcome gift, which was a nice touch.

There were a few downsides. The hotel can be a bit noisy, with sounds from the stairwell and music from nearby restaurants, although things generally quieted down around midnight. You can hear church bells ringing every hour, twice an hour, even throughout the night. We also had an unfortunate incident where a cleaner accidentally left a bottle of medication on our table that did not belong to us.

Tips when traveling to Malta–

• Transportation:
  • From the airport – Taking the Airport Direct bus from Malta International Airport is an easy, seamless, and cheap way to get to your destination. It costs €3 or €3.50 depending on your destination, and you can tap and pay with any credit card or use cash if you have the exact change. Once you leave the airport terminal, follow the signs for “Bus.” The bus stop is just across the street from the terminal, and you’ll see the green and white buses, which are clearly marked with “Airport Direct” on the side. Before getting on, be sure to check the bus number to make sure you’re taking the correct route, as there are several Airport Direct routes serving different parts of Malta.
  • Around the island – Bolt and Uber are readily available in Malta, although there can sometimes be a short wait. A 20–30 minute ride costs around €20.
  • Ferry from Valletta to Sliema – The ferry runs on a timed schedule, which you can find online. For your departure time, check the schedule for the location where you’re boarding. Ferries run about every 30 minutes, and the ride takes just 6 minutes. Tickets are cash only and cost €5 round trip or €3 one way.

• Currency, Language, Driving side, and Adapter: Malta is part of the EU and uses the euro. Official language is Maltese but majority of the people speak some English, and many signs have English translation. Malta was once under British rule so they do drive on the left-side and use Type G plug.