What to see in Malta and everything you need to know before you go

I’d recommend Malta for a holiday, mainly for its history and because you can get by in English. The country is made up of three islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, and it’s well worth taking trips between them. Once was enough for me, though, so I see Malta as a one-off holiday rather than somewhere to keep coming back to.

Quick factsby Milan Bez Mapy

Where I stayed

St Julian’s; as a base I’d pick Sliema or St Julian’s rather than quiet Valletta

Getting around

Hiring a car is worth it; my mum and I regularly waited 40 to 70 minutes for a bus

Mdina

One of the most beautiful towns I’ve ever visited, and Game of Thrones was filmed here

Watch out for

Boat times to the Blue Lagoon differ from website to website; when I phoned, they gave me a completely different time

When to go

In mid-April it was about 17°C, not yet warm enough for swimming

Food

Try the cheeses and the traditional cheese pastries; the pizza let me down

I wrote this article in 2018. Prices, opening hours and connections may have changed since then, so check them before you travel.

What is there to see in Malta, and where should you go? Malta is an island nation of three islands: the main island of Malta, the smaller Gozo and tiny Comino. It’s a country shaped by Italy and Greece, and Maltese sounds like Arabic. English is an official language alongside Maltese, which is why people come here for language courses. My mum took one too. When she wasn’t in class, we travelled around the islands together, and now I’m putting it all into a complete guide to Malta for you. Read on for what to see in Malta.

Things to do in Malta: what to see and where to go

First, my answers to the questions people ask most often about Malta. If you have any others, leave them in the comments below.

• When to go to Malta: summer is the main season. Winters are mild, about 15°C during the day, but too cold for swimming. I was there in mid-April and it was about 17°C. Not swimming weather. It hardly rains at all in summer; most of the rain falls between November and January. Drinking water is a problem in Malta, because the country doesn’t have a single river or lake.
• Do you need a passport for Malta? Not if you’re an EU citizen: Malta is a member of the European Union, so your national ID card is enough.
• What language do they speak in Malta? English and Maltese; both are official.
• How to get around Malta: hire a car or take the bus. In 2026 a single ticket costs €2 in winter and €2.50 in summer and is valid for two hours, transfers included. Public transport is very unreliable, though, and buses running 40 minutes late are nothing unusual. You can also buy the Explore card, which gives you a week of unlimited travel for €25.
• Return flights to Malta from Bratislava start at €60 with Ryanair.

Where to stay in Malta and how to find accommodation

For a long time I thought the ideal place to stay in Malta was right in the capital, Valletta. But it’s a very small city and it can be a bit dull. I think the ideal place to stay in Malta is Sliema or St Julian’s. I stayed in St Julian’s. The area has restaurants, clubs, seafront promenades and bus connections to the whole island. Valletta strikes me as very quiet, as if nothing is going on there. If someone asks me what to see in Malta, I’d definitely recommend Valletta, just not as a place to stay.

Accommodation in Malta is fairly expensive. When I was there in 2018, the usual price was about €35 a night. If you find anything cheaper, book it: that’s a good price. So where should you go in Malta? Wherever you find a good price on a room.

Here are some trips and tours in Malta:

Getting around Malta and trips around the islands

In Malta I visited the towns and places listed below and wrote an article about each one. One warning, though: when you’re in Malta, hiring a car is 120% worth it. As I said above, the buses in Malta are worse than in Colombia or Kenya. My mum and I regularly waited 40 to 70 minutes at a stop, and the buses run roughly every 20 to 60 minutes. When one fails to show up, the next one is too full to take you.

Here’s my list of what to see in Malta and where to go. The places in italics are ones I didn’t visit, so I can’t give you any advice on them.

1. The capital, Valletta. I’ve written a separate guide to what to see in Valletta.
2. I took a trip to Mdina, Malta’s former capital, where Game of Thrones was filmed.
3. Dingli Cliffs
4. Go for a swim in the Blue Lagoon. Since 2025 you have to book entry to the lagoon online in advance during the season. It’s free, and you choose one of three time slots.
5. I went on a full-day trip to the island of Gozo.
6. Popeye Village, built as a film set

The best beaches in Malta

Well, for this section I had to fall back on a good old guidebook I brought back from Malta. Why? I didn’t go to a single beach. I was there in April, the weather was typical April weather and it was too cold to swim. On the other hand, I believe the sea stays warm until late autumn. The only beach I walked past was the one at the Blue Lagoon, which was sandy. I’ve written a whole article about the Blue Lagoon; see the list above.

• Golden Bay Beach is a wide, roomy sandy beach near Mellieħa. It’s one of the most popular beaches in Malta, so it can get crowded in summer. Swimming here is easy, and the flag tells you whether it’s safe to go in.
• Għajn Tuffieħa Bay lies right opposite Golden Bay Beach and is quieter. The catch is that you can only get there if you’re willing to tackle about 200 stone steps down the cliff. There’s a bar, and it’s always less crowded.
• Mellieħa Bay is a perfect beach for small children. It’s sandy, with cafés and even parasols. The water is shallow, so it warms up quickly.
• Daħlet Qorrot is a small, rocky beach that’s ideal for snorkelling.
• Dwejra Bay is another of Malta’s most popular beaches, and it once had the Azure Window, which has since collapsed. There are natural rock pools, and it’s the place to go if you can dive. The wind, however, is a huge problem. This is one beach I did visit, and I was nearly blown away.
• Mistra Bay has its own caves, and fishermen come here too. It’s a sandy beach.

Food in Malta: what to try

Malta’s history has given its cuisine some interesting combinations. Stewed rabbit is especially popular. Few people know, though, that honey-making has a long tradition in Malta, with beekeeping going back to ancient times. Even the name ‘Malta’ comes from the Greek word ‘meli’, which means honey.

Maltese cooking is shaped most by the Mediterranean, so make sure you try Maltese bread with olive oil, and the wine. I’d also try every yoghurt and cheese you can find: they have loads of them, everywhere (even in grocery shops).

What I like about Malta

• Malta is a lovely Mediterranean island with history everywhere you look.
• Towns like Mdina are among the most beautiful I’ve ever visited. I really recommend Mdina. If you’re not sure what to see in Malta, don’t leave it out.
• The water in the Blue Lagoon looks as if it’s been Photoshopped. My jaw dropped, and none of my photos have been edited.
• The cheese here is excellent. I’m a complete cheese addict.
• Maltese food is interesting in general, and I liked everything (except the pizza). Try their traditional cheese pastries: I could have eaten them until I burst.
• It isn’t expensive. In 2018 I paid just €6 for four coffees in a café, tip included.

What I don’t like about Malta

• How many more times am I going to bring up the buses and public transport? My honest advice to Malta: instead of free Wi-Fi at every stop, work on your drivers’ punctuality.
• The Maltese are Italians through and through. If something works here, it’s a miracle. The boat times to the Blue Lagoon are a good example. Every website gives completely different departure and arrival times for the last boats. When I phoned, they gave me a time that appeared nowhere online, not even close. If you want to be sure of anything in Malta, pick up the phone.

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Is Malta worth visiting?

Despite the two things I didn’t like, I’d recommend Malta for a holiday. That’s mainly because it’s a country with a lot of history and you can get by in English. And after all, you don’t go on holiday to get stressed about the Maltese being a bit slapdash. Malta is beautiful, but once was enough for me.

Also worth reading: what to eat in Malta and 8 typical dishes from the island.