Things to do in Malta – Ultimate guide 2023
Are you going to visit Malta? – You chose well!
To help you plan your visit, we’ve created this guide with the best things to do while you’re there. Not only in Malta, but also in Gozo and Comino, the country’s two smaller islands.
In this guide you will discover the best activities, points of interest, monuments, beaches, and other interests aimed at younger people.
Valletta
Let’s start our list with the capital of Malta, Valletta. Simply shopping in this city and taking in the spectacular views is, in itself, magical.
This historic city is small and walled. Get lost wandering in the maze of streets and walls and contemplate the views of the sea with Sliema and St. Julian’s in the background.
Pair your experience with a good glass of Maltese wine and a good dinner in a restaurant with a terrace for a truly unique and beautiful experience.
There are several things you should not miss when you are in this city:
- Saint John’s Cathedral – It doesn’t look spectacular from the outside, but wait until you enter! It is full of gold and art works by the likes of Caravaggio. In its catacombs you will find the tombs of the Grand Masters of the Order of Malta. If you are interested in history you will love it.
- Grandmaster’s Palace – Contains over 5,000 pieces of armour and weapons that belonged to the Knights of Malta and the Grand Masters.
- Republic Street and Merchant Street – They are the main shopping streets in Valletta. There are also many restaurants. You should be aware that the area is not cheap!
- The Manoel Theatre – This is one of the oldest theatres in Europe!
- The national war museum.
- Barraka Gardens – These beautiful gardens are Instagram ready! Also known as Upper Barraka Garden and Lower Barraka Garden. The upper is larger and has amazing views of all three towns.
If you want more detailed information on what to do in Valletta, click here.
Sliema and St. Julian’s
These are the main tourist towns in Malta.
They are full of hotels, restaurants, clubs, discos, casinos, clothing stores, and so on.
They are the perfect places to take a walk, have dinner, go for drinks and end the night in a club if you wish!
Sliema is quieter than St. Julian’s, but the views of Valletta are breath taking and there are much better restaurants on offer here.
Regarding St. Julian’s, you have to take a tour of St. Julian’s Bay and finish in Paceville.
Blue Lagoon and the island of Comino
The Blue Lagoon is the best-known beach on the island of Comino, the smallest island in the archipelago of islands that is Malta.
There are daily round-trip ferries, but this warrants a more in-depth, detailed piece all of its own!
Boat Party
If you only have one day to party in Malta, you definitely have to go to the Boat Party!
This is a 5 hour open bar party of 250 as you travel to the Blue Lagoon on Comino Island. Once there, you can bathe, gaze at the stars, dance, chill… It is, without a doubt, something you have to see in Malta.
Blue Grotto
You’re going to have to spend a whole day, but it will be well worth it.
Visiting the Blue Grotto is definitely a unique experience. You will explore a tiny beach inside a wonderful cave with stunning blue water! If exploring is your thing you should put this on your list.
Of course, check the weather before because you will only enjoy it if the weather is good.
Paceville
It is full of restaurants, pubs, bars, nightclubs, casinos and even a beach.
We have compiled a great guide with the best bars and clubs, their respective prices, tips for partying there, schedules and events etc.
St Peter’s Pool
This is a very unique beach where you can jump into the water, sunbathe on the rocks, or snorkel in the clear bay! A place like nowhere else!
Dive
Divers love Malta because it is undoubtedly one of the best places in the Mediterranean for it!
Diving here is a unique experience. The coast lines of the Maltese islands are full of grottoes, caves and marine life.
In addition, in the summer the water is warm and crystal clear with the sunshine!
The prices are not expensive, the sites are beautiful and there are options for people who are beginners and options for more experienced people.
The best places to dive in Malta are as follows:
- Blue Grotto.
- Valletta, under Fort Saint Elmo – You can see HMS Maori, a destructive aircraft which sank in 1942.
- The Sinking of Um El Faroud oil tanker – A sunken tanker full of delights.
- The sinking of MV Rozi in Cirkewwa – Another smaller sunken ship.
- The Blue Hole in Gozo.
- Caves of Santa Maria in Comino.
Prices range from 70€ to 100€ per person.
Mdina
Historically, Mdina was always the capital of Malta. During the Middle Ages (before the Order of Malta) the government and other administrations were there.
It was called “Citta Notabile”, or the noble city in our language. When the Order arrived, they decided that the capital should be moved to Valletta for strategic reasons.
Also called “the silent city”, it is a fortified city full of historical monuments such as:
- St. Paul’s Cathedral – Malta’s historic cathedral.
- Vilhena Palace – An eighteenth-century palace.
- Other palaces on Villegaignon Street, such as Falcon Palace.
It is also worth taking a walk around the old moat, now converted into gardens.
From there the views are beautiful.
Water Activities
For obvious reasons, the range of water sports that you can practice in Malta is enormous:
- Jet bike
- Paddle surf.
- Water skiing.
- Paraglider.
- Flyboard.
- Windsurfing.
- Snorkelling.
Rabat
This town is just next to Mdina, so, if you are going to visit Mdina, it is worth making the effort to visit Rabat whist you are there!
Some of the best things to see in Rabat are:
- St. Paul’s and Grotto Church.
- St. Paul’s Catacombs – It was the necropolis for 500 years.
- Catacombs St. Agatha’s – Where Saint Agatha hid during their exile from Sicily.
- Domvs Romana – A house from Roman times transformed into a museum.
Gozo
Gozo is Malta’s second largest island. It is more rural and quiet than the island of Malta and also has beautiful views and beaches with crystal clear waters. Of course, you have to keep in mind that if you go to Gozo from Malta, it is advisable to spend the whole day.
Being another island, obviously, you have to take a boat. You can take the ferry from Cirkewwa, Valletta or Sliema. It does not usually take long, it is very well organized and you can purchase drinks and food on the same boat.
Once you get there, the best places to visit in Gozo are as follows:
- Victoria – It is the main city of Gozo. It is the ideal place for shopping, restaurants, of course, to visit the Cittadella. It is a fortified part of the city located on a hill where you will find the Cathedral, the old prison and beautiful views of the city.
- Djwera Region – This region is in the northwest of the island, and here you will find the Azur Window, Fungus Rock and Deep Blue Hole. Unfortunately, the Azur Window collapsed in 2017.
- Marsalforn – The most visited beach during the summer.
- Ta’Pinu – A beautiful church on a hill.
- Ggantija temples – These are the best preserved historical temples on the island.
- Ramla Bay beach – The largest sandy beach in Gozo.
Festivales
Club UNO Malta
This is the open disco with the largest dance surface in the whole country. It’s in an open space, has many bars, and it is host to DJs recognised worldwide!
Click here to see more information about the UNO nightclub in our Nightlife article at Malta.
Playas
The number and variety of beaches in Malta is, for obvious reasons, vast!
Find out more about beaches in our Maltese beaches article by clicking here.