In a nutshell
- Planning a vacation in Malta but not sure where to go? We’ll tell you which places in Malta are truly worth visiting — and which ones to prioritize.
- We’ll walk you through the 7 best places to visit in Malta, with a personal hotel recommendation and sightseeing tips for each one.
- Several of these spots are also among the best areas to stay in Malta. We’ve put together a separate guide on that — check out our Where to Stay in Malta article for the full breakdown.
The Most Beautiful Places in Malta on a Map
Malta is one of the most beautiful islands in Europe and has plenty of incredible places to see. For a quick overview and to help you get your bearings, we’ve marked the best places to visit in Malta on a map — including the airport. We’ll introduce each spot in detail below.
Mdina & Rabat
What do you need to know? Mdina and Rabat are two historic towns that blend seamlessly into one another in the west of Malta. Mdina is over 4,000 years old and is not only a top attraction in Malta, but one of the most beautiful cities in the entire Mediterranean. Expect winding alleyways, cathedrals, monasteries, and Game of Thrones filming locations.
Top highlights: In Mdina, don’t miss the grand city gate, St. Paul’s Cathedral in the heart of the city, and the old natural history museum. In Rabat, be sure to check out St. Paul’s Catacombs.
Our hotel recommendation for Mdina & Rabat: Palazzo Bifora
Valletta
What do you need to know? Valletta is the historic capital of Malta. It’s known for its narrow, staircase-lined streets and the old Maltese townhouses. With an area of just 80 hectares, Valletta is super easy to explore on foot — and the entire city is packed with history and things to see.
Top highlights: In Valletta, make sure you visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the lush Barrakka Gardens, and Fort St. Elmo.
Our hotel recommendation in Valletta: Casa Ellul
Find more Valletta tips here:
La Cottonera: The Three Cities
What do you need to know? The so-called Three Cities of Malta are Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua. They’re located across the harbor from Valletta and are collectively known as La Cottonera. Like Mdina and Rabat, the three towns blend into one another. Expect hilly streets, winding alleyways, small squares with restaurants, and lovely promenades.
Top highlights: The biggest highlights are in Vittoriosa — Fort St. Angelo, St. Lawrence Cathedral, and the Malta at War Museum.
Our hotel recommendation for La Cottonera: Palazzino Birgu B&B
Marsaxlokk
What do you need to know? Marsaxlokk is an authentic fishing village on the southern coast of Malta. This charming little spot is known for its harbor, its unique Mediterranean atmosphere, delicious fresh fish, and some of the best photo opportunities on the entire island.
Top highlights: The colorful Luzzu boats in Marsaxlokk’s harbor are the absolute standout. The traditional fish market, held here every Sunday, is another real gem.
Our hotel recommendation in Marsaxlokk: The fishing village doesn’t have typical hotels. If you still want to stay overnight here, we recommend the South Wind Guesthouse.
Mellieħa
What do you need to know? Mellieħa is a stunning region on the northern coast of Malta. This little corner of the island brings together the best of Malta’s natural scenery — it’s both rural and green, and also well known for its fantastic sandy beach. On top of that, it’s noticeably quieter here than in the regions near Valletta.
Top highlights: Mellieħa isn’t just beautiful — it’s seriously full of things to see and do. Check out Mellieħa Bay, the fun Popeye Village, and the Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park. And you can reach the neighboring islands of Gozo and Comino from here super quickly by boat.
Our hotel recommendation in Mellieħa: Solana Hotel & Spa
By the way: In Mellieħa you’ll also find one of our lesser-known spots in Malta — Fort Campbell, a former military installation.
Sliema
What do you need to know? Sliema is a classic vacation base on the eastern coast of Malta. Good and affordable hotels, lots of great restaurants, and a perfect jumping-off point for day trips out to sea or into the surrounding area. Sliema is especially great for first-time visitors looking for a place to stay in Malta. And the area is separated from Valletta by just a bay — you can be in the capital in five minutes.
Top highlights: Sliema offers a long promenade for walks along the harbor and a pretty rocky coastline with a cove for swimming. The view of Valletta’s skyline is the cherry on top.
Our hotel recommendation in Sliema: Verdi Gzira
Victoria
What do you need to know? Victoria is the capital of the tranquil neighboring island of Gozo, which is part of Malta. The city was named after Queen Victoria and was previously called Rabat — a name some locals still use today. That can be confusing, since there’s also a town called Rabat on the main island, so don’t mix them up.
Top highlights: The must-sees in Victoria are the Victoria Citadel, Santa Marija Cathedral, and the Villa Rundle Gardens.
Our hotel recommendation in Victoria: The Carob Tree
How to get to Gozo: A day trip to Gozo is one of the coolest activities in Malta. To get there, take a bus, rental car, or Uber to the Ċirkewwa harbor in the north of the island. From there, ferries run 24/7 and will take you to Gozo for a small fee.
