In a nutshell
- Malta may be a small island, but it packs in a seriously impressive number of things to do. We’ll show you 11 highlights in Malta that you simply can’t miss.
- Our personal favorites are the historic old town of Mdina, Malta’s capital Valletta, and the Crystal Lagoon.
- The best way to get around is by rental car or Uber. We personally used Uber — the ride service is incredibly affordable in Malta.
- Several coastal highlights are also covered by boat tours. Our top pick is the boat tour to Malta’s lagoons.
Where is Malta most beautiful?
With an area of 316 square kilometers, Malta is roughly the same size as Munich. Saying where it’s most beautiful is difficult — because honestly, everywhere is beautiful. It’s one of the most beautiful European islands in our book, after all.
And given how small the island is, you can visit every single pretty corner — as long as you bring enough time. 7 to 10 days is what you should aim for.
That gives you plenty of time to explore the coastlines and the interior of the island, checking out all the must-sees and the most beautiful towns and places on Malta that we personally love.
And you don’t even need to do a road trip for that.
You can book a hotel on Malta in a region of your choice and take day trips from there. By rental car, Uber, or boat. That’s exactly what we did — and we’d do it again every time.
The best things to do in Malta on a map
To help you get your bearings, we’ve marked our 11 Malta highlights on a map.
The distances might look pretty far at first glance. But don’t forget how small Malta is. From the southernmost to the northernmost point of the island, you need less than an hour by car. The islands of Gozo and Comino can be reached by ferry or boat tour.
Mdina
What do you need to know? Mdina is the former capital of Malta, located in the west of the island. It’s over 4,000 years old and ranks among the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean. Mdina even served as a filming location for Game of Thrones and Gladiator 2.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! The city cast its spell on us from the very first minute. The winding alleyways, the massive city gate, the cathedrals and monasteries, and the silence here — especially in the morning — are all seriously impressive. There are even several great museums in Mdina.
Our tip: Mdina pairs perfectly with a quick detour to Rabat. We’ll introduce you to Rabat in just a moment. The two cities flow directly into each other.
Valletta
What do you need to know? Valletta is the capital of Malta and a genuine highlight. The city is known for its historic buildings, narrow alleyways, and staircases. It was founded by the Knights of Malta in the 16th century and is steeped in history.
Is it worth it? Totally! Valletta as a whole is already a sight in its own right. But the city has even more to offer within its walls — like St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the Barrakka Gardens, and Fort St. Elmo. Valletta is also great for shopping. Among other things, you’ll find the world’s oldest record store here, dating back to 1885.
Our tip: Right next to Valletta lies Sliema. The two are separated by a Mediterranean bay, with boats crossing back and forth every few minutes throughout the day. For €2.50, you can get from one side to the other. Don’t miss it.
Find out more about Valletta here:
Crystal Lagoon
What do you need to know? Malta has some wonderful lagoons for swimming and snorkeling. The most famous is the Blue Lagoon. We’d actually steer you away from it — it’s beautiful, but so overcrowded that it takes all the fun out of it. Instead, we recommend the Crystal Lagoon, just a stone’s throw from the Blue Lagoon at Comino Beach.
Is it worth it? 100%! We visited both lagoons on a boat tour and were absolutely blown away by the Crystal Lagoon. Crystal-clear turquoise water, plenty of fish and rock formations, and not even half as many people as at the Blue Lagoon.
Our tip: The boat tour we took is the cruise from Sliema. A strong personal recommendation! We had an incredible day on and in the water — a truly awesome activity on Malta. We spent about an hour snorkeling in the Crystal Lagoon and then just relaxed by the sea, away from the Blue Lagoon crowds. Alternatively, you can use that time to explore a bit of Comino.
Book a boat tour to Malta’s lagoons
Also read our experience report:
Marsaxlokk
What do you need to know? Marsaxlokk is a picturesque fishing village on the southern coast of Malta. It’s known for its beautiful harbor and the colorful Luzzu boats that dot the waterfront. Every Sunday, from early morning until around 2 PM, a traditional fish market with a one-of-a-kind atmosphere takes place here.
Is it worth it? Marsaxlokk isn’t just a feast for the eyes — it’s a feast for your camera too. There are countless great photo spots here, and the atmosphere in the village is truly one of a kind. Plus, you can enjoy some seriously good, fresh-caught fish.
Rabat
What do you need to know? Rabat sits right next to Mdina, our top pick on Malta. The city is often called Mdina’s sister city. It’s compact, charming, quiet, and easy to explore on foot.
Is it worth it? Once Mdina gets crowded during the day, Rabat makes a great escape. There are barely any tourists here — and that’s despite the fact that Rabat has two genuine highlights: the St. Paul’s Catacombs and Domus Romana, a Roman-era house with a museum.
Our tip: Make sure to try the traditional Maltese pastries at Parruccan — one of our Malta insider tips. It’s a super charming bakery with a display right on the street, where the baker still sells his own goods. Our favorites are the Maltese cannoli.
Also read our article on Maltese specialties
Blue Grotto
What do you need to know? The Blue Grotto on Malta is a popular point of interest on the southwestern coast of the island — not to be confused with the Blue Lagoon! The grotto consists of several sea caves and a 50-meter-high rock arch rising above turquoise-blue water.
Is it worth it? Definitely! The Blue Grotto is a truly impressive place. It’s a reminder of just what nature is capable of creating. It’s also a fantastic spot for snorkeling and swimming.
Book a boat tour to the Blue Grotto
Blue Hole
What do you need to know? There really are a lot of blue sights on Malta, haha. The Blue Hole on the western coast is one of them — a 10-meter-wide and 15-meter-deep hole filled with crystal-clear seawater that grows darker the deeper it gets.
Is it worth it? Without a doubt! The Blue Hole is great for swimming, snorkeling, and especially for divers — it’s a real standout. The path there is a bit of a workout thanks to the uneven ground, but the views and the experience are absolutely worth it!
By the way: Next to the Blue Hole stood what was known as the Azure Window — a rock formation shaped like a window to the sea. The rock collapsed in 2017. Since 2019, there has been a project to recreate the Azure Window as a futuristic metal structure.
Dingli Cliffs
What do you need to know? The Dingli Cliffs are the most beautiful cliffs on Malta. They sit on the western coast and rise 253 meters above the Mediterranean Sea. Right next to them is the village of Dingli — the highest-elevated village on the island — which makes for a great quick detour.
Is it worth it? The panorama from the cliffs out over the Mediterranean is simply breathtaking, and the climb up is genuinely easy — you barely even notice you’re going uphill. At the top of the rocky plateau, everything is lush and green, and there are benches where you can sit and soak it all in. A really beautiful spot in Malta’s natural landscape.
Golden Bay Beach
What do you need to know? Golden Bay Beach on the northwestern coast is the most beautiful sandy beach on Malta. The beach gets its name from its golden sand. On-site, you can rent sun loungers, umbrellas, and water toys.
Is it worth it? Golden Bay Beach really is a particularly beautiful beach — clear water, a gentle entry into the sea, and nearby rocks that are great for snorkeling. Just be aware that it gets very crowded here, especially during the summer months.
Our tip: During peak season, we recommend arriving before 9 AM. After that, finding a free spot becomes genuinely difficult.
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra
What do you need to know? The temple complexes of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra on the southwestern coast are impressive historic megalithic structures dating back to 3,600 and 2,500 BC. The sites sit in splendid isolation amid nature and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. You can visit independently or with a guided tour.
Is it worth it? If you’re into archaeology, these temple complexes are absolutely worth your time. A well-laid-out footpath connects the two sites, and a large tent over the ruins provides shade from the sun.
Our tip: You can easily combine a visit to Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra with a detour to the Blue Grotto. The two are only three minutes apart by car — or about 20 minutes on foot.
Book a prehistoric temples of Malta tour
Popeye Village
What do you need to know? Popeye Village on the northern coast of Malta is a colorful village built as a film set for the 1980 Popeye movie. It was originally supposed to be torn down, but thanks to its popularity it still stands today as a small amusement park.
Is it worth it? Totally! Popeye Village is a fantastic place to visit with kids — and for movie fans too! There are shows, boat tours, and plenty of film props on display. Plus, the setting in Anchor Bay is unforgettably beautiful.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Malta
How far apart are the attractions in Malta from each other?
Because Malta is such a small island, the attractions are not far from each other at all.
For example: from the fishing village of Marsaxlokk in the south, it’s only about 30 minutes by car to Golden Bay Beach in the north.
Do I need a rental car for Malta?
No — you don’t necessarily need a rental car for your Malta trip.
Having one gives you more flexibility, but we got around just fine using Uber to get from A to B. And Uber is really affordable in Malta.
Which beach in Malta is the most beautiful?
The most beautiful beach on Malta is Golden Bay Beach on the northwest coast.
A stunning sandy beach surrounded by rocks with turquoise-blue water.
It does get crowded during peak season — but if you arrive early enough, you have a good chance of snagging a spot.
Which attractions in Malta are good for kids?
The best things to do in Malta with kids are definitely Popeye Village, Golden Bay Beach, and the Crystal Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling.
Is the Malta Pass worth it?
The Heritage Malta Multisite Pass is an admission ticket for numerous attractions across Malta.
For adults, the pass costs 60 euros.
Honestly? We found it not worth it.
Malta’s small size naturally invites a lot of spontaneous sightseeing — we often didn’t decide what we were doing until breakfast.
We only booked our boat tour and our parasailing in advance. Everything else we figured out on the fly.
With the Malta Pass, we would have either wasted money or been forced to stick to a rigid sightseeing schedule to justify the cost.
That would have meant giving up a few hours by the sea or the pool. And honestly, nobody wants that.
