Malta
Being from Ireland, I don’t really get to call countries small, but Malta is tiny. With a population of 420000, you really can drive the length of the main island in a matter of hours, and circumnavigate it by boat in one day (which is very worth doing for the views btw). Malta has centuries of mixed history and occupation, which makes for a fascinating mix of culture and lots to see. Interestingly, Maltese is the only Arabic language that uses a westernised alphabet, and I kind of want to find a way to learn it after visiting 😀 Here’s a list of tours to do and a self-guided walking tour route, mapped out on Google Maps:
Recommended Tours
Valletta
Join a free or paid walking tour with Colour My Travel and discover the key historical elements of Valletta, which is truly steeped in history. Free tours run Wednesday at 5pm and Saturday at 10am and take 1.5hrs.
Game of Thrones
Book the Game of Thrones Film Tour with Malcolm for an unforgettable day out traveling in an air-conditioned bus around Malta- make sure to book ahead though, because it books up weeks in advance. Visit www.maltafilmtours.com/game-of-thrones-tour for booking (€59pp).
Mdina
Head to the stunning, historical Mdina (pronounced “Em Dina”) by bus from the bus station just outside the main gates to Valletta. The bus takes 25-40 mins and costs €2 each way. You can easily tour the tiny city yourself, which was once Malta’s capital, but as I was traveling solo, I signed up for a free walking tour with Colour my Travel , it takes 2 hours and was just long enough. Make sure to visit the Fontanella Tea Garden while you’re in Mdina, for incredible views overlooking half of the island of Malta, and good cake too. Look out for Game of Thrones set scenes!
Blue Lagoon
Book a boat trip to see the Blue Lagoon with Captain Morgan Tours, €20 for the whole day including unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks and lunch. The Blue Lagoon was a serious highlight for me- the water was so turquoise, it was like taking a dip in a swimming pool. You can opt to do a tour of the caves by speedboat whilst there too, or just lap up the sun and incredible ambiance. Roll this in to one with a trip to see Gozo as well for €25, an island nearby the Blue Lagoon. The city of Gozo is like a smaller, less touristy version of Valletta. Check this tour out if that sounds good and you have the time.
Three Cities Tour or Water Taxi
It’s worth heading out in a boat to see glorious Valletta from the water, and from Sliema. Take the elevator down in the Upper Barraka Gardens to get a ferry across to Sliema for €2.80, or hop on the Three Cities tour to see Vittoriosa, Senglia, Bormla. The Valetta Waterfront is also a nice area to have a meal or a coffee and people watch (my favourite holiday past time 😀 ).
Valletta highlights for a self-guided tour
(Check out the route I mapped out on Google Maps here.
Start at the City Gates, check out the Treton Fountain just outside the walls.
Enter into the old city snd walk until you see the Royal Opera House on your right- this Romanesque masterpiece burned down 10 years after being built, and was rebuilt only to be bombed in WW2. The remains have now been incorporated into an open air theatre and performances regularly take place here.
Head to the right, up the hill toward the two churches, St. Catherines of Italy and Our Lady of Victories (right).
Continue straight to see the Auberge de Castille, where the parliament sits, and snap a few photos.
From the Auberge head straight on to the Upper Barraka Gardens for unrivalled views of the bay and the three cities. Grab a drink in the cafe in the gardens to refresh and take in the views.
St. John’s Cathedral, has a €10 entrance fee, impressive also from the outside (we didn’t go in).
Grab a coffee in one of the open air cafes in Republic Square by the National Library of Malta.
Check out the impressive St. George Square around the corner.
Wander in to the amazing Grandmaster’s Palace for €10 entrance fee.
Where to Eat
Check out Is-Suq Tal-Belt Valletta Food Market on Merchant’s St – whatever you’re craving, you’ll find it here.
Strait Street is restaurant and bar street with a huge variety of options, near St. George Square
Submarine – amazing and cheap sandwiches, wraps and paninis made to order on the Merchant’s Street, from €3.50.
Check out De Robertis Rooftop Bar – for a dinner with a view, near Upper Barraka Gardens.
Storie & Sapori – delicious thin crust Italian pizza and salads, just beside Upper Barraka Gardens and on Strait Street.
Highlights Gallery
