Getting there
Malta International Airport is 15 minutes from Valletta and served by most European carriers year-round. Virtu Ferries runs a fast catamaran from Pozzallo and Catania in Sicily, taking around two hours.
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Malta
A Sun-Soaked Fortress Island of Golden Limestone, Azure Waters & 7,000 Years of History
Best time to visit
April – November
Location
Malta
Photograph by Anas Morsali, taken during his own trip
Written and reviewed by Anas Morsali, founder of travellerseasyLast reviewed 11 September 2026Based on the author's own tripHow we research
About Malta
Malta, a tiny archipelago in the heart of the Mediterranean between Sicily and North Africa, punches far above its weight in history, culture, and natural beauty. With over 7,000 years of continuous human habitation — from mysterious megalithic temples older than the pyramids to Phoenician traders, Roman villas, Arab influences, medieval knights, and British colonial heritage — Malta offers an extraordinary density of historical treasures. Its sun-drenched limestone landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and warm, welcoming culture make it one of the Mediterranean's most rewarding destinations.
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Highlights
1
Valletta
2Europe's smallest capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city, packed with baroque masterpieces, fortress walls, and grand harbours.
Blue Grotto
3A spectacular system of sea caves where sunlight creates an ethereal electric blue glow on the crystal-clear Mediterranean waters.
Mdina – The Silent City
4Malta's ancient fortified capital, a timeless medieval walled city of narrow streets, noble palaces, and panoramic views.
Gozo Island
Malta's tranquil sister island, a rural paradise of dramatic cliffs, ancient temples, and some of the Mediterranean's best diving.
Planning guide: Malta
Malta is small enough that you never need to change hotel, and dense enough that seven millennia of history sit within a 20-minute drive. The two things worth planning carefully are the Gozo ferry timetable and the fact that many churches, including St John's Co-Cathedral, enforce a dress code and limited opening hours.
Getting around
Public buses cover the whole island for €2 per two-hour ticket, or €21 for a seven-day Explore card, and are the easiest option given how narrow and congested the roads are. Driving is on the left, and parking in Valletta and Sliema is difficult. The Gozo ferry from Ċirkewwa runs every 45 minutes and takes 25 minutes; you pay only on the return leg.
Where to stay
Valletta for architecture and evening quiet, Sliema and St Julian's for hotels, restaurants and the ferry to Valletta, Mdina or Rabat for a historic base away from the coast, and Gozo — Xlendi or Victoria — for a slower few days.
What it costs
Malta is among the better-value Mediterranean destinations: €80–150 per night for a double, €15–25 for a main course, €2 per bus journey, €15 for St John's Co-Cathedral and €10 for the Hypogeum, which must be booked weeks in advance.
Suggested itinerary
Day 1
Valletta
St John's Co-Cathedral with its Caravaggio, the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the noon saluting battery, and the Grand Master's Palace.
Day 2
The Three Cities
Take the traditional dgħajsa boat across the Grand Harbour to Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua — quieter and older than Valletta itself.
Day 3
Mdina and Rabat
The silent walled city at dusk, the catacombs of St Paul, and Dingli Cliffs for sunset.
Day 4
Blue Grotto and the temples
Morning boat trip into the sea caves at Wied iż-Żurrieq, then the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra megalithic temples, older than the pyramids.
Day 5
Gozo
Ferry across for the Ġgantija temples, the Citadel in Victoria, Wied il-Mielaħ window and a swim at Ramla Bay.
Practical planning tips
- Book the Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni as soon as your dates are fixed — only 80 visitors are admitted per day.
- Shoulders and knees must be covered in churches; St John's also bans stiletto heels to protect the marble floor.
- Blue Grotto boat trips are cancelled in strong wind, most often in winter and early spring.
- The Blue Lagoon on Comino is extremely crowded from June to September; the first boat of the day is the only quiet slot.
Common questions
Do you need a car in Malta?
No. Buses, ferries and taxis cover everything, and parking is the main headache for drivers.
Is English widely spoken?
Yes, English is an official language alongside Maltese, and all signage is bilingual.
Written and researched by travellerseasy. Guides combine first-hand material where available with checks against official transport, park and tourism sources. Prices and timetables change — read our editorial standards to see how these guides are researched, and tell us if something is out of date.