Malta

If you're looking for a Mediterranean destination with picturesque scenery and a rich history dating back thousands of years, look no further than Malta. This tiny island is located at the crossroads of Europe and Africa and has everything from stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters to fascinating architecture and ancient churches and temples.

In this blog post, we'll dive into the best things to do in Malta, from exploring the charming capital city of Valletta to taking boat rides to its sister islands.

Now, whether you're a history lover, beach babe, or simply looking for a new adventure, Malta is sure to steal your heart.

Mdina

Mdina is a small city in Malta that sits at the hill overlooking the island. The city is steeped in history, with narrow streets dating back to medieval times.

There are many reasons why you should visit Mdina, and one of these are: 1. Historical monuments and architecture: As a 4,000-year-old city, Mdina is home to many beautiful monuments and historic buildings, including the St. Paul's Cathedral, the Carmelite Church, and the Mdina Gate. Fun Fact: Mdina was Malta’s capital city until the Knights of Malta arrived in 1530. 2. Stunning views: Mdina is situated on a hilltop and offers stunning views of the island, especially at night when the city is lit up. Fun Fact: The Silent City is an often-used name for Mdina, and you’ll understand why once you walk around inside the bastion walls. It’s also known as Città Notabile (“Notable City”). 3. Cultural experiences: Visitors to Mdina can also experience Maltese culture through its cuisine, national celebrations, and traditional performances. Fun Fact: The name Mdina comes from the Arabic word medina, which means ‘city’. 4. Walking tours: There are many walking tours available in Mdina that will guide you through the city's narrow streets and alleys, providing you with an authentic and immersive experience of this historic city. Fun Fact: The city’s main entrance features in the popular TV show “Game of Thrones”. 5. Peaceful atmosphere: Unlike many other tourist destinations, Mdina is a peaceful and tranquil city where you can relax and unwind, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Fun Fact: Mdina has a small population of around 250 people who live at 0.9km2, within the city walls.

Valletta

Valletta is the capital city of Malta, a small island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea. The city is known for its rich history and stunning architecture, as well as its lively atmosphere and vibrant culture. Fun Fact: Valletta is recognized as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO since 1980.

Malta's capital is so rich in history, with its streets and buildings bearing witness to centuries of rule by various civilizations, the city is home to numerous museums and cultural institutions, such as the National Museum of Archaeology and the Museum of Fine Arts, which showcase Malta's fascinating past. Fun Fact: Valletta is the smallest capital city in whole Europe. It occupies less than 1 Square kilometer.

Valletta is famous for its Baroque and Rococo architecture, which can be seen in the city's many historic buildings and churches. These include St John's Co-Cathedral, which is one of the most impressive Baroque buildings in Europe, and by far my all-time favorite cathedral I have ever been to. Fun Fact: Valletta was not always the capital of Malta, previously it was Mdina!

Food and Drink: Maltese cuisine is a delicious blend of Mediterranean and North African flavors, and Valletta has plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can sample local dishes. Be sure to try pastizzi, a savory pastry filled with ricotta or peas, and wash it down with a glass of Kinnie, a popular Maltese soft drink. Fun Fact: Named after Grandmaster Jean Parisot de Valette, who founded the city in 1566.

Gozo Island

Gozo is a small island located in the Mediterranean Sea, just north of Malta. It is a popular tourist destination and is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and fascinating historical sites.

We spent the whole day exploring the island and luckily the weather was very good.

We took a ferry ride from Malta, and it took us only 30 minutes to reach.

I loved Gozo from the moment we arrived, and I will try to show you the reasons why.

First and foremost, it is a perfect destination for those looking for a relaxing getaway.

With its beautiful beaches and tranquil countryside, it is the ideal place to unwind and recharge. In addition, the island offers plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking, diving, and water sports. Fun Fact: Gozo grows a medicinal fungus that’s found nowhere else.

Gozo is also rich in history and culture. With its numerous temples, churches, and fortresses, visitors can immerse themselves in the island's rich past. Fun Fact: The area of Gozo is just 67km² with a population of approximately 35,000 inhabitants.

The island is also known for its picturesque villages and local crafts, such as handmade lace and pottery. Fun Fact: Gozo’s ENTIRE population was once kidnapped by invaders.

Finally, Gozo is renowned for its delicious cuisine. The island is home to many excellent restaurants, serving up fresh seafood, local delicacies, and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Fun Fact: Gozo today preserves an authentic Mediterranean culture.

Some must-sees are:

- The Azure Window - a natural rock formation that collapsed in 2017, but the impressive coastal scenery is still impressive to see.

- Ramla Bay - lovely red sand beach with crystal clear water.

- Victoria - the capital city of Gozo, featuring the Citadel, an ancient, fortified city.

- Dwejra Bay - a natural wonder with the Azure Window collapse site and the Inland Sea.

- Ta' Pinu Basilica - a beautiful church famous for being a pilgrimage site.

Overall, Gozo Island is a beautiful and fascinating destination that is well worth a visit for anyone seeking a relaxing Mediterranean getaway.

Comino Island

Comino is a tiny island located between the islands of Malta and Gozo.

The island is famous for its beautiful turquoise waters, stunning natural scenery, and white sandy beaches. Comino is also popular among tourists for its excellent snorkeling and diving, as the crystal-clear waters offer great visibility for exploring the colorful marine life. Fun Fact: Comino is car-free and apart from one hotel, is virtually uninhabited.

One of the most popular spots on the island is the Blue Lagoon, which is a picturesque bay with turquoise blue water that is surrounded by rocky cliffs. It's a great spot to spend a day swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the natural beauty of Comino. Fun Fact: The island gets its name (Kemmuna) from the cumin plant that once grew on the island.

We had a funny situation where we had no idea beach shacks are closed until the summer and brought no water or food with us so we explored while we could and couldn't wait to reach Valletta again to eat.

Comino is a small but stunningly beautiful island with a unique character and plenty of things to see and do and I bet in the summer it's even better because you can swim!

Three Cities

Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua are the three cities that rightly claimed to be the cradle of Maltese history.

The fortified cities sit like a trio of villages in the heart of Malta’s historic center, directly across the Grand Harbour from Valletta.

Highly recommended visiting and diving deeper into Maltese culture and history. Fun Fact: The cities were built by the Knights of St.John in the 16th century!

These are the ones we liked most: Vittoriosa Yacht Marina, St Lawrence’s Church, Fort Saint Angelo and Senglea Basilica, but even if you simply walk along its residential streets and get a feel for life away from the tourist scene, you’ll enjoy a lot. Fun Fact: Vittorosa/Birgu was Malta's very first capital city.

Adventuring of the Three Cities can be done in a single day via a combination of walking and Grand Harbour taxi boat transfers. Fun Fact: Each of the Three Cities has two (or more) names. For example: Vittoriosa or Birgu, Cospicua or Bormla and Senglea, Isla or Cita Invicta.

That's all guys!

How did you like Malta? Is it on your bucket list to visit?

Let me know,

Yours,

Kat