Home » Malta holidays guide » Why visit Malta?
While a Malta vacation is on several travellers’ bucket lists, it is still one of the travel options people often know little about.
Malta, an archipelago in the Mediterranean, is mostly known for its sun and sea, unique culture and rich history. It’s a great holiday option for many travellers who look for a warm climate and crystal-clear bays, enjoyable sightseeing options and varied local cuisine. Additionally, its compact size means that it’s easy to explore scenic towns and historically significant places in relatively little time, making it a great choice for travellers looking for adventure, history and relaxation.
If you’re trying to figure out whether Malta is a good holiday destination for you and what popular reasons to visit Malta are, I’ll help you with all of that in this guide.
Let’s start with a few FAQs.
Yes! Malta is one of the nicest European destinations that has a little bit of everything; beaches, museums, places of interest etc. Locals often go out of their way to help you out if you’re in need, and the weather doesn’t disappoint!
While crime rates are low and there are no threats of terrorist attacks, it is considered to be a safe country. However, it goes without saying that it’s important to be aware of your surroundings.
Malta is a great country that has a lot to offer. From landmarks, museums, several places of interest, stunning beaches and a vibrant history that is centuries old, there is something out there for all travellers who plan to visit Malta.
As a local, I would say Malta offers a little bit of everything. Although some areas are quite busy such as Sliema and St Julian’s, you can still enjoy a relaxing time in quieter parts of the island such as Mdina. You can also head to Gozo, Malta’s sister island for an even more tranquil time within rural surroundings. What’s more, the locals are friendly and are more than happy to give you a helping hand when it comes to directions and recommendations.
Malta is indeed a good holiday destination for most travellers. Whether you’re planning a summer holiday or a winter getaway where you can still enjoy ample sunshine, Malta is worth visiting to unwind, explore or simply soak up the sun rays.
Malta is worth visiting if you’re looking for a sunny and warm escape practically all year round. It’s also an attractive destination for culture-seekers who like exploring historically significant places in Europe, or simply to unwind and sample some tasty local food.
There are many reasons to visit Malta, and these are the most popular ones.
The Maltese are renowned for their hospitality, friendliness and generosity. The friendly locals are traditionally kind-hearted and usually go out of their way to make guests feel at home. The majority of people are very accommodating, and are very willing to lend a helping hand should you need directions, restaurant recommendations for good food, or require assistance of any kind.
This characteristic is deeply rooted in Maltese culture and makes for a very warm and welcoming experience. Apart from personal experience, it’s something I hear those who travelled to Malta mention on a regular basis.
The fact that English is Malta’s second official language obviously helps and takes away a language barrier that many guests to other holiday destinations face time and again.
Since Malta was a former British colony for around 160 years (gaining independence in 1964), this shaped the country and its inhabitants, most of whom now have a good command of the English language.
For English-speaking tourists visiting Malta, this means that communication forms little or no problem, which is an important benefit. Maltese, however, is still the country’s first official language spoken by the vast majority of the Maltese population.
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Should you be interested in spending a couple of hours visiting points of interest, let’s just say you’re spoiled for choice with a plethora of tourist attractions, historical landmarks, prehistoric temples, and so many other things that make Malta the perfect destination all year round.
What’s so great about this Mediterranean island is that, unlike most popular tourist destinations around Europe, you can visit a large number of fascinating museums. To name a few, some of these include ones such as the Inquisitor’s Palace, the National Museum of Archaeology, and the Notarial Archives Registry, all of which are most certainly a testament to the country’s turbulent and rich history.
Best of all, you can organise day trips by combining a visit to several places of interest within a relatively small area, rather than losing half the day travelling to a single location. For example, you can start off your day with a visit to Mdina – the Silent City. Here, you can walk around the quaint streets, stop for tea and cake at Fontanella, admire the breathtaking views from the belvedere and visit Palazzo Falson; originally built in the Middle Ages it houses wonderful antiques and historical items.
Next, you can head to the Tarxien Temples. Consisting of a complex of four Megalithic structures built in the late Neolithic period which were later readapted for use during the Early Bronze Age, this is truly a must-see for travellers who make it a point to visit historical sites.
Of course, you simply can’t head to Malta without visiting the famous Capital City, Valletta. It’s the perfect place to explore Malta on foot, as you get lost in the narrow streets, admire ancient architecture, and discover places of interest, such as the Upper Barrakka Gardens and St John’s Co-Cathedral.
What’s more, you can also devour some amazing food at a restaurant that offers Maltese cuisine or perhaps the ultimate street food treat — pastizzi!
Alongside Valletta, the Three Cities also make Malta worth visiting. Built by the Knights of St John during the 16th and 17th centuries, these historic cities (Birgu, Isla and Bormla) sit directly across the Grand Harbour from the Capital and are truly a must-see if you want to delve deeper into Malta’s past.
Places of interest located within the 3 Cities include the Inquisitor’s Palace, an architectural gem filled with so much history of the Maltese Inquisition from 1574 to 1798 and the National War Museum, dedicated to Malta’s role in World War II.
I would also recommend these tours if you want to enhance your experience in Birgu:
Many tour operators can facilitate you with a choice of tours around the Maltese islands, but obviously at a cost. The relatively short distances, convenient bus routes and road signs make it relatively easy to find your way around, irrespective of whether you opt for public transport or a hired car if you prefer to explore the islands by yourself. You can even take a hop-on hop-off bus tour that takes you past a bunch of places in no time.
Get my recommendations on the best day trips, boat trips, excursions and activities and book in advance!
There’s a wide range of possibilities for accommodation in Malta and hotels in Gozo when looking for a place to stay. Whether you’re looking for a 5-star luxury hotel or a more economical one with 4- and 3-star ratings or perhaps a holiday home, hostel or self-catering apartment, there are plenty of options to choose from across Malta and Gozo.
The highest concentration of holiday resorts and hotels can be found around St. Julian’s, Buġibba / Qawra, and Sliema, which are all situated along the Northern coastline of Malta.
Accommodation in St. Julian’s is recommended if you enjoy spending your nights going out but, being close to the nightlife hub of Malta, staying there is not advisable for couples and families who prefer peace and serenity. For those travellers, places like Mellieħa and St. Paul’s Bay are much better places to look for accommodation.
Find out more on Where to stay in Malta.
The weather in Malta is one of the major reasons why over a million tourists visit the Maltese Islands every year.
Needless to say, the warm weather and the stunning Mediterranean Sea during the summer months are great for those looking for a beach and sun holiday. That being said, we have mild winters with relatively high temperatures and a decent amount of daily sunshine hours for those looking to escape the dark, sub-zero winter months back home.
It’s not easy to get bored in Malta, with a large number of things to do and see. You can enjoy a variety of sports and other leisure activities in Malta, including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, scuba diving, paragliding and windsurfing, among others. Most of the larger hotels offer indoor pools, gyms and tennis courts, which comes in handy if you like to stay active when the weather isn’t very inviting to go out.
Most materials needed for outdoor sports are available for rent at a low price, and there are various locations on the islands where these sports can be performed. Gozo is a particularly popular location for rock climbing, thanks to its steep cliffs and mountain biking, thanks to its quiet roads and excellent hill climbs.
Scuba diving at various dive sites around the Maltese islands is also a very popular activity among tourists, with many interesting diving sites (scuttled ships, for example) and certified PADI courses available.
If you prefer just watching sports, you won’t have to worry about missing any big football matches or other sports events. Most pubs (as well as dedicated sports bars) have a satellite dish perked on their roofs, and most display what sports events are shown on chalkboard notices just outside their premises.
Events, such as pop concerts and theatre shows, but also historical re-enactments such as In Guardia, are popular among tourists and provide great entertainment for the whole family.
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While Malta is the largest island out of the Maltese Archipelago, it also includes its sister island Gozo, which is said to be what Malta used to be like — rural and peaceful. Gozo is an excellent location for families, couples and the elderly who prefer having a peaceful holiday with beautiful beaches and countryside views.
There are plenty of interesting sites around in Gozo as well, for example, the Citadel bastions of island capital Victoria, Ta’ Pinu church; dedicated to the Assumption, the Megalithic Temples of Ġgantija – a Unesco World Heritage Site, or Calypso’s cave, said to be the location of part of Homer’s Odyssey.
The seaside town of Xlendi is a popular tourist destination as well, offering a beautiful view of its bay surrounded by high cliffs. Ramla l-Ħamra, Daħlet Qorrot and San Blas Bay are beautiful beaches to go for a swim, one being larger and busier, the other being more secluded and more difficult to get to (steep hill descent) but definitely worth the effort.
Dwejra is also worth visiting. Known for its incredible coastal formations, You can swim in the inland sea, dive into the famous Blue Hole diving site and visit the former location of the Azure Window. What’s more, you can head to the Xwejni Salt Pans
To get to Gozo on arrival at Malta airport, you can book a direct transfer which takes you straight from the airport to the ferries in the Northernmost tip of the island of Malta (a place called Cirkewwa). The ferries will take you to Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, from where you can easily get a taxi to your accommodation if you arrive during the day. For late-night arrivals, it’s best to make arrangements with a local taxi operator before travelling.
Unlike many other Mediterranean destinations, a holiday in Malta offers you a lot of possibilities even outside of the high season. Outdoor activities such as biking or hiking are very popular during the rest of the year and many people flock to cultural and historical sites to learn more about Malta’s past and present whilst enjoying the country’s mild Mediterranean climate during the colder months.
Another reason why Malta is such a popular destination is due to its vibrant nightlife, which has attracted some of the biggest names in the international club scene, such as Tiësto, Bob Sinclar and Carl Cox.
If it’s your cup of tea, you can head to Paceville, a popular strip in the heart of St Julian’s that is filled with nightclubs and bars playing different genres of music. From ones playing number 1 hits and R&B to house music and techno, you’re bound to find something you’ll love.
You can also purchase tickets for bigger club night events that are usually held in open-air clubs such as Gianpula Village, Uno and many others. They certainly offer a unique experience and are immensely popular among both locals and foreigners.
Often a deciding factor for sun-seekers is the potential for a relaxed summer destination brimming with stunning beaches. In this respect, Malta certainly doesn’t disappoint!
Some of Malta’s best beaches are located along the Northern and Western shorelines of the island, most notably Mellieħa Bay (the island’s largest beach), Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieha Riviera Bay. What’s more, you can visit incredible natural pools such as St Peter’s Pool, located in Marsaxlokk, in the southwest of Malta.
That being said, it’s not just about the most popular beaches in Malta. If you’re looking for quiet and smaller beaches with beautiful surroundings Malta and sister island Gozo offer a few great options, some of which aren’t easy to find and therefore you’ll encounter fewer crowds.
I’ll let you in on a secret: Fomm ir-Riħ, Qarraba Bay and Slugs Bay are some of the best-secluded bays located on this small island.
Of course, Malta’s stunning Blue Lagoon in Comino also deserves a worthy mention. While it tends to attract huge crowds since it is one of the island’s tourist hot spots, I still recommend a visit. The crystal clear waters are truly a sight to behold. What’s more, snorkelers and scuba divers can also discover incredible marine life at the other lagoon located nearby, the Crystal Lagoon.
Getting there from the main island is quite easy. Here are some of my recommendations which have been tried and tested!
So, how would one spot these sandy beaches and natural pools? You can either ask the locals or, if you’re more adventurous, have a look at satellite imaging on Google Maps and find your way!
Still don’t quite have enough reasons to visit Malta and not quite sure whether Malta’s worth visiting? Leave your questions below, and I’ll get back to you!
Edward is the Founder and Editor of Malta Uncovered and author of two guidebooks on Malta and Valletta.
As a tourist-turned-expat with Maltese roots, he knows the islands inside out and helps thousands of visitors enjoy a memorable trip every year.
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Hello, my name’s Brooke and I’m looking to go on holiday this summer (June) with my partner and are looking for a place which is easily walkable to bars and restaurants but also we would be able to see the beautiful history. If you could give some recommendations that would be fab, thank you!
Hi Brooke, I’d recommend either Sliema (first preference) or St. Julian’s (second preference). Those towns are located along the northern coast and will give you good options for accommodation and restaurants, and yet be within easy reach from Valletta and The Three Cities (via the harbour ferries), where you’ll find most of the historical sights to see. Hope that helps!
I’m considering a trip there.
Hi! I work with a gal whose family is from Malta and they have a place in Gozo which she speaks highly of…we are almost sold! We are serious foodies and love art and music, however not in love with big crowds..and he loves to swim and snorkel…so perhaps looking at June? And we saw some great airbnb’s……thanks!!!!
Hi Marci, I think you’re heading in the right direction: Gozo doesn’t tend to get too busy (so far), and either way in June you’ll be ahead of the biggest crowds heading to Malta/Gozo. On top of that there’s some really nice beaches and places to snorkel and you can find good value accommodation through Airbnb. Go for it! 😉