7 Must See Places In Malta

Malta south of Italy is saturated with architectural and historical monuments. Churches, forts, megalithic temples, beaches, promenades, fishing villages and more. The airport is a 20-25 minute drive to the two main spots I’d recommend to stay at, St. Julian’s or Sliema. Use public transit all over it is safe, cheap, reliable, convenient and comfortable. Bottled water for drinking is recommended.

7 Must See Places In Malta

1. Valletta
2. St. Julian’s and Sliema
3. Gzira and Manoel Island
4. Mdina
5. Marsaxlokk
6. Hagar Qim and Blue Grotto
7. Riviera Beach

1. Valletta

The capital city, principal cultural center and main visitor attraction of Malta. The City Gate of Valletta is its principal entrance.

Spend a whole day here as there is much to see and you shouldn’t rush. The central bus terminal of Malta is just outside the City Gate of Valletta. There are drinks and light snacks available right outside the gate, very inexpensive.

Enjoy an al fresco lunch right on the main thoroughfare with people walking all around you, it’s a unique experience. St. John’s Co-Cathedral is on the main thoroughfare. It is one of the most magnificently decorated churches I have ever seen.

The remains/ruins of the Royal Opera House destroyed on April 7th 1942 by Luftwaffe bombers are also on the main thoroughfare.

Also on the main thoroughfare is the Grandmaster’s Palace. This building hosts the President’s office as well as the House of Representatives.

Auberge de Castille (Office of the Prime Minister of Malta) is located at the highest point in Valletta. Overlooking the Grand Harbor. It is considered to be one of the finest and most beautiful Baroque buildings in Malta.

Across from the Auberge de Castille are The Upper Barrakka Gardens. A public garden located on the upper tier of Sts. Peter & Paul Bastion. They offer a panoramic view of the Grand Harbor.

The Saluting Battery (with daily cannon salutes) at the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Overlooking the Grand Harbor, Fort St. Angelo and the Gardjola Gardens, the view is breathtaking.

Malta has forts and bastions all over as defenses for the island.

Across from Valletta at the mouth of Grand Harbor, you will find Fort Ricasoli in Kalkara village.

2. St. Julian’s and Sliema

St. Julian’s and Sliema are little seaside resort towns. You will find churches, forts, beaches, marinas, promenades, nightclubs and restaurants here as well.

These are good locations to stay at while on holiday. Public transit service is excellent and easily accessible. Food is everywhere, grocery stores, bakeries, etc..

The Balluta Buildings, constructed in 1928 are an imposing structure. A true testament to the architects and builders of the era. They are located almost at the beach-side.

The LOVE monument in Spinola Bay makes for a good photograph prop with beautiful Spinola Bay behind.

Bustling Sliema is also a good place to stay. It is well serviced by transit. Stroll along the beautiful waterfront promenade. From Balluta Bay on Tower Road, walk all the way to the historic St. Julian’s Tower (in Sliema) built in the 17th century.

The Sliema Ferry takes about 15-minutes to get you to Valletta. You can go on various other cruises as well from here.

3. Gzira and Manoel Island

Gzira has a very beautiful waterfront promenade. There is a pretty marina sandwiched between the town and Manoel Island.

From here you can see the town of Sliema and the Sliema Ferry Terminal.

Manoel Island is home to the Star-shaped Fort Manoel built in 1723. From here you have stunning views of Valletta.

It is an easy 15-minute stroll from Manoel Island bridge to Fort Manoel. Along the way you will pass the unique Duck Village. A ramshackle sanctuary for ducks, geese, guinea pigs, rabbits, chicken, roosters and more.

Built entirely from recycled and scrap materials, it has a charm of its own.

Between the towns of Gzira and Valletta you will find the town of Msida. It has a pretty yacht marina that you can walk all around. Here you will find the magnificent St. Joseph’s church built in 1889.

4. Mdina

Mdina, the beautiful walled city is a 25-minute (12 kms) transit bus ride from Valletta City Gate. Perched high on a plateau, you have some phenomenal views of the island from here. Plan to be here for a full day so you can also visit St. Paul’s Catacombs.  Located a kilometer from Mdina Gate (closes at 5 pm).

Mdina Gate built in 1724, is the main entrance into the fortified city. The moat that runs around the land-front has now been converted into a well manicured lawn.

St. Paul’s Cathedral is a 17th century masterpiece. The oldest church in Malta, it is located in the heart of Mdina.

The location is of immense historical importance. It is the area where St. Paul converted Publius the Roman governor to Christianity. St. Paul was shipwrecked off Malta around 60 AD.

There are some pretty nice restaurants here that offer a good fare, I would recommend Coogi’s. Request a rooftop table, you may have to wait a bit or make a reservation in advance. The views from here are breathtaking.

For a different view, walk over to the Panoramic Malta Viewpoint. From here you see over the valley on the north-east side of the walled city from Qwara to Mosta.

Walk down all the streets, they are very quaint charming. Keep an eye out for door-knockers, they are unusual and unique

St. Paul’s Catacombs is a 15-minute leisurely stroll (1-km) from Mdina Gate. The Romans did not bury their dead within the city walls. These catacombs are outside in a labyrinth design spread over a wide area. They close at 5 pm. Plan to be there at least a couple hours earlier if you want to see everything.

5. Marsaxlokk

The traditional fishing village of Marsaxlokk is a 25-minute (12 kms) transit bus ride from Valletta City Gate. A definite must see. The harbor is filled with boats especially the traditional luzzi. There are excursions to St. Peter’s Pool from here.

The 1-km walk around the harbor is very scenic. There are lovely restaurants and bars everywhere offering all kinds of delicacies. Every spot is a photographers dream.

The fresh fish market on the waterfront offers the freshest catch of the day at very reasonable prices.

The market along the waterfront sells souvenirs, clothes, shoes, carpets, electronics, etc.. A very vibrant and festive atmosphere.

Eat lunch al fresco and watch all the shoppers bustle about. The menus are quite elaborate especially the sea-food.

Past the church are the Quayside Apartments with its colorfully painted doors.

A little past that is the Neoclassic Villa Agius Catania. It is on the National Inventory of Maltese Cultural Properties.

6. Hagar Qim And Blue Grotto

A 1-hour (15-kms) transit bus ride from Valletta City Gate. This megalithic temple complex dates back to 3600 BC. You can actually touch the stones that our ancestors put together in such a fascinating way 6000 years ago.

These temples are among the most ancient religious sites on earth.

An apse with a porthole cut into a slab of rock. The materials used were a hard chalky coralline limestone and a softer globigerina limestone.

In some parts of the temple, the internal wall slabs overhang and slope inwardly This indicates that there must have been a corbelled roof in the past.

Below, is the entrance to the south temple.

It is amazing and impressive how our ancestors put together all these huge blocks of stone 6000 years ago.

Blue Grotto is a 10-minute (2 kms) transit bus ride from Hagar Qim.  The bus drops you off at this little square where there are a few restaurants. From here you just follow the road down the hill to the wharf.

It is a 200-meter walk to the boat departure wharf. Check the local weather as boats do not go to the caves if the wind is too choppy.

Blue Grotto is a 30-minute excursion. The boatman will explain the history of each cave. These natural wonders of Malta, include a main arch and a system of six other caves. The main arch is approximately 30 meters high. Then you have the Honeymoon Cave, the Cat’s Cave and the beautiful Reflection Cave.

 

 

Watch Tower Torri Xutu  built in 1638, is near the bus stop. You can enter and climb to the top. There is no entrance fee but please  donate to the charity that maintains it.

This is the original cannon on the roof.

7. Riviera Beach

This beautiful red sandy beach is located an hour north-west by bus (30-minute car) from Valletta. You have to descend more than a 100-steps to get to the beach. It is definitely one of the best beaches in Malta. A lovely beach to sun-bathe, swim and watch the sun set. Bring your own food and drinks as they are over-priced here.

It is flanked by two other beautiful beaches. Golden Bay beach which is sandy, shallow and busy and Gneja Bay Beach, which is much quieter.