10 Things to Do in Malta For a Fun and Active Getaway

There’s an awful lot to like about the small island nation of Malta. Thanks to its position in the Mediterranean between Italy and North Africa, Malta is not only a summer vacation destination but one with a remarkable history and culture.

That means that while some come to swim and sunbathe, others can explore grand old palaces and forts. To showcase Malta’s variety, I thought I’d come up with a list of 10 things to do in Malta. By reading through this collection of the best activities in Malta, maybe you’ll find the inspiration you need to plan that first visit.

1. Explore the Capital City Valletta

First up there’s the place where most visitors start their Malta trip. Valletta is the capital city of Malta and a prime focus for travellers looking to go sightseeing. But just because exploring here is the most obvious thing to do doesn’t mean it can’t also be one of the best things to do in Malta.

Step out onto the streets of Valletta and you’ll immediately be surrounded by the city’s rich, historic character. Everywhere you look its big, sandstone buildings featuring adorable painted balconies, the kind of look that Malta is known for.

Even though it’s a national capital, Valletta is relatively small, so you won’t find it too hard of a place to explore on foot. It’s really incredible how the city has retained its old-fashioned atmosphere given the effects of modernisation today.

Highlights of Valletta include landmarks like St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the Grandmaster’s Palace that tie into Malta’s religious history. Then there are the immense fortifications that surround the city. While they may have protected Valletta once, now they’re best for getting phenomenal views from as the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens prove. 

2. Spend the Day on Gozo

If we’re talking classic Malta activities, there are few better than taking a ferry ride over to Gozo. The second largest of Malta’s islands, Gozo makes for a nice change of pace from the main island of Malta. It’s a simpler place and has a gentle vibe and frankly was one of my favourite parts of my time in Malta.

The typical day trip to Gozo focuses on the island’s main city Victoria and some smaller towns. First, you’ll arrive in the harbour town of Mgarr, which is quite a scenic introduction. Most people then make a beeline to Victoria, Gozo’s capital.

It’s here that you’ll find adorable pedestrian backstreets to get lost in, not to mention the large Citadel. Inside its high fortifications, you’ll find many of Victoria’s main landmarks, including the Cathedral of the Assumption and several museums.

From Victoria, you have plenty of choices for what else you want to see. Xlendi is quite a pretty town on the south coast, thanks to its beautiful bay and historic Xlendi Tower. Head into the countryside to the northwest of Victoria and you’ll find the impressive architecture of the Basilica of Ta’ Pinu.

Then there’s the awe-inspiring coastal scenery in places like Dwerja, where the Azure Window once stood before it collapsed. With buses going everywhere on Gozo, the choice is yours.

3. Cross Over to the Three Cities

Valletta isn’t the only place on Malta with loads of city attractions for you to explore. You need only look across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities for proof of that. This collection of cities made up of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua has just as much history and interest to it, maybe even more.

Centred on the Vittoriosa Yacht Marina, the Three Cities are a slightly quieter, more residential area compared to Valletta. That doesn’t mean they lack history since Birgu is older than Valletta.

They also have plenty of things of interest for visitors, starting with plenty more of the beautiful Maltese balconies that define Malta’s city streets. But you also have forts here like Fort St. Angelo, the Gardjola Gardens and excellent museums like the Inquisitor’s Palace.

The Three Cities offer you the chance to better get to know Malta, making it undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Malta.

4. Visit the Ancient Capital of Mdina

Walking around Valletta it’s hard to imagine a place on Malta that better preserves the medieval charm of the island. But then you visit Mdina and it just takes things to the next level. Known as the Silent City, Mdina feels like it’s trapped in time, making it the perfect place to visit.

Well before the Order of St John arrived on Malta, this fortified city was the island’s capital city. With a history that dates back to the 8th century BC, Mdina has seen an awful lot in its time.

Over the centuries, it has passed between the hands of the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs. Some of the city’s most glamorous touches were added much later though in the mid-19th century.

Besides being home to countless historic buildings, palaces and museums, Mdina also boasts a fantastic viewpoint. From the viewing terrace, you can see plenty of other Maltese towns and cities, right out to the coast. This has even more value if you’ve visited these places beforehand like with this tour.

5. Take a Trip to Comino and Blue Lagoon

If you want to see the best of Malta, then you’re no doubt going to want to visit one of its most iconic swimming spots. The island of Comino is partway between Malta and Gozo and is home to the adored Blue Lagoon. Yes, there are Blue Lagoons in several places around the World, but here we’re talking about this cove off Comino.

Featuring intense blue and gorgeous white sand below, it’s perfect for swimming and snorkelling. You also have the rugged island landscape as a backdrop, making it feel like a sheltered paradise. Comino Tours often visit a less-busy alternative in the Crystal Lagoon close by. Either way, you’ll have the chance to swim or head inland to explore this almost uninhabited island.

6. Don’t Miss Malta’s Ancient Sites

A big part of sightseeing in Malta is exploring the island’s history and relationship with the Order of St John. But while that history dominates destinations like Valletta, Malta’s history extends well before those days. Malta has quite a few heritage sites that date back to 3600-3200 BC. Not many places in Europe can say they have that, can they?

Of these ancient sites, several have been recognised by UNESCO as world heritage landmarks. Malta’s best-known ancient site is Hagar Qim, an entire megalithic temple complex from around 3600-3200 BC. You can visit Hagar Qim, as well as nearby landmarks like the Mnajdra Temples and Hamrija Tower on dedicated Malta history tours. Other corners of Malta boast these ancient sites, from the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum in Tarxien to the Ġgantija Temple on Gozo.

7. Take it Easy at Marsaxlokk

Despite its size, I still maintain that the fishing village of Marsaxlokk is worth visiting given the chance. Found down on the southeast coast of Malta, the reasons to visit Marsaxlokk couldn’t be more straightforward. I think if you temper expectations, it can be quite a casual half-day trip option.

The heart of Marsaxlokk, like any fishing village really, is its harbour. What makes Marsaxlokk special is that the harbour is full of traditional Maltese fishing boats called luzzu.

Vibrantly painted in bold colours, these luzzu make the harbour burst with colour and are just begging to be photographed. Much of the rest of the village is fairly typical for Malta, although the waterfront market can be a good opportunity for some shopping or souvenirs. Perfect for a quieter moment between bigger activities.

8. Discover the Island’s North

Plenty of attention is given to Valletta’s surroundings and the centre of the island. And yet the island’s north/northwest is often simply bypassed by tourists heading to Comino and Gozo. If you can, I suggest taking the time to stop in northern Malta, because it does have some point of interest worth your time.

For this part of the island, I’d say that the town of Mellieha is sort of the main hub. It’s from here that you can head out in different directions to visit all sorts of places. Of course, Mellieha has its attractions as well, not the least the Parish Church of Mellieha and its underground Air Raid Shelters.

And yet it’s the surroundings of Mellieha where you find the wealth of interesting places. Most popular among them is the Popeye Village, once the film set for the live-action Popeye movie.

Then there are more historic spots like the Red Tower, Selmun Palace and Fort Campbell. Even just the natural scenery has its charms, from the cliffs of Anchor Bay to the beach on Għadira Bay. So, don’t simply drive past if you can help it.

9. Hike to the Edges of Gozo

We’ve already touched on visiting the island of Gozo to see its most popular destination. For those on a day trip, visiting the city of Victoria is often all that they manage to fit in. But there’s so much more to the Gozo than just one city. Sure, Gozo is a small island, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t pack an awful lot in.

Because Gozo is less built up than the main island of Malta, there’s a lot more rural countryside to it. Leave any of the main towns and you quickly find yourself surrounded by Gozo’s typical rocky landscapes. To me, this is where you find the best of Gozo.

So by spending more than a day in Gozo, you have the opportunity to see some fantastic spots. Gozo hikes can help you see the Xanap and Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs, the Xwejni Salt Pans and the gorgeous fields below Nadur. Best of all, you can start in the centre of the island head to the coast and walk back easily in one day.

10. Unwind at Malta’s Beaches

It’s fair to say that Malta is quite a summer destination, even when it’s still pretty good as a winter destination. But when you think about summer and islands, the subject of beaches is never far behind. Malta may not be your textbook Mediterranean beach getaway like Italy or Greece, but what beaches it does have are pretty nice. 

For many visitors, the Golden Bay on the west coast is a firm favourite. Soft sand and vibrant water in a secluded spot make it quite a beautiful place to visit. However, if you’re after a beach that’s closer to Valletta and St Julian’s, then look to St George’s Bay Beach which is right nearby.

Of course, we’ve already talked about the Blue Lagoon on Comino, but Gozo gets in on the beach game too. To me, Ramla Beach is one of the island’s beaches worth visiting, but San Blas Beach also gets high praise. That’s more than enough to get you started.

Resources for Visiting Malta

• Getting There: To find the cheapest and most convenient flights to Malta make sure to check Skyscanner.
• Accommodation: Here you can find hotels, apartments and guesthouses for both Malta and Gozo, plus don’t forget Airbnb.
• Tours: There are plenty of day trips, cruises, and sightseeing tours available on Malta.
• Car Hire: If you want to travel more independently, consider renting a car to drive yourself about.
• Guide Books: Lastly, if you’re after a physical guide to take with you then you can’t beat a Lonely Planet Guide.

Which of these 10 things to do in Malta would you do first? What other Malta activities would you recommend travellers add to their plans? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.