Travel guide Malta
5 Top Attractions in Malta
Places you simply can’t miss.
#1
Valletta
#2
Mdina
#3
Comino
#4
Gozo
On this page: Valletta · Mdina · Comino · Gozo · Marsaxlokk
Malta is small, but five places shaped how we understood the island: a fortress capital, a silent medieval city, a lagoon that barely looks real, a slower sister island, and a fishing village with a swimming spot around the corner.
Here is what each one feels like, and what we’d do there.
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#1 Valletta
Valletta makes an impact immediately, starting with the view over the Grand Harbour. The fortress walls rise straight out of the sea, massive and precise, built for defense but now defining the city’s identity. In the evening light, the limestone glows warm and golden, giving the entire skyline depth and presence.
Streets & Architecture
Valletta is tightly planned, with a grid of streets that makes it easy to explore but never repetitive. Baroque buildings, ornate churches, and traditional wooden balconies line the streets. Almost every turn leads to a viewpoint, often opening up to wide views over the harbour or toward the Three Cities.
History in Daily Life
The history here isn’t something you visit — it’s something you move through. From St. John’s Co-Cathedral to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the landmarks are woven into the city’s rhythm.
Local Atmosphere
Valletta feels lived-in. Republic Street and the surrounding areas are always active, with locals going about their day, stopping for coffee, and talking in Maltese. There’s a natural flow to the city that makes it feel real rather than staged.
Food & Small Spots
Traditional Maltese dishes sit alongside Italian and Mediterranean kitchens. Small cafés, bakeries, and tucked-away restaurants give the city character. It’s not polished in a uniform way — each place feels slightly different, which is exactly what makes it work.
What to do in Valletta: walk the city without a strict plan — start at the Grand Harbour and move inward. Visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the Upper Barrakka Gardens for both history and views. Spend time on Republic Street, then step off into side streets to find smaller cafés and restaurants. Plan a stop for food rather than rushing through — it’s part of the experience. Valletta isn’t a place to rush; the more time you spend in it, the more it reveals itself.
#2 Mdina
Walking through Mdina feels like stepping out of the present. The moment you pass the gate, the noise fades and the pace slows, replaced by quiet, echoing streets and soft light reflecting off the limestone walls.
The city is made up of narrow alleys and tight passages that naturally guide you without a clear path. What defines Mdina is the contrast. One moment you’re enclosed by high stone walls, the next you reach the edge of the city and everything opens up. From the ramparts, the entire island stretches out below you.
Layers of History
Mdina’s origins go back to the Phoenicians, who first established a fortified settlement here due to its strategic, elevated position. The Romans later expanded it into a proper city, known as Melite. During the Arab period, the city was reduced in size and further fortified, creating the compact layout and narrow streets that still define it today. Even the name “Mdina” comes from the Arabic word for city.
When the Knights of St. John arrived in the 16th century, Mdina was still the island’s main center of power. Although they eventually shifted their focus to Valletta, they left behind Baroque palaces, churches, and architectural details. The city wasn’t rebuilt or modernized in a major way — it evolved slowly, which is why it feels preserved rather than restored.
What to Do in Mdina
Enter through the main gate and explore slowly on foot. Walk without direction and let the streets guide you. Head up to the ramparts for wide views across the island, then take time to sit in one of the quieter corners or small cafés tucked into the walls. If you can, visit in the evening — fewer people, softer light, and a much calmer feel.
If your timing allows, plan your visit around the Medieval Festival, when the silent streets fill with costumed knights, performers, music, and food stalls. For Game of Thrones fans, parts of the city were used as King’s Landing in Season 1.
The Knights Experience
If you want to understand the story behind Mdina and Malta as a whole, the Knights Experience takes you through the history of the Knights of St. John using a series of detailed dioramas — miniature scenes that recreate key moments in Malta’s past.
It gives context to everything you’ve already seen outside. The walls, fortifications, and buildings start to make more sense once you understand why they were built. It’s not a long visit, but it fills in the gaps.
#3 Comino & The Blue Lagoon
Comino and the Blue Lagoon are one of those places that almost don’t look real at first. The water is intensely clear and bright, shifting between turquoise and deep blue depending on the light. You can see straight through to the sand, and the color feels amplified, especially under direct sun.
Getting There
The regular ferry or one of the larger tourist boats is easy, frequent, and affordable, but they tend to arrive in waves, bringing larger crowds at the same time. Chartering a sailboat or motorboat lets you set your own pace, stop at smaller coves, and avoid the busiest hours. Self-drive boats give you full control, but are best suited for those with some experience on the water: wind, current, and boat traffic can be challenging.
What’s on the Island
Comino is small and mostly untouched, with very little built infrastructure. You’ll find rocky coastline, small coves, and clear swimming spots all around the island, with a few walking paths to quieter viewpoints. There are a couple of basic kiosks near the lagoon for drinks and simple food, but options are limited.
What to Do in Comino
Swimming is the main focus. The visibility makes it ideal for snorkeling, with small fish moving through the rocks and along the seabed. Walking paths along the rocky coastline lead to calmer swimming spots. If you’re on a boat, you can stop in hidden inlets and swim in deeper water where the clarity stands out even more.
#4 Gozo
Gozo immediately feels different from Malta. The ferry crossing is short, but the shift is clear as soon as you arrive. The landscape opens up, the pace slows down, and there’s more space between everything. It feels greener, quieter, and less built up.
What to do in Gozo: visit Dwejra to explore the coastline and Inland Sea. Spend time in Victoria and walk up to the Citadel for panoramic views. Include Ġgantija to experience the island’s ancient history. Move around the island at a slower pace — distances are short, but each location benefits from time.
Dwejra & the Coastline
Dwejra stands out as one of the most dramatic parts of the island. The coastline is rugged, shaped by wind and sea, with cliffs, caves, and the Inland Sea creating a unique landscape. Even without the Azure Window, the area still carries a raw, powerful presence.
Victoria & The Citadel
The Citadel rises above Victoria as the island’s historic core, strengthened by the Romans and Arabs before being heavily rebuilt by the Knights of St. John. For centuries, locals took shelter within these walls during raids. At the top, the entire island opens up — fields, villages, and coastline stretching in every direction.
Ġgantija Temples
Dating back over 5,500 years, the Ġgantija temples are among the oldest freestanding structures in the world. You move between massive limestone blocks arranged into curved chambers and passageways, standing within them rather than looking at ruins behind glass.
Gozo isn’t about rushing between sights. There’s a quiet sense of history and mystery in the landscape — subtle, but enough to make you wonder if some of the old stories might not be so far-fetched after all.
#5 Marsaxlokk & St. Peter’s Pool
Marsaxlokk feels instantly recognizable. The bay is lined with traditional luzzu boats, painted in bright reds, yellows, and blues, each carrying the iconic “Eye of Osiris” on the bow. The colors reflect off the water, and the entire harbour has a calm, steady rhythm that feels unchanged over time.
The Harbour & Sunday Market
Boats move slowly, fishermen work along the quay, and small restaurants line the edge of the harbour. On Sundays, the fish market fills the promenade with fresh seafood and local produce. It’s less about tourism and more about routine — locals shopping, talking, and moving through the space with purpose.
What to Do in Marsaxlokk
Walk along the harbour to take in the luzzu boats. If you’re there on a Sunday, spend time at the fish market. Sit down at a waterfront restaurant and order whatever seafood is freshest that day. Keep it simple and take your time.
St. Peter’s Pool
A short distance away, St. Peter’s Pool offers a completely different setting. The natural rock formation curves around a deep, clear swimming area, with flat rock surfaces to sit and rest. People climb the rocks and jump into the water from different heights.
What to Do at St. Peter’s Pool
Spend your time in the water — this is what the spot is made for. Swim out into the deeper areas or find a place to jump from the rocks if you’re comfortable with it. Bring what you need with you, as the area is natural and not built up. Earlier or later in the day gives you a quieter experience.
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