Malta

Travel Guide

Travel to Malta

Discover Malta, a tiny island where ancient history, warm hospitality, and natural wonders unite to create one of the best travel destinations in Europe. Whether you’re a culture vulture looking to see Phoenician artifacts or a beach bum wanting to lazily drift on crystal-clear waters, there’s some kind of wonderland for all on vacation in Malta. 

How to plan your trip to Malta 

Follow our Malta travel guides to plan a bucket-list trip in this Mediterranean island paradise. There are so many amazing things to do in Malta, including visiting the colorful streets of the capital city, Valetta, troglodyte coastal caves on the island of Gozo, or the surprising and unusual Pop Eye Village.

Want to road trip around the wild and rugged landscapes of Malta? Find out everything you need to know about renting a car in Malta for your trip!

Best time to visit Malta

Ready to kickstart your Malta vacation? The country boasts over 300 days of sunshine annually, so you can plan the perfect holiday in Malta almost year-round. However, please note that most days of rain will occur during the winter months, so for this reason, if you wish to swim, hike, or go sightseeing, we recommend the shoulder seasons.

High Season (June – August): These are the best months to make the most of Malta’s hot and dry summers, particularly if you want to enjoy island activities like swimming, snorkeling, and sailing. Although this is definitely the busiest time in Malta, it’s worth navigating higher prices and bigger crowds to witness the coastline come to life. Just make sure to book accommodation well in advance if you’re planning your Malta holiday during this season.

Shoulder Seasons (April – May / September-October): As the climate in Malta offers almost year-round sunshine, you can guarantee you’ll still have clear skies during the shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall. Because there are fewer crowds during this time and slightly lower temperatures, it makes it one of the best times to visit Malta, especially if you want to enjoy hiking opportunities or spend your days city sightseeing. During this time, the boats will still operate to the other islands in the archipelago, like Gozo Island. 

Low Season (November – March): The winter is still a good time to visit Malta but bear in mind that although there are mild temperatures during these months, they’re also the wettest months, so bring your raincoat if you plan on a winter vacation in Malta. Additionally, although the temperatures may appear warm, because of the high humidity on the archipelago, it can often feel colder than it seems. Visiting over the Christmas period is also an excellent option if you want to enjoy Malta’s festive lighting, fireworks, and local nativity scenes.

The activities you plan to do on your Malta holiday will help you decide what season to choose for your trip. Whether it’s hot days on the beach, spring days with flowers in bloom, or mild winter hiking, there’s a month for every kind of traveler.

Coastlines and beaches in Malta

The archipelago of Malta, made up of five different islands (two of which are uninhabited), offers a stunning coastline and some of the most idyllic beaches in Europe. The wild and rugged nature gives travelers the opportunity to jump off craggy cliffs, explore ancient sea caves, and swim in some of the most crystal-clear waters in the world. 

One of the best things to do in Malta is to go island hopping, arriving at the smaller islands off the mainland of Malta, such as Gozo and Comino, to enjoy some spectacularly remote and natural beaches. Climb to the top of the cliffs for panoramic sea views, explore quaint fishing villages, or swim off Caribbean-style beaches. The smaller islands like Comino offer the authentic island experience, with no proper roads, making it a haven for nature lovers.

On the mainland, visitors can find more well-established towns and beach resorts that come alive in the summer. Although certainly not a party island, if you head to the area of St Julian’s, you’ll find plenty of bars to enjoy, and there are also beach parties in the summer — the perfect way to dance off your energy after a relaxing day at the beach. 

Tip: one of the best places to visit in Malta is the island of Gozo, where you can find historical treasures, crystal clear waters, and the more unusual red-sand beach of Ramla Bay.

Whether you’re looking for a natural retreat, adrenaline adventures, or a buzzing beach bar, Malta has plenty of beautiful beaches to choose from!

Food, culture and religion in Malta

The raw and beautiful landscapes of Malta are hard to beat; a place where you can drive from coastal paradises to ancient cities in a matter of minutes, drink locally-produced wine, and soak up cultural treasures during days of guaranteed sunshine.

Food: Malta has a surprisingly interesting gastronomical scene; it’s an island where upscale city restaurants meet quaint local eateries, each one as flavorsome as the next. With such a rich history, there’s a myriad of influences in Malta, from Italian to British, that affect the typical dishes eaten here. Some favorites are the savory pastries of Pastizzi, which you can nibble on as you sightsee, fresh seafood caught right off the coastline, or a traditional Malta platter of local cheese, meats, olives, and sundried tomatoes (you can almost taste those 300 days of sunshine!).

Culture: Malta may be a small island, but it’s home to centuries of history. With influences from the ages of colonization, such as Roman, Sicilian, Arab, and British, the culture is a real blend of influences. Experience Maltese folk music and dancing in small villages, wander among Mediterranean cobbled streets with the iconic red English telephone boxes, and witness regular festivals and carnivals around the island.

Religion: The population of Mala predominantly follows the religion of Catholicism, and this still forms an integral part of cultural traditions, festivals, and daily life today. During important times of the year, such as Christmas and Easter, the island comes alive with festivals and processions, which are incredibly colorful and often involve music, dancing, and fireworks. You’ll also find some of the most beautiful churches dotted around Malta, such as St John’s in Valetta, which may seem fairly ordinary from the outside, but its gold-covered interior will take your breath away. 

This rich tapestry of influences over the ages has led to cultural, gastronomical, and architectural influences that make a vacation in Malta one of the richest and most diverse travel experiences in Europe.

Why you should travel to Malta

Growing in popularity with digital nomads, it’s easy to see why people are flocking to the endless island shores of Malta. With such diversity in both landscapes and culture, it offers something for everyone, whether it’s beautiful cities that you can easily call ‘home’, charming towns nestled among rolling hills and olive groves, perfectly preserved medieval walled cities, or turquoise islands that seem too perfect to be real. 

Perfect for both a weekend city trip in Europe and a relaxing vacation, visitors can choose from beautiful accommodations in the capital of Valetta or opt for a sea-view apartment on the coastline. Better still, come in the spring or summer to enjoy the beauty of island hopping, moving between the three main islands to enjoy incredible sea caves, diverse marine life, and some of the bluest water in Europe. 

Although the islands of Malta are certainly the main drawcard for those choosing a Malta holiday, there’s so much more on offer throughout the country. History buffs can head for the ancient medieval walled city of Mdina, known as ‘the silent city’ because of its small population, lack of cars, timeworn streets, and even noise restrictions. Art lovers can look forward to the National Museum of Art in Valetta and the stunning baroque interior of St John’s Cathedral, which is also home to some important works of art. 

As you travel Malta, expect to be inspired and enriched by every inch of the landscape and population, home to an intricate web of history that has stood the test of time and is visible in almost every village, city, and island today. 

Safety and travel advice Malta

Malta is considered one of the safest travel destinations in Europe; there is a very low crime rate, and natural disasters are exceptionally rare. That being said, it’s still a good idea to stay informed about safety measures and travel tips when planning your vacation.

Crime and Safety in Malta: Malta has a very low crime rate, and serious crimes rarely occur. However, as in all busy tourist areas, petty crimes like pickpocketing can happen. We recommend leaving valuables at home, keeping an eye on your belongings (especially in crowded places or on public transport), and avoiding walking down poorly-lit streets with few people late at night. 

Traffic and Driving: Maltese driving can be a little erratic, so exercise caution when renting a car, particularly when driving on narrow coastal roads that may be well-known by locals but are unfamiliar to you. Take it slow, wear a seatbelt, and download Google Maps offline to stay on track even without data or signal.

Travel Insurance: It is highly recommended to purchase travel insurance for your vacation in Malta, ensuring peace of mind in case of unexpected events, such as a canceled flight, missed ferry, or lost luggage. Find the best travel insurance to best suit your needs.