Top Tips if you plan to visit Malta this Summer

Malta was a beautiful and unexpected surprise. It has something for everyone: you have the fancy city side, full of shops and bars, and on the other side, the adventurous messy part, where you can explore every beach on the island, hike and discover hidden caves.

Here are my top tips for a perfect holiday in Malta:

1. Settle yourself in a city with good transport connections.

We found an amazing Airbnb apartment (pics below) in Sliema. I would personally advise you to settle yourself here, because Sliema is a city you should explore on its own. Here you have all the busses, ferries and organised trip connections that you need. From the promenade you have an amazing view to the capital of Malta, Valletta, which you can reach by ferry in approximately 5 minutes. Sliema is also a good place to discover the real Maltese feeling, as most people in the area are locals.

2. Prepare a schedule and don’t fit too much in one day.

You should prepare a list of the main attractions that you wish to cover. I would recommend reserving a full day for the Blue Lagoon and the Gozo Island. Also, restrict yourself to one zone/location a day and explore all the important points around it. You can easily just go from one attraction to the other by bus or car. If you fit too much into one day, you will find yourself mostly sitting in busses, travelling between places, rather than actually enjoying your holiday.

3. Rent a car or buy a 20 Euro transport pass (this will cover every buss\tram in Malta).

You can either wait 5 minutes for your bus, or 1 hour. Yes… 1h, we’ve been there.

5. Always be prepared in your backpack with your swimsuit and a towel.

Malta it’s such an unexpected place. It is filled with beautiful hidden beaches so it’s a good idea to always be prepared for a quick swim.

6. Don’t get fooled by all the people trying to sell you boat trips to different Islands or attractions.

If you make a bit of research you’ll realise some of them can be a rip off. If you want to be more economically friendly, you can always find cheaper travel alternatives. So don’t be lazy and do your research beforehand.

7. Some places you should visit:

Photo Gallery down below

Mdina: also called the Silent City. This location was used as a film set for the Game of Thrones series. While here, make sure you take lunch at the Fontanella Tea Garden: it has a breathtaking view and they are famous for their amazing HUGE cakes.
The Blue Lagoon – Comino: a must see!
Valletta City: while here you should see the panoramic view at Upper Barrakka Gardens. For best dinning places go to Valletta Waterfront, especially if you’re looking for a romantic evening dinner with a view.
Golden Bay Beach
The Ghajn Tuffieha Beach
The Sliema natural beach pools
Marsaxlokk Village – Fishing village
Popeye Village: we skipped this one because we found it a bit too childish but it can be a good experience for a family holiday.
Gozo Island
The Three Cities of Cottonera: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua.
Birgu City: best place for late night dinner in the port.
Crafting Village: if you want to wonder hours through gold and silver jewellery shops, this is the place for you. The items are truly special and the prices quite low compared with other gold shops in Europe. We were a bit sceptical at the beginning as the Village is literally placed in the middle of nowhere.
The Blue Grotto