Steeped in ancient history and basking in Mediterranean sunshine, Malta might be one of Europe’s smallest countries, but the island nation packs a sightseeing punch.
Located south of Sicily, Malta sits on the crossroads of the Mediterranean. Countless civilizations and empires have staked their claim over Malta, and the country was at times ruled by Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, the Knights of St. John, the French, and the British before Malta became independent in 1964.
You’ll find this history written into the grand stone bastions and fortifications that guard Malta, infused into the eclectic Maltese language that mixes Italian and English with Arabic, and cooked into the cuisine that tantalizes with its diverse tastes and exciting spices.
Despite being just 17 miles long, you can spend weeks exploring but still find new things to do. History fans can visit megalithic temples built in the Neolithic era, while Greek and Roman ruins sit alongside Byzantine watchtowers and medieval fortresses.
There are Michelin-starred restaurants, scuba diving and snorkeling spots, beautiful beaches and bays, military and maritime museums, and excellent nightlife. What more could you want from your next European getaway?
With so many things to see and do in Malta, you might not know where to begin. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the absolute best things to do in Malta for you. Give these fun and unique Malta bucket list suggestions a try, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an incredible time exploring this Mediterranean nation!
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25 Fun and Unique Things to do in Malta
1. Take a Walking Tour of Valletta
Malta is one of the smallest nations in the world, and as you might expect, this tiny country has an equally small capital to match. At just 0.25 square miles in area and with a population numbering under 6,000, Valletta is the smallest capital city in the European Union.
Valletta, with its grand medieval architecture and impressive fortifications, is the best place to start your Maltese adventure, but you’ll need more time than you think to explore its dense streets.
Situated on a strategic peninsula overlooking the Grand Harbour, Valletta was built on the orders of Grand Master Jean de Vallete (after whom the city is named), who was instrumental in defending Malta from Ottoman invaders in the 16th century.
Take a walking tour to learn more about the capital’s history before visiting iconic sites like the Co-Cathedral of St. John, the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the Grandmaster’s Palace, and the more modern Parliament Building (among much more).
2. Marvel at the Caravaggio Inside St. John’s Co-Cathedral
One of the top things to see in Malta is St. John’s Co-Cathedral, which takes center stage in the middle of Valletta. Dating back to the late 16th century, the impressive cathedral was built by the Knights of St. John, who ruled the island at the time.
Dedicated to the order’s patron saint, step inside, and you’ll be humbled by the grand display of wealth and religious icons. Gold, bronze, and silver motifs reflect the candlelight, while dramatic depictions of Christian martyrs and history line the walls.
Make your way to the back of the cathedral, where you’ll find one of Malta’s most famous works of artwork. Within a darkened chamber is The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, a magnificent work by the Italian artist Caravaggio, who spent many years in exile on the island under the patronage of the Knights of St. John.
3. Admire the View from Upper Barrakka Gardens
Make your way uphill to the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, where you’ll find one of the best views in Malta.
The public gardens are built on the upper levels of a defensive bastion designed to defend Valletta, and from the glorious balconies, you’ll have an uninterrupted panorama of the Grand Harbour.
The Upper Barrakka Gardens are lined with statues and memorials that speak of Malta’s long military history, and the terraces are a pleasant place to escape the bustle of the capital.
4. Delve into Fine Art at MUZA
If you love art history, then make sure to save time for a visit to MUZA. This excellent museum is dedicated to European fine arts, and it’s one of the best things to do in Malta.
MUZA is located within the historic Auberge d’Italie in Valletta, which was built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century. The restored building is home to art mostly dating from the 16th to 19th centuries, including works by many iconic Italian, Maltese, and British artists.
Explore the galleries and exhibitions, and you’ll see paintings by Guido Reni and Carlo Maratta, for example, as well as a beautiful watercolor depiction of the Grand Harbour painted by J. M. W. Turner.
5. Step Back in Time at the National Museum of Archeology
Malta has a long and fascinating history, and there’s no better place to learn more about it than at the National Museum of Archeology in Valletta.
This fantastic museum is an excellent introduction to Maltese history, which stretches back thousands of years to the Neolithic era. Malta was home to one of the Mediterranean’s earliest civilizations, and you’ll find examples of religious worship, warfare, and daily life, which have been excavated across the country.
There’s much ancient history to discover, and you can learn how the megalithic temples were built, who the Phoenicians were, and how the Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs all conquered Malta.
6. Learn about the Knights of St. John at the Grandmaster’s Palace
Valletta was founded in 1566 by the Knights of St. John, right after they’d successfully defended the island against Ottoman incursions during the Great Siege of Malta.
The knights were overseen by a Grandmaster, who built a lavish palace in Valletta from where they ruled Malta. The grand palace is now home to the Office of the President of Malta, and it takes pride of place in St. George Square.
While much of the inside of the Grandmaster’s Palace is closed to the public, you can still visit the Palace Armoury, a small museum dedicated to the weaponry, armor, and history of the Knights of St. John.
7. Visit the National War Museum at Fort St. Elmo
Given the country’s seriously strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta’s long history is one of warfare and sieges. You can learn more by visiting the National War Museum, which you’ll find within Fort St. Elmo in Valletta.
The star-shaped fort predates Valletta, as it was built in 1552. It played a huge role in the Ottoman sieges of the 16th century and was fortified for centuries after. The National War Museum now tells the story of Fort St. Elmo alongside an impressive 7,000 years of Maltese military history, dating back to the Neolithic period.
8. Ride a Dghajsa Across the Grand Harbour
For centuries, Maltese locals have been getting around the Grand Harbour on traditional wooden boats. The practice continues today, and one of the best things to do in Malta is to take a ride on a dghajsa.
Now fitted with outboard motors to speed up the journey, you can board a dghajsa at waterfront pick-up points in the Three Cities and ride in style across to Valletta. It’s a short journey but costs just two euros each way. Alternatively, you can hire the boats for longer and take a more in-depth tour of the Grand Harbour.
9. Take a Tour of ‘The Three Cities’
Opposite Valletta, three fortified cities line the banks of the Grand Harbour. Collectively known as “The Three Cities,” this is one of the most historic districts in Malta.
The Three Cities comprise Birgu (or Vittoriosa, as it’s also known), the oldest of the cities, where you can visit the Maritime Museum. Senglea (or Isla) was built by the Knights of St. John and is home to beautiful lookout spots and gardens and many historic churches and medieval streets.
The third city is Cospicua, which could date all the way back to the ancient Phoenician era. It was also fortified by the Knights of St. John and was ringed by double walls and bastions. Take a tour of The Three Cities to learn more.
10. Experience 18th-Century Cuisine at the Maritime Museum
On the Birgu waterfront is the imposing stone facade of the Maritime Museum. As well as delving into seafaring history, this museum also offers visitors the opportunity to dine on historic cuisine.
The museum’s curator is a huge foodie, and they organize set menus based on dishes they’ve literally taken from the history books. Each course has a tale to tell, be it of piratical captains or merchant navy sailors, and it’s a fascinating way to explore Malta’s maritime history.
Currently, dining experiences need to be arranged in advance, but the Maritime Museum has plans to expand its offerings in the future.
11. Lose Your Way in the Mdina’s Maze
Situated in the middle of Malta, you can lose yourself for hours in the maze of streets that make up the Mdina. Surrounded by high bastions and imposing walls, Mdina is the ancient capital of Malta, and before Valletta took over, this was the center of life on the island from antiquity until the 16th century.
Founded by Phoenicians and fortified by Romans, Mdina’s lavish villas, hidden behind tall towers, are still home to Malta’s richest and often oldest families (and with a permanent population of just 300, it’s a seriously exclusive address).
Walk the medieval city on foot, popping into historic villas and museums, sacred churches and basilicas, and Michelin guide-listed restaurants (try Mdina Restaurant for Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine).
12. Uncover Roman History in Rabat
Mdina’s huge stone bastions are completely surrounded on all sides by Rabat, where some 11,000 people live. It’s quite the contrast, but Rabat is just as historic as Mdina.
The name Rabat is thought to mean suburbs, and the area was inhabited by the less well-off citizens of Malta since at least the Roman era some 2,000 years ago. Visit the excavated remains of the Roman Villa to learn more about its history.
The Romans often buried their dead here, and you can visit the Catacombs of St. Paul, an underground necropolis used by early Christians, if you’re into dark tourism.
13. Enjoy the Beaches of Golden Bay
Malta’s Mediterranean climate and gorgeous coastline make it a popular destination for beach lovers. You’ll find beautiful bays lined with spectacular sand all over the country, but few can compete with Golden Bay.
Named for its golden sand, this is one of our favorite Malta sightseeing attractions. A rocky, undulating coastline in the northwest of the island has left a glorious coastline that’s beloved by locals and tourists.
Protected by rocky peninsulas reaching out into the waves, the golden sands are framed by turquoise waters that are perfectly calm and ideal for swimming. In summer, things get a little busy here, but nothing beats the excellent combination of scenery and weather. Just remember to bring a few cold beers with you.
14. Visit Marsaxlokk for the Fish
On the east coast of Malta, you can find the freshest fish in Marsaxlokk. This traditional fishing village is a blur of ramshackle buildings and colorful fishing boats, and it’s thought that the harbor here has been in use since the Phoenician era (that’s a few thousand years ago).
Visit on Sundays, and you can buy fresh fish at the famous Sunday Market. Any other day, and the local restaurants serve up the catch of the day, cooked just how you like it.
15. Take the Ferry to Gozo
Malta’s smaller neighbor is called Gozo, and it’s a beautiful place to spend the day. Take the ferry across the Gozo Channel, and you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Gozo, Malta, and the even smaller island of Comino.
Once on Gozo, you can explore ancient temples and archeological sites, lounge the day away on wonderful beaches, and visit iconic natural attractions like the Blue Hole, Ramla Bay, and the now-collapsed Azure Window.
16. Delve into Ancient History at Megalithic Temples
Malta is home to some of the most ancient ruins in the world. With the oldest dating back to the Neolithic period – possibly as far back as 5000 BC – history buffs will love exploring Malta’s Megalithic temples.
These often enormous freestanding structures were some of the first of their kind in the Mediterranean, built by a civilization that has long since disappeared. On Gozo, the most iconic temple is Ggantija, while on Malta, you have Skorba, Tarxien, and Mnajdra to visit.
17. Scuba Dive Malta’s Many Wrecks
Wreck diving is one of the coolest things to do in Malta. The country’s rich maritime history means that the islands are surrounded by shipwrecks, and many of them are easily accessible by qualified divers.
Um el Faroud is a wreck that’s now home to a beautiful artificial reef, and with the deepest part of this ship (a former Libyan oil tanker that sunk in 1998) sitting at 36 meters, it doesn’t take technical experience to dive.
Technical divers can tackle the wreck of HMS Stubborn, a British Royal Navy ship that was sunk during World War II. At 56 meters, it’s a difficult dive, but this underwater relic is simply stunning.
There are many more sunken yachts, military ships, and even crashed airplanes that can be dived, not to mention the other dive sites and reefs located around Malta.
18. Join a Snorkeling Tour
Don’t worry if scuba diving isn’t your thing because there’s plenty of underwater action to be had on a snorkeling trip.
Strap on your mask and snorkel, and head out for the day on a snorkel safari. Enjoy beautiful scenes as your boat takes you along the coast, before you jump into the Mediterranean Sea and immerse yourself in coral and marine life.
Some of the best snorkeling sites are found at iconic locations like the Blue Lagoon in Comino and Hondoq Bay in Gozo.
19. See Malta by Segway
For something a little different, one of the best Malta activities is a Segway tour. While you can cruise around Valletta on a classic city tour, we recommend stepping things up a notch and booking an off-road Segway adventure instead.
Off-road Segway tours take you to lesser-visited parts of the island, allowing you to cover the ground quickly on dirt tracks leading to secluded beaches and bays.
For a view of the coastline, take the tour to Golden Bay. For a clifftop panorama like no other, then the Dingli Cliffs route is for you. Segways are super easy to master, and you’ll be led around by a local guide for the duration of the tour.
20. Visit Malta’s Many Filming Locations
Malta has a double life as a movie set, and you’ll be astounded by the number of films and television shows that have been shot here. The country is really just one big film set, and tours of the filming locations are one of the most unique things to do in Malta.
Movie fans can start by visiting the strange Popeye film set. Hidden away in Anchor Bay, an entire fishing village was built for the movie in 1980. It was never removed, and you can explore abandoned sets and props at your leisure.
Mdina has stood in for countless old towns you’ve seen on the screen, including Game of Thrones, while a Roman coliseum was featured in Gladiator (and Gladiator 2 is being filmed in Malta).
21. Join a Sea Kayaking Excursion around Malta
Malta’s rugged coastline is stunning, and one of the best ways to experience it up close is on a sea kayaking excursion. Paddle your way through the Mediterranean Sea, gazing upwards in awe at towering cliffs as you bask in the sunshine.
There are routes for all abilities in Malta, with gentle kayaking journeys and sunset tours in St. Julian’s and Valletta. Over in Gozo, you can make the epic voyage across the open sea from Hondoq Bay to the Blue Lagoon or Santa Marija Bay in Comino.
22. Drink Beer at the Farsons Brewery Experience
Malta’s most famous brewhouse has been brewing local beers since 1928, and you can learn more by joining a tour of their old brewhouse.
The Farsons Brewhouse is best known for creating Cisk, the Maltese lager that you’ll find all over the country. At the Farsons Brewery Experience, you’ll delve into the history of Maltese brewing as you tour through the old premises where beer was made and bottled for decades (they recently moved to new, more modern premises).
At the end of the tour, take the elevator to the top floor. You’ll have great views over the surrounding area, which you can enjoy with a fresh pint of beer straight from the Cisk Tap.
23. Take a Boat to Little-Known Comino
Somewhere between the main islands of Malta and Gozo is little-known Comino. Measuring just a few square miles in area, this is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Malta.
Largely undeveloped, you’ll love the beaches, the rocky coastline, and the spectacular island scenery. The main highlight of a trip to Comino, though, is the Blue Lagoon, where you’ll find a jaw-dropping haze of aquamarine colors and a stunning white sand beach.
24. Party the Night Away in St. Julian’s
Malta has it all, and if you’re looking for a wild night out, you won’t be disappointed. Partygoers will want to make their way to St. Julian’s, a Maltese district with an unusually high concentration of clubs, bars, pubs, and casinos.
More specifically, St. Julian’s Paceville area is party central, and a night out here is one of the most fun things to do in Malta. Bars and pubs line the streets, including the iconic Hugo’s Terrace, which is an island institution. If you’re traveling solo or just want to meet more people to party with, then why not join a pub crawl in St. Julian’s?
25. Dig into Hearty Maltese Cuisine
Maltese cuisine is a special blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors mixed in with a few French and British influences that tell of the country’s colonial history. Maltese dishes are hearty but often represent the country’s isolated location.
The national dish is rabbit stew, for example, because there are almost no larger animals to be found here. Seafood is abundant, though, and you’ll love the fresh fish dishes and seafood pasta.
While pizza and pasta aren’t hard to find (thanks to the proximity to Italy), try the local ftira, a unique take on the pizza concept. You can’t miss the pastizzi either, a type of flaky pastry filled with spinach and ricotta.
There you have it! The 25 best things to do in Malta. What’s your favorite thing to do in Malta?
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