Malta Travel Guide: Valletta, Gozo, the Blue Lagoon and More

Malta is small – you can cross the main island in under an hour – but it packs in an extraordinary amount: 7,000 years of history, a fortified Baroque capital, honey-coloured villages, clear blue water and some of the Mediterranean's best diving. With sunshine for much of the year, English widely spoken and short flights from most of Europe, it's an easy island to love. This guide covers the highlights, the islands, where to stay and practical tips.

Malta at a glance

• Islands: Malta, Gozo and tiny Comino.
• Capital: Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Flight time: around 3 hours from the UK and Germany.
• Currency: the euro.
• Best for: history lovers, divers, couples, city breaks and winter sun.

Malta's must-sees

1. Valletta

Built by the Knights of St John after the Great Siege of 1565, Valletta is a compact grid of limestone streets, wooden balconies and grand churches. Don't miss St John's Co-Cathedral, whose plain exterior hides a lavish gilded interior and two paintings by Caravaggio. Walk to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for views over the Grand Harbour, timed for the noon gun salute.

2. The Three Cities

Across the Grand Harbour, Birgu (Vittoriosa), Senglea and Cospicua are quieter and more local than Valletta. Take the traditional dgħajsa water taxi across, explore Fort St Angelo and wander the narrow lanes of Birgu.

3. Mdina and Rabat

The walled hilltop city of Mdina, Malta's old capital, is nicknamed the "Silent City" – traffic is restricted and evenings are wonderfully quiet. Next door, Rabat has early Christian catacombs and St Paul's Grotto.

4. Prehistoric temples

Malta's megalithic temples are older than Stonehenge and the pyramids of Egypt. Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra sit on the cliffs above the sea, and the underground Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is one of the world's most remarkable prehistoric sites – tickets are limited and sell out weeks ahead.

5. Marsaxlokk

This fishing village is famous for its colourful luzzu boats, each painted with the Eye of Osiris. The Sunday fish market is lively; afterwards, eat fresh fish by the harbour.

The islands

6. Gozo

Greener and slower than Malta, Gozo is reached by a 25-minute ferry from Ċirkewwa. See the Citadel in Victoria, the Ġgantija temples – among the oldest freestanding structures on Earth – the salt pans at Xwejni and the red sand of Ramla Bay. The Azure Window collapsed in 2017, but the coast at Dwejra is still spectacular.

7. Comino and the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon on Comino has astonishingly clear turquoise water. It's extremely busy in summer, and visitor numbers are now managed with a booking system – check current rules, and go early or late in the day.

Beaches and the sea

8. Beaches

Malta has more rocky swimming spots than sandy beaches. The best sand is at Golden Bay, Għajn Tuffieħa and Mellieħa Bay in the north-west; on Gozo, Ramla Bay and San Blas are lovely.

9. Diving and snorkelling

Clear water, caves, arches and wrecks make Malta one of Europe's top dive destinations. Popular sites include the Blue Hole on Gozo, the Santa Maria Caves on Comino and wrecks such as the P29 and the Um El Faroud. Beginners can try a dive in calm, sheltered bays.

Food and drink

10. What to eat

Try pastizzi (flaky pastries filled with ricotta or peas), ftira sandwiches, rabbit stew (stuffat tal-fenek), fresh lampuki fish in autumn and Kinnie, a bittersweet orange soft drink. Local wines and Cisk beer are worth a taste.

Practical tips

• Getting around: buses cover the islands; ferries link Malta, Gozo and Comino. Cars drive on the left.
• Where to stay: Valletta or Sliema for city life, St Julian's for nightlife, Mellieħa for beaches, Gozo for peace.
• Best time: spring and autumn; summer is hot and busy.
• Thinking of staying longer? Malta is a popular choice for retirees – see our guide to the best countries to retire.