Is Malta Worth Visiting?

Although this Mediterranean island is small in size, Malta is a breathtaking destination known for its warm climate, remarkable landscapes, and gorgeous blue waters.

But, is Malta worth visiting, and should you include it in your trip?

Apart from its stunning location, Malta is also steeped in history. Its capital, Valletta, was built in the late 15th century by the Knights of St John.

The city was a refuge to care for pilgrims and injured soldiers during the Crusades in the 16th century. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Malta’s beauty, gorgeous coastline, and ancient architecture have also made it a famous location shoot for many films, including Gladiator, Troy, and the TV show Game of Thrones.

If you didn’t know, Malta was the original King’s Landing. 

But if you are eager to explore more of what the Mediterranean offers, you may ask is Malta worth visiting and what are some of the things to know before going to Malta.

Let’s start with the good, specifically why visiting Malta is a great idea. 

Reasons To Visit Malta: The Pros

Although Malta is known as one of the smallest countries in the world, a lot of people don’t know that it is not an island—it is an archipelago. It is one of the smallest yet one of the densest archipelagos in the world. 

The largest islands are Malta and Gozo, which each have their own unique charms. Malta is the main island where most of the tourist attractions can be found while Gozo has a more relaxed and nature-like atmosphere. 

Then there is Comino, the third largest island. With just 3.5 square kilometers of surface area, Comino is a largely unpopulated virgin island known for its beautiful turquoise blue waters and impressive beaches. 

Together these three islands house several treasures, secrets, myths, and legends, as well as breathtaking views and epic adventures. 

Here are some other reasons to visit Malta and the surrounding islands. 

The Weather 

One of the main reasons to visit Malta is its weather. This country is known as the sunniest place in all of Europe with almost 3000 hours of sun every year. 

This means that Malta is far sunnier than other popular summer destinations like the south of Italy or even Greece. 

Malta is a summer destination. However, if you want to beat the heat, avoid the crowds and lower the price of your vacation, while still enjoying the warm weather, make sure to visit in May, June, or September 

Island Hopping & Beaches

As mentioned before, Malta has two other main islands, Gozo and Comino, both of which are captivating locations. 

Gozo is more peaceful, remote, and relaxed than Malta and is home to rolling green hills, turquoise waters, limestone cliffs, and stunning panoramic viewpoints.

It is also known for its wine, craft beer, and its carnival and village feasts.

It is home to the Calypso’s Cave, made famous by Homer’s Odyssey, and the Ġgantija Neolithic temples which are amongst the oldest surviving man-made structures in the world. 

Then there is Comino, which is a largely uninhabited island mostly known for its beaches—St. Nicholas Bay, St. Mary’s Bay, and the famous Blue Lagoon.

Its sheer beauty is one of the reasons why it is a popular film location. It has appeared in movies like Troy and the Count of Monte Cristo. 

Luxury 

Malta is the perfect spot if you are looking for a luxury vacation. The country is known for its luxury accommodation which includes hotels, palazzos, private villas, historic boutique hotels, and farmhouses. 

The country has over 15 five-star hotels located throughout each of the three islands ranging from restored 16- to 17th-century palazzos, to luxury hotels with views of ancient fortified cities, and opulent boutique hotels with sprawling views. 

History & Culture

Malta has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Prehistoric temples in Malta and Gozo are some of the oldest structures known to man.

The Megalithic Temples of Malta are UNESCO World Heritage sites that were built during three distinct periods between 3600 BC and 2500 BC. 

Since that time the country has been conquered and inhabited by many different civilizations that have all left behind historical remnants.

The Phonecians, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs all left traces on the islands. The Arab presence specifically left a mark on the Maltese language.

It was almost conquered by the Ottoman Empire, briefly taken over by Napolean Bonaparte, and then ruled by the British until 1964. This has led to a diverse and rich mix of cultures and history. 

Our recommendation is to take the time to visit the cities of Malta, including the capital and Mdina, the former capital.

Mdina was built in the Middle Ages and it feels as if you are stepping back into time—definitely an interesting sight to see. 

Food

If you are visiting Malta, then get ready to eat some delicious cuisine.

Maltese cuisine strongly reflects its history and is influenced by the French, English, Germans, Arabs, and Italians. However, the Italian influence is probably the strongest. 

Why? The country was not only part of the Kingdom of Sicily for centuries but it was ruled by the Knights of Saint John for over 250 years.

The knights were previously stationed in Italy, and therefore brought over a lot of Italian influence and customs to Malta. 

Expect to find popular Sicilian dishes, like pasta and pizza, along with meat and Mediterranean cuisine staples like seafood, fresh vegetables, nuts, cheeses, and olive oil.

Several dishes are unique to Malta like the pastizzi, a traditional savory pastry. 

Malta is also home to Michelin-starred restaurants, some of which have partnered with the Malta Tourism Authority to recreate several historical dishes that tell the story of their restaurant or location.

Friendly Locals

The best thing about Malta probably is the friendly locals that are always willing to chat and offer a helping hand.

Another plus is that as Malta was a former British colony, a lot of the locals speak fluent English. 

English is the second official language of the island, making it easier for foreigners to explore the island with ease. 

Safety 

Is Malta safe?

Although no country can be 100% safe, Malta has previously won the title of the safest country in Europe according to the 2019 Global Wealth Migration Review. The country ranked second globally and first in Europe. 

So is Malta safe? Generally, Malta is very safe to visit and is one of the safest countries to travel to within the European Union. 

However, it does have its dangers. Although rare, there have been reports of crimes against tourists, such as pickpocketing, theft from parked cars, and handbag snatching.

The Maltese police are very efficient, so if something does happen, rest assured that you will be able to find help. 

As a result, no matter where you go, make sure to always have an eye on your belongings, never flash any cash, and always have travel insurance just in case.

Reasons To Visit Malta: The Cons

Although the pros may seem to outweigh the cons, there are a couple of things to know when traveling to Malta as these particular cons may heavily influence your Malta travel plans. 

Transportation

It usually isn’t a dealbreaker, but it can be a little difficult to get around in Malta. Travelers have three options:

1. Renting a car
2. Taking the bus
3. Hailing a taxi

Be aware that Uber and Lyft are not available on the island. Renting a car can be expensive and complicated.

In Malta, people drive on the left side of the road and the road conditions can be quite terrible. Buses on the other hand are readily available but it seems as if there aren’t enough of them for the sheer number of people that need to take the bus. 

This is especially true during the summer seasons. Many of the popular tourist destinations are not directly connected by public transport and switching buses can be frustrating and time-consuming. 

Traffic Jams

Traffic jams are commonplace and very hard to predict.

Malta is one of the most traffic-congested places in Europe and has the second highest number of cars per capita in the European Union. As a result, traffic jams in Malta can be quite a nightmare. 

If you do plan on renting a car or taking the bus to explore the island, it can be quite hard to predict whether there will be an accident or not on the road. 

However, one thing you can do is be aware of rush hour times and avoid being on the road during these peak hours at all costs. 

Island Time

Have you ever heard of island time? If you’ve visited another island, you probably come across this state of mind.

It is no different in Malta. The Maltese have adopted a slower pace of life so if you’re in a hurry then tough luck. 

Life is a little slower in Malta—so make sure to adopt their way of living. Whether it’s spending an extra 30 minutes waiting for the waiter to come or realizing that the bus is 10-minutes late, make sure to go with the flow. 

After all, you are on vacation so why rush?

The Final Verdict: Is Malta Worth Visiting? 

So is Malta a good holiday destination? Malta is arguably one of the most beautiful countries in all of Europe.

It is a country rich with history, culture, landscapes, beaches, and nightlife— perfectly catering to every type of traveler. There is so much to see, do and eat.

Enjoy the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean sea while scuba diving, spend the day soaking up the sun on one of the many beaches, explore the ancient cities and some of the oldest structures in the world, visit picturesque old fishing towns or just spend the day partaking in Malta’s delicious cuisine. 

If you are looking for sun, beauty, history, culture, and food, then Malta should be on your travel list. 

So, is Malta worth visiting? Definitely. 

Visiting Malta soon? Read one of the following guides:

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