Malta, officially known as the Republic of Malta, is a small island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Italy and east of Tunisia. It is made up of three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino, along with several smaller uninhabited islands. Malta has a rich history dating back thousands of years. It has played a significant role in various civilisations, making it a place of cultural, historical, and architectural significance. As it’s a very popular tourist destination, I often get asked ‘Is Malta worth visiting?’.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit for 10 days (including Valletta, Mdina, Mosta and Melleiha Bay) and so I feel well placed to answer this question. I haven’t yet made the trip over to the sister Island of Gozo, so that’s next on the list!
Is Malta worth Visiting? Absolutely!
Malta is a popular holiday destination and has a good mix of history, culture and activities to make it suitable for all age groups and people with differing interests. Overall, I would say that Malta is definitely worth visiting. I visited for a week and would like to go back and do another week with a focus on Gozo.
There are plenty of great beaches if you are looking for some relaxation time. The capital of Valetta is a walled city with beautiful yellow stone architecture, wonderful views and even catacombs underground! Malta also boasts temples dating back to the stone age including the prehistoric temple of Hagar Qim.
Historical Background to Malta
Historically, Malta was invaded by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese, crusaders, French and British, before finally becoming an independent nation in 1964. There is a geographical reason for this – which is to do with the strategic position of the island in the Mediterranean.
In WW2, Malta became a base for Allied attacks on enemy ships positioned along supply routes to North Africa and on the Italian air and naval bases. As Churchill predicted, it was essential for reducing the effectiveness of the North African push.
These numerous influences mean that you will experience a melting pot of cultures with a cosmopolitan vibe. Food will be a healthy mix of European, British and Arabic.
Is Malta Worth Visiting – The Pros of Visiting Malta
Malta is a relatively small island that is easy to navigate. The delights of Malta include amazing fortresses, grottos, Cathedrals and Museums. Here are some of the top reasons why Malta is worth a visit…
Accessible from UK
Malta is very accessible from several UK airports. You can fly direct to Malta from Manchester Airport and many London airports. Ryanair, Air Malta, easyJet, British Airways, BA, Jet2, airBaltic and TUI all fly direct to Malta.
The Best Catholic Churches and Cathedrals
The main religion in Malta is Roman Catholic – over 90% of the population are Catholic with over half of those practising. This means that you can expect to see some amazing Church architecture and, if you are interested, big celebrations of Christian festivals at Easter and Christmas. There are street processions throughout Holy week, culminating with a statue of the risen Christ parading through the capital of Valetta on Easter Sunday.
If you like Church architecture, there are some amazing Cathedrals in Malta, including the beautiful Co-Cathedral of Valetta. The Co-Cathedral is adorned with gold-leaf and contains not one, but two Caravaggio paintings – what a treat. Also check out St Pauls Cathedral in Mdina and the Cathedral of the Assumption in Victoria, Gozo.
Prehistoric Temples
I’ve mentioned that the prehistoric temples of Malta date back to the stone age. There are 13 preserved megalithic temples of Malta built within this time period, 6 of which are recognised UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ggantija on Gozo are the oldest (built circa 3600 BC) and were the first to be recognised as World Heritage Sites in 1980. In 1992, five other prehistoric temple sites of Malta were added: Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, Ta’ Ħaġrat, and Skorba Temples.
They are fascinating to explore. I visited Hagar Qim, where there was evidence of a prehistoric altar tables, statue plinths and even a sun-dial. The prehistoric temples of Hagar Qim are perfect for any history buff. And if that’s not enough….Malta is home to an underground Hypogeum (Ħal Saflieni) – aNeolithic subterranean structure that dates back to the Saflieni phase in Maltese prehistory.
English is widely spoken
The two official languages of Malta are Maltese and English, and so you won’t have any language difficulties here. English is widely spoken not only by those in hospitality, but by most of the general Maltese population.
Fantastic Day Trips
Because the island of Malta is so small, it makes day trips easy and abundant. We did a fantastic day trip to Mosta (for the Rotunda of Mosta) and Mdina (the Silent city which was the capital before Valletta). There are trips to the prehistoric temples (we visited Hagar Qim) and there are also full day tours of Valletta (the capital city) which include the Cocathedral and the Hospital of the Knights of Saint John.
Finally there are some fantastic day trips to Gozo that include Quad biking and exploring the Citadel of Rabat and the ancient Ggantija Temples. Yes, Gozo is doable as a day trip!
Digital Nomad and Traveller scene
There is a great digital nomad and traveller scene in Malta because it’s such an easy country to live in, and it’s well located for travel to various other countries around the Mediterranean (Tunisia, Italy, Greece, Turkey). Malta is modern with fast internet connections, which makes it perfect for those working remotely. Most of the backpackers and digital nomads can be found in St Julians – one of the best parts of Malta for dining out and nightlife. The capital of Valletta is also full of digital nomads and expats, although some who prefer a more chilled out pace head to Bugibba.
Transport Links
Malta is very accessible by public transport. We travelled a lot by bus (we went from Meleiha Bay to Qawra for the aquarium) and found it cheap and easy. Taxis are relatively cheap in Malta and Uber has been available in Malta since 2022. This means that you know exactly what you will pay and the registration number of your driver.
The ferries from Malta to Gozo are frequent and fast. You can go from Cirkewwa near Meleiha Bay to Mgarr (Gozo) in 25 minutes or from Valletta to Mgarr (Gozo) in 45 minutes. There is no need to buy your ticket in advance for the ferries, but take note of the last ferry on the way back.
Well geared up for tourists
Malta is very well geared up for tourists. There are plenty of craft shops to visit for souvenirs including pottery shops and filigree jewellery shops. Day trips are comfortable and well set up, with knowledgeable guides.
Food and Drink
Food and drink in Malta is an amazing Mediterranean blend. You can find French, English, North African and Maltese dishes. Some traditional Maltese dishes include Rabbit Stew, Lampuki Pie (fish pie), Bragioli (beef olives) and Kapunata (the Maltese version of ratatouille). They do some great rustic breads in Malta. Malta produces its own beer and wine, and also they have their own soft drink called Kinnie (a bit like their own version of Cola).
Good Beaches
Malta has some gorgeous beaches and has been used in many film sets because of its natural beauty. The Azure Window in Gozo is actually the destination where they filmed the Dothraki wedding for Game of Thrones. The arch has sadly since collapsed, but the beautiful coastline scenery of Dwejra Bay remains. Mellieħa Bay, Għajn Tuffieħa and Golden Bay are some of Maltas most popular beaches.
Is Malta Worth a Visit – The Cons of Malta
So considering the fact that Malta is relatively cheap, accessible and solo travel friendly, it’s honestly hard to find any cons of Malta! I would say that the main drawback is probably that the weather is not guaranteed all year round, and that British culture vultures wanting a more challenging travel experience may not find it different enough.
Winter Weather is not Guaranteed!
Malta has a similar climate to Tunisia, although it is more exposed to the sea breeze being a relatively small island. One of the main cons of Malta is that you don’t have year round sunshine. The winter months (December, January and February) can be pretty dreary.
It’s sometimes too British!
Malta and Britain have a lot in common including food, religion and language. So, if you are looking for a challenging travel experience with language barriers, unexpected journeys and spicy food, then it may not be your cup of tea. But if you enjoy beaches and history, and you are looking for a country that will be relatively relaxing and easy to navigate then Malta is for you!
Costs are rising
Malta is overall not too expensive compared to the UK. However, since Covid, the prices of many things (particularly rent) is going up.
Most important Malta Travel Tips
- The currency is the EURO and it’s a good idea to take some € coins if you can, for buses and local travel.
- Pack your bikini and swimwear
- Take a good pair of walking boots because there can be a lot of walking in Malta.
- Pack a wind and rain proof jacket incase the weather turns. Even in the summer it can get windy on higher ground such as Mdina.
- If you are looking for nightlife and restaurants then stay in St Julians, but if you are looking for something more relaxing and quiet then stay in Melleiha Bay.
- All inclusive hotels are good value and have good food in Malta.
What to pack for Malta
- Passport, Euros and a bank card or credit card (my Barclaycard worked in Malta)
- Walking Boots and Rain Jacket.
- Swimwear – bikini, swimming costume or swim shorts.
- Suncream and sunhat – especially in the summer months from June to September.
- A refillable water bottle
- Lonely Planet Malta – its always nice to have a paperback
Where to stay in Malta
During my visit I stayed at the Melleiha Bay hotel, which was calm and peaceful. It’s not a happening place full of nightlife and restaurants (for that you want St Julians or the capital), but it was very relaxing and perfect for couples.
Is Malta worth visiting? Overall Verdict
So, is Malta worth visiting? Absolutely! I hope that I have convinced you that Malta is an easy and relaxing holiday, and the perfect place for family or solo travel. If you would like some further reading on Malta then check out these other articles….
- Things to do in Valletta
- Cathedrals in Malta
- Gozo and Malta – and why they are perfect for solo female travel.
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