Insider Tips for Your Vacation in Malta & Gozo

In addition to surreal landscapes and small colorful villages like Popeye Village, culture enthusiasts won't be disappointed when traveling to the Maltese Islands! Valletta, as the European Capital of Culture 2018, along with its 5,000-year-old temple complexes, will captivate you. Here are my highlights and insider tips for your Malta vacation...

Valletta majestically rises in the northeast of Malta on a peninsula. Narrow streets weave through hilly rows of houses. Wooden balconies adorn the simple houses, mostly built from yellow-brown limestone. Allowing yourself to drift through the compact old town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980, is perhaps the best way to explore Valletta.

The Upper Barracca Gardens promise a dreamlike view of the neighboring 'Three Cities' Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua. St. John's Co-Cathedral should also be on your Malta vacation itinerary. The elaborate gold decorations, detailed wall and ceiling paintings, and the grand altar are truly impressive and justify the €10 entry fee. You will experience even more splendor and history at the Grandmaster's Palace. Long armory corridors and huge tapestries in the splendid rooms are hidden in the rather unassuming building from the outside.

Tip: Be sure to take a water taxi from Valletta's harbor to the 'Three Cities' of the former Knights of St. John. There, you'll discover architecture that is at least as admirable, only it's pleasantly quiet. Vittoriosa is particularly charming, and the tip of Senglea is a very romantic spot to watch the sunset. Alternatively, you can take the helm yourself and explore Valletta from your own boat. In the Sliema harbor, you can easily rent a boat, drift wherever you like, and stop where it pleases you. A boat driver's license is not required.

I must confess, I was a bit skeptical about this mode of transportation at first. I didn't realize then that a Segway can easily handle rocky paths, just like those around the Selmun Palace in northwest Malta. By simply shifting your body weight, you glide forward almost silently. The tour with Segway Malta takes you to hidden beaches and offers fantastic views of St. Paul's Island, the fish farms in the sea, and the turquoise waters of Mellieha Bay. Segway tours with various difficulty levels are also offered in other regions of Malta. This is a really cool activity!

Due to the pleasant temperatures, Malta is an ideal island for outdoor activities. Explore unspoiled landscapes through hiking or challenge yourself with an adventurous climbing tour. You can also wonderfully explore the picturesque villages and breathtaking scenery by bicycle or on horseback. If water is more your element, dive into the colorful underwater world. In crystal-clear waters, you'll encounter exciting wrecks, colorful caves, and diverse reefs that surround the rocky shores. Water skiing, windsurfing, and sailing are also popular in Malta.

Two reasons to go on a trip to Marsaxlokk: On the one hand, the sea with its gently bobbing colorful fishing boats is simply enchanting to look at. On the other hand, you can enjoy the freshest fish here. First, stroll along the promenade and then indulge your taste buds with an Italian-inspired fish dish at the cozy Terrone - simply delightful!

What the sea sometimes forms over thousands of years is truly curious. For example, St. Peter's Pool near Marsaxlokk. On beautiful days, numerous sunbathers and water lovers gather here. However, you should not miss the surroundings to the right of the natural swimming pool and, of course, the spectacular view from above.

A bit further west, the Blue Grotto awaits as one of the main attractions of the island. Since the light enters the grotto best in the morning and the waiting line for boat tours is shorter, you should head there right after breakfast. However, during stormy weather like during my visit, no tours to the grotto take place, where a great white shark measuring 8.5 meters long has been spotted near. But just the view from above the rock arch is fantastic.

Insider tip: The Devil's Hole in the Coral Lagoon far in the northwest is a natural hole that fills with seawater in rhythm with the waves. Daredevils jump off the cliff edge into the deep blue water.

Actually, you don't go to Popeye Village to visit the houses from the inside. The film set with colorful wooden houses and the small harbor is a highlight, especially from above. It was built in 1980 for the film 'Popeye' and now houses an amusement park that especially offers a lot of fun for children. However, the turquoise waters of the bay are also a perfect refreshment for adults from the jetty that leads out into the sea, a little away from the village.

During your Malta vacation, you should definitely visit Gozo. A short 30-minute ferry ride separates the sister island from Malta. I particularly recommend the northern coast. Between Qbajjar and Xwejni Bay, you'll find a landscape of bizarrely shaped Globigerina cliffs and salt pans filled with light blue seawater. They have been used for salt production since Roman times. A magical image!

Further east, the cliffs of dark gray rock drop straight into the sea, offering a spectacular panorama. Ideal for hiking along the coast. After a few hundred meters, you will reach Wied il-Mielah, the most famous rock arch of Gozo. It is truly an impressive rock formation, not only from above, as unforgettable underwater adventures await divers here. The popular Azure Window rock arch on Gozo, which was one of Malta's main attractions, unfortunately collapsed in 2017 due to strong winds.

One is the most popular and busiest beach in Gozo, while the other is secluded and only accessible on foot. Although Ramla and San Blas Beach are connected by the orange-red color of their sand, they appeal to very different target audiences. Splashing in the crystal clear water, snorkeling, basking in the sun, and letting your thoughts drift away with the sound of the waves - you can enjoy the perfect day by the sea in both bays.

Insider tip: A kind local at Ramla Beach told me about a special spot for a grand view of the bay: a cave that you can hike up to from the right end of the beach. You can also reach it by driving your scooter or car up to Rdum il-Kbir.

St. Paul's Catacombs

If you are interested in the history of Malta, you should visit the St. Paul's Catacombs. They are located under the city of Rabat and date back to the 2nd century. You access the narrow tunnels via a staircase, where between 350 AD and 1,400 bodies were buried. But beware: visiting the catacombs is not for people with claustrophobia!

Hagar Qim, Mnajdra & Ġgantija Temples

Other witnesses of long-gone times are the over 5,000-year-old temples Hagar Qim and Mnajdra. Both are protected by a tent roof from environmental influences and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Their age is not the only thing that astonishes; also, the enormous megaliths used to build the temples. The largest of these stone blocks weighs an incredible 20 tons! By the way, the famous Venus of Malta was discovered in the Hagar Qim Temple. The Ġgantija Temples on Gozo were also built between 3,600 and 3,200 BC, even before the well-known Stonehenge in England. Here, too, gigantic limestone blocks were used for doors, altars, and decorative elements, some of which are over five meters long.

Day Trip to Comino

The Blue Lagoon on Comino is no longer a hidden gem, but a trip to this paradise bay is an essential part of a vacation in Malta and Gozo. The smallest Maltese island is car-free and therefore wonderfully idyllic, especially away from this hotspot. Day tours with a boat are offered from Malta, e.g., by Sea Adventure Excursions. A special experience is a trip on a glass-bottom catamaran, which, among other things, also stops over a German warship sunk during World War II that you can admire through the glass panel without getting wet. You should book your tickets in advance and ideally plan this outing for a weekday because on Saturdays and Sundays, visitors crowd into Comino!

Best Travel Time, Getting There and Getting Around Malta & Gozo

Due to the subtropical, dry climate, Malta is worth visiting year-round. In July and August, it can get a little hot, but the refreshing constant breeze makes the high temperatures quite bearable. Air Malta flies directly to Malta from several major US airports. Driving on the island can be a bit challenging because of the left-hand traffic; however, the flexibility that comes with a rental car is just priceless. In Gozo, I moved around on a scooter, which was perfect for always finding a parking space and navigating narrow roads.

Wonderful Sleeping: Hotels in Malta

Since there aren't many hotels in Valletta and especially not many parking spaces, it's best to find accommodation a little outside the capital. I can recommend the design hotel Chapter 5 or the Talbot & Bons Bed & Breakfast.

Malta and Gozo have some fine restaurants and cafés to offer. I particularly recommend the Crystal Palace in Mdina (Malta), where you can try the typical Pastizzi. The city is also a must-do for all 'Game of Thrones' fans, as it served as a filming location for the series. You can also find these delicious pastry pockets at Tiffany's Bistro (Sliema, Malta), which, along with Emma's Kitchen, was my favorite café for breakfast. At Soulfood in Valletta, you'll find healthy bowls and juices, as well as the best cappuccino at Lot Sixty One Coffee Roasters.

You can enjoy authentic Maltese dishes at Rubino in Valletta or at Ta' Rikardu on Gozo. An institution for Ftira (Maltese pizza), pizzas, Qassatat, and breads is Mekren's Bakery in Nadur (Gozo). A wine tasting at Ta Mena Estate on Gozo provides insights into Maltese wine culture. Here you can also buy other local products such as olive oil, salt, jams, or pastries.