Have you ever heard about Malta? It is a country and island with the most southern capital in Europe. Malta is the perfect place if you want to combine your beach vacation with diving, party, swimming in sink holes and sightseeing as this wonderful island has so much to offer. The entire archipel exist of 3 islands: Malta, Comino and Gozo. For me, Malta was the perfect place in Southern Europe to soak up the sun in late October last year. In this article, I want you to provide with some useful tips and recommendations for a visit to this wonderful paradise.
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta and is located on the south eastern side of the island. All flights will arrive at Malta International Airport (MLA) and from here it is a 20 minutes drive to the city itself. The island counts about half a million inhabitants and more than 350.000 of them are living in or near Valletta. The center of the city is located on a hill and because of the wonderful architecture and buildings, it is definitely worth to spend a few days here.
It can be quite difficult to find a good and affordable place to stay in Valletta and therefore you would be more likely to find a place to stay in Silema or St. Julian’s. From there you easily take a bus and ferry to the other side of the water. Near the Courts of Justice building, you will find the St. John’s Cathedral and this is something not to miss out here. You can visit this wonderful cathedral daily, except on Sundays.
Valletta is on the UNESCO world heritage list since 1980 and was also European Capital of Culture in 2018. The city is not that big and therefore I recommend to also explore the streets on your own to admire the local architecture and remains of the British colonization like the phone booths.
Are you looking for a good place for nightlife? Then go to St. Julian’s! Here you will find multiple clubs, bars and restaurants. St. Julian’s is also popular among young people and students.
Comino
Ready for some more adventure and beach? Let’s explore Comino and Gozo! You can book a day trip to both islands and leave from Silema. Many companies are offering day trips from Silema. Another option is to take a bus to Cirkewwa and take the boat from here. From this place, the frequency of the boats is higher.
Comino is located between Malta and Gozo. This small island is mainly known for the popular Blue Lagoon. Apart from a hotel, the island is inhabited but really popular among tourists. This place is overcrowded during high season (June-August). However, I was lucky to be here early on a Saturday morning in October.
If you like the coast and crystal clear water for snorkelling, you can spend one entire day here. The island is also perfect for walking, although it’s pretty small. The whole coast is wonderful and you will be able to make some nice pictures here. Make sure to check the timetable of the boats as the last ones to Malta are leaving quite early, especially in low season.
Gozo
Apart from that you can take the boat to Gozo directly from Malta, it is also possible to first visit Comino and then take a boat to Gozo. This island is the second biggest island of the archipel and is one of the 10 best diving destinations in the world. Gozo is also known because of the azure coast on the western side of the island. Until March 2017 it was possible to find the Azure Window here but this has been collapsed due to a storm.
Although high season (June to August) is the most popular time to visit Malta and Gozo, it can be very busy. Therefore, it is better to visit the islands in the early fall, when the tourist crowds are gone. Rain season starts in November while the weather in September and October is still very nice here. You can have one entire sinkhole for yourself!
The whole coast at the western side of Gozo is perfect for walking and exploring. Near the former Azure window are some shops and restaurants to find. You will definitely be able to make some nice pics here!
Despite of a strong wind, I walked for one hour to the south and was able to make some more pictures of this wonderful coast, a perfect place to enjoy the sunset!
Victoria, the capital of Gozo, you will find some historical places and a small cathedral that are worth a visit. This is also a good place to find several restaurants and places to stay.
Where To Stay?
In Malta you can find any type of accommodation you like, from low budget hostels to 5-star resorts. Myself I stayed at different places like at the Hilton Malta. You can read my review of this hotel here.
Bottom Line
Malta is a perfect place for a combination of beach, party, sightseeing and history as the archipel has so much to offer. Valletta is a wonderful capital with beautiful architecture and history while St. Julian’s is a perfect place for nightlife. Camino and Gozo are places for those who want to explore more like beaches, rocks, snorkelling and even diving.
High season is from June to August and it can be very crowded on Malta during this months. Therefore, it’s better to visit the island during Spring (April-May) or even more better during fall (September-October) to have all the wonderful places like Blue Lagoon and the sink holes for yourself!
Have you already visited Malta or have you planned a trip? Is there any particular place you would like to visit? Let me know in the comments below.
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