5 day trips in Malta
Do you live and work in Malta or are you going there on a holiday? Lucky you! Malta is known as a beautiful island, but did you know that it is actually a country made up of several islands? In this blog post, we have listed 5 fun day trips for you, on the biggest island Malta but also on the smaller islands around it!
1. Gozo
Gozo is an authentic island with picturesque villages and beautiful landscapes. The island's surface area is only 67 km and you can reach the island in about 20 minutes by ferry from the island of Malta. In Victoria, Gozo's capital, you'll find a remarkable Citadel (a fortress that is independently defensible). In this citadel, you will find four different museums, including a folklore museum where you can learn all about the local way of life. There is also an old prison you can visit. Furthermore, in Gozo, you will find the ancient temples of Ggantija, St George Basilica with beautiful Baroque architecture and the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin of Ta'Pinu.
However, Gozo is not only a historical and cultural hotspot! In Xlendi Bay, you'll find a sandy beach, cliffs and stunning sea views. Another fascinating sight is the Blue Hole, located under a rock formation called 'Azure Window'. Besides taking photos of the beautiful nature and sights, Gozo also offers great snorkelling and diving, and you can book a Jeep or Quad tour!
2. Comino
Comino is the smallest island in the Malta archipelago. Outside the high season, only 3 people live there! Comino can be reached in 25 minutes by boat from the island of Malta, but you can also catch the boat from Gozo. It's best to catch the first boat of the day, as it gets very crowded during the day (if you're in Malta in high season). If you get there early, you'll be one of the first people to dive into the well-known 'Blue Lagoon'! This Lagune is a beautiful place to snorkel, swim and, of course, take photos. Near the Blue Lagoon, surrounded by caves, you will find the 'Crystal Lagoon'. This Lagoon is less known but is definitely not to be missed.
Another highlight on the island is 'Santa Marija Bay Beach', a beautiful sandy beach with plenty of food trucks. Unfortunately, you won't find any restaurants on Comino, but there are also several food trucks at the Blue Lagoon later in the day and some stands with fresh fruit and drinks at the boat stop. If you are a sporty person, Comino is a great place to hike. Make sure you wear a pair of good shoes, because of all the rocks the hike can be quite challenging. Various excursions can be booked, including sailing or catamaran trips to Comino.
3. Valletta
Valletta, Malta's capital, is also worth a visit. It is quite small and therefore excellent to explore by foot. Unlike the islands of Gozo and Comino, you will find nice terraces and restaurants here. Valletta has a rich history and you’ll find a mix of different cultures. In the past, numerous peoples wanted to conquer the archipelago because of its strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea. Today, you can still see influences from, among others, the French, British, Arabs and Ottomans. So the city is very culturally diverse! The best viewpoint in Valletta is 'Upper Barrakka Gardens'. These gardens are 60 metres up and from there you will have great views. A cannon is also fired here every day at 12:00 and 16:00 o’clock.
From Valletta harbour, you can take a boat to 'Three cities'. These are three settlements and here you will also find the fortress 'St Angelo'. Three cities is less crowded than Valletta and give you the chance to photograph Valletta from the water. There are also several museums and buildings to explore, such as the parliament house, royal opera house (also an open-air theatre!) and Grand Master Palace. Do you feel like dancing in the evening? Then you should definitely head to Strait street. Here you will find several bars and other entertainment. Did you know that Valletta is on the UNESCO Heritage List and was the European Capital of Culture in 2018?
4. Discover the most beautiful beaches
The largest and most famous sandy beach can be found in the north of Malta. Mellieha Bay, also known as Ghadira Bay, is a wide sandy beach. There are several beach bars where you can enjoy good food and there are parasols and sun beds for rent. Mellieha Bay is also known for the wide variety of sporting activities you can do here, including canoeing, water skiing and windsurfing. Ghajn Tuffieha Bay is known as a quiet beach, where most locals stay. This is also a sandy beach with beautiful crystal-clear waters.
Would you prefer a more vibrant beach? Then head to Golden Bay beach. This is a popular beach with a few eateries and restaurants. This is an excellent place for snorkelling and the necessary equipment for this can also be rented at the beach. Furthermore, Malta also has a lot of secluded beaches where you can relax. Keep in mind that these secluded beaches are not always easy to reach, and you may have to walk or climb over rocks to get there.
5. Mellieha
Mellieha is a village in northern Malta and is also worth a visit. Besides the beautiful sandy beaches, you will find many more hotspots here! The centre of Mellieha is rich in historical buildings, so it's fun to stroll here and take photos of all the beauty. In Mallieha, you will find an underground system of bunkers dating back to World War II. Very impressive to see! Furthermore, Popeye Village is fun to visit. In 1980, this was the film set for the musical but now it is a tourist attraction and theme park. This park with cute little houses is very photogenic and fun for adults too! It is located on the waterfront, so there is also an opportunity for swimming. This is also a good place for some water fun, as there are water trampolines and inflatable water attributes.
You will also find a lagoon here, the 'Coral Lagoon'. Too beautiful to skip! From the top, you can take beautiful photos here and you can rent a kayak to see the inside of the cave. You could also swim but watch out for the rough waves. As a final tip in this area: Tortuga Beach, here you can eat delicious fish and Mediterranean specialities, with views over the blue crystal waters! For more food tips, you can read our blog food hotspots in Malta.
Are you just as excited about Malta as we are now? Then we have good news! We have some open vacancies in Malta, so don't miss this opportunity and apply today!