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Now, you might be wondering if Malta is for you?<\/p>\n
Well, let me give you a little snippet of why it should be on every traveller hit list!<\/p>\n
First up, Malta (and neighbouring Gozo) is basked in that incredible Mediterranean sunshine that\u2019s just so good. Not only that, Malta is totally chilled and a great place to visit if you fancy a bout of downtime on your trip.<\/p>\n
That being said, Malta is also a jewel in the Mediterranean if you fancy a gander around historic cities and ancient sights. It\u2019s an island that can (and totally does) fit with the kind of trip you\u2019d like.\u00a0 This is why we keep going back, over and over again!<\/p>\n
So, as the island starts to safely open up, we wanted to share some places in Malta that you can\u2019t miss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And, as always, be sure to travel safely. Check your government\u2019s guidance on travel and official information from the Maltese Government on any restrictions that might be relaxed or in place.<\/p>\n
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Take a look, below, at our bumper itinerary to visit Malta on holiday. Oh, and with all our itineraries, feel free to add, take out or follow exactly the places we\u2019ve mentioned \u2013 it\u2019s your holiday after all!<\/p>\n
Have an amazing time.<\/p>\n
Day one: Valletta<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
As far as Mediterranean cities go, Valletta is a gem to visit!<\/p>\n
Unlike other large capital cities in Europe, Valletta is not too big to get overwhelmed and not small enough to get bored. In fact, I\u2019d say it\u2019s perfect for a few days exploring.<\/p>\n
After arriving, be sure to take a wander to see the Grandmaster\u2019s Palace and the gorgeous Upper (and Lower) Barrakka Gardens. These are stunning first thing in the morning and a great way to stretch your legs before a day head.<\/p>\n
For a sugary pick-me-up, head to Amorino (on Republic Street). Here, you\u2019ll get to sample some of the best gelatos in all of Malta. Trust me, you\u2019ll go back for seconds.<\/p>\n
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In the afternoon, take a gander around the centuries-old Casa Rocca Piccola in the heart of Valletta. Throughout the day, you can join a guide and take a peek into a classic (and affluent) palace that\u2019s too gorgeous to miss.<\/p>\n
Before sundown, pop into St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral which\u2019s stood pride of place in Valletta since the 1500s. It\u2019s so beautiful and a great way to see some of Girolamo Cassar works. After all, he\u2019s one of the islands most famed architects.<\/p>\n
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Feeling peckish? Head into the gorgeous cobbled streets and pop into Noni (on Republic Street) that fuses Maltese dishes with a modern flare. Their tasting menu is so delicious for an evening treat.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places to visit in Malta and Gozo<\/strong><\/p>\nDay two: Valletta<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
One thing I would say is that you should give Valletta at least one full day to explore (though, we prefer a more chilled two-day trip). That being said, if you\u2019re short on time, you can easily pack in the main sights in Valletta in one day; especially if there are other spots on our itinerary to visit Malta that you just don\u2019t want to miss.<\/p>\n
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For a morning galavant, head for a stroll around the Grand Harbour area where you\u2019ll get some fantastic views across the bay. Plus, you\u2019ll be easily able to partner up a trip to Fort St. Angelo that has historically protected the city. You\u2019ll need to factor in around 2-hours to fully explore the fort; so plan ahead and arrive nice and early.<\/p>\n
For dinner, book a table at Rampila; you won\u2019t be disappointed, especially on their terrace. We had the traditional Maltese Aljotta broth for the first course and loved it!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nRead more: Best things to do in Malta<\/strong><\/p>\nDay three: Mdina<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Nowhere is ever really that far in Malta, which means it\u2019s a great island to traverse and stay at all the Maltese gems. That being said, don\u2019t feel the pressure to keep moving hotels or accommodation each night, you can easily do day trips to all the spots in Malta and stay anchored in one hotel for the whole trip. It\u2019s entirely up to you.<\/p>\n
Anyway, where was I\u2026 Mdina!<\/p>\n
Okay, so Mdina is probably my favourite city in all of Malta and one spot you can\u2019t miss for a day trip. It\u2019s around a 25-minute drive from Valletta and totally easy to visit by car, taxi or tour depending on what you\u2019d like.<\/p>\n
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Once you\u2019ve headed through the iconic Mdina Gate, be sure to visit the iconic cathedral that overlooks the whole city. It\u2019s stunning and the Baroque architecture dates back years!<\/p>\n
That being said, if you fancy going back further in history, get yourself over to Domus Romana; a Roman house that was built around two thousand years ago! It\u2019s a relatively small museum which means it\u2019s a perfect 30-minute visit.<\/p>\n
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Oh, and don\u2019t forget to grab some of the world-renowned Mdina Glass. It\u2019s so beautiful and you\u2019ll find it all over the city.<\/p>\n
Getting hungry? Get yourself over to Grotto Tavern, their gnocchi is so delicious and the restaurant is so unique within a grotto itself.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places to visit in Malta and Gozo<\/strong><\/p>\nDay four: Western coastline and beaches<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
After three days of city-living, it\u2019s time to take in some more of that gorgeous coastline of Malta. So, pack your swimming gear, slap on that sunblock and get ready for a snooze on the sand.<\/p>\n
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But first, head over to the Blue Grotto, which\u2019s around a 25-minute drive from Valletta (and 15-minutes from Mdina). Once here, you\u2019ll need to get yourself on one of the small boats that\u2019ll whisk you right within the Blue Grotto itself. That being said, if you\u2019re not fancying the boat ride, head to the \u2018panorama\u2019 viewing area that\u2019s perfect at sunset.<\/p>\n
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The views are stunning.<\/p>\n
Afterwards, for a little time in the surf, head over to Golden Bay that\u2019s north of the Blue Grotto. It\u2019s a popular spot for sun-seekers and the kind of place that\u2019s great for a morning dip (or evening stroll).<\/p>\n
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If it\u2019s a dip you\u2019re after, pop over to St. Peter\u2019s Pool that\u2019s on the coastline near Marsaxlokk. Here, you\u2019ll get to have a little paddle in the gorgeous Mediterranean waters and bask in those views across southern Malta. Just be sure to watch out for choppy waters and only go for a swim if it\u2019s safe to do so.<\/p>\n
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Now, we found it best to rent a car for coastal days. Though, if you don\u2019t drive, fret not; there are oodles of different touring companies that you can book and include on your itinerary to visit Malta.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nDay five: Hiking around near Popeye Village<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not every day that you can say you\u2019ve rambled across an island, but it\u2019s quite achievable in Malta, especially from G\u0127adira Bay to Popeye Village.<\/p>\n
After a morning dip at G\u0127adira, pop on your hiking shoes and head off for a ramble around the area.<\/p>\n
The walk itself won\u2019t take you long at all (though, you can take in some detours). We checked out the Red Tower that\u2019s just shy of the bay itself (around a 40-minute hike).\u00a0 It dates back to 1649 and is lovely to see, especially for views.<\/p>\n
After heading to the west coast, get yourself over to the totally quaint and picturesque Popeye Village. It\u2019s the historic film set for Popeye\u2019s film that was shot back in the 1980s.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s well worth a gander for an hour or so and totally worth including on your itinerary to visit Malta; even if you haven\u2019t seen the film.<\/p>\n
Finally, for a great view of Popeye Village, head along the coastline road opposite the bay. The views across the cove is gorgeous from here and you\u2019ll get a great view of Popeye Village itself.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nRead more: Best places to visit in Malta and Gozo<\/strong><\/p>\nDay 6: Gozo<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Just shy of the northern shores of Malta, Gozo is a smaller island that\u2019s totally worth the short ferry ride to explore! In fact, it\u2019s a perfect day trip when visiting Malta.<\/p>\n
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Departing from Cirkewwa, you\u2019ll get across to Mgarr Harbour in no time at all. From here, you\u2019ll get to explore all across Gozo and take in some key spots along the way.<\/p>\n
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One spot you have to visit is Il-Madonna ta\u2019\u00a0Pinu, a basilica and shrine that\u2019s as beautiful as they come. Although the basilica isn\u2019t as old as some other sites across Malta and Gozo, it\u2019s still just as iconic.<\/p>\n
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Afterwards, pull out your swimming gear and drive over to the Blue Hole for a dip! It\u2019s a natural swimming pool that sits just shy of the collapsed Azure Window and is well worth seeing as you follow our itinerary to visit Malta.<\/p>\n
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Oh, and don\u2019t forget to grab a bite at The Boathouse in Xlendi Bay.<\/p>\n
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This is the kinda spot that\u2019ll satisfy any seafood craving; especially with their mouth-watering fresh lobster.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nRead more: Best things to do in Malta<\/strong><\/p>\nDay 7: Mosta<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Before departing Malta, there\u2019s one final (and totally lovely) spot to visit. Mosta!<\/p>\n
Only around 20-minutes from central Valletta, Mosta is perfect to see on your final day along your itinerary to visit Malta. Even if you\u2019ve only got a few hours before your flight, be sure to take a gander.<\/p>\n
Now, one of the things that make this city so special is the Rotunda of Mosta; a massive basilica that\u2019s actually based on the Pantheon in Italy.<\/p>\n
Once you arrive, you\u2019ll soon see why it\u2019s such a special spot, especially with it housing one of the largest, unsupported domes in the whole world!<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve still got time, take a wander over to the Ta\u2019 Bistra Catacombs that\u2019s just shy of the city centre. You\u2019ll get to see a heap of historic catacombs that are pretty unique to visit.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Malta<\/strong><\/p>\n\n18 Very Best Places In Malta To Visit<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n