Malta vs Sicily, a Mediterranean Showdown
Which Island should you visit this year
Not sure if you should visit Malta or Sicily this holiday season? It’s a tough decision, but I will help you to figure this out.
Even being located very close to each other, they are both unique and very different from each other. So which island to choose if you have only time for one of them, Malta or Sicily?
I visited both islands and spend several weeks exploring Malta as well as Sicily. I might have preferred Sicily slightly over Malta, but mainly because of the diversity Mount Etna brought to the island.
Your decision should be based on the islands’ attraction, your time, and travel style as well as reachability. Keep reading as I will cover all those items to help you make that difficult decision between Malta and Sicily.
Malta vs. Sicily: Location and reachability
Choosing between Malta and Sicily? Here’s a quick guide on their location and reachability:
Malta, a small yet beautiful archipelago, sits in the central Mediterranean. It’s easily accessible by flights from major European cities and offers an efficient ferry system between its islands, making island-hopping between Malta, Gozo and Comino very easy.
Sicily, the Mediterranean’s largest island, is just off the southern tip of Italy. It’s well-connected by air with international and domestic flights to 4 different island airports.
Additionally, it has ferry links to the Italian mainland and nearby islands. The ferry connection makes bus and even train travel to Sicily from Italy possible.
Are Malta and Sicily Worth Visiting?
How easy would it be if the answer would be no. Unfortunately or fortunately, Malta and Sicily are both absolutely fantastic islands and if you could, you should visit both of them.
Both islands are rich in cultural experiences. They combine lots of history, remarkable architecture, UNESCO Heritage sites and natural beauty.
Malta vs. Sicily: Differences between the islands
Size and Geography
Malta is a quite small island, packed with people (especially around its capital Valletta), making it feel cozy and intimate.
The Maltese archipelo is made up of 3 islands (Malta, Gozo and Comino), each with its own beautiful beaches and bays, ports, and historic buildings.
⇨ Due to the island size, you will be able to see and visit all Maltese islands, even if you only have one week of holidays.
On the other hand, Sicily is the biggest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s got a mix of different landscapes, like mountains, rolling hills, and even Europe’s most active volcano, Mount Etna.
⇨ Due to the island’s size, you will have to choose between the east or the west coast of Sicily for your visit, if you only have one week.
I picked a hotel in Catania for our base and we started different day trips to highligts on the east site of the island from there. Sicily is just too big to see it all in one go.
Cultural Influences
Malta’s history is a tapestry of various cultures, including Phoenician, Roman, Moorish, Knights of Saint John, French, and British influences, which is reflected in its architecture and traditions.
Sicily has been known of being a crossroads of Mediterranean cultures with Greek, Arab, Norman, and Spanish influences, evident in its architecture, language, and cuisine.
Historical Sites
Malta is famous for its prehistoric temples, like Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, and the historic fortified cities of Valletta and Mdina. The island offers a total of 3 UNESCO world heritage sites.
Sicily offers a wealth of Greek and Roman ruins, Norman castles, and Baroque cities. 5 of those being recognized as UNESCO sites.
Highlights being the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the Roman mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale, and the ancient theatres of Syracuse and Taormina.
Beaches
Malta’s beaches are mostly rocky with some sandy spots. This makes Malta the ideal island for snorkeling and diving. Places like the Blue Lagoon on Comino and the blue hole on Gozo are very famous spots for those water activities.
Sicily features a variety of beaches: From the sandy shores of Cefalù and Mondello to the rocky coastlines of the Cyclopean Isles, catering to the different preferences of beach lovers.
As there are more big and sandy, Families with children may want to decide on Sicily over Malta for that reason.
Cuisine
Maltese cuisine is a fusion of Mediterranean flavors with specialties like pastizzi, rabbit stew, and Ä¡bejniet.
Sicilian cuisine offers a rich array of dishes influenced by its various conquerors, famous for arancini, seafood, pastas like pasta alla Norma, and desserts like cannoli. Basically the best of Italian cuisine is to be found on Sicily.
Language
While both regions speak their own dialects of their national languages, English is widely spoken in Malta due to its history as a British colony.
In Sicily, Italian is predominant, with Sicilian widely spoken among locals. Only in tourist areas, you will e able to communicate in English.
Transportation
Malta’s compact size makes it easy to explore by public transport and ferry. Sicily, being larger, often requires a car rental and adapting the Sicilian driving style to fully explore the island. Although major cities like Palermo and Catania have public transport systems.
Natural Attractions
Beyond beaches, Malta’s natural attractions include the Blue Grotto, the Blue Lagoon on Comino and the Dingli Cliffs. My favorite is the Gozo Coastal Trail on Malta’s neighboring sister island.
Sicily offers a range of natural wonders, from the volcanic landscapes of Mount Etna and the Aeolian Islands to the lush Madonie and Nebrodi mountains or the Alcantara Gorges, perfect for nature enthusiasts and hikers like me.
Malta vs. Sicily: Highlights and Attractions
Malta: Best things to see and do
Valletta: Malta’s capital, Valletta, is full of history and culture, and is surrounded by huge fortified walls. You can stroll through the city’s narrow streets, discover baroque architecture and visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral.
My personal highlight was the ferry ride through Valletta’s Grand Harbour to the three cities on the other side of the bay.
Mdina: Known as the “Silent City,” Mdina is a fortified medieval town that offers a journey back in time. Walk through its narrow lanes, admire the old noble houses, and enjoy the stunning views of Malta from the city walls. Do not miss the impressive catacombs in nearby Rabat.
Gozo: Gozo, Malta’s sister island, is famous for its scenic landscapes, beautiful villages, and ancient sites. Gozo Highlights are the Citadel in Victoria, which provides panoramic views of the island, the ancient Ä gantija Temples and the many natural sites you can explore by hiking on the Gozo Coastal Trail.
Blue Lagoon: Nestled on the tiny island of Comino, the Blue Lagoon offers crystal-clear azure waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Its breathtaking beauty makes it a popular spot, therefore I recommend to best to visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds.
Sicily: Best things to see and do
Mount Etna: Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, offers unique hiking experiences where you can explore craters, lava flows, and enjoy breathtaking views. I highly recommend this guided tour to the volcano rim, a once in a life-time activity.
Syracuse: This ancient city, once one of the most significant in the Western world, is rich in Greek and Roman history. Explore the Archaeological Park Neapolis with its Greek theatre, the famous Ear of Dionysus and the Roman amphitheater.
Don’t miss the beautiful island of Ortigia, the cities historic heart, when enjoying your Syracus’ day trip.
Taormina: Perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, Taormina is famous for its stunning views and ancient Greek theater, which is still used for performances.
Stroll along Corso Umberto, the main pedestrian street, to explore its boutiques, cafes, and historic buildings.
Cefalù: This charming coastal town is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, medieval streets, and the impressive Norman Cathedral with stunning mosaics.
Climb La Rocca for a panoramic view of the town and the surrounding coastline. Cefalu belongs to the association of the most beautiful villages in Italy for a reason!
Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi): Located in Agrigento, this is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wander among the ancient Greek temples, particularly the well-preserved Temple of Concordia, and soak in the history and views of the surrounding landscape.
Do not choose, visit both, Malta and Sicily
If you have the time, you can easily visit both islands. The fastest ferry connection operated by Virtu Ferries connects Valletta in Malta with Pozzallo in Sicily. Crossing time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The 2nd ferry connection between Malta and Sicily is between Valletta and Catania. Travel time is 4:15hrs. Even if there is only one ferry company working on those routes, you should compare rates as those vary quite a lot depending on the day and time of travel.
Conclusion
Malta and Sicily are both islands absolutely worth visiting but comparing Malta vs Sicily shows some differences for your decision on which one to visit. If you only have little time, you may choose Malta. For Families, Sicily may be the better option.
Should you not want to drive, travel to Malta and if you want to visit an active volcano, Sicily is your island for the upcoming vacation.
If you have 2 weeks or even more time for your island trip, consider visiting both so that you do not have to make that complicated choice between Malta vs. Sicily. Alternatively, take the quiz and find out which European Island to visit next.
