12 of the most beautiful places in Malta
A traveler’s guide to Hidden Gems and Historic Wonders
Looking for the most beautiful places in Malta to visit during your holidays? You have come to the right place.
Every time I visit the Maltese islands, I am struck by the diversity. Malta has something for everyone, whether you enjoy the historic monuments and temples or prefer relaxing in the sun by the sea.
I enjoy coming here in the winter due to the mild weather and fewer crowds.
Malta is a small island located between Africa and Sicily. Despite its size, it is full of natural and cultural attractions. The main island Malta and the nearby isles of Gozo and Comino offer more than you might expect.
Read on to find some of the most beautiful places in Malta and Gozo. From breathtaking hikes along the coast to must-see spots and hidden corners that are often overlooked.
1. Valletta
Exploring Malta’s most beautiful places will inevitably lead you to Valletta, the tiniest capital in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Valletta is a perfect blend of rich history and stunning architecture, making it a hotspot for tourists. Its small size makes it easy to explore on foot, and its many museums and galleries offer a wealth of cultural experiences.
I just loved strolling through Valletta’s old town, which is protected by massive defensive walls dating back to the 16th century.
Don’t miss the Lower Barrakka Gardens and further south the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the top spot in Valletta for breathtaking views.
From here, you can see the Three Cities – Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua – across the water in the Grand Harbour.
To change your perspective, take the elevator from the gardens and catch a 10-minute ferry ride across the harbor. For an unbeatable view of Valletta, I recommend Fort St. Angelo at the edge of Vittoriosa.
To avoid waiting in long lines at St. John’s Co-Cathedral, which has a stunning interior of gold and marble, you should book your ticket online, at least a day in advance.
For a glimpse into Malta’s history and a great view of the harbor entrance, visit the National War Museum located inside Fort St. Elmo.
Good to know: Valletta is the best place to stay in Malta without a car. The city is the main hub for all public transport on the island.
2. Dingli Cliffs
The Dingli Cliffs are one of Malta’s most impressive natural sites. They are located on the western shoreline of the island.
These cliffs offer the highest drop in Malta. They rise to 253 meters at their peak. Exploring them is easy thanks to the wide footpath and road that run alongside.
Malta’s only modest forest lies near these towering cliffs. It is a sanctuary for various bird species, providing a safe haven for local birds and a wintering ground for migratory birds from Europe.
3. Mdina & Rabat
When discovering Malta’s most beautiful places, you can’t overlook Mdina. The island’s ancient capital is home to just 400 residents today.
This quaint medieval town, known as the silent city is nice and calm, if you ignore the tourist crowds. But at least it is free of cars. I really enjoyed walking through the narrow roads with their old buildings.
Fans of “Game of Thrones” might recognize its main gate, which appeared as the entrance to King’s Landing in the series’ first season.
St. Paul’s Cathedral is located in the heart of the city. It has an impressive interior design, which you can only visit after having paid an entrance fee at the opposite located museum.
Do not forget to visit the city walls’ bastions. They offer the best views of the surrounding landscape.
Rabat is just a 10-minute walk from Mdina and is home to some of Malta’s most fascinating archaeological sites, including the St. Paul’s Catacombs.
These underground tombs offer a glimpse into Malta’s early Christian era. I was truly surprised by the size of the tunnels and caves, where you can really get lost wandering around.
4. Coastal hike from Marsaxlokk to Marsaskala
There are some great hikes in Malta! This coastal hike from the traditional fishing village of Marsaxlokk to the lively city of Marsaskala truly combines some of the most beautiful places in Malta.
Starting with Marsaxlokk which is famous for its Sunday market and the colourful fishing boats in the wide bay.
A clearly marked path leads you in 30 minutes to St. Peter’s Pool, a natural, turquoise-green water pool, ideal for a refreshing dip.
There are no signposts when continuing north, but you will just have to stay alongside the impressive coastline of striking white limestone cliffs. I really enjoyed being away from the masses on most stretches of that hike!
My next stop for lunch and a swim was St. Thomas Bay, where ladders provide access to the clear water. Before reaching the lively little town of Marsaskala after about 10 km, there are some interesting salt pans that are no longer used for salt production.
Buses are available to return you to Marsaxlokk or Valletta, completing your exploration of Malta’s scenic south-east coast.
5. Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto is without question one of the most beautiful places in Malta, but are the caves worth your visit? I would say no, but only because of the huge tourist crowds.
I found the marketing and organization on the site terrible. We were placed in the boats as if on an assembly line, driven to the caves and were back at the starting point 20 minutes later. All that for €10.00 each.
The Blue Grotto is really stunning, and its colors are amazing, but I would not recommend this trip. There are similar beautiful waters and caves in the Blue Lagoon, which I would visit as an alternative.
My tip: Skip the boat ride to the Blue Grotto but stop at the fantastic viewpoint on the main street which overlooks the caves and impressive cliffs. It is free of charge.
6. Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is nestled on the tiny island of Comino, in between the larger sister islands of Malta and Gozo.
For lots of visitors it is the most beautiful place in Malta, and they may be right: the water offers Caribbean feeling, being crystal clear and of a stunning turquoise colour.
Therefore, I recommend visiting the Blue Lagoon instead of the Blue Grotto. Before you go, you need to know that the bay is absolutely busy, as really every visitor coming to Malta visits the Blue Lagoon.
On one hand, I loved the beauty of the bay, but on the other hand, I hated the crowds.
You can swim, snorkel and dive in the azur waters along the stunning coastline with its various caves, but if that hyped island is worth it?
My tip: Visit the blue Lagoon early in the morning or late in the evening when the main crowd is gone. For the morning I would suggest using the ferry, for an afternoon visit, you should do an organised cruise to be on the water for sunset. ⇨ My recommendation for the Blue Lagoon with a Sunset Cruise
7. Ħaġar Qim Temples
The Haġar Qim temple complex is a fascinating ancient site located just 2km north of the Blue Grotto. Therefore, I combined the visit of both highlights. The origins of these ruins date back to between 3600 and 2500 BC.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this complex is one of the most remarkable megalithic structures in the world. Its stones, some weighing over 20 tons, pose intriguing questions about ancient engineering techniques.
Archaeologists believe Ħaġar Qim was a ceremonial site, evidenced by the various altars and oracle holes found within its confines.
The visitor center at the entrance uses interactive displays to provide insights into the life of the people who built and used this temple, as well as the possible rituals that took place here. Despite the site’s age, many original features remain intact.
Do not forget to bring a sun. There is a distance of 600 meters between the 2 temple sites, which you will have to walk underneath the strong Mediterranean sun.
8. Victoria
In my opinion, Victoria, the capital of Gozo, is the most beautiful city in the Maltese archipelago. Its centerpiece is the massive Citadel, a landmark visible from almost every point on the island.
I highly recommend taking a walk along the citadel’s walls, where you can admire a breathtaking 360-degree panorama that stretches across Gozo to Malta itself.
The citadel contains many historical and religious sites within its labyrinth of alleyways. The baroque cathedral, historic courthouse, and bishop’s palace are all places not to be missed, each telling a unique story of Gozo’s rich past.
Beyond the citadel’s walls, the old town of Victoria offers an authentic glimpse into Gozitan life with its narrow lanes.
I had some delicious local cuisine in small restaurants serving traditional Maltese dishes. This is an excellent way to experience the local culture and flavors.
9. Ramla Bay & Tal-Mixta Cave
Ramla Bay on the west side of Gozo, is the island’s only and largest sandy beach and for sure one of the most beautiful places in Malta.
Its unique color, a mix of golden yellow and red, is truly stunning. I highly recommend taking the short hike to Tal-Mixta Cave for the best view of this beautiful, crescent-shaped beach.
The path from the beach to the cave is steep, but the walk takes only about 20 minutes. The effort is absolutely worth it. Once you reach the cave, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the entire bay.
10. Dwejra Bay, Blue Hole & Inland Sea
Dwejra Bay, the Blue Hole, and the Inland Sea on Gozo are top attractions for diving and snorkeling fans.
These natural wonders are located close to each other, making it easy to explore them all in one go.
Even though the famous Azure Window, a natural stone arch which collapsed in 2017, is gone, Dwejra Bay remains a one of the most beautiful places in Malta. It is shaped like a half-moon with the prominent Fundus Rock in its middle.
North of Dwejra Bay lies the Inland Sea Lagoon, a natural lagoon that’s connected to the Mediterranean Sea by an 80-meter-long tunnel through the cliffs.
There are boat ride for €5.00 to pass through it. For me, just swimming close to the entrance for enough and the money not worth spending.
The Blue Hole, another highlight of Dwejra Bay, is a famous dive site. It is approximately 10 meters wide and 20 meters deep, surrounded by rock formations. Divers can explore an underwater arch about 10 meters below the surface, leading out to the open sea.
11. Salins de Marsalforn
The Marsalforn salt pans on Gozo are a fascinating part of the island’s heritage. They are located along the coastline, north of the city and demonstrate a centuries-old method of salt extraction.
This traditional craft was once a vital industry in Gozo. However, now only a handful of families continue this age-old practice.
As I walked along the salt pans, I was struck by the complex network of shallow pools carved into the coastline where seawater evaporates, leaving behind crystalline salt.
My hiking tip: Start hiking in Marsalforn and along the northern coast. You will bypass lots of Gozos natural highlights until you reach Dweja Bay including Wied il-Għasri gorge and the new “Azur Window” named Wied il-Mielaħ.
12. Gozo Coastal Walk
The Gozo Coastal Walk is an easy and absolutely scenic multi-day hike around the small Mediterranean island of Gozo. For me it was the perfect way of combining lots of the Gozo highlights with my favorite pass-time which is hiking.
The total trail lenght is approx. 50km which can be accomplished in 4 days. As getting around Gozo is fairly easy and there are bus stops at all start and finish points of the individual stages, you can decide to do day hikes and have your base Victoria.
My personal highlight of this hike around Gozo island are its spectacular cliffs. But to be honest, the entire coastline is just stunningly beautiful. Be aware that there is no signage. You will need an offline map for navigation.
Conclusion
My travel guide has only touched upon the many of the most beautiful places in Malta. I have not even started on the 365 churches and chapels such as the Saint John’s Basilica or Rotunda of Xewkija with the third-highest self-supporting dome in the world.
Or the stunning Ta’ Pinu Basilica and the Rotonda of Mosta…. Maybe the essence of Malta’s magic lies in that endless capacity to surprise with highlights and attractions, all just an easy day trip away from Valletta.
No matter if you are interested in history, nature, or breathtaking landscapes, Malta has it all!
