Malta top Things to do

90 Unbelievable Facts That Will Make You Want To Visit Malta Now

Find what are the best Malta things to do. Here is our ultimate guide to attractions and events.

Visiting Malta! On such a small island like ours, with everything so close to each other, you will waste little time to change locations. You will have more time to enjoy the island’s fantastic sights and events.

Whether you are a first-time visitor or lived here since you were born, you will discover a variety of things to do in Malta.

Use this guide as a guideline for your next activity.

Things To Do In Valletta

-The Capital City Valletta: Built by the Knight of St. John in 1566 was a fine example of modern city planning. The first European city built on a completely empty site. It is worth visiting.

- St. John's Co-Cathedral: A richly ornamented high Baroque architecture Co-Cathedral. A highly recommended location to visit.

- The Grandmaster's Palace and Armoury: The palace state rooms are richly decorated showing the grandeur of the Knights of St. John including the armoury where you find an impeccable collection of armour and weapons.

- War Museum: St. Elmo, the fortress where the film Midnight Express filmed in 1978, now houses the In-Guardia Re-enactment and the National War Museum.

- Fortification Centre: Walk along the many fortifications of Valletta and Floriana. Visit The Fortress Builders - Fortifications Interpretation Centre, Valletta.

Things To Do In Mdina And Rabat

- The Silent City: Walk along the narrow streets of Mdina with beautiful large houses and palaces built by late Maltese rich families who used to live here when it was once the capital city of the islands.

- Mdina Cathedral: The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul is popularly known as St Paul's Cathedral. Located in approaching from the main road.

- Mdina Glass: At Ta’ Qali crafts village you can see various displays to buy ornamental glass. A tour round the factory will show you how it is done.  Various shops around the island sell this glass. 

- Domus Romana: popularly known as the Roman Villa, discovered in 1881 shows how the Romans used to live during their rule in Malta. You find beautiful Roman mosaic pavements. It is a fine example of a Roman building not to be missed.

St. Paul’s and St. Agatha’s catacombs: They are the most elaborate catacombs on the islands. All dug from natural underground limestone covering an area of 6100 square metres.

Mdina Dungeouns: It portrays events from the dark side of history of a long time ago. The only dark attraction walk on the islands.

Mdina Experience: A 30-minutes audio-visual multi-language showcases the rich and complex history of the old capital. The Mdina Experience is a great opportunity not to miss.

- Delicious Cakes: At Fontanella Tea Garden at Mdina. Getting a table on the upstairs deck at the edge of the fortifications for a beautiful view of the island.  

Things To Do In Malta Night

- Nightlife: Enjoy the nightlife in Paceville clubs and discos. Plenty of bars, clubs, gentlemen's clubs to choose from. Axis Disco, Babylon Bar, Barfunk, Boogie Bar, BJ' s Night Club, Black.  

- Entertainment: A variety of events from cinemas, casinos, night life at Paceville, water parks, operas, wine, jazz, bowling, arts and baroque festivals.

- Festivals: They are very popular in summer. We suggest the Malta Jazz Festival, Marsovin and Delicata wine festivals, Italian wine festivals. All held between July and August.

- Dancing Away: Throughout the year you find where to be entertained with very popular venues for dancing and clubbing, at Gianpula Club, Numero Uno, Aria and Marrakech Club.

- New Year's Eve Parties: The big night where you look what to do. Malta offers such a variety, knowing that locals love entertainment. Look and book early from hotel dinner dances, to nightclubs, restaurants and bars.

- New Year's Eve Malta: NYE at Valletta open air celebrations. Many flock to the capital, for the entertainment on the big stage at Palace Square, including midnight fireworks. All restaurants and bars are open till late.

Top Festival In malta

- Isle of MTV: 10 years of concerts. Jessie J, Rita Ora, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Lady Gaga, LMFAO, Snoop Dogg, Jason Derulo, Enrique Iglesias, OMI. It all happens every summer.

- Arts Festival: Express your art talent and participate in the Sliema Arts Festival during July of each year.

- Ground Fireworks: The Malta Mechanized Ground Fireworks Festival is held in April at the Granaries Floriana for all local fireworks clubs. It is part of St. Publius Floriana feast.

- Gozo Operas: In Gozo just a small island with two theatres, Astra and Aurora and two operas every year in October.

Things To Do With Kids

- Popeye Village: The Film Set of the 1980 Musical Production 'Popeye' where families can entertain themselves with a full day at the beach and at the film set. 

- Sand Castles: Wherever you are on the islands it is not a problem to take your children to a sandy beach where they can build sand castles. See the complete list and map for orientation.

- Camping: The islands official camping site at l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha in a very quiet area in the north of the island.

- National Aquarium: Experience Malta's underwater life at Bugibba with 41 tanks with a variety of sharks, reptiles, insects, amphibians and Mediterranean fish including some  commonly found in Maltese waters.

Esplora: Malta’s Interactive Science Centre, intended as a science and fun experience for all ages. It includes a planetarium showing a live visualization of astronomy.

- Cinemas: 16 cinemas at Eden offering Dolby digital sound system and 3D capabilities making your time enjoyable. Opera evenings with direct links to theatres abroad.

Malta Sports

- Sports: The islands are a great destination for football, hikers, upsailing, cyclists, marathons and mostly divers who come from all over the world.

- Sailing: Sailing in Malta is very popular and amazing adventure around the Maltese archipelago.

- Golf: On the island of Malta one can also play golf. Called The Royal Malta Golf Club at Marsa Sports Club facilities. A green oasis, with relatively short course just over 5500 yards (5030 metres).

- Upsailing: The rocky coastline with its versatile limestone formations offers adventures for beginners to experienced upsailers where they need some skills. Youngsters also have their share with ideal simple starting sites to try this sport.

- Yachting: Walk along the luxury yachts at Vittoriosa Waterfront while you admire the many fortifications of Valletta and the fortifications within the Grand Harbour.

- Water Sports: If you love water sports there is plenty of it in summer. Go to the beaches and rent water equipment, parachuting, canoeing, kayaking, FlyBoard and snorkeling. 

Top Tours Malta

- Hop On Hop Off: Sightseeing in Malta is a good way to see the most important attractions on the islands. Hop on hop off at your leasure with North Blue and South Red tours. This is one of the most Malta top things to do.

Sea Adventure Cruise: Enjoy a fantastic day for an endless memory on the Sea Adventure Cruises. Carefully planned to help you benefit from the best Malta can offer.

Game of Thrones: An American fantasy drama which was party filmed in Malta for Season 1. It is a hit with people who come over specifically to see the filming locations.

Mdina Night Tour: Take an Mdina night tour for a relaxing tour around the streets and historic buildings. Most streets are pedestrianized ideal for an evening tour.

Hypogeum: Malta’s Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is one of the world’s best preserved prehistoric location. An underground burial site dating back 4000 BC. Book early, not to be disappointed.

- Harbour Cruises: Malta guided tours - Cruises around the island, jeep safaris, premier nights, city tours, even customized itinerary just for what you wish to do.  

- Tour the Coast: Cruise around the island's beautiful coast in one day.

- History Timeline: A visit to The Malta Experience at the Mediterranean Conference Centre Valletta, an audio-visual show will provide you with our history's journey.

- Grapes & Wine: Visit the Marsovin and Delicata wineries both at Marsa and taste their delicious wines a top thing to do for wine lovers.

Malta Beaches - Summer In Malta

- Mgarr ix-Xini: A few years ago Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt spent several months on the island of Gozo, the setting for "By the Sea," a film directed by Jolie. It was partly filmed at Mgarr ix-Xini bay.

- Paradise Bay: A day at Paradise Bay opposite to the Gozo ferry terminal at the far north of the island. A secluded and romantic beach for a complete rest cut off from everything.

- Xorb l-Ghagin: South of the island rocky beaches Xorb l-Ghagin, Delimara, St. Peter's Pool provide clean, blue fresh sea ideal for a quiet swim in the deep sea.

- Xlendi Bay: Enjoying a good swim at Xlendi Bay Gozo. Have a meal at any time especially in the evening along the promenade restaurants.

- Sandy Beaches: Swim at the golden sands beaches in the north area of the island.

- Blue Sea: Swim in the crystal clear sea surrounding the islands. Rocky and sandy beaches see all complete list. Make this one of your top things to do.

- Sunbathing: The island’s weather offers many sunny days. Sunbathing is not only between June and August. From April the weather starts getting warm. Avail yourself to enjoy the sun.

Religious Events

Good Friday: During Holy Week, Good Friday is the commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated with church functions and several organized processions in towns and villages with thousands of participants.

Easter Sunday: This is the last day of the Holy Week, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Processions are held in towns and villages on Sunday morning, an experience not to miss.

Feasts: throughout the year, towns and villages celebrate the religious feast of their patron saint. They form part of the Maltese culture and traditional fabric for many centuries. Unique traditions only found in Malta.

- Village Feasts: Village feasts are part of Maltese culture. Do not miss church functions, band marches, merry making, fireworks and decorations. Foreigners call them Malta festa.

- Worship Places: About 97% of its residents are Roman Catholic with 581 worship places. The Mosta dome has the world's third highest unsupported dome.

Christmas: This time of year is very much at heart for the Maltese. It is celebrated with religious functions, decorations, cribs, concerts, pantomimes and street decorations. A holiday in December is recommended.

Cities, Towns & Villages

- Mdina: Visit the old fortified city of Mdina with 4000 years of history. Lamp lit at night, the old capital of malta is fascinating to visitors for its timeless charm.

- Marsaxlokk: Mingle with locals and fishermen at Marsaxlokk village. The colourful fishing boats, the open daily market. Plenty of restaurants. 

- Traditional Boat: They can be seen at Marsaxlokk, Birgu, Gnejna Bay, Marsaskala, Wied Iz-Zurrieq and Gozo.

- Valletta: Get a Valletta travel guide book. Walk around the streets. You can stop at a restaurant or cafe at many location around the city.

- Vittoriosa, Senglea & Cospicua: Enjoy an evening out at one of Birgu's wine bars or restaurants within the three cities area of Birgu, Cospicua and Vittoriosa.

- Blue Grotto Caves: A trip to the Blue Grotto at Wied iz-Zurrieq. Then take a meal at one of the local restaurants.  

- Dwejra Bay: Whoever goes to Gozo will surely go to the Dwejra Bay wher the Azure Window once stood. It is an enchanting location ideal for walks and memory photos.

- Buskett: Roam around the small park surrounded with trees, plants and plenty of place to relax. Attend the traditional Mnarja festivities held on 28th & 29th June.

- Mosta Dome: The Mosta church famous for its spectacular dome. A neoclassical design based on the Roman Pantheon.  For some time considered as the third largest in Europe.

- Mnajdra: From Wied iz-Zurrieq take a walk or drive to the temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples, just a kilometer away.  

- Ggantija Temples: Ggantija in Gozo with massive huge stone constructions dating back to 5000 years ago a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Do not miss this visit.

- Valletta Fortifications: A walk along the seashore around Valletta fortifications. Plenty to see and admire apart from a quiet walk and a few bars to refresh.

- World Heritage: Visit Malta's UNESCO world heritage sites. Discover the oldest megalithic temples in the world which are older than the Pyramids of Egypt.

- Aviation Museum: The Aviation Museum Ta’ Qali where you see a variety of aeroplanes from WWII. Watch restoration of ongoing projects.

- Sliema Promenade: A pleasant walk along the Sliema promenade up to St. Julian's. You will meet many foreigners and locals along the way, and also you can stop at a restaurant to have a lovely dinner.

- Carnival: Come over in February for carnival. Enjoy seeing the colorful floats and the beautiful costumes and the way the Maltese love to celebrate.

- Karozzin Ride: Take a ride with the traditional karozzin. You can find them outside Valletta, Sliema/St. Julians, Rabat/Mdina and Bugibba/Qawra.

- Lidos: Summer lidos and beach clubs at Sliema Pitch, Exiles, Baia Beach, MedAsia Playa, Luzzu Lido Qawra, Corinthia St. George's Bay, Ray's Lido in Armier and Surfside Sliema.

- In Guardia: The parade is a popular parade that goes back in time during the period of the Knights of St John.Featured as one of Malta top things to do.

- Fireworks: If you love fireworks, visit us in April / May for the Malta International Fireworks Festival held at the Grand Harbours and Marsaxlokk bay.

- Kinnie: Local drink you must taste is the Kinnie, chilled with ice. Available in all bars and restaurants or buy from any grocery shop.

- Twistees: A delicious cheesy snack invented in Malta around 50 years ago. A very popular snack packed in metallised bag to keep the cheesy crunchy intact.

- Cisk Lager: Enjoy the local popular Cisk Lager beer,  brewed and bottled by Simonds Farsons Cisk plc since 1928a an international award-winning bear.

- Maltese Fish: A variety of local offered at restaurants caught by local fisherman. Buy fresh fish from certain localities, especially the Marsaxlokk market.

- Qubbajt Nougat: Taste the qubbajt, a traditional local nougat. Stalls are available at all local village feasts and Malta International Airport departure lounge.

- Mqaret: A Maltese speciality one must taste when here. A traditional date filled pastered which is deep-fried in oil. Many restaurants offer it as a desert, good with vanilla ice-cream.

- Local Fruit: Taste the local fruits like watermelon dullieh, peaches hawh, and grapes gheneb and figs tin, mostly found during the summer months.

- Granola Ice Cream: Granola ice cream found in Gozo island which originates from there. By a cone from the Xlendi and Marsalforn outlets, very popular with visitors.  

- Farmers Market: Farmer’s Market at Ta’ Qali for freshly cut vegetables and fruits. Visited also by foreigners living here. Tuesday and Saturday 7:00 to 17:00.

- Gozo Ferry: Tiny Gozo is just a 20-minute ferry ride from Malta and has a population of 37,000 people. So quiet and tranquil.

- Countryside Walk: Malta although such a small Island has something for everybody. Maltese culture is very rich because of its history location within the Mediterranean sea.

- Sunset: Sunset off the cliffs of Dingli. Relax in one of the restaurant's cafes just across the road beside the cliff side.

- Equinox: The Mnajdra Temple solar alignment is aligned when the sun rises in line with the main axis of this temple called equinoxes

- Temples: Visit Malta's UNESCO world heritage sites. Discover the oldest megalithic temples in the world which are older than the Pyramids of Egypt.

- Eating: Maltese food restaurants in various localities, variety of foods, local foods, Italian, Chinese, Indian, French, Turkish.

Shopping In Malta

Baystreet - Bay Street Complex at St George's Bay, next to Paceville offers leisure, dining and shopping and activities for all youths to have an enjoyable evening.

Souvenirs - Buy a souvenir of Malta from the Sliema strand, an old bus which was converted into a small souvenir shop. This will give you an idea of how the old buses where in the old times.

- Lace Making: A visit to the crafts village at Ta’ Qali. Watch glass blowers. Look around for ceramics, pottery, gold, silver and filigree jewelry, Maltese lace, ornamental glass. 

Sliema Front

Valletta

Other Shopping Malls around the islands.

In all so many top things to do to help you plan your holiday to Malta.