Malta: Top 10 Things to Do

“Oh my Malta” is the slogan for the Malta Tourism Authority’s glossy magazine. I collected the publication at the airport and immediately identified my top 10 things to do during my six-day vacation on the island.

In 2025, the Wall Street Journal chose Malta as one of the top 10 places to go in 2025.

“If Americans know Malta at all, it’s likely thanks to its fascinating and telegenic history. A who’s who of imperial powers, from the Phoenicians to the British, colonized the Mediterranean archipelago, which was first settled some 8,000 years ago, before it gained independence in 1964.”—Wall Street Journal

Malta surprised and delighted me. Where else can you catch a bus in the capital, pay 2 euros, and arrive at a famous tourist destination in less than one hour? 

My friend and I discovered we didn’t need to book any tours or order a Lyft to go visit its famous sites, such as Mdina, Rabat, Three Cities, Marsaxlokk, or the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum. You can even pay your bus fare with your Visa credit card.

Here are my top 10 things to do in Malta.

Three Cities: Vittoriosa

We started our adventure in the Three Cities as we were worried about the rain forecast over the next five days. Walking over slick cobblestone streets and climbing wet stairs are a recipe for disaster.

The Three Cities are Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua. These fortified cities are located in Malta’s historic center. You’ll spy them in Valletta across the Grand Harbour.

Be prepared to be walk. We trekked 11 miles over    a five hour period. You’ll climb a lot of steps as the cities are perched on hills. Follow any alley because you’ll find historic homes. I loved seeing the laundry hanging from a balcony. You’ll also circle around the marina.

Vittoriosa is the oldest, and its founding predated the Middle Ages. The Phoenicians settled Vittoriosa. The Order of Saint John chose Vittorioso as Malta’s capital in 1530. Saint Avienus founded this “brotherhood” of monks in the 13th century. They were a fierce defender of the Catholic faith against the attacks of the Ottoman Empire

The city built Fort Saint Angelo on the site of the medieval castle (Castrum Maris). Since the fort was located on the Grand Harbour, it was known as the castle by the sea.

Three (Later) Cities: Senglea & Cospicua

The Order built the other two fortified cities after the Ottoman attack on Gozo in 1551. Senglea was founded in the 16th century on L’Isola and Cospicua in the 17th century. Senglea was the home of Fort Saint Michael. If you climb to the top, you can across the island.

My favorite detour in Senglea was a public park that overlooked the Grand Harbour. Toddlers ran around the fountain. You can see the ferries floating below. Find a bench to admire the flowers still blooming in the winter.

Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum

This underground burial site bears testimony to a civilization that has disappeared. It was in use between 4000 BC and 1500 BC.

“Covering a remarkable 500 square metres, it was amongst the first Maltese entries on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Ġgantija Megalithic Site.”—Heritage Malta

This is probably one of the hardest museums to visit in Malta because visitors don’t realize that they should book their tickets in advance. An adult ticket costs 35 euros. There are discounted tickets for youths, children, and seniors. Last minute tickets cost 50 euros.

Since the museum limits the number of people who can go below to see the three levels of tombs, a finite number of slots are available daily.

Marsaxlokk

Book your visit to this quaint seaside town on a Sunday. You’ll find the sidewalk around the harbor lined with kiosks of vendors selling fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, Maltese candies, spices, linens, and merchandise.

I always like to visit the local markets when I travel because you can see what the locals eat, like an octopus.

Plan time to eat lunch at sun-splashed cafes lining the harbor and gaze at the blue boats bobbing on the water. 

Mdina

If I had to choose my favorite destination in Malta, Mdina would win. The “Old City” served as the island’s capital from antiquity to medieval times.

From the minute I walked across the bridge and entered the city gates, I felt transported back in time. Mdina features skinny alleys, dead-end streets, elegant palaces, and darkly lit churches. After the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, the city was abandoned. (Today, its occupants are confined within its stone walls.)

You might even think Mdina was a movie set for one of the multiple Hollywood flicks filmed in Malta. (The roster includes Gladiator II, Bharat, Cats of Malta, and The Dive.) Mdina’s Mesquita Square is also featured in episodes of The Game of Thrones. 

Rabat

You definitely should pair up Rabat if you are touring Mdina. This ancient city lies outside the fortified city’s gates. 

Saint Paul visited Rabat when he was shipwrecked in Malta in 60 AD. He was being taken to Rome to be put on trial when the ship carrying him was caught in a violent storm.

“The vessel, transporting hundreds of people, was wrecked off the Maltese coast, but all aboard swam to land safely. The Apostle stayed on the island for three months.”—Catholic News Agency 

You’ll see a statue dedicated to the saint outside the church (which is named after him). 

Pilgrims also come to visit St. Paul’s Grotto as well as the catacombs. Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis visited the grotto.

Rabat deserves a closer look than most tourists give this ancient city. Wander down the hilly roads to examine the old houses. The sound of children playing at recess proves this is a living city. Around any corner you may discover a convent or church.

Valletta

Malta’s capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Valletta was ruled successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, and the Order of the Knights of St John. 

“Valletta’s 320 monuments, all within an area of 55 ha, make it one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world.”—UNESCO

The fortified city was named the European Capital of Culture 2018. The award was well-deserved as Valletta is famous for its Baroque architecture, churches, history, and museums. 

Valletta is the ideal place to stay if visiting Malta. You can choose Hotel Phoenicia (a Leading Hotel in the World) as your base or numerous other hotels.

I highly recommend the afternoon tea at Hotel Phoenicia. In addition to a pot of steeped tea, accompanied by Devon cream and flaky scones, this afternoon ritual is a beloved tradition in the former British colony.

Grand Master’s Palace

If you are curious about the history of the Order of St. Joseph, you’ll want to tour the Grand Master’s Palace.

Newly restored, this building dominates St George’s Square in Valletta. The palace was the first building constructed by the Knights of St John in the new capital city. It also served as the Governor’s Palace during the British colonial period and as the seat of Malta’s first constitutional parliament in 1921.

Visitors can tour the Uccelliera, the Piano Nobile corridors, and the State Rooms, including the Grand Master’s Study/Sitting Room, the Throne Room, Pages’ Room, and the Ambassadors’ Room. 

MUŻA

The National Community Art Museum of Malta is branded MUŻA. You can view works of art from the 15th to the early 21st century on display. There are also temporary exhibitions.

MUŻA is housed in the former Auberge d’Italie in Valletta. “MUŻA’s main focus is to show artistic developments in Malta impacted by its Mediterranean context as well as the cultural influences resulting from the governance of the Order of St John (1530-1798), the British Empire (1800-1964), the post-Independence period (1964-) and the overall impact of the Church,” according to Heritage Malta.

Megalithic Temples of Malta

You will find seven megalithic temples on the islands of Malta and Gozo. According to UNESCO, the two temples of Ggantija on the island of Gozo are notable for their gigantic Bronze Age structures.

On the island of Malta, the temples of Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, and Tarxien are unique architectural masterpieces, given the limited resources available to their builders.

Wrap up

I highly recommend visiting Malta to experience its history and civilization. The people are so friendly. On our bus to Mdina, a local woman eavesdropped on our conversation and offered advice on what to see in Mdina and Rabat. This led to a spirited conversation about her schooling on the island as well as her favorite British football team. Although tourists, she accepted us as people who wanted to learn about her culture and life on the island.

And isn’t this why we travel?