Explore Valletta's fortified old town
A UNESCO-listed Baroque capital built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, with honey-colored limestone streets laid out on a strict grid.
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Southern Europe
Things to do in Malta
A fortress archipelago in the Mediterranean with 7,000 years of continuous history, honey-colored limestone architecture, and some of Europe's clearest diving water.
Explore Malta on the map →Budget$$
Best for4-6 days
CapitalValletta
VisaSchengen visa-free up to 90 days in any 180-day period for US/UK/Canada/Australia passport holders; ETIAS pre-registration is expected for visa-exempt visitors but was not yet live as of mid-2026.
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
LanguagesMaltese and English (both official)
InternetExcellent
Typical lodging$40–$100/night
Driving sideLeft
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type G plug)
Time zoneUTC+1
Emergency number112
Dialing code+356
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Photography★★★★★ Beaches
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Tap water is safe to drink. 5–10% is appreciated, not required.
Malta's Ġgantija temples predate both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, making them among the oldest free-standing structures on Earth, and the islands have been fought over and fortified by nearly every major Mediterranean power in turn, from Phoenicians to the Knights of St. John to the British. Despite its tiny size, Malta has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, an unusually high concentration for a country of just over 300,000 people.
When to go
SpringApril–May
Mild and green, with wildflowers across the countryside and comfortable temperatures for walking the fortified towns.
SummerJune–August
Hot and the busiest season, with reliably warm, swimmable Mediterranean water and lively festa celebrations across the islands.
AutumnSeptember–October
Still warm enough to swim, with fewer crowds and the sea at its warmest after the summer heat.
WinterNovember–March
Mild by European standards but often windy and occasionally rainy: a quieter, cheaper window for sightseeing.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
10Visit the Ġgantija megalithic temples on Gozo
Among the oldest free-standing structures on Earth, predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by centuries.
Wander Mdina, Malta's 'Silent City'
A walled medieval former capital with narrow, largely car-free lanes, dramatically lit at night and quiet enough to hear your own footsteps.
Explore the Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni€35
A prehistoric underground burial complex carved into rock over 5,000 years ago, with limited daily entry requiring advance booking.
Visit St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta
A relatively plain exterior hides an opulent Baroque interior, including a Caravaggio masterpiece, 'The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.'
Explore Gozo's Citadel in Victoria
A fortified hilltop old town overlooking Gozo's countryside, quieter and less touristed than Malta's main island's historic sites.
Attend a Maltese village festa
Summer weekends bring fireworks, brass bands, and elaborately decorated churches to towns across the islands, a genuine and lively local tradition.
Explore the fishing village of Marsaxlokk
Brightly painted traditional luzzu fishing boats line the harbor, with a lively Sunday fish market drawing both locals and visitors.
Visit the National War Museum at Fort St. Elmo
Documenting Malta's central and heavily bombed role in WWII, including the George Cross awarded to the entire population for its wartime resilience.
Explore the Roman ruins at Domus Romana
A well-preserved Roman townhouse near Mdina with intact mosaic floors, offering a quieter counterpoint to the islands' more famous prehistoric sites.
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Adventure & outdoors
2Dive Malta's shipwrecks and Blue Hole
Clear Mediterranean water and several accessible wrecks make Malta a well-regarded dive destination, with Gozo's Blue Hole among the standout sites.
Sail or kayak around Comino and the Crystal Lagoon
A quieter, less crowded alternative to Comino's Blue Lagoon, with sea caves and clear water good for snorkeling from a rented kayak.
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Nature & scenery
3Take a boat tour of the Blue Grotto€35
A series of sea caves along Malta's southern coast, best visited in the morning when sunlight through the water produces vivid blue tones.
Walk Valletta's Upper Barrakka Gardens for harbor views
A terraced garden overlooking the Grand Harbour, with a daily cannon-firing ceremony (the Saluting Battery) that dates back centuries.
Hike the Dingli Cliffs at sunset
Malta's highest sea cliffs, with sweeping views over the Mediterranean and, on clear days, the small island of Filfla in the distance.
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Food & drink
3Eat rabbit stew (fenkata), Malta's national dish
Slow-cooked rabbit in wine and garlic, traditionally shared communally at a fenkata feast: a genuine Maltese culinary tradition, not just a tourist dish.
Try pastizzi, Malta's flaky savory pastries
Ricotta or pea-filled pastry snacks sold from small bakeries and kiosks, a genuine everyday Maltese snack rather than a tourist novelty.
Sample Maltese wine at a Gozo or Malta vineyard
A small but increasingly serious wine industry has developed on the islands, with tastings offered at family-run vineyards on both Malta and Gozo.
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Beaches
1Swim at Comino's Blue Lagoon
A shallow, brilliantly turquoise inlet between Malta and Gozo, reachable by boat and busiest by midday in summer, quieter early morning.
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Photography
1Watch the sunset over the Three Cities from Valletta
Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua sit across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, their fortified skyline especially striking at golden hour.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Malta?
US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period under Schengen rules.
▾How many days does Malta need?
4-6 days covers Valletta, the ancient temples, Mdina, and a day trip to Gozo comfortably, the whole archipelago is small enough to base yourself in one central spot.
▾Is English widely spoken?
Yes. English is a co-official language alongside Maltese, a legacy of British colonial rule, so language is rarely a barrier for English-speaking visitors.
▾Is Malta good for diving?
Yes, genuinely well regarded: clear, warm Mediterranean water, several accessible wreck dives, and dramatic underwater cave systems around Gozo draw certified divers from across Europe.
▾Is Malta expensive?
Mid-range for the Mediterranean, cheaper than the French or Italian Riviera but pricier than the Balkan coast, with costs rising noticeably during peak summer season.
▾How much does it cost to visit the Hypogeum and Blue Grotto?
The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum limits visitors to a strict daily quota and charges around €35 per person: book weeks ahead in peak season, since slots sell out. A Blue Grotto boat tour costs far less, typically around €10, though it's sometimes closed when the sea is rough.
