Whether you’ve heard of the country of Malta or not, it is a destination to put on your list! A mix of British, Arabic, Sicilian and French cultures make Malta a one of a kind place. The food, architecture and people are in a league of their own.
My favorite place was the town of Marsaxlokks in a small fishing town full of beautifully painted boats. Its a great place to stop for lunch to see the boats and explore the daily market. Go earlier in the day because the market closes in the late afternoon. You may notice that the boats have eyes on the front. These are Eyes of Osiris and are placed there to ward off evil and keep the fishermen safe. They also make very cool souvenirs.
A Little History:
Ok guys, honestly I did not research a ton of history before we went on our trip to Malta, but now that I know more I want to go back! Malta has been inhabited for over 8,000 years. Evidence of the earliest people can be found in the temples on both Malta and Gozo. These temples are some of the oldest free-standing buildings in the world.
Malta has been shaped and molded by centuries of foreign rulers. During the Byzantine-Arab Wars it was invaded by the Arabs. This fact and its proximity to Sicily account for the fact that the Maltese language is heavily influenced by both languages.
In 1530 Charles V gave control of Malta to the Order of the Knights of St John. They built the capital city of Valletta in 1566 and ruled until Napoleon Conquered Malta in 1798.
In 1800, Britain took over after Napoleon’s demise. During both World Wars Malta was an important strategic location because of its location in the Mediterranean. In WWII it was a base for the allied powers and because of this was bombed heavily, almost having to admit defeat. The people of Malta prevailed and were awarded the George Cross for their bravery and heroism.
Malta gained its in independence in 1964, eventually joining the EU and adopting the Euro as is currency. The Malta Summit in 1989 between the US and Soviet Union was even the end of the Cold War.
Things to do on Malta
Valletta:
Barraka Upper and Lower Gardens-
-Located on the top and bottom of the St Peter and Paul Bastion and accessible by the Barraka Lift these public gardens are a peaceful place to enjoy the view of the Grand Harbor and sit down for a drink and a snack. If you need a break from site seeing and a place for your kids to run around a bit, this is a great stop for you.
-A little tip, there is a daily cannon salute and you can go out on to the Saluting Battery to watch it, but do not buy the tour of Fort Rinella. They take you by bus to the fort, but you are on your own to get back to the harbor area and it took up a large portion of our sight seeing time in Valletta.
Fort St. Elmo-
-This strategically located, star fort is home to the National War Museum. We did not make it here due to our little detour to Fort Rinella, but it was on our planned itinerary.
Sliema:
We walk around Sliema on a Sunday morning and were joined by many local families out for a stroll. We took pictures of the bay and of Fort St. Elmo on the other side and just enjoyed a break from fast paced travel. One of the prettiest parts of Malta is the painted, closed-in balconies with matching front doors and shutters. If you look closely you can find some very interesting door knobs as well.
Mdina:
Also known as the silent city, this car free town is truly one of a kind. Walk through the small alley, getting lost and taking a step back in time. A main attractions are St Paul’s Cathedral and the Roman Villa, but there is a lot to see once you’re inside the city.
Dingli Cliffs:
A scenic overlook on the way from Mdina to the megalithic temples. Honestly, the whole drive was very beautiful.
The temple of Ħaġar Qim was built overlooking the Fifla islet and has been standing since about 3600 BC. It is one of seven temples found on the island of Malta and Gozo. Each temple in constructed differently and gives us a glimpse of what life was like in ancient times.
Just a short walk from Hagar Qim is the temple of Mnajdra. Both temples are covered to protect them from the elements, but you can walk in and around them to really see the structures and decorative details up close. Enjoy the view of the sea and take a step back in to history.
Blue Grotto:
Unfortunately, the boats were not running to the Blue Grotto when we visited due to high waves and dangerous conditions. It is located on the southeast portion of the island and only a short drive from the Hagar Qim Temple. When seas are calm you can take a magical boat ride through these caves. For more information on when to go and how to get there click here.
Marsaxlokk:
We only spent a few hours one afternoon in this picturesque fishing town, but it is worth a much longer visit. The boats alone are a photographer or instagramer’s dream. The bay is full of colorfully painted boats and there is a daily market on the promenade. The market was closing as we got there, but we still had fun playing at the playground near the water and eating ice cream as we walked around. I suggest going here early in the day or for lunch so you can see everything this town has to offer.
This was another place we didn’t quite make it to, but if you’re looking for a kid themed stop this would be a good one. This was the set of the 1980 musical “Popeye” and is now a mini theme park for kids and adults alike.
Things to do on Gozo
This site includes the Cathedral of Gozo, museums, ruins and even a WWII shelter. Most of it is very well preserved despite the damage incurred during Napoleons rule and WWII. We spent a few hours here walking around and taking in the sites.
Over 5,000 years old and incredibly well preserved. Another place that was on our itinerary, but when the kids are asleep and you have a ferry to catch, sometimes plans change!
Salt Pans:
Located on the North coast of Gozo, these salt pans are over 350 years old and still used today. For us this was just a quick photo stop as both kids were asleep in the car.
Things to do on Comino
Comino is mostly uninhabited, but if the weather is warm, there are plenty of beaches for everyone. This is definitely a place we want to go back to during the warmer months.
Blue Lagoon:
This is the main attraction on Comino and a great spot to go during the warmer months.
Tips before you go:
1. If you rent a car be aware of the fact that they drive on the right side of the road and most rental cars are manual transmission.
2. The currency of Malta is the Euro and the official languages are Maltese and English.
3. You can get from Malta to Comino or Gozo using the island ferries that depart from Ċirkewwa on the northern part of the island.
4. If you’re looking for a great place to stay our recommendation is the Westin Dragonara Resort. It had a pool and plenty of places to eat in and around the resort. Keep in mind that we went during the off season and got a great price because of that, but here was the view from our balcony.
Malta was one of our favorite destination because of the people, the views, the architecture and the amazing archaeology. Visit Malta and discover its magic for yourself. I dare you to not fall in love!
