Hey Malta, you truly amazed us! Despite its small size, every corner of the island feels rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. From ancient cities and charming villages to crystal-clear bays and dramatic coastlines, Malta surprised us at every turn. In this guide, we’re sharing the most beautiful places to visit, breathtaking landscapes, and hidden gems you shouldn’t miss.
malta bucket list destination awaits you
Malta may be small, but it packs a big adventure for road trippers. Driving around the island lets you discover ancient cities, charming villages, and breathtaking coastal views at your own pace. Every stop feels unique, from the quiet streets of Mdina to the dramatic cliffs of Dingli and the turquoise bays of Gozo. The food, the culture, and the stunning Mediterranean landscapes turn every moment into an experience. For anyone who loves history, nature, authentic local vibes, and a bit of freedom on the road, a Maltese road trip is an absolute must. Welcome to Malta! ♥︎
The fascinating Valletta is the capital of the Republic of Malta. It is the smallest capital of an EU country in terms of both area and population and was the European Capital of Culture in 2018 together with the Dutch city of Leeuwarden. Valletta is a beautiful city with the famous colorful balconies and straight streets. It is a place full of cultural heritage and a valuable history. The city is also known for its good nightlife. Here you will find great restaurants, bars, café’s and clubs in a very small space. Valletta is a very diverse and varied city that everyone of you should visit at least once.
👉 Top Places to Visit in Valletta:
One of the most popular beaches here is Ramla Bay, which is located in the north of the island of Gozo. It is a long, beautiful sandy beach with a few small stones. There are also a few stalls and a restaurant that sell snacks and drinks. Ramla Bay is located about 6 kilometers from Victoria. There are many parking spaces on site and most of them are free. The beach is also popular because it has the unique Tal-Mixta Cave, from where you have a very special view of the bay.
A really pretty and dreamy fishing village with around 4000 inhabitants in the southeast of Malta. Marsaxlokk is known for its colorful Luzzu boats that are moored everywhere in the harbor. There is a market along the harbor promenade. You can also get very tasty fish from here. There is also a small square with the Church of Our Lady of Pompei.
St. Peter’s Pool is unfortunately no longer an insider tip but is still a very cool destination. Here you can swim and jump in as if in a small, natural pool. The place is easy to reach by car and is located around 13 kilometers from Valletta. Parking here is subject to a fee. There is also a small bar with cold drinks here, at least in the summer months. In summer this place is unfortunately overcrowded but still worth a trip.
Come early in the morning as it can get very busy and crowded. In the morning hours you will have the place almost to yourself.
The small, sweet town of Mosta is located in the north-western centre of Malta. The town’s landmark is definitely the Rotunda of Mosta, which can be seen from far away. It is said to have the fourth largest free-standing church dome in the world. The town itself is manageable with many small shops and café’s along charming alleys.
Victoria is the capital of the island of Gozo. With its approximately 6,000 inhabitants it is one of the most beautiful places in Malta. The city, which used to be called Rabat, is known for its medieval citadel, which seems to watch over the whole of Gozo. The meeting point here is next to the market square, St. George’s Basilica and the square in front of it with many café’és and restaurants. Day trips to Victoria are also offered from Valletta.
The Golden Bay lives up to its name. It is a very beautiful, well-kept sandy beach with beautiful water and it slopes gently and you can walk far into it. The beach is located on the west coast of Malta, around 20 kilometers from the capital Valletta. The bays next to the Golden Bay are those of Gnejna Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha Bay. There is a large paid parking lot and a few shops and restaurants.
Enjoy a few drinks and good snacks in the small hut on the beach.
Mdina used to be the capital of Malta, today it has around 250 inhabitants. The medieval city is very well preserved and a true treasure on the island of Malta. Mdina is located in the center of Malta, around 20 minutes by car from Valletta. The city has a history that goes back more than 4,000 years. Mdina’s origins go back to the Bronze Age. There are countless cute alleys, small shops, café’s and restaurants. Mdina also has a number of sights to offer. A city that is really worth seeing and you shouldn’t miss it.
We can highly recommend the Palazzo Bifora Boutique Hotel. You can also have a great breakfast on the hotel's own roof terrace.
The Blue Lagoon is without a doubt the most popular attraction in Malta. It is located on Comino, the smallest of the Maltese islands and can only be reached by boat. It is a really worth seeing place with incredibly clear water that is unfortunately often very crowded. Mass tourism has definitely arrived here. The best way to get to the Blue Lagoon is by ferry or small boat from Gozo or Malta. There are a few food trucks here that actually offer very tasty food. Of course, the Instagram photo with the pineapple is a must, which you can get at several stands here.
Take the first ferry, preferably from Gozo, then you'll have the place almost to yourself for 2-3 hours. In summer, the Blue Lagoon is unfortunately completely overcrowded around midday.
If you want to do something a little different, we recommend you take a wine tour at Meridiana Wine Estate. Here you can book a wine tasting for around 30€ per person. The whole thing takes around two hours and you get to try four different wines and a really good and delicious platter of sausage, bread, cheese and grapes. To book a tour here you just have to write the winery an email. The winery is located between the two picturesque towns, Mdina and Mosta, and around 10 kilometers from Valletta.
The small town of Mellieha is located on a small hill in the north of Malta. Around 11,000 people live in this picturesque town with a special charm. The town is also well-known and popular for its longest sandy beach in Malta, which is located below the small town. Mellieha is also a good starting point for excursions in the region. The town centre is pretty but also very small. In the centre there is a long street with café’s and the famous parish church of Mellieha.
The city with around 35,000 inhabitants is located in the northwest of Malta. It is a popular place for parties and excursions. It is also a great place to relax, as there are several beautiful but also some rocky beaches. St. Paul’s Bay, also known as San Pawl il-Baħar, is a good starting point for exploring the beautiful region. There are also many good restaurants, some bars and clubs and very nice shops. If you want something a little quieter, you probably shouldn’t stay here.
If you come to St. Paul's Bay, be sure to check out Qawra Point. There are a few beach areas and a very cool open water pool.
The Basilica of Ta’ Pinu is located in the northwest of the island of Gozo, around 3.5 kilometers from the capital Victoria. It is a Roman Catholic basilica, which was built in the neo-Romanesque style. With a total height of over 70 meters, it can be seen from far away. One of the features of the Basilica of Ta’ Pinu is the square in front of the church, which is unique with three large red circles. It is open every day from 7:00 to 19:00, except on Sundays from 6:00 to 12:00 and 13:30 to 19:00.
A set town also known as Sweethaven Village for the film Popeye – The Sailor with the Hard Punch. Today the place is used as an amusement park. You really immerse yourself in another world. There are several houses here in which the various shots were taken. Popeye Village is located in the very northwest of Malta around 4 kilometers from the small town of Mellieha. There is a free car park here and you can buy tickets on site and they cost around 10€ per person.
The Gozo Salt Pans, also known as Xwejni Salt Pans, are salt fields that are located directly on the water. This beautiful place is located in the north of Gozo, around 5 kilometers from the capital Victoria. Today, around 300 salt pans are still in operation from which salt is extracted. The Xwejni Rock is also located here and is also a very popular excursion destination.
You can buy salt locally from the Gozo Salt Pans. This is sold in small shops located in small caves in the rock.
Definitely one of the coolest spots on the Maltese island of Gozo. Wied il-Ghasri, also known as Ghasri Valley, is a narrow sea gorge with a small rocky beach. Fantastic emerald green water surrounded by high, steep stone walls. The small beach is located in the north of Gozo and is quite easy to reach by car or scooter, as there are a few parking spaces here. At the end you have to go down a short stone staircase to the small section of beach.
During the summer months there is a small stand where you can buy delicious drinks.
A very popular and amazing excursion destination in Malta is the Blue Grotto. It is located around 13 kilometers from Valletta. It is a complex of beautiful sea caves in the southwest of Malta and can only be reached by sea. The cave system consists of six rooms, of which the Blue Grotto is the largest, most famous and most impressive. Around 1.5 kilometers from the Blue Grotto are the two Maltese temple complexes Hagar Qim and Mnajdra. From Valletta you can either take the bus or book a tour. A bus ride costs around 3€.
For a 15-minute boat trip to the Blue Grotto you pay 10€ for adults and 5€ for children.
A very beautifully landscaped and planted place can be found in Attard. The St. Anton Gardens are around 10 kilometers from Valletta and are a really great green oasis. The palace of the same name, which is the residence of the President of the Republic of Malta, is also located here. The garden is full of beautiful cypresses, palm trees and beautiful, colorful flower beds. There are also many fountains and free-roaming peacocks. A great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
The Blue Hole is located right next to the collapsed Azure Window. It is one of the most beautiful and popular diving spots on Gozo. Next to the bay of Dwerja, there are three popular excursion destinations: Blue Hole, Azure Window and Inland Sea in the west of the island. It is around five kilometers from Victoria (the capital of Gozo). There are also many tours offered from Valletta or St. Paul’s Bay. We recommend that you come either early in the morning or in the evening at sunset, which is highly recommended here! There are also a few shops, restaurants and food stalls here.
The hole is about 15 meters deep and about 10 meters wide.
Inland Sea is located in the west of the island of Gozo and is like a small lake that is connected to the Mediterranean Sea via a tunnel that is around 100 meters long. It is a very popular tourist destination where the famous but collapsed Azure Window is also located. Boat tours along the coast also start from here.
We can recommend the Azure Window restaurant. Beautiful view with good, fresh food.
In the southwest of Malta, the picturesque Dingli Cliffs are located around 1.5 kilometers from the small community of Dingli. A spectacular coastal landscape with cliffs over 200 meters high. There are several viewpoints and benches from which you can enjoy great views. The region around Dingli and the cliffs are also popular with hikers and nature lovers.
Mellieha Bay is the longest sandy beach and one of the most famous beaches in Malta, near the town of Mellieha in the north of the island. The water here is crystal clear and invites you to cool off and swim. From here you also have a very nice view of the beautiful parish church of Mellieha.
The coral lagoon is a beautiful jewel not far from the town of Mellieha in the north and an absolute must when visiting Malta. Known for its breathtaking natural beauty, you can also take trips here in a kayak or small boat. Especially when the sun is high, the water shimmers in picturesque colors. From here you also have very beautiful views of the sea and the neighboring islands of Gozo and Comino. There is a larger parking lot from which you have to walk about 3-5 minutes to the coral lagoon.
Here you will also find the small beach area Bajja tal-Qroll with beautiful crystal clear water. It is an absolute dream to go swimming here.
The Roman Catholic church of St John the Baptist in Xewkija can be seen from afar. It has one of the largest free-standing domes in the world and is also the largest church on Gozo. It is over 70 metres high and the interior is very simple but beautifully designed. The town of Xewkija, where the rotunda is located, is one of the oldest villages in Malta.
Ghajn Tuffieha Bay is a 300-meter-long sandy beach in the north of Malta and is located between the two beaches of Golden Bay and Gnejna Bay. There is a large parking lot with a small bar from where you have to walk down about 200 steps to the beach. Right next to the beach is the Singita Miracle Beach. A lovely restaurant and beach bar with good food and great views.
Visible from afar, St. Agatha Tower stands on a small mountain in the north of Malta above Mellieha Bay. It is also known as the Red Tower because of its red facade. The fortress was built in the mid-17th century during the rule of the Order of St. John. Today, St. Agatha Tower is open to the public and houses a small museum.
A small village with around 5000 inhabitants, only about 7 kilometers from the capital Valletta. Life here is still largely characterized by agriculture and livestock farming. A beautiful place where we spent a night in a cute boutique hotel.
The Tal Mixta Cave is located on the island of Gozo not far from Ramla Bay. From here you have a truly spectacular postcard view. The cave is about 100 meters above the sea and can only be reached on foot. There is a small path from Ramla Bay that leads to the cave. The climb takes about 15-20 minutes. It can get quite crowded here, but it is still one of the highlights on the island of Gozo.
You can park near the cave on the side of the road. From here you have to walk about 5-10 minutes. The area where the cave is located is private. So be respectful and take your rubbish with you. Camping and barbecuing are prohibited in the Tal Mixta Cave.
Il-Qarraba is a small plateau mountain with great bays and views. It is located between the famous beaches of Gnejna Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha. There are also some very beautiful and cute bays here, where is relatively little going on even in the summer months.
Xwejni Rock is located near the Salt Pans on the island of Gozo. It is said to be a great place for diving and hiking, but what is particularly special here are the beautiful sunsets in a great location. There is also a small bar here that also offers snacks.
A beautiful Roman Catholic parish and collegiate church, which is part of Malta’s cultural heritage, is located in the small community of Gharb on the island of Gozo. It has a beautiful facade and many sculptures. A very beautiful church where you can take a quick stop.
The Ta’ Babu Cove is a very cool spot for swimming, but also for snorkeling or taking photos. Beautiful colors make the place so special. The path there leads over small stones along the water to the cave, particularly suitable for rafting and canoeing.
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