Malta was a dreamscape and a manifestation of what heaven on Earth is like.
I say this after every trip, but Malta is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.
From the melted turquoise waters, incredible gastronomy, and friendly locals — it’s a place I would love to visit again and again.
Though I only had a short weekend trip, which was not nearly enough time to see everything I wanted, it was enough to cover quite a lot of the island’s highlights.
Here are my top recommendations of what to eat, see, and do to make the most of your time on this incredible island!
A brief history... through food!
If food symbolizes a culture’s history, Malta is the perfect example 🥧🍝🌶️
I LOVED MALTESE CUISINE.
What is it???
Well… it’s an amalgam of the following:
➡️ English
Malta was a British territory for 150 years, gaining independence in 1964
➡️ Italian & Mediterranean
due to its geographical location
➡️ Arabic
a long-lasting presence of Arabs over time, including past occupation
➡️ French
briefly occupied Malta
I've truly never visited somewhere so culturally complex as Malta!
For my favorite things to eat... continue reading below!
And not only are the clashes and combinations of culture evident in the food, but also in the architecture and language!
See this image of Valleta (the capital):
Clearly British with Italian architecture!
So cool.
Well let's get on with the itinerary for 3 perfect days in Malta (plus extra recommendations if you have more time)!
But first! Where to stay:
All of the following recommendations are top-rated and are well-located in safe areas.
Spacious, comfortable, and clean rooms with amazing rooftop and balcony views, this is the best value accommodation for its central location in the capital of the island.
There’s free wifi and breakfast available. Abundant public transportation options being the most centrally located in Malta.
Located on the North end of the island (known for its beaches), this is a guaranteed beautiful, clean and comfortable stay for your time in Malta.
Features:
- outdoor swimming pool
- fitness center
- airport shuttle
- spa
Located walking distance from the airport, this is a guaranteed comfortable and convenient stay in Malta.
Features:
free wifi and free parking, an outdoor swimming pool, and delicious breakfast.
A perfect stay on the South end of the island!
Highly rated for the rooms’ comfort, cleanliness and hospitality.
features:
- free wifi and parking
- airport shuttle
- walking distance to Malta’s largest outdoor market
Absolutely breathtaking views from the cliffs! There's a viewpoint above and another walking down the hill.
Bus stop conveniently located at the viewpoint above.
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Conveniently located only 20 minutes away by bus from the airport! If you don't have a lot of luggage (I only traveled with a backpack), I went straight to this viewpoint from the airport :)
There's also this hiking trail that takes you to the water below (without paying for the boat ride)!
The starting point is only a 15 minute walk from the Blue Grotto viewpoint.
Crystal clear emerald waters await you at the end of this moderate-level trail that is about 20-40 minutes one way (obviously depending on fitness levels).
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City time! Though Malta should definitely be visited for its nature, the cities also deserve some of your time for a slice of culture.
Just across the water from Valleta lies one of the best places for food and nightlife on the island! I went here for dinner only -- I didn't feel the need to explore during the day since I had limited time.
Best to visit early in the morning before the stream of tourists.
Known as the "silent city," because of the lack of cars, this historic center lived up to its name when I got there around 10 am.
Just a short walk from Mdina, is another historic Arab-influenced city that is so lovely to stroll through!
Great food options as well before lots of hiking :)
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By noon, head to the coast for some hiking!
You can take the bus from the city of Rabat to the cliffs, then walk to the other places (this is what I did, but be prepared for A LOT of walking).
If you have a car, it will be much easier to cover all of these spots.
From Dingli Cliffs, this is a bit of a trek but the journey here is SO worth it.
I was pretty much the only one on the trail the whole time up until the destination.
Talk about photographic spots!
If you want the #1 place for Maltese "street food" (aka a pastizzi or quassatat), look no further.
This beloved, local place is renowned on the island for the most fresh, authentic Maltese baked goods --- at shockingly low prices.
To-go or limited indoor and outdoor seating.
I happened to stumble upon this bakery because it's next to the free public bathrooms in the city (which are shockingly super clean by the way).
You must go to this bakery! It's super local --- serving fresh Maltese pastries and breads --- one of the best breads I've had on my trip!
The largest outdoor market with origins dating back to the island's first civilizations!
Its famous for its fresh fish, but there's also fresh produce, clothes, souvenirs, pastries, and other homemade goods at this huge market.
Touristy for a reason.
The water is just... breathtaking.
Pro tip: the actual pool can be crowded but walk around to either side of the pool and there will be very little people!
I didn't know what to expect since Maltese cuisine isn't internationally recognized, but let me tell you, IT SHOULD BE.
Besides being a really unique combination of different cuisines (namely British and Italian), the food is super filling and delicious.
The street food is also insanely cheap for its value.
A whole mini pot pie (Qassatat) for under 2 euros??? YES PLEASE!
As a plant-based girlie, here are my recommendations for foods you MUST try in Malta:
- Pastizzi (flaky pastries with the most popular fillings being ricotta cheese or spiced mashed peas)
- Qassatat (a hearty personal pie with the same filling choices as a pastizzi)
- Imqaret (a fried pastry with a date filling)
- timpani (a pasta pie)
- gozo ftira (Maltese pizza)
What I Wish I Knew Before Going:
- Download a hiking app (like AllTrails) BEFORE embarking on a hike you found on Google Maps!!!!!! GOOGLE MAPS IS NOT 100% ACCURATE (I got lost badly at least 3 times)
- The weather is warm year-round. I visited at the coldest time of year and it still felt like summer for me (but then again I’m from Chicago haha). I only needed a light cardigan at night.
- Have cash on hand (euros), as small businesses and market vendors will only accept cash
- Buy the local transport card (19 euros for 4 days of unlimited rides) that will get you pretty much anywhere on the islandIf you prefer rideshare, Bolt is the app they use
- The main languages spoken are Maltese and English; however, many locals have an accent of English you may not be used to…
- f you can, spend at least 5 complete days to explore all you want on the island. 2.5 days was just scratching the surface…
Well, that is my complete itinerary that I personally followed and recommend for anyone traveling to Malta for the first time!
following my heart around the world 💖🌍
solo female traveler from —> Chicago 🇺🇸 —> Madrid 🇪🇸
traveling to:
✨ connect deeper with humanity
✨ experience the beauty of Mother Earth
✨ eat good food :)
my expertise traveling:
- as a solo female
- on a budget
- finding non-touristy local gems
Professional city tour guide for 2 years
with an average of 4.98 stars on Airbnb! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I hope my travel guides and recommendations help you create a more memorable trip beyond tourist highlights.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MY GUIDES:
1. maps of the BEST local, "hole-in-the-wall" food spots in a destination (bakeries tend to be prioritized) you probably won't find on the Internet
2. the exact itineraries I used for past travels (or itineraries I wished I followed)
3. destination guides with insider advice based on my experience
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM A CONSULTATION CALL WITH ME:
let's chat about the specifics of your trip together! I'm an open book with my travel knowledge 🙌 I'm more than happy to answer ANY questions you have about your upcoming trip or just travel in general. I'm always excited to talk about all things travel :)
“The journey is the destination.” 💛
IG & TikTok @lydiaschultzz
