Places To Visit in Malta: 16 Not To Miss

Are you looking for the best places to visit in Malta? If yes, then you have come to the right place.

I loved my visit to Malta. It is a beautiful island nation in Europe that can be easily reached via cruise or from other European cities.

Malta is located in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and North Africa. There are so many things to visit in Malta and attractions in Malta that it can become a little confusing to plan the trip.

This country is a popular tourist attraction for everyone as you can indulge in a variety of activities here such as diving, walking tours, cave tours, and more.

Are you interested in which Malta sites to see? Keep reading to know the 16 Best Places to Visit in Malta that you cannot miss.

Places To Visit in Malta: 16 Not To Miss

1) The Silent City Of Mdina, Malta’s Old Capital

One of the top things to visit in Malta is the old capital of Malta- Mdine.

This ancient walled city sits atop a hill and is the perfect place for the history junkies. Due to its fortified walls and secluded location, it is also known as the ‘Silent City’.

I loved exploring the gorgeous medieval buildings, stunning churches, and squares.

Plus, you can enjoy a stunning view of Malta and the Mediterranean Sea from here!

There are a lot of things to do in Mdina such as admiring the city walls, visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral, exploring the streets of Palazzo Falson, and more.

For a panoramic view, one of the best places to visit in Mdina is Bastian Square Viewpoint. Plus, there are plenty of museums to explore here including the Tales of the Silent City.

Trust me, for architecture and history lovers, Mdina is one of the places to visit in Malta.

Tickets Here: Mdina and Rabat Walking Tour

Tickets Here: Highlights of Malta & Mdina Full Day Tour with Lu nch

2) Marvel At The Game Of Thrones Filming Sites In Mdina

If you are a Game of Thrones fan, one of the best things to do in Mdina is to check out the Mdina Gate.

Apart from featuring beautiful Baroque architecture, this gate was also shown as a gate in Kings Landing in the popular GoT series.

You should also visit Mesquita Square which was featured in several of the episodes.

So, if you are a GoT fan, you can easily spend half a day exploring the filming locations throughout Mdina.

If you are wondering whether Malta is worth the long international flight from your home, I would like to tell you it is.

3) St Paul’s Cathedral Is One Of The Stunning Places To Visit In Malta

In my opinion, one of the best places to visit in Mdina is the beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral.

This Baroque-style Roman Catholic church called St Paul’s Cathedral was built in the 17th century and dedicated to St. Paul.

Unfortunately, the cathedral was not opened the day I visited and I was not able to see inside one of the top Malta sightseeing spots.

However, I did check with the local guide who informed me that you will find beautiful frescoes on the wall, intricate sculptures of saints, and more inside.

There are many gorgeous chapels to explore inside the cathedral as well. This is why Mdina Cathedral, aka St. Paul’s Cathedral, is one of the top places to visit in Malta.

Tickets Here: Mdina Audio Tour with Map and Directions 

Tickets Here: Mdina Cathedral and Museum entrance ticket

4) Valletta, Malta’s New Capital Is So Chic

Of course, when planning a trip to Malta, you cannot miss best place to go in Malta – Valletta.

What I love about this capital city is that it is very chic and sophisticated. It is one of the top places of interest in Malta and is home to two natural harbors.

There are a lot of amazing places to visit in Valletta such as the vibrant squares, majestic churches, Baroque-style buildings with Maltese balconies, and more.

This is why it is a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site to visit in Malta.

Valetta’s roads are very pedestrian-friendly so it is easy to explore on foot. Trust me, Valletta is the best place to visit in Malta for history and culture.

Tickets Here: Valletta: 3-Hour Walking Tour

Tickets Here: Valletta: The Malta Experience Audio-Visual Show

6) Valetta’s City Gate

The first attraction to see in Malta if you are beginning your trip from Valletta is the famous City Gate.

It was rebuilt several times over the centuries and the present one was built between 2011 and 2014 by an Italian architect, Renzo Piano.

You can take amazing shots of the gate and admire its unique architecture.

Check This Out: Malta: Mosta, Crafts Village, Mdina & Valletta Full-Day Tour

6) Triton Fountain Is A Touch Of Modern

If you love architecture, one of the top places to see in Malta is the Triton Fountain.

It is located just outside the City Gate of the current capital city of Valletta and is one of the most popular places to visit in Malta.

This magnificent modern fountain has 3 Tritons (mermen, or fish-tailed sea gods) holding up a large basin while balancing on a smaller base.

It was extremely crowded on the day I was there but is one of my favorite picture-taking places to visit in Valletta.

Tickets Here: Malta: Mdina, Dingli Cliffs, and San Anton Botanical Gardens

Tickets Here: Mdina: Valletta Waterfront Area, Mdina, and Rabat Night Tour

7) Visit Upper Barrakka Gardens For Jaw-Dropping Harbor Views

Another one of the top Malta sites to see is the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Trust me, this is the best place to enjoy the views of the Grand Harbor and Fort St. Angelo in the Mediterranean Sea.

If you are arriving in Malta on a cruise, then one of the best things to do in Valletta is riding the Barrakka Lift.

It is a glass elevator that will cost 1 Euro to ride the elevator up but is free for the ride down.

Strolling through Upper Barrakka Gardens is one of the most beautiful things to do in Malta. You will come across statues and plaques detailing the history of Malta.

Tickets Here: Valletta: City Walking Tour in a Small Group

Tickets Here: Valletta: Maltese Food and Drink Guided Walking Tour

8) Stop By The Stunning St John’s Co-Cathedral

One of the top places to visit in Valletta is St John’s Co-Cathedral.

This is a gorgeous Roman Catholic co-cathedral in Valletta and one of the oldest cathedrals in Malta.

Although there is an entry fee to visit this cathedral, it is worth it. Inside the cathedral, you will find floor-to-ceiling art which looks gorgeous.

The Baroque-styled interiors feature lots of gold gilding and gorgeous marbled mosaic floors!

Plus, you can also admire amazing paintings by Italian painter Caravaggio here.

Tickets Here: Valletta City Walking Tour

Tickets Here: Valletta: Street Food and Culture Walking Tour

9)St George’s Square Is One Of The Best Places To Visit In Malta

Another one of the top Malta sightseeing spots to explore is St. George’s Square.

It is huge and houses the Grand Master’s Palace and Armoury.

On my visit to Malta, I was fortunate to view the changing of the guard outside the palace here.

This is why I feel it is one of the best places to visit in Malta.

Tickets Here: Malta: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

Tickets Here: From Valletta: Rabat, Mdina, & San Anton Gardens Tour

10) Auberge de Castille

If you love castles like me, one of the top things to do in Valletta is to visit the Auberge de Castille.

It is close to Upper Barracca Gardens or Valletta’s City Gate and is a beautiful, ornate building.

It is quite fascinating to learn that it is the office of the Prime Minister of Malta. This is why I feel that you should add it to your list of places to visit in Malta list.

11) Stroll Valletta’s Pedestrian-Friendly Streets

One of Malta must-see places was the pedestrian-friendly streets in Valletta.

Republic Street and Merchants Street are the main streets in Valletta where you can roam around freely and indulge in shopping at chic boutiques.

It is also one of the top places to eat in Malta as the streets feature a wide range of cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Trust me, strolling on these bustling pedestrian-friendly streets is one of the top things to do in Valletta.

Tickets Here: Valletta: Guided Walking Tour with Optional Cathedral Tour

12) Marvel At Malta’s Mysterious Megaliths

Since I love historical sites, I found Malta’s prehistoric temples as one of the best places to visit in Malta.

These stunning megaliths are 3 millennium BC old and are popular UNESCO World Heritage sites to see in Malta.

Hagar Quim’s shrine to mother earth and Mnajdra Temples are some of the oldest free-standing stone structures in our world!

Another one of my favorite places of interest in Malta is Malta’s Hal Saflieni Hypogeum.

It consists of three levels of interconnecting rock-hewn chambers from around 4000 BC.

Enjoy a historical movie before visiting the underground chambers and passages here.

Due to the overcrowding, the entry is limited to this attraction. So, limited numbers of people are allowed inside the temple in an hour.

As a result, I would recommend you purchase your tickets online for these sites in advance.

Tickets Here: Prehistoric Temples of Malta Tour

Tickets Here: Malta: Prehistoric Temples and Highlights of the South

13) Explore Malta’s 3 Cities For Historical And Contemporary Charm

Another best place to visit in Malta is Cottonera, the term the Maltese use for the 3 cities.

The 3 Cities include Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicus.

For me, it was quite fascinating to know that this is the area where the Knights of the Order of Saint John first made their homes in the 1500s.

Of course, due to this reason, the area has become quite popular among tourists.

You can experience the historic charm along with the modern state-of-the-art homes here. Plus, there are lots of cafes and restaurants for a refreshment break available here.

So, if you are looking for amazing places to visit in Malta, don’t forget Cottonera.

Tickets Here: Malta’s 3 Cities Tour & Wine Tasting

Tickets Here: Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea Tour with Boat Trip

14) The Blue Lagoon Is Where To Go In Malta To See Caves

One of my favorite things to visit in Malta is the Blue Lagoon.

It is located on Comino Island and is one of the top places to visit in Malta.

You can enjoy clear-water lagoons here for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the sea caves.

Apart from that, you can also visit one of the famous national attractions in Malta – the Blue Grotto. It is a network of 7 beautiful sea caves that you can explore via boat only.

Trust me, if you are a beach or ocean lover, these are the best places to see in Malta.

Tickets Here: Malta: Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran

Tickets Here: Comino: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Seacaves Tour

15) The Miracle Church of Most Is One Of The Best Places To Visit In Malta

Another great place to see in Malta that can be done as a day trip from Valletta is Mosta.

Here, you will find one of the best places to visit in Malta – the Mosta Done.

It is The Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady.

An interesting thing to know about this church is that a bomb fell through the dome during World War II during a Roman Catholic Mass. However, the bomb didn’t explore.

This is why people call it the Miracle Church of Mosta.

You can still see the unsupported dome along with the replica of the WWII bomb that fell on it.

Tickets Here: Half-Day Tour of Mosta, Ta’Qali Crafts Village & Mdina

16) Explore the Second Largest Island in Malta – Gozo – It Is One Of The Beautiful Places To Visit In Malta

Are you visiting Malta on a European cruise? If yes, you cannot miss out on visiting the second largest island, i.e. Gozo, here.

This is my favorite island for multiple reasons, one of them being that it is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Here, you have a lot of amazing Malta tourist attractions to explore. You can swim in the clear blue lagoons, explore the sea caves, Visit Gjantija Temples, basilicas, and more.

Trust me, there is no shortage of fun things to do in Gozo and you can easily plan a day trip from Valletta here.

Tickets Here: From Malta: Gozo Full-Day Jeep Tour with Lunch and Boat Ride

Tickets Here: Malta: Gozo & Comino Islands, Blue Lagoon & Seacaves Tour

Packing Tips For Your Trip To Malta

Rread my tips on how to pack lightly in a carry-on for tips and tricks!

This unisex RFID blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.

These RFID sleeves would be handy in preventing identity theft. T

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.

My daughter gifted me with this FugeTek Selfie Stick and Tripod for my birthday. It has Bloothtooth connectivity so it is very easy to use.

These Bagail packing cubes are the exact ones I use whenever I travel. I cannot believe how much more organized I am now!

Hydration is so important, especially if you want to avoid getting sick on a flight when traveling to Malta.

I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for travel and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack or your purse.

You can find the carbon filter replacements here. 

This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great. It is very affordable and is available in many color options for you to choose from.

Mostly everyone is familiar with the Skechers brand, and these Go Walk Joy sneakers come in a lot of colors to match your outfits and are still affordable.

And let us not forget the beach shoes for Malta’s pebbly beaches. These quick dry slip-on aqua shoes are a great selection. They come in tons of bright colors for men, women, and children.

I recommend these Vionics adjustable strap orthotic sandals. I have several pairs of these exact Vionic sandals in several colors that I bring with me *everywhere* I travel.

I also sometimes bring along my Vionic Tides flip-flops. The toe post is so comfortable which makes wearing these super comfortable.

These unisex polarized sunglasses come in lots of lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable.

If you are fond of the aviator-style of sunglasses these polarized aviators may interest you.

This worldwide power plug is a great example and will charge your phone at the end of your busy days.

This world traveler adapter kit can charge several devices at the same time.

this expandable soft side spinner luggage is affordable and comes in lots of colors.

You may favor this hard-sided luggage set better.

Both sets come with TSA-approved zipper locks and 8 wheels per piece.

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Where To Stay In Malta

The Embassy Valletta Hotel – One of the best places to stay in Malta, especially Valletta.

The Embassy Valletta Hotel is a 4-star hotel and comes with an outdoor swimming pool, a terrace, a fitness center, and other luxurious amenities and facilities.

It is located close to several Malta tourist attractions including Manoel Theatre, Upper Barrakka Gardens, and more.

Check Prices Here

The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux – If you are looking for an out-of-the-world experience, then I recommend booking a room at the Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux.

This 5-star boutique hotel is a 17th-century palace in Mdina and offers the ultimate luxurious experience to the guests.

Check Prices Here

Cugo Gran Macina Malta – Are you looking for a stay in a unique location? If yes, one of the best places to stay in Malta is Cugo Gran Macina Malta.

It is located in Senglea, one of the 3 Cities of Malta, and offers amazing amenities and facilities including an outdoor swimming pool.

You can reach Valletta Waterfront in 5 minutes via ferry from here.

Check Prices Here

Quick Tips For Your Visit to Malta

Before you leave home, contact your credit card company and check to see if your credit card does or does not have foreign transaction fees.

If it does, inquire about the possibility of applying for one that does not carry foreign transaction fees attached to it (the small fee charged you whenever you use your card out of your home country.)

Also, remember to notify your bank of the dates you will be out of the country.

When you visit an ATM in Malta, check to be sure it is on the same network as your bank, so you are not charged a transaction fee every time you withdraw cash.

Withdrawing larger amounts of money will help you limit bank transition fees. Malta’s form of currency is the Euro.

Purchase advanced tickets to attractions whenever possible.

Admission tickets purchased online are usually offered at a discount, and you will save a lot of time waiting in lines to buy tickets at the individual attractions. Yand not have to worry about the availability of tickets at each location you wish to visit.

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