vacation travel to malta

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Malta packs glorious variety into its small archipelago. You'll find prehistoric temples, fossil-studded cliffs, hidden coves, thrilling scuba diving and a history of remarkable intensity.

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Best places to visit, your next trip starts here.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

St John's Co-Cathedral

St John's Co-Cathedral, Malta's most impressive church, was designed by the architect Gerolamo Cassar. It was built between 1573 and 1578, taking over…

Hal Saflieni Hypogeum

The Hypogeum (from the Greek, meaning 'underground') is a subterranean necropolis, discovered during building work in 1902. To visit is to step into a…

Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra

Southern Malta

The megalithic temples of Ħaġar Qim (adge-ar eem; 'standing stones') and Mnajdra (mm-nigh-dra) are the best preserved and most evocative of Malta's…

Grand Master's Palace

The stern exterior of the 16th-century Grand Master's Palace conceals a sumptuous interior. This was once the residence of the Grand Masters of the…

Għar Dalam Cave & Museum

The reason to head to Birżebbuġa is to see the Għar Dalam Cave & Museum, 500m north on the main road from Valletta. Għar Dalam (aar-da-lam; the name means…

National Museum of Archaeology

The National Museum of Archaeology is housed in the impressive Auberge de Provence. Exhibits include delicate stone tools dating from 5200 BC, Phoenician…

St Paul's Cathedral

The cathedral is said to be built on the site of the villa belonging to Publius, the Roman governor of Malta who welcomed St Paul in AD 60.

Ġgantija Temples

Perched on the crest of the hill to the south of Xagħra, the awe-inspiring megalithic Ġgantija Temples command soaring views over most of southern Gozo…

Top picks from our travel experts

The 18 best things to do in malta and gozo: culture, cuisine, and outdoor adventures.

Valletta Contemporary

Emblematic of Valletta's cultural development during the city's 2018 stint as a European Capital of Culture is this modern gallery with an ever-changing…

Cosmology, plate tectonics, wave action and other aspects of the natural world are explored at this new science centre housed in and around the historic…

Upper Barrakka Gardens

These colonnaded gardens perched high above Grand Harbour were created in the late 16th century as a relaxing haven for the Knights from the nearby…

Dwejra Bay & Dwejra Point

The collapsed cavern of Dwejra Bay has been invaded by the sea, and is guarded by the brooding bulk of Fungus Rock. A path below Dwejra (Qawra) Tower…

The Blue Hole is a vertical chimney running down into the limestone, about 10m in diameter and 25m deep, that connects with the open sea through an…

Mediterranean Culinary Academy

This excellent initiative runs 'Cooking & Culture in Valletta' workshops showcasing how the cuisine of the island nation has been impacted by the…

Walk or drive west along the promenade, past the tiny sand beaches at Qbajjar Bay and the more scenic Xwieni Bay, until you reach a rocky shore. This wild…

The Inland Sea is a cliff-bound lagoon connected to the open sea by a tunnel that runs for 100m through the headland of Dwejra Point. The tunnel is big…

Birdlife Malta

The best contact for birders visiting Malta and responsible for several nature reserves around the island.

Lascaris War Rooms

A mechanically ventilated underground tunnel complex that lies 40m beneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens, this housed Britain's top-secret command in Malta…

Wied il-Għasri

A 5km hike west along the coast from Marsalforn is the narrow, cliff-bound inlet of Wied il-Għasri. Here a staircase cut into the rock leads down to a…

Fort St Angelo

The Knights took over this medieval fort in 1530 and strengthened it, and Fort St Angelo served as the residence of the Grand Master of the Order until…

Saluting Battery

The Saluting Battery is where a cannon once fired salutes to visiting naval vessels. The battery has been restored, and a cannon is fired Monday through...

The Bridge Bar is a weekly event, with brightly coloured cushions all over a junction of steps in the eastern part of Valletta. There are views, live jazz…

Malta Classic Car Collection

Northern Malta

Housed in purpose-built 3000-sq-metre premises, the Malta Classic Car Collection is a tribute to Carol Galea's love of cars. The privately owned…

Park tal-Majjistral

The area between Golden Bay and Anchor Bay was once earmarked for a golf course, but opposition from environmental groups led to the creation of National…

Mdina Ditch Garden

Mdina's ditch was an important element of its fortifications. It was first created in the 15th century, but was rebuilt by the Knights of St John's…

Basilica of Ta'Pinu

The Basilica of Ta'Pinu, accessible via a short, scenic walk from Għarb, is an extraordinary sight – a huge, lone church on a Gozitan hillock, towering…

Malta National Aquarium

Opened in 2013, this glass-and-metal starfish-shaped building perches in a sublime position on the Qawra headland, with endless blue views. It's great fun…

Gozo Segway Tours

Segway tours ranging from one to four hours, including a popular itinerary taking in the Marsalforn salt pans. E-bikes are also available for hire, and…

This innovative gallery and performance space has various pop-up exhibitions and events and hosts resident artists throughout the year. There are no set…

Gozo Adventures

Offers a half-/full-day sea-kayaking excursion to Comino and Gozo (€45/65), half-/full-day walks (€45/65) on Gozo, and rock-climbing, bouldering and…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Best Things to Do

Experience the best of the compact island nation at the heart of the Mediterranean. Here are the top things to do in Malta.

Things to Know

It’s hard not to have a marvelous time in this Mediterranean island nation. Here are a few tips to make your trip to Malta even better.

Transportation

Compact Malta is easy to navigate when you know how. Here's your guide to getting around all three islands on both land and sea.

Visa Requirements

Visiting Malta's scenic coast and historic cities is easy, with visa-free travel for dozens of nationalities. Here's what you need to know about visas.

Money and Costs

Many of the best experiences in Malta are also budget-saving ones. From scenic ferries to walking heritage streets, we've got the lowdown.

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