Discover Malta: The Most Underrated Island In The Mediterranean

Malta is not typically the first place you think of when you envision basking in the sun on an island in the Mediterranean. In fact, there is an alarming number of people that have never even heard of Malta. If this tiny island nation has never peeked your interest, you are in for a treat. This Mediterranean gem has a fascinating history that spans over 7,000 years of civilization. And the landscape is nothing short of stunning. While traveling here may not have been on your destination bucket list, once you discover Malta you’ll be booking your next flight in short order. I traveled here as a solo traveler and it was a perfect country to go it alone.

Quick Facts on the Country

Malta’s history dates back over 7,000 years making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. Its strategic location in the heart of the Mediterranean made it a prized possession for ancient civilizations. No sooner than ancient military forces would discover Malta, they would move quickly toward conquest. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans all left their mark on the island. A number of formidable entities have conquered and ruled this nation. These conquests changed everything from the dominant religion to the landscape. You can find Roman ruins such as the impressive catacombs in Rabat all over the island. Ultimately, Malta gained independence from its last ruling nation Britain in 1964 and became a republic in 1974. Consequently, almost everyone on the island speaks English as it is Malta’s second official language. The country joined the European Union in 2004.

Top Attractions

Now that you are fully grounded in the history, you will have a much better appreciation for the attractions on this tiny slice of land in the Mediterranean. The country of Malta is like a living museum of human ingenuity and military prowess. I had no idea of the history of the county before my visit and missed out on some really cool sites such as the megaliths. With an aggressive four full days, you can see pretty much everything. Since I was a solo traveler, I joined a few tours to get the best perspective. The island is relatively small so moving around from site to site is less complicated than other places.

Historical Sites

The entire city of Valetta is a UNESCO World Heritage site with uniform urban planning and fortified walls. The remnants of military power greet you as soon as you arrive in the city. Valetta is the capital city and will likely be your starting point as you set out to discover Malta. Carefully navigate the labyrinthine alleyways around town and soon you will notice the series of massive defensive walls. Defunct canons still adorn the walls showcasing how the military forces would guard the island. Make it a point to stop at the Upper Barrakka Gardens and St John’s Co-Cathedral.

Head out of the capital to Mdina, a fortified medieval town situated in the heart of Malta. Sometimes referred to as the Silent City. The town is surrounded by imposing bastions and accessed through ancient gates. Here you will be captivated by the limestone building and medieval architecture.  In Mdina, walk around the quaint streets and stop into the Palazzo Falson museums or explore the Mdina Dungeons. The dungeons might be a bit startling so be warned.

If you are fascinated by ancient architecture, this is the place for you. The island is home to a few impressive megalithic temples, including Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, which are also UNESCO World Heritage sites and among the oldest free-standing structures on Earth. They even predate the pyramids in Egypt. Ħaġar Qim is renowned for its monumental façade and the mysterious ‘Oracle Hole.’ Whereas Mnajdra, is actually three temples with striking megaliths adorned with intricate carvings. A visit from Valetta will take you around 30 minutes and is totally worth the trip. I would recommend getting a guide, otherwise you may miss seeing the actual sites and gaining insight into the history. While you are out don’t miss a visit to the Għar Dalam cave. It is here that the earliest evidence of human settlement on Malta was discovered

Fascinating Landscapes

When you are done looking back in the past, hire a private guide or join a local tour group to see some of Malta’s instagram worthy natural landscapes. The coastline and the blue seas are striking almost as if it was the dream of an artist. I was fortunate enough to experience the world-renowned Azure Window on Dwejra Bay before it collapsed into the sea. However, this is only one of the beautiful attractions along the coast. Head to southeast coast towards Żurrieq and hire a boat to visit the Blue Grotto; a stunning archway and series of nine sea caves where the waters appear to change colors at every turn. You can’t swim here due to the heavy traffic of boats and narrow passageways.

If you’re up for a swim, make your way to St. Peters pool and spend the day basking in the sun on one of the sunbathing shelves. Or if you’re up for an adventure, head to Camino to visit the Blue Lagoon. Get ready to dive into crystal clear waters of the lagoon.

Dining and Hanging Out

After a few hours of exploration you are sure to crave some fresh cuisine found on the island. Maltese cuisine is heavily influenced by southern Italy with a dash of Arab/North Africa. Like most places in the Mediterranean you can get your fill of fresh fish. The quay and the harbour-front are bursting with options serving up the day’s catch. Make sure you try the national fish Lampuka (dorado or mahi-mahi). It’s sure to be on every menu. Maltanese cuisine also features a fair amount of rabbit and other heavy stews. Check the Visit Malta official site for a list of restaurants. I tried Gululu and couldn’t get enough of the dips and crunchy Maltese bread.

Malta has a pretty active nightlife. The area around Strait Street in Valetta (which was once a red-light district full of sailors’ bars) is the liveliest. Travel a bit farther outside of Valetta to Paceville. This town is often considered the mecca of Malta’s club scene.

Where to Stay

You will discover that Malta is fairly compact. Picking the right base location will impact your overall experience. There are a number of really nice hotels within every budget available on the island. So let’s focus more on the experience you want to have to guide your decision on the area you should choose. As a solo traveler, this was especially important for me. Safety is always a number one concern and even more so when you travel solo.

St Julian’s is certainly fun and lively. Stay here if evening adventures are what you desire. You are sure to find a busy nightlife and ironically, lots of stairs. Valletta offers a more authentic Maltese experience. You still have the harbour front or quay for restaurants and more laid back bars. But here you’ll have more choices for upscale hotels. If you want a bit of a quieter more relaxed holiday, then Sliema might be the perfect choice. It’s a nice seaside town with a promenade and some beautiful beaches.

In the end, you won’t go wrong no matter where you land. The island is pretty small.

My Perspective

I landed on Malta for a holiday getaway by chance. The magnitude of history and diversity found on this small island blew me away. This Mediterranean gem is a treat for anyone who loves history. As you discover what Malta has to offer, you will ask yourself why it took you so long to get here. So grab your walking shoes and a great camera and get ready for an instagram worthy adventure.