Is Malta Worth Visiting? 5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Malta

Last Updated: January 3, 2024

Located between Sicily and North Africa, it offers more than 300 days of sunshine, but that’s just one of the many reasons why Malta is worth visiting. We’ve lived in Malta for over 6 years, so trust us when we say that Malta is totally worth your time. It is steeped in history, offers wonderful architecture, an abundance of awesome things to do, and unique places to see. It is one of the most underrated destinations in Europe and we’re here to give you all the reasons why you should visit Malta.

So, is Malta worth visiting? Here are 5 reasons why you should visit Malta.

WHAT IS MALTA FAMOUS FOR?

Malta is mainly famous for its all-year-round warm climate and the beautiful buildings with their distinguished baroque architecture. Also, the Maltese islands offer stunning landscapes which have inspired many movie directors to film their movies here. Malta has been featured in an abundance of movies, low-budget but also blockbuster ones. A few of the most famous ones are World War Z, Jurassic World: Dominion, Assassin’s Creed, and many more.

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED TO SEE MALTA?

Malta is small, which means you can pack many things to see in a day, but you can also stretch your holiday to one week without running out of things to do. To those who ask us how many days you need to see Malta, we usually recommend between 4 to 7 days to see Malta. In 4 days you’ll manage to explore Valletta and the most touristy parts of the island, such as Sliema & St. Julian’s. In 4 days you’ll also manage to see some of the best beaches in Malta.

If you plan a longer holiday then we’d say that 7 days are enough to see most of the things that Malta has to offer. One week will allow you to relax at the beach, explore the beautiful towns and villages, try a few activities, and last but not least, visit Gozo and Comino. We will expand more on the reasons to visit Malta below.

BEST TIME TO VISIT MALTA

As we mentioned earlier, Malta is fortunate to have over 300 sunny days a year, so it’s a great destination to visit no matter the season. However, we would caution you to avoid the hot summer months of July and August. The temperatures can get as high as over 38°C. Also, it is worth noting that the possibility of experiencing a heat wave during those months is very high.

If you decide to visit Malta in the winter, we’d recommend that you avoid the months of January and February. Not so much because of the low temperatures but more so because of the windy conditions which won’t allow you to fully enjoy your days on the island.

During the winter months, the temperature rarely gets below 5°C during the night and the average temperature during the day is 12°C to 15°C degrees. In Malta, in January and February, it rains an average of only 10 days! As you can see, one of the reasons to visit Malta is definitely its warm Mediterranean climate.

So what’s the best time to visit Malta? The best time to visit Malta is between March to June and September to December. That’s when you can enjoy pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. If you visit during these months, you’ll also benefit from lower prices on hotels and flights.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN MALTA?

There are so many unique things to do in Malta and we’re always excited when we’re given the opportunity to share our recommendations. We’ve lived here for years and still to this day, we feel that we haven’t yet experienced all the amazing things that this beautiful island has to offer. Whether you’re an adrenaline junky or a beach bum, a history enthusiast, or you simply looking to spend a few days of total relaxation by the sea, you’re guaranteed to find it in Malta. So if you’re wondering “is there a lot to do in Malta?”, then the answer to your question is most definitely “yes!”.

Here are a few of the best things to do in Malta which we feel are reasons enough to convince you to visit the Maltese islands.

MALTA BEACHES

Malta has some of the nicest beaches we’ve ever seen! The water in most places is crystal clear, making Malta a great place to swim. What’s best, due to the island’s unique landscape, you’ll find sandy beaches AND rocky beaches. If you want to venture off the beaten path and avoid the crowds, then here we’re introducing you to a few hidden beaches in Malta where you can enjoy moments of solitude.

VALLETTA – A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Valletta is the capital of Malta and one of the smallest capitals in Europe. Be sure to visit the city early, before it gets swarmed by people. Take a casual stroll in its narrow streets and marvel at the wonderful baroque architecture of the buildings. Some of the top attractions to visit in Valletta are the St John’s co-Cathedral and the Barrakka Gardens. A visit to Valletta is truly one of the things you should not miss in Malta. It’s so fascinating, you could spend an entire day exploring it. You don’t believe us? Read the full article on how to spend one day in Valletta here.

MALTA CAVES TOUR – SPEND A DAY EXPLORING THE SEA CAVES

Malta is surrounded by the sea, so one of the best things you can do is to spend time in the water. Better yet, book a cave tour and explore the numerous sea caves. There are so many awesome locations to visit, so this could be either a full-day or a half-day tour. Each cave is unique in its own way but there are a few that you shouldn’t miss out on. Use the list below to tailor your tour to Malta’s caves.

Blue Grotto – Blue Grotto is an absolutely stunning place to visit, not to be missed. You can take a boat to Blue Grotto from Wied iż-Żurrieq’s tiny harbor and embark on a 15-minute magical tour. This usually includes a visit to a few other sea caves located nearby, such as Honeymoon Cave and Reflection Cave. Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed here but you can enjoy a refreshing dip and cliff jumping from the tiny harbor.
Crystal Lagoon – We have zero doubts that Crystal Lagoon will literally take your breath away! It is a spectacular place located on Comino island, with crystal clear water; so clear, it looks transparent. It is the perfect place for swimming, snorkeling, or diving in Malta. It is only reachable by boat, so don’t hesitate to add to your Malta caves tour, you won’t regret it.
Blue Lagoon – Almost all cave tours to Comino island include a stop both to Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon. Blue Lagoon is equally breathtaking, with emerald waters, so inviting, that you’ll want to spend hours swimming here.

We have used Oh Yeah! Malta on more than one occasion and we can’t recommend them enough. Their great service and knowledgeable staff have helped make our experience a memorable one. They have an extensive fleet of boats, from a Turkish Gulet to speedboats of various sizes to suit any requirements you may have. If you don’t want the fun to end at the Malta caves tour, then you can spend a few hours at the beach after your tour, doing watersports. From Oh Yeah!Malta you can rent jet skis, paddle boats, or a kayak. If you’re more adventurous, they also offer water skiing and paragliding amongst other fun activities.

VISIT GOZO

We fell in love with Gozo from the very first time we visited the island. Many people ask us “is Gozo better than Malta?” but we don’t think that it should be a choice between one or the other. If you’re looking to experience everything that the Maltese islands have to offer, then Gozo should definitely be included in your Malta itinerary.

What is Gozo known for? Gozo island is known for its beautiful landscape, laid-back lifestyle, wonderful beaches, and its historical sites. There is a great deal of things to do in Gozo. You’ll need at least one full day to see Gozo. However, the possibility of wanting to extend your stay just after a few hours of exploring the island is mighty high. This is how easy it is to fall in love with Gozo.

TAKE A STROLL THROUGH THE MEDIEVAL MDINA CITY

The minute you enter through the gates of Mdina, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Mdina is worth visiting for many reasons but perhaps the most notable one is the fine examples of baroque and medieval architecture found within the city walls. The best, and only way, to explore it is on foot, as cars are not allowed in the city. You don’t need much time to explore Mdina, so we usually recommend that you combine it with a visit to the charming town of Rabat.

TRIVIA: Mdina was used as a filming location for a few episodes of Game of Thrones. If you Google “Mdina Game of Thrones” you’ll find all the episodes that Mdina has been featured on. The most famous locations are the Mdina Gate, Mesquita Square, and the narrow streets of Mdina.

IS MALTA SAFE?

Malta is a small Mediterranean island attracting not only tourists but also many expats from around the world. The warm climate, the Mediterranean lifestyle, and the fact that Malta has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe is why many people favor it. The answer to the burning question “is Malta safe?” is most definitely “YES!”. Malta is one of the safest countries to travel to in Europe, making it perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

IS MALTA WORTH VISITING?

If you made it to the end of this article, then we have no doubt that we’ve answered your question “is Malta worth visiting?”. We hope that this article didn’t just answer your question “is Malta worth visiting?” but, that also gave you enough reasons why you should visit Malta. The island managed to steal our hearts years ago and to this day, we have the same enthusiasm about Malta as on day one. It is the combination of great climate, kind-hearted people, and the culture that mainly attracted us and convinced us to move here. We’re certain that these will be the same reasons why you’ll fall in love with Malta too.