Highlights
Valletta
The fortified capital, built by the Knights of St John after the Great Siege of 1565, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. St John's Co-Cathedral holds Caravaggio's Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens look across the Grand Harbour, where a cannon is fired at noon.
Mdina
The old walled capital on a hill in the centre of the island is known as the Silent City for its quiet, narrow lanes. Walk the ramparts for views over the island, then visit neighbouring Rabat's catacombs.
The Three Cities
Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua face Valletta across the Grand Harbour. Birgu's Fort St Angelo was the Knights' stronghold during the Great Siege, and traditional dgħajsa boats ferry passengers across the water.
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
An underground prehistoric burial complex carved out of rock over 5,000 years ago in Paola. Visitor numbers are strictly limited to protect it, so book well ahead.
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra
Two megalithic temple complexes on the cliffs of the south coast, among the oldest free-standing stone buildings in the world. At Mnajdra, sunlight lines up with the doorways at the equinoxes and solstices.
Gozo
Malta's greener, slower sister island is a short ferry ride away. Visit the Citadella in Victoria, the red sand of Ramla Bay, the salt pans near Xwejni and the cliffs and dive sites at Dwejra.
Comino and the Blue Lagoon
The tiny island between Malta and Gozo is almost uninhabited, and its Blue Lagoon has startlingly clear turquoise water. It gets very busy in summer, so go early or late in the day.
Marsaxlokk
A fishing village in the south-east whose harbour is filled with brightly painted luzzu boats, many with the Eye of Osiris on the bow. The Sunday fish market is the busiest time.
Interesting facts about Malta
- King George VI awarded the George Cross to the whole island of Malta in 1942 for its endurance during the Second World War siege, and it still appears on the national flag.
- Maltese is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet and the only one that is an official language of the European Union.
- Malta's megalithic temples are generally dated to before Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.
- Malta is the smallest member state of the European Union by both area and population.
- The islands have no permanent rivers or lakes, so much of the drinking water comes from desalination.
Best time to visit
April to June and September to October are the most comfortable months, warm enough for swimming from late spring with fewer crowds than midsummer. July and August are hot, dry and busy, and every town holds its village festa with fireworks and processions, mostly in summer. Winter is mild compared with northern Europe but can be windy and wet, and some boat trips run less often. The sea is warmest from August to October.
Practical information
| Capital | Valletta |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Languages | Maltese, English |
| Plugs | Type G |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112 (all emergencies) |
| Driving | On the left |
| Tipping | Around 5–10% in restaurants is common if service isn't included; rounding up in cafés and taxis is enough. |
Getting around
A bus network covers Malta and Gozo, with most routes passing through Valletta, though services can be slow and crowded in summer. Ferries cross the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities and Sliema, and a regular car ferry links Ċirkewwa in the north of Malta to Mġarr on Gozo, with boats to Comino from both islands. Ride-hailing and taxis are widely used. Renting a car gives flexibility, especially on Gozo, but roads are narrow, traffic is heavy and parking in towns is difficult. Driving is on the left.
Staying connected in Malta
Mobile coverage is very good across Malta and Gozo, with fast 4G and 5G in towns and along the coast. Free Wi-Fi is available in many public squares, cafés, hotels and on some buses. Signal can weaken in deep valleys, at the foot of cliffs and in some sea caves, and boats near Sicily may briefly pick up Italian networks. EU visitors can usually roam on their home plan; others should install an eSIM before they fly and switch it on when they land.
See Malta eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Malta
- Bolt: Ride-hailing on both Malta and Gozo, with prices shown before you book.
- Tallinja: The official Malta Public Transport app for bus routes, live arrivals and travel cards.
- Google Maps: Walking routes through Valletta and Mdina and driving directions around the islands.