Malta in a Nutshell: A Quick Guide

I recently visited Malta with a group of friends and spent a few days exploring everything the island had to offer.

Visiting Valletta

I first arrived in the city of Valletta, and what a place! Walking around Valletta is a wonderful experience, every corner you turn uncovered a rustic looking street that exuded peacefulness. No traffic, no noise, just quiet city streets with local stores and coffee shops. Though I did many things in Malta, experiencing the way locals live in Valletta had to be one of my favourites.

Then as you escape the inner workings of the city and make your way to the coast, you are met by towering ancient walls that surround the city and if you follow them, you are guided to some impressive architecture that is St. Elmo’s Fort and the Upper and Lower Barracks. St. Elmos Fort and the barracks are rich in history when it comes to the Ottoman wars and WWII. If you are into history, I one hundred percent recommend a trip to get a better insight into the roles they played. 

Whilst I was there, I was able to get to watch the cannons fire as part of a ceremonial service at the Saluting Battery, this happens twice a day, every day, apart from Sundays. Whilst you are at the Saluting Battery, you can get a demonstration from one of the Gun Sergeants, which is worth doing as they go in depth about the cannons and their history, whilst also showing you how they operate. After this mini demonstration they then perform the actual ceremony, and you get to experience it up close. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to do any of the boat trips to Gozo, Comino or the Blue Lagoons due to weather conditions cancelling them all. However, after reading and researching about the island, it was one of my top things to do, even if I didn’t get to experience it properly. The island is home to lots of trail walks and one of the guides told us it’s possible to walk the island in just a few hours following the coastal routes. On these routes you would get to experience perfect blue waters and rock formations along the cliffs that look as if they were sculpted by artists. The scenery is awe-inducing, and I wish I had experienced it firsthand. 

Hidden Gems

That being said, I was able to visit other parts of the mainland, including a small town called Rabat, St. Paul’s Bay, Golden Bay beach and I had to make a trip to Popeye’s Village.

Firstly, Rabat is a town inland on the west of the island, it is home to St Paul’s Cathedral, Howards Gardens and a plethora of catacombs and narrow streets that guide you through the town. 

St. Paul’s Bay is a town on the northeastern side of the island, it is very popular with tourists during the summer period as it is filled with accommodating hotels and shops spread throughout. The bay itself is very picturesque with lots of small boats moving in and out, and at night the bay comes alive as the lights reflect in the waters.

I didn’t spend long at the Golden Bay beach; however, it was one of the biggest beaches I discovered in my time on the island. Its name fitting as upon first encounter you are met by the golden sands surrounded by cliffs that look out to see. There is a small café on the beach that is perfectly situated for a coffee in the morning whilst you listen to the waves crashing against the rocks. 

Lastly, I made a very quick visit in passing to Popeye’s Village, I had seen it online and couldn’t help but go. It is a small tourist stop on the northwest coast that features a café / restaurant and a theme park village that was actually the film set of the 1980 Popeye film. Its target audience is definitely that of a younger age as the park is filled with experiences tailored to children. However, weather permitting you can get boat rides from the park and the waters in the bay area are a stunning blue colour.

Shopping and Dining

The last place that I visited in Malta was a town called Sliema. Sliema is situated on the east side of the island opposite to Valletta and is just a short twenty-minute ferry away. Alternatively, you can taxi to Sliema as it is still attached to the mainland, but I would recommend the ferry as it is just two euros per person for a one-way trip and you get to see a Valletta and Sliema from a completely different perspective. Sliema is well known for its shopping culture, it is home to two shopping malls and lots of other high street shops including well-known brands such as Zara, Armani, Bershka and much more. If you get hungry after all that shopping, there are lots of options to choose from to get a bite to eat. I recommend a place called PUNTO Bar & Restaurant, the food was incredible - I had calamari to start and a seafood linguine for my main, and I had no complaints. The food was fresh and the service very good. From the moment you walk in staff are hospitable and if you get good weather, you can sit outside and enjoy your meal right next to the water’s edge.

Overall, I had a fantastic time in Malta, and I can't recommend it enough. History, food, culture, it had it all. I have a feeling I’ll be revisiting!