1. St John’s Co-Cathedral
The capital city of Malta, Valletta is covered with baroque architecture, squares, alleys and churches. However, St Johns Co-Cathedral which is Malta’s most impressive church is definitely a must see! The church was built by a Maltese architect in the 16th century with lavish, intricate architecture. Note that before entering St Johns Co-Cathedral, you should be dressed respectfully with covered shoulders and legs.
2. San Anton Palace and gardens
San Anton Palace is located in Attard and is the official residence of the President of Malta. The palace is surrounded by private and public gardens featuring mature trees, fountains, ponds and formal flower beds. There are a range of events held in the gardens including open-air theatre, dance performances and the National Horticulture Show.
3. Comino & Blue Lagoon
In the 17th century, the small island of Comino was used by pirates as a hiding place. Nowadays, Comino is a tourist attraction, especially for surfers, divers, and snorkelers. Comino is between Gozo and Malta and can be reached by ferry. The Blue Lagoon, with white sands and marine life is the main attraction in Comino. It is certainly worth a trip to explore this small, but beautiful island.
4. Sliema
The coastal resort is a hub for shopping, cafes and restaurants where tourist and expats can enjoy a walk along the promenade. There’s plenty of relaxing beach activities such as cruises, or water sports.
For those who are interested in architecture and history, Stella Maris Parish Church, is the oldest catholic church in the area, dating from 1878.
5. Mosta
Mosta is a busy market town at the heart of Malta. Mosta Rotunda church is the main attraction and is home to the third largest unsupported dome in the world. During World War II, the Mosta Rotunda was hit by a German bomb that pierced the dome, however it failed to explode.
6. Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk is a beautiful fishing village in the south-east of Malta. With its colourful boats and Sunday fish market visitors can get a sense of “real” Maltese life. Swordfish, tuna, and lampuki are caught in abundance here.
7. Mdina
Once the capital city of Malta, Mdina is a Medieval walled city in the centre of the island.
If you would like to explore a city with the ancient history, you definitely should make a stop at Mdina. Locals refer to the town as the “Silent city” because only a limited number of vehicles are allowed within the walls.
If you are particularly interested in the history of the town then a guided tour is a great way to learn about it.
8. Megalithic Temples of Malta
The Megalithic Temples of Malta, built between approximately 5,000 BC and 700 BC, are 11 prehistoric monuments said to be among the oldest free-standing structures on Earth. Seven of the prehistoric monuments have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The Megalithic Temples are scattered across the island of Malta, with one site on Gozo. You can get to the monuments via the bus network.
9. Hypogeum
The Hypogeum in Paola on Malta is a popular tourist attraction that literally means “underground” in Greek and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Built around 2,500 BC, it is the only known prehistoric subterranean temple in the world.
Because of its age and fragile nature only 60 visitors are allowed per day, so make sure you book your tickets in advance.
10. Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto is actually a number of caves on the south coast of Malta with the deep, clear water giving it its name. A unique sight can be observed from sunrise until around 1pm. The sunlight combined with the location with the water mirroring leads to several shades of blue.
Visitors can take a boat ride through the natural caverns, however it can be extremely busy during the summer. The Blue Grotto is also a hotspot for rock climbing, snorkelling, and scuba diving. The best time to visit is early in the morning when there are fewer visitors and the sea is calmer.