Things to do in Malta

Malta has more than one church per square mile, which means that if you’re a fan of baroque architecture, or gothic revival architecture, or pretty much any sort of building philosophy that’s shaped Christian places of worship over the past two millennia, you’re sure to find it here. While many of the churches are simply places of worship, there are a cornucopia of truly gorgeous buildings that will make you stand and stare in awe. We have plenty of favourites, from the imposing Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the capital Valetta, to the Sanctuary of our Lady, Mellieha, which overlooks the gorgeous bay in the city. Without a doubt some of the best Malta attractions you’ll get a chance to see. 

While visiting a nation’s capital is on most people’s lists when they come to a country, Valletta is a must-see when it comes to deciding what to do in Malta. It’s not just all the great food, interesting cultural spots, and buzzing atmosphere that makes it great: the capital is one of the most aesthetically pleasing places in the world. Built by the Knights of St John on a tiny peninsula, this walled fortress city has everything from airy townhouses to ancient armaments in its borders.  

There are only a few restaurants in this tiny Maltese village, which is passed by a lot of people as they go to scuba dive around the nearby Blue Grotto, but each of them serves some of the best and freshest seafood you’re likely to eat in your life. You can digest your meal on the nearby, often secluded rocky beach, before heading to the natural swimming pool that also calls this inlet home.  

The Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni is another UNESCO heritage site, this time dating from the Neolithic period. A subterranean structure, it’s not too far out from Valletta by car or bus, so it’s easily accessible. Although we can’t be a hundred per cent sure, most archaeologists are convinced it was once a sanctuary and necropolis, a theory borne out by the documented remains of thousands of people found in its depths. One of the best Malta attractions, and a must-see on your island trip. 

While you can’t quite take a wonder deep into the bowels of this cave-turned-museum, it’s still astounding to see the same things the archaeologists who did penetrate deep into the earth did: bones of long-extinct animals – some roaming the earth as long as 10,000 years ago, and other important artefacts that tell us about life in Malta all those years ago. It’s not just our friends in the animal kingdom who left remains down there either: Ghar Dalam (Cave of Dalam) is also home to the earliest evidence of human settlement in the country, almost seven-and-a-half millennia ago. An awe-inspiring spot. 

While many people come to Malta for its storied past, the current culture is just as worth exploring, reflecting the distinctive character of this Mediterranean gem. The theatre building itself is one of the oldest in Europe, so a must-see Malta attraction if you love history. Don’t just come and admire the old architecture, though – nowadays the theatre hosts a variety of different acts, from a variety of disciplines. There’s opera, ballet, musicals, and even panto if you’re around for the Christmas period. Music-lovers will also be pleased to know they put on tonnes of gigs here, from local acts to bigger, international ones. If you want a break from living in Malta’s past, then this is the best way to get to know their present.