5 Reasons to Plan a Trip to Malta

Malta is a tiny three-island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean that offers visitors a dazzling array of options for its small size. Ancient history buffs explore the mysterious megalithic temples that pre-date Stonehenge, art lovers revel in the opulent Baroque architecture of Valletta, and sun-worshippers enjoy the sandy beaches and excellent diving sites of the sunniest locale in Europe.

No matter the reasons for coming to Malta, the one thing everyone indulges in is fresh and delicious Maltese cuisine. Local dishes aren’t well-known outside of Malta, so the best way to dig in is on a food tour with a specialist guide on a mouthwatering journey through the local flavors.

Most meals are served with freshly baked bread, and you can see how these loaves are made with traditional techniques in the village of Rabat (and even taste one straight from the oven). Though France and Italy get all the fame and glory for their cheeses, Malta has its own prized cheese called gbejna, which is served fresh, dried, seasoned, or cured. On a tour, you can meet the sheep producing the milk and sample fresh gbejna cheeselets at a local farm.

Try your hand at making pastizzi, a favorite snack in Malta of seasoned peas that are tucked inside flaky pouches of pastry. A master pastizzi maker will demonstrate the craft in his bakery so you can re-create it at home.

The grand finale of the tour is lunch in the rolling hills of an olive grove, sipping Maltese wine while enjoying the artisanal products collected during the morning.

Traveling throughout Europe, there’s no shortage of stunning churches and cathedrals, but even the most jaded traveler must admit they’ve never seen anything quite like the St. John Co-Cathedral (a co-cathedral because it share’s the bishop’s seat with another church on the island).

Here among the Baroque splendors you will find the sole signed Caravaggio work and hundreds of mosaic tombstones (some with almost whimsical skeletons) of prominent Knights of Malta.

In need of a miracle? To gaze upon the third-largest unsupported dome in the world is reason enough to visit the Rotunda of Mosta, but here you can also see the a replica of the bomb that pierced the dome during WWII, only to settle on the cathedral floor and miraculously remain unexploded. Not only was the building saved, but so were the 300 worshippers who were seeking refuge inside.

Valletta is Europe’s smallest capital city and also its most historically concentrated. You can’t turn a corner or dart down a small lane without encountering a piece of history in this Renaissance city on the edge of the Mediterranean. With over 320 historical monuments, as well as breathtaking viewpoints like the Upper Barrakka Gardens, it’s a place of incredible architectural and natural beauty.

The country of Malta is actually made up of three islands. The largest is just known as Malta and the smallest is the tiny Comino, but in the middle is Gozo, which can be reached in 25 minutes by ferry from the big island. The azure Mediterranean waters surrounding the island have over 100 dive and snorkeling sites, including some fascinating wrecks. It’s also a popular place for rock-climbing, mountain-biking, and jeep safaris.

Of course, there’s a wealth of cultural gems on Gozo as well. Ancient and mysterious Ġgantija is a Neolithic-era temple complex that pre-dates even the pyramids of Egypt. By comparison, the imposing hilltop Cittadella is downright modern, despite dating all the way back to the 15th century.

Talk to one of our travel curators to start planning your next trip to one of the most surprising destinations in the Mediterranean.