It is no surprise that Game of Thrones tagged this country as one of its hot film locations; with everything from fun in the sun to casual strolls in majestic cities, this place is picture perfect for everyone. I had the immense pleasure visiting this little beauty for my first time in 2015 and instantly felt at ease in its warm, inviting landscapes and ancient city streets. I am going to let the pictures tell the story in this article because it’s one of those places where pictures actually do it justice.

Sliema

Usually, I recommend to always hire a car when traveling to new places. But in Malta’s case, you can easily use public transportation or taxis if you don’t feel comfortable driving on the left side of the road. The buses are from anywhere to 1.50 to 3 euro, depending on the time of year and the entire island can be reached within two hours. On my first stay, Sliema was city of choice as it was across from Valletta and offered lower hotel prices. Sliema also has a lot of excellent shopping and restaurant choices if you are interested in a small city trip.

Valletta

Valletta has everything for you culture fanatics out there. I love to see the colorful windows pop out of the otherwise tan, sandy exterior of the city. It also has some lovely churches, such as St. John’s Co-Cathedral that are must see’s when visiting the city. When there, you must take time to visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens for the amazing views of the city and ceremonial cannon firing every day at noon and 4pm.

Marsaxlokk

In 2017, I had the great fortune of returning to Malta with my boyfriend for a long weekend. It was his first time and I couldn’t wait to show him my favorite parts of the country. We chose to stay in the adorable fisherman’s village, Marsaxlokk to gorge ourselves with fresh fish and teeny boats. We walked to St Peter’s Pool for an afternoon of jumping and swimming in the Mediterranean.

Blue Grotto

I have mixed feelings about the Blue Grotto. While it is beautiful, I find the price of 8 euros a bit high compared to other sites in Malta. However, if you only have a long weekend for Malta, then I would recommend to go out. The water is insanely gorgeous but the trip is usually very rushed through.

Mdina

Mdina is our last stop on mainland Malta but is certainly not our least favorite. You can spend half a day here and easily get lost in its back alleys. Mdina is known for glass blowing and I had to jump at the opportunity for my own piece of this gorgeous art. If you are a collector, then be sure to check out any of the local glass blowing shops for your own souvenir.

Gozo

On my first visit, we had an extra day to visit one of the islands off Malta, Gozo. We took the ferry for 4.65 euros, roundtrip, and just waited to have our minds blown.

Ggantija Temples are older than the pyramids of Egypt and just as powerful to see. In addition to that, you can see breathtaking views of the island and sea all while getting your cultural appetite satisfied.

Azure Window

My favorite place in Malta is Azure Window. Sadly, this arch collapsed due to rough winds and is no longer visible. It doesn’t change the views of the crystal blue waters, the pink and purple colors of the sea and the rocky landscapes above the water. Sorry, not sorry, for the picture overload but this can not be missed when visiting Malta.

 

To finish, not a lot of people think to visit Malta because it is so far below the rest of mainland Europe. But, Malta has become a favorite spot for (especially) my boyfriend and I to discover new places every time. This island is so affordable and welcoming to all sorts of people.