Malta
8
 DAYS IN 
Malta

Similar to my trip to Switzerland, my visit to Malta was relatively short. It was very much a summer destination, so it wasn’t the best opportunity to fully experience Malta. Nevertheless, there were still plenty of things to see; it was astonishing to witness the rich history and unique identity shaped by the influence of various cultures.

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Having three full days suited us well, and if it had been warmer, it would have been nice to spend a few more days (five to seven days) relaxing by the beaches and visiting Gozo and the Crystal Lagoon.

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As remarkable as Malta is, I didn’t enjoy it as much due to how messy it was (an unpopular opinion, of course). It was full of construction, and the traffic was a bit overwhelming, which made the experience feel somewhat uneasy. I didn’t feel as relaxed and open as I did in Sicily.

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WE STAYED AT the Hyatt Centric Malta. It was a fantastic experience and probably my favorite part of my trip to Switzerland, Malta, and Sicily. I liked it even more than the Park Hyatt Zurich. While it may not have been as luxurious, it was well-furnished, equipped with numerous amenities, and offered a splendid breakfast spread, all at a fraction of the price. St Julian’s was also a lovely place to stay, as all the hotels were clustered there, providing many options for great food and entertainment well into the night. We were just a five-minute walk from plenty of restaurants and bars, yet far enough to avoid noise disturbance.

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TRANSPORT | We’ve heard of how chaotic driving in Malta can be. Still, we’ve also heard that public transport is unreliable, and since things were quite far along the island's coasts, facing the traffic was a reasonable trade-off. We booked a car through a credit card travel portal, which ended up being addCar rentals (all the rental offices were in the same airport car park). Our experience was smooth and did not have problems, though I’m not sure I can recommend it with confidence since the reviews online were not so positive.

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DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY | Traveling around Malta was smooth, and I felt we covered the top-tier attractions, although we missed out on the Crystal Lagoon. For a winter itinerary, this was adequate. However, Malta has many highlights and beautiful beaches that would be more enjoyable to visit in warmer weather. I would love to experience them someday, even though it’s not a top priority on my list. I wish I had taken a boat ride at the Blue Grotto to see the caves.

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HIGHLIGHTS | Hyatt Centric Malta, Blue Grotto, Birgu boat ride 

Day 2: Mdina

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Dingli Cliffs

Mdina

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We began our nature journey at the Dingli Cliffs. While the panoramic view of the sea was stunning, it was a view that could be enjoyed at many locations throughout the island, not just at the Dingli Cliffs. Despite the many positive reviews about this spot, I didn't find the cliffs particularly interesting. I've read several comments suggesting that the cliffs in Gozo offer a more spectacular experience, so that might be a better option.

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We visited Mdina, which reminded us of the medinas we’ve seen in Morocco but with a Maltese influence. We had lunch in the Mdina at Coogi's Pizzeria & Bistrot and ice cream at Fior di Latte. The ice cream was surprisingly good, which is unusual in tourist spots. Parking can be limited, so visiting Mdina early or during a less busy time might be best.

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Since it was a public holiday, we made a reservation at Hammett's Mestizo for dinner because we were concerned that places might be closed or have limited hours. Surprisingly, most restaurants were open on Christmas, and many remained busy.

Day 2: Mdina

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Dingli Cliffs

Mdina

‍

We began our nature journey at the Dingli Cliffs. While the panoramic view of the sea was stunning, it was a view that could be enjoyed at many locations throughout the island, not just at the Dingli Cliffs. Despite the many positive reviews about this spot, I didn't find the cliffs particularly interesting. I've read several comments suggesting that the cliffs in Gozo offer a more spectacular experience, so that might be a better option.

‍

We visited Mdina, which reminded us of the medinas we’ve seen in Morocco but with a Maltese influence. We had lunch in the Mdina at Coogi's Pizzeria & Bistrot and ice cream at Fior di Latte. The ice cream was surprisingly good, which is unusual in tourist spots. Parking can be limited, so visiting Mdina early or during a less busy time might be best.

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Since it was a public holiday, we made a reservation at Hammett's Mestizo for dinner because we were concerned that places might be closed or have limited hours. Surprisingly, most restaurants were open on Christmas, and many remained busy.

Day 3: Birgu

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MYKONOS by YIAMAS

Promenada Birgu

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Our hotel offered an incredible breakfast spread, and since we tended to wake up relatively late, it became our routine to start our daily itinerary a bit later as well. As a result, our plan remained quite simple, usually featuring one or two main highlights each day. It was entirely possible to experience three highlights in a single day without feeling rushed, but we didn't feel a pressing need to visit so many places. I believe that would be entirely feasible for those looking to explore Gozo within a four-day itinerary.

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Our third day was relatively short, as heavy rain began in the evening. We started with lunch at MYKONOS by YIAMAS, located by the docks. The restaurant offered a view of the water as well as the forts and landmarks of Valletta.

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We strolled along the docks and stumbled upon a private boat ride at Promenade Birgu. The boat took us far out to the breakwaters, and it felt like we had entered a different part of history, almost as if we were in a movie. It was an incredible experience. Unfortunately, it started pouring rain, which cut our ride short. However, the silver lining was that we saw a complete double rainbow, which was truly remarkable.

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We went with the first option we walked past, so I can't recommend any specific alternatives. They were small boats (accommodating 4-6 passengers) that primarily ferried people between Valletta and Birgu and appeared to be operated by independent boat drivers. I believe most of them would be similar. They are cash-only, so it would be handy to have cash on hand.

Day 4: 

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Blue Grotto

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Our last day was relaxed. We drove to the Blue Grotto before heading to the airport. While the viewpoint at the Blue Grotto was relatively small, it was incredible to see the towering cliffs against the backdrop of the water. I could easily imagine sitting there for hours and watching the sunset, which was undoubtedly the highlight of my trip. Boat rides were also available to explore the caves, and I wished I had taken one.

 

We ended our visit at Blue Grotto Seaside. Although it wasn't anything special, it was a nice spot to sit by the coast and unwind.

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With that, to Sicily!