Malta… A Tiny Island with a BIG Personality
A country that had been at the top of our travel bucket list for years, Malta was everything we hoped for and more! As one of the smallest countries in the world by population and land mass, we were curious to learn more about this Mediterranean island nation that is often overlooked by travelers in favor of the Mediterranean giants — Italy, France, and Greece.
We planned a five day visit and we knew within the first few hours that this would not be nearly enough time to experience all that Malta has to offer. For a country that is 10 times smaller than Rhode Island, Malta was full of activities. From swimming in the beautiful Mediterranean, to indulging in the local pastizzi (a pea or ricotta filled filo dough pastry - Britt loved the pea, Justin preferred the ricotta), admiring the unique architecture, and embracing the fun night life… the options felt endless. And the best part? Everything is within a 15-30 minute drive on the main island. Although, we did hear that traffic is one of the biggest gripes from locals.
The Maltese archipelago is comprised of six islands, with only three being inhabited. The others are visible from the coast and can be visited up close via boat tour. Unfortunately, we did not make it to the other two inhabited islands, Gozo and Comino, as we opted to spend more time exploring the main island instead of trying to fit in too much. We definitely underestimated the amount of time we could spend in Malta. Guess we’ll just have to go back!
One thing we did not realize prior to our visit was that Malta served as a filming location for a number of Game of Thrones episodes. Most notably, it was used to film parts of King’s Landing. However, this wasn’t too surprising once we arrived and saw the grandiosity of Malta’s forts. They were so massive and imposing. It seems like the Maltese really had to defend their territory! If you’re a Game of Thrones nerd and want to geek out on some of the Maltese filming locations, check out this complete list (spoilers!).
On the main island, we explored the towns of Valletta, St. Julian’s, Sliema, and Marsaxlokk. Each town had drastically different character, which was very surprising given that the two farthest towns were only five miles apart.
We spent our first day exploring Valletta, Malta’s capital, which is known for its Baroque architecture, imposing fortifications, and beautiful gardens. Oh… it’s also known for being at the top of a very steep hill, which on a hot day was not ideal. Thankfully they have a shuttle that takes people up and down for only 1€ each way! Once at the top, we enjoyed great views of the island’s harbors, bays, and forts.
After a full day exploring an old city, we were ready for some water! We took the bus to Marsaxlokk, an old fishing village with a harbor full of colorful wooden boats. Marsaxlokk is known for its Sunday fish market, which, in classic Britt and Justin fashion, we were not in town for. Nonetheless, there was still a sizable market on the day we visited, so we can only imagine how large the Sunday market must be! Thankfully we did not venture to Marsaxlokk for the market. Instead, our mission was to find St. Peter’s Pool, a secluded bay with a natural swimming hole. It is a popular place among locals because it is protected from the waves and there is a section where people can jump into the water from a 20-ish foot ledge.
Much to Britt’s dismay, we took our turn jumping off the ledge. An adventurous decision almost ended in disaster. You see… what happened was… Justin thought we agreed to “jump” off the ledge (because that’s what you do) while Britt thought it was a better idea to “walk” off the ledge because she wanted to “get it over with more quickly”. This resulted in Britt pulling Justin down and him crashing into the water sideways and getting banged up. Thankfully no major injuries were sustained, only a lost silicone wedding band.
Now, let's dive into our adventures in Sliema and St. Julian's. While these two towns are only one mile apart, each had its unique character. Sliema is known for its picturesque promenade along the seafront and bustling backstreets full of small cafes, local shops, colorful homes, and beautiful churches. We absolutely loved getting lost in these streets and looking at all the homes with their painted shutters and flowers draping from the balconies. We also enjoyed popping into as many churches as we could find, which were all decorated for a local festival that was taking place while we were there. After exploring the back streets, we headed to the promenade for the sunset. As we were making our way to a beach bar on the very point of the bay, we stumbled across some Victorian-era baths that were built right into the water. Unfortunately, we did not have our bathing suits with us as this would have been a really fun spot for a swim. We ended our day with a cold beer at Paradise Exiles bar as we watched the sun set over St. Julian’s Bay. The view from this bar was breathtaking. It was a moment that encapsulated the essence of Sliema – a town that seamlessly blends history, natural beauty, and modern leisure into an unforgettable experience.
In comparison to Sliema, which is a perfect town to spend the day, St. Julian’s comes alive at night. Known for its vibrant nightlife, St. Julian’s has every type of late-night entertainment covered. Whether you’re in the mood for cocktails, fine dining, or dancing, you’ll find it here. We were surprised at how many night clubs and party bars there were! While we did not participate in the clubbing scene, we did enjoy grabbing a cocktail at one of the bars on the main strip and watching people as they made their way back from the beach to get ready for their fun night out.
Overall, our five days in Malta were a blast, and we feel as though we barely scratched the surface! From the old city of Valletta, to the fishing town of Marsaxlokk, the shops and seafront promenade of Sliema, and the nightlife of St. Julian’s, Malta is such a versatile and diverse destination. It’s a place where history, natural beauty, and city charm coexist harmoniously.
