Malta’s remote location in the middle of the Mediterranean makes it a unique holiday destination. While most sun-seekers prefer to stick with islands closer to Mainland Europe, Malta attracts connoisseurs of the offbeat. After all, the best attractions in Malta appeal mainly to intrepid travelers with a hunger for adventure and a desire to explore the island’s natural beauty.
However, vacations in this distant archipelago typically begin as soon as you book a ferry to Malta via Ferryscanner. Convenient and comfortable, boats from Catania and Salerno to Malta present tourists with the opportunity to cruise the Mediterranean. It is an experience that in itself is pretty memorable. Once on land, there’s no time to waste, for there are many things to do in Malta, and you shouldn’t miss out on any of them.
Popeye Village
Wholesome entertainment for the entire family, a visit to the Popeye Village is a full-day excursion packed with fun, laughter, and waterfront relaxation. Popeye Village, sometimes called Sweethaven Village, is a theme park located in Anchor Bay. It is only a short distance away from the port. The village was initially the set of the 1980’s movie Popeye, featuring Robin Williams.
Nowadays, Popeye Village is one of the best attractions in Malta, with activities galore. When visiting this fairytale-like wooden village, you can enjoy mini-golf, song and dance routines, lounging on sunbeds, as well as a comic museum, boat tours, splash pool, and a private beach.
Popeye Village hosts various events throughout the year, especially around Halloween and Easter. Children love visiting the village to meet their favorite cartoon characters such as Popeye, Olive Oyl, Captain Bluto, and others.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is one of the top things to do in Malta, owing to the clear waters of the Mediterranean teeming with an array of vibrant aquatic life. Besides excellent visibility, the waters around Malta stay calm, making it a perfect location for diving beginners.
Both Malta and the neighboring island of Gozo have several dive centers offering short PADI courses to enthusiastic visitors. There are plenty of dive sites around Malta, ranging from easy to challenging. You’ll find underwater caves and tunnels to drop-offs and wrecks in the area. As a result, dives cater to everyone, from professionals to children over the age of ten in some cases.
While most dives around Malta are further out into the sea, many near the shore do not even require a boat ride. Among the best wreck dives near the island is MV Karwela, an old tourist ferry purposely sunk in 2006, now a thriving eco-system. There’s also the Blenheim Bomber with wings and motor intact that sits on the seabed 40 meters below water. On the other hand, HMS Stubborn is a British submarine wreck best reserved for experienced divers.
Grand Harbor
Impressive doesn’t even begin to justify Port of Valetta’s impact on first-time visitors arriving on the island with ferry tickets to Malta. Surrounded by the cities of Senglea, Vittoriosa, and Cospicua, the Grand Harbor is a significant architectural behemoth. Its imposing construction has left a permanent impression on the island over centuries.
Therefore, a leisurely cruise around this naturally deep harbor makes for one of the most stunning tourist attractions in Malta. Grand Harbor cruises are available throughout the day. Lasting roughly two to three hours, they showcase the magnificence of the harbor while examining its history through commentaries in different languages.
However, for a romantic boat ride, opt for a port tour in a dgħajsa – a traditional Maltese gondola. These boats are an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the local maritime culture. Moreover, being small, dgħajsas can enter the harbor’s more intimate nooks and crannies.
Mdina
Having little motor traffic, Mdina is often known as the “silent city.” Once the capital of Malta, this hilltop fortification, is now home to about 300 residences, shops, and cafes.
A stroll around the cobbled streets of Mdina is one of the most popular things to do in Malta. Promising eye-catching medieval architecture, stunning views, and a charming atmosphere, hours go by in a flash when encapsulated by the magnetism of Mdina.
Not without its fair share of attractions, the old town is also where you’ll find St. Paul’s Cathedral. The 17th-century building showcases classic baroque architectural style. History aficionados can visit the National Museum of Natural History. At the same time, those with an affinity for the unusual should explore St. Paul’s Catacombs or the Mdina Dungeons.
Comino
An afternoon in Comino tops the best tourist attractions in Malta list. The uninhabited and pastoral sister-island of Malta is the ideal location for scenic walks, lounging by the water, snorkeling, and diving.
Once a hideout for pirates, Comino is now a playground for the exploratory and young at heart. Covering 3.5 sq km, the island has a rugged topography with a coastline that offers unadulterated panoramas of Malta and Gozo.
Day tours to Comino leave Sliema at 10:00, returning in the evening around 17:30. The trip includes a few hours at the legendary Blue Lagoon and sailing through caves around the island. This famous excursion tends to be busy, especially during the summers. Nevertheless, it is one of the quintessential things to do in Malta you can enjoy with the entire family.
Gozo
Ideally, you’d want to spend a night in Gozo to appreciate all that it has to offer. However, most tourists prefer day trips since the island has limited accommodation. Nevertheless, you can relish one of the best attractions in Malta by catching the earliest 15-minute ferry to Gozo. Moreover, by taking a jeep safari on the island, you can experience most of Gozo’s natural wonders in a day.
Surprisingly, Gozo has plenty to offer for a small and craggy island. Its hilltop capital, Victoria, impresses travelers with its archaic character. Simultaneously, a surprise introduction to the country’s first craft brewery, Lord Chambray, brings joy to beer enthusiasts.
Equally fascinating are the salt pans of Gozo near Qbajjar Bay. There’s also Ramla Bay, Gozo’s largest beach with red sand and shallow waters. But if it’s dramatic you want, head straight to Dwejra. An inland lagoon with blue-green water, a pebble beach, and a towering cliff background, Dwejra is a lovely place for a swim that connects to the sea via a 60-meter cave.