Executive Summary: Malta (including Comino and Gozo) is a pretty sweet island for good food, cool history/architecture/culture, with fun swimming spots (cliffs to jump off, coves to chill in, and wreckage for the divers out there) but beaches are sub-par (read no sand) and prepare yourself for a younger crowd at the bars and clubs.
Full analysis: Malta is no secret, certainly any island in the mediterranean is no secret but the large crowds are much deserved with the diversity of things to do with such a small island. Full breakdown below of the goods and bads of the Malta:
| Thing | Scale (0 = bad, 10 = Great) |
|---|---|
| Beaches | 2 |
| Geography | 6 |
| Architecture | 10 |
| Locals | 5 |
| Weather | 8 |
| Food/Drink | 6 |
| Travel Infrastructure | 7 |
| Parties | 6 |
| Chill out | 7 |
| History | 8 |
Overall: 7.3
Beaches – The beaches are not great. Its mostly just one slab of rock running into the sea. Dont expect much sand anywhere (thought there are a few). Water is great though and lots of spots to jump in with built in ladders and steps to get out of water.
Geography – The island itself is a lot of rolling hills with shrubs, semi-arid climate. The best part are the cliffs and bluffs on the sea-board. It is worth getting on a boat and going around the smallest island Comino to see the rock clips. Pro Tip: There are smaller small boats you can carter for pretty cheap to get amore intimate and more relaxing experience checking out the coves and swimming spots. AirbnB offers “experiences” now that work very well. The larger ships pack as many as they can aboard and there are many.
Architecture – Amazing. Hands down best part of Malta is the Valetta area. It is like stepping back into medieval times with high stone walls with canons on top. You’ll find Roman era temples and pillars, as well as a tiny walled city Mdina, with narrow alley streets (Valletta has narrow streets too). This is the Malta stand out, walking around and photographing the city is a must at all hours of the day.
Locals – You probably wont interact with the locals too much, other than in uber/cabs or maybe ordering at restaurants. There are a lot of tourists here so the locals retire to the lesser known locations. They all speak english as it is an ex-british colony. They speak many other languages as well.
Weather – You are further south than the most northern point of Africa (and not too far from Tunisia), so you have a pretty-much African sun, meaning it is hot as hell. So you can really come anytime of year to redden your shoulders.
Food/Drink – Great food, though the best food is Italian Sicilian. You’ll find fanastic pizza, pasta, and Mediterranean salads. Tons of seafood as well. The local meat dish is Rabbit covered in tomato sauce or sausages covered in a tomato sauce. Octobus is big too. Good shit all around, plus it is easy to find steak houses. As far as drink, all imported wines from everywhere else so nothing here you cant find else where but good and cheap none the less.
Travel Infrastructure: Easy to get around and do everything. Everyone speaks English as well as probably Arabic, Italian with lots of Germain and French as well. Bus system is cheap (2 euro) and easy to use. Download Cabi or Uper, no uber on the island.
Parties – Lots of clubs and bars line the beaches and are in the cities. If you want massive clubs with face melting DJ sets, hit Ibiza, you wont find that it here. It’s still fun and you can party (as well as find party enhancing things) but be warned, it is a YOUNG scene. Like high school and secondary school age. EF is a tour group that specializes in educational tours for 14-18 year olds. They take a lot of students here form around Europe to practice their English (read drink and party all night). They will be at the clubs in force so keep that in mind.
Chill out – Great location to chill out. Although there is a young crowd its easy to get away to quiet locations. Rent an AirbnB for reasonable rates. Read on the beach, walk the narrow streets in Valletta/Mdina with frequent coffee and gelato stops. Hop on a boat to see the coast line. Pro Tip: If you really want to chill out with less crowds stay on Gozo. The evenings and mornings are very peaceful until the Ferries start running. But you’ll sacrifice being surrounded by 16th century fortifications.
History – Another highlight of the island. Loads of history here form Crusaders versus Moors, to British Colonization, and WWII. A lot to see and do. There is a church in Rabat (near Mdina) with an undetainated bomb in the middle of it that was dropped during WWII.
Couple More Pro Tips:
- Blue Lagoon is cool but honestly the islands are full of cool beautiful blue swimming spots, you do not need to go there. Plus there are massive crowds so its not exactly relaxing.
- Really recommend booking smaller chartered boat. Big ones will not have much room. I paid 100 euro for smaller boat while larger ones are maybe 50 euro. The difference was glaring.
- Gozo is the really chill island but less stuff to look at. Comino is very small and one poorly run hotel on it. Malta has everything and you can find quiet spots.
- Go to a shisha lounge one time
- Diving: I dont dive but lots of diving options and a very popular activity. Just know that most the wrecks are recently and purposely sunk for more diving opportunities. Still cool but just be aware
- Worth noting again, lots of 14-18 year olds
Culture Capital 