The Best Cities In Malta
Malta is a beautiful little archipelago in the Mediterranean and is home to a number of charming and fascinating cities waiting to be discovered.
In this article, the best cities in Malta will be explored in detail by guest writer Auston Matta.
He highlights each of the main cities in Malta, including notable highlights and the best and most popular things to do in each city.
By describing the overall vibe of each city, it is hoped you will better understand each of the main cities in Malta, and you will be able to plan your Malta trip accordingly.
So, let’s dive into": The Best Cities In Malta.
Disclaimer - this blog post contains affiliate links where we can earn a commission, if you make a purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).
The Best Cities In Malta
Malta is one of southern Europe's most underrated tourist destinations. It's the fifth smallest country in Europe, but size isn't everything! For such a small country, so much variety is crammed into its two inhabited islands: Malta and Gozo.
Beyond its golden sand beaches and encircling turquoise waters, it is a land of contradictions and rich history. Any visit to Malta is a delve into a melting pot of cultures, where the old effortlessly blends into the new.
You can see it in the architecture, and you can see it in the people. Malta is somehow very conservative and yet ranked as one of the most LGBT+ friendly countries in all of Europe.
The best way to investigate these contradictions and idiosyncrasies is in Malta´s enchanting cities, where there is always something new and surprising to discover.
Wonderful Maltese architecture on display in Mdina
Valletta
Valletta is Malta's capital and is so beautiful that the whole city earned the prestigious title of being a UNESCO heritage site. Once a fortress due to its many conquerors over the years, the city has an eclectic mix of architecture ranging from Baroque to more modernistic styles.
It is often affectionately referred to as “the open museum” and indeed, only in Valletta can you see some of Europe's oldest buildings sitting next to more recent relics - like one of Britain's trademark red phone boxes!
Due to its small size, you can easily walk around the main sights. To name a few, there is Fort Saint Elmo, a star-shaped fortress on the tip of the peninsula; the Grand Master's Palace with its luxurious interior and impressive armoury; or the ruins of the old opera house, which is now an open-air theatre whose live music draws in passers-by from the nearby streets.
Colourful balconies in Valletta
Quick tip: a quick walking tour of Valletta is the best way to discover the main highlights of the city without committing to a tour for an entire day!
Malta is also known for its great food. Valletta offers hundreds of cafés, bars and restaurants to choose between, serving such yummy delicacies as rabbit stew, fish pies and Pastizzi - Malta´s delicious signature pasties.
Should you be walking through the streets on a Monday or Saturday around noon, you might be forgiven for thinking the city was under attack. This is because high above the city in the Upper Barrakka Gardens, imposing-looking cannons are fired. Even if you miss this spectacle, the gardens themselves are stunningly beautiful and offer the best view down over the grand harbour below.
Have you found yourself asking, ‘Is Malta safe to travel to?’ Well, Valletta is statistically one of the safest cities in Europe, so we always recommend Malta as a safe travel destination.
Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta
Did you know? Valletta is also home to the Fast Ferry Terminal which is the easiest way to get to Gozo from Malta.
Best things to do in Valletta
Here’s a very brief rundown of some of the highlights of visiting Valletta:
Explore Upper Barrakka Gardens and time your visit to witness the famous Saluting Battery
Discover Fort St. Elmo and the National War Museum
Visit St Johns Co-Cathedral and see the unique Baroque architecture
Best Places to stay in Valletta
A quick guide to the best places to stay in Valletta:
Best budget-friendly option: Valletta Mint Apartment - small private apartment in the centre of Valletta
Best luxury stay in Valletta: Grand Hotel Excelsior - located directly on Valletta Harbour (2 Pools and Spa on-site)
Dining on the street in Valletta
Vittoriosa/Birgu (The Three Cities)
Vittoriosa/Birgu is actually one of what is known as “The Three Cities” in Malta. To add to the confusion, each has two names that have become almost interchangeable. Luckily, there´s nothing confusing about their location, and they all sit close to each other across from Valletta and are easy to get between via a scenic walkway along the connecting harbour.
Wandering around all three is an excellent way to get a deeper insight into authentic Maltese life away from the crowds and to find the best restaurants off the beaten track.
Birgu has the most to offer the intrepid explorer, and highlights include Fort Sant Angelo, The Maritime Museum and the best view of Valletta´s harbours from across the water. It is also the place to be at night if you like wine bars. And who doesn't like wine bars?
Gardjola Gardens Tower in the Three Cities
Want to know the best thing to do in Three Cities? This 3-Cities tour and wine-tasting tour will be one of the highlights of your trip to Malta.
Best things to do in the Three Cities
A brief summary of the highlights of visiting the Three Cities:
Stroll around the Marina and gawk at the mega-yachts that are moored there
Read a book and relax in Gardjola Gardens
Explore Fort St. Angelo and get lost inside its historic fortified walls
Best Places to stay in the Three Cities
A quick guide to the best places to stay in the Three Cities:
Best budget-friendly option: Three Cities Apartments - private fully-furnished apartments in a quiet neighbourhood
Best luxury stay in the Three Cities: Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour - one of the most luxury hotels in Malta
St. Julian´s
On the subject of nightlife, just north of Valletta is the town of St. Julian´s. Like all of Malta's cities, it has its own fair share of churches, medieval buildings and restaurants, but it’s mostly known for its active nightlife - especially in the Paceville area.
Paceville has the moniker of “the sin city”, and as night falls, it's easy to see why. Huge clubs like Havana and Sky Club Malta boast free entrance fees and multiple dance floors to party on till sunrise. Just be sure to line your stomach with some of that aforementioned Maltese food beforehand.
St Julian’s is also the best place to try flyboarding in Malta. The extreme water sport has become somewhat of an internet sensation in recent years, and when you see the footage, it’s easy to see why.
Ben flyboarding in Spinola Bay - St Julian’s
Best things to do in the St Julians
A brief summary of the highlights of St Julians:
Experience Malta’s crazy nightlife at Havana or Sky Club Malta
Get your first experience of Flyboarding - the newest (and trickiest) water sport
Sunbathe on Ballutta Bay Beach
Eat at one of the many water-facing restaurants along the coastline
Best Places to stay in St Julians
A quick guide to the best places to stay in the St Julians:
Best budget-friendly option: Mercure Hotel - rooftop terrace and swimming pool overlooking Spinola Bay
Best luxury stay in the St Julians: H Hotel and Spa (Adults Only) - rooms featuring private spa baths
Mdina
This dominating fortress-like city looms high above the rolling green fields around it. It is truly ancient – dating back 4,000 years – and was once the capital of the region.
Mdina joins a lot of its neighbours by having earned a nickname, in this case, it is “the silent city” due to its inhabitants moving to Vittoirisas in 1530, leaving it largely empty.
In the modern day, as well as being a popular place for tourists to visit, it is inhabited once again. Thankfully though, it remains relatively quiet due to its strict no cars policy. As such, you are free to get lost within its fortress walls without annoying traffic to contest with. In fact, it’s hard to believe there are people living there at all times.
Mdina is like a living, breathing museum and is a veritable maze of stone gates, narrow alleys, incredible courtyards and medieval churches. Its crowning jewel is St. Paul's Cathedral, right at its centre, but you can also visit multiple museums here, such as the Mdina Natural History Museum - if you’re brave enough, you can even delve deep into the city dungeons.
Thankfully, getting to Mdina is very straightforward, making it one of the easiest cities in Malta to visit.
You can get a horse-drawn carriage ride of Mdina - though it’s small enough to walk on your own 2 feet
Our suggestion: an affordable day-trip of the highlights of Mdina is the best way to discover everything the charming ‘Silent City’ has to offer.
Best things to do in Mdina
A brief summary of the highlights of Mdina:
Get lost in the streets of the old city of Mdina
Visit St Pauls Catacombs - an expansive underground Roman burial complex
Take some Instagram-worthy photos in front of the Mdina Main Gate
Try a range of teas at the Fontanella Tea Garden
Best Places to stay in Mdina
A quick guide to the best places to stay in Mdina:
Best budget-friendly option: Best affordable option is actually to stay elsewhere in Malta and take a trip to Mdina
Best luxury option in Mdina: Xara Palace Relais and Chateaux - celebrity-esque customer service in a hotel that sits directly inside the fortified walls of the old city of Mdina
Mdina - the infamous ‘Silent City’ of Malta
Victoria
A short ferry ride can take you across to Goza, the second biggest of Malta´s islands and home to the city of Victoria. Victoria has a lively main square full of restaurants and cafes, a bustling weekly market and a tranquil old town to wander around.
One of the best things to do in Victoria is visit the famous Cittadella. The Cittadella, often referred to as Victoria´s castle, was even a military installation in the late 1800s, offering a 360 view of the island.
Victoria is a good base camp for exploring all the best things to do in Gozo. Boat excursions can be made from a nearby harbor to see perhaps the country's most famous landmark, the Blue Lagoon. The name pretty much says it all, and a swim in its azure blue waters is an experience worthy of any bucket list!
Top tip: you are able to visit Victoria on any of the best day-trips to Gozo from Malta
The iconic Victoria Cittadella
Best things to do Victoria
A brief summary of the highlights of Victoria:
Kick back and relax in Villa Rundle
Roam around the Victoria Cittadella - the most impressive architectural and cultural highlight of Victoria
Find a bargain or two at the Victoria Street Market
Take a trip to Ta’ Pinu Basilica
Best Places to stay in Victoria
A quick guide to the best places to stay in Victoria:
Best budget-friendly option: Maria Townhouse B+B - modestly sized, well-furnished rooms with private balcony
Best luxury stay in Victoria: Duke Boutique Hotel - directly next to Villa Rundle Gardens
Malta is a country full of rich, diverse culture and nowhere is this more apparent than in the cities of the European island nation. We hope this article has helped you discover the best cities to visit in Malta and inspired you for your Malta travel itinerary.
