17 Reasons Why Malta is Worth Visiting in 2023

Are you wondering if you should put Malta on your travel bucket list in 2023? I have got the answer for you, and it is a wholehearted YES – Malta is worth visiting in 2023!

Slow Travelers, couples and adventure travelers will find themselves drawn to Malta for many different reasons. The small island is located between Sicily and North Africa. It offers not only the most stunning turquoise water in all of Europe but we also know it for its high density of cultural sights.

Many people know Malta for being the backdrop of the famous TV show Game of Thrones. Apart from that, many other movies, such as Popeye, Gladiator and Wold War Z play in Malta. Not convinced yet?

I have created a list with 17 reasons why I loved traveling to Malta – and why it is worth visiting in 2023. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

• 1. Thousands of Years of Interesting History
• 2. Amazing Weather Year Round
• 3. See the Location of Your Favorite TV Series
• 4. Huge Cultural Diversity
• 5. Historic Cities
• 6. Stunningly Clear Blue Water
• 7. Cute Little Islands Close By
• 8. Interesting Landmarks
• 9. Beaches, Lagoons and Natural Pools
• 10. Delicious Food
• 11. Fun Festivals
• 12. Friendly People
• 13. Easy to Explore
• 14. Vibrant Island Life
• 15. Affordable Luxury
• 16. Safety
• 17. English is the Second Official Language in Malta
• How to Get to Malta
• The Weather in Malta
• Where to Stay in Malta
• How to Get Around Malta
• Frequently asked Questions?
• Summary: Is Malta Worth Visiting in 2023?
• About the Author

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1. Thousands of Years of Interesting History

In Malta and Gozo, you can find prehistoric temples that have existed for thousands of years.

Some of the oldest, man-made structures in the world can be found in Malta. The Megalithic Temples (some of them are more than 5500 years old) are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Make sure to visit the old capital of Mdina, the silent city. Mdina is a small, picturesque town nestled on a hill overlooking the island.

The town is famous for its historically significant buildings, museums, and cute cafes. It was built in the Middle Ages, and visiting Mdina feels like taking a time machine.

2. Amazing Weather Year Round

Malta is an extremely good destination for a summer vacation – almost no rain drops in sight.

Malta generally enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters.

Summers last from June to September. They are typically sunny and hot with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (95°F). It is a great time for beach activities and swimming in the crystal-clear waters. However, it can get a bit uncomfortable in the middle of the day in summer.

Winters, from December to February, are mild, with temperatures averaging around 15°C (59°F). Rainfall is more common during this season, but it is still relatively low. An amazing time to travel to Malta on a budget.

Spring and autumn bring pleasant temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), making it ideal for outdoor exploration and sightseeing.

Overall, Malta has an amazing climate throughout the year, perfect for both relaxing beach vacations and cultural adventures.

Malta is also an amazing stop for a cruise – read what to do in one day in Malta.

3. See the Location of Your Favorite TV Series

It will come as no surprise to you that the picturesque structures of Malta have been featured in many movies and series.

Many spots in Malta and Gozo became especially famous with the TV-series Game of Thrones. Just like Dubrovnik, Malta is one of the main filming spots for the series.

It is so much fun seeing the magnificent backdrop that we all know from TV in real life!

Other big productions, like World War Z, Gladiator and Midnight Express have also been filmed in Malta.

4. Huge Cultural Diversity

In history Malta was ruled by the Romans, the Arabs as well as the Brits, therefore you may encounter a great mix of cultural influences around the island.

Due to all of these influences, the food, the architecture, and the mentality of people is extremely diverse. The Arab presence is today still very strong since it left a distinct mark on the Maltese language.

All of these influences make it so interesting – and make Malta worth visiting in 2023.

5. Historic Cities

Mdina, the silent city is not the only historically significant place in Malta.

Make sure to also take a ferry to Gozo: the small sister city of Malta is only a 20 min ferry ride away. The town offers you a journey back in history – as well as a great choice of sandy white beaches. You can even stay in Gozo for a couple of days.

Valletta itself is of course always worth a visit. Close by Valletta, you can find the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Other cultural and architectural highlights of the island are Fort St. Elmo, Casa Rocca Piccola, Mosta Dome, Palazzo Parisio, Ggantija Temples, Auberge de Castille, and many more. Don’t forget about the Azure Window.

6. Stunningly Clear Blue Water

The water off the coast of Malta is stunningly clear, you could almost think you landed in the Caribbean. This is one of the main reasons why Malta is worth visiting – especially in summer!

84 out of a total of 87 beaches across Malta and Gozo have been classified as having excellent bathing water quality in the season. Very few places in the world receive such perfect scores.

7. Cute Little Islands Close By

There are quite a few small islands located right next to Malta. Only three of the islands, Malta, Gozo, and Comino are actually inhabited.

You can book a boat trip to Comino, the Blue Lagoon, and the Crystal Lagoon of Malta! This was by far one of my favorite things to do in Malta.

The boat tour took us to stunning caves and beautiful turquoise waters and gave us a chance to work on our tan while being served ice-cold drinks. These little islands alone definitely make Malta worth visiting.

8. Interesting Landmarks

Apart from all the historical landmarks I have mentioned, there are also quite a few places that are quirky and interesting.

One of these interesting landmarks is Popeye Village. It used to be a film set but has been turned into an amusement park later on.

The Gozo Salt Pans are another interesting landmark that make Malta worth a visit.

9. Beaches, Lagoons and Natural Pools

Beaches, lagoons, and natural pools are some of my favorite features of Malta.

Malta does not only have fabulous beaches, such as Ghajn Tuffieha (Riviera Bay) and Għadira Bay, but is also known for amazingly blue Lagoons and Natural Pools.

You can see stunning Natural Pools at St. Peter’s Pool and Għar Lapsi.

10. Delicious Food

The food in Malta is extremely delicious. As mentioned before, the many different cultural influences also left their mark on the cuisine of the island.

One of the biggest influences on the Maltese cuisine was made by the Italians. There are lots of pasta dishes and other Italian favorites served in Malta.

Apart from the Italian food, traditional Maltese food is rustic and very seasonal. Make sure to try traditional Lampuki Pie (fish pie), Bragioli (beef olives), or Kapunata, the Maltese version of ratatouille.

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11. Fun Festivals

Malta is home to almost 300 different churches. Each and every single church is dedicated to a different saint.

In summer, many of these saints are celebrated with some so-called “festas”.

This means lots of decorations in the streets and a fun party around the island. Sometimes you can even see some pretty spectacular fireworks.

12. Friendly People

The Maltese are very laid back, friendly, and outgoing. This makes exploring the island a total joy.

The crowds traveling to Malta are usually consisting of young people, since it is a popular destination for these ages.

So not only will you meet super nice locals but probably also meet many interesting, young people traveling to Malta on your trip.

13. Easy to Explore

Malta is extremely easy to explore, because the island is not very big. Traffic can be lagging sometimes, so you need a little bit of patience.

We have rented an ATV for our entire stay and we had an amazing time driving around the island. It just took us some getting used to driving on the “wrong” side of the streets.

I love visiting smaller islands, such as Malta, exactly for that reason. You can drive around without much planning and just see where you end up.

14. Vibrant Island Life

Malta offers a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene, making it a popular destination young and old seeking entertainment after the sun sets.

From lively bars and clubs to beach parties and music festivals, there is something for everyone.

Paceville, in St. Julian’s, is known for its bustling nightlife with numerous bars and clubs.

Valletta and Sliema also offer a variety of venues where visitors can enjoy live music, cocktails, and a lively atmosphere.

15. Affordable Luxury

Compared to other islands in the Mediterranean, Malta is relatively cheap. You can stay in amazing hotels for very little money comparatively.

There is a broad selection of fancy hotels and resorts that will make your Malta vacation definitely worth a visit.

16. Safety

Malta is generally considered a safe destination for tourists.

The crime rate is relatively low, and violent crime is rare. Of course, it’s always important to exercise caution and follow common-sense safety measures.

Even though there are Arabic influences around the island (as you can see on the street signs sometimes), we did not feel a need to cover up or dress in any special way to be respectful.

We have also never felt unsafe despite being two young girls exploring on our own.

The locals are also extremely helpful and not opposed to having tourists on the island.

17. English is the Second Official Language in Malta

Malta is a former British colony, which means that most locals are fluent in English.

I don’t know about you, but I always find it extremely helpful when I can communicate with locals effectively when traveling.

The main language spoken on the island is Maltese. It also helps that the official currency in Malta is the Euro.

How to Get to Malta

The quickest and easiest way to reach Malta is by plane. Most European cities offer a direct connection to the island, usually operated by the Maltese Airline Air Malta.

The biggest and only airport on the island is Malta International Airport. People refer to it as Valletta Airport.

Theoretically, you can also reach the island by ferry (e.g. from Sicily), but the transfer time is quite long.

The capital city of Valletta does allow cruise ships in its port. Many people will arrive in Malta via the big vessels on a Western Mediterranean Cruise.

The Weather in Malta

The island of Malta has a Mediterranean climate. This means mild winters and very hot summers. The summers are usually very dry. There can be some rain in the months of fall or winter.

January is the coldest month in Malta, the maximum temperatures are around 12 to 18 °C (54 to 64 °F). During night times, the weather in Malta in January can be as cold as 6 to 12 °C (43 to 54 °F). The weather in Malta in February is very similar to January, just slightly warmer. It usually does not snow in Malta, although there have been reports of snow in the last century.

In March and December the weather in Malta is slightly warmer. The a daily average temperature is17 °C (63 °F). In the months April, May and June the weather in Malta is very comfortable, with average temperatures of 20 °C (68 °F). Especially in June and September Malta is worth visiting, because it is still warm but not searing hot.

July and August are the hottest months of the year in Malta. The weather in August in Malta is very hot and sunny with an average high of 32 °C (89 °F).

From September to November the weather gets a little colder in Malta and a lot more comfortable for travelers. The daily average temperatures is around 20 °C (68 °F).

Where to Stay in Malta

Based on your preferences there are many possibilities on where to stay on the island of Malta. Slow travelers will most likely find themselves preferring to stay around the Mellieha area (where you can find the best beaches) or in St. Pauls bay.

Sliema and St. Julians are famous beach towns on the island. They are usually very crowded with tourists and young people seeking the nightlife. Therefore, I would not recommend staying there if you are craving a more quiet setting.

If you like being close by historical sights, you might want to opt for Valletta, Rabat or Mdina. Valletta is a great choice for a shorter stay. I would not recommend it for a prolonged vacation due to its lack of beaches.

By ferry, you can reach Gozo island, which also offers plenty of nice places to stay. Gozo is a very small island offering a charming and quiet, yet historically significant place to stay. The other small island close by Malta is called Comino. It offers an equally relaxing atmosphere slow travelers will enjoy immensely.

On our trip to Malta, we chose the 4-Star Santana Hotel in Qawra, close to St. Pauls bay. The hotel had luxurious and spacious rooms, and the service was absolutely lovely. We especially enjoyed the rooftop pool after a long day of exploring as well as the diverse breakfast buffet. Conveniently, the hotel has its own restaurant, so good food was always within reach!

How to Get Around Malta

Getting around Malta is relatively easy. They have a well-developed transportation system.

Here are some common ways to get around:

• Public Transportation: Malta has an extensive bus network that covers most areas of the island. Buses are an affordable and convenient option for traveling between towns and popular tourist sites. The main bus terminal is in Valletta, and you can purchase tickets from the bus driver or use a tallinja card for discounted fares. Keep in mind that they might not always be very punctual.
• Taxis: Taxis are also available in Malta, and you can either hail one on the street or find them at designated taxi stands. It’s advisable to agree on a price or ask the driver to use the meter before starting the journey.
• Car Rental: Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore Malta at your own pace. Several car rental agencies operate on the island, our favorite one is DiscoverCars. If you don’t want a car, you can also rent an ATV.
• Ferries: Ferries are a popular means of transportation for traveling between Malta and its neighboring islands, such as Gozo and Comino. They provide scenic and convenient routes for island hopping.
• Walking and Cycling: Walking is a great way to explore the narrow streets of cities and towns. It is not a great way to conquer longer distances. Cycling is an option for the sporty ones among us.

Frequently asked Questions?

Summary: Is Malta Worth Visiting in 2023?

Yes, Malta is definitely worth visiting in 2023 and should be on every travelers Bucket List.

Stunning landscape, impressive historical cities and amazing beaches make the island worth visiting.

Malta has become known as a culturally vibrant and budget-friendly summer holiday destination in Europe. Because of all the historical influences you can expect to be amazed at the cultural diversity of the island.

If you are not fully convinced yet and are looking for more inspiration, check out my 30 favorite once in a lifetime destinations.

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