What to do in Malta- to be quite truthful, I do not know where to begin. This little Mediterranean island state has stolen my heart altogether, and I have spent many hours wandering around this country. Sandwiched between Sicily and North Africa, Malta is among the few places where you can swim in crystal-clear water in the morning, visit 5000-year-old temples during lunch and see the sunset through medieval city walls in the evening. And the best thing about it is that you do not need a fortune to have it all. We have assisted thousands of travellers to explore Malta without having to empty their wallets at Low Cost Vibes, and I will provide all that you should know about your first trip there.
Planning Your Trip: What to Do in Malta for an Unforgettable Visit
Reasons Malta Should Be Your Next Mediterranean Escapist
I want to tell you something about Malta that shocked me; it is too simple to get around. Everyone is speaking English (in fact, it is an official language with Maltese). Buses are everywhere and the entire main island is not much longer than 27 kilometres. It’s possible to have breakfast in a specific town, visit some ancient ruins in the middle of the day, have lunch in the capital, and go swimming. And then you can spend time on the amazing beach, and come back to have dinner without being in a hurry.
The weather? Absolutely brilliant. At least 300 sunny days per year implies that you can count on the outdoor activities. I have been there in spring, summer and autumn and to tell the truth, each season is magical. By using Low Cost Vibes to book your Malta holidays, you are prearranging yourself a holiday that is most economical and memorable, not only in marketing lingo but in the real sense of the word as well.
Valletta: Micro Capital, Macro Personality
When in doubt about what to see in Malta then begin with Valletta. This city blew my mind. It is the smallest capital of Europe, less than a square kilometre, but it has more history and beauty in it than cities ten times its size. Crowded with knights in the 1500s, each street resembles a movie scene. I mean the honey-coloured limestone buildings and the wooden balconies, painted in vivid colours and the views that have been known to interrupt walking, to be able to see it all.
The entry fee is worth all the money in St. John’s Co-Cathedral. I am not quite a religious person; however, when I see myself standing in the centre of the baroque masterpiece with the marble floor out of tombstones and the painting by Caravaggio on the wall, it is really breathtaking. To get free spectacular views, drive to the Upper Barrakka Gardens. At noon, go to the cannon ceremony. It is free, it is fun, and the harbour views are Instagram gold without any effort.
In this case, here is one of my budget tips I got to know about, just taking a walk around Valletta. Seriously. The attraction itself is the city. Visit churches (mostly free), walk down side streets, get a coffee at a local cafe, and imbibe. I have spent some whole mornings doing so and not more than a few euros in pastries and coffee. Low Cost Vibes has always informed the customers that smart flight savings have more money to enjoy experiences and Valletta shows you that you can have an amazing experience with next to no money.
How to Have Beach Days without Spending a Fortune
What to do in Malta without visiting the beach? Impossible. The Mediterranean here is the shade of blue that is unreal in photographs. The best beach experience that I got was in St. Peter’s Pool, which is simply a natural swimming pool that has been cut into limestone close to a fishing village known as Marsaxlokk. Zero entrance fee. Take snorkelling equipment (get some inexpensive ones in town in case you forgot to bring some) and you will be able to observe the fish, rocks and water so clear that you can count the pebbles on the floor of the sea.
Northwards at Golden Bay is beautiful, with real sand. Yes, you will share it with others in the summer, but just come early, and you will get your place. You can rent a lounger or you can take a towel and save those euros. Beach bars are few, though frankly I tend to shop beforehand in a supermarket, fresh bread, local cheese, fruit and there you have a Mediterranean picnic which costs you less than ten euros.
The Blue Lagoon on Comino is there. I will be honest with you, look, it is touristy because it is beautiful. The water is that turquoise, which you see in travel posters. Unless you are buying with local operators, the ferry tickets are decent. Arrive either before or after the day to prevent high attendance. Grab your lunch, bring lots of water, and you have a luxurious day trip at a cheap price.
The History That Makes You Feel Something
When I was reading about what to do in Malta, I continued reading about these ancient temples, and I was thinking, “Ok, ok, old stones. Next, I went to Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra. These are older than Stonehenge temples. Older than the pyramids. It was standing there, looking at huge stones, which were absolutely in the right place thousands of years ago, and the Mediterranean is right beneath- I had real goose-bumps. The ticket price is low and frankly speaking, it is one of the experiences which you will not forget.
Mdina completely charmed me. They refer to it as the Silent City and strolling down its small medieval streets is a time travel. None of the cars were permitted in; only people walking past palaces and churches. The best part? It’s free to explore. Just wander. Get deliberately lost. Discover small courtyards, look through doorways, and walk up the bastions to look. Admittedly, the cathedral is rather expensive to visit, yet the city itself is full of free things to do and see.
The real Maltese life takes place in the Three Cities on the other side of the harbour of Valletta. The reduction of tourists, increased authenticity, beautiful walks along the waterfront, and narrow streets with laundry hanging between houses. Get pastizzi (savoury pastry) in one of the local stores and spend less than one euro on them, as fishermen approach their boats. It is Malta that low-end tourism guides usually overlook, yet it is an essential part of getting to the island. For more on Malta’s ancient heritage, visit Heritage Malta.
Gozo: The Island That Time Forgot
The trip to Gozo by the ferry is in itself an exploration, and a trip to Malta should have at least one day on this lesser-known island. The ferry is very frequent and it only costs a few euros. Gozo is slower, more green, and possesses this country quality that is in such a contrast with the busier Malta atmosphere.
The Azure Window fell down a few years ago (nature takes its course), but the setting of the scene at Dwejra is magnificent. This natural pool, which is linked to the Mediterranean, is the Inland Sea, which can be found in a tunnel made up of rocks. There are local boat operators who operate on quick trips on the tunnel and around the coastline at a charge of a few euros. It is fast, exciting and offers a view of rock formations and cliffs at an angle that is not available on the ground.
In Gozo, the major town is around the Citadel, and this is Victoria. It is best to climb up to watch the sunset in case you can see the vistas stretch across the whole island. The museums within include a small fee; however, being on top up there among the old fortifications is free and wonderful. You can rent bikes and discover the countryside in case you are in the mood of adventure (daily rates are low). There are small chapels, salt pans, cottages, and beaches with few people on them.
Saving Every Euro with Low Cost Vibes
The point is that you can do whatever you want in Malta because the experiences are there, regardless of whether you are spending a lot of money or not. It is not about how you get there, but whether you get there cheaply to spend on fun. It is at that point that Low Cost Vibes comes into the picture. Our reputation has been based on discovering truly good deals on flights that do not involve unpleasant surprises or unintentional expenses.
I have heard about so many visitors who invested so much in flights that they were left to shorten their journey or fail to enjoy things they actually desired. That’s backwards. Our Malta flight deals mean you are spending your money wisely. A lot of money in your pocket means a lot of dinners out with Maltese rabbit stew, boat trips around the islands, and the ability to be flexible and say yes when you find something unexpected and wonderful.
Your Malta holidays will be booked by Low Cost Vibes and this translates to people who care about value when it comes to travel. We deal with queries, we assist in planning and we really want you to have a wonderful time without money taking the centre stage over everything.
Real Budget Strategies That Actually Work
Somewhat what to do in Malta, wisdom I have learned on several occasions. The bus service is excellent, indeed. A week pass should be purchased when you are staying longer than a few days and you have the liberty to travel anywhere as many times as possible. There are buses that are regularly running, clean, and arrive at all tourist destinations and also all the local destinations.
Food- here you can either save huge or waste a lot of money. The restaurants in the main streets of Valletta are tourist restaurants where tourists would pay tourist prices. Take the next two streets and you will have family restaurants where the residents dine, the prices are half and the food is usually better. Pastizi can be found everywhere – the ricotta or pea-filled pasta costs less than a euro and can be used as a snack. Purchase picnic items in the supermarkets on the beach and on country excursions.
There are so many free things in Malta. Churches, opinions, beaches, hiking trails, village festivals (when you are lucky enough to go), wandering past historic towns, these are all free, but offer you actual experiences. Museums sometimes have free days and discounted evenings. With some pre-planning, you will find the best locations in the world without having to purchase tickets every single time.
Be a little further out of the major tourist areas and your hotel rates will plummet by a wide margin, and yet it will be conveniently accessed by bus. I have lived well in Sliema, St. Julian and even in smaller towns, which are easily accessible to all that I wished to see and do.
It is now the time to start your Malta Adventure
Malta is a place where you do what makes you happy. Love history? You’re sorted for days. Beach person? The coastline is endless. Foodie? Maltese food is a fantastic fusion of Mediterranean, North African, and Italian food. Photographer? Every corner is photogenic. What makes this island truly beautiful is that it opens its doors to all and can offer unforgettable experiences to any guest, no matter what the budget is, making a holiday to Malta truly special.
Get Low Cost Vibes to plan and get you there at a low cost. You are preoccupied with fantasies of swimming in the blue oceans and walking through the old streets in the Mediterranean sun and stories you will be telling for a long time. Malta is waiting, and to be quite honest, it will by far surpass whatever you think it is.
FAQs about what to do in Malta
I find that five to seven days is the optimum first-time duration. You will see Valletta to pieces, spend a few days at the beach, see the key historical spots, and have a day trip to Gozo without any haste. I have made short-term visits and felt that I was missing something and longer visits when I have found some hidden diamonds that I would not have visited. If you can manage a week, do it. Low Cost Vibes can assist you when it comes to finding the flights that can fit in any timeframe you have.
April and early June are just beautiful, it is warm enough to swim and wildflowers will be blooming in all places and the prices of accommodation are not so high as they are in summer. September and October are also beautiful and the sea temperatures are warm and the crowds are lesser. These shoulder seasons have helped me save money where travelling during July- August would have cost me a lot and to be honest, the experience is more enjoyable as big sites are not overcrowded. During such months, Low Cost Vibes also has special promotions.
Not really, no. I have been around the Mediterranean a lot and I find Malta cheaper than other destinations such as the French Riviera, Santorini and the Amalfi Coast. You also have similar beauty and experiences at a lower cost. It is not expensive to accommodate, food is not expensive, provided you eat locally, and there are plenty of free or low-cost attractions. Intelligent budgeting implies that Malta can accommodate virtually any kind of budget. Malta has seen both backpackers and high-end people enjoy themselves in different ways.
Well, not, I suppose, on your first visit. My third trip was the first time that I rented a car, and I had already seen the vast majority of large sites on a bus. Its transport system is very good and it covers all places that a tourist would like to visit. Gozzo buses are timed with ferry services. You can use the money you saved in rent to go on boat trips or out to nice dinners, or spend the night out. When you are truly after independence and wish to do some exploring in some far-off areas without planning, car rentals are not that expensive, but certainly not something to make or buy.
Bring light clothes that can be breathable since the seasons are hot enough, particularly from May to September. Good walking shoes are a necessity, you will be walking around exploring cities and climbing steep rocks with no even ground. Certainly, a hat, sunscreen (the sun in the area is intense), and swimwear. To attend churches, do carry something to cover your shoulders and knees most will not admit you without it. The refilled water bottles help in saving money because tap water can be drunk. The island of Malta is small, and therefore you do not really need to carry as much as you may consider. You should also consider leaving some space in your suitcase to take home some local honey, wine, and crafts!
