Malta Explorer

Things to do in Malta

Independent guides to the activities worth your time: harbour tours, Comino boat trips, dive sites, Megalithic temples, Valletta walking. Each guide tells you what the experience is, when it works best, who it suits, and how to book it without paying the tourist surcharge. Filter by what you're in the mood for.

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Showing all 15 experiences

The Dingli Cliffs at sunset, with the chapel of St Mary Magdalene silhouetted against the orange sky and the cliff dropping to the dark Mediterranean below Free to walk

Nature & wildlife

Dingli Cliffs at sunset: the highest point on Malta

The 250-metre cliff line above the southern Mediterranean, the chapel at the edge, and how to time the visit for the magic hour. Free.

1–2 hr · Easy
A diver descending into the Inland Sea cave tunnel at Dwejra, Gozo, with limestone walls and blue light from the open sea visible at the end From €60

Water & sea

Diving Malta and Gozo: the best shore diving in the central Mediterranean

Inland Sea Tunnel, Blue Hole, Santa Marija Cave, P29 wreck: the headline dive sites and where to base. Plus PADI certification on Gozo.

3–8 hr · Moderate
The Blue Lagoon at first light, empty turquoise water between Comino and the limestone islet of Cominotto From €10

Water & sea

The Blue Lagoon at Comino: how to visit without hating the day

Why the Blue Lagoon is ruined between 10:00 and 16:00, the small-operator early-morning strategy, and how to find Crystal Lagoon (the better one) next door.

4–5 hr · Easy
A traditional Maltese dghajsa water taxi crossing Grand Harbour at golden hour, with the bastion walls of Valletta rising behind From €2

Water & sea

Three Cities harbour crossing: the €2 dghajsa beats the tourist cruise

Why the traditional dghajsa water taxi for €2 beats the harbour cruises at €35. The crossing, the Three Cities walk on the other side, and how to time it.

3–5 hr · Easy
The Ta' Ċenċ cliffs on the south coast of Gozo, with the unmarked path running along the cliff edge at golden hour Free to walk

Adventure & hiking

Hiking the Gozo coast: two routes the guidebooks miss

The Sannat-Ta' Ċenċ cliffs and the San Lawrenz-Gharb walks. Unmarked paths, no facilities, the best of Gozo on foot. Spring and autumn only.

2–4 hr · Moderate
A plate of fenek bil-birra (Maltese rabbit stew with beer) at a traditional Maltese kitchen, with sourdough bread on the side From €15

Food & wine

Maltese food experience: pastizzi, ftira, fenek and where to actually eat

The traditional Maltese dishes worth ordering, the kitchens that do them well, and the pitfalls of tourist-tier restaurant menus. Named places.

2–4 hr · Easy
Painted luzzu boats in Marsaxlokk harbour at sunrise with the parish church of Our Lady of Pompei visible behind Free to walk

Food & wine

Marsaxlokk fish market: the Sunday version and the weekday version

The painted luzzu fleet, the Sunday tourist market, and the working weekday morning when the boats unload. What to actually eat and what to skip.

2–3 hr · Easy
The Ggantija south temple at golden hour, the massive limestone slabs of the enclosing wall set against a Gozitan landscape From €10

Culture & heritage

Ggantija temples on Gozo: older than the Egyptian pyramids

The oldest of the Maltese megalithic temples, in Xagħra, Gozo. Combined ticket with Ta' Kola windmill. Visit mechanics, what to look for, and how to combine.

2–3 hr · Easy
The Cittadella in Victoria, Gozo, rising above village rooftops at golden hour From €20

Culture & heritage

Gozo day trip from Malta: why one day is too short, and how to do it anyway

The honest day-trip plan from Malta if you cannot stay overnight. Cittadella, Ggantija, Dwejra in 6 hours with the ferry round trip. Plus the case for staying.

8–10 hr · Easy
The Mnajdra temple complex at dusk, the upright limestone slabs catching the last warm light against the dark Mediterranean behind From €10

Culture & heritage

Hagar Qim and Mnajdra: the cliff-top temples of south Malta

The paired UNESCO temples on the southern cliffs, older than the Egyptian pyramids. Visit mechanics, the equinox sunrise alignment, and how long to actually spend.

2–3 hr · Easy
Fireworks display over a Maltese village parish church at night during a summer festa, with the illuminated baroque facade visible below Free to walk

Culture & heritage

Maltese village festas: the summer calendar and what to expect

Every Maltese village celebrates its patron saint with a four-day festival. The fireworks competitions, the band marches, the etiquette. Calendar and how to plan.

3–6 hr · Easy
The Mdina Gate at golden hour, the baroque limestone facade lit by warm sun with the city walls rising behind From €10

Culture & heritage

Mdina and Rabat: the silent walled city and the catacombs

The half-day walking tour of Malta's old capital. Mdina cathedral, Bastion Square sunset, St Paul's Catacombs in Rabat, and what time to actually visit.

3–5 hr · Easy
The painted vault interior of St John's Co-Cathedral showing Mattia Preti's frescoes from the life of John the Baptist From €15

Culture & heritage

St John's Co-Cathedral: the Caravaggios and the marble floor

The Knights of St John's conventual church in Valletta, with the two original Caravaggios and a marble tombstone floor of every Knight. Booking tips, dress code, what to look for.

2–3 hr · Easy
Limestone-carved underground chamber at the Hypogeum, with painted spiral motifs visible on the curving ceiling From €40

Culture & heritage

The Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni: how to actually get a ticket

The Neolithic underground necropolis with 80 visitor slots per day. Book 2-3 months ahead for summer, 6 weeks for shoulder season. Visit mechanics and the daily lottery.

1 hr · Easy
Republic Street in Valletta at golden hour, the pedestrianised spine running between honey-coloured limestone facades Free to walk

Culture & heritage

Valletta walking tour: a self-guided route in 3 hours

The honest walking route from the Triton Fountain to Fort St Elmo, with St John's Co-Cathedral, the Caravaggios and Upper Barrakka. Self-guided in 3 hours.

3–4 hr · Easy