![\"Things](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Things-to-do-in-Malta-@ashleyiswell-700x875.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMalta may not be on your backpacking radar yet, but it definitely should be. There are countless exciting things to do in Malta and it\u2019s one of those places where there\u2019s something for everyone. For starters, Malta is in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, so the climate is near perfect all year round. Most of us agree that guaranteed sunny weather is a massive bonus on any relaxing, action-packed or culture-filled break. Check out all the best things to do in Malta to suit any and every travel style.<\/p>\n
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\ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@ashleyiswell<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n This is an ideal place to spend a day trip and learn more about Malta\u2019s former capital city before its current capital, Valletta, even existed. Mdina is a historic, medieval city which looks like it’s been frozen in time. Don\u2019t forget to check out St Paul\u2019s Cathedral while you\u2019re there, not to mention the incredible views over the whole country (yes, country!) from the top of the rear wall.<\/p>\n Surprisingly for a Mediterranean country, Malta\u2019s cuisine relies heavily on carbs and unusual meats. Malta\u2019s national dish is rabbit stew, which is served with a side of red wine gravy, carrots and potatoes. Other traditional Maltese meals include Widow\u2019s Soup (essentially vegetable soup) and Timpana which is an oven\u2013cooked dish made with macaroni and various meats topped with pastry. You might need a nap after eating Timpana! If none of these dishes appeal to you, luckily you\u2019ll find lots of delicious mezze platters served with traditional Maltese sourdough bread.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@anelarmando<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n One of the most popular things to do in Malta is to explore the Game of Thrones filming locations. Season one was shot in Malta before production moved to Dubrovnik for season two, but King\u2019s Landing and many of the scenes in Essos were shot in Malta. Mdina and Gozo are the most notable cities used in filming, but if you\u2019re a super-fan then booking a tour might be a good idea as there are many Game of Thrones locations across the whole country.<\/p>\n Too few people are aware that Malta is an archaeologist\u2019s dream. If you\u2019re an Indiana Jones wannabe, then there are more sites dating back thousands of years than you could possibly hope to visit in one trip. One of the most important is the Hypogeum based in Paola near Valletta. It\u2019s an underground necropolis with the remains of over 7,000 people who lived over 6,000 years ago. Only a handful of tickets are released for every tour since the structure is so delicate. Make sure you book your tickets as far in advance as possible or you may miss out.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@flylikebutterfly<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n No country has been spared from the recent craft beer boom, not even a country as small as Malta. Lord Chambray takes home the gold as the biggest and most popular microbrewery in the country. They brew five beers year-round and a few more seasonally. Since they are the main brewery in the country, any half-decent bar is bound to stock one or two of their beers. If you\u2019re not a fan of craft beer, Cisk is Malta\u2019s homebrewed lager and I\u2019d put money on it being served in every single bar and restaurant in the country.<\/p>\n No trip to Malta would be complete without visiting the capital city. Valletta<\/a> is Europe\u2019s smallest capital which was built on a grid system (like New York City) to let the tall buildings shade the pavements and the cool sea air travel through the streets. It\u2019s an incredibly pretty city with painted window boxes on every corner, and the buildings are made from sandy-coloured limestone. The peaceful Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens offer picturesque views of Valletta\u2019s neighbouring towns across the water.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@shipra_gram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Game of Thrones isn\u2019t the only production to choose Malta\u2019s rugged landscapes as a filming location. The 1980 film Popeye<\/em> starring Robin Williams built an entire whimsical fishing village on Malta\u2019s east coast and the film set was turned into a theme park after production ended. It\u2019s one of the most popular things to do in Malta for families with kids but it\u2019s worth checking out if you\u2019re a big kid at heart.<\/p>\n Malta has so many historic temples, it\u2019s almost showing off. The megalithic temples were given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1992, just after the city of Valletta became one in 1980. The Tarxien Temples were most likely built for animal sacrifices and then reused in the Bronze Age for cremations. It all sounds very depressing, especially if you\u2019re indifferent about history, but no one can deny how amazing it is that these structures are still so intact and preserved after thousands of years.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@sarahjakethejew<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to squeeze into a scuba suit to appreciate Malta\u2019s ample coastlines. If visiting charming little towns and cruising at a relaxed pace is more your thing then you need to visit the Three Cities. This nickname is given to the fortified towns of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua which are nestled next to each other across the water from Valletta. They\u2019re quieter than the capital but just as beautiful and there are many forts, like Fort St. Angelo in Birgu, you can visit.<\/p>\n Speaking of the sea, one of the best things to do in Malta is to sample as much local fish as you possibly can. Malta is known for its fish stew (another example of Maltese comfort food), in particular, swordfish, sea bass and lampuka or Mahi-mahi. The best town to eat fish in Malta is Marsaxlokk and it won\u2019t surprise you to learn it\u2019s situated right by the sea and is the biggest fishing town in the country.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@robertlopezcreating<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Yes, Malta has its own annual summer music festival! The Isle of MTV takes over an entire city square right in the centre of Valletta for almost a whole week in July. All the clubs and bars get involved, hosting music nights and performances by local artists, plus huge acts like Jason Derulo and Paloma Faith have performed on the main stage.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t assume the G\u0127ar Dalam caves are just another old burial site in Malta to visit, because they serve a very different purpose. These caves contain the remains of animals like the Dwarf Elephant and types of hippopotamus, deer and bear species that are all extinct. Some of the fossils date back 10,000 years which is just astonishing. If you\u2019ve been watching a lot of David Attenborough programmes then these caves may well be of interest you.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@flylikebutterfly<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Who here likes wine? There\u2019s no better place in Malta for wine lovers than a guided tour of the Ta\u2019 Mena Estate wintery on Gozo, Malta\u2019s most northern island. Here you can sample many local wines, in a beautiful setting, while feasting on olives, tomatoes, cheese and lots of other classic Mediterranean produce.<\/p>\n One of the best things to do in Malta is to take a ferry to the island of Comino and spend an entire day swimming in the gorgeous turquoise waters and basking in the hot Maltese sun. The blue lagoon attracts so many visitors because the water is shallow and crystal clear, so it\u2019s perfect for snorkelling.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@cincocantosdomundo<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re keen to try more than the stew during your trip to Malta, you have to taste a Pastizzi. They\u2019re a small pastry, usually filled with pea-paste or ricotta cheese. Crystal Palace, a coffee shop in Rabat, is renowned for baking the best Pastizzi in Malta. Which is perfect if you\u2019re visiting Mdina because Rabat is the town that surrounds the gated city.<\/p>\n Dwejra Bay was home to the famous rock archway, called the \u2018Azure Window\u2019, on the Maltese island of Gozo before a huge storm in 2017 sadly knocked it down. The Azure Window was a big draw for tourists to travel the distance up to Gozo, but the untouched coastlines are still worth the visit. An old fortress city called Citadella and the Ggantija Temples in Gozo are also worth leaving the main island for, even if it\u2019s only for a day trip.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@lukeeabela<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Most backpackers hoping for a top weekend of partying in Malta head to St. Julian\u2019s. Malta\u2019s unofficial party centre is filled with pubs, bars, night clubs and hostels, so you won\u2019t have to take an expensive taxi back at the end of the night. Just stay in one of the many awesome hostels in St. Julian\u2019s<\/a> and you won\u2019t be more than a five-minute walk away from the action. For other areas to stay in Malta<\/a> read our neighbourhood guide.<\/p>\n There aren\u2019t many actual parks or gardens to visit in Malta, but the Maltese President has done his best to rectify that by opening up his own estate and gardens to the public. San Anton\u2019s Garden is a huge public space with many different animals, plants, veggies and all sorts growing right behind where the President of Malta lives. The trees provide lots of shade and it\u2019s possibly one of the most relaxing (and free) places in Malta to visit.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@refar<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Malta is a fantastic place for scuba divers. The waters surrounding the islands are usually quite clear and there are tonnes of diving schools to choose from. Malta was used as a military base during WWII while it was under British rule (due to its proximity between Europe and Africa) so there are a few wreckages around the country that even beginner divers can explore.<\/p>\n Finally, if you\u2019re just visiting Malta for a weekend break then one of the best things to do in Malta is completely free. If you\u2019re staying in St. Julian\u2019s or nearby, you can easily walk along the promenade to Sliema and all the way to Valletta. You\u2019ll see heaps of fantastic skylines and coastlines while soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine and there are plenty of bars and cafes you can pop into for a rest on your way.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@refar<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n So what are you waiting for? You’d better get Malta added to your travel wishlist, pronto! Start planning your Maltese adventure today by checking out all of our incredible hostels in Malta<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rebecca Sharp is a freelance content creator and blogger based in the UK. Her blog, Almost Ginger<\/a>, combines her two passions of film and travel by featuring filming locations, film festivals and wanderlust-inspiring films.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Malta may not be on your backpacking radar yet, but it definitely should be. There are countless exciting things to do in Malta and it\u2019s one of those places where there\u2019s something for everyone. For starters, Malta is in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, so the climate is near perfect all year round. Most…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":136464,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9659],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-117226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspire-me","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
Visit Malta\u2019s former capital, the silent gated city of Mdina<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Taste authentic Maltese cuisine \u2013 yes, even rabbit stew<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Discover the real-life King\u2019s Landing with a Game of Thrones tour<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Head underground to the \u0126al Saflieni Hypogeum, a 6,000-year-old burial site<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Sample Lord Chambray beers from Malta’s biggest microbrewery<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Wander through the shady streets of Malta’s capital city, Valletta\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Take your inner child on a trip to Popeye\u2019s Village theme park<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Check out the Tarxien Temples, one of Malta\u2019s many megalithic temples<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Hop on a cruise around Valletta and explore the \u2018Three Cities\u2019<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Eat Fish Stew in Marsaxlokk<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Party all night at the Isle of MTV Music Festival<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Visit the G\u0127ar Dalam caves to uncover the fossils of extinct animals<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Book a guided tour of the\u00a0Ta\u2019 Mena Estate winery on Gozo<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Spend a day swimming and snorkelling in the Blue Lagoon on Comino <\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Snack on Pastizzi pastry in Rabat <\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Witness Gozo’s raw and rugged coastline in Dwerja Bay<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Experience the best of Malta’s nightlife in St. Julian’s<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Wander around San Anton\u2019s Garden on the President of Malta\u2019s estate<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Dive to the WWII wreckage of the HMS Maori<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Walk along the promenade from St. Julian\u2019s to Sliema, then onto Valletta<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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<\/p>\nAbout the author:<\/h3>\n
Keep reading:\u00a0\u2b07\ufe0f<\/h3>\n
\ud83c\udf1f\u00a0Small and mighty: why you should add Valletta to your next European trip<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n
\ud83c\udf1f\u00a010 affordable places in Europe to inspire healthy living<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n
\ud83c\udf1f\u00a0The best cheap romantic getaways in Europe<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"