Malta tourist attractions

Malta tourist attractions don’t come any more picturesque than The Blue Grotto. This complex of caves surrounded by brilliant blue waters – hence the name – is reached by 30min boat trips from Wied-iz-Zurrieq, which is an appealing spot to visit in itself. The caves have their own, distinctive names, like Reflection Cave and the Cat’s Cave, all of which are entered by the staggeringly high main arch at 30m high.

A little inland from the coast sits Mdina, a city that dates back to the Phoenician period. Its name literally means ‘walled city’, with a battle-filled history to boot. Visitors today will enjoy its old-world feel with narrow alleys, the old city wall and absence of fast-food joints. To sum up the ambience of the place, it takes just a few minutes to walk the length of its 400m-long main street. In terms of things to do, visit the National Museum of Natural History and the gruesome Mdina Dungeons, but the bulk of attractions lie on Villegaignon Street, which cuts through the heart of the town. There’s Casa Inguanez, the palace of the oldest noble family in the country and the Knights of Malta, which focuses on the history of the Order and its role on the island.

For a douse of Malta sightseeing, head to Mosta, whose major attraction is the Rotunda of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta (or Santa Maria Assunta for short). The building structure was inspired by Rome’s impressive Pantheon, with a 51m-high dome 45m in diameter and the walls are 6m thick. In fact, it’s believed that it has the fourth largest dome in all of Europe. A testament to its superlative design and engineering – and the intervention of the Virgin Mary – it was bombed during World War II but the bomb did not explode. Today, visitors can see a replica of the bomb on display in the sacristy.

In Qawra, the northwest of Malta, sits Salina Bay, named after the salt flats that have produced these important minerals for centuries. The developed area is a result of its popularity, and is home to one of the top Malta attractions in the form of the National Aquarium. The firm family-favourite has five ‘zones’: harbours and tropical oceans, shorelines and Roman times, all with a focus on local waterlife. Once you’re finished at the aquarium, be sure to enjoy the plentiful bars, clubs and restaurants peppered across the town; the nightlife is a little raucous, but Salina Bay is popular for all of the above reasons!

While sandy beaches are limited, thanks to its rocky stretches and narrow inlets, there’s plenty of ways to dive right into a thriving watersports scene, where swimming or snorkelling off the smooth rock coastline can make for adventurous sightseeing. In fact, Malta is a haven for snorkellers and divers, which offers some of the clearest waters in the Mediterranean. There are natural features and wartime wrecks to explore, rock-dwelling octopus and urchins to spot, and superlative views looking back to the shoreline.

Marsaxlokk is home to the largest fishing fleet in Malta, which makes its bay the largest on the Maltese island. Stroll along the bay and take in the brightly-painted fishing boats, painted in lemon yellows and lime greens; some have the Eye of Osiris painted on the bow to provide protection while out at sea. Make the most of a laidback visit here by stopping for lunch or dinner at one of the many fish and seafood restaurants; take a table outside to watch the fishermen tend to their boats, mend nets and chat to one another.