Travel Diaries: Malta

By Maria Gomez

Travelling with a sibling is possibly the best way to strengthen that already strong bond, and from the many adventures I share with my sister, travelling around Malta is one that will forever be embedded in my heart. 

Nestled in the central Mediterranean, lies the beautiful island of Malta which is an archipelago with only three of the islands inhabited – Malta, Gozo and Comino. Malta is considered one of the smallest islands in the world with a population of about 450,000 people. I was lucky enough to witness this country in late 2017 when I visited my sister who resides there. 

The first thing that crossed my mind no sooner I stepped out of the airport was ‘this is what Greece must look like’, with its cobblestone alleys, limestone buildings, gothic style churches and bright coloured windows and doors. The Maltese people are generally quite loud and their conversations seem like endless arguments. Malta is lucky to have been blessed with the Mediterranean climate with its somewhat mild winters and hot summers, making summer the best time to visit. With much historical influence from various parts of the world due to its strategic location in the Mediterranean, Malta is the perfect cross between the east and west and boasts of some of the world’s most ancient standing architecture.

Valetta

Valetta, the capital of Malta beautifully showcases this rich history. My sister and I spent hours just wondering around the little streets, trying out different types of food and coffee and stepping in and out of many churches to check out their grandiosity. The Maltese parliament is situated at the entrance to the city so you can’t miss it, and the city slowly winds its way over to the beautiful Barakka gardens which offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Grand Harbour.  

Must see/do: Take a walk in the Barakka Gardens, have a bite or an espresso at the iconic “Café Cordina”, ‘people watch’ while sitting at one of the street cafes sipping on a prosecco or an aperol spritz.

Mdina

Mdina also known as the ‘Silent City’ too has a similar, perhaps a more intense “old charm” which makes you feel as if you have stepped into medieval times, and the horse carriages that trot around this city truly adds to this feeling. Walking around the very tiny alleys that lay amongst some beautiful Norman and Baroque architecture including several palaces that have now been converted into private homes is a surreal experience, especially when you learn that certain scenes from the Game of Thrones were filmed right here! 

Must see/do: Have a gelato at ‘Fior di Latte’ while taking in the panoramic view of Valetta from the edge of Mdina, check out the grandiosity of St. Paul’s Cathedral, and if you really want to feel the true spirit of medieval times take a horse ride carriage.

Sliema

Sliema in comparison is the more commercial, residential and modern city in Malta, with its shopping arcades, apartments, hotels and café life. My favourite part of Sliema were the sail boats and yachts beautifully lined up along the shores of this city for the admiration of all those passing by, not forgetting the unbelievable natural pools at the beach which I hear gets packed during Summer.  

Must see/do: Take a walk from Sliema to San Julian (it is a fair bit of walking but truly worth it), trying out a hazelnut or pistachio latte at the ‘Café Berry’ is a must! Head over to Paceville for a fun night out, and if you happen to visit Malta during summer, organise a barbecue at the natural pool beach.

Gozo and Comino

These two islands can be visited by way of a boat ride or the ferry line. If you opt for the boat ride you will see the area in which the iconic Maltese Azure Window used to be. The hop on hop off is possibly the best way to check out this island. The sea surrounding Gozo is a beautiful deep navy blue which turns into a striking turquoise in certain areas and the water around Comino is simply turquoise. Boat rides are offered to check out some unbelievable caves in Gozo but this depends on the weather conditions. With the weather on our side on that day, we were able to witness these caves in all its glory. While the water in some of these caves is a deep blue and turquoise, in some others it becomes an unexplainable mauve! While Comino doesn’t have as much going on, the crystal clear turquoise beach and holiday atmosphere alone is more than enough. 

Must see/do: (Gozo) needless to say, taking a boat ride in the caves is a must, visit the ‘Our Lady of Ta Pinu Shrine’ also known as the miracle church, hop off at the Xlendi Bay and walk through the hidden caves, have lunch at the ‘Azure Window Restaurant’ which overlooks the caves. (Comino) spend at least one day at the beach while having a fish n chips from one of the food trucks.

Cuisine

Much of Malta’s food influence stems from its rich history; hence there is a wide array of Italian, Spanish, French, and Mediterranean cuisines in most restaurants and cafes. Plenty of shops serving Turkish kebabs, French crepes and pizzas line the streets of Malta making it very hard to stop binge eating as you stroll along. 

Summary

Malta is definitely a country I would recommend to anyone hoping to visit Europe. This little underrated country has much to offer, whether you are looking for a relaxed holiday by the beach or a fun filled adventurous get away.