Crystal Palace (pastizzi)
Restaurant · Rabat, by the Mdina gate
A no-frills pastizzeria famous for pastizzi, Malta's flaky ricotta or pea pastries, for very little.
Best for: the cheapest snack on the island
Best time: any time
Where to actually go in Malta
Where to eat, drink and go out in Malta: 20 picks for study-abroad students, with student-vetted picks marked and prices in dollars.
Eat & drink in Malta
Sights & days out in Malta
Valletta streets
Walk · Valletta
A small fortified capital of steep straight streets, coloured wooden balconies and baroque churches.
Best for: wandering, photos
Best time: any time
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Viewpoint · Valletta
A terrace garden above the Grand Harbour; the saluting battery below fires a cannon at noon.
Best for: the best harbour view
Price: free (gardens)
Best time: midday
St John's Co-Cathedral
Museum · Valletta
A plain outside hiding a dazzling gilded interior and two Caravaggio paintings.
Best for: seeing Caravaggio's Beheading of St John
Best time: morning
Heads up: Dress code applies.
The Three Cities (Birgu)
Area · across the Grand Harbour
Quiet fortified towns across the harbour, reached by a short ferry or a traditional dgħajsa boat.
Best for: a calmer side of the harbour
Best time: afternoon
Mdina
Area · centre of the island
The "Silent City": a walled medieval hilltop town of narrow honey-coloured lanes.
Best for: atmosphere, sunset from the walls
Best time: late afternoon
St Paul's Catacombs
Sight · Rabat
Underground Roman-era burial tunnels next to Mdina.
Best for: pairing with Mdina
Best time: midday
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Museum · Paola
A 5,000-year-old underground temple and burial complex carved out of rock.
Best for: a rare prehistoric site
Booking: Very few tickets per day: book weeks ahead.
Best time: morning
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples
Sight · south coast
Megalithic temples older than the pyramids, on a cliff above the sea.
Best for: prehistory with a view
Best time: morning
Blue Lagoon, Comino
Beach · Comino island
A shallow turquoise channel between Comino and an islet; the most famous swim in Malta.
Best for: a swim day
Booking: A free timed booking (QR code) is required to land at the lagoon in season; check the official booking site before taking a boat.
Best time: morning
Heads up: Packed at midday: take an early slot.
Gozo
Area · by ferry from Ċirkewwa
Malta's greener, slower sister island: the Citadel in Victoria, cliffs and quiet bays.
Best for: a day trip
Best time: full day
Ramla Bay
Beach · Gozo
A red-sand beach in a green valley on Gozo.
Best for: a beach on a Gozo day
Best time: afternoon
Blue Grotto
Activity · Wied iż-Żurrieq
Small boats run into sea caves where the water glows blue in the morning light.
Best for: a short boat trip
Best time: morning
Heads up: Boats stop in rough seas.
Golden Bay
Beach · north-west coast
A sandy bay facing west, the classic sunset beach.
Best for: a sunset swim
Best time: sunset
Popeye Village
Sight · Anchor Bay
The wooden film set from the 1980 Popeye movie, still standing in a cove.
Best for: a quirky photo stop
Best time: afternoon
Dingli Cliffs
Viewpoint · west coast
The highest cliffs on the island, with a walk along the edge.
Best for: a free sunset
Best time: sunset
Marsaxlokk
Area · south-east coast
A fishing village of colourful luzzu boats with a big Sunday fish market.
Best for: a seafood lunch, photos
Best time: Sunday morning
Sliema and St Julian's promenade
Walk · Sliema
A long seafront walk with views back across to Valletta.
Best for: an evening walk
Best time: evening
Nights out in Malta
Bridge Bar
Bar · Valletta
A tiny bar whose customers sit on the steps outside with cushions; known for live jazz nights in summer.
Best for: a relaxed drink in Valletta
Best time: evening
Paceville
Area · St Julian's
Malta's club strip: a few loud streets of bars and clubs packed with students and tourists.
Best for: a big night out
Best time: after midnight
Heads up: Rowdy late at night; stay with your group and book a ride home.