The best to do's in Malta

Malta seemed to me a mix of a Greek island and Spain. No idea why, but that's how I imagined the republic. In one word: no. Malta is unique, Malta is itself, and Malta is more than you can imagine. The message should be clear: go to Malta. And if you go, I have some nice addresses for you.

Air Malta flies back and forth every day as a partner of birthday boy KLM, so you can go through the first departure hall at Schiphol, through security, and quickly do some shopping before departure. I would recommend the month of October: the peace has returned to the island, but the temperature is still around twenty-five degrees.

The pleasantly busy Valletta with its stairs and beautiful squares is teeming with boutique hotels, and you should know that I have a weakness for boutique hotels. Upon arrival, you immediately see those little balconies in fifteen colors, with fluttering sheets that contrast beautifully against the yellow warm walls, and then I just want to spend the whole day taking photos of the front of the hotel. Which is, of course, very impractical, because you also want to see the rest of Malta. After checking in, you get to work with this checklist.

To Dingli Cliffs for the most beautiful view

The highest point of the island and also the closest to Africa. With the small chapel and the cliffs in the background plus the uninhabited island in the sea, it gives you exactly the kind of vista you desire.

As the sun sets in Mdina

Until 1530, Mdina was the capital of Malta, then the Order of St. John arrived on the island and Valletta received that honor. The city was nicknamed Silent City by the Maltese. Now only three hundred people live there.

At the wine at Ta’ Betta Wine Estates

We are seasoned wine tasters and the wine in Malta tastes excellent, I can confirm. Purely for research purposes, I tasted a bit here and there, but the finest came from the bottle of Ta’ Betta. Ta’ Betta has ‘only’ fifty thousand vines and they make wines that are so delicious that I am still a bit stunned by it. I would have wanted to marry their Chardonnay if that were allowed by law. The word accompanying with the accompanying snacks did the snacks a disservice (that cheese! those dips! that ham!) and the wine too.

Valletta from a dghajsa

You sail from the Three Cities straight to the old city of Valletta. Being on the water is delightful and honestly: your photos won't look worse for it. Get off and take the lift to the Barakka Gardens, from there you dive into Valletta. Dining tip: go to restaurant-bar-lounge (the combo we love) Panorama, where you have a view of a Game of Thrones set and where the fish tastes delicious.

Having coffee at Cordina
If you say to someone from Malta: ’Meet you at Cordina,’ then everyone knows where that is. Cordina is an institution in Valletta, with the best coffee and sweet treats plus a huge terrace, you can immediately take a look at St. John’s Cathedral, as it is located on the same street.

Feast your eyes in St. John’s Cathedral

Because we are here now anyway. It is not officially confirmed, but it is said that St. John’s is the richest decorated church per square meter. It houses two works by Caravaggio and every curl and every ornament is carved from stone and painted with gold leaf. You can climb the stairs for a view from above, but I recommend sitting on a bench for a while and viewing the paintings from below.

A snapshot at the Barakka Gardens

If you are into history, then you can go wild here. In the photo with cannons, looking out over where the knights arrived, at exactly twelve o'clock the cannon also goes off so that all the clocks of the knights are ready again. If you are more into the present, then you have a beautiful view of the place where Game of Thrones was filmed, and if you walk back, you will find a good spot for photos.

Staying at a boutique hotel

The coastline of Malta is populated with huge hotels, but it is bursting with boutique hotels. Cugó Gran Malta at the Grand Harbour for example, or the baroque Domus Zamittello with its rooftop terrace. And for the characteristic Malta with a view of the cathedral, you sleep at Luciano’s, where you even have your own little balcony.

A trip to Gozo

Still on my wishlist, but in twenty minutes you are in Gozo.

Wandering through Marsaxlokk

The fishing village that is so photogenic that every boat you walk past is worth a photo. Marsa means harbor in Arabic, and there you have the Semitic origin again. There is a market where you can browse a bit, but I would personally get a coffee and sit by the water.

And don't forget Birgu

What luck I had, because the Birgufest is in October. The old Birgu is then only illuminated by candles. Okay, I was there a night too early, but that way I got to enjoy the rock band in the square. Look for a table in the narrow alleys to never go home again.

Malta, you are beautiful. I will come back.