Il-ħajja sabiħa – “Life is Beautiful” (In Maltese)

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Malta is a beautiful jewel in the central Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and the North African Coast. It is so small that you could explore most of the country’s gems within a day!

AND that is what my friend Ian and I did from Sicily. During my 26^th birthday trip to the Italian island in June 2017, we booked a 20-minute flight from Catania, Sicily to Malta. I explored Malta the day after my birthday and it was such a treat being able to get lost in the walled country and explore the beautiful streets, historical sites, churches, gardens royal sites, beaches and so much more!

Discover everything to see and do during a day trip to Malta from Sicily.

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Getting to and around Malta:

Depending on how long you want to spend time in Malta, you have a choice of taking a four-hour ferry ride from the southern peninsula of Sicily or just hopping on a 20-minute plane ride from Aeroporto di Catania (Catania International Airport). Right before you arrive in Malta International Airport, you can see the entire country from the plane! That is how small Malta is.

When you finally arrive in Malta, there are plenty of cabs that could take you to where you need to go. There is also a public bus service, water taxi and ferry. In addition, you could also rent a car, scooter, motorbike or a regular bicycle. You could also see a lot by walking too!

Where to Stay:

Since my friend and I were only in Malta for the day, we didn’t need to get a hotel. The country does offer a wide range of hotels that accommodates all budgets. There are also hostels and a variety of Airbnb options as well.

About Malta:

The Maltese archipelago is located at the center of the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 58 miles south of Sicily and 179 miles north of Africa. Malta’s main island is where most of the cultural, commercial and administrative hubs are. Gozo is the second largest island of Malta and is mostly rural and is known for its fishing and agriculture. Comino, the smallest Maltese island, has one hotel and is mainly uninhabited. We were told by our cab driver that there are three homes located on Comino and a priest will sail out there to deliver bread, water and other food items to the families living there.

The native language of Malta is Maltese, but it is a requirement in schools that everyone learns English and Italian at an early age. The primary religions practiced in Malta are Catholicism and Islam. Malta is known as a fortress country due to the Maltese islands’ strategic location and natural harbors, which have made them desirable for numerous powers since 1450 BC.

What to See During a Day Trip in Malta:

The Ancient Walled City of Mdina:

Our first stop was to the ancient walled city of Mdina. This beautiful city is located in the northern region of Malta and served as the island’s capital through the medieval period. After our cab driver dropped us off, we walked through Mdina Gate and meandered into the peaceful and art-filled narrow streets. These beautiful streets led to the main square of the city, which is invariably dominated by a Baroque church. The architecture of Mdina majestically complements typical Europe and you can find beautiful flowers running down the siding of the buildings.

A must-see in Mdina is the beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral, featuring one of the biggest dome churches in the world. Malta was once an English colony, but during World War II, Germany tried to destroy this sacred Roman Catholic Church and was unsuccessful since the actual bomb didn’t explode. It made a little hole in the dome, but they were able to patch it up in no time. Below is a photo of the failed German bomb.

Melita – Home of President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca

My friend and I visited Malta on a Monday and it was awesome to see so many women heading to work. The president of Malta is a woman and she proudly stands for women’s rights – which I love! (Ps. This also makes Malta a great destination for solo female travelers!)

Melita is home to President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. As you stroll through this area, you could go to her home and explore the stunning gardens and even walk through the Grand Master’s Palace Courtyard. Melita Gardens is breathtaking! I love flowers, so when we arrived to the fountain area, I was able to admire all of the pink, red and white garden roses.

After exploring Melita Gardens, we walked through an area that had a garden maze and cherry blossom trees that were donated to Malta as a gift from Japan. We then made our way to the beautiful palace and even got to see a few peacocks hanging around!

Malta’s Capital of Valletta:

Malta’s capital is one of Europe’s most sophisticated and clean micro cities, featuring Baroque architecture and a defense line of forts. Valletta is the perfect city to get lost in because all of the streets are so enchanting, the architecture is beautiful and the stores are just wonderful! There are so many must-do’s while walking through Valletta.

We enjoyed the views from the fortress’ walls until working up an appetite for a delicious Maltese lunch overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. In the middle of the city is a beautiful hotel called Castille Hotel with a rooftop restaurant called De Robertis Restaurant that features gorgeous views of the water as well as the forts opposite of the capital city. Since Malta is known for its olive oil, I got a Caprese salad that consisted of mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, fresh greens with prosciutto, salami and a cured Maltese meat.

When we finished lunch, we walked through Valletta’s beautiful narrow streets to the waterfront. The day we traveled to Malta was very HOT, so we couldn’t wait to put our feet in the refreshing sea. Before we made our way down to the beach area, we admired the views of the forts and lighthouses of Fort Saint Elmo.

To get to the beach area, you have to walk down a steep staircase on the side of a cliff and then through an area where there are small huts and bungalows. When we finally reached the sea, it was almost impossible to take our shoes off because of how hot the rocks were before you got to the water. Once we were able to put our feet in, we felt refreshed. I looked around me and was amazed at how cool this beach was! A FORT BEACH!

San Gilja – Malta’s Party City:

After cooling off at Fort Saint Elmo, we walked back to the main area of Valletta and caught a cab north to San Gilja (St. Julian’s). This thriving coastal city is known for its nightlife, luxurious hotels, trendy restaurants and beautiful beaches. You can catch many wealthy people hanging out on their yachts in this coastal area.

The center of St. Julian’s is called Paceville, where you can find both locals and tourists alike, enjoying a drink, dancing to club music or indulging in a nice dinner. During the summer months, everyone takes advantage of the seafront promenade. Even though we were only in Malta for a day, we were still able to get a taste of the party life there because MTV was hosting Isle of Malta, a music festival lined up with world-famous artists and groups. There were a ton of people in their 20s and 30s hanging out on the promenade and enjoying the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean.

After enjoying the breathtaking Maltese sunset, we took a cab back to the airport and flew back to Sicily.

I hope you all enjoyed reading about what to see and do during a day trip to Malta from Sicily. If you have any questions about my time in Malta, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com

Basic Facts of Malta:

Currency: Euro, Capital: Valletta, Time Zone: Central European Standard Time

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