Staying in Valletta felt like being immersed in a living museum—with golden stone streets, colorful balconies, and layers of history everywhere we turned. The capital of Malta, Valletta was built in the 16th century by the Knights of St. John after the Great Siege, and it’s clear they intended it to be both beautiful and defensible. The massive city walls and bastions overlook the Grand Harbour, offering sweeping views that never get old. We wandered through narrow streets lined with historic buildings, grand churches, and tucked-away cafes. Every corner seemed to reveal something new—from tiny wine bars to ornate statues to panoramic sea views. We loved how walkable Valletta is, and the evenings were especially magical when the streets lit up and music floated out of restaurants.
Even though we stayed in Valletta, we spent a lot of time exploring nearby Sliema and St. Julian’s. The two areas, connected by a long seafront promenade, are more modern and residential, with a completely different energy. Sliema is lined with shops, beach clubs, and cafes, and we enjoyed strolling along the waterfront there while looking back at the skyline of Valletta glowing across the water. It had a relaxed vibe and felt like a great place to live, with locals going about their day alongside tourists. St. Julian’s, just up the coast, is known for its nightlife and restaurants, and it definitely felt livelier. The Spinola Bay area was especially scenic, with colorful fishing boats and a curve of buildings that looked straight out of a postcard. We hopped between different neighborhoods, trying everything from fresh seafood to Maltese pastizzi, and always finished the night with a gelato or drink somewhere along the water.
We also made a day trip to Gozo, which is smaller and greener than Malta’s main island. Taking the ferry across was part of the adventure, and once we arrived, we explored its rolling hills, dramatic coastlines, and quiet villages. The Ġgantija Temples were a major highlight—they’re some of the oldest standing structures in the world, even older than the pyramids. We spent time near the salt pans, visited coastal lookout points, and had a long, leisurely lunch by the sea. Gozo feels slower-paced and more rooted in nature, and it was a nice contrast to the urban feel of Valletta and Sliema.
Malta’s history is layered and complex. Its strategic location in the Mediterranean made it a valuable prize for many empires—Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and eventually the Knights of St. John, followed by the French and then the British. Each left their mark, whether in architecture, language, food, or religion. English and Maltese are both spoken fluently, and Catholicism plays a huge role in daily life, with beautiful churches dotting every town and village. Malta gained independence from Britain in 1964, but it still has a very European feel, with some British influences still noticeable—like the red phone boxes and driving on the left.
From ancient temples to seaside cliffs, charming towns to historical cities, Malta surprised us at every turn. The mix of cultures and histories gave each place we visited a unique character, and the natural beauty of the islands made it a joy to explore. Whether watching fishing boats bob in a harbor or wandering through centuries-old stone alleys, our time in Malta felt rich, diverse, and deeply memorable.