September 2 - 5, 2023 (4D3N): Ever since I saw S25E8 on The Amazing Race in 2014, I’ve had my eyes set on this country. Malta comprises five islands and is the world's tenth-smallest country by area. English, as its official language, makes it even more attractive to American tourists. Since it is a relatively small island, public transportation is convenient if renting a car is not your thing (you do need to drive on the other side of the road, given it was a British colony). We combined this trip with a visit to Sicily.

*Highly recommended food & hotel

Day 1 (Sliema/Valletta):

• Afternoon arrival at MLA from London STN (via RyanAir)

• Rental car @ Avis (highly recommended, great experience here)

• Check-in @ Strand Suites*

• Valletta (park along the Great Siege Road):

  • 6 -10 PM: Dinner @ Noni* (Michelin 1 Star; highly recommended; reservations needed)

  • Jazz @ Babel Bistro*

  • Mojitos @ Bridge Bar* (live jazz on Friday night; check out The Amazing Race S25E8)

Day 2 (Marsaxlokk/Birgu/Valletta):

• Swim @ Aqualuna Lido (free amenity from the hotel)

• St. Peter’s Pool (parking available by the entrance)

• ll-Kalanka (parking available by the entrance; a quiet alternative from St. Peter’s Pool)

• Marsaxlokk:

  • Sunday open market

  • Fisherman Boat Photo

  • Lunch @ Tartarun Resturant*

• Birgu (you can either drive here and park near Victory Square or take the gondola from Valletta):

  • Birgu Waterfront

  • Shop @ Home Made in Gozo (we had a great experience with our local wine purchase)

• Valletta (park @ Public Car Park):

  • 5–7 pm: Discovering Valletta, a UNESCO capital Walking Tour:

    • Republic St, Valletta, Malta

    • Parliament of Malta

    • Royal Opera House

    • Jean De Valette Square

    • Auberge de Castille

    • Upper Barrakka Gardens

    • Merchant Street

    • Ministry of Foreign Affairs (once occupied by Napoleon during his invasion of Malta)

    • Republic Square

    • National Library (pic only)

    • Queen Victoria

    • St. John’s Co-Cathedral

  • Drinks @ Sailors Paradise*

  • Lower Barrakka Gardens

• Silema:

  • Dinner @ Yami Yabi*

Day 3 (Blue Lagoon/Marfa/Mellieha/St. Julian’s)

• Comino ferry to Blue Lagoon (€15 RT/p incl. a free trip to see the caves; map to Rivera Hotel & Spa for derry departure; grab drinks at the hotel while you wait):

  • Blue Lagoon Comino

  • Cliff viewpoint

  • Santa Marija Bay (not much snorkeling)

  • Fruit Bar & Blue Lagoon Cocktail Bar (drinks come in a cute pineapple as the shell)

• Coral Lagoon (park @ Bajja tal-Qroll; short hike to see the lagoon)

• Paradise Bay Beach (great snorkeling by the rocks; decent food at the restaurant)

• Natural Window

• Popeye Cliff/ Anchor Bay (a view of the Popeye Village, best to go during sunset)

• St. Julian’s:

  • The LOVE sign

  • Dinner @ Cafe Juliani* (special menu from Zest Restaurant; a beautiful view from the rooftop)

• Scenic drive along the bay/Tower Road to Sliema

Day 4 (Rabat/Mdina/Blue Grotto):

• Breakfast @ 115 The Strand Rooftop (panoramic view)

• Swim @ Aqualuna Lido

• Rabat:

  • Marble ball

  • Triq Id-Dejqa (a beautiful narrow street)

• Mdina:

  • Howard Garden

  • Mdina Gate

  • St. Paul’s square

  • Bastion Square

  • Ice cream @ Fior di Latte

  • Observation deck/city wall

• Dingli Cliffs (go directly to the rocky side to avoid the crowd)

• Hagar Qim (€10/p; suggested duration: 1 hr)

• Blue Grotto:

  1. Boat Trip (€10/p; 25 mins; a must-do)

  2. Lunch @ Azul* (delicious fresh fish)

• Return car rental

• Evening flight to Sicily (priority pass lounge - La Valette Club*)

Other points of interest & food:

Vallette:

• Is-Suq Tal-Belt - Valletta Food Market

• Coffee @ Sunday In Scotland

• Underground tour @ National Museum of Archaeology

• A unique chocolate experience @ Chocolate District

• Visit Casa Rocca Piccola

• Michelin dining experience @ Under Grain, ION Harbour By Simon Rogan

• Dinner @ MUŻA Restaurant,

• Visit Strait Street for some cool bars

• Get some local wines from OneTwenty

St. Julian’s:

• Dinner @ Caviar & Bull

• Drinks @ Parangs

Other dining options:

• Dine @ Diar il-Bniet, The Fork and Cork Restaurant, The de Mondion Restaurant

Beaches:

• Golden Bay

• Ghajn Tuffieha

• Qawra Point Beach

• Bahr ic-Caghaq

• Ghar Lapsi

Gozo:

• Take a ferry to Malta’s sister island, Gozo, for a quieter experience, stunning beaches, and historic sites like the Ġgantija Temples.

Tips:

• Given there are limited direct flights to Malta from NYC, the best way to fly there is to find a cheapest RT flight to Europe, then hop on a budget airline (EasyJets or RyanAir) to MLA.

• Tap water is safe to drink in Malta.

• Parking is generally free; just make sure you park within the white lines.

• The euro is the official currency, and credit cards are widely accepted.

• Malta is sunny most of the year, so bring sunscreen, hats, and light clothing. Even during winter, the temperatures are mild, but it can be windy.