101 THINGS TO DO IN MALTA & GOZO Wedged between Sicily and the North African coast, Malta is rough around the edges but very warm in both climate and local attitude. You’ll have plenty of excitement hiking, sailing, swimming or visiting some of the oldest monuments on earth, all of which we’ve noted down in this handy eBook for your convenience. Malta has something for everyone. Enjoy. FUN & FREE 1. Take a Tour of Valletta THINGS TO DO Malta has a fascinating past, dating back to the prehistoric era IN MALTA AND which really comes to life in the capital city of Valletta. And the GOZO best way to explore the historic streets here is on foot so book yourself a local walking tour. You will get to explore Valletta on foot, hear fascinating stories about the iconic Knights of St. John and learn quirky facts about Malta. The tours aren’t always the cheapest but can provide a great orientation when you arrive in a new place and will give you a 2 suitable first insight into life in Malta. Charlie These sightseeing sailing trips will take you to used to work as a freelance London tour guide the Sea Caves and some of the most beautiful and knows the difference a great tour can make! spots for swimming and snorkelling. A must do while in Malta. 2. Hop to Birgu 5. Watch a Local Football Match Next stop should be the ancient fortified city Birgu (aka Vittoriosa) that juts out into the Grand Visitors are often surprised to find out that Malta Harbour. Back in 1530, this oldest and the most has one of the oldest established football visited city was settled as the capital of Malta. associations in the world. So if you want to see the real Malta before it got After first being introduced to the islands by destroyed, hop across the deep waters of the British servicemen, the names of the local teams harbour. To appreciate the charm of this place, today still reflect their roots such as St George’s, have a good wander through the peaceful St Patrick’s, Hibernians and Sliema Wanderers. cobbled streets or even better, join a tour to Most of the clubs in the BOV Premier League Marsovin cellars to taste maltese wine. don’t have a home ground so, matches tend to You can pre-book your wine tour here. be played at the national stadium. A good atmosphere is always guaranteed thanks to 3. See Gozo in Style With Jeep Safari another long-running tradition of Band Clubs Thinking of hoping to Gozo for a day trip? Great, who keep the tunes coming all match long. there’re lots of fun things to see and do. Our top 6. Rent a 100-Year-Old Villa in Gozo tip is to rent a car. But to eliminate any hassle, research and preparation of coming to a place We’ve got another fun thing to do in Malta for you you know nothing about, join a fun-filled jeep – rent a 100-year-old villa in Gozo. tour from Malta. Imagine a peaceful and secluded villa with a You’ll get to see the gems of Gozo including the pool, an outdoor BBQ and a starry night. Such nation’s favourite red-sand Ramla Bay, the farmhouses can be found all over Gozo, in tiny fascinating Ggantija temple, legendary Calypso’s local villages. Check them on Airbnb and gain Cave, the stunning Cittadella and much more in the advantage of lower off-season prices by one exciting day. planning a trip to Malta in late spring. 4. Join a Boat Tour 7. Relax in St. Anton Gardens Your visit to Malta will not be complete without a The garden, now the official residence of the fun trip to the iconic Blue Lagoon. Sit back, relax President of Malta, has been open to the public and admire the rocky coastline between the since 1882. It’s exceptionally well kept and a rare islands of Malta, Comino and Gozo. public green space on the island. 3 Therefore, being able to visit the lovely St. Anton it’s been painted in red colour during the Garden, located in Attard, is a real treat. restoration. This green space is gorgeous at any time of year Built between 1647-1649 and positioned to but is in its full glory in spring. If you love overlook Gozo and Comino islands, it was used gardens and are looking for things to do in Malta as a communication medium between Valletta in May other than swimming and basking in the and Gozo. It held its military purpose during the sun, this could be the perfect option. British period and was also used as a radar station by the Armed Forces of Malta. Take an afternoon off and get lost in the sea of blooming flowers or take a stroll through the Today the tower is run by volunteers, houses a maze of lanky palm trees and evergreen nice exhibition and offers one of the best Araucarias. vantage points in Malta from its rooftop. It’s conveniently located on the way to the ferry 8. Pop Into the Red Tower terminal for Gozo. Malta’s entire coastline is dotted with 9. Stand at the “Top of the World” watchtowers built by the Knights of Malta during the 17th century. But the one that stands out in Malta has a pretty flat terrain for the most part the crowd is the Saint Agatha’s Tower. Locals with a few valleys cutting across the islands here called it the Red Tower of Malta, simply because and there. Therefore you don’t have to get up 4 very high to grab a great view across the 12. Find Your Yin and Yang country. With never-ending constructions, Malta can be a The cheekily named Top of the World viewpoint very noisy place. But luckily, you can escape the in Għargħur is well worth a drive or climb up for chaos by visiting the tranquil Chinese Garden of a stunning vista out across the glimmering Serenity in Santa Lucia. Mediterranean Sea. Plus it’s free. The garden is cleverly designed into several On a clear day, you might just about be able to smaller peaceful spaces where you can have a spy Sicily on the horizon too. chilled stroll. Enjoy. 10. Walk the Cittadella Walls 13. Appreciate Ta Pinu in Gozo This is a beautiful and free site to visit in Malta. For more free things to do in Malta, we’ve Located in Rabat (Victoria) on Malta’s sister included the alluring Ta Pinu Sanctuary located island Gozo, just a ferry-ride away from the just outside Gharb village. mainland, the Cittadella is the island’s major While there are 313 churches in Malta and 46 in landmark. Gozo, we really recommended visiting this This ancient fortification, dating back to the sandstone-built basilica, that has a fascinating Bronze Age, can be accessed free of charge via history dating back to 1534. the glass lift just outside the visitor centre. A walk If not for the church itself, come here to marvel at along this restored fortress walls offers lovely the gigantic hand-crafted mosaics by the panoramic views across the peaceful Gozitan entrance, representing the Stations of the cross. countryside. 14. Walk Up the Serene Ghammar Hill in Gozo Otherwise, if you are interested in museums and the exhibition at the visitor centre, it will cost you You don’t have to be religious to visit this site. But €5. if you want great shots for your Malta album, it will provide you with a tremendous photo 11. Party in Paceville opportunity of Ta Pin Basilica in the distance. Merging with Malta’s notorious area Paceville, St. While Ghammar Hill holds religious value to the Julian attracts many party seekers ready to locals and the guests alike, it also welcomes splash out on pricey booze. And you too can join anyone who’s looking for peace and panoramic the crowds and dance your night away until the views across the rolling countryside. So there, early hours in the morning. another fun and free thing to do on the Maltese If this sounds like something you’d like to try, join islands. the pub crawl with a guide and benefit from 15. Listen to Joseph Calleja and His Guests complementary drinks and local knowledge of the party life in Malta. 5 Every August, the world-class Maltese opera seafood restaurants on the island. Arrive at the singer Joseph Calleja comes back to his home village extra early on a Sunday to see the island to give his people a show of the year. And fisherman bring back fish from the sea. you too can join the crowds – for free! Otherwise, avoid the Marsaxlokk Sunday Market Accompanied by a different guest each year, he on a Sunday afternoon, because this authentic shakes the Granaries in Floriana to the core with fish market turns into a tat market. And, sadly, his dramatic vocals. He sang his heart out – the large partitions obstruct the best part of the several times – with Andrea Bocelli and had Eros town – the waterfront. Ramazzotti as a special guest in 2018. 17. Stroll the Sliema Promenade Tickets for front-row seating can be pricey, but This is one of the busiest parts of the island, the standing area at the back is free of charge packed with holidaymakers catching a ferry to which is pretty incredible. Thus, if you are in Valletta, sitting in restaurants and wandering Malta at the start of August, don’t miss this around the high street.