What Are The Most Fun Things To Do In Malta?

Having lived in Malta for years, we have had the chance to do almost everything that there is to do in Malta and Gozo. We have tried many of the best and the worst activities available. Though this site’s founders live in Sliema and St Julians, we have seen almost all of Malta and Gozo.

Where To Go In Malta? Visit Historic Valletta

Valletta is Malta’s capital city and the smallest capital city in the EU. Measuring around 800m wide and 1.1km long, it sits on an outcrop of land, surrounded by water on three sides. The Knights that controlled Malta built high walls to defend the city from invasion after the Ottoman invasion and Great Siege of Malta. Those walls still exist today and they are a quite an attraction.

Being so small and surrounded by both walls and water has provided a certain level of protection for Valletta against the progress of the modern world. As a result, this small city, with its tiny population, is still made up of historic buildings that are hundreds of years old. Valletta is often used for filming historic TV shows and movies because it has so much character. Valletta is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site and so much of the city is protected. This means that the type of regeneration that most cities go through is very difficult and very expensive. There are many old and abandoned buildings mixed in with beautiful structures that have obviously been lovingly restored.

The number one stop in Malta for everyone should be St John’s Co-Cathedral in the centre of Valletta. It is not necessary to be either Catholic or religious to be awed by the internal decoration of this incredible church. Be sure to set aside 30 minutes or more to see the church during your stay because it is one of the best places to visit in Malta. It is well worth it. The church contains 2 works by Caravaggio that are considered to be the jewels of Malta. If you only have a few hours in Malta, St John’s is the one must see in the country.

While in Valletta, taking the time to check out the performance schedule at Teatru Manoel ought to be on your list. Teatru Manoel is the second oldest opera house in Europe – which we presume also means the world – and is in superb condition. By opera house standards it is very small, but that does not detract from it’s beauty. The theatre has a diverse range of performances throughout the year, which means that if you are in Malta for more than one week there is a strong chance that there will be one or more scheduled performances.

These might not count as “fun” things to do in Malta, but they tick the cultural sightseeing box that makes us well rounded individuals and also happen to be a great education on the history of the Mediterranean Sea.

When Should You Visit Malta?

You will have your own personal preference about when is the best time to go to Malta. The summer months of July and August can be very hot with temperatures passing 40C some days. In contrast, winter can be wet and very windy. Though winter is not especially cold, the cold wind off the sea can make the temperature feel very low.

Most people in Malta tend to think that the months of May, September and October have the nicest weather. During those months the sun is normally out, the temperature is nice – in the upper 20s or low 30s – and the humidity is low. For most people that can choose any week, these would be the best months to visit.

There is a year round tourist industry in Malta. During the winter there are low cost package deals for “Winter Sun”. In the summer the tourists really arrive to party, sunbathe and enjoy themselves. In recent years the total number of tourists has risen year on year meaning that the total number of tourists that visit each year is well above one million.

If you are trying to decide when to go, remember that hotel and accomodation prices will rise substantially in the peak summer weeks.

Where Is The Best Nightlife In Malta?

Nightlife in Malta falls into several categories. The are quite a lot of fun things to do but it will take some time to discover them. Broadly, Maltese nightlife for a visitor can be divided into four areas.

1. Paceville. Paceville is a small area within St Julians. It is actually only a couple of streets, but those streets are now designed totally with nightlife in mind. These few streets contain a couple of hotels, some fast food, many bars, several nightclubs and what must be too many gentleman’s clubs. Much of the area was owned by nightlife impressario Hugo Chetcuti and many of the bars and clubs are named after him, such as Hugo’s Terrace.

Going out in Paceville is a phase that the Maltese go through, but that phase happens at a young age in Malta. Average ages in many of the clubs will be around 18. The bars and clubs mostly feel “young”, so if you are a more mature tourist, the area might not be for you.

Ironically, the “pace” in the name means peace. Your author has friends that were raised in Paceville a few decades ago and they describe it as being quiet. The development has been so rapid that the houses and apartments they grew up in are now nightclubs! The one thing that Paceville is not is peaceful. Through the main summer season the bars and clubs will be open until the early hours of the morning and then open again during the day to serve drinks and food. It really feels as if they and their music never stops.

2. Valletta. The anticipation for Valletta 2018, where the city became the European Capital of Culture, brought in substantial investment in what was a dead zone after 7pm. There are now many bars and restaurants in Valletta and an increasingly lively nightlife.

Running the length of Valletta is a narrow alleyway called Strait Street. During the times of British rule, Strait Street was the seedy district where sailors would spend their pay and their nights. These days, this narrow alley is host to around twenty bars and as many restaurants. The alley has lots of tables and chairs outside where people sit, eat, drink and watch the world go by. Think of Strait Street as being a good place for a night out if you are too “old” for Paceville. The typical age range on a night out in Valletta is mid twenties to mid forties. During the summer this area will be full of tourists and it really looks like an international village, but in winter, the Strait Street partying is mostly done by the Maltese.

For a more mature audience, Bridge Bar in Valletta hosts a well known and very popular jazz night every Friday evening throughout summer. The steps and bridge on which the jazz is played are very small and in the height of summer it gets very busy, so try to arrive earlier – say 8-8.30pm to find a spot.

Behind the Grandmasters Palace are a number of restaurants situated in an L shape around the corner. Several of Valletta’s best restaurants are in this small area, virtually next door to each other.

3. Sliema. The internal sea front overlooking Manoel Island has a long promenade and street called The Strand. Sitting inland just behind The Strand are the areas of Sliema, Gzira and close by is Msida. Each of these areas has lots of igaming companies and the young staff they employ. As the gaming sector has grown, the number of staff has increased by several thousand. All those young staff living away from their home countries need places to eat, drink and socialise.

The Strand has had a couple of popular bars for many years – MedAsia, Tex Mex and Black Gold have been popular seemingly forever. However, with all these staff to cater to, there are now many more cool bars and a few unusual restaurants to choose from. The Strand nightlife is not going until very late, but if you are a part of the international twenty-something igaming crowd, or want to be, this where to find many of them.

4. Outdoor Nightclubs. Part of the dream of holidaying or living in the Med in summer is being out all night to party and have fun and the weather is warm enough to do this. The reality, of course, is that there are summertime nightspots that are outdoors to take advantage of this. Malta has several well established outdoors nightclubs.

Friday nights in summer is Bedouin Bar at the Westin Hotel at Dragonara in St Julians. The club itself is hosted on a concrete jetty that is used as part of the hotel beach club during the day. Local DJs spin the tunes. This is a location that most people would not find unless they knew where to look and so it is mostly long-term residents that make up the crowd. Some years ago, Bedouin Bar was almost exclusively a Maltese affair, but now it is a favourite spot of the igaming crowd and feels very Scandinavian. Dragonara is only one street away from Paceville which means that if the night doesn’t have enough for you, it is very easy to find alternative locations.

In the centre of the island is the National Stadium, which houses international football matches amongst many other things. The area, Ta Qali, is also home to Malta’s main two outdoor clubs – Gianpula and Numero Uno. Both host big name DJs throughout the summer and can be a good place to get your dance music fix.

Relax By The Pool

As any partygoer will tell you, there are pools and there are pools. Most hotels in Malta have a pool of some size and description, but that doesn’t mean that you should visit them!

Malta has a small number of pools that have a regular event through the summer where it is cool to go to and be seen to be going to. You know the events: cocktails, sun loungers, tanned girls in bikinis and designer sunglasses. Think of these as venues and beach clubs. They are venues for sunbathing and lounging during the day and dancing and drinking in the evenings. They offer both daytime and nightlife.

Sliema has two beach clubs by the sea that are worth visiting. They are located next to each other on Qui Si Sana. MedAsia Playa is generally very busy and loud. Through the summer there will be a crowd seven days a week. MedAsia is actually a fusion restaurant in Sliema, which means that the food here is generally very good. In the evenings the music is turned up and it has more of an outdoor club feel, next to the sea. MedAsia Playa has a reputation for bringing big name DJs to play, though they are usually at the wrong end of their career.

On the edge of Paceville in St Julians are two high rise – for Malta – hotels. Each has it’s own rooftop pool and bar. SkyBeach and Hugo’s Infinity both have superb views of just about everywhere and are the cool places to be. They are more expensive, but feel worth it. Through the summer SkyBeach Sundays by EBM is the cool and chilled place to be. We have the photos to prove it!

Further north on the island is a small town called Qawra. Qawra is host to Malta’s Cafe del Mar, which has made a name for itself in recent years as a hotspot for huge summer parties. We mean huge parties. They have also hosted big name DJs, including Fat Boy Slim in 2018. Qawra is not the easiest place to get to and from if you are staying in St Julians or Sliema, but because of it’s location, it does get a partial sunset which is a huge draw when combined with a pool, a sea view and too much alcohol. Highly recommended.

Of course, the real way to relax by the pool is to relax by a private pool with friends, drinks and food. Who doesn’t love that? It is a part of the Malta experience. If you want to have the best tunes and sounds to top off the experience, we can highly recommend AudiophileAudio.com as a place to find the world’s best audio equipment at a discount.

Watch The Firework Display At A Local Festa

The population is mostly Catholic and in fact, Malta is nicknamed “Vatican on Sea” because the country is so religious. This means that there are hundreds of active churches and a very devoted older population.

Part of the annual calendar of each church is a week long celebration, or festa (feast). Festa season runs from mid May to early October. Each feast has religious processions through the local streets, where the statue of the church’s saint is carried to bless the streets and population. There are also musical shows, parties and firework displays. The local streets will be closed during the evenings, bringing even more traffic chaos, but everything stops for the church.

The entire event is serious, fun and very loud. Many churches put on superb firework displays and compete with each other for local respect and bragging rights.

As a visitor, you may not be religious, but if you can, it is worth seeing a festa and spending an evening or a few hours to take it all in. As someone that is not local to the area, you will not feel like a local, but you will see one of the most important things to do in the annual calendar.

Why Not See Malta By Boat?

There are many, many options to see some or all of Malta by boat. It is possible to rent superyachts, yachts, cruisers, jetskis and probably more for a few hours, a day or longer. The hustle and bustle of daily life in Malta falls away when you are out at see, looking in at the island.

There are daily tours of the Grand Harbour and Sliema Creek by boat. Through the summer season there are also many tours to the Blue Lagoon, which is a small but very pretty bay of Comino, a small island that sits between Malta and Gozo.

The sad reality is that the Blue Lagoon is now overused by the tourist sector because of it’s picture perfect clear water and will be very busy. For younger people that want a fun day out, the Blue Lagoon can be great, but for families or older people, it might be best to just sail on past.

It is also worth mentioning – as a point of public safety – that the beach on Comino is very small and there is very little shade around. Summer in Malta can be very hot and the sun is very strong, so if you plan a day on Comino, take every precaution against the sun that you can – you will need it! Or, find somewhere else to spend the day where it is possible to sit undercover for a few hours when you need to.

Charter A Yacht For A Private Boat Trip

It is possible to charter yachts and pleasure cruisers by the day throughout summer in Malta. If you are experienced, then the yacht can be chartered without a skipper, but if you want to really relax and enjoy the day it is best to pay extra and have a skipper.

As a way to spend a day, being on the sea can be just amazing. The summer months usually have minimal winds in the Maltese waters, which means that the sea is not rough and it is not an adventure. That means that your family and friends can drop anchor somewhere, eat, drink and sunbathe all day. The main marinas are in Sliema, Msida and the Three Cities, so getting to or from your boat charter from your holiday hotel or apartment ought to be quite easy.

Learn English In Malta

There are many thousands of people each year that come to Malta to take an intensive English language study course. English schools in Malta are actually a surprisingly large sector of the economy.

These courses start at just one week and can last as long as the student wants and needs it to. We have heard of people spending a full year in Malta to take English lessons! Whatever length of stay you need in Malta, we and our partners can help you with every step of the process. At the first stage, choosing the school and type of course that most suits your needs. We can also help to arrange your accommodation to be sure that it is in a convenient location and suits your needs. If you need it, advice on securing a visa to visit Malta can also be offered.

This will help you to plan your stay as effectively as possible, so that you can get the most out of your study – both in terms of learning English and having fun – and get the most out of your budget.

To be as helpful as we can, we have published content in English, Italian, Spanish, French, German and Turkish, to help visitors understand their options as well as possible.

Would You Like To Work In Gaming And Betting?

One of the largest sectors of the Maltese economy is the igaming and betting industry. A substantial proportion of the world’s gaming firms have some sort of base in Malta. This means that there is substantial demand for a wide range of people, skills and services and the competition is hot for the best iGaming jobs in Malta.

Here at MaltaStar.com we have teamed up with one of the most successful and best connected gaming recruitment companies to provide confidential introductions to a wide range of positions.

Gaming firms are generally very good to work for. They are normally founded and operated by people that like to have fun. Sure, there is business to be done and everyone works hard, but there is normally a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. When this is combined with the kinds of perks that gaming firms like – trips, drinks, meals out and a young intelligent workforce – your work can be interesting, rewarding and fun again.

The economics and management of the gaming sector is very focused on the Nordic countries which means that there is a near permanent need for applicants from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Germany. If you have the kinds of skills that might be useful to a modern digital business and would like to move your life to sunshine and the Mediterranean, why not dust off your cv and get in contact. (English speakers should click this link, German speakers should click this link, Norwegian speakers should click this link, French speakers should click this link, Spanish speaker should click this link, Italian speakers should click this link for igaming information and click this link for financial services information).

Do You Want To Learn To Sail In Malta?

Malta is so small that you can’t avoid seeing the Mediterranean Sea from much of the island. The close proximity means that most Maltese and residents feel quite connected to the sea. For some people, this just means enjoying the view with friends, a meal and a drink. Many other people sail.

Malta has a number of marinas – such as those at Msida and Vittoriosa – and many sailing boats moored. There are also several RYA approved sailing schools and teachers permanently based here. The great weather and clear blue sea makes Malta a wonderful location to learn to sail and really enjoy the experience.

We have teamed up with a local RYA sailing instructor to help you. She will help you to understand and select the most appropriate course and then be your teacher while on the island. If she cannot teach – she might, for example, have other students on the dates you prefer – she can make the right introductions to book your trip and course with one of the other trusted teachers. Just click this link to visit our sailing school page and learn more.

Learn Freediving, Spearfishing And Snorkelling In Malta

In recent years Gozo has been recognised as one of the best dive sites in both Europe and the world. There are a small number of locations that really stand out. Gozo’s landscape means that there are locations where beginners can feel at ease and be very safe while they learn and enjoy the experience. There are other locations where more advanced swimmers can push themselves.

We have teamed up with Malta’s freediving community to offer several amazing types of experience. Beginners can be taken snorkelling by a local with years of experience who will talk you through the local fish and marine life. He is also the only person in Malta to teach spearfishing! We have tried and failed at it – it really is not easy – but it is certainly a challenging and fun thing to do in Malta. He and a business partner teach freediving and have a superb reputation. The partner is a former freediving World Champion, so they are incredibly experienced. Just click this link to visit our freediving in Malta page which is also available in Italian to learn more.

An important part of freediving is learning to relax deeply so that the body requires less oxygen. Another area that teaches people to relax deeply is yoga. Malta is well known for yoga. There is something about the relaxed pace of life, the sun and the sea that combines to make many people look inside themselves. But it isn’t just the residents. A growing number of people visit each year to go on their own yoga retreat in Gozo. Here at MaltaStar we have met with several well established yoga teachers and found one to work with that provides a wonderful week or weekend yoga, health and spirituality experience in a secluded farmhouse.

Visit Malta’s Historic Temples

The Maltese Islands were home to one of the world’s oldest civilisations. Most countries make that claim, but in Malta it is slightly different. Some of the oldest man-made structures on earth are in Malta.

Firstly, Gozo is home to the oldest man-made structure in the world, the temples of Ggantija. Situated in a small town, the site is now protected by UNESCO. For some reason it has not achieved the level of fame that it should have, but these structures contain massive boulders that we would struggle to move in one piece today.

Malta is home to numerous ancient sites, but three stand out. Two are very close to each other on the south of the island overlooking the sea. They are the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples. While they might not be great entertainment for young children, anyone with any sense of their place in the world ought to see these marvels.

Finally, inland in Paola is the Hypogeum. The Hypogeum is an underground structure that is quite amazing. Believed to date from between 3000 – 3300 BC, there are a very small number of similar sites in the world. Their size, construction and rarity make them very valuable. This site only accepts small numbers of visitors at a time to try to prevent damage, which means that bookings need to be made online several weeks in advance.

Photograph (c) ScheiMedia.

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