Ally Wybrew

Growing up, Malta was the only place my family ever went abroad on holiday, and Gozo is the island I now call home. I’ve been splitting my time between the Maltese archipelago and the UK’s cooler climes for the last eight years, and if it sounds like a cliché to claim a destination has it all, just know that doesn’t make it any less true.  This perfectly picturesque, ancient archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean has mastered multi-generational appeal, from the party-popping Paceville to the history-crammed subterranean temples – plus Malta’s big brand all-inclusives for luxurious couple’s retreats. From sunbathing to sea diving, here are my favourite things to do in Malta. How many days in Malta is enough? How long to stay in Malta depends largely on what you’re hoping to do there, but four or five nights is a good amount of time to see its main attractions, including a day in Gozo. Those looking to lie by a pool, soak up the sun and forget about life for a while should feel rejuvenated after a long weekend.   RECOMMENDED:☀️ The best places to visit in Malta📍 The best things to do in Valletta, Malta🏖️ The best beaches in Malta🏨 The best hotels in Malta Ally Wybrew is a travel writer based between Malta and the UK. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For mo

Malta might boast temples older than the pyramids and a historic CV to shame its neighbours, but the archipelago’s 2024 vibe is far from stuffy. Every weekend in the summer season, honey-coloured towns host street parties, flag-filled festas, thumping music festivals and spectacular fireworks displays. Malta lives to celebrate.   Filling the gaps between festivities, cerulean waters lap at rocky, sun-drenched shores, a competitive gastronomic scene serves up delectable Maltese plates (many of them Michelin starred) and converted 16th-century palazzos welcome weary guests into five-star accommodations. Malta offers Europe’s best bits – history, culture, nightlife, sunny shores – in three easy-to-visit islands. Here are the places not to miss. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Malta☀️ The best things to do in Valletta, Malta🏨 The best hotels in Malta🏖️ The best beaches in Europe Ally Wybrew is a travel writer who splits her time between the UK and Malta. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

When it comes to why you should visit Malta it’s hard to know where to start. The more than 300 days of sweet Mediterranean sunshine a year? The extensive and complex history etched into every stone? Its incredible underwater vistas of wrecks, reefs and maze-like topography? Certainly. But perhaps the best reason to head to the island is to explore its UNESCO-listed walled capital.  Valletta is a beautiful, bustling city with a history as dense as its sixteenth-century bastion walls. It’s made up of sandstone-paved streets overhung by wonky window boxes, roads tumbling down to the so-blue-it-looks-fake Mediterranean Sea, and the whole place is soundtracked by the tolls of church bells. Eating out is a showcase of the city’s centuries-old influences, while its nightlife scene still has echoes of its wartime origins.  Valletta might be the smallest capital city in the EU, but it's got a big personality. Here’s what not to miss in Malta’s compact capital.  Ally Wybrew is a travel writer and Malta specialist. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts. RECOMMENDED:🏝️ The best beaches in Malta🏰 The best things to do in Malta

Malta’s coastline is a delightful mix of craggy cliffs, pebbled coves and sandy inlets, many of which have been deemed picturesque enough to feature in blockbuster movies. And, while its undulating edge often consists more of boulders, stones and sloping rock ledges than sand, there are a few golden gems to dig your toes into. What’s more, with 12 Blue Flag beaches and seriously sizzling summer temperatures (Malta regularly hits the mid-to-high 30s) the archipelago’s clear, warm waters draw visitors in their droves. So remember, wherever you choose to catch some rays, always, always, get there early. Alternatively, you could always visit in winter, when crowds are thinner – despite the mild weather. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Malta