Malta Top Attractions — What Is Worth It (and What You Can Skip)

Every guidebook tells you to see everything. I will tell you what is genuinely worth it — and what you can skip without regret.

Essentials (Do Not Miss)

1. Valletta: The whole city. Don't hunt for specific points — just walk the streets, look up at the ornate Baroque balconies, look down at Grand Harbour. Do it in the morning before the crowds arrive.
2. St. John's Co-Cathedral: It looks like a fortress from outside. Inside — gold, marble tombstones, a Caravaggio. €15 entry, absolutely worth every cent.
3. Mdina in the evening: After the day-trip coaches leave. Empty narrow alleys, silence, stone walls lit by lamp posts. One of the most beautiful places in Europe.
4. Harbour boat ride: A traditional Dghajsa (blue-and-yellow wooden boat) from Sliema to Valletta for a few euros. The view of Fort St. Angelo from the water is priceless.
5. Ramla Bay (Gozo): Rust-red sand beach surrounded by cliffs. If you visit Gozo — this is non-negotiable.
6. Blue Grotto viewpoint: No boat needed. The view from the cliff down to the natural rock arch and turquoise water is spectacular — and free.

Mediocre (You Can Skip)

1. Popeye Village: A theme park built on the original film set. Fun for children under 8. For adults without kids — limited value.
2. Malta Experience (panoramic cinema): A film about Malta's history. Decent, but if you visit the Co-Cathedral and the Grand Master's Palace Museum, you can skip this.
3. Azure Window: Does not exist. It collapsed in 2017. If someone is selling this to you as an attraction — they are lying.

Hidden Gems

• Wied il-Ghasri (Gozo): A sea-filled gorge that looks like a miniature fjord. Steps lead down to turquoise water. Almost nobody goes there.
• Birgu (Vittoriosa): Older than Valletta, smaller, quieter. 16th-century alleys, Fort St. Angelo, a yacht marina. Fewer tourists, more character.
• Dingli Cliffs at sunset: Malta's highest cliffs (245 m above sea level), sunset over the Mediterranean. Take a Bolt, take photos, head back.