Endless Summer
GRAB A COCKTAIL OR A SMOOTHIE AT ONE OF THE STANDS WHICH THEY SERVE INSIDE OF A PINEAPPLE!
Got the winter blues? One of the best things you can do is book a flight to Malta! The sun is warm and bright for 10 months out of the year! Boost your mood by sunbathing on mesmerizing beaches accompanied by tiki drink. There is a chance to witness Malta’s history, enjoy the vibrant nightlife and discover Italian, Mediterranean and Arabic cuisine. Game of Thrones fans will be excited to know some of the show was shot in the ancient areas of Malta. Let’s pack our bags and start our tour!
BLUE LAGOON, COMINO ISLAND
Malta consists of 3 major islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. The Blue Lagoon is the most popular beach located on Comino Island. The water is transparent, clean and maybe most importantly stays the warmest through the year. Grab a cocktail or a smoothie at one of the stands which they serve inside of a pineapple! Accessibility to the island is easy as there are ferries every 30 mins and it only takes 20 minutes to get there!
VALLETTA
With a population of 8,000 residents, Valetta is one of the smallest capitals in Europe. Every street in the city has old and fascinating looking with buildings from 16th
century. There is no surprisethat the city is included in Unesco’s World Heritage Sites list. Definitely spend time wandering around the beautiful streets to take pictures. Take break in Upper Barakka Gardens and let the unique scenery recharge your battery. After exploring the area, give credit to the producers of Game of Thrones for using the area in several ‘’King’s Landing’’ scenes. Near Upper Barakka Gardens check out Angelica restaurant on Archbishop street. Try the rabbit as it is among the most famous meals and they serve a wide selection of Maltese wine which is definitely worth a try! Jamie Oliver claims it’s the best rabbit in Malta!
If you’re not on a time crunch, you should check out St. John’s Cathedral which is one of the most lavish religious sanctuaries in Europe since 1577. It looks very ordinary outside as Maltese knights kept all the precious looking decor and items inside to not to attract any enemies. Floor consist of tombstones of knights who fought for Saint John, the protector of Maltese knights. As it is the architectural symbol of the city of Valletta, St. John’s Cathedral has a rich
interior decoration with paintings on walls and ceiling, sculptures and fantastic works by Caravaggio, an Italian painter. Constructed in 1571 for Jean Parisot De Valletta, commander of the Knights of St. John and the founder of the city, Grandmaster’s Palace is another famous stop in Valletta. The building is used as president’s palace today and attracts enough visitors as being a fascinating architectural work.
PACEVILLE, ST. JULIANS
St. Julians is another popular city that has a vibrant nightlife district called Paceville.
It is one long street intensely populated by clubs, bars and restaurants. The atmosphere is energetic and you can easily hear many different languages at the same time as it is a highly multicultural area. Hugo’s lounge is a chill spot if you don’t the music blaring and would like to socialize. Even better, there is a Casino! Casino Malta is where you can enjoy many games, watch sports and have a drink as it can be a different experience since the country is also famous for its casinos.
On the other side, if you want more mellow environment on a beautiful peaceful island, not far from Paceville, there is Spinola Bay. Spinola Terrace is the best alternative with great views over the bay and quality seafood. Visitors are welcomed with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and canapes by friendly staff. Start the food journey with bruschetta or mushrooms as they are the most common starters to try.
MDINA
If you enjoy traveling through history, Mdina could be the essential area for a visit. It is definitely not an average European old town as its history takes you back to 4000 years ago! The city was the capital of Malta and gives us a clear hint about the captivating architectural perspective from middle age era. As Valetta, Mdina is also recognized as World Heritage Site by Unesco and was used in several scenes of Game of Thrones’ first season. You can walk around the tight streets of the city and visit Mdina Natural History Museum. The term ‘’city’’ shouldn’t move you away from the idea of discovery since it is so easy to explore all the ins and outs of the area in just 40 mins!
Before your exciting visit to Mdina, you can enjoy lunch at San Andrea Restaurant which serves Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, seafood, vegan and gluten-free options. As it is a Sicilian restaurant, you
will not be disappointed by the fresh seafood or pasta. The restaurant is very close to the city gates, on Saqqajja Hill. After exploring Mdina, take a break at Fontanella Tea Garden located at the end of the city walls and enjoy a panoramic view of Malta with a Cannoli Siciliani.
GOZO ISLAND
Gozo is the second biggest island in the country of Malta and worth a visit to witness more of history or enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in bay areas. The most popular attraction in the area used to be Azure Window which unfortunately collapsed in March 2017. However, it is still worth a visit as it is just on naturally beautiful Dwejra Bay where they filmed Khaleesi and Khal Drogo’s wedding scene for Game of Thrones. Visiting the city of Victoria and having a lunch is a great idea. Patrick’s Lounge on Europe Street is worth a visit.
Going to Gozo Island takes roughly 2 hours so it is better to start your journey earlier in the day. If you would rent a car, for the price of €15.70 you can use car ferries and discover Gozo Island with a car without not much of your energy spend.
MORE OF BEAUTIFUL BAYS
If you are not willing to explore all around the country but just fully welcome the opportunity of constant sunlight, there are two more beautiful beaches waiting for you in Malta. Paradise Bay is great if you want the conveniences of food & drinks. If you’re missing Miami Beach, they have beach parties that may make Paradise Bay an even more fun choice.
If you need more of a quiet environment Pretty Bay could be the favorable alternative for you. Locals frequent the beach since their summer houses are not far. As it is the longest sandy beach in Malta, Gharida Bay is also among mostly preferred beaches. It is also the most popular one for water sports if you’re into that sort of thing.
All in all, Malta is an amazing island country that you can enjoy in luxury without breaking the bank. People of all ages can easily find the right entertainment for them thanks to the wide variety of things to do. Enjoy your endless summer in Malta where the sun never sleeps.