Malta stole my heart. While each place we visited had its beauty and adventure, Malta is the place I desire to return the most.
I had heard little about the small island before booking our trip, but was captivated by the clear teal water, and hidden coves with fossil studded cliffs. I knew immediately this was a place I had to visit, and I did whatever I could to make it work (including cutting our trip in Italy short, and running on ZERO hours of sleep to get here).
Once leaving Rome, we flew over open water for a what felt like a long amount of time. I peered out the window as the endless blue water embraced land. I could see three islands, Gozo, Comino and Malta. All of which we explored.
As we arrived it snuck into my heart and I quickly became in love with the architecture, adventurous activities and ancient cities.
Its hard to not become mesmerized with the 16th century elegance as you drive through Valletta. When traveling, I tend to appreciate historic architecture. Valletta is an agglomerate of cultures, and time periods which are notable by the architectural design within the city.
Soon after, we found ourselves within St Paul’s Bay which, by population, is the largest town in Malta. More specifically, we stayed in Bugibba, a neighbourhood within St Paul’s Bay with an assortment of restaurants, small shops, and Bugibba square. Most importantly, close to us were beaches.
The rocky surfaces may be a bit rough so if you are looking for a nice walk, make sure you wear proper shoes ( I wore sandals, though comfy, didn’t exactly make it home in the same condition they left). I promise that the views are worth the walk and you will enjoy every bit of your experience along the way.
At night we explored the Bugibba promenade and found ourselves at a restaurant overlooking the mediterranean sea called Storie & Saporie. This became our usual late night hang out. We were welcomed by staff that became close friends and an environment that was fun and exciting with something new to look forward to every night. While you’re here, you are encouraged to have a great time, even the manager began to dance with us. A huge thank you to Luca and the rest of the staff for dancing and singing with us.
We were kept entertained throughout the night as a parade with decorative floats and dancers made their way from Bugibba square through to the promenade. The fun of the activities could be heard starting around 7pm and continued till late into the night.
Gozo
Going to Malta without visiting the smaller islands surrounding it is like going to the beach and not bringing a towel. You can enjoy yourself, but in my opinion, you’re missing out. It was roughly a 45 minute drive from where we stayed in Bugibba and from there we had to get onto a boat which took us to Gozo.
Once off the boat, you are taken through the countryside, a more laid back and tranquil approach to living than in Malta. There are a number of farms throughout the country side, scattered among the island filled with locally- grown produce. From there we were on our way to Gozo’s capital, Victoria.
Strolling through the cobble-stoned streets, we made our way to the Citadella, located at the highest point, at the centre of Victoria. Like Malta, Gozo was developed by the knights of St. John, a religious order that ruled the Maltese islands until 1798 and the Citadella was created out of the protection of invaders.
Blue Lagoon
The smaller island nestled between Gozo and Malta, Comino, was next on our list of exploration. Though heavily populated with tourists, this is the best spot for swimming with its warm, tranquil water. Its no wonder the tourists are attracted to the area. The soft sand and teal blue, clear water will make you feel like you’re staring at an overly filtered photo.
If you are looking to enjoy your time away from everyone I would suggest getting a private charter boat. A private company affords you the opportunity to beat the rush of people by going early, while enjoying the water. If you’re looking to check out Comino island, its best you make the most of it.
Though we didn’t have enough time to accomplish everything on our list of adventures, a few that I would enjoy on my return is the Blue Grotto. Particularly, to get close to the fossil studded cliffs while scuba diving in the clear water.
