Malta is one of Europe’s smallest countries, but it packs a lot in its small size, ensuring that even if you only have 3 days in Malta, you’ll still end up seeing quite a lot!
Beautiful blue waters rivaling those of Greece, ancient ruins older than Stonehenge, is it any wonder that Malta recently was named one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 places to visit?
Long a favorite of British travelers desperately seeking a spot of sun, the secret seems to be getting out, and more and more people are discovering this gem of the Mediterranean for the first time.
Malta is enjoying its spotlight, even despite the loss of one of its most famous tourist attractions, the Azure Window, which crumbled into the sea amidst strong storms a few years back (it’s now called the Blue Hole, which has less of a romantic ring to it)
Even without its most “Instagrammable” spot, the gorgeous island nation of Malta is left with boundless beauty. From the stunning architecture of its ancient streets (with its Maltese balconies) to its cliffs and grottos, this is one gorgeous and unique island.
If the views don’t get you, the food in Malta will. I’m still dreaming of fresh octopus, flaky pea-filled pastries, and the most delicious white wine I’ve tried in recent memory.
Three days in Malta isn’t nearly enough, but it’s time enough to taste the best of what the island has to offer, and with a focused itinerary, you can end up seeing quite a lot.
If you have an extra day, I highly recommend making the trip out to Gozo to do some scuba diving in one of the best places in Malta.
Best Time to Visit Malta
Malta is a popular destination for most of the year.Being one of the southernmost parts of the Mediterranean, its climate is more similar to North Africa’s than it is to much of Europe’s.
Summer is far-and-away the most popular time to visit Malta’s beautiful beaches and have a sunbathing-focused trip. July and August are the busiest times in Malta so expect higher prices and less options in terms of accommodations. Book your tours in advance during this time!
The shoulder season of May/June and September/October are also great times to visit Malta. I personally visited Malta in early October and it was perfect. The water was still warm enough to swim in (I even dove during my trip) but it wasn’t too hot nor too crowded and I was able to enjoy the crystal clear waters and normally jam-packed places like the City of Mdina lived up to their “silent city” name!
Malta is very quiet during the winter, but that’s for a reason: boat trips, lagoon dips, and sunbathing just aren’t the same in the winter. As a result, prices are lower but you won’t have as much to do as a lot of Malta is outdoor-focused.
However, if you’re a history lover and are just visiting Malta for culture and history with no plans of beach time, winter would be a perfectly lovely time for a Malta getaway.