On a Wednesday in late February, I quite spontaneously booked a flight to a country I very honestly had not much knowledge of: Malta. I set out with a goal to experience as much as I could in this new land and to learn as much as I could about the Maltese culture. Looking back, I couldn’t be happier with my decision.
Walking into the main city of Valletta, you cannot help but be in awe. Bright colors are splashed everywhere, from the iconic Maltese balconies to the myriad doors lining the streets. I had never seen a city quite like this one. So much history is packed into this single dot on a map, and it shows.
I had heard of the magnificence of Malta’s Blue Grotto, and it did not disappoint. Approaching the overlook point, my breath left me. The expansive landscape, with the cliffs and the startlingly blue water, was something I knew I would never forget.
Next on my list of sites was Ħaġar Qim, a world-renowned archeological site. The temples standing there today are among the oldest in the whole world. Malta’s history never failed to amaze me. I spent nearly three hours exploring the grounds. Combined with a hike from temple to temple, this day did not disappoint.
When visiting Ħaġar Qim, there is a breathtaking hike you can choose to take between temples that takes you along the Maltese coast. As an avid hiker, I can say without a doubt that this was one of the most beautiful hikes of my life. I walked between ancient ruins, ran through fields of wildflowers, and finally sat upon a cliff’s edge to look upon the Widow’s Eye, a spectacular rock formation out at sea. With the wind blowing through my hair and the sun shining down, I felt well and truly at peace.
After my archeological quest, I decided to head over to Marsaxlokk, a fishing village in the South of Malta. Stepping up to the harbour, it felt as though I had entered a fictional land. Every single boat in the harbour — and there were hundreds — was painted bright colors, from red to green to yellow to the deepest of blues. They all sat bobbing in the water, creating a scene I simply had to capture. There was an artisan market near the water’s edge, with dozens of locally made crafts to buy. Marsaxlokk, true to my initial impression, was a dream.
If you’re looking for things to do in Marsaxlokk, look no further than the water’s edge. Situated there is a multitude of locals offering boat tours of the coast! I hopped on a boat tour and got the chance to see Malta from a different perspective. At one point, we pulled into a cove and saw this outstanding rock formation, with the light-blue water on our side and the deep blue on the other. I nearly pinched myself. I just couldn’t believe it.
Determined to learn Malta’s history, I decided to visit Fort St. Elmo, a knight's fortress built in 1552! From ancient relics to medieval armor to fully restored 16th-century cannons, this site had it all. Plus, the top of the complex provided stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea!
On my last day in Malta, I decided to tackle a four-hour hike in the very reaches of the Maltese countryside. I walked to the starting point, which was a solitary 14th-century church situated on a cliff’s edge. The hike took me along the Dingli Cliffs, and to say the views were amazing would be an understatement. After many hours of walking, I came upon a singular American food truck — parked approximately thirty feet away from a sheer drop to the ocean — and ordered probably the best hamburger of my entire life.
Malta, I can say with certainty, was a life-changing experience. The history, the culture, and the landscapes left me speechless. I cannot wait to return one day, as I’m sure I will.