Top 10 Things to Do in Malta for an Unforgettable Trip
Planning a trip to Malta? Between sea adventures, cultural discoveries and family fun, here are the 10 must-do activities to add to your itinerary. Our pick of the best experiences to book, from Blue Lagoon cruises to wreck diving, tried and ranked by our team.
Take a boat trip
With its rugged coastline, Mediterranean climate and turquoise waters, Malta is a natural playground for water activities. A boat trip is, unsurprisingly, the one experience you shouldn’t miss on the archipelago.
The most popular of all is a visit to Comino’s Blue Lagoon and its unreal turquoise water. You can get there on a Blue Lagoon cruise from Sliema, a catamaran trip from Buġibba, or, for more privacy, by hiring a private boat with a skipper. Spots fill up fast, so book ahead, especially in high season.
| Option | Departure point | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Sliema | 35 € |
 | St Paul's Bay (Buġibba) | 55 € |
 | Valletta | 210 € |
 | Malte | 98 € |
 | Valletta | 23 € |
 | Mellieħa | 15 € |
Join a guided tour of Valletta
You can’t visit Malta without exploring its capital, Valletta, the country’s historic heart and a UNESCO World Heritage city. A fortified town dotted with landmarks: St John’s Co-Cathedral, St Paul’s Church and the Manoel Theatre.
You can wander the streets on your own, but a guided tour of Valletta is truly worth it: accessible, available in several languages, it unlocks the stories and context you’d otherwise miss. A chance to follow the exploits of Jean de Valette and the misadventures of Caravaggio on the very spots where they unfolded.
Discover Gozo by quad, 4×4 or tuk-tuk
Gozo, Malta’s sister island, is wilder and more authentic than the heavily built-up main island. Less well served by public transport and crossed by dirt tracks, it’s perfect for lively excursions.
For a dose of adventure, explore Gozo on a 4×4 jeep tour, by tuk-tuk, or by quad for the more daring. Fun, off-beat ways to see the island. Bear in mind that, whichever option you choose, the excursion usually takes the whole day, boat crossing included.
Visit the Blue Grotto by luzzu
The Blue Grotto is one of southern Malta’s essential outings. The best way to enjoy it is a trip on a luzzu, the traditional Maltese fishing boat, which hugs the limestone cliffs and slips under the arches just above the water. A short activity, suitable for everyone.
Boats leave from the hamlet of Wied iż-Żurrieq, running continuously: no need to book, tickets are sold on site and in cash (about €10 per person). Consider combining the visit with a guided Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk tour to make the most of the trip down south.
Try a thrilling water activity
An island bathed by the Mediterranean, Malta is packed with high-adrenaline water sports. Mellieħa Bay (Għadira Bay) has the most on offer, but you’ll also find plenty at Saint Julian’s or Golden Bay: towable rings, speedboats, jet skis and even flyboarding.
To gain some altitude, parasailing is a must: at 50-70 metres above the coast, the view is breathtaking. Thrill-seekers can try flyboarding or a jet ski session.
Visit Popeye Village
Popeye Village is Malta’s main theme park, and the ultimate family activity if you’re travelling with children. Built around the world of the famous sailor, it lines up shows, mini-golf, a cinema, a museum, play areas and inflatable water structures in summer.
A theme and facilities that appeal to young and old alike. It’s best to buy your Popeye Village tickets in advance, especially in summer: they’re available online and on site.
Explore the coast by kayak or paddleboard
Malta’s coastline is ideal for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Fun, accessible activities that lead to coves, arches and caves often unreachable by land and spared from the crowds.
You’ll find rental outfits near the main beaches to set off on your own. But to safely uncover the hidden corners of the Mellieħa coast or the caves of Comino and Gozo, we’d rather recommend a guided kayak excursion in Gozo and Comino with a local guide.
Go scuba diving in Malta
Malta and Gozo rank among the best dive spots in the Mediterranean, famed for their wrecks (Um El Faroud, HMS Maori, MV Karwela), arches and underwater caves. Marine life is abundant: octopuses, barracudas, moray eels, seahorses.
The activity suits beginners and seasoned divers alike. For a first try, opt for a beginner dive in Buġibba, in a protected natural pool. Experienced divers will aim for the deep-water wrecks, for instance through a diving club in Saint Julian’s.
See the island by sightseeing bus
Touring Malta on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus isn’t the most original activity, but it’s a handy way to link up the main sights: Valletta, the Three Cities, the Blue Grotto, Sliema, Buġibba… The routes only serve points of interest, so you can see a lot in little time.
Rides usually come with audio commentary and useful anecdotes. The island is small but journeys can be long: set off early to make the most of the day with a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus for southern Malta.
Visit the Malta Aquarium
The Malta National Aquarium, in Qawra (San Pawl il-Baħar), is the ideal activity in bad weather or intense heat. Modest in size, it is home to nearly 150 species across six themed zones: sharks, rays, moray eels and turtles glide through carefully designed tanks.
An educational setting perfect for a family outing. Malta Aquarium tickets can be bought online or on site (€16.90 adult, €10.90 child).
From a Blue Lagoon cruise to wreck diving, Malta packs a rare density of activities into a tiny archipelago. Book the most popular ones ahead of time and keep a full day for Gozo: the sister island is well worth the trip on its own.