Moseying Around Malta
Let’s talk about Malta. Positioned near the center of the Mediterranean Sea between the Italians and the Libyans and east of the Tunisians are a trio of islands rich in culture and history. They were the focal point of several empires, desired for hundreds of years as a strategic naval base to those who wished to remain powerful.
The Maltese archipelago caught my interest a few years prior while studying the map of an in-flight magazine. (Yes, these are things I enjoy doing.) So when the opportunity presented itself I had no choice but to pull the trigger.
I had three days to explore before heading home for Christmas, and the price was right to fly from Athens to Malta’s capital city in Valletta. Despite not touching the surface with all it has to offer, my curiosities were satisfied with a very unique experience.
For most visitors it’s common to visit in the summer when the beaches are in prime form. But if you spin it, the silver lining is there are far less tourists. While winter is not the ideal season to visit, 60 degrees was unsurprisingly acceptable for the kid from Wisconsin.
Malta has been an independent republic for over 55 years now. Today it is still a part of the British Commonwealth, but the string of civilizations who came before left quite a mark. Those who called it home before included the Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Knights of St. John, and more. It’s history like that which makes international travel so meaningful to nerds like me.
Valletta
Most visitors to the Maltese islands stay in Valletta, as there is an abundance of hotels and restaurants. The maze of city streets are an experience in itself. Give yourself some time to walk around as you might get lost, but as you know that’s not such a bad thing. The fascinating architecture will keep your eyes busy, and the sweet and savory variety of crepes will reward you for your troubles.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
The gardens can be enjoyed any time of day. The views over the water and surrounding towns are strong, and through the evening they’re well lit for browsing the historical excerpts engraved among the walls. Great spot for some romantic sunrise and sunset action with someone special…also not so bad if you’re rolling solo.
Birgu
Be sure to catch the ferry and cruise on over to Birgu (also known as Vittoriosa) for a day’s walk. Save a little time by taking the Upper Barrakka Lift down from the gardens to where a ferry waits on the harbor level. The people are very friendly. The lady in the picture actually asked me to take it. That’s very rare, so when it does happen I appreciate the connection.
Fort Rikasoli
Built in the late 1600’s, Fort Rikasoli was once the most heavily armed fortress in Malta. Much of it lies in ruins now, creating quite a scene for the random visitor like myself who ventures around abandoned areas. A variety of different films have also been on location here. Visit while you still can see it in its most natural state…plans are in place to restore it as of 2019.
Golden Bay
After wrestling with the idea of renting a car, I hopped on a big tour bus as it’s just the easier way to get around. But if you have more time, renting a car in Malta is definitely the way to go. Roundtrip is between 1-2 hours, so you can see a handful of places without requiring a full day investment.
Be sure to get off at Golden Bay for some relaxation in the sand after a hike amongst the cliffs. If that doesn’t entice you, chances are you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you find a scene of parasailing aficionados. What an incredible place to enjoy such a riveting sport.
Ghajn Tuffieha Tower
Take the path from Golden Bay alongside the cliffs until you reach the Ghajn Tuffieha Tower. This robust artifact of engineering was built nearly 400 years ago under the direction of an Italian architect.No doubt some very important decisions were made from the lookout.
Obviously the views are incredible. If you’re adventurous enough, continue down to the Ghajn Tuffieha bay where you’ll find dozens of surfers. There are even instructors for all you beginners who are brave enough to endure the embarrassment of never making it up! (That may or may not be a poor sport projection of my own failed attempt while living in Ireland. To be fair, it was snowing that day in Bundoran!)
Mdina
Along the bus tour is a former capital which once boasted the noble and religious authorities. Be sure to get off at Mdina! As with some of the other recommendations I’ve laid out, this future UNESCO World Heritage site is rich in history highlighted by its timeless fortification. Game of Thrones filmed here, so you get the idea.
Three days is nice, but if possible set aside a few more. Some of the additional spots I would’ve gone to include Marsaxlokk fishing village, St. John’s Cathedral, Popeye Village, the Blue Lagoon, and St. George’s Bay. Oh and make sure you buy some of the purest honey available to man on the island of Gozo. Liquid Gold!
