Two days in Malta. How to maximize your time and enjoy a weekend break to this Mediterranean small island nation.
“Malta packs glorious variety into its small archipelago. You’ll find prehistoric temples, fossil-studded cliffs, hidden coves, thrilling scuba diving and a history of remarkable intensity. (Lonely Planet)”
“Although small in size (316 km²), the Republic of Malta is strategically located in the Mediterranean Sea. The country is made up of three inhabited islands: the island of Malta, the largest, Gozo, and Comino, the smallest, is situated between the two larger islands. The capital and largest city, Valletta, is mainly built on a rocky peninsula along the northeast coast of Malta. Valletta can be identified even on this small image where the peninsula extends northeast between two natural harbors.
The geological faulting in this area has produced numerous fine natural harbors around the periphery of Malta. Although the islands are composed of sedimentary rocks, mainly limestone and clays, the alkaline soils provide fertile conditions for the well-established agricultural economy. Precipitation amounts can be a problem in that the islands average only about 32 cm per year. Malta has few natural resources to the growth of tourism, especially since World War II, has gradually added to the Maltese economy (NASA, 1997).”
If you absolutely love the sea and history you will fall for this 48 hours Malta itinerary…
* Friday *
22:00 Checking in at the hostel and dining at Sliema Strand
Quiet night having dinner with views to Valletta and meeting other travelers
* Saturday *
8:00 Breakfast and walk along the Sliema Strand
10:00 Gozo, Comino & The Blue Lagoon Tour
Special Price €35.00 (online)
Departing from Sliema ferries Luzzu Cruises departs every day at 10:00 and return at 17:30 (April to October). First, we cruise north to the sister island Gozo. We stop at Mgarr Harbour (Gozo’s main harbor) where you will board one of our buses to take a 3-hour sightseeing tour of this beautiful island. During which, you will visit the Dwejra, Inland sea, Fungus Rock, bypassing Ta’ Pinu Church to Victoria (The Capital City) and Citadel (Old Fortified City).
14:00 Blue Lagoon of Comino
After the Gozo tour, once again you will board the Luzzu Cruises Vessel and proceed to the island of Comino, where we shall stop in the crystal clear waters of the famous Blue Lagoon for approx. 1hr 30min for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, etc. After our stop at the Blue Lagoon, we visit the Crystal Caves of Comino and cruise back to Sliema.
The smallest inhabited island of Malta with a total of 3 permanent inhabitants: a couple and a policeman.
19:00 Sunset from the Balcony
21:00 Dining Maltese and Italian food at The Avenue in Paceville Street
Located west of St. Julian’s, Malta, Paceville is a lively area with nightclubs, bars, pubs and, restaurants, and is an important nightlife hub on the island.
* Sunday *
8:00 Breakfast and morning stroll
10:30 Free Two Harbours Cruise
0 € if booking Gozo, Comino & The Blue Lagoon Tour online
Cruising around the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean Marsamxett and Valletta harbours with Luzzu Cruises.
Departing from Sliema ferries we cruise inside Sliema Creek, around Manoel Island to Lazzaretto creek, better known as the yacht Marina, round Ta’ Xbiex to Msida and Pieta creeks, cruising by the battlements and fortifications surrounding Valletta and Floriana to the Grand Harbour. Proceeding to Menqa Creek, Marsa Creek, and the inner basin to see the Malta Ship Building Yard. Then proceeding to the French Creek and the Dockyard area, round the three cities in one (Senglea, Cospicua, and Vittoriosa), Kalkara creek, Rinella Bay and back to Sliema, cruising right inside 10 creeks.
13:00 Valletta capital attractions
Number one attraction is the St John’s Co-Cathedral, the image of Valletta!
As you walk down the main street which is the Republic Street you will find beautiful limestone buildings with Spanish balconies usually painted green. And each alley taking you to the sea as Valletta is a small Peninsula with a population of 393,938.
15:00 Lunch at Cafe Cuba
18:00 Flying back home
And just like that, the weekend was gone. 48 hours to gain insight into the Maltese culture and way of life. One more day would have been good, just for swimming and chilling out!
And now, some of my favourite Maltese proverbs:
Il-borza tal-bezziegh la timtela w lanqas tifriegh -The wallet of the timid man neither increases nor decreases.
This proverbs teaches us that being afraid to take risks in life will get us nowhere. We will simply remain at a standstill in our lives, pondering on what might have been.
Gawdi ghax mid-dinja m’ghandna xejn. — Have fun because we have nothing from this world.
This proverb encourages us to live life to the full because, at the end of the day, we will not take with us any earthly possessions once life is over.
Kliem ix-xih zomm fih — The words of the old man you should trust
Old people have a lot of experience. They have been through a lot in life and the younger generations can definitely learn from the words of the older people.
