What to See & Do in Malta

Malta is a small archipelago located in the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Italy. It’s one of the world’s smallest, but most densely populated countries, with just under half a million residents. The country has had various cultural influences, thanks to its location being greatly coveted by larger countries. It also has evidence of neolithic civilizations, which created structures that still stand today. Since the 1960s, Malta is an independent nation with incredible tourist destinations and a rich and varied history.

Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni

The Hypogeum is a Neolithic structure, located underground in Malta, that dates to at least 3000 BC. It was most likely a sanctuary and necropolis, based on the tombs found there. The Hypogeum is connected to the people who constructed the Megalithic Temples of Malta. Also labeled a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Hypogeum features various levels and is stunning to visit. Plan to get your tickets far in advance because only 10 people are allowed into this site every hour in order to help preserve it.

Mdina and Rabat

These two cities are located right next to one another on the Island of Malta. Mdina features an incredible castle that looks as though it came straight out of a fairytale. You’ll feel like you’re traveling to the past as you walk through the stunning Main Gate and make your way to the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Make sure to check out Mdina’s impressive palazzos as well! Since these two cities are fairly small, after visiting Mdina, head over to Rabat to see Casa Bernard and the Roman Villa for a taste of more history.

Valletta

This capital city is completely elegant and stunning, thanks to the work of the Knights of Malta, European nobleman who were given the islands by the King of Spain in 1530. It’s simple to make your way through the city because of the simple grid plan. While here, make sure you visit Saint John’s Co-Cathedral. Knights from various countries worked together to design this worship center and the brilliant architecture shows the care and attention that went into it. You can also visit the Grand Master’s Palace, which was home to the Knights.

Gozo

Gozo is a much smaller island than Malta, but it’s still a place worth visiting. If you want to relax and still see incredible sights, head to Gozo. There are pristine beaches, along with various small towns that have a very local feel to them. Visit Victoria, a medieval city, or Marsalforn, the island’s seaside resort. Also make sure to find time to visit the Ggantija Temples, dating back to 3500 BC.

Megalithic Temples

While at Gozo, take time to visit the Megalithic Temples located there, many of which are labeled as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are some of the oldest free-standing structures on the entire planet, so you definitely want to see them. These temples were built over thousands of years, so you can see developments made in architecture along the way.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Crete

Recently, my family and I paid a visit to the beautiful island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and also home to the most people. Besides the main island, the region of Crete also includes several smaller islands in the water near Crete. While Crete is one of the Greek Islands and shares much with the mainland, it also has it’s own, unique culture that’s distinct from the rest of Greece. Part of this unique culture can likely be attributed to Crete being the home of the ancient Minoan civilization, which was the earliest recorded European civilization, between 2600 and 1100 BC. Here are some of the top places to see in Crete; it’s definitely an island worth seeing!

Knossos Palace

Knossos Palace is believed to the home of the legendary King Minos, for whom the Minoans were named after. There’s a large interior courtyard at the Palace, which was used for the Minoan pastime of “bull-leaping.” Knossos is the most popular attraction on Crete and you can easily spend half a day touring the ruins of the palace, which once had over 1,200 rooms, and learning about the Minoan people.

Samaria Gorge

Pay a visit to the Samaria Gorge National Park on Crete. This beautiful location is home to an 18-kilometer long gorge. Simply looking down into and along the Gorge provides beautiful views, but if you’re more athletic, you can hike the path down the Gorge, which will take around five hours, depending on your fitness level. The summer is perfect for hiking the Gorge, but come winter, the river bed floods and it’s not nearly as simple to navigate. If you walk the entire length of the Gorge, you’ll end up with a stunning view of the Libyan Sea.

Rethymnon Old Town

This town is a lovely mix of Venetian architecture, Crete culture, and slight Turkish influences. There are lots of shops and restaurants to visit that are run in historic buildings, along with a sandy beach that makes it a wonderful town to get a taste of local history along with some beach time. It’s also located between Chania and Heraklion, so it’s easy to get to many of the island’s main attractions.

Heraklion

This city is the current capital of Crete and the best place to stay if you’re planning on visiting Knossos. You can take a ship from Athens to Heraklion or fly in. The city has a rich culture and beautiful layout, thanks to the Venetians who had control of the island for a few hundred years. Heraklion and the area around it has produced notable artists, such as El Greco.

Chania

This town is the largest in western Crete and was also the capital of the island until 1971. Chania is picturesque, with small alleys and beautifully colored buildings. There’s even an open market to visit, with delicious foods. The town overlooks the Aegean Sea and sits in front of the snow-capped White Mountains.