Malta is an island you must see

Quite often on Instagram in the captions of photos from Malta you can find the hashtag #Life on vacation. And it's true, sometimes I really feel like I've come on vacation, and I want to give in to temptation and go towards the beach instead of the office :-)

Summer in Malta lasts longer than the usual three months. In 2016, for example, it started back in March and we went sunbathing on the beach for the first time. But somewhere in April-May the air temperature dropped again, and finally warmed up in June, which continues to this day (air temperature during the day - +27°C, water temperature in the sea - above 20°C).

If you want to relax in Malta, but you have a limited budget, you can safely plan your vacation in October. The weather is still pleasant, but accommodation prices are lower than in the high season (May-September) and you can book a hostel from €20 per night or a good hotel in Malta for around €60 per night.

Do you want to dive into the world of entertainment? Then such cities as Sliema, San Jwan, San Julians and Paceville will suit you. These towns have a huge number of restaurants, bars and cafes. Paceville, for example, can be called the night capital of the island because of the large number of nightclubs - this city does not sleep until morning.

If you want to save money, you can look for accommodation in Tax Xbiex or Gzira, you can also consider Swieqi - these towns are close to Sliema, but the cost of accommodation is lower. Another good option for the budget tourist is to rent a room. There are a lot of such offers, so you can rent a room right on the spot without prior booking.

If you're looking for a more secluded location, the Three Cities area is worth checking out: Isla, Birgu and Bormla. There are fewer tourists here, mostly Maltese, who are very friendly and helpful. We were convinced of this by our own experience, when while looking for a long term apartment we met two locals, one of whom helped us to find accommodation, and the other put us in his car and drove us to several addresses. So don't hesitate to contact locals if you need anything.

From Birgu you can travel to the capital of Malta - Valletta. For example, on the river streetcar, the schedule of which can be found at the place where it stops. The fare is €1.5 and upon boarding you are given a ticket that entitles you to a free elevator ride to the Baracca Gardens, which offer amazing views.

In Valleta you will always find good hotels and fine restaurants with traditional Maltese cuisine. It cannot be called a city with low prices for accommodation, but it is definitely worth a visit to the capital. Museums, cathedrals, exhibitions - all the most interesting things you can see on a free tour of the city center. Valletta city free tour is held every Wednesday. There is also a bus terminal where you can get to any part of the island.

Mdina, the island's first capital, is also worth a visit. It is rightly called the city of silence. Walking through the narrow streets, you will be imbued with the mystery of this place. Fans of all things mystical will surely enjoy a tour of the city at night in search of ghosts... Isn't it exciting? The observation deck in Mdina will show you the island in the palm of your hand, and they say that in good weather you can see Sicily from there. After your walk, be sure to check out the Fortanella Tea Garden café, which has incredibly delicious desserts at affordable prices (a cappuccino is €2 and a pastry is between €3 and €4). And if you manage to get a table on the second floor, you can enjoy the beautiful view.

Don't forget to visit the Dingli Cliffs, which will enchant you with the scenery that opens up from their peaks. Popeye Village, a Hollywood gift to the island, is also worth mentioning. The famous movie "Popeye the Sailor" was filmed here. Also don't miss the opportunity to visit the Mdina Glass factory and watch the process of manufacturing different products, as well as buy something as a souvenir.

The resort town of Bujibba is also in demand among vacationers, where a lot of entertainment for all tastes is concentrated. Not far from Buggibba is the sandy beach Golden Bay, the best sandy beach in Malta.

On a side note: If you don't know which beach to choose, check out for help. Here you will find information regarding the water temperature of the different beaches, as well as information about whether there are jellyfish in the water, etc.

Malta has no problems with beaches, but most of them are rocky, so it is worth deciding what you want to get more from your vacation. For example, if you stay in Valletta, the nearest sandy beach will be an hour's drive one way.

Another interesting local feature will appeal to those for whom a pool vacation in Malta may well replace the beach. Malta has a website In the "deal" section of the website you can select a valid hotel discount offer.

Cities in Malta are quite small (rather, even more like districts), and during your walk you can pass not one, but two, three or more cities! The most convenient way to see Malta is by car, but if you prefer buses, you can use the Talinja mobile app to plan your route and find out how long before your bus arrives.

The bus fare is €2 in summer (mid-June to mid-October) and €1.5 the rest of the time, the night bus is €3 (night buses only run on Friday and Saturday). The validity of the ticket is two hours, which means you can safely use the same ticket when transferring to another bus within a given time. But you can also buy a bus card for seven days, which costs €21 (very convenient if you plan a lot of trips), or for €15 you can buy a card for twelve trips. If you have acquaintances in Malta, they can order a card in your name, and then each trip on such a card will cost only 75 cents (for two hours, like tickets).

The islands of Comino (known to us for its blue lagoon) and Gozo are worth a visit. Unlike Gozo, Comino has only one hotel with the same name and you can get there by boat or visit the island on an excursion (from €15). You can get to Gozo by ferry - this is the cheapest option, a round trip fare will cost you €5. But, in my opinion, to see the beauty of this island, it is best to visit it with some locals or rent a car and visit places that only they know.

When it comes to traditional Maltese cuisine, you should definitely enjoy it, as it is a variety of Mediterranean, Italian and English cuisines. Very popular are: rabbit in wine in Maltese style, tuna, snails stewed in wine, Maltese bread ftira with different fillings (the traditional one is with tuna), braggioli (roll of a thin piece of beef filled with eggs, chopped bacon, cheese and parsley with garlic), baked pasta pastizio with many fillings (the dish is very caloric, so be careful) and many more desserts. Also don't forget to try the locally produced wine.

As for the prices in restaurants, the average check for dinner for two can cost you from €40.If you plan to cook yourself, shopping here is very simple. It is better to buy fruits and vegetables from local farmers, their vans you can meet almost on every corner, and meat - in butcher shops. Everything else you can buy in local stores or supermarkets (the biggest ones are Lidl and Pavi Pama). To understand the price level: for €2 you can buy a kilogram of oranges, for €10 - a rabbit carcass.

Malta has a lot of amazing places to see, so in my opinion, the minimum number of days for this island is at least ten. To be honest, in a year and a half of living in Malta I haven't fully explored it, and I am still discovering new places that fascinate me with their beauty!

If you plan to cook for yourself, shopping here is very simple. It is better to buy fruits and vegetables from local farmers, their vans can be found almost on every corner, and meat - in butcher shops. Everything else you can buy in local stores or supermarkets (the biggest ones are Lidl and Pavi Pama). To understand the price level: for €2 you can buy a kilogram of oranges, for €10 - a rabbit carcass.

Malta has a lot of amazing places to see, so in my opinion, the minimum number of days for this island is at least ten. To be honest, in a year and a half of living in Malta I haven't fully explored it, and I am still discovering new places that fascinate me with their beauty!