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Things to do in Malta

What to see and do in Malta, Gozo and Comino by category: beaches, history and archaeology, museums, churches, Valletta, Mdina, the Three Cities, diving and snorkelling, hiking, boat trips, family activities, nightlife, cultural events and free activities, with maps and structured records.

Written by Malta MPRP Guide Editorial TeamReviewed by Compliance ReviewerPublished 1 October 2026Updated 1 October 2026Last verified: 1 October 2026

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Heritage and archaeology

Three UNESCO properties: the City of Valletta, the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum (book well ahead) and the Megalithic Temples (Ġgantija, Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, Tarxien). Add Mdina, the Three Cities and Fort St Angelo, the Cittadella in Gozo, St John's Co-Cathedral and the Grand Master's Palace. Opening hours and admission are recorded as published in the heritage database.

Key figures

Non-resident arrivals at tourist accommodation

2.56 millionarrivals

2025

Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · verified 01 Oct 2026

Non-resident nights at tourist accommodation

12.47 millionnights

2025

Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · verified 01 Oct 2026

Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, adult admission

€35.00

as published Oct 2026

Heritage Malta (national agency for museums and heritage) · verified 01 Oct 2026

Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra Archaeological Park, adult admission

€10.00

as published Oct 2026

Heritage Malta (national agency for museums and heritage) · verified 01 Oct 2026

Every figure shows the reference period and the publishing authority. Statistics are refreshed when the source publishes a new release; see the source register for document details.

Heritage and cultural sites

All sites →

Temple · UNESCO World Heritage
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples
Qrendi · c. 3600–3200 BC
Two megalithic temple complexes on the southern cliffs, part of the UNESCO Megalithic Temples of Malta. Ħaġar Qim is built of globigerina l…
Temple · UNESCO World Heritage
Ġgantija Temples
Xagħra · c. 3600–3200 BC
The oldest of Malta's megalithic temples and among the world's oldest free-standing monuments, on a plateau in Xagħra, Gozo, with an interp…
Archaeological Site · UNESCO World Heritage
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Paola · c. 4000–2500 BC
An underground prehistoric burial complex carved from rock on three levels. Visitor numbers are strictly limited and advance booking is ess…
Temple · UNESCO World Heritage
Tarxien Temples
Tarxien · c. 3600–2500 BC
A complex of four megalithic structures with the richest carved decoration of any Maltese temple, now under a protective canopy. UNESCO Wor…
Historic Building · UNESCO World Heritage
City of Valletta (World Heritage Site)
Valletta · Founded 1566
The fortified capital built by the Knights of St John after the Great Siege, inscribed as a whole on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980…
Church
St John's Co-Cathedral
Valletta · 1572–1577; baroque interior 17th century
The conventual church of the Knights of St John, with a baroque interior by Mattia Preti, inlaid marble tombstones and Caravaggio's Beheadi…

Beaches

All beaches →

Malta · Sandy
Għadira Bay (Mellieħa Bay)
Mellieħa
The longest sandy beach in Malta, shallow and gently shelving, with the Għadira nature reserve behind it.
Kiosks · Sunbeds and umbrellas (season) · Toilets · Lifeguards (season)
Malta · Sandy
Golden Bay (Ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa)
Mellieħa / Mġarr
A wide sandy bay on the north-west coast backed by a hotel and cliffs, with sunsets over the sea.
Kiosk · Sunbeds (season) · Toilets · Lifeguards (season)
Malta · Sandy
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Mġarr
A less developed sandy bay reached by a long flight of steps, next to Golden Bay, with red sand and clay slopes.
Seasonal kiosk · Limited toilets
Malta · Sandy
Paradise Bay
Mellieħa
A small sandy cove near Ċirkewwa with clear water and views to Comino.
Lido and restaurant (season)
Malta · Sandy
Armier Bay
Mellieħa
Two sandy coves at the northern tip of Malta facing Comino, with shallow water.
Kiosks · Sunbeds (season)
Malta · Sandy
St George's Bay
St Julian's
A small man-made sandy beach in the heart of the St Julian's hotel district.
Toilets · Showers · Cafés nearby

Museums

The National Museum of Archaeology, MUŻA, the National War Museum at Fort St Elmo, the Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu, the Inquisitor's Palace and the Domvs Romana; Heritage Malta multi-site passes are available.

Beaches and the sea

Sandy bays in the north and in Gozo, rocky swimming along Sliema and the south-east, the Blue Lagoon on Comino. See the beach database. Diving and snorkelling are a major draw: wrecks, reefs, the Inland Sea and Blue Hole at Dwejra, Ċirkewwa and Għar Lapsi, with licensed dive centres across the islands.

Outdoor

Coastal walks along the Dingli cliffs, Marfa Ridge and Gozo's cliffs; the Victoria Lines; Buskett woodland; the Majjistral Nature and History Park. Boat trips run to the Blue Grotto, Comino and around the harbours.

Family activities

The National Aquarium (Qawra), Popeye Village (Mellieħa), Playmobil FunPark, Esplora science centre (Kalkara), the Malta Classic Car Collection, horse riding and water parks.

Nightlife

Paceville in St Julian's is the club district; Valletta's Strait Street and Merchants Street have wine bars and live music; summer festivals and open-air concerts fill the calendar. See Culture.

Free activities

The Upper Barrakka Gardens and noon gun, the Valletta waterfront and bastion walks, village festas, Sunday markets, the Blue Grotto viewpoint, Dingli cliffs and every beach.

Map

See the interactive map for beaches, heritage sites and attractions as toggleable layers.

Festivals and events

Carnival · Valletta and Nadur
Carnival (Il-Karnival)
The days before Ash Wednesday (February/March)
Floats, costumes and dance competitions in Valletta and Floriana, with Nadur in Gozo known for its spontaneous, satirical night carnival.
Sport
Malta Marathon
February/March
Marathon and half-marathon from Mdina to Sliema.
Religious
Good Friday processions
Good Friday (March/April)
Statues of the Passion are carried through towns such as Żebbuġ, Qormi, Valletta and Victoria, Gozo.
Festa · Buskett, Rabat
L-Imnarja (Feast of St Peter and St Paul)
28–29 June
A harvest festival with folk singing, rabbit stew and an agricultural show in Buskett Gardens, followed by horse races in Rabat.
Festival · Floriana
Isle of MTV Malta
Summer (dates vary)
A free open-air pop concert on the Granaries in Floriana.
Festival · Valletta
Malta Jazz Festival
July
Open-air jazz concerts on the Valletta waterfront.
Festa
Village festa season
Mainly May to September; each parish has its own weekend
Every parish celebrates its patron saint with band marches, street decorations, fireworks and the procession of the titular statue. Fireworks factories compete in displays through…
National Holiday
Santa Marija (Assumption)
15 August
A public holiday and one of the biggest festa days, celebrated in several parishes including Mosta and Victoria, Gozo; it also commemorates the 1942 Santa Marija convoy.

Sources & Verification

Verified 1 October 2026 against the sources below

UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Malta
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Institutional
Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List: City of Valletta (1980), Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum (1980), Megalithic Temples of Malta (1980, 1992)
Published
—
Effective
—
Last checked
01 Oct 2026
Status
Active
Reference: UNESCO-MTOfficial requirement
Heritage Malta — Sites and museums (opening hours and admission)
Heritage Malta (national agency for museums and heritage)
Institutional
Individual site pages: Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra, Ġgantija, Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Tarxien, Grand Master's Palace, Fort St Angelo, Fort St Elmo, National Museum of Archaeology, MUŻA, Domvs Romana
Published
—
Effective
—
Last checked
01 Oct 2026
Status
Active
Reference: HERITAGE-MALTAOfficial requirement
Eurostat — Tourism (tour_occ_arnat, tour_occ_ninat)
Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta)
EU Institution
Arrivals and nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments, non-residents
Published
22 Sept 2026
Effective
—
Last checked
01 Oct 2026
Status
Active
Reference: EUROSTAT-TOURISMOfficial requirement
Malta Tourism Authority / Visit Malta
Malta Tourism Authority
Tourism Authority
Tourism licensing, accommodation regulations and the Visit Malta destination portal
Published
—
Effective
—
Last checked
01 Oct 2026
Status
Active
Reference: MTAOfficial requirement

Written by

Malta MPRP Guide Editorial Team

Research & editorial

The editorial team researches the Malta Permanent Residence Programme directly from the consolidated regulations (S.L. 217.26), the Legal Notices that amend them and the Residency Malta Agency's published material. Ever…

Reviewed by

Compliance Reviewer

Fact-check & source review

Responsible for reviewing published pages against the current text of S.L. 217.26 and the Agency's official pages, recording the verification date and flagging any page that needs an update after a legislative change. R…