As the temperatures rise, and the seas get warmer, Rebecca Anastasi has the rundown to the unmissable experiences the Maltese islands have on offer this spring, and early summer. 

Get a really early morning swim

Malta is known for its crystal-blue waters and warm sands, which really show off their colours in the early morning sun, just as the island is waking up for its first cup of coffee. Head to the beach before 9am, and you will get to sink your feet into the soft sand, as the sea laps the shore, without having to endure the heaving and bustling crowds which tend to get there later on in the day. I find the best spots to enjoy the Mediterranean in all its pristine glory are Riviera beach in the north of the island (also known as Għajn Tuffieħa) and the long expanse at Mellieħa (or Għadira) bay, where you can even try out some water sports if you’re up to it – here, Costa del Sol offer water sports and jet ski hire all day. And, if you want to truly make it a traditional experience, pack some ftira biż-żejt (Maltese bread filled with tuna, olives, capers, and tomato paste) and the popular soft drink, Kinnie – you will definitely get the locals’ respect!

Watch Malta's history come to life

Many areas in Malta feel like an open-air museum, with ancient temples scattered around the islands, Baroque churches crowding the main squares, and Neoclassical columns taking a stand in the capital. Growing up enveloped by the stories of so many who have come before, the Maltese tend to become somewhat inured of their rich heritage. This is probably because there is so much to appreciate. But, if you’re on the island for just a few days, this is not your problem, and you would do well to book a primer which will take you on a whirlwind tour of the archipelago’s past, such as the Malta Experience, in Valletta. This show promises a lot – 7,000 years in under an hour – yet it delivers on visual spectacle and entertainment, to paint a portrait of a people determined to survive against all odds.

See and be seen - Savour the capital's delights

What many might not know is that, up until a few years ago, Valletta heaved with activity during the day, only to plummet into obscure silence at night. I remember walking down the main thoroughfare, Republic Street, long after the sun had set, in the 2010s, only to hear nothing but the scurrying of insects in the sewer below. Today, of course, it’s an entirely different affair. Valletta is alive, with a beating heart, and dancing feet, ready to party long into the night. During the day, the capital opens the doors to its museums, such as MUŻA, Malta’s National Museum of Art; its heritage sites, including St John’s Co-Cathedral, where you can witness the glory of Caravaggio’s The Beheading of St John the Baptist; and shops, such as Valletta Glass, a family business which offers glass artefacts and souvenirs, modelled on Venice’s famous Murano movement. But, as the sun sets, the colours of the sky find their mirror in the thousands of Spritzs Malta’s fashionable set sip while catching up on the day with their friends, or colleagues.

Hunt down stunning works created by Malta's artists and artisans

Malta may be well known for its showstopping works of art, ensconced in places of worship, but far from the usual maddening crowd, its artists are busy shaping the future. The Christine X gallery in Sliema showcases the work of local painters and photographers, with the curator’s eye – the eponymous Christine, herself – serving as an informative guide to quality. There are several names who should be on your list if contemporary art is a passion: Anna Galea, Ryan Falzon and Andrew Borg are some of Malta’s hottest properties on the scene right now. If more artisanal work is up your street, the Malta Crafts Foundation, established in 2021, is a good guide to the island’s skilled professionals, and you can find some of their wares at the Malta Artisan Market, taking place on 3rd June, between 6 pm and 10 pm at Roseville in Attard. For more information, visit maltacrafts.org and
www.maltaartisanmarkets.com.

Reach into the water at the Blue Grotto

Malta, Gozo and Comino are surrounded by seawater caves, which puncture the limestone, and echo with centuries of deeply-held secrets. Legend has it that pirates used to store their gold in these caves – although that could simply be the plot of one of the films shooting on the island, for the only buccaneers I truly know of are those who haunt the bars after hours. Nevertheless, a visit to the caves should be on your itinerary, particularly those at Blue Grotto in Żurrieq. The name comes from the vivid colours of the waters, formed as the sun reflects off the sandy seabed underneath the caverns. Many tourists come and take Instagram-worthy shots from the panoramic spots high above, but if you truly want to live in the place, a boat trip into the grotto is a must.

Breathe in the fresh air in the ancient capital of Mdina...then get some pastizzi in Rabat

The ancient capital of Mdina is perched high above the island, on a plateau in its centre, surveying the lives beneath. It was founded in the eighth century BC and has survived marauders and earthquakes, although today the only invaders are the hordes of tourists that make their way up that hill, or locals who head to its coffee shops, often to savour a slice of Fontanella’s chocolate cake, which is legendary. The small, fortified city is also known for its spectacular parish church – St Paul’s Cathedral – and the Mdina Cathedral Museum, homed next door, which tells the eventful history of the site. Both of these form part of the Mdina Metropolitan Chapter, which also co-runs the St John’s Co-Cathedral museum in Valletta. Before leaving, stop by the ancient town of Rabat – located just outside Mdina’s walls – and pick up a couple of pastizzi (traditional filo pastry cheese or pea cakes) from Serkin.

Hold on to your sunhats on a power boat trip

When I was a teenager, my family decided to head to Comino for the afternoon. This was not a usual affair – for some reason, we had a tendency to frequent the same beaches in Malta, and never really bothered to venture that far out. But, on this occasion, we piled into a speed boat in St Julian’s, towels in hand, hats on the head, and ready to make the ride to the small rocky island in the north. I don’t think I ever laughed so much: music blaring, all of us singing, we got to Comino with huge grins on our faces. That was years ago, but today, you can also live the power boat experience: Supreme Power Boats takes you to the Blue Lagoon, from Sliema, stopping off for long enough for you to jump off and snorkel; they also offer Comino cave tours, and private charters, should you fancy a more private affair. For more information, visit supremepowerboatsmalta.com.

Cross over to the green gem that is Gozo

There are green areas on the Maltese islands… we promise! While many visitors to the island end up either in the cosmopolitan area of Sliema or in the honeycombed capital of Valletta, there is more to this archipelago than high-quality restaurants and heritage sites. In Malta, the verdant areas of Buskett, Siġġiewi, Mġarr and Mtaħleb offer a break from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trail. However, if you’re a serious rambler – or, even, if you simply want to explore the natural riches of the Mediterranean – head to Gozo, via the ferry. Malta’s sister island is teeming with lush sites, rocky outcrops and rare flora.

Feast on fish and seafood in Marsaxlokk and Ghar Lapsi

Malta’s location in the middle of the Mediterranean, at the crossroads of European, North African and Levantine cultures, has formed its identity, its language and its cuisine. And one of the mainstays of Malta’s culinary traditions is – no surprises here, considering it is an island – fish and seafood. Maltese fishermen are mainly based in the southern town of Marsaxlokk where you will see their colourful boats, known as luzzi, bop around in the waters. There are countless eateries around the coast here, many of exceptional quality. But, if you want to truly eat like a local, head to the small bay at Għar Lapsi: down on the quay you will find a small restaurant, Carmen’s Bar and Restaurant (otherwise known as Ta’ Carmen, or, ‘of Carmen’), whose food packs a punch. The owner buys fish fresh from the local fishers who drag their boats up on the shore.

Watch the sunset while sipping an ice-cold beer

There are a handful of things which the Maltese associate with home: the cheesy snack known as Twistees; the soft drink Kinnie; and the island’s best-loved brew, Cisk, which colours our memories of long days on the beach with friends, nights out as teenagers in sticky bars, and family BBQs. Our love affair with Cisk is undying, and all suds – whether they come from the beer-kings of Ireland, Germany or further afield – are always compared to the holy grail of our favourite hops. Today, you can discover the history of Malta’s icon at The Farsons Brewery Experience in Mriehel, located within the newly-opened The Brewhouse. When you’re done, head upstairs, to its rooftop bar, The Cisk Tap, and sip one of Malta’s best offerings as the sun sets over the island.

This feature was first carried in the Guide Me spring/summer 2023 edition.