How I Fell in Love with Malta on a Whim

I'm still pinching myself after stumbling upon Malta. It all started with a crazy cheap flight from Riga to Malta on Ryanair. I'm not even sure what the base price of the ticket was, but a return trip for two with a checked bag in hand luggage cost us 70 euros. That's where it all began. We booked our bus tickets to Riga, booked an Airbnb room for eight nights, and then bought our return tickets, which were a bit pricier, but they took us all the way to Moscow. As I was studying the map, I had a brilliant idea to fly from Malta to Sicily, which is basically next door, but that's a story for another time. In this review, I want to tell you about the tiny Mediterranean state that occupies the Maltese archipelago, consisting of two inhabited islands and a few uninhabited ones.

VallettaMalta was never on my bucket list, but those cheap flights changed everything for me. Why not, right? Four hours in what was probably the most uncomfortable flight of my life, and we were finally offloaded at Malta International Airport. This is the country's only international airport, located near the municipality of Luqa and just 5 km from the capital, Valletta.We ended up in this quaint little town called St. Julians, which was surprisingly close to the airport. Malta's got a thing where everything's within a short distance, but for us, getting to our place was a bit of an adventure. You can get to almost any resort town from the airport by bus, and it's only 2 euros in the summer and 1.5 euros from mid-October to mid-June. For that price, you can get where you need to go within two hours, even with a few transfers. We, however, managed to get off at the wrong stop, walk in the wrong direction, and then spend hours in the scorching heat with our luggage, trying to find the right spot on the map or get some internet to contact our host. Thankfully, that ordeal ended well, even if it was exhausting.

We were staying in this cozy little apartment just seven minutes from the sea. Straight off the bat, I'll say that Malta's not exactly known for its kilometers-long golden beaches. There are beaches, of course, but they're all pretty small. If you're the type who likes to lounge on soft sand with your feet in the water, you might find the city beaches a bit lacking – they're not set up with sunbeds.

Maybe there are some decent secluded beaches out there, but as budget travelers, we didn't get to experience them.

The beach access is pretty comfortable, with a gentle slope into the water. That was the biggest beach we came across. But what I loved most was swimming on beaches like these. Here's the thing – you can still find rocks, but there's a staircase to make getting into the water a breeze. And don't even get me started on the crowd – it's practically empty most of the time. The water's crystal clear – you can see all the way to the bottom. Now, I've been to plenty of sandy beaches where the water's clean and nice, but it's not as clear as this. And the best part? You can swim without any hassle. And lying on the rocks wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. SlipperyPlus, I'm not exactly the type to spend all day lounging around. We swam, we sunbathed, and then we went exploring. And trust me, Malta has plenty of places to explore!St. Julian's has tons of cafes where you can grab a decent meal.

I paired it with a refreshing glass of white wine, and it was the perfect combo. The Italian-inspired cuisine is a highlight, with delicious pizzas, pasta dishes, seafood, and fish. Prices are on the higher side, but not outrageous – it really depends on the specific restaurant. That's where I fell in love with Aperol Spritz – it's a staple on every table, especially during the day. For just 5 euros, you can get two cocktails, which is an amazing deal. Just be sure to check with your server.

Aperol Spritz St. Julian's is the party hub, with tons of clubs and a lively atmosphere at night. You'll also find plenty of shops and a couple of big supermarkets. Sliema is adjacent, but it's not particularly noteworthy – just a typical touristy area with narrow streets and yellow limestone buildings. One thing to keep in mind is that Malta drives on the left-hand side! If you're planning to rent a car, be sure to take that into account.

MaltaI've mentioned it before, but buses on Malta are super affordable, and the cities are all within spitting distance of each other. We actually ended up taking the bus from our resort town to the capital a few times.

Valletta – that's the capital of Malta, and it's the economic and political hub of the country. It's named after Jean Parisot de Valette, a knight who defended the island from the Turks in 1565 and went on to found the city that would eventually bear his name.

The first thing you see when you arrive in Valletta by bus is this massive and beautiful fountain.

VallettaWalking around the city, I stumbled upon some quirky statues set up right in front of the fountain. VallettaI'm guessing it was some kind of temporary exhibit. VallettaAs I wandered a bit further into the city, I discovered a ton of souvenir shops, market stalls with popular brands, and endless cafes with outdoor seating. MaltaThe streets are narrow, winding, and super charming. VallettaThey're lined with beige houses that are painted in the most vibrant colors on their balconies. VallettaEvery single house is done in the same style, which looks absolutely stunning. VallettaThe terrain on the island is pretty hilly, There are a lot of stairs in the city, which makes you feel like you're in a medieval setting.

At times, you feel like you're stepping back in time.

VallettaValletta has a lot of old buildings and landmarks.

VallettaAnd somehow, modern art has seamlessly blended in with the old architecture.

VallettaThe architecture here is really interesting.

There's plenty to admire.

Personally, I love this aspect of the city.

I think it's very atmospheric and unique.

VallettaThe views from the Valletta waterfront are absolutely stunning!

The city is situated at the end of a small peninsula called Sceberras, on the northeastern coast of Malta.

For those arriving in Valletta by sea, the tiny capital city seems like a natural extension of the rocky coastline, blending seamlessly into the fort walls and then into the old civil buildings.

I have to say, the views here remind me of a medieval fortress. Valletta I wouldn't be me if I didn't take a sunset selfie over the horizon. And, of course, I had to capture all of this. These aren't those incredible sunsets where it's just the sea, sky, and sun – they're a bit overdone. But here, in the golden light of sunset, the medieval structures made of that same yellow limestone are taking a dip. Valletta is a city that can be explored from top to bottom in one day, but there's something so enjoyable about just strolling around. We grabbed lunch at various cafes in Valletta. Most of them also hadOne of the standout moments for me was stumbling upon an Italian restaurant, but what really caught my eye was a craft beer bar.

Valletta It was there that I got to try a Maltese dish, a rabbit pie. What struck me as interesting is that in a Mediterranean country like Malta, rabbit meat is considered a traditional dish – apparently, it's all thanks to the English colonizers who used to breed rabbits here. As a result, you can even find souvenirs shaped like those iconic red phone booths. Another place on Malta that I think is a must-visit is Mdina. This historic town used to be the capital of Malta and is nestled inland, away from the coast.

MdinaMdina is surrounded by walls, and you can get in through the gates. MdinaMdina is a medieval capital of Malta, perched on top of a high hill in the center of the island. According to archaeologists, the city is already almost four thousand years old.

MdinàThe first walls around the settlement were built by the Phoenicians. Later, the Saracens fortified them and gave the city its name – Mdina (‘city surrounded by walls’).

MdinàThis place is absolutely stunning! MdinàIt looks like the set of a medieval movie. MdinàPerfectly lit streets, golden-brown houses, and vibrant balcony decorations. MdinàThis is one of the cleanest and most well-maintained cities I've ever seen. MdinàIt's like a toy town! MdinàMdinà is a small town, but there's plenty to see and photograph. MdinàBeautiful houses are everywhere you look. MdinàMdinaIt's cool to see these statues around. MdinaI've noticed the Maltese cross symbol popping up a lot.Maltese cross is an eight-pointed cross that was once used by the powerful Order of the Knights Hospitaller (also known as the Knights of St. John). The symbol actually comes from the coat of arms of the Italian city of Amalfi, which was the hometown of some of the founders of the Order.

Mdina I visited a couple of museums there, but to be honest, I didn't take many photos because it's pretty dark inside. However, these ancient vessels caught my eye. Mdina Given Mdina's elevated location, there's a viewing platform with a stunning view of the island. Mdina And just across, I spotted this adorable little house. Mdina To cut to the chase, Mdina is a must-visit when you're on Malta – and the best part is that you can get there from any resort town on a regular bus for just 2 euros. Mdina In the end, I have to say that Malta won me over. I might even consider going back someday, as it's a beautiful, cozy, and welcoming place. Malta's not just about its great language schools – it's a unique destination with its own charm.Hands down, this place has the most incredible story and architecture, with crystal-clear turquoise water and beaches that are simply one-of-a-kind. I highly recommend it!

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