Malta has climbed up the ranks as one of my favourite European destinations, so much so that I've returned two years in a row. Here are some tips, tricks and recommendations I've learned along the way. In 2021, a study conducted by Uswitch.
com revealed that the capital of Malta had the most predictable weather year round and therefore making it a reliable destination for tourists looking to banished the British gloom and embrace some sun. From my experience, the best way to explore Malta is without a doubt by hiring a quad bike. I was able to explore all the nooks and crannies of the glorious country, taking in the gorgeous scenery the whole time.
In 2021, a study conducted by Uswitch.com revealed that the capital of Malta had the most predictable weather year round and therefore making it a reliable destination for tourists looking to banished the British gloom and embrace some sun. The bike fit two of us comfortably and cost about €90 for the day - as long as you come back without any damages, you're good to go.
Top tip: Be sure to video the original state of the bike and helmet before leaving the shop to avoid any potential disagreements upon your return! On our venture, I headed down to the famous St Peter's pool for an afternoon of cliff-jumping with a group of pals. This area is popular with locals and sees crowds of adrenaline junkies, families, friends all in attendance. But what is worth noting is the fact it is a ten-minute drive from the lesser-visited Marsaxlokk Harbour.
The quaint town is filled with rubbly roads and a seaside market that stretches along the bay. The ice cream was particularly delicious here and can be enjoyed while watching the marvellous multi-coloured boats that are peppered across the crystal blue water. The next day, we headed further north from our St Julian's base and made a few pits tops on the way to Paradise Bay, which is a little out of the way of the hustle and bustle but boasts golden sands and picturesque views unlike most of Malta's rocky coastline.
We also enjoyed some random finds along the way as while heading to the 'Silent City' of Mdina, we stumbled across Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park on our scenic route to the historical location. Here we parked up our quad and mooched around the mountainous region, even stumbling across a rogue lookout tower. Another efficient way to get around the city is by electric scooter, which usually costs a few euros a pop, and meant we were able to whizz around the country without getting stuck in traffic.
On one evening we took our chance to check out Pembroke Pool - this quiet area was a great location for a late-night splash, with a few locals gathering around in small groups to watch the sun go down. Enough exploring, it's time to talk about what's on the menu..
. We couldn't resist trying pastizzi, one of Malta's local delicacies, and there was only one place to go (according to the locals). Serkin Crystal Palace in Rabat is known to have the best traditional pastizzi on the island, serving up pea, ricotta, chicken, and anchovies fillings wrapped in a flaky casing.
We tried the curried pea pastry and were pleasantly surprised by the savoury snack, which only cost us around 50p. Just a stone's throw away from Mdina, the eatery sees returning locals visit every week as well as tourists who are 'in the know'. A short walk away is Il-Bitha, where we dined on our most lavish meal of the trip.
The restaurant promises Mediterranean food in a historical setting and I highly recommend the ribeye steak, although our company also thoroughly enjoyed the rabbit, seafood ravioli and crunchy croquettes. A lunchtime highlight of mine was certainly Grano, which was located in the beautiful streets of the capital, Valetta. It could easily get lost in the volume of options the centre boasts but stood out to us as a top daytime contender.
They have tonnes of Ftira options available, which is a soft Maltese bread with a crispy crust on the outside. I can't shout about the truffle steak enough as it melts in your mouth at the first bite (the speedy service also won them brownie points). Sign up for FREE to Mirror Travel and discover dream escapes, latest travel advice and more JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP: Discover your next dream getaway in the UK or abroad by joining our free Mirror Travel WhatsApp community HERE .
GET THE NEWSLETTER: Or sign up to the Mirror Travel newsletter for a weekly dose of the best holiday deals, travel warnings, expert advice and hidden gems, straight to your inbox. For those of you all-rounders who not only want to explore and eat well, but also want to put their dancing shoes on, Malta has plenty of places for you to bust a move. Paceville in St Julian's is the general spot you will find tonnes of bars and clubs, but there are some other alternatives across the country.
Uno Club in Attard is a popular place for those who love dance music. The open-air unit brings more of a sophisticated feel than the Paceville strip and often sees celebrities in attendance. We visited here twice during SummerDaze Festival and saw top house music acts such as Sonny Fodera and Meduza.
The biggest night of the festival was located at Ta' Qali National Park, which is where we saw stellar sets from Becky Hill and Sam Smith. Crowds flocked in their thousands for the perfect summer night party..
