Things to Do in Malta

Situated on an abandoned WW2 airfield, Ta'Quali occupies a series of seemingly ramshackle Nissan huts "“ plans to spruce up Ta'Quali rear their heads from time to time, but so far no funding has been raised for the redevelopment. Don't be put off by their tattiness as they hide the best selection of authentic Maltese crafts found on the island.

This is the place to find delicate filigree silverware, handmade lace, hand-blown glass, leather, linen and cheery painted ceramics, all created by local artisans. Expect to pay a little more for your purchases, but be happy in the knowledge that you are buying a genuine piece of Maltese treasure. Even if you don't buy, there's the chance to watch skilled craftsmen at work in their stores.

Two standout stores are the glassworks, Phoenician Glassblowers and Mdina Glass; both produce highly colored quality glassware. Another of Malta's best buys is gold and silver work, and the making of intricate filigree jewelry is a national specialty. All Maltese silver and gold products should be certified and hallmarked. A design found across the island is the delicate interlaced Maltese cross, symbol of the Knights of St John who occupied Malta between 1530 and 1792.

San Anton Gardens are the most beautiful of the few public parks in Malta. They surround an ornate palazzo built by Grand Master of the Knights of St John, Antoine de Paule, as his summer residence in 1636 – it’s now the official residence of the Maltese President – and were bequeathed to the public in 1882.

A sweet-smelling citrus orchard lies at the heart of the walled gardens, a tranquil haven in the middle of busy Attard. They are landscaped in a formal Italianate fashion, dotted with elaborate follies, sculptures and fountains, dissected by shady paved walkways giving shelter from the mid-summer sun. Some of the trees here are more than 300 years old and the twisted trunks of ancient jacarandas, cypresses and Norfolk pines line the paths, palm trees soar upwards and flowerbeds blaze with color all year around.

A small aviary and a petting farm enchant children, while bubbling ponds are full of flashing koi and turtles; ducks, geese and peacocks wander the grounds at will and lizards dart through the undergrowth. The gardens are a summer venue for open-air theater, including a Shakespeare season every July, and host Malta’s biggest horticultural show in May.

Overlooking Marsamxett harbor between Valletta and Sliema on the side of Msida Creek, well-to-do Ta’Xbiex is Malta’s diplomatic quarter. It’s chiefly notable for its number of embassies and high commissions, all housed in ocher-colored grand villas and palazzi along with an enclave of private mansions. Currently the UK, Ireland, France, Spain and Austria have their embassies here.

A seaside promenade runs from St Julian’s to Pieta, passing Ta’Xbiex marina, where sleek yachts bob in their berths. Along the walkway there are spectacular views over the harbor towards Valletta and the bastions of Floriana as well as a number of quality seafood restaurants. Standout among these is The Black Pearl, a wooden schooner dating from 1909 and now transformed into a fine-dining restaurant, which once had a starring role in the film Popeye along with Robin Williams.

There’s a reason the waterfront of Valletta is one of Europe’s most-visited cruise ports, and travelers to this historic town on the northeast coast of Malta will immediately understand why. Ancient forts, breathtaking buildings, and winding streets dot the hillside of the city that’s served as a backdrop of movies like Troy and Gladiator. Approaching its shores is like approaching another world, where modern-day amenities seem to disappear and the influence of Greek, Roman and Arab culture can be seen at every turn.

How to Get to Valletta

Cruise ships dock in Pinto Warf, about a half mile from the main shopping district of Valletta. Visitors can explore the town on foot, in a carriage or by hiring a taxi. Buses can take travelers further into the island, while local ferries connect Malta to the nearby islands of Gozo and Comino.

One Day in Valletta

Start the day at the Merchant Street Flea Market. Open daily from 9 a.m. until noon, this lively bazaar is the perfect place to find great deals on Gozo glass, a local specialty. Then take a taxi to the village of Wied iz-Zurrieq and hop aboard a small wooden boat to spend the afternoon exploring the incredible Blue Grotto. This series of caves carved into the southwest coast of Malta is accessible only by water and is a must-see sight on this beautiful island.

Msida town was originally a little fishing village but now straggles into smart Ta’xbiex, the wealthy enclave that is home to the majority of Malta’s diplomats and embassies. Msida’s biggest claims to fame today are a prestigious university and the mammoth yacht marina stretching along the north side of Marsamxett Harbour right up Msida Creek. It is Malta’s biggest and most sheltered harbor and the place to head to see the sleek super-yachts of the super-wealthy Euro-glitterarti.

The marina has berths for 720 boats and can accommodate vessels up to 72 ft (22 m) in length along pontoon and breakwater moorings. A cluster of restaurants and stores have appeared around the marina, which following a period of updating is now open for business once more. A sprinkling of traditional fishing luzzus provide a splash of cheery color among the smooth lines of the contemporary sailing craft moored up in the marina.