Book Olympic Air Flights to Malta

The best things to do in Malta

Take a tour of the remarkable Grand Master’s Palace, built in 1571 and the former seat of the head of the Order of Knights.

Visit the stunning St John’s Co-Cathedral (16th century), a magnificent example of Maltese baroque decoration. Admire Caravaggio’s masterpieces “The Beheading of St John the Baptist” and “Saint Jerome Writing” in the museum.

Wander through the calm atmospheric lanes of Mdina, known as “the Silent City”. Admire the impressive facades of the baroque buildings with the Arabic influences, before climbing up to the great ramparts for a panoramic view over the mysterious medieval citadel.

Enjoy a walk in the beautiful public Barakka Gardens, with their ornate flower beds and their impressive terraced arches. Stand on the balcony with the cannons for the most beautiful view of Malta.

Visit the amazing National Museum of Archaeology for a journey to prehistoric Malta through rare artefacts. Don’t miss the famous sculpture of the “Sleeping Lady” discovered in the underground cemetery of Hypogeum, who has lain in a deep sleep from 3,000 BC.

Take a stop at the National Museum of Fine Arts, in the baroque palazzo of Admiralty House, with the grand staircase. Here you can admire great paintings by Italian and Maltese artists (15th-20th century). Don’t miss the large collection of works by the Italian baroque painter Mattia Preti and the superb watercolour by William Turner of the Grand Harbour.

A visit to the Tarxien Temples, the Stonehenge of Valletta, is a must. This enigmatic group of three attached temples constructed of megaliths and with elaborate decoration, dates from between 3600 and 2500 BC and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day trips from Malta

Take the ferry from the port of Cirkewwa to green Gozo, the second largest island in the Maltese archipelago. Tour the citadel (Ic-Cittadella) of the capital of Victoria, with its majestic Cathedral and Museum of Archaeology. Take a stop at the famous Dwejra Bay to go diving in popular scuba diving spots, such as Inland Sea and Blue Hole. Visit the archeological site of Xaghra to admire the stunning Ggantija temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest stone-built structures in the world.

If you are in Malta in the summer, then you must take a mini cruise to the uninhabited islet of Comino for a dive in the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon.

The best shopping in Malta

Head for Republic Street and Merchants Street for British brands, Italian-style leather shoes, jewellery stores, and clothes and accessories boutiques.

Discover the beautiful souvenir shops of the Old Town. Look for ornaments made of blown glass in the local workshops of the island, lace and embroidered handicrafts as well as copies of the famous door knockers that adorn the courtyard gates of Mdina. Explore the engravings and old maps, miniature models of knights, helmets and armour as well as miniature drawings of the old colourful cult buses that still circulate on the streets of Valletta.

The Sunday Flea Market in St James Ditch, just outside the walls of the capital, is the ideal spot for those who love folk art and hunting for treasures among the jumble and antiques.

Eating in Malta

Malta is famous for its wild thyme honey, goat cheese, olives and bigilla, a local bean puree.

Try the aljotta fish soup, with plenty of garlic, and lampuki fish pie. You must also sample the Maltese rabbit stew of kapunata, a local version of vegetable ratatouille, and minestra, a thick soup. For dessert, choose nougat, a wonderful ice cream, sweet kannoli, similar to the Sicilian version, or fried mqaret with a date filling. Accompany your meal with select wines from the local vineyards or a local beer.

Take a stop at the countless pastizzerias to sample the famous pastizzi (pastry bites filled with ricotta cheese or mushy peas), a favourite street food of the locals.

Dine beneath the stars, on the roof of a Baroque palazzo in the Old Town, in one of the busy harbour restaurants and in the wine bars of South Street, and in the renovated warehouses of Waterfront where you will find the ethnic and Italian restaurants.

When night falls, the beats rise in the bars and dance clubs of Paceville, on the coast near St Julians, where famous DJs from all over the world get the crowds partying.

Enjoy an evening of traditional Maltese ghana music, a special sound with Arabic and Sicilian influences.

How to get around in Malta

Hop on one of the 4 express public buses (Χ1, Χ2, Χ3 and Χ4), which connect the airport directly with Valletta. You can buy your tickets at the special sales points, vending machines and on the bus.

If you are travelling by taxi then note that there are fixed fares depending on where you are going. You can purchase pre-paid tickets from the special taxi desk in the arrivals hall. The cost of the journey from the capital Valletta to the airport is 15 euros.

The airport also provides direct transfer services to and from the hotels of Malta and Gozo. You can make an electronic booking through Malta Transfer or enquire at the bookings office in the baggage claim area on your arrival. Fares are fixed according to the destination.

A journey to Malta is like a return to the Middle Ages, when there were still true knights of the Round Table. Book your flights for Malta with Olympic Air and experience an unforgettable medieval tale beneath the warm Mediterranean sun.