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Located in the Mediterranean Sea next to Sicily, you’ll find the gorgeous island of Malta. I actually think Malta is one of the most underrated holiday destinations in the world and there are plenty of things to do in Malta for couples.
The weather is fantastic, there’s so much to see and do and the island is full of natural beauty.
Really, there’s too much to do there for just a week long holiday. I’ve now spent two weeks there and still haven’t ticked everything off my list!
But read on for some inspiration for things to do in Malta and why I think it’s the perfect destination to travel to as a couple.
The best time of year to visit Malta
I’ve been to Malta a couple of times now and my favourite time to visit is in the autumn, during October. The weather is great at this time but not too hot that it makes exploring uncomfortable and there is very little rain.
It’s also warm enough for swimming and sitting out in the evenings with a meal for two and a glass of wine.
I’ve also been to Malta earlier on in the year in April. The weather at this time is hit and miss, although you can usually expect some warm, sunny days.
This time of year is great if you don’t want a sunbathing holiday. There was also a cold wind during this trip so, if you’re travelling early in the year, don’t forget to pack some layers.
How to get to Malta
Flights to Malta are available from most UK airports with most of the major airlines. I’ve flown from both Manchester and Birmingham and the flight time is around three hours and 20 minutes.
I’ve also flown with both Ryanair and Jet2.
You can also book a package holiday to Malta through companies like TUI or Jet2. These packages usually include flights, transfers and luggage so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your holiday.
Where to stay in Malta
Wherever you choose to stay in Malta, you’ll be in a good location for exploring the island, thanks to its great transport network.
Bugibba
We stayed in Bugibba on our first trip to Malta as a couple as it’s one of Malta’s tourist destinations. I wasn’t sure I liked it at first as it was very touristy, however, it has fantastic public transport links as it has a bus station, and there are some gorgeous swimming spots.
Bugibba, St Paul’s Bay and Qawra are all tourist resorts that are within a stone’s throw of each other, so you can easily access one if you’re staying at another.
We stayed at the Mayflower Hotel, a newly opened hotel with a rooftop pool that is perfect for couples visiting Malta. It offers a fantastic breakfast which sets you up nicely for a day of sightseeing.
The bedrooms are fresh, comfortable, and modern. But the crowning glory of the hotel it its rooftop pool. It’s the perfect spot for watching the stunning sunsets that Malta is treated to.
Grab yourself a pina colada from the bar and watch the sun dip below the skyline – dreamy!
St Julian’s
St Julian’s (San Giljan in Maltese) is another great place to stay in Malta for couples. It’s a small town that has fishing village charm plus gorgeous architecture and plenty of places to eat and drink.
It’s also close to the resort of Silema and has a more urban feel than some of the other resorts on Malta. If you’re a couple that love nightlife, then head to Paceville in the town for bars and nightclubs.
It’s also one of the best places to stay in Malta without a car as the public transport links here are excellent.
If you’re looking for somewhere luxurious to stay, try the Westin Dragonara Resort. This 5-star resort has a private lido, chic interiors, and sea views from its bars and restaurants.
How to get around on Malta
I found that Malta’s public transport service was really easy to use. You can access most of the main sights on the bus network and tickets only cost around €2 each way.
If you’re planning on using the bus a lot during your time in Malta, you can also purchase a weekly travel card which can save you money.
The one downside to the bus network is that the buses are often at irregular times due to the traffic on the island but if you haven’t got a strict itinerary to stick to then this isn’t a problem.
Uber and Bolt are both available and there are local taxis too. Bolt often works out cheaper than Uber and we took a lot of Bolts during our trip.
They also arrive super quick, we didn’t end up waiting more than five minutes at all.
For an example of pricing, a Bolt from the airport to St Julian’s (around a 20-minute drive) cost us about €14 (£12).
If you want maximum flexibility during your trip, then you can rent a car during your stay in Malta. The good news for us Brits is that they drive on the same side of the road as us, so you won’t find it too much of an adjustment to drive here.
The driving is slightly more hectic than in the UK and traffic can sometimes be a problem when getting around.
Things to do in Malta for couples
One of the things that I love the most about Malta is that there is so much to see and do for such a small country. You could visit many times and never do the same thing twice.
There’s also something for everyone with ancient ruins, luxe beach clubs and stunning nature. If you’re a couple that loves sightseeing on holiday then Malta is the destination for you.
Here are some of the best activities in Malta to add to your itinerary.
Explore Valletta
Valletta is an amazing city with a lovely blend of historical and cosmopolitan vibes and it’s one of the top things to do in Malta. I’m always amazed that you don’t hear anything about Valletta city breaks as it would be a great place to spend a few days exploring.
There’s lots to see in Valletta including St Elmo’s Fort and War Museum (we spent a good few hours here!), St John’s Co Cathedral, and Victoria Gate.
Be sure to be there in time for the cannons firing at noon and 4pm each day. Head to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for the best view and get there early to beat the crowds.
There’s a bar here too where you can grab an aperol spritz or a coffee and relax in the sunshine.
Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour
The Malta Sightseeing hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus is a great way to tour the island in a day. The bus has an open top so you can sit up here while the weather is fine and enjoy the views.
There’s also an audio commentary which tells you more about the sights as you pass by.
There are two tours available – the north and the south tour and we were told that the north tour has more stops but the south tour is more beautiful.
We ended up doing the south tour and we visited the beautiful fishing village of Marsaxlokk Bay, the Blue Grotto and the Hagar Qim megalithic temple ruins.
Top tip: The sightseeing bus does tend to take quite a long time so be sure to get the earliest bus in the morning to maximise your sightseeing time.
The tour can take as long as you like but I would suggest spending the whole day to see the most sights. Pick up a leaflet when you buy your tickets to see the locations and times of the stops and to plan your day.
Tour of Gozo
You can of course visit Gozo by yourself, but we booked the Gozo day trip tour which picked us up from our hotel. The tour includes a visit to the Dwejra Lagoon and the inland sea, the Gganija megalithic temples and the historic citadel in Gozo’s capital Victoria as well as ferry tickets and lunch.
Gozo is a really beautiful island with clear blue seas, beautiful nature and plenty of history. You could spend a few days here, rather than just one and it’s one of the must-visit places in Malta.
Visit Mdina
Mdina, or “the silent city”, is an ancient walled city with a mixture of medieval and Baroque architecture and it’s a really special place to visit. A trip here is a bit like stepping back in time as it used to be the capital of Malta.
There are great views over the island from this fortified town and it is traffic free. Just watch out for the horse and carriages!
There’s a bus stop just near here so it’s very easy to get to and it’s a must-see in Malta.
Rabat
Rabat is very close to Mdina so you can tick both of these off in one day trip. In Rabat you’ll find museums, Buskett Gardens one of the only forested areas on the island, and the remains of a Roman villa.
The Roman villa, or Domus Romana, is a well-preserved example of Roman architecture that has survived through centuries. One of the most interesting features of the villa is the fine Roman mosaics that cover the floor.
Mellieha Bay Beach
Malta isn’t necessarily known for its sandy beaches but there are some that you can enjoy. Mellieha Bay, or Ghadira, is the longest sandy beach in Malta and has beautiful clear shallow waters so it’s perfect for paddling and swimming.
Situated on the north of the island, there are lots of facilities around the edge of the beach where you can grab a drink or snack. If you’re a fan of watersports, you can do some of these here too.
Watch the sunset at Singita Miracle Beach
Is there anything more romantic than watching the sunset with a glass of wine? I think not!
Singita Miracle Beach is such a vibe. We headed here to catch the sunset and get some food and drinks.
The beach club overlooks the beach from the rocks above so you get a fantastic view of the sun going down over the sea.
While we were there, there was a glitter artist, a DJ and fire and light performances. The food was delicious and it’s the perfect setting for chilling out during the day and partying into the night.
If you’re feeling more active, head to the beach below to try some surfing.
Adventure activities in Malta
If you’re a couple with an appetite for adventure then Malta is a great place to try some new activities. Adventure company MC Adventure provide trips to some of the most beautiful places on the island to get your adrenaline pumping.
Of course, there’s the sea surrounding the island so you can jump in for a swim or try your hand at kayaking, paddle boarding or surfing.
We did stand up paddleboarding (SUP) at Gnejna Bay which was so much fun. We learnt to paddle in a sheltered area and then made our way across the sea to another bay, a really unique thing to do in Malta.
If you’ve got a head for heights then head to the Mosta Valley for via ferrata and abseiling. Via ferrata is a guided rock climbing route which you can clip onto and abseiling is where you descend over a cliff.
I found both of these absolutely terrifying at first(!) but I ended up really enjoying them, especially abseiling.
There are also some great options for hiking in Malta. There’s plenty of untouched countryside with rocky scrubland, lush valleys and coastlines.
Enjoy the stunning sea views as you navigate some of Malta’s trails. Try the Dingli cliffs walk for something challenging or, if you fancy more of a stroll, the Zurrieq loop is a fun and easy circular.
For a multi-day hike try the Malta coastal walk.
Game of Thrones filming locations
If you binged Game of Thrones together then a day trip visiting the filming locations will be perfect for you. Did you know that some of the most famous Game of Thrones scenes were filmed in Malta?
Game of Thrones filming locations include:
- Fort Saint Angelo which was the Red Keep prison and Underground Chambers
- The Gate of the Mdina – King’s Landing in season 1
- Mesquita Square, Mdina, where Jamie Lannister attacks Ned Stark in season 1
- Dwejra Bay, Gozo – Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen’s wedding feast
- Fort Manoel where Ned Stark is executed
- Fort Ricasoli, Valletta – the Gate of the Gods, King’s Landing.
Food to try in Malta
Some of the most famous Maltese dishes include rabbit, pastizzis, and octopus stew. Pastizzis are like pasties with fillings such as ricotta and pea – they are a yummy little snack!
Thanks to its close proximity to Italy, there are a lot of Italian influences here when it comes to food. You’ll find pizzas and pastas on most menus.
Seafood is also very popular with lots of options on most menus.
To try authentic Maltese street food head to the Is-Suq Tal-Belt food hall in Valletta. There are lots of options here.
We weren’t keen on the ftira, a sandwich with tuna, but I loved the octopus stew.
Food is often reasonably priced and the wine in Malta is really cheap too. I’ve seen some bottles priced as low as €11 euros.
If you have food allergies, I found that a lot of the menus are clearly marked with the allergens the dishes contain so you can avoid uncomfortable conversations and just check the menu. There were also plenty of gluten free options available.
Unfortunately, Malta doesn’t cater that well to vegans, although there is usually at least one plant-based option on the menu.
If you’re having a chill night together and want to order in, then download the Wolt app to order food for delivery. There are plenty of options on here from every type of cuisine. We ordered kebabs on one night and poke bowls on another.
