I have always been a person who loves big cities full of people with a lot of things to visit and shops and to see how the people walk down the streets focused on their own businesses. I love the feeling of not being noticed. I don't really enjoy the beach because I get bored when I'm there for more than two days so, when my parents told me that we were going to Malta, an island surrounded by the sea and which capital's population is close to 6000 hab, I wasn't so sure what to expect.
But I have to say that Malta made me enjoy the sea like never before. I don't not if it was because of the clear water that made me feel like I was in a huge pool or because all of the things you can do there.
We stayed in an apartment in Mellieha, the north of Malta, and we were 50m away from the sea. The views were amazing. Now I will explain the little towns and cities we visited and what to visit there.
So first of all the capital of the Island: LA VALLETTA. It is a really small city so the best way to get around is by foot. If you have rented a car try to find a parking in advance because the traffic is horrible and it is full of cars. The streets are very steep, they reminded me of San Francisco.
We visited the Upper Barrakka Gardens and well the city itself if full on little churches and piazzas that you will discover if you walk around the city center. We ate in a really good restaurant called "Luciano", it was an italian and the pizzas were truly amazing, the bread was super thick and were so huge.
The next city I will write about is MDNA, old capital of Malta, also called The Silent City. It is a walled city and really small so you can visit it just in an afternoon. If you have watched Game of Thrones you may recognize some scenarios from it because they recorded there!!!
We just walked around the walled streets and it was in completely silence, now we know why that name. It was not really crowded, so it was nice to just enjoy the silence, walk around and see the ancient part of the city, full of history.
Another city is ST JULIANS, well-known for being the city of party in Malta, it is full of young people and clubs so if you don't want like, go out and drink it might not be the better place to go. Nevertheless if you keep walking through the beach walk you will arrive to the town center that is less crowded. It is not that special.
GOZO, the island next to Malta, is worth visiting because of the landscape. We crossed with the ferry (15min) and we visited the most famous view of Malta that is the Azure Window. It was amazing. It is better if you go early in the moring because if not it gets really crowded.
We also went to Gozo's capital, Victoria and we visited the walled castle.
Another things we visited in Malta are:
-> Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra temples (go really early because of the heat)
-> Blue Grotto (Boat trip 8€, go early) It is amazing. The own fishermen drive you around the caves in the sea and they explain the way they were formed and everything you need to know.
-> SILEMA (best city in Malta to go shopping)
-> Another "must" is COMINO and the Blue Lagoon but we didn't plan it well so we lost the ferry.
We also did scuba diving and it was the best experience ever!!!!!! We did it in a place called Sea Shell in Mellieha and the staff was super kind. We went 4 people with 3 instructors. They taught us in the beach first and then, we went to dive with a boat deeper in the sea. We saw a lot of fishes, the water was so clean than it looked like we were in an aquarium. The more relaxed you get the better is the experience, seriously, that's the key to really enjoy diving. An experience I hope I repeat again!
http://www.seashell-divecove.com
So this is it. you can also see a little summery of the trip on this video!!
But I have to say that Malta made me enjoy the sea like never before. I don't not if it was because of the clear water that made me feel like I was in a huge pool or because all of the things you can do there.
We stayed in an apartment in Mellieha, the north of Malta, and we were 50m away from the sea. The views were amazing. Now I will explain the little towns and cities we visited and what to visit there.
So first of all the capital of the Island: LA VALLETTA. It is a really small city so the best way to get around is by foot. If you have rented a car try to find a parking in advance because the traffic is horrible and it is full of cars. The streets are very steep, they reminded me of San Francisco.
 |
 |
We visited the Upper Barrakka Gardens and well the city itself if full on little churches and piazzas that you will discover if you walk around the city center. We ate in a really good restaurant called "Luciano", it was an italian and the pizzas were truly amazing, the bread was super thick and were so huge.
 |
 |
| Upper Barrakka Gardens |
The next city I will write about is MDNA, old capital of Malta, also called The Silent City. It is a walled city and really small so you can visit it just in an afternoon. If you have watched Game of Thrones you may recognize some scenarios from it because they recorded there!!!
We just walked around the walled streets and it was in completely silence, now we know why that name. It was not really crowded, so it was nice to just enjoy the silence, walk around and see the ancient part of the city, full of history.
Another city is ST JULIANS, well-known for being the city of party in Malta, it is full of young people and clubs so if you don't want like, go out and drink it might not be the better place to go. Nevertheless if you keep walking through the beach walk you will arrive to the town center that is less crowded. It is not that special.
GOZO, the island next to Malta, is worth visiting because of the landscape. We crossed with the ferry (15min) and we visited the most famous view of Malta that is the Azure Window. It was amazing. It is better if you go early in the moring because if not it gets really crowded.
We also went to Gozo's capital, Victoria and we visited the walled castle.
 |
 |
| Azure Window |
-> Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra temples (go really early because of the heat)
-> Blue Grotto (Boat trip 8€, go early) It is amazing. The own fishermen drive you around the caves in the sea and they explain the way they were formed and everything you need to know.
 |
| One of the caves we visited. |
 |
| Crystal clear water |
-> SILEMA (best city in Malta to go shopping)
-> Another "must" is COMINO and the Blue Lagoon but we didn't plan it well so we lost the ferry.
We also did scuba diving and it was the best experience ever!!!!!! We did it in a place called Sea Shell in Mellieha and the staff was super kind. We went 4 people with 3 instructors. They taught us in the beach first and then, we went to dive with a boat deeper in the sea. We saw a lot of fishes, the water was so clean than it looked like we were in an aquarium. The more relaxed you get the better is the experience, seriously, that's the key to really enjoy diving. An experience I hope I repeat again!
http://www.seashell-divecove.com
So this is it. you can also see a little summery of the trip on this video!!
