Why Malta is the hottest destination in 2017

The Silent City

Mdina is an ancient, golden-stone city that proudly sits at the top of Malta’s hillside. It’s also one of the most visited places in Europe, so it definitely deserves first place on your itinerary. Thanks to its coverage on the first series of Game of Thrones, it’s now even more popular among holidaymakers. The oldest surviving buildings date all the way back to the 11th century, so make sure you don’t forget your camera. When you arrive in Mdina, you’ll get to walk through the Main Gate – a baroque-style archway that leads you into the city. From here on in, it’s an architectural paradise. Inside the walls of the city, just a few of the highlights include St Paul’s Cathedral, Palazzo Santa Sofia, and Palazzo Vilhena. As you explore the hidden alleyways, you’ll find a long list of places to wine and dine, boasting every type of cuisine you can think of.

If you’re a true Game of Thrones fan, why not check out our King’s Landing Game of Thrones Location Tour in Croatia.

Valletta’s Green Festival 2017

Valletta’s Green Festival 2017 is an event to add to your calendar if you’re a budding flower enthusiast. The weekend-long festivity is marked by a floral carpet of more than 80,000 potted plants dotted around the square of Pjazza San Ġorġ, the largest urban area in Valletta. Last year’s festival saw the secret gardens at the Archbishop’s Palace and the monastery of St Catherine open to the public for the first time in 400 years. You can catch a glimpse of the blossoms and much more for yourself from 25th to 30th April 2017.

Here’s where you can find more information about Valletta’s Green Festival 2017.

Valletta’s International Baroque Festival 2018

Valletta’s International Baroque Festival runs for two weeks every January. The event was set up in 2013 to celebrate the picturesque city as the Baroque capital of Europe. During the two-week festivities, many of the beautiful baroque architecture and historical locations host artistic and musical events. Previous years have seen the likes of world-class choirs, like The Sixteen and Tenebrae perform. Elsewhere, you can tick off cultural sights on walking tours, including the National Museum of Fine Arts, St John’s Cathedral Museum and many more.

Booming arts and nightlife scene

If you think Malta is just a hotspot for history buffs, think again. In fact, the art and nightlife scene is currently booming thanks to a long list of cool events. One of the trendiest places in the archipelago to clink glasses and boogie is St Julian's. You’ll find this quartet of towns on the eastern coast, giving you the best bars and clubs all within easy reach. Make tracks for Paceville, and you’ll have access to huge dancefloors at renowned nightclubs, like Havana, where top DJs spin hip hop, R&B and dance music until the early hours of the morning.

If you’re heading to Malta in June, don’t miss out on the Isle of MTV Malta Music Week 2017 in Valletta. It’s the largest free event in Europe, so you’ll have every excuse to join in with the fun. The festival will be celebrating its eleventh year in June 2017, and has attracted some of the biggest names in music since its debut. Artists like Rita Ora, The Chemical Brothers and Lady Gaga have all performed to crowds of up to 40,000 people here, so you can expect a fantastic atmosphere. Multi-platinum selling duo, The Chainsmokers, have been announced as the headlining act at this year’s open-air summer music festival.

Here’s where you can find out more information about the Isle of MTV Malta Music Week 2017.

Discover nearby islands Gozo and Comino

If you’re looking to escape the tourist-heavy crowds in search of sand and sea, head for the neighbouring islands of Gozo and Comino. They both have a much slower pace of life compared to the bustling cities, so they’re ideal places to relax and take in the stunning coastline views. You can sign up to tours like the best of Gozo & Comino, where you’ll get to tick off famous places like the Blue Lagoon – we’re not referring to the one in Iceland, FYI. The lagoon here is home to white-coloured sands that are perfect for afternoon strolls, and the bright-blue waters are the best for scuba diving in Malta.

Marsaxlokk is Instagram heaven

If you’re looking for the best blend of old meets new, make tracks for Marsaxlokk – the most photographed place on the island. This fishing village has an out-of-the-way feel in the south of Malta, around 20 minutes’ drive from picturesque Valletta. The main draw here is the beautiful fishing harbour – it’s home to more than 250 brightly-coloured boats which have been dancing in the water for centuries. And if you’re a real Instagram fanatic, you won’t want to miss out on snapping the low-rise, pastel-tinged houses that sidle up to the water’s edge. It’s not just about jaw-dropping aesthetics here, though. You’ll also have access to some of the top seafood restaurants in the country, including Tartarun, where you can tuck into the likes of freshly caught lobster and tagliatelle, or marinated swordfish with saffron and celery. And when you’re finished wining and dining, stroll along the harbour and take in the stunning sunset views.

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Author: Olivia Hunt