Malta Is the Mediterranean's Best-Kept Secret—See My No-Skip Itinerary

Photo:

Shannon Bodo

The first thing you see as the plane descends into the Malta International Airport is a swath of shockingly blue water stretching out beneath you. Naturally, one of the first things I'd suggest on any trip here is to get yourself on a boat, stat. The best way to take in the natural beauty of the island is to spend a day just off the shore to admire the Maltese coastline and, of course, jump into the water. Don't miss the famed Blue Grotto and the nearby caves that light up in brilliant shades of iridescent blue in the sunshine. 

Photo:

@anna__laplaca

Like many of its Mediterranean neighbors, Malta is home to a local wine production that taps into the hot and dry climate to produce a number of unique wines, many of which you can only find on the island. We stopped in at Markus Divinus winery, where owner Mark Borg produces a limited number of bottles a year. 

Photo:

@anna__laplaca

The dining experience at Michelin-starred Rosamí was easily one of the most memorable meals I've ever had and definitely the standout moment of my Malta trip. The multicourse tasting menu started out with a custom Negroni cart and ended with the pastry chef personally serving and explaining our dessert. 

Photo:

@anna__laplaca

Originally the Maltese capital, Mdina is one of two walled cities in Malta, and it dates all the way back to the eighth century BC. Despite its lengthy history, the population has dwindled to less than 250 because the grand palazzos that once housed many of Malta's upper class have been passed down for generations as family heirlooms rather than permanent residences for many—hence the name "silent city," which refers to the fact that so few people actually live full-time here. Regardless, it's a sight to behold with winding cobblestone streets and small piazzas filled with outdoor cafés, some of which serve as the backdrop to key scenes in Game of Thrones.

Photo:

@anna__laplaca

Much like its language and culture, Maltese cuisine takes a healthy amount of influence from the Italians. That's especially true of its key pastry export called pastizzi. After taking a baking class with A Pastizzi Experience, I learned that it's a pastry of flaky layers of dough that's usually filled with salted ricotta. It's a hearty dish that many Maltese will eat for lunch or a snack since it rarely costs more than a few euros despite being exclusively made by hand.

Photo:

@anna__laplaca

Fun fact: Malta is home to over 400 churches. Despite its Arabic history, the majority of modern-day Maltese belong to the Roman Catholic Church, and there's no shortage of beauty to be had in its cathedrals. In the city of Valletta is the stunning St. John's Co-Cathedral, originally commissioned by the Order of the Knights of St. John in 1573. Every single inch of the space is meticulously decorated in gold leaf and carved marble, but the pièce de résistance is easily the original Caravaggio painting that the cathedral has housed since the Italian painter's stint on the island.

Photo:

@anna__laplaca

Valletta is Malta's second walled city and the island's de facto retail hub. All up and down in gridded city blocks are international and local boutiques, outdoor cafés, and a fair share of nightlife. The city is also home to St. John's Co-Cathedral, so an afternoon spent exploring is simply a must.

Photo:

@anna__laplaca

Naturally, I couldn't leave the island without a proper seafood meal, Maltese style, and the lobster pasta, salt-baked sea bass, and tuna crudo at our final dinner at Onda Blu on the harbor more than sufficed.