Malta - A Solo Traveller's Paradise

Malta i mo thuairim (in my opinion), is the best country to visit for your first ever travel experience, whether it be a solo expedition or holidaying with you friends or partner; Malta has something for everybody!

Malta is a beautiful little country oozing with charm and magic; located in the centre of the Mediterranean between the North African coast and Sicily Malta has a population of roughly half a million people (World Bank 2020). The country is known for its outstanding historic beauty with a combined total of 359 churches and cathedrals found on the island, that's nearly one church for every day of the year! Containing UNESCO heritage sites and fabulous sunny weather, it is a wonder how Malta is still one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Europe. However, after reading this post I hope you might consider it as your next travel destination!!

The Capital City - Valletta

Valetta, the capital is such a fab city to amble around in, with its cobble stone streets, colourful balconies, and golden stone buildings there's something for everyone in this quaint little city. There's so much to see you'll be spoilt for choice which attractions such as St. John's Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Lower Barrakka Gardens, Mosta Dome (3rd largest unsupported dome in the world), and Grandmaster's Palace (temporarily closed due to Covid-19), there is something for everyone here!!

St. John's Cathedral

St. John's Co-Cathedral

The most impressive of all churches on the island is St. John's Cathedral in Valletta. For all the art lovers out there St. John's houses two of Caravaggio's originals which are on display to the public in the cathedral 'The beheading of John The Baptist', and 'St Jerome writing' (pictured below). The ornate detailing and gold gilded arches make this cathedral the most visited in the whole of Malta and a must-see for anyone who finds themselves in Valletta. I loved walking around and honestly it feels like you're The Vatican!! It's like no cathedral you've seen before there's so much to see you'll have a crick in your neck! The entrance fee is fairly reasonable to, it's €12 for a student and you could spend a solid hour walking around it!

Upper Barrakka Gardens

Upper Barrakka Gardens

Another gem in Valletta with gorgeous panoramic views of the grand harbour. However, it is a little bit of a trek up to it as there's a steep incline but the views are totally worth it (just make sure to pack some comfy walking shoes)! The lower Barrakka gardens are found just 750m away from the upper gardens at the bottom of the city, a fab spot for a picnic and some people watching!

Mdina - The Silent City

Mdina Gate

Mdina, a city known for appearing multiple times in Game of Thrones (recognise the picture above??) I'm not gonna lie I've never watched Game of Thrones but when I heard this was a famous gate in the series I had to take a picture of it haha! This city is BEAUTIFUL, it's called the 'silent city' because there are only 243 inhabitant that live just inside the city walls, the rest of it is uninhabited which makes it so peaceful and clean. At times you feel like you're walking around ghost town and you're the only people left in the world! It's honestly such a nice feeling.

Gozo - A Maltese Island Gem!!

The Azure Window

The Azure Window was an iconic 28 metre tall natural sea arch, Malta's most famous attraction and when I was BUZZING to see it you've no idea! but low and behold when I arrived on the island camera in hand, sure hadn't the arch collapsed during a heavy storm just 2 months before my trip... 2 MONTHS too late haha so close yet so far! You can see the gap where it used to stand in the background of the picture above.

Still, even though the arch is gone Gozo is a gorgeous island to visit and well worth the trip! There's only one ferry to the island which departs from Valletta multiple times a day and is only €7.50 each way (or €4.50 if you have your student card)! It is the only sand beach around believe it or not as all the other beaches in Malta are full of rocks and pebbles! The water is crystal clear and so warm in the summer months, I would highly recommend heading out to it!

Popeye Village - Mellieha

Popeye Village

Yep you heard me right, Popeye Village!! This was the film set from the 1980's musical 'Popeye' based on the infamous comic strip which first appeared in 1929, followed by 'Popeye the sailor man' tv series airing in the 1960's. The film set is now a theme park village with boat rides and many food outlets. If you have the chance to visit it is definitely worth it and will be a trip down memory lane for a few of you!

Thanks so much for reading my first travel destination blog aghhh!!

See you on the flip,

Laura😜

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