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The tiny island of Malta is a culturally rich and aesthetically beautiful country that lies just off the southern coast of Sicily. Often overlooked for more popular destinations such as Italy, France or Germany, Malta remains largely off the trodden tourist trail. Yet, from its dramatic coastal scenery to its regal fortified cities, the small fleck of land in the middle of the Mediterranean is overflowing with things to see. Malta’s position at the crossroads of Europe and the Maghreb, has fostered a beautiful blend of Italy meets Middle East–a melange of linguistic, cultural and architectural elements that entwine to create a flavor that is unique to the island. I spent five days in Malta at the end of September, following a short trip to Italy’s Marche region to visit my family. In those five days, I explored the tiny island by bus–discovering Malta’s dizzying display of natural attractions, its picturesque cities and its archeological wonders.  Street in St Julian’s, Malta Like most tourists to the country, I based my travels in the sprawling town of St Julian’s, across the bay from Valletta. I stayed at the Boho Hostel—a budget-friendly backpacker’s retreat that is just a stone’s throw away from the city’s waterfront promenade. The relaxed and chilled-out vibe at Boho was perfect for unwinding after long days of crisscrossing the tiny island nation on public buses. The public transportation network on Malta is thorough and inexpensive. For 21 euros, I bought an unlimited seven-day transportation pass covering the islands of Malta and Gozo. With this pass, I explored as much of Malta as I could–visiting everything from the country’s prehistoric ruins to its beaches, and from its beautiful fortified cities to its unspoiled natural attractions. My first stop during my five day getaway to Malta, was the fortified city of Mdina. The mysterious gold-stone city of Mdina sits smack in the middle of the country and affords breathtaking views of the island’s arid terrain from its fortified walls. Deemed Malta’s Silent City, Mdina is characterized by shaded alleyways, arched doorways exquisite balconies and the beautiful St Paul’s Cathedral that towers over the city’s maze of golden buildings.  St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina I wandered the streets of Malta at dusk–as the day-trippers emptied from Mdina’s alleyways and headed back to their hotels in St Julian’s and Valletta. As the sun set, it became easy to see why Mdina has been deemed the Silent City. The city’s peaceful streets were eerily deserted. The next day, I set out to discover two other fortified cities in Malta–Valletta and Birgu. Birgu (also known as Vittoriosa) was the first home of the Knights Hospitaller, a Catholic military order that ruled over Malta from 1530 to 1798. Birgu sits across the bay from Valletta and is one of the most beautiful cities in Malta. Its sapphire waters are dotted with sailing vessels and painted fishing boats. With the city’s streets to myself, I spent two hours wandering the skinny lanes of Birgu. Along my walk, I admired the views of the surrounding harbor and stopped frequently to fill up on delicious pastizzis. The city’s flower-bedecked streets, its decorated balconies, and its sand-colored buildings are both regal and charming. With each turn I took, I found myself getting more and more lost in the maze of golden buildings and elaborate balconies. From Birgu, I hopped back on the bus and made my way around the harbor to Valleta. Deemed “a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen” upon its founding, Valletta is full of 16th-century elegance and grace. Much like Mdina and Birgu, Malta’s romantic and picturesque capital city is characterized by brightly colored balconies, narrow alleyways and domed cupolas. Squished between two Mediterranean bays, Valletta enjoys stunning views of Sliema to the North, the Three Cities of Birgu, Sanglea and Cospicua to the South and the sparkling cobalt sea to the East. When UNESCO designated Valletta a World Heritage Site, the organization described the city as one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Though Valletta can rival just about any other city in terms of its history and wealth of attractions, it is not a typical European capital. Valletta is everything most capital cities are not– quaint, easily walkable and traffic-free. Within Valletta’s fortified walls, there are no skyscrapers, congested streets or sprawling neighborhoods. Instead, the city is home to pedestrian arteries, restaurants offering traditional rabbit stew and lively squares filled with a mix of tourists and locals enjoying the laid-back vibe of one of Europe’s most unique and visually-pleasing capitals. In two action-packed days, I explored three of the most beautiful cities in Malta. These three fortified cities each have their own unique flavor–Mdina with its silent charm, Birgu with its picturesque streets and Valletta with its royal flair. Each of these cities offers more picture-perfect views than I could capture on camera. Each reveals a small nation steeped in history and tradition. And each showcases the unique blend of Italy meets Maghreb that makes Malta so special.  Erika BisbocciErika is an avid traveler and explorer of over seventy countries on five different continents. Since 2011, she has spent time studying Arabic in the Middle East, teaching English in Namibia and working as a flight attendant for a major US airline. When not traveling overseas, she loves exploring her own backyard in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. |
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