Malta Is Calling—And You’re Gonna Want To Answer!
The first time I sailed into Valletta’s harbor, I cried. No shame in it. The sight of this ancient, golden-stoned city rising from the sea, bathed in that otherworldly Mediterranean light, was enough to crack even the most jaded traveler’s armor. I’ve always described this city as “Jerusalem meets Northern Africa with a European flair.” It’s been called “a city built by gentlemen for gentleman,” so how could such a port ever disappoint the hungry traveler?
Rent a boat for the day with a local captain, and you’ll find yourself threading through hidden caves and the azure perfection of the Blue Lagoon. Wander its sandstone streets and alleyways; they’re like a maze built for dreamers. Take a historical detour through the National War Museum at Fort St. Elmo or the Grandmaster’s Palace and walk of some of history’s greatest warriors. Then there’s St. John’s Co-Cathedral, built by the Knights of St. John between 1573 and 1578. It’s not just a church; it’s a declaration—a glittering display of Baroque art that’ll leave you breathless. For a more laid-back approach, hop on one of the island’s hop-on-hop-off buses or take a ferry to Malta’s smaller islands, each one offering it’s own kind of magic.
me at the blue lagoon
Why might it surprise a visitor?
Malta has some very surprising history for such a small country. Long before Stonehenge was a thought or the Pyramids pierced the Egyptian skyline, the Maltese were carving temples out of limestone, erecting monolithic structures that defied the limitations of the Stone Age. These ancient marvels earned Malta its UNESCO stripes, but they’re just the prelude.
Fast forward a few millennia, and the story takes a sharp turn. Enter the Knights of the Order of St. John—a ragtag band of warrior monks who turned Malta into their fortress, a strategic stronghold against the relentless Ottoman Empire. And later, when. The Maltese stood shoulder to shoulder with the British, enduring brutal air raids and earning their entire nation the George Cross for bravery. If Indian Jones were a country, he would be Malta.
Any negative aspects?
In recent years, Malta has found itself at the center of a travel boom, drawing waves of visitors—most of them from Europe—like moths to its sun-soaked shores. Once a quiet jewel of the Mediterranean, it now hums with the energy of throngs flocking to its ancient cities, turquoise lagoons, and storied cliffs. The intimacy of Malta—the feeling that you’e stumbled upon a secret—has become a little harder to find.
a random corner street
How friendly are the locals?
The locals of Valletta—and Malta as a whole—have hospitality baked into their DNA. These are people who’ve lived at the crossroads of the Mediterranean for centuries, welcoming traders, warriors and wanderers alike. Today they greet cruise passengers and tourists with the same warmth they’d offer and old friend. It’s not forced or rehearsed-it’s genuine. A smile here feels earned, not marketed.
what was left of my lobster dinner