Picture this: You sit at a little corner café in Valletta, feeling the Mediterranean breeze, watching the sunset, and looking forward to an exciting night ahead. Welcome to Malta! A country full of history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture—all waiting for you to explore.

Whether you’re moving to Malta for work, living in Malta as an expat, or planning a gap year in Malta, here’s your guide to the best places, activities, beaches, and nightlife to make the most of your experience.

Malta is full of history and also many party areas. Paceville is well known for its club scenes and has been increasingly glowing with foreign artists joining the scene

Nik – Maltese resident & hospitality worker

Top 3 must-see places to see while living in Malta

If you are thinking of moving to Malta to work or start a gap year, you might have asked yourself, what places you have to see. Here are the 3 best places to see in Malta:

Valletta

Malta’s capital city, Valletta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s actually one of the smallest capital cities in Europe! Since it’s so small, the best way to explore it is to walk around it on foot. Locals say Valetta is like an open-air museum, you will find something charming at every corner. Here are some of the most important sights:

St. John’s Co-Cathedral – Home to Caravaggio’s masterpiece, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
The Grandmaster’s Palace – A symbol of Malta’s past. Fun fact – it’s still functioning! So while visiting, you might run into some state occasions or official functions.
The Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens – a hidden gem, where you can relax after a day of sightseeing. Don’t miss out on the noon gun salute!

Besides amazing architecture and incredible history, Valletta also has super cozy pubs and bars, which are very nice for a calm night out. Try Bridge bar on a Friday night, even if you can’t get a table to sit on the old beautiful steps

Linda, a maltese resident for 5+ years

Mdina

Mdina is also known as ‘The Silent City.’ It is an ancient walled city with narrow streets and breathtaking views of the island. The top attractions in Mdina include:

St. Paul’s Cathedral – a masterpiece of Baroque architecture
Palazzo Falson – besides being beautiful and historical, the palazzo often hosts special events, such as concerts, lectures, and exhibitions

Gozo

If you are a fan of a more active lifestyle and want to see the best of what nature has to offer, definitely consider Gozo. You can get there by a quick ferry and you’ll find yourself on a much more local and quiet island that still has many adventures to offer!

Sanap Cliffs at Sunset – Pack a snack and a drink and enjoy the breathtaking sunset
Ggantija Temples – These temples are older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza
Dwejra Bay – This is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and diving

Top beaches to visit on a gap year in Malta

Malta is well known for its incredible weather all year round, and definitely for its beautiful turquoise waters. And with living in Malta comes the joy of stunning beaches. Make sure to check these out:

Golden Bay – Popular with tourists, so it might be crowded. But it’s super pretty and has great amenities
Mellieħa Bay – It’s very big and the water is shallow, so going there is the best option for groups and families
Għajn Tuffieħa – Famous for its incredible, panoramic view
St. Peter’s Pool and Blue Grotto – Great for snorkeling
The Blue Lagoon (Comino) – This is a big must-see, as some people call it a “paradise on earth” with its crystal blue water and bright sand. It is a perfect snorkeling destination and one of the best diving destinations in the world

Top 5 activities in Malta

Beyond beaches, living in Malta gives you the chance to explore unique activities like:

Boat trips to the Blue Lagoon – book in advance and prepare for some crowds!
Quad or 4×4 adventures in Gozo – bring a camera and don’t be afraid to get dirty! This will be a day filled with adventure and beautiful sight
Blue Grotto – It’s magical, but also a quick experience, don’t expect to spend hours inside the cave and take as many pictures as you can
Popeye Village – Originally built as a film set, this village is a whimsical place with colorful houses
Hiking the Victoria Lines – A scenic trek along Malta’s historic fortifications across the entire northern end of the island

All these things you can do while choosing to work or taking your Gap Year in Malta with JobSquad. Here are some of our job opportunities in Malta. If you’re wondering about what you can do during your Gap Year, here are some of our suggestions.

Cultural events in Malta

Apart from the beautiful beaches and cities, Malta is also famous for its major events. Some of our favourites include the Carnival (February), which fills Valletta and Gozo with colorful parades, while summer village festas light up the night with fireworks and music. Music lovers should definitely go to the Isle of MTV (June), and wine enthusiasts enjoy Summer Wine Festivals. Whether it’s music, history, or lively street parties, Malta always has something to celebrate!

“The feasts are my favorite! They are easy to get to and you will always bump into one during summer.”

Nik

Must-try Maltese food

To truly experience living in Malta, you have to taste the local cuisine:

Pastizzi is a classic Maltese snack, a golden pastry typically filled with ricotta cheese or mushy peas. According to Nik the best place to get it is at Serkin Crystal Palace in Rabat
Rabbit Stew (Fenkata): is a traditional Maltese dish
Seafood is always available, and as fresh as you can get it!

If you want fresh fish, go to Marsaxlokk on a Sunday. And if you are up for a hike, it is super close to Saint Peters pool ( a great place for cliff diving, and beautiful rocks to swim from).

Linda

How to meet people while working in Malta

Making friends while living in Malta is easy! Here is where to start:

ESN Malta & Erasmus+ events – Great for meeting other internationals while on your gap year in Malta
Language schools (EC, EF) – A hub for expats. Check their facebook pages for upcoming events
EnglishCafe – Our top choice and recommendation for meeting people. They organise and host events for internationals in Malta almost every single day.

If you want to know more about taking a Gap Year with the Job Squad, head over to our Gap Year landing page. Or check out 5 best gap year jobs and activities in Europe.

Malta Nightlife

Afternoon or day drinking is big in Malta, most Sundays all bars/clubs have happy hour. So grab your friends and make one of those places your hangout spot on Sunday. If you are looking for a quieter night, go to Valletta for a more calm dinner and bar experience. But if you are looking for a big night you have to head over to Paceville. The top clubs to party are:

Uno Malta & Cafe Del Mar Beach Club
Boat Parties – a must for any partygoer
Havana – a popular spot in Malta for hip hop music.
Native – that’s where you go if you want some more Salsa Colombian rhythm.
Nordic – a perfect spot if you’re looking for some more commercial music
The Exiles Beach (Sliema) – Enjoy live music and beachside vibes

Extra local tip! Try out Big G’s snack bar for cheap beverages and a young atmosphere. Also don’t use the white taxis as they might try to scam you. Instead use BOLT, Uber or Ecaps. The trick is to have an account with all and enjoy the various discount codes they send out during the year.

Good to know:

It is quite safe to go out in Malta. But, like in any other place where many cultures and young people go out, pickpockets and suspicious things are happening. Just don’t keep your wallet in your back pocket or your purse open and you are sure to have the best night of your life!

Best time to move to Malta

Malta enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year so you can live comfortably in Malta all year round. Each period comes with its pros and cons:

Summer (June–August, 25-31°C) – Peak season for beaches & parties and tourists
Autumn (Sept–Nov, 21-28°C) – Fewer tourists, a great period for hiking
Winter (Dec–Feb, 15-17°C) – Quiet but still mild
Spring (March–May, 17-22°C) – Perfect for sightseeing & cultural events

July and August can feel crowded – that’s when all Europeans come to the Islands and when Maltese people are also off work. The housing market can get crazy and go fast. If you try any other time of the year, it will be easier, especially in the Spring.

Ready to start your adventure in Malta?

Whether you’re moving to Malta for work, starting a gap year in Malta, or looking to experience life on the islands, we’re here to help! Check out our jobs in Malta and start your journey today.

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Best things to see and do while taking a gap year or living in Malta