Beyond the shores of Malta’s main island you can find two more equally fascinating sceneries to explore in the shape of Gozo and Comino. A brief visit to both of these small islands, literally a stone throw from Malta, is the perfect way to get all the wonderful facets of this idyllic Mediterranean archipelago and an extra dose of surf and sun.  

Regular ferries to both islands leave from the northern tip of Malta for the 25 min trip so up to you to decide which one you wish to visit first, though I would tend to suggest you start your day with tiny Comino.

Size really doesn’t matter here as the 3.5 square kilometers island packs a punch in terms of beauty. Car-free and almost uninhabited (only one family of farmers lives on the island), Comino is a picture-perfect vision in aquamarine.

You can in an hour or two to walk around the island, your hair whipped by the strong coastal winds and your nostrils filled with the smell of cumin which gave the island its name…

…though you’ll probably do like every visitor here and head straight to the island’s main attraction – the magical Blue Lagoon.

Crystal clear turquoise waters in a sheltered inlet look like the most beautiful of natural pools and are ideal for snorkeling and swimming. No wonder this is one of the best beaches in Malta.

In the high season it’ll quickly fill up with hundreds of day-trippers and make-shift snack bars so an early visit is recommended to enjoy the amazing views in peace and quiet.

If you have time, think of packing a picnic and spending the day soaking up the rays and simply relaxing on the beach – you’ll feel world away from everything and instantly re-energized. 

Depending on the day and the season, you can usually hop on a ferry from Comino going straight to Gozo a mere 15 min away, or in low season you might have to go back to the main island to catch the Gozo ferry, not such a big deal. Either way, the short ride along the rugged coast is very pleasant, offering unique views of Comino and the approaching, larger sister of Gozo.

The first view you’ll get is that of the serene Mġarr Harbour where the ferry will drop you off. From here you can either rent a car to tour the island on your own, hop on one of the double-decker tour buses like we did, or use the public transport system if you stay here for more than a day.

Gozo is about a third the size of Malta and as soon as you arrive you’ll notice the slower pace and relaxed atmosphere the island is known for. Slowly make your way to the capital Victoria (also known to locals as ‘Rabat’), a natural start to any visits since all roads seem to lead to or from the city to go to the various sites around the island.

Despite being the largest city on the island, Victoria has the feel of a big village and you’ll want to leisurely explore its streets, stopping at various shops selling local traditional Maltese arts and crafts from lace to blown glass. 

A visit to the Citadel, a small fortified city which rises dramatically over Victoria, should not be missed. Visible from all over the island, the most impressive of all its features is the cathedral which greets you as you enter the walls.

The surrounding buildings now house various museums and the old prisons.

For a local bite with arresting views, it’s good to know that one of the capital’s most famous restaurant is located right besides the cathedral down an alley to the left. Look for the signs to Ta’ Rikardu and climb up the stairs inside to the roof terrace for a Gozo experience like no other.

The rustic food as well as the wine are all coming from the owner’s farm nearby and the prices are so gentle you’ll want to spend a while here enjoying the historic setting as much as the Gozitan specialties.

The traditional platter of local cheese, fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, capers, olives, onion, and Maltese bread is fantastic for sharing and is a classic lunch for Gozitans, especially when washed down with a glass of delicious local wine or beer.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the enchanting country roads winding their way between green flat-topped hills and valleys. 

The fertile landscape is a beautiful sight and you’ll see farmhouses so old they led Gozo to be often described as the ‘Island where time stood still’ – an impression you’ll fully agree with after a few hours here.

Hilltops afford scenic views of Malta and little Comino on the left as well as a glimpse of Gozo’s stunning coast. We unfortunately didn’t have time to do the full tour though after seeing pictures of the Azure Window and Ramla Bay we’re dying to come back for them!

All the villages are sleepy affairs, tempting visitors with their quaint alleys and centuries old houses with old stone balconies.

Valleys are ripe with vineyards and pastoral scenes which provided the scrumptious lunch we recently feasted on.

As the sun sets on this rural delight, we’re already making plans to rent a country house and indulge in total R&R aka Rustic Relaxation for which Gozo seems to be the perfect candidate…

After admiring the flamboyant architecture from the Order of the Knights of St John in Valletta, there is still much to be uncovered of Malta’s extremely rich heritage which spans over 7,000 years. Its small size means you can spend a day exploring prehistoric vestiges, crystalline waters, and historical cities, all within an hour’s drive of the capital.

Very few know that the country boasts the world’s most ancient standing buildings, older than Stonehenge and even the Pyramids of Egypt. Malta is home to over 40 pre-historic temples, seven of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List with the most famous found on the south west coast of the main island: Hagar Qim and Mnajdra.

Hagar Qim

Protective tents lessen a bit their majesty but the cliff side setting is truly inspiring as you try and transport yourself back a few thousands of years.

Walking down towards Mnajdra

Archaeologists can’t state for certain how these massive stone temples were used but the common theory is that of a ceremonial place to honour and pray their gods which included animal sacrifice.

Entrance of Mnajdra

You can wander around the semi-circular chambers with a helpful audio-guide and try to imagine life back then, centered around spirituality no doubt, and the work it took to assemble these gigantic stones!

Although you’re only 30 minutes drive from Valletta, the landscape surrounding the temples is pure countryside charm with rolling hills, stone farms, and that blue Mediterranean sea lurking behind it all. 

Locals are avid walkers, especially on Sundays, and so warm you’ll soon find yourself chatting and petting the island’s many dogs (and goats as well) along the way.

Take a short and very scenic coastal walk east of the temples to reach your next destination – the tiny fishing village of Wied iż-Żurrieq set in a narrow inlet in the cliffs.

Heading down, you’ll get a nice teasing view of one of Malta’s top tourist attractions: the Blue Grotto. Don’t worry, you’ll be getting a lot closer in a few moments.

Small traditional boats regularly leave the village filled with tourists to go explore the caves and deep blue waters of the Blue Grotto just around the corner.

The series of seven caves and inlets on the southern side of Malta is famous for its deep blue waters and spectacular natural rock formations.

The 30-minute boat ride is a thrill you shouldn’t miss and one you won’t regret as you zigzag your way around the sheer cliffs into small openings and larger caverns.

The biggest arch is 140 feet high and its inner walls sparkle with many different colors from the minerals present in the rocks. 

What’s most amazing though is the spectacular sight of the sunlight mirroring multiple shades of blue which is unique to the Blue Grotto around here. 

Now that we’ve checked the prehistoric sites and azure waters off the list, it’s time to move on to the historical city bit in time for lunch. Leaving the coast behind, a picturesque 20-minute drive towards the center of the island will bring you to Malta’s old and insanely gorgeous capital of Mdina, seen from miles away as it dominates the countryside from its perch on a hill.

As one of the world’s finest examples of a medieval walled city that is still inhabited (albeit by a tiny population of around 300), Mdina is a magical place to visit and a highlight of any trip to Malta.

Entering by the main gate, you immediately feel like you’ve stepped through a portal into another world, one which is frozen in time in the best possible way.

Mdina is still home to some of the oldest families in Malta and the whole place exudes timeless elegance and beauty. For once, there are no set ‘must-see and do’ as the city can be explored entirely on foot in an afternoon and every nook and crannies should be at least glanced at. Simply pick a turn and start getting lost in the labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets.

The colors are striking, from the ever-changing light over the honeyed stones against the bluest of skies, the pops from the bright doors and window shutters… the overall tableau will soon take your breath away.

Surprisingly, the place is eerily quiet which adds to the otherworldly impression, and is commonly known as the Silent City since most of its streets are pedestrian only and purely residential.

Few descriptions are necessary here as I’d rather let the photographs speak for themselves. The grandeur of the many palazzo, bastions and ornate churches can hardly be accurately put into words…

For a great meal in an equally enchanting setting, find your way to the family-run Ciappetti restaurant.

Sit inside the walled courtyard under the orange trees and grapevines and take your time savoring the local dishes flavored with home-grown herbs – a pure delight.

Local bean & tomato spread with parlsey

Trio of smoked fish salad

Pasta with octopus

Stuffed squid

The cathedral’s magnificent Baroque dome can be seen from a distance and should be contemplated from inside where its boldness will surprise you.  

It’ll be hard to walk back through that gate in the harsh sunlight at the end of the day without wishing you owned the key to one of these exquisite habitations, among the most coveted in all the country unsurprising1ly. You could always find a room in one of the few luxury palazzo to extent the reverie a bit, I sure wish I’ve had the time (a repetitive complaint of this trip, I know!)