24 of the best · Malta
MUŻA in the Auberge d’Italie, the temple finds of the archaeology museum, the gilded Manoel Theatre, Gozo’s two opera houses, palazzo museums and a Phoenician wreck under the sea.
Our 24 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Malta.
In the Auberge d’Italie
Malta’s national art museum, in the Auberge d’Italie on Merchants Street.
Since 1732
The national theatre of Malta, with a gilded auditorium and a history that goes back to 1732.
In-depth stories behind the list.
The back story
Honey-coloured limestone, a baroque city built by knights, Caravaggio’s greatest canvas, an eighteenth-century theatre and a village festa every summer weekend.
Visual arts
Great collections.
A noble family home
A sixteenth-century palazzo on Republic Street, still lived in by a noble Maltese family and open to visitors.
Inside the Citadel
A cluster of old houses inside the Citadel, showing Gozitan life three centuries ago.
Triq Bernardo DeOpuo, Victoria, GozoExplore View on map
In the Auberge d’Italie
Malta’s national art museum, in the Auberge d’Italie on Merchants Street.
The Sleeping Lady
The finds from the temples, among them the Sleeping Lady, in the Auberge de Provence on Republic Street.
Republic Street, Valletta (Auberge de Provence)Explore View on map
In Palazzo Vilhena
The natural history collections in Palazzo Vilhena, a French baroque palace at the gate of Mdina.
A medieval palazzo
A medieval palazzo on Villegaignon Street in Mdina, with a collector’s house museum.
Villegaignon Street, Mdina MDN 1191Explore View on map
Below the streets
Guided tours of the tunnels, cisterns and wartime shelters below Valletta.
A Phoenician wreck
A Phoenician shipwreck of the seventh century BC in the bay of Xlendi, for divers.
Painting, sculpture and photography.
Contemporary art
A contemporary art gallery on East Street, Valletta.
15-17 Triq Lvant (East Street), Valletta VLT 1253Explore View on map
Great buildings, old and new.
The Knights’ palace
The palace of the Grand Masters on St George’s Square, with its State Rooms and the Palace Armoury.
The great dome
The domed parish church of Mosta, Santa Marija, whose dome rises over the centre of the island.
Caravaggio’s Beheading
The Knights’ conventual church, its plain facade hiding a gilded baroque interior and Caravaggio’s Beheading of St John the Baptist.
St John's Street, VallettaExplore View on map
Gozo’s citadel
The walled citadel on its hill above Victoria, with the cathedral, the Old Prison and the Gran Castello Historic House.
Performing arts
Where to hear music.
The national orchestra
Malta’s national orchestra, performing across the islands.
1 Triq John Lopez, Floriana FRN 1400 (Catholic Institute)Explore View on map
Plays, musicals and the playhouses.
Since 1732
The national theatre of Malta, with a gilded auditorium and a history that goes back to 1732.
The great houses and companies.
Cinemas and film.
The back story
King’s Landing in Mdina, Roman Rome in Gladiator, a cartoon village at Anchor Bay: why the world’s film-makers keep coming to Malta.
The 1980 film set
The timber village built at Anchor Bay as the set of the 1980 film Popeye, now a family attraction.
Folk & cultural traditions
Traditional crafts and the people who keep them.
Bizzilla
Bobbin lace, bizzilla, and silver filigree: the islands’ traditional crafts.
Makers at work
Workshops of glassblowers, silversmiths and lace-makers in old wartime huts at Ta’ Qali.
39 of the best Restaurants
8 of the best Cafés & food
7 of the best Bars & beach clubs
20 of the best Hotels28 of the best Sights6 of the best Cinema & film
9 of the best Beaches & gardens6 of the best Walks
6 of the best Shopping
7 of the best Health8 of the best Property5 of the best Developments6 of the best Cars & yachts9 of the best Getting Around