Long Weekend in Malta

Mid-March felt like the perfect escape window this year, so we packed light and headed somewhere new: Malta. We traveled together with Anca and Cătălin, our usual partners in exploring, food testing, and getting lost on purpose. And Malta turned out to be a mix of all three.

The weather was surprisingly kind to us. Mostly sunny, very little rain, just enough wind to remind you that you’re on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean. The kind of wind that messes up your hair but also makes everything feel a bit more dramatic.

We stayed in Sliema, which turned out to be a really good base. It has that balance of local life and accessibility, and it’s right across the water from Valletta, which you keep staring at like it’s a postcard that refuses to move.

History with a daily ritual at Valetta

Valletta is one of those places where every street tells it’s own story. It’s a mix of warm limestone buildings with colorful balconies, tight corners, and gives you a constant feeling that you’re walking through layers of history.

One of the highlights was watching the cannon firing from the Upper Barrakka Gardens. It’s such a simple thing, but it creates this shared pause: tourists gathering, cameras ready, and then boom, a small echo of the past still being performed today.

Visit to Mdina Old City

If Valletta is alive and buzzing, Mdina feels almost unreal. The streets are incredibly narrow, clean, and almost too perfect. Walking through them feels like stepping into a controlled environment, no chaos, just architecture doing its job beautifully.

We spent a good amount of time just wandering, no real destination, just turning corners and admiring details.

The unexpected cardio workout

Everywhere you go, there’s an up or a down. Sometimes both, within the same street.

The narrow streets amplify that feeling: you’re constantly adjusting, climbing, descending. It looks charming (and it is), but after a full day, you feel it. If you’re not in great shape, Malta will gently (or not so gently) remind you.

Food is simple yet diverse

Food was one of the pleasant surprises. A mix of Mediterranean influences, fresh ingredients, and enough variety to keep things interesting. And yes, we tried the traditional rabbit dish. Not something we eat often, but when in Malta… you kind of have to. It was rich, well-cooked, and definitely part of the experience.

Getting around is not ideal

This was probably the only part of the trip that didn’t sit well with me. Public transport (referring here to the buses) felt chaotic. Overcrowded, abrupt driving, and not much attention paid to passenger comfort or safety. If you’re not seated, you’re basically holding on and hoping for the best.

We ended up avoiding buses whenever possible after the first experiences. It just didn’t feel worth the risk and the stress.

Trip to Dingli Cliffs Area

One of the best decisions we made was heading out to the Dingli Cliffs area. We saw the Dingli Aviation Radar, walked around the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, and just took in the views.

This is where Malta really opens up: less city, more nature, and that endless horizon over the sea. It’s quiet, a bit raw, and very much worth the trip.

Our Malta Experience

The trip to Malta felt as a compact but dense experience: history, architecture, landscapes, and just enough unpredictability to keep things interesting. Not everything is perfect (transport being the obvious downside), but the overall feeling stays with you.

Traveling with Cezar, Anca, and Cătălin made it even better. As always, it’s not just about the place, but the people you experience it with.