16 Things to do in Malta

From dives around the HMS Maori shipwreck to trips to the tiny island of Comino, there are plenty of places to visit in Malta. Natural beauty sits side by side with some man-made wonders, making Malta one of the most interesting and diverse destinations in the Mediterranean. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of migrating whales passing by the island in the spring, or playful dolphins jumping in and out of the sea.

Places to go
If you love history, Malta offers up some fascinating and unusual places to visit. Mnajdra's ancient temple complex is unique in Europe, and believed to be as old as the earliest Egyptian pyramids. But if military history is your passion, then Manoel Island with its huge fort and glorious views is a winner. For a quirkier slice of island history, head to Popeye Village, a film-set-turned-theme-park that's bound to be a hit with the whole family.

Your ‘Malta things to do’ list should definitely include a ferry ride to Valletta, where you can spend the day browsing charming boutiques and cafés in the island's historic capital. If you're a beach lover, head to Bugibba and laze in the sun on the unique Perched Beach – or you could visit Comino's Blue Lagoon, which certainly lives up to its name with cobalt-blue water and stunning underwater caves to explore.

Attractions
This small island manages to pack in a lot of things to do. Attractions in Malta include family-friendly theme parks, classic car collections and ancient temples. The Malta National Aquarium is a must-visit for the whole family, while Mediterraneo Marine Park is the perfect spot for young nature lovers to meet some of the island's most colourful characters. Fortunately, it's also right next door to the Splash & Fun Water Park, so you can combine two family attractions in one. There are several other waterparks in Malta, with the Bugibba Water Park a perfect spot for youngsters to let off some steam.

True petrol-heads won't want to miss the chance to stroll around the Malta Classic Car Collection in Qawra, while history buffs are bound to make a bee-line for the Skorba temples, home to one of the world's oldest freestanding structures.

Places to visit
There are so many places to visit in Malta, but the island's so compact that you should be able to fit most of them into your holiday. Make sure you don't leave St Agatha's Tower off your list of must-sees: the fort (aka the Red Tower) is just a 20-minute drive from Qawra and one of the island's best known sites. If you want to escape the crowds for a while, hop on a ferry over to St Paul's Island, with its dramatic cliffs and statue of St Paul, who was believed to have been shipwrecked here in 60AD. And if you just want to sit and people-watch, there's nowhere better in Malta than Bugibba Square, at a café overlooking the promenade.

Things to do