{"id":2130085,"date":"2026-09-05T05:00:26","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T02:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2130085"},"modified":"2026-09-05T05:00:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T02:00:26","slug":"malta-off-the-beaten-track-discover-the-quieter-and-more-authentic-side-of-this-busy-island-nation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2130085","title":{"rendered":"Malta off the beaten track: Discover the quieter and more authentic side of this busy island nation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/05\/32\/1200x675_cmsv2_f9547fa8-3498-5cc1-a122-88ef2f722ec9-9880532.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2923339-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2923339\" data-cid=\"9902502\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2923339-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/25\/02\/189x106_cmsv2_d10eab25-f962-54bb-8e5e-544cd91dce35-9902502.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A police van parked outside the migrant processing centre in Dover, England, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Protest&#8217; at Port of Dover causes delays to ferry services\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2923148-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2923148\" data-cid=\"9901754\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2923148-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/17\/54\/189x106_cmsv2_d565b2d9-9daa-584c-8d0c-503eb33d4529-9901754.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The messages that worked the best were those that warned about mental health harms, such as depression and anxiety, except the addiction warning. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Health warnings could reduce youth\u2019s hours spent on social media\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922616-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2922616\" data-cid=\"9899029\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922616-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/29\/189x106_cmsv2_53b978d2-1b50-5a42-a591-1064e1808709-9899029.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Stefan Streit, Chief Marketing Officer at TCL Europe, speaks to Euronews at IFA 2026 in Berlin\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    IFA 2026: Looking beyond the smart home with Haier\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2923321-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2923321\" data-cid=\"9902459\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2923321-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/24\/59\/189x106_cmsv2_8b6389f0-dece-51d9-bd4c-248ade0e2fb3-9902459.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Commercial vessels lie anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iranian media report US strike on Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2923339-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2923339\" data-cid=\"9902502\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2923339-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/25\/02\/189x106_cmsv2_d10eab25-f962-54bb-8e5e-544cd91dce35-9902502.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A police van parked outside the migrant processing centre in Dover, England, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Protest&#8217; at Port of Dover causes delays to ferry services\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2923148-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2923148\" data-cid=\"9901754\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2923148-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/17\/54\/189x106_cmsv2_d565b2d9-9daa-584c-8d0c-503eb33d4529-9901754.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The messages that worked the best were those that warned about mental health harms, such as depression and anxiety, except the addiction warning. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Health warnings could reduce youth\u2019s hours spent on social media\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922616-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2922616\" data-cid=\"9899029\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922616-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/29\/189x106_cmsv2_53b978d2-1b50-5a42-a591-1064e1808709-9899029.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Stefan Streit, Chief Marketing Officer at TCL Europe, speaks to Euronews at IFA 2026 in Berlin\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    IFA 2026: Looking beyond the smart home with Haier\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2923321-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2923321\" data-cid=\"9902459\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2923321-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/24\/59\/189x106_cmsv2_8b6389f0-dece-51d9-bd4c-248ade0e2fb3-9902459.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Commercial vessels lie anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iranian media report US strike on Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Travel<\/p>\n<p>                          Destinations<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Malta off the beaten track: Discover the quieter and more authentic side of this busy island nation<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/05\/32\/1536x864_cmsv2_f9547fa8-3498-5cc1-a122-88ef2f722ec9-9880532.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"A bird&apos;s eye view of the Riviera Spa Resort in Marfa Bay, Mellieha, Malta\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              A bird&#8217;s eye view of the Riviera Spa Resort in Marfa Bay, Mellieha, Malta<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Rivera Spa Resort<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Rivera Spa Resort\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspRuth Wright\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1788584426\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-09-05 07:00:26 +02:00\">05\/09\/2026 &#8211; 7:00 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        If you want to beat the crowds in Malta, then skip the capital Valletta and head to Gozo, Mdina or one of the charming fishing villages.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--travel js-article-content\">\n<p>Do you know the two countries you can reach by ferry from Sicily? Even boat travel geeks might struggle with this one. One is Tunisia &#8211; reachable from Palermo in 11 hours (in the six years I\u2019ve lived in Sicily, I\u2019ve still only known one person who\u2019s ever taken that boat). The other is Malta.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Luckily for me, the most frequent ferry to Malta goes from my local town. Pozzallo to Valletta is a pleasant 1hr45 minute journey, on a catamaran mostly staffed, curiously, by people from the Philippines. With three or four crossings a day, Malta is quicker to reach than most parts of mainland Italy, so I\u2019ve visited regularly during the six years I\u2019ve been living on Sicily\u2019s south-east coast. <\/p>\n<p>On most of my trips, I\u2019ve stayed in Valletta, Malta\u2019s capital. An ancient fortified city full of gorgeous architecture, buzzy outdoor bars and restaurants and rooftop views to die for. <\/p>\n<p>What does all of that gorgeousness mean? You guessed it &#8211; it\u2019s packed with tourists. <\/p>\n<p>Spend time in Valletta and you&#8217;ll understand why you\u2019re often told Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. During the summer high season, it\u2019s hard to move on Valletta\u2019s cobbled streets. While there\u2019s plenty of good shopping, it\u2019s hard to enjoy it when you\u2019re in fear of, at best, being ripped off for tourist tat and, at worst, being pickpocketed. <\/p>\n<p>So, on my most recent trip I decided to try and beat the crowds in Malta. I planned a hotel stay and itinerary that would let me experience the more authentic parts of the country, taking in Gozo, one of the islands, and Mdina, an atmospheric walled city.<\/p>\n<h2>Where to stay in Malta for a group trip<\/h2>\n<p>Malta&#8217;s busiest tourist hotspots are concentrated in the south of the country &#8211; Valletta, St Paul\u2019s Bay, St Julian\u2019s and Sliema are all in this region, as well as being where most visitors will arrive thanks to the airport. <\/p>\n<p>Many of them will take taxis or buses to the northern region for day trips to Comino and Gozo, islands home to popular spots like the Blue Lagoon and Gozo\u2019s many beautiful beaches. <\/p>\n<p>Knowing that most tourists just come to Malta\u2019s most northern tip to leave it on a ferry, I surmised that hotels there would be less oversubscribed. <\/p>\n<p>I decided on the Riviera Spa Resort, a large adults-only hotel with views across to Comino. The property is right in front of Marfa Jetty so we watched tourists line up to take speed boats across to Comino &#8211; most go there seeking the Blue Lagoon. <\/p>\n<p>The Riviera is also very well positioned for trips to Gozo &#8211; more on that below.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-1\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Is Malta the latest European country to grapple with overtourism?<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Travel to Europe continues to grow in 2026 with Greece, Italy and Malta leading the way<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>One of the main reasons we chose the Riviera was for the adults-only promise. I was away with eight others and almost all of us had left babies or children at home. While we love our own, we didn\u2019t want to have to listen to other people\u2019s screaming children. <\/p>\n<p>Having gathered here from all over Europe, our time at the Riviera revolved around long catch-ups and leisurely meals. Lurid-coloured cocktails from the poolside bar kept us hydrated while relaxing on sun loungers. With four restaurants and two bars to choose from, there was something to suit everyone\u2019s tastes and budgets.<\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s not a luxury property, Riviera was perfect for a group trip thanks to its many services and being able to book it through tour companies (including Jet2 and EasyJet Holidays). There was high energy aqua aerobics and a gym for those that couldn\u2019t miss out on their workouts. For a more relaxed start to the day, a few of us joined a pilates class which was expertly taught in a lovely studio. For full relaxation, the on-site spa had one of the longest massage menus I\u2019ve ever seen. <\/p>\n<p>One of the hotel\u2019s standout features is its staff. Coming from all over the world, they\u2019re multilingual and seemed genuinely proud of the newly renovated Riviera. There were plenty of people to help so, despite the hotel being busy, we were always helped quickly and with a smile. <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d recommend the Riviera for group or multi-generational trips, and for anyone who wants everything you could need under one roof.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/05\/32\/808x454_cmsv2_68d7ce76-beac-5386-9cf5-5addc8ebc640-9880532.jpg\" alt=\"Mdina has a fascinating history\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Mdina has a fascinating history<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Joshua Kettle\/Unsplash<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Mdina: Malta&#8217;s silent city<\/h2>\n<p>Venturing off the beaten track in Malta was worth it just for our trip to Mdina (pronounced um-dee-nah). Meaning \u2018fortified place\u2019 in Arabic, this walled city on a hilltop in the middle of the island has a very different feeling than anywhere else I\u2019ve been in Malta.<\/p>\n<p>At 3,000 years old, Mdina has a fascinating history. It served as the nation&#8217;s capital and the seat of the Maltese nobility until the mid-16th century arrival of the Knights of St. John. As the knights chose another part of Malta, Birgu, as their new capital the Great Siege of 1565 by the Turks was directed there and not at Mdina. Under the knights and even more so under the British the importance of Mdina as the seat of power faded steadily, and what was once known as the &#8216;Citta Notabile&#8217; became the &#8216;silent city&#8217;, almost a ghost town. Only 400 people live within Mdina\u2019s walls now.<\/p>\n<p>While shops, small museums and lookout points mean it\u2019s no longer a ghost town, it does feel closed off and peaceful. This is in part thanks to there being no vehicles driving around &#8211; the cobbled streets are far too narrow for that.<\/p>\n<p>We spent a gorgeous afternoon wandering the city\u2019s streets, with stops to admire the gorgeous buildings or pick up a drink or an ice cream. I recommend arriving mid to late afternoon, especially in summer. <\/p>\n<p>As the sun gets lower, it washes the sandstone buildings with a golden glow, giving Mdina a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/05\/32\/808x454_cmsv2_c796aef7-ef8f-5168-ae26-3f18e5eb1c67-9880532.jpg\" alt=\"Inland Sea dive site in Gozo\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Inland Sea dive site in Gozo<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Fadi Al Shami\/Unsplash<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Gozo: One of the best places in Europe for diving<\/h2>\n<p>Gozo has a very different feeling to the main island in Malta, making it a perfect alternative destination. It has been spared the development that\u2019s overrun its neighbour. Inland is mostly still countryside with small towns or villages dotted throughout.<\/p>\n<p>The preservation of the land means the soil here is very fertile and it feeds the main island with some foods, though most of Malta\u2019s food is imported from Sicily. This makes it worth seeking out local specialties, like the cheese &#8216;gbejna&#8217;, made from sheep&#8217;s milk.<\/p>\n<p>Gozo has a stunning coastline and this is where it shines for me &#8211; especially as I\u2019m a qualified scuba diver. Many European divers think they need to fly to south-east Asia or the Caribbean to see reefs and marine life, not realising that Malta has world-class diving. <\/p>\n<p>It has sites for everyone from beginner to advanced divers &#8211; there are plenty of dive schools to choose from and they\u2019ll know where to go and when. You can expect good visibility and gentle currents in most places, though be careful if you&#8217;re swimming and not with a dive guide.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re not into diving, the Azure Window, the Inland Sea and the Blue Hole can all be enjoyed from the beach or boats. <\/p>\n<p>For sightseeing, check out the Ggantija Temples in Xag\u0127ra (thought to be one of the oldest free-standing Neolithic structures in the world) and Ta&#8217; Pinu Basilica if you\u2019re in need of some luck &#8211; an ancient church where some believe miracles have happened. <\/p>\n<p>If you want to visit Gozo for a day trip, Gozo Fast Ferry has frequent departures from Valletta, arriving at Mgarr in 45 minutes. Once you\u2019re on Gozo, there are public buses to get around and it\u2019s also suitable for walking around.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/05\/32\/808x454_cmsv2_c8c8e67d-f8ca-5fa6-b162-a12f40a7df5d-9880532.jpg\" alt=\"Marsaxlokk in Malta\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Marsaxlokk in Malta<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Calin Stan\/Unsplash<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Marsascala, Marsaxlokk and Bir\u017cebbu\u0121a: Malta\u2019s fishing villages<\/h2>\n<p>Fishing village probably conjures up images of a quaint harbour with the sound of seagulls overhead. While these three small towns are much quieter than Valletta and its surroundings, the harbours are still designed to attract tourists. But since Malta is hot for much of the year, the bars and restaurants are a welcome pit stop for refreshments. <\/p>\n<p>You can reach all of them by bus from Valletta. They\u2019re not too far from the airport but if you have a flight to catch, allow plenty of time &#8211; Malta\u2019s traffic can be brutal.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s not a huge amount to do in Marsascala, Marsaxlokk and Bir\u017cebbu\u0121a other than wander around, discover the beaches and meet some locals <\/p>\n<p>Sunday is the best day to visit Marsaxlokk for its famous fish market, which some say is the best place to buy fish in the whole country. <\/p>\n<p><em>Ruth Wright was a guest of the<\/em><em>Riviera Spa Resort<\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2918603-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2918603\" data-cid=\"9879275\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2918603-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/87\/92\/75\/480x270_cmsv2_c0491c66-cbb3-5846-804b-07936ed922f8-9879275.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Anafi in Greece was named as the quietest island in Europe\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Revealed: Europe\u2019s quietest islands for a true escape<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2910535-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2910535\" data-cid=\"9841462\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2910535-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/14\/62\/480x270_cmsv2_24859b4e-9243-56f9-b9e9-1b1b841908d3-9841462.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Malta\u2019s coastline attracts many tourists for water sports and diving \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Moments<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Aqua adventures: Europe\u2019s best islands for water sports<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2907397-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2907397\" data-cid=\"9825828\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907397-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/58\/28\/480x270_cmsv2_c81250a5-ba61-588e-95cc-ac4710fc623b-9825828.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, is home to Mount Teide, Spain&apos;s highest peak at 3,715 metres\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe\u2019s best islands, ranked by weather, food and greenery<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Travel tips<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Hotel Industry<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Islands<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  History<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Travel guide<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Malta<br 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content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who are the world\u2019s most polite tourists?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2923126-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2923126\" data-cid=\"9901641\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018A Dubai invite\u2019: Registrations close after 90,000 applications<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2922818-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922818\" data-cid=\"9899974\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    These are the world\u2019s most beautiful hotels \u2013 and No.1 is in Ireland<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2918603-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2918603\" data-cid=\"9879275\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2918603-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/87\/92\/75\/480x270_cmsv2_c0491c66-cbb3-5846-804b-07936ed922f8-9879275.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Anafi in Greece was named as the quietest island in Europe\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Destinations<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p> 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id=\"abe-2907397-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2907397\" data-cid=\"9825828\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2907397-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/82\/58\/28\/480x270_cmsv2_c81250a5-ba61-588e-95cc-ac4710fc623b-9825828.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, is home to Mount Teide, Spain&apos;s highest peak at 3,715 metres\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe\u2019s best islands, ranked by weather, food and greenery<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2923181-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2923181\" data-cid=\"9901946\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2923181-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/19\/46\/320x180_cmsv2_6f6b6789-33b8-5ee4-8832-3b514812d889-9901946.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The island of beaches and pine forests is seeing its historic hotels revamped and a new property open. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hotel revamps signal quiet luxury revival of Venice\u2019s Lido island<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2849382-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2849382\" data-cid=\"9560464\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2849382-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/56\/04\/64\/320x180_cmsv2_cba69ac4-7bd3-5886-88da-252745379693-9560464.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Travel - Euronews\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Euronews Travel Channel \u2013 Travel News, Guides, Magazines &amp; Inspiration | 24\/7<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2923130-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2923130\" data-cid=\"9901686\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2923130-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/90\/16\/86\/320x180_cmsv2_d8e82347-4925-538c-8452-78503d41baa0-9901686.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Industry experts are concerned the removal of the Entry\/Exit System\u2019s temporary flexibilities will see border chaos return. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Travelling to Europe? EES border checks are changing this weekend<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921274-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921274\" data-cid=\"9892875\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921274-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/27\/27\/320x180_cmsv2_c7e0209a-e7bd-57af-81a3-f29ac434fed8-9892727.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Budva is a town in Montenegro on the Adriatic Sea\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Budva: How Montenegro&#8217;s dazzling riviera town is winning over Europe<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922818-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922818\" data-cid=\"9899974\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922818-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/99\/74\/320x180_cmsv2_f8bc7af3-4723-57cf-9993-bcce283dd4fd-9899974.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ashford Castle was just named the world&apos;s most beautiful hotel by Time Out\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    These are the world\u2019s most beautiful hotels \u2013 and No.1 is in Ireland<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2923130-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2923130\" data-cid=\"9901686\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Travelling to Europe? EES border checks are changing this weekend<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922870-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922870\" data-cid=\"9900305\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    371 days and 62 countries: World&#8217;s longest cruise departs from Rome<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921935-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921935\" data-cid=\"9895694\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who are the world\u2019s most polite tourists?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2923126-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2923126\" data-cid=\"9901641\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018A Dubai invite\u2019: Registrations close after 90,000 applications<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922818-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2922818\" data-cid=\"9899974\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    These are the world\u2019s most beautiful hotels \u2013 and No.1 is in Ireland<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Do you know the two countries you can reach by ferry from Sicily? Even boat travel geeks might struggle with this one. One is Tunisia &#8211; reachable from Palermo in 11 hours (in the six years I\u2019ve lived in Sicily, I\u2019ve still only known one person who\u2019s ever taken that boat). The other is Malta.Luckily for me, the most frequent ferry to Malta goes from my local town. Pozzallo to Valletta is a pleasant 1hr45 minute journey, on a catamaran mostly staffed, curiously, by people from the Philippines. With three or four crossings a day, Malta is quicker to reach than most parts of mainland Italy, so I\u2019ve visited regularly during the six years I\u2019ve been living on Sicily\u2019s south-east coast.\u00a0On most of my trips, I\u2019ve stayed in Valletta, Malta\u2019s capital. An ancient fortified city full of gorgeous architecture, buzzy outdoor bars and restaurants and rooftop views to die for.What does all of that gorgeousness mean? You guessed it &#8211; it\u2019s packed with tourists.Spend time in Valletta and you&#8217;ll understand why you\u2019re often told Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. During the summer high season, it\u2019s hard to move on Valletta\u2019s cobbled streets. While there\u2019s plenty of good shopping, it\u2019s hard to enjoy it when you\u2019re in fear of, at best, being ripped off for tourist tat and, at worst, being pickpocketed.\u00a0So, on my most recent trip I decided to try and beat the crowds in Malta. I planned a hotel stay and itinerary that would let me experience the more authentic parts of the country, taking in Gozo, one of the islands, and Mdina, an atmospheric walled city.Where to stay in Malta for a group tripMalta&#8217;s busiest tourist hotspots are concentrated in the south of the country &#8211; Valletta, St Paul\u2019s Bay, St Julian\u2019s and Sliema are all in this region, as well as being where most visitors will arrive thanks to the airport.\u00a0Many of them will take taxis or buses to the northern region for day trips to Comino and Gozo, islands home to popular spots like the Blue Lagoon and Gozo\u2019s many beautiful beaches.\u00a0\u00a0Knowing that most tourists just come to Malta\u2019s most northern tip to leave it on a ferry, I surmised that hotels there would be less oversubscribed.I decided on the Riviera Spa Resort, a large adults-only hotel with views across to Comino. The property is right in front of Marfa Jetty so we watched tourists line up to take speed boats across to Comino &#8211; most go there seeking the Blue Lagoon.The Riviera is also very well positioned for trips to Gozo &#8211; more on that below.One of the main reasons we chose the Riviera was for the adults-only promise. I was away with eight others and almost all of us had left babies or children at home. While we love our own, we didn\u2019t want to have to listen to other people\u2019s screaming children.\u00a0Having gathered here from all over Europe, our time at the Riviera revolved around long catch-ups and leisurely meals. Lurid-coloured cocktails from the poolside bar kept us hydrated while relaxing on sun loungers. With four restaurants and two bars to choose from, there was something to suit everyone\u2019s tastes and budgets.While it\u2019s not a luxury property, Riviera was perfect for a group trip thanks to its many services and being able to book it through tour companies (including Jet2 and EasyJet Holidays). There was high energy aqua aerobics and a gym for those that couldn\u2019t miss out on their workouts. For a more relaxed start to the day, a few of us joined a pilates class which was expertly taught in a lovely studio. For full relaxation, the on-site spa had one of the longest massage menus I\u2019ve ever seen.\u00a0One of the hotel\u2019s standout features is its staff. Coming from all over the world, they\u2019re multilingual and seemed genuinely proud of the newly renovated Riviera. There were plenty of people to help so, despite the hotel being busy, we were always helped quickly and with a smile.I\u2019d recommend the Riviera for group or multi-generational trips, and for anyone who wants everything you could need under one roof.Mdina: Malta&#8217;s silent cityVenturing off the beaten track in Malta was worth it just for our trip to Mdina (pronounced um-dee-nah). Meaning \u2018fortified place\u2019 in Arabic, this walled city on a hilltop in the middle of the island has a very different feeling than anywhere else I\u2019ve been in Malta.At 3,000 years old, Mdina has a fascinating history. It served as the nation&#8217;s capital and the seat of the Maltese nobility until the mid-16th century arrival of the Knights of St. John. As the knights chose another part of Malta, Birgu, as their new capital the Great Siege of 1565 by the Turks was directed there and not at Mdina. Under the knights and even more so under the British the importance of Mdina as the seat of power faded steadily, and what was once known as the &#8216;Citta Notabile&#8217; became the &#8216;silent city&#8217;, almost a ghost town. Only 400 people live within Mdina\u2019s walls now.While shops, small museums and lookout points mean it\u2019s no longer a ghost town, it does feel closed off and peaceful. This is in part thanks to there being no vehicles driving around &#8211; the cobbled streets are far too narrow for that.We spent a gorgeous afternoon wandering the city\u2019s streets, with stops to admire the gorgeous buildings or pick up a drink or an ice cream. I recommend arriving mid to late afternoon, especially in summer.As the sun gets lower, it washes the sandstone buildings with a golden glow, giving Mdina a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere.Gozo: One of the best places in Europe for divingGozo has a very different feeling to the main island in Malta, making it a perfect alternative destination. It has been spared the development that\u2019s overrun its neighbour. Inland is mostly still countryside with small towns or villages dotted throughout.The preservation of the land means the soil here is very fertile and it feeds the main island with some foods, though most of Malta\u2019s food is imported from Sicily. This makes it worth seeking out local specialties, like the cheese &#8216;gbejna&#8217;, made from sheep&#8217;s milk.Gozo has a stunning coastline and this is where it shines for me &#8211; especially as I\u2019m a qualified scuba diver. Many European divers think they need to fly to south-east Asia or the Caribbean to see reefs and marine life, not realising that Malta has world-class diving.It has sites for everyone from beginner to advanced divers &#8211; there are plenty of dive schools to choose from and they\u2019ll know where to go and when. You can expect good visibility and gentle currents in most places, though be careful if you&#8217;re swimming and not with a dive guide.If you\u2019re not into diving, the Azure Window, the Inland Sea and the Blue Hole can all be enjoyed from the beach or boats.\u00a0For sightseeing, check out the Ggantija Temples in Xag\u0127ra (thought to be one of the oldest free-standing Neolithic structures in the world) and Ta&#8217; Pinu Basilica if you\u2019re in need of some luck &#8211; an ancient church where some believe miracles have happened.\u00a0If you want to visit Gozo for a day trip, Gozo Fast Ferry has frequent departures from Valletta, arriving at Mgarr in 45 minutes. Once you\u2019re on Gozo, there are public buses to get around and it\u2019s also suitable for walking around.Marsascala, Marsaxlokk and Bir\u017cebbu\u0121a: Malta\u2019s fishing villagesFishing village probably conjures up images of a quaint harbour with the sound of seagulls overhead. While these three small towns are much quieter than Valletta and its surroundings, the harbours are still designed to attract tourists. But since Malta is hot for much of the year, the bars and restaurants are a welcome pit stop for refreshments.\u00a0You can reach all of them by bus from Valletta. They\u2019re not too far from the airport but if you have a flight to catch, allow plenty of time &#8211; Malta\u2019s traffic can be brutal.There\u2019s not a huge amount to do in Marsascala, Marsaxlokk and Bir\u017cebbu\u0121a other than wander around, discover the beaches and meet some locals\u00a0Sunday is the best day to visit Marsaxlokk for its famous fish market, which some say is the best place to buy fish in the whole country.\u00a0\u00a0Ruth Wright was a guest of the Riviera Spa Resort.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2026\/09\/05\/malta-off-the-beaten-track-discover-the-quieter-and-more-authentic-side-of-this-busy-islan&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/05\/32\/1200x675_cmsv2_f9547fa8-3498-5cc1-a122-88ef2f722ec9-9880532.jpg&#8221;] Europe News &#8216;Protest&#8217; at Port of Dover causes delays to ferry services Health news Health warnings could reduce youth\u2019s hours spent on social media Tech News IFA 2026: Looking beyond the smart home with Haier Iran Iranian media report US strike on Iranian oil tanker near Kharg Island Europe News &#8216;Protest&#8217; at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2130085","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2130085","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2130085"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2130085\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2130085"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2130085"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2130085"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}