Unpacked: Malta

Malta is a bohemian. Malta is sunshine. Malta is colour. Malta is a cool breeze. Malta is warmth. And let’s be honest — Malta is also a bit of a flirt. 

I could write an entire ode to Malta — and honestly, I think I already am. Sure, I might be a little biased. And no, this wasn’t my first trip ever. But I truly can’t think of a better way to kick off Maps in Motion.

Because this tiny country stole my heart without even pretending to be sorry. 

Malta had been on my wishlist for ages. I’d talked about it so much, it practically had its own group chat in my head. But somehow, this “date” kept getting postponed — always “next season,” always “someday.” Well, this time I was forced to go. (tragic, I know) 

And there we were – me at Valletta Airport on the evening of January 27, 2025 — armed with nothing but carry-on luggage, a bare minimum of warm clothes and expectations higher than my caffeine intake on a Monday morning, and Malta – all sun-drenched and smug, ready to seduce.

The wait was absolutely worth it. Actually, I’m starting to think Malta waited on purpose — just to make a grand entrance.

The moment I stepped outside, the warm air hit me like a giant, cozy hug — and I instantly knew this was the perfect escape from winter (which, let’s be honest, isn’t that brutal back home in Bulgaria, but still). Malta also happened to be the perfect place to celebrate my 30th birthday (would recommend to literally anyone, 10/10, would do again).

One of the dozens of “me + doors of Malta” photos.

Malta didn’t just meet my expectations — it gave them a full-on makeover.

This tiny island somehow sneaked into my personal top 3 places I’ve ever visited, and it didn’t even have to try that hard. With its charming spirit, rich culture, pastel-colored buildings that look like they popped out of a candy store, colorful balconies and doors, endlessly friendly locals, and, of course, food that made my taste buds go completely bonkers (more on that here).

Malta was definitely made for walking — honestly, it might be one of this country’s best features (sorry, sunshine). If you can carve out about five days to explore this gorgeous little speck on planet Earth, you’re in for a treat. No disappointment guaranteed.

Five days gave us just enough time to wander around Sliema without getting lost, visit the fishing village Marsaxlokk and drool over its colorful boats, roam around Gozo like curious cats, set foot on tiny Comino (hello, Blue Lagoon!), and gasp at the views from Dingli Cliffs like proper tourists.

that's what I mean !!!

Of course, some route planning was involved — because nobody wants to accidentally end up on a random rooftop. And a big shoutout to Bolt (bless their little wheels), who saved my tired feet dozens of times abroad when walking just wasn’t happening anymore. It’s cheap, the rides show up on time, and honestly, I’ve barely had any drama.

You might be wondering why I’m not talking about public transport. Well, it’s not that bad — as long as it’s not packed like a can of sardines. But honestly? Public transit in Malta is kind of like a unicorn or a UFO — you’ve heard the stories, but you’ve probably never actually seen them.

Day #1 kicked off nice and easy — with coffee, of course.

I don’t quite remember what, where, or when exactly, but I do know that Lot 61 and Kir Royal Café, both right in the heart of Valletta, serve coffee so good you’ll want to marry it. So, keep those eyes peeled. Now back to the actual story. 

Valletta is like that effortlessly charming friend everyone wants — with sandy yellow stone walls and balconies so colorful they could give a box of crayons a run for their money. Honestly, my phone’s basically drowning in nearly identical photos because I just couldn’t stop snapping away. Doors included — yes, the doors deserve their own fan club.

Writing about Malta without falling into cliché feels impossible. To me, Malta is all about those tiny winding streets (because who doesn’t love getting lost just a little?). Every nook and cranny had a little surprise waiting. But the real magic? Malta is like a cultural smoothie — one minute you’re vibing Marseille or Nice, And just when you think you’re in London, thanks to the red phone booths and mailboxes, the scorching sun reminds you, “Nah, you’re definitely not in England, mate.” 

Then bam! You’re whisked away to medieval Mdina and Rabat, back in the days of the Arab Caliphate. The second you slip past those giant stone walls, time just… freezes. To be fair, visiting Malta outside tourist season helped a lot (highly recommend). Not only did we dodge Dante’s-Inferno-level heat, but we also avoided the busloads of tourists that — let’s be honest — kill the romance instantly. So the first thing I noticed? Silence. Yep, just me and the massive stone walls (and okay, a couple of cars ruining the medieval vibe).

And then there’s Dingli.

Apparently, the sunsets there are legendary — but I decided to save that for my next trip, because hey, cliffhangers keep life exciting. Same with “The Three Cities” — Birgu, Senglea, and Cospicua. Still, the views from Dingli were dramatic enough to make me feel like I was in a travel commercial.

From there… off to Popeye Village. Which, by the way, I discovered completely by accident. Imagine my surprise when I learned Malta has a fake little village built as a film set for the 1980 Popeye movie with Robin Williams. Today it’s a tourist attraction, which of course means: tickets, queues, and people taking awkward photos. Honestly? You won’t miss much if you skip it. But for me, it was pure nostalgia. I was obsessed with the cartoon as a kid and — confession time — I even liked spinach pizza (I know, who was I?). Anyway, the place was quirky enough. Plus, the ticket came with free popcorn, and popcorn makes everything better.

And then — Comino.

Comino is my Maldives.

Now, if you know me, you know boats are not my love language. Yet somehow, I found myself on one for several hours, leaving from Sliema and cruising toward Gozo. On the way, we stopped at Comino — an island with literally one resident (I have questions). But honestly, it’s not about the island — it’s about the water. That ridiculously bright turquoise, the kind that makes you wonder if someone secretly photoshopped your eyeballs. Probably jaw-dropping in the sun, but of course I got the only rainy day of the trip. 

Spent on a boat. In the open sea.

It was windy, cold, and mildly miserable. But hey — piña coladas served in hollowed-out pineapples made it feel gloriously bohemian. 

And from there — off to Gozo, Malta’s other “big” island. Would I call it impressive? Not exactly. Let’s just say it didn’t need a whole poem written about it. But still, worth a visit and a checkmark on the list.

I think the real grand finale, though, belongs to Marsaxlokk.

I wasn’t sure we’d have enough time for this little fishing village, but oh boy — it was worth every second. A few disclaimers: one, there isn’t a whole lot to “do.” Two – the market. It kind of feels like a Maltese flea market with seaside views. But this was the only place where we dipped our toes in the freezing January sea (because truth be told, Malta isn’t exactly overflowing with beaches, at least not on the eastern side). Still, Marsaxlokk is colorful, lively, and endlessly charming. Picture a cooler, brighter version of a fishermen’s village — and you’re there. Pro tip: save your seafood cravings for Marsaxlokk.

Malta may be tiny, but it’s a big deal (dad joke #3). Every corner made me feel like I’d stumbled onto a movie set (though, to be fair, I never really leave drama mode anyway). And yes, it might sound like a cliché, but the truth is simple: I fell in love. Silly, unexpected, head-over-heels kind of love. They say the best trips aren’t the ones you plan down to the last detail, but the ones that surprise you. And while five days isn’t nearly enough to “know” a whole island, it’s just enough to feel its rhythm. And honestly? That’s more than enough to make you want to go back.

All good. All tasty