The Ultimate Gay Malta Travel Guide

Valletta is the capital of Malta, a pretty walled city that's also a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. Established in the 1500s by a Roman Catholic order called the Knights of St. John, we loved getting lost down the little side roads and spotting remnants of the city's past. Many streets contain stone steps that were built from the hardest stone available in order to withstand the tramping feet of all those knights clad in all that heavy armor!

The Upper Barrakka Gardens were also built by the Knights of St. John as a spot for them to relax and escape the heat. It's also one of our favorite romantic spots. Coming to the Upper Barrakka Gardens is a must if you want to enjoy gorgeous panoramic views over the harbor, or to just chill and grab a snack from the kiosk. Tip from us: try to come here either at midday or 4 pm as this is when the cannons are fired from the Saluting Battery in the Lower Barrakka Gardens. The cannons herald back to a time when they were used as the main defense of the harbor as well as a way of greeting foreign dignitaries. Today, of course, it's a fun re-enactment for you to include in your next Insta Story.

Behold, the “Crown Jewel of Valletta”! While the exterior might not be too impressive, once you head inside St. John's Co-Cathedral you'll start to understand how important religion and worship were to the Order of the Knights of St. John. The church interior is a breathtaking spectacle of stone hand-carvings, gilded in 24-karat gold, opulent murals, and stunning marble floors. Mattia Preti was the Italian artist (and later member of the order) who did much of the incredible work on the cathedral. We highly recommend you also visit the attached museum to see tapestries and other divinely gorgeous objects.

The Knights of the Order of St. John built Fort St. Elmo to defend the harbor from attacks by the Ottoman Empire. It helped them withstand the Great Siege of 1565, although it withstood a great deal of damage. Since then the fort has been fully restored and now houses Malta's National War Museum. It's definitely worth a visit to enjoy stunning views across the harbor, as well as to learn more about the Knights and how many of them fought to the death to protect the altar in the chapel. You can even see the original George Cross. which is part of Malta's national flag. It was sent to the people of Malta by King George V of Great Britain in 1942.

The fortified cities of Cospicua, Senglea, and Vittoriosa, commonly known as “The Three Cities” can be seen across the harbor when you're in Valletta. Visiting the three cities will give you a glimpse into more traditional Maltese life as well as the island's history, in particular, Vittoriosa island, which is older than Valletta. There are more pretty gardens, museums, churches, and forts to explore here, as well as the Inquisitor's Palace. You can join a tour of the Three Cities, which as well as exploring the charming narrow streets, also includes wine tasting at the Marsovin Cellars where you can sample some delicious Maltese wines, bread, and cheeses.

The main port of Valletta, also known as the Grand Harbour, is a natural harbor that's been in use since prehistoric times! Of course, it has been substantially modified since, with docks, forts, and wharves. There are many places in Valletta or the Three Cities where you can enjoy beautiful views of the harbor, but you should also make sure to see the cities from the harbor as well. We found this harbor cruise so much fun, as you get to see both the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour from onboard a traditional Maltese boat. The cruise is very informative and there's also a fully stocked bar to enjoy.

Mdina is a small fortified city in the heart of Malta, which was actually the capital from antiquity to the medieval period. Sometimes called “The Silent City”, Mdina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has become very popular as a tourist destination, especially since it was used for filming during the first season of Game of Thrones. Notable scenes depicting King's Landing were filmed here, particularly at the Mdina Gate. Game of Thrones fans will not want to miss this awesome Game of Thrones filming locations tour, which includes Mdina, but even if you're not a fan of the show, you will love this extremely photogenic city.

We mentioned that Valletta has a lot of steps, and many of the streets are also quite steep. If you think you might struggle to walk it all, or just want to traverse the city in a fun and unique way, you can actually explore Valletta on really cool ‘SmarterScoots'! You can choose from three or two-wheel varieties, then head off to visit places like the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Fort St. Elmo, and St. John's Co-Cathedral. These scooters are also good for the environment as they're 100% electric. Valletta can get pretty hot in that fierce Mediterranean sun, so exploring by scooter will also be literally cooler than walking!

If you like riding on quirky types of transport then you'll also be excited to know that you can experience some of Malta's most picturesque scenery on a Segway. This particular tour takes place in and around the quaint traditional Maltese village of Dingli. If you organize to go on an evening tour you'll be treated to some very romantic sunset views over the sea, plus the temperatures won't be so high. We loved exploring this part of the island on our Segways and seeing things that we probably wouldn't have if we were on foot.

Malta is one of the best places in Europe to do scuba diving. Fact! With warm waters, reefs, caves, and even shipwrecks to explore, there are dive sites suitable for beginners to advanced divers. If you've never dived before you can have a beginner's scuba diving lesson in St. Paul's Bay, while more experienced divers will want to head to the Blue Lagoon on Comino. You can also explore the wreck of the HMS Maori right in Valletta Harbour. If you want to dive with a gay friendly company we recommend Diveshack Malta in Sliema, which has a fabulous Divemaster! They offer lessons, packages, and even training to become a PADI instructor.

On the west coast of Malta, 253 meters above sea level, are the Dingli Cliffs. These cliffs are actually the highest point on the whole island and an incredible spot to gaze out over the ocean towards the uninhabited island of Filfla. There's a small 17th-century chapel dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene perched on the edge of the cliffs, plus well-marked walking trails for you to wander along. We saw quite a few gay couples strolling there hand in hand when we went. It's especially nice if you come here for sunset, then have dinner at the nearby restaurant called: The Cliffs.

Comino is a small island in between the islands of Gozo and Malta, most famous for its beautiful bay known as the Blue Lagoon. With crystal-clear waters, the Blue Lagoon is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and just general beach Vitamin Sea relaxation. It does get very busy here, but you can visit the Blue Lagoon on a catamaran with underwater windows, sun loungers, bars, and three water slides. Other bucket-list highlights of the Blue Lagoon include the moon-like surface of the island, the Santa Maria sea caves, and the unique rock formation known as “Elephant's Head”.

Riviera Beach is one of our favorite beaches to head to on a day trip from Valletta. It’s only around 21km (13 miles) from Valletta and easily accessible by scooter or car. It’s located close to the Dingli Cliffs on the west coast of the island, which means you get some killer sunsets. Also known as Għajn Tuffieħa (which is Maltese for ‘Apple’s Eye’), this beach does actually have a snack bar off to one side, where you can also hire sunbeds and umbrellas to lounge around for the day. While many of Malta's beaches are very rocky, this one has beautiful smooth sand and crystal-clear waters that are perfect for swimming.

Gozo is the second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago, with many gorgeous beaches and popular seaside resorts. It was home to Malta's famous Azure Window limestone arch until it collapsed in 2017 after a heavy storm. We recommend visiting Gozo as a day trip or spending a couple of nights if you have time. Not only is it home to some of the best diving spots in Malta, but there are also many limestone caves to explore, as well as otherworldly natural salt pans protruding into the sea. The fortified Citadel in the town of Victoria offers panoramic views of almost the whole island from the battlements.

You might know the 1980 movie Popeye because it was the late, great Robin Williams' first movie role, but did you know it was also filmed on a purpose-built set in Malta? The set still stands today and has become one of Malta's most popular tourist attractions. You can wander among the ramshackle wooden buildings, and experience shows, rides, museums, and even play areas for children. We particularly loved the boat trip you can take around Anchor Bay so that you can get photos of the town from the water. You can get a ticket for Popeye Village which includes transport – handy 'cause it's quite far away from Valletta.

Just a short walk down the promenade from the Sliema ferry wharf is Balance Bowl, an incredible gay-owned and run vegan restaurant/cafe! Even non-vegans will love this place as the food is absolutely delicious, from the vegan cheese platters (pictured) to the luscious chocolate cake to the unlimited nutrition bar where you pay once and can eat as much as you like. Open every day for breakfast (try one of the yummy smoothie bowls), lunch, and dinner, there's also a really cool chill-out area upstairs with beanbags for working or just hanging out. It's a popular hangout for LGBTQ locals and one of our favorite spots for a meal.

In the heart of Valletta, La Sfoglia Restaurant is one of the best on the island for delicious fresh seafood (and also a great spot for people-watching on the outdoor terrace). They serve superb seafood like wild sea bass, king prawns, or marinated octopus, as well as other options such as traditional Maltese rabbit stew, beef, duck, and pasta dishes. The service is impeccable, with friendly waiters who will recommend wines to accompany your meal. But make sure you leave room for some of their mouthwatering desserts, like the ricotta and Nutella cake or their famous pannacotta.

Two Buoys is an Australian-inspired restaurant serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner in the hip St. Julian's neighborhood. It's owned and run by three friends, including cute Maltese lad Jessie who grew up in Melbourne. The restaurant's catchphrase is “where Melbourne meets Malta” and it's not far off! Many dishes on the menu are named after Melbourne neighborhoods, like the ‘Footscray Fritters' or ‘St. Kilda Linguine'. There is also plenty of yummy Mediterranean dishes as well as vegan and gluten-free options to enjoy as you look out over Spinola Bay.

Located in Sliema on the roof of the stunning AX The Palace Hotel, TemptAsian is one of the best restaurants in Malta for Asian food. Since you're nine floors up you get to experience magnificent panoramic views of Sliema and Valletta’s Harbour while you dine on a variety of Asian cuisine. With a huge selection of food that will transport you to China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, and even India, this is a lovely spot for a special occasion. There's an outdoor terrace next to the hotel pool where we enjoyed some divine sushi and cocktails at sunset, sooo romantic!

Located right by the City Gates in Valetta, Rampila Restaurant is a very romantic and unique space that serves Mediterranean cuisine made using the freshest local ingredients. What makes it so unique is its historic location in part of the city's ramparts. The outdoor terrace is absolutely divine, or you can sit inside the cool domed tunnel part of the building. The meals are rustic but exquisite, like the braised beef cheeks or the mouthwatering crab and lobster ravioli. Look out for the fascinating exhibition showing the history of the building.

Considered by many as one of the best restaurants in Malta, Dinner in the Sky is truly a one-of-a-kind experience where you get to dine literally in the sky! You sit on a 22-person platform that is then lifted up by a crane 40 meters into the sky. Then you get to see your hosts prepare your food and drinks in front of you, as well as incredible views over Valletta. The seven-course set menu is simply superb! They also aim to accommodate all diets including vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free. We definitely recommend booking the ‘flight' at sunset so you can see the city in daylight, during sunset, and then lit up at night.

For yummy local food in a cozy atmosphere, you can't go past Rubino in Valletta. The building was originally a confectionary store (so don't be confused when you see Rubino Confectionary over the door) established in 1906 and is now a restaurant serving classic Mediterranean fare. There are lots of historic memorabilia on the walls of this family-run spot. The menu is written on a blackboard as it changes regularly based on what's in season. We loved the simple yet delicious dishes, like fresh calamari on a bed of seaweed and the spaghetti with sea urchins.

If you're looking for a good vegan-friendly option in Valletta, make sure you give No. 43 a try. This healthy cafe serves plenty of vegan and vegetarian dishes from a tiny little hole-in-the-wall cafe. But don't be put off because the food here is ah-mazing! It's only open until 5 pm but you will often see people lining up at lunchtime for their delicious build-your-own salads, smoothies, chia puddings, and more. There's a small outdoor seating area, which we thought is the best spot. They also do takeaway, so you could have a little picnic, perhaps at the nearby Upper Barrakka Gardens…

How to get there: Since Malta is an island you can only reach it via boat or flying. Flights to Malta depart from most major airports in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. You can reach Valletta from the airport in around 20 minutes via bus, taxi, or private transfer. We usually like to organize a private airport transfer so we don't need to worry about navigating public transport in a new country with all our luggage.

Visa requirements: Travellers from the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia don't need a visa to stay in Malta for up to 90 days as a tourist. You will, however, need to show that you have a return/onward travel ticket if you arrive by plane and a passport that's valid for at least six months from when you arrive. Citizens of EU countries don't need a visa since Malta is part of the Schengen Zone. You can check your personal visa requirements here.

Getting around: Malta is a small island, so it's quite easy to get around using public buses, ferries, and taxis. You can also easily walk around in Valletta if that's where you're staying. Find more information and bus routes on Malta here.

Travel insurance: We never travel without travel insurance and definitely recommend you get one for your trip to Malta so that you will be protected in the case of injury, illness, theft, or cancellations beyond your control. We've been using Heymondo Travel Insurance for years and absolutely love them. Their cover is very comprehensive and it's easy to make a claim online when you need to.

Vaccinations: Before traveling to Malta, you should be up to date with routine vaccinations like measles, mumps, and chickenpox. Some travelers may also need to be vaccinated for rabies, yellow fever, Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B, but you should talk to your doctor or check the latest information on the CDC website before you go.

Currency: The currency used in Malta is the Euro, as it is part of the European Union. $1 US converts to around 86 euro cents while £1 is worth about €1.16.

Tipping culture: Tipping is not obligatory in Malta but it is customary to tip around 5-10% of your bill for good service at restaurants, bars, hotels, and cafes. If a service charge has already been included in the bill, then a tip is not necessary.

Internet access: There are 192 free WiFi spots across Malta, as well as in most hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops. You shouldn't have any issues getting online but if you know you're going to require a lot of bandwidth then you might like to bring a portable WiFi device or purchase a local SIM card at the airport when you arrive.

Online privacy: Gay dating apps like Scruff and Grindr aren't banned in Malta, so you'll have no problems connecting with gay locals while you're there. If you do want to keep your online activities private then we recommend ExpressVPN for affordable and reliable privacy protection.

Accommodation: There are many more gay friendly accommodation options in Malta aside from the ones we've mentioned here. We always use Booking.com to find the best hotels since they have excellent 24/7 online support, the online booking process is really easy to use and many places provide free cancellation if needed.

Sightseeing and adventure: There are lots more fun things to see and do in Malta as well. We like to use GetYourGuide to find the best things to do when we're traveling because they have really good online support, so many choices, and an easy-to-use online booking system.

When to visit: Malta offers generally pleasant weather all year round, although it does get hot in summer. We find that traveling during the shoulder seasons of spring or autumn are the best times to visit if you want to avoid the crowds or extreme heat.