“Roam abroad in the world and take thy fill of its enjoyments…” – Saadi

On the isle of Malta, a couple of worthwhile day trips from the fascinating capital, Valletta, give visitors an opportunity to delve further into Maltese culture. Public buses run frequently from just outside the City Gate to all the island’s towns often in just 30 minutes.

Situated at the end of a floodplain on the southeastern coast is picturesque yet underrated Marsaxlokk. The name comes from the Arabic for port and the Maltese for south-east. A traditional fishing village of 4000 residents that shows off brightly colored houses and even brighter colored boats, Marsaxlokk is Malta’s most important fishing harbor. While the fleet at anchor in the sheltered inner harbor has been modernized, many traditional luzzu fishing boats remain in use. Painted in specific primary colors for easy recognition of the boat’s place of origin, they have also had a small bow decoration since Phoenician times, the eye of Horus, to protect the fishermen at sea.

The Sunday market, when fish is sold to consumers, is a spectacle. The market has expanded to other days so residents can buy produce as well as jam, honey, and wine while mixing with visitors. Restaurants line the harbor and serve fresh fish at tables with a view. Anchoring the harbor-front main square and dominating the skyline, the Church of Our Lady of Pompeii is worth a visit for the gold, red, and white interior. From the harbor, small boats sail around the point past Fort Delimara, which hugs the cliff, to St. Peter’s Pool, a beautiful naturally formed pool that’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

West of Valletta, the fortified city of Mdina was the ancient capital of Malta until The Knights of the Order of St. John arrived in 1530 and moved the capital to Birgu. The city’s history goes back more than 4000 years, and it was first fortified in 700 BC by the Phoenicians, who named it Maleth. The Romans changed the name to Melite, and the Arabs to Mdina when they captured Malta in 870 AD. Since the 12th century, it has been known as Cittá Notabile, the “noble city”, because Malta's noble families, descendants of Norman, Sicilian, and Spanish overlords, built the elegant palazzos that still line the streets, making Mdina their home until today.

Perched on a hilltop, Mdina is accessible via the Vilhena gateway which replaced a medieval gate and wooden drawbridge after the city was damaged in the 1693 Sicilian earthquake. One of the finest ancient walled cities in Europe, the present-day fortifications include additions made by the Knights to transform the old city into a gunpowder fortress. The result is a wonderful mix of medieval and Baroque architecture. Strolling the maze of beautiful, winding, mostly car-free lanes is like taking a walk through time. Highlights include the imposing 12th-century St. Paul’s Cathedral, rebuilt after the earthquake, with its stunning interior set on Pjazza San Pawl among narrow streets. A few minutes past the Vilhena Gate, the atmospheric Pjazza Mesquita is the most tranquil of Mdina’s squares and a relaxing refreshment or lunch spot. From several spots along the bastions, stunning views of the surrounding countryside to the sea are not to be missed.

Don’t Miss:

Walking the length of Marsaxlokk Harbor to see the colorful Luzzu fishing boats and observe Maltese life.

Wandering through Mdina’s alluring medieval streets and getting lost along the way.

Lunch Tips:

La Nostra Padrona on the harbor front in Marsaxlokk for fresh fish.

Don Mesquita on Pjazza Mesquita for delicious Maltese food and local wine.

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*All photographs are mine, taken with my Nikon D5600 or iPhone 12 Pro.*