Home to three Unesco World Heritage Sites, a flourishing culinary scene, and the backdrop to films such as Gladiator I and II, it has become a staple holiday destination in the Mediterranean.
Yet just across the water, its lesser-known sister islands – Gozo and Comino – reveal a different side of the archipelago. Together, the sun-drenched trio blend heritage, culture, and unvarnished charm, rewarding those who are willing to venture off the beaten path.
Whether it’s history, gastronomy, or a slower pace of life that calls, these islands are undeniably unique. Here’s what makes them worth exploring – and why travelers are suddenly taking note.
Malta
For history enthusiasts and sun-seekers alike, Malta delivers in depth. Its capital, Valletta – built by the Knights of St John – remains one of Europe’s most charming fortified cities. Inside St John’s Co-Cathedral hangs the only painting ever signed by Caravaggio, a masterpiece that alone justifies the journey.
Culinarily, the island has emerged as a rising Mediterranean powerhouse. Its refined local cuisine and farm-to-table ethos have earned serious recognition: the 2025 Michelin Guide spotlighted two restaurants with two stars and six with one star – an impressive concentration for an island of Malta’s size.
Gozo
On Gozo, a quieter, more secluded slice of Maltese life awaits. Accessible only by ferry, it’s defined by stillness and unspoiled landscapes, and a spectacular coastline offers some of the best dive sites in the Mediterranean.
Believed by many to be the legendary Calypso’s Isle of Homer’s Odyssey, Gozo is dotted with Baroque churches, traditional farmhouses, and one of the archipelago’s most impressive prehistoric treasures: Ġgantija, a Unesco-listed temple.
Comino
The smallest of the inhabited islands in the archipelago, Comino is a slip of land surrounded by some of the clearest waters in Europe. Its star attraction is the Blue Lagoon, a dazzling natural pool of turquoise water and white sand. Like in Gozo, there’s recognized diving sites around the island, making it a paradise for day trippers and underwater explorers.
visitmalta.com