The most unique things to do in Malta go beyond the beaches: walk through an underground prehistoric burial complex at the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, watch the equinox sunrise line up with the doorway at Mnajdra, explore Ġgantija’s temples on Gozo, built more than 5,000 years ago, see rock-cut salt pans along the Gozo coast, hear the noon gun over the Grand Harbour and join a village festa with fireworks and brass bands. This guide lists 15 unusual experiences across Malta and Gozo, explains how to book the ones that need it, and shows how to turn any of them into a small plan with people who want to go too.
Short answer: book the Hypogeum early, time a visit to the temples around the equinoxes if you can, give Gozo a full day for Ġgantija, the salt pans and Dwejra, and catch a festa in summer. Everything else on this list can be done with a few days’ notice, alone or as a small group plan.
Unique things to do in Malta: ancient Malta
1. Go underground at the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Beneath a residential street in Paola lies the Hypogeum, a prehistoric burial complex carved into the rock over several levels. To protect its fragile microclimate, visits are in small groups with strictly limited daily tickets, so book through Heritage Malta well in advance, often weeks ahead in busy periods.
2. Watch the equinox sunrise at Mnajdra
The Mnajdra temples sit on the southern cliffs facing the sea. At the spring and autumn equinoxes, the rising sun shines straight through the main doorway of the lower temple. Heritage Malta sometimes organises special early openings around these dates; check its site in March and September.
3. Explore Ġgantija on Gozo
The Ġgantija temples in Xagħra are among the oldest free-standing structures in the world and part of the Megalithic Temples of Malta UNESCO World Heritage Site. Combine them with lunch in Xagħra’s square.
4. Walk among the cart ruts
Near Buskett and Dingli, the site known as Misraħ Għar il-Kbir, often called Clapham Junction, is crossed by mysterious grooves cut into the rock. Nobody knows for certain how they were made. It is free to visit and pairs well with a walk along the Dingli cliffs.
Coast and landscape
5. See the salt pans of Gozo
Along Gozo’s north coast near Marsalforn, a patchwork of shallow pans is cut into the limestone shelf, where sea salt is still harvested by hand in summer. The coast path past the Xwejni salt pans makes a beautiful short walk.
6. Take a boat into the Blue Grotto
Small boats leave from the inlet of Wied iż-Żurrieq to visit a series of sea caves, including the Blue Grotto. Trips depend on the sea, so go on a calm morning and have a backup plan if the boats are not running.
7. Visit the Dwejra coastline
On Gozo’s west coast, Dwejra has dramatic cliffs, Fungus Rock and the Inland Sea, a lagoon linked to the open sea by a tunnel through the rock. Small boats take visitors through the tunnel in good weather.
8. Swim at St Peter’s Pool
A natural rock platform on the Delimara peninsula with deep, clear water. In summer it is popular with swimmers and cliff jumpers; outside summer it is a lovely, quiet walk from Marsaxlokk.
9. Hike a stretch of the Victoria Lines
Walk part of the 19th-century British fortification line that runs about 12 km across Malta along a natural ridge. Our guide to Malta hiking routes covers the best sections and seven other walks. If you would rather have a guide, see our overview of Malta group tours.
Traditions and city life
10. Hear the noon gun at the Saluting Battery
Below Valletta’s Upper Barrakka Gardens, the Saluting Battery fires a gun at midday, Monday to Saturday, with another firing in the afternoon. Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, which runs the battery, lists the times and tours.
11. Join a village festa
From roughly June to September, towns and villages across Malta and Gozo celebrate their patron saint with decorated streets, band marches, processions and fireworks. Each one is different. Our guide on finding people to go to a village festa explains how to choose one and what to expect.
12. Wander Mdina early or late
The walled former capital is busy at midday but quiet and atmospheric early in the morning and in the evening, when the narrow lanes empty out. It is ideal for a photography walk.
13. Browse the Marsaxlokk Sunday market
On Sunday mornings the seafront at Marsaxlokk fills with stalls, including fresh fish from the local boats. Go early, then stay for lunch by the harbour. For an evening on the water instead, see how to plan a Malta dinner cruise with a small group.
14. Explore the Three Cities by water taxi
Cross the Grand Harbour from Valletta to Birgu in a traditional dgħajsa water taxi or on the ferry, then explore Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua on foot. They are quieter than Valletta and full of history.
15. Spend a Saturday morning in a Gozo square
Victoria’s It-Tokk square and the lanes around it have a slower, local feel. Combine it with a visit to the Citadella above the town.
15 unique things to do in Malta at a glance
| Idea | Where | Book ahead? | Good with company? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypogeum | Paola | Yes, often weeks | Yes, book together |
| Mnajdra equinox | Qrendi | Check special openings | Yes |
| Ġgantija | Xagħra, Gozo | Usually not | Yes, as a day trip |
| Cart ruts | Near Buskett | No | Yes, with a walk |
| Salt pans | North Gozo | No | Yes |
| Blue Grotto boats | Wied iż-Żurrieq | No, weather dependent | Yes |
| Dwejra | West Gozo | No | Yes |
| St Peter’s Pool | Delimara | No | Yes, in a group |
| Victoria Lines | Central Malta | No | Yes |
| Noon gun | Valletta | No | Yes, with coffee |
| Village festa | Across Malta, summer | No | Very |
| Mdina at quiet hours | Mdina | No | Yes |
| Marsaxlokk market | Marsaxlokk, Sundays | No | Yes, with lunch |
| Three Cities by water | Birgu, Senglea, Cospicua | No | Yes |
| Gozo square morning | Victoria, Gozo | No | Yes |
How to do these things with company
Unusual experiences are more fun shared, and they also make some of the best first plans because there is always something to talk about. If you are new to the island, our guide to meeting people in Malta as a solo traveller covers the basics, and finding people to explore Gozo with helps with the Gozo ideas.
- Pick one experience and a date. For the Hypogeum, book your own ticket first, then post the plan for the same slot.
- Choose a public meeting point. A café near the site or a bus stop everyone can find.
- Keep it small. Two to four guests is plenty.
- Say who pays. Pay your own fits tickets and boat trips; free fits walks and festas.
- Plan the way home. Especially for Gozo, check the Gozo Channel ferry times before you post.
For more ideas sorted by season, see popular plans in Malta, or browse social activities in Malta for adults.
Example plan
Plan: Gozo day: Ġgantija temples and the salt pans
Meeting point: Ċirkewwa ferry terminal, Saturday 9:00
Seats: 3
Who pays: pay your own (ferry, entry and lunch)
Description: Morning at Ġgantija, lunch in Xagħra, then a short coast walk past the salt pans. Back on an afternoon ferry. Comfortable shoes recommended.
Safety box
- Meet at a busy public place, such as a café or the ferry terminal.
- Tell a friend where you are going and when you expect to be back.
- Stay well back from cliff edges and only swim in calm conditions.
- Arrange your own way home, including the last ferry from Gozo.
- Leave if you feel uncomfortable at any point. In an emergency in Malta, call 112.
Want to turn one of these into an actual plan? Open MeetNow and see the plans in Malta. Post the experience, say who pays, and pick who joins from the short notes people send.
Related questions
- What are the most popular plans in Malta?
- What social activities are there in Malta for adults?
- How do I find people to explore Gozo with?
- What are the best hiking routes in Malta?
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the most unique thing to do in Malta?
Visiting the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground prehistoric burial complex in Paola, is hard to match anywhere in Europe. Visitor numbers are strictly limited, so book well in advance through Heritage Malta.
Do I need to book Malta’s prehistoric sites in advance?
For the Hypogeum, yes, often weeks ahead. Other Heritage Malta sites such as Ġgantija, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra usually sell tickets on the day, but check opening times and any special events before you go.
What unique things can I do in Malta in winter?
Winter suits museums, temples, the Hypogeum, coastal walks, the salt pans in Gozo and quiet visits to Mdina. Boat trips such as the Blue Grotto depend on sea conditions, so keep a backup plan.
Is Gozo worth a day trip for unique experiences?
Yes. Ġgantija’s temples, the Xwejni salt pans and the Dwejra coastline are all on Gozo. Check the ferry times from Ċirkewwa and allow a full day.
How can I do these things with other people?
Pick one activity, a date and a public meeting point, then post it as a small plan with two to four seats on MeetNow. People in Malta ask to join with a short note and you choose who comes.
