6 Amazing Slow Travel Destinations to Visit in Malta

Malta is one of those places on our planet that just begs you to take it easy and immerse yourself in everything around you. Its rich history can be seen in every natural and manmade element, while the Maltese people are renowned for their friendliness and calm approach to daily life.

Slow travel is all about experiencing local haunts, embracing sustainability, diving into the local culture, and forging connections. The island nation is the perfect space for this, with 2022 seeing Malta’s Tourist Arrivals Jump Sevenfold. In the first quarter of 2022, Malta already saw its tourist sector rake in $163 million despite not hitting pre-pandemic numbers.

There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Malta that let you soak up the local culture, but today we are going to dive into six places that are an awesome entry point to the country…

San Anton Gardens

The San Anton Gardens are considered one of Malta’s Best Cultural & Slow Travel Locations. They surround the palace in which the Maltese president resides, so it comes as no surprise to learn that the gardens are immensely popular among tourists.

There’s no need to get an entry pass upon arrival, so you’re free to explore the gorgeous gardens and enjoy the exotic flora and fauna that cover the vast array of walkways. The structures and eye-catching flowers will probably look familiar because the site was used in Game of Thrones as a stand-in for King’s Landing. It’s a pretty accessible place and you can easily spend a couple of hours walking around here.

Valletta

What better place to explore and feel what Malta is all about than its capital. Valletta’s streets are full of life and they look like they’ve been taken straight out of a storybook.

Between its sun-drenched buildings, the streets are littered with street vendors and buskers playing music. The locals play Terramaxkas, which are “magical guitars” that originated from the 19th century and play organ music out of ornate pieces that feature various ornaments and decorations.

Marsovin Cellars

If you’re looking to learn more about the wine culture in Malta, then you should head over to Marsovin Cellars. You can take a wine-tasting tour as there are plenty on offer throughout the region.

Malta is a very underrated region when it comes wine production. In fact, Marsovin Wins Top International Award for Marnisi Organic Wine frequently, even completing a three-year winning streak from 2018 to 2020 for its organic vintage. If you take the tour or simply visit the location, you can see how these quality wines are made. It’s worth noting that organic wine is actually considered healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable. So why not go and learn a little more about how organic wine is made.

Ta’ Rikardu

One more spot you’ll want to visit is Ta’ Rikardu. Fresh local food is served daily in a traditional manner, and the shop/restaurant remains one of the most popular spots to visit.

You can learn more about how they create their delectable local cheeses and wines they serve by joining their Gozo cheese and wine-making classes. It’s a fun learning experience that gives you the opportunity to rub shoulders with the locals and learn some unique cooking methods. Led by farmer Rikardu Zammit, it has gained plenty of recognition among local bloggers.

Tal-Ingliz

You can’t go wrong with trying out local restaurants that specialize in certain cuisines. Tal-Ingliz has remained a fixture in Mgarr because of its great food, amazing service, and welcoming environment.

It’s mostly packed with locals because of its unmatched reputation in the local culinary scene, so you can get to see authentic Maltese dining. The dishes here are unique, authentic, and most importantly, delicious.

Xwejni Salt Pans

The Xwejni Salt Pans is an interesting stretch of glistening fine salt. There are not as many people here, except the locals that are responsible for harvesting the popular Gozo salt every week.

The view of the coast is beautiful, and it’s worth strolling around to see the salt patterns that have formed since the Ancient Roman ages. Watch the locals carry on with their careful collection of crystals, just as their forefathers did. As if witnessing this isn’t fascinating enough, you can also buy their salt straight from the source. It’s much more sustainable and you get some of the finest seasonings you can use.

Once you’ve wrapped up this relaxing hike, you can find even more stunning natural spots to hike at in Gozo. As mentioned in Spring Hiking in Gozo, it’s a key destination for naturalists and home to great ancient complexes like the Ggantija Temples.

Once you’ve tasted Maltese cuisine, made new friends, and strolled through the vibrant streets of Malta, it’s like you’ve been washed over with a revitalizing flow of joy and appreciation for the world. So, if you’re looking to continue your slow travel journey, then you’ll be glad to know that there are 6 Amazing Destinations to Discover This Summer.

Lisa Michaels’ Bio

Lisa is a Political Science undergraduate who is currently spending a year exploring the world, taking in different cultures, and sharing her experiences on the internet. When she’s not exploring sights, she likes to read Bradbury and play Animal Crossing.