She may be small, but Malta has a lengthy list of ways to fill your days – however active you like to be on your getaways. From wonderful walking trails to relaxing yoga lessons, there’s an option for all.
Whether fun and fitness are your highest holiday priority, or you like to combine relaxation with exhilaration during a sunshine stay – one thing’s for sure, these seven exciting activities are just the start round these parts…
- Windsurfing
- Kayaking
- Snorkelling
- Scuba diving
- Hiking
- Paddleboarding
- Cycling
1. Windsurfing
Wondering about windsurfing? Want to see how it’s done? Swing by Mellieha Bay to watch the beginners, intermediates and experts in action as they ride the ripples and feel the wind in their sails. Windsurfing’s a popular water sport here, so there are plenty of centres offering lessons across the island. It can be a little pricey, but worth it to try something new on your getaway in Malta!
Fun fact: Malta’s considered one of the globe’s best windsurfing spots!
2. Kayaking
Think kayaking in Malta sounds oar-some? Us too! For tours galore, Kayak Gozo’s the place to go. This company’s tremendous trips are a great way to see the island’s best bits from a whole new angle, while ditching the emissions you get when you travel by car! There’s a choice of half-day adventures and full-day tours, with a variety of routes ticking off spectacular local sights like the famous Blue Lagoon and Santa Marija Caves. ‘Siesta Paddle’, Rise and Shine’, ‘Day Trippin’ and the ‘Gozo Special’ are the tour options available, with varying prices, lengths and start times.
Fun fact: Twice a year in an event that’s happened here since the Middle Ages, rowers from towns across the island take part in the Maltese National Regatta! It’s held in Valletta on the 31 March and 8 September with both professional and amateur races taking place. Why not arrange your trip so it ties in with the dates?
3. Snorkelling
Head to a dive shop to pick up some equipment and top tips on safe snorkelling in the local area. Many offer snorkelling excursions too, so that’s something worth looking into! Qawra Point’s a popular plot for underwater wonder. And it’s easy to see why – incredible iridescent-coloured parrotfish and pointy-nosed barracuda are just two of the cool creatures to look out for.
4. Scuba diving
Aquatica in St Paul’s Bay, Bezz Diving Centre in Mellieha and Cove Diving in Xlendi (Gozo) are three of the many diving schools across Malta and Gozo. The most famous sites include Gozo’s Blue Hole, Ghasri’s Reqqa Reef and Comino’s Santa Maria Caves. And as if that wasn’t enough, DIVE Magazine even voted Malta as the world’s second-best diving destination in 2019!
Fun fact: Malta has an incredible 120 dive sites!
5. Hiking
Don’t underestimate the calorie burn of a good old hike! Enjoy inner-town trails though magnificent Valletta or go rural at the Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park. Look out for rabbits hopping among the flora and birds swooping in and among the trees, and if you’re lucky, you may even spot a hoopoe – a black and white striped bird with an orange Mohican-like hairstyle! If leisurely wanders are more your cuppa tea, then marvellous Marsaxlokk is an absolute must. This gorgeous village is famed for the blue, red and yellow striped boats that bob about in the harbour – trust us, it’s a fab photo opp. There just so happens to be some dreamy shorefront restaurants too! Well, it’d be rude not to…
Fun fact: By late spring over 1,000 different flower species can be spotted in bloom across the island!
6. Paddleboarding
The concept of standing on a boat and pulling yourself through the water with a paddle is thought to date back as far as the ancient Egyptian times! Sail your way to nowadays and stand-up paddle boarding, or SUP as it’s commonly known, is a little different to how it was back then! SUP Malta’s experienced instructors provide lessons, tours, equipment and all the local knowledge too. The company covers famous landmarks across Malta, Gozo and Comino on a range of different tours – but
7. Cycling
From the lengthier trails of Malta to the shorter rides in Gozo, two-wheeled adventures are on. Cycling is an amazing way to see more of this enchanting archipelago, and what’s more, the recent EU-funded cycle routes make this easier than ever before. Ride between honey-hued towns and villages at a speed that suits you. Plus no more queuing for buses or hunting down parking spots – it’s a win-win! Want to bring your own bike? You can add on bike carriage when you book your Jet2 flight or holiday. Prefer to hire a bike when you get here? Most of the hire shops are on the east coast, around St Julian’s and Valletta.
Inspired by the activities listed above? These are just a few of the fabulous fitness options on offer in Malta! Have a meander through our Malta flights and holidays to track down your perfect getaway.
Posted: 1st Jul 2021. Updated: 27th Jun 2023.