Malta is a beautiful island about a 2-hour flight from Valencia, Spain, located below the Southern tip of Italy. The perfect getaway to visit the picturesque Blue Lagoon, the islands of Gozo and Camino, and see the historic architectural designs that craft the island. This is a guide on how to get to Malta from Valencia and what to do while there.

Getting to and from Malta

Getting to Malta from Valencia is easy, straightforward, and affordable. Ryanair offers a direct flight from Valencia (VLC) to Malta International Airport (MLA) with routes running between the two locations 4 days a week. Flights often range from 45-120 euros depending on how far in advance you book. I was able to get my round-trip tickets for 70 euros, and I booked my flight three weeks in advance. I landed on Thursday night, as the only flight available left Valencia at 9:15 pm, and landed around 11:30 pm.

Travelling from the airport is extremely simple as well. There are plenty of bus lines that travel all over the island, along with the typical taxis and ride-share apps. The bus is the most affordable option, and you can use your debit or credit card by tapping the scanner upon entrance. It only costs 3.50 euros per trip. However, ride-share apps are also very common and not badly priced. The most common apps are ‘Bolt’ and ‘eCabs’ but other services such as ‘Uber’ also operate in the country. The cost of getting to Valletta on Thursday night for a group of seven was 40 euros, but the bus would have been cheaper and just as efficient.

Ryanair does not operate the route from VLC to MLA on Friday or Saturday, so the return flight was scheduled for Sunday evening at 6:15 pm. Having a “half-day” before leaving the island is extremely nice, it allows for some travel around Valletta, the capital of Malta. Getting to the airport was much cheaper this time; a van that accommodated 7 passengers was only 16.80 euros and a 20-minute ride.

Things to do in Malta

 In Malta, there is a bit of everything, for everyone! One of the best ways to explore the island is via boat tour, most of which will take you around the islands, including the popular Gozo and Camino. The boat trip I chose was advertised on Viator [https://www.viator.com] and cost €40 for a 7.5-hour tour around the islands. The cruise was narrated in English, and described the famous feats of the Malta island, such as the St. Peter statue. The tour then brought us to the island of Gozo, where we were bussed to the town of Victoria (or Rabat) where the Citadel is housed and we were able to explore freely. Then, we cruised over to the wildly popular Blue Lagoon, which is an absolute must if you are visiting Malta. The bright, clear blue waters of the lagoon and the rocky green terrain of the island are truly incredible.

Opting to stay on the island and out of the ocean? No problem, there is still plenty to do and see in Malta! Local restaurants, nature explorations, and nightlife are among the most popular in-island excursions. As the island offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean, there are plenty of restaurants nestled right along the coast or the bays, providing dinner with a view. Two of my favourites were Naar (an elegant dinner spot), and Two Buoys (an Australian brunch on the bay), but there are plenty to choose from, just walk towards the water! As for nature explorations, take the public bus or book a ride on Bolt [https://bolt.eu/en/cities/malta/]  to Majjistral Nature Park for a picturesque hike along the cliffs of Malta. Finally, the nightlife in Malta is always bustling with a large array of nightclubs and late-night restaurants to visit. Paceville in St. Julian is indisputably the best spot for your night-time adventures in Malta.

 Report by Anna Willerer & Karwan Ahmed

Article Copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

All photos copyright Anna Willerer & Karwan Ahmed/ ’24/7 Valencia’