Lockdown has led to many reminiscing about where they would rather be. If I could travel anywhere, I would certainly choose Malta. Having visited last summer, I found this island to be particularly special, striking a perfect balance between the livelihood of its local culture and its stunning natural scenery. Here are the most idyllic locations I encountered:

Saint Julian’s

I was situated right in the centre of the beautiful Saint Julian’s, set with a gorgeous waterfront stretching all the way to Sliema. Encircling the central bay are various dining areas, overlooking the serene setting of the bay as the day comes to a close. Complimenting this scene are the silhouettes of the fishing boats calmly stirring in the transparent waters coloured by the setting sun. My personal favourite place to eat was Paul’s Sea Breeze Restaurant, boasting a rich view extending beyond the coastline to Spinola Bay, enabling its customers the thrilling watch of the water-polo matches in the court below. Even with these views, the restaurants certainly won’t put you out of pocket, enabling you to try the various cuisines traditional to the Maltese culture such as their vegan rabbit stew. 

Comino

My visit truly began when I arrived at Comino. This island was certainly a hidden treasure I wish I had known about sooner. I travelled to two locations during my visit; the Crystal Lagoon and The Blue Lagoon. Both locations were visually stunning. Arriving at the Crystal Lagoon, a kaleidoscope of colour surrounded me; turquoise, purple and deep greens as the boat lazily floated in and out of the numerous sea caves. I would highly recommend bringing a snorkel, since you can experience the varied and vibrant sea-life first hand. Once I had taken in the stunning scenery of the Crystal Lagoon, my next stop was the Blue Lagoon. It takes 15 minutes to walk there, and the water gradually transitions from a deep blue to a vibrant turquoise on the way amongst the various rock formations. This idyllic atmosphere leaves a luminous sparkle in the eye of the beholder like no other. Upon arrival, its natural coastline pared with the crystal-clear waters place it in the running for the most beautiful spot in Malta. 

Accommodating the lagoon are a range of kiosks away from the shore-line. I would personally recommend the cocktail inside of the pineapple if you are feeling adventurous. This trip would require a day in order to fully explore the various beauty spots that Comino has to offer!

Gozo

Though this was the final island I visited; it was no less stunning than the rest. Upon arrival, I set my focus on one particular beach known as Xini, based in Migar. Though the walk will take around 25 minutes, I assure you that it is worth it by arrival. The surrounding cliffs of this isolated beach provide a natural shading. This enables you to relax in its cooling waters as a reward for reaching it. One of the more stunning spots of this beach includes the vibrant red boardwalk into the ocean. Its sharp contrast with the deep blue waters looking into the sparse horizon places it as another idyllic spot this beach has to offer. From her via the bus, you can make your way to Victoria, the capital city of Gozo. This visit was particularly special, since I found myself immersed within the Maltese celebrations of The Feast of Assumption of our Lady. This involved the locals dressing in red to celebrate Saint Mary’s ascent into Heaven. The optimistic atmosphere was infectious as the locals encouraged our involvement in the festivities. I consider myself extremely lucky to have experienced the very epicentre of the Maltese culture. It would certainly be something I would love to immerse myself within again.

Though I did not have time to visit all the beauty spots Malta has to offer, I would certainly go back to take them in for another summer.  

For more Redbrick articles on idyllic locations, check out the links below:

Albaicín: Get Lost

My Favourite Place in the World: Isles of Scilly

One for the Bucket List: Munich