• Wednesday 22 October 2025

Malta in 72 Hours: Sun, Culture & Culinary Magic

Read Dara's blog about her recent getaway, discovering Malta's ancient streets and modern luxury.

Click here to view our Malta holidays, after you've read Dara's blog of course!

"I recently had a fantastic opportunity to experience Malta with Aer Lingus and Visit Malta. We began our journey from Dublin airport with Aer Lingus. It was great to experience Terminal 2 in Dublin airport which is the Aer Lingus hub. Check-in, security and boarding was a seamless experience. The aircraft itself was extremely spacious and comfortable. The flight is just under four hours, but it felt like we were in the air no time at all.

Once we landed in Malta airport, we were greeted by our guides Gabriela and Priscilla from Visit Malta who escorted us to our hotel. Just a short 20-minute drive we arrived at our hotel in Sliema. We checked in for our two-night stay at 5* AX Palace and proceeded to our rooms. I was beyond impressed with the size of the rooms. They come equipped with everything you need and have possibly the largest bed I’ve ever seen. We ended the night with a glass of wine at the rooftop bar where we enjoyed views of Sliema’s skyline before getting some rest for an exciting day two.

We began day two with a buffet breakfast that provided a variety of choices. From fresh fruit and pastries to freshly cooked pancakes and omelettes and even the option to enjoy a mimosa with breakfast. After breakfast we headed for our first stop of the day which was Valetta. We began our guided tour through Valetta where we walked through the city, learning all about the history of Valetta.

We made a stop at Barrakka Gardens which has the most breathtaking views over the harbour. From here we visited The Grand Master Palace which was the first structure built by the Knights of St John in the new capital city and was expanded over time. It is home to years of history and is the most visited heritage site in Malta.

From Valetta our next stop was Mdina, the old capital of Malta. With narrow, cobbled streets it is the perfect place to wander around and get lost among the beauty of the buildings. This is a must see for any Game of Throne’s fan as the iconic entrance to King’s Landing is located here.

After an educational day exploring it was time for dinner. We arrived at 5* Verdala Wellness Hotel for dinner at the Griffin Brasserie. Before dinner we were given a tour of the resort. With only 46 rooms throughout offering a bespoke experience for every guest. It is the ideal resort for anyone looking for the perfectly curated wellness retreat with the most breathtaking views. Dinner in the Griffin Brasserie was one of the best meals I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. With locally sourced produce including local wine from a nearby vineyard everything is of the highest quality.

Our third and final day began with a visit to The Three Cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua which are steeped in history and brimming with character. The Three Cities have something for everyone. Whether you enjoy museums and galleries or just enjoy a leisurely stroll through the streets.

To end our Malta trip, we arrived at Ta' Cicivetta Farm for the most stunning experience. This was the highlight of the trip, and we certainly saved the best until last. We arrived to live music performed by local musicians, followed by a demonstration of how to make Pastizzi.

A traditional Maltese snack typically filled with either ricotta cheese or mushy spiced peas. We were then invited to prepare another traditional Maltese dish, Ftira which is a ring-shaped Maltese bread that is traditionally used to make a sandwich filled with ingredients like tuna, olive oil, tomato paste, capers, olives, and pickled onions. All ingredients are locally sourced which in evident in the high quality.

The owner, Tony, also makes his own olive oil with olives from his garden. He also makes his own beer with barley from his farm that is then brewed in a local brewery. We had the perfect end to our three days in Malta listening to Maltese music and taking it all in before heading to the airport.

I would highly recommend Malta for some autumn/ winter sun. We had highs of 25 degrees which was just perfect for wander the streets of Malta. A special thank you to Gabriela and Priscilla from Visit Malta, Ivan from Aer Lingus and John from AX Hotels who made our experience one to remember from start to finish."

Click here to view some of our recommendations for Malta holidays. Dara is here to answer any questions you may have.

Please get in touch via info@shandontravel.ie, 021 4277094 or 01 6965135 to start planning your own Maltese holiday.