Malta

April 2025

Finding some Mediterranean sunshine at Easter without flying halfway around the globe? Not exactly easy. But Malta turned out to be just what we were looking for – along with a fascinating history, living traditions, and just the right balance of activity and relaxation.

St. Paul's Bay

After landing, we headed straight to our base in St. Paul's Bay to get our first taste of Malta. A stroll along the waterfront offered a promising glimpse of what we'd come for: clear Mediterranean waters, rugged coastline and plenty of sunshine. So far, so good.

Ghajn Tuffieha Bay

Our first – and only – proper dip came after a hike along the spectacular cliffs surrounding Ghajn Tuffieha Bay. With its golden-red sand, rugged headlands and remarkably clear water, this stretch of Malta's northwest coast was easily one of the most beautiful places we visited. The Mediterranean looked inviting enough – though in April, it was still a little colder than we'd hoped. Fortunately, we'd come prepared. Wetsuits to the rescue.

Marsaxlokk

Further south, we explored the fishing village of Marsaxlokk and the rugged coastline around Il-Kalanka Bay. But the real attraction was the harbour, where rows of brightly painted traditional fishing boats, known as 'luzzijiet', bobbed gently in the water. Many still carry the watchful eyes painted on their bows, an old Mediterranean tradition believed to protect fishermen at sea. And with so much fishing heritage around us, lunch at a local seafood restaurant seemed like the obvious choice.

Valletta and the Three Cities

No visit to Malta would be complete without Valletta. Perched above the Grand Harbour, the tiny capital packs an extraordinary amount of history into its narrow streets and imposing fortifications. We explored the waterfront by boat, taking in the Three Cities – Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua – across the harbour, where centuries of maritime history seem to be written into every stone. Back in Valletta, Fort St. Elmo offered another fascinating glimpse into the island's turbulent past, having played a crucial role in the Great Siege of 1565. For such a small island, Malta has seen an astonishing amount of history.

Good Friday

Festivals and local traditions have always held a special place in my travels. And while I'm no stranger to Good Friday processions, coming from a Catholic-rooted part of Germany myself, what we witnessed in Mosta was something else entirely.

Dating back to 1866, the town's Good Friday procession is an extraordinary display of faith, devotion and community spirit. Hundreds of participants, from young children to the elderly, take to the streets dressed as Roman soldiers, biblical figures and penitents. Elaborately crafted statues depicting the Passion of Christ are carried through the town, accompanied by solemn music and watched by thousands of spectators.

Some participants walk barefoot, carrying heavy wooden crosses or dragging chains as acts of penance. Others spend weeks preparing the statues, costumes and countless details that bring the procession to life. What struck me most was the sheer dedication behind it all – the time, effort and genuine passion that generations of local families pour into keeping this tradition alive.

For an outsider, it was an extraordinary sight. But this was clearly no performance put on for tourists. It was a community coming together to honour something deeply rooted in its identity. And that made it all the more impressive.