Malta or Sicily: where to go? (+ photos)

Malta or Sicily for your next Mediterranean trip? This choice pits two fundamentally different destinations against each other: an archipelago of 316 km² where more than 5,000 years of history are concentrated, and the largest island in the Mediterranean, vast and volcanic, heir to all the civilisations that have passed through it. I have explored both territories in depth, and their contrasts struck me at every turn. Here is my detailed comparison to help you decide: beaches, archaeological heritage, gastronomy, activities, cities, nightlife and much more.

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Malta or Sicily: my quick answer

If you want a direct answer before reading the full article, here is the essentials:

• For a short stay (5 to 7 days): Malta
• For an intense cultural and gastronomic immersion: Sicily
• The most beautiful wild beaches: Sicily
• Diving and water activities: Malta
• The oldest prehistoric sites in the world: Malta
• Greek temples: Sicily
• Volcanoes: Sicily
• Variety of cities to visit: Sicily
• Nightlife: Malta
• Gastronomy: Sicily
• Climate: equivalent
• Ease of getting around: equivalent

My personal favourite? Sicily, for its unparalleled breadth and diversity. But Malta genuinely surprised me: nothing prepares you, before you arrive, for just how many riches this small archipelago packs into such a tiny territory. I would encourage a first-time Mediterranean traveller to choose Sicily for its abundance. For a second trip, Malta is essential for its depth and uniqueness.

The unmissable cities

Cities to discover in Malta

Valletta is the capital of Malta and one of the most heritage-rich cities in the world for its size. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it can be walked from end to end in 15 minutes, yet its treasures demand far more time. I was struck by the quality of every street, every façade adorned with colourful wooden balconies. You can spend several days here without ever getting bored.

Mdina, known as the Silent City, is the ancient medieval capital perched at the centre of the island, where fewer than 300 people still live among golden limestone palaces. The Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua), situated across the water from Valletta, offer a more authentic, less touristy atmosphere: an excellent counterpoint to the capital. On Gozo, Victoria and its Citadel, whose ramparts offer a 360° panorama over the entire island, make for an unmissable stop.

Cities to discover in Sicily

Sicily has a collection of cities that alone justify multiple trips. See the most beautiful cities in Sicily.
Palermo, the capital, is intense and full of contrasts. I found Palermo demanding, with crumbling façades alongside interiors of breathtaking magnificence, but that complexity is entirely part of its character.

Syracuse, founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC, is one of the most striking cities in the entire Mediterranean: the island of Ortigia and its historic centre stayed with me long after I left. See the best attractions in Syracuse.

Taormina, perched at 200 m above sea level overlooking Etna and the Ionian Sea, offers breathtaking panoramas from its ancient theatre. Noto, Modica and Ragusa form the Baroque Val di Noto (UNESCO-listed): cities rebuilt in golden limestone after the earthquake of 1693.

Catania, built from black lava, surprises visitors with its unique volcanic aesthetic. Cefalù combines a long sandy beach with a Norman cathedral in a setting unlike any other. The list goes on, and every city has its own character: in Sicily, you never have the feeling of seeing the same thing twice.

My verdict

Sicily wins this category clearly, through the variety and richness of its cities. Each Sicilian city has a distinct personality, a different history, a specific architecture: you never tire of them. That said, in terms of the intrinsic quality of a single city, Valletta remains one of the most beautiful capitals in the entire Mediterranean.

The best beaches

Beaches in Malta

Malta is not renowned for its beaches, as most of its coastline is rocky. But the archipelago has several beaches that genuinely reward a visit. Ramla Bay, on the north coast of Gozo, is considered the finest in the archipelago: its deep orange sand is entirely unique in the Mediterranean. Golden Bay, on the northwest coast of Malta, is the main supervised sandy beach, framed by clay cliffs that glow golden in the sun. San Blas, accessible only via a steep path on Gozo, is far quieter than the developed beaches. I found this wild cove among my favourites in the archipelago, precisely because the effort required to reach it keeps many visitors away.

The Blue Lagoon, on the island of Comino, is an experience in a class of its own: crystal-clear turquoise waters framed by rocks and a small islet. It is not a sandy beach in the strict sense, but the swimming there is among the most beautiful I have ever experienced in the Mediterranean. See Blue Lagoon excursions.

My tips for renting a car in Malta

• Compare prices on Discovercars, my favorite platform and one of the highest-rated
• Book your car early for more options and better prices
• Don’t rent a car that’s too big, as the roads are narrow.

Read all my tips

Beaches in Sicily

Sicily is not primarily a beach destination either, but its long coastline offers a remarkable variety of beaches: white sand in the west, rocky coves in the north, volcanic pebble beaches in the east. San Vito Lo Capo, in the northwest of the island, is often described as Sicily’s most beautiful beach: an arc of white sand bordered by turquoise water and surrounded by mountain scenery. The Scala dei Turchi, a few kilometres from Agrigento, is a unique geological formation: white marl cliffs sculpted into natural steps, plunging into a deep blue sea.

The Zingaro and Vendicari Nature Reserves offer coves with crystal-clear water, accessible via coastal paths with no roads or buildings. Mondello, close to Palermo, is the popular beach for the capital’s residents. And many more besides…

My verdict

Sicily wins on this criterion, thanks to the diversity and beauty of its coastline. San Vito Lo Capo, the Scala dei Turchi and the Zingaro rank among the finest coastal spots in the entire Mediterranean. Malta compensates with the exceptional quality of its waters and experiences like the Blue Lagoon, but the range is considerably narrower. If beaches are your absolute priority, choose Sicily.

Architectural heritage

Malta’s heritage

Malta concentrates three UNESCO World Heritage Sites within 316 km², one of the highest densities in the world. Valletta, founded in 1566 by the Knights of the Order of St John, is a fortified city where every street conceals a monument. I have rarely felt such a depth of history on such a small territory.

Beyond UNESCO, Malta has other jewels: Mdina and its limestone palaces, the fortifications of the Three Cities, the Citadel of Victoria on Gozo whose ramparts offer a 360° panorama over the entire island. Fort St Angelo, in Vittoriosa, traces the history of the Great Siege of 1565. St John’s Co-Cathedral, whose 6,300 m² of Baroque decoration and two Caravaggio paintings make it one of the most astonishing interiors in the Mediterranean, is an absolute must. You can easily spend two full days in Valletta alone without seeing the same thing twice.

Sicily’s heritage

Sicily has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, among the most spectacular in the Mediterranean basin. The Val di Noto encompasses eight Baroque cities of the 18th century rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693. I was struck by the way Sicily layers civilisations upon one another on a single territory.

Sicily’s Norman heritage deserves special mention. Monreale Cathedral, above Palermo, is adorned with more than 6,300 m² of gold-background mosaics, including an immense Christ Pantocrator dominating the main apse: his gaze seems to follow the visitor from every point in the nave. The Palatine Chapel of the Norman Palace is a masterpiece of Byzantine, Arab and Romanesque influences fused into a single space. Meanwhile, the Val di Noto cities of Noto, Modica and Ragusa are explored like open-air museums, the golden limestone capturing the light differently at every hour of the day. Sicily’s heritage demands investment, in distances and time, but it never disappoints.

My verdict

A draw on this criterion. Malta impresses with its extraordinary density on a tiny territory: nowhere else in the Mediterranean will you find so much heritage per square kilometre. Sicily impresses with the grandeur and diversity of its monuments, from Greek temple to Roman mosaic to Baroque church.

Archaeological sites

Archaeological sites in Malta

Malta occupies a unique place in the world of archaeology. The archipelago is home to some of the oldest freestanding structures ever built by humanity. The Ggantija Temples on Gozo date to around 3,600 BC, predating both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Their outer walls, standing more than 5 m high, are composed of limestone blocks some of which weigh over 50 tonnes.

Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, on the south coast of Malta, are aligned so that sunlight penetrates the interior at the solstices and equinoxes, demonstrating remarkable astronomical knowledge for the period. I was moved by the antiquity of these places and by the precision of the Neolithic builders who designed them without any metal tools.

The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is perhaps Malta’s most extraordinary site. This underground temple carved on three levels between 4,000 and 2,500 BC served as both a place of worship and a necropolis, where the remains of more than 7,000 people have been found.

Archaeological sites in Sicily

Sicily was one of the most coveted territories of the ancient world, colonised successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. This history is written across its archaeological sites.

• The Valley of the Temples at Agrigento brings together seven Doric temples built between the 6th and 5th centuries BC on a ridge overlooking the sea.
• In Syracuse, the archaeological park of Neapolis combines a Roman amphitheatre from the 2nd century, ancient quarries transformed into gardens, and a Greek theatre from the 5th century BC.
• Segesta has a Doric temple from the 5th century BC standing alone amid green hills: it was never completed, its columns are unfluted and the roof never existed. I loved the particular feeling of discovering an intact monument, far from any crowds. A few hundred metres away, a semicircular Greek theatre commands a panorama stretching to the Gulf of Castellammare.
• Etc…
• See the selection of the best archaeological sites in Sicily.

My verdict

A direct comparison is impossible: they belong to different eras and different registers altogether. The Maltese sites are the oldest structures in the world, with a depth of time that leaves you speechless. The Sicilian sites are the largest and most visually imposing, carrying the grandeur of classical antiquity.

Museums

Museums in Malta

Valletta offers a remarkable museum scene for a city of its size. St John’s Co-Cathedral is far more than a place of worship: its oratory houses two masterpieces by Caravaggio, including The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, the painter’s largest canvas. I spent more than an hour in that space, fascinated by the details of the floor mosaics made up of 400 polychrome marble tombstones. The Grand Master’s Palace on Republic Street houses an armoury containing more than 5,000 pieces tracing the evolution of military equipment from the 15th to the 18th century. Take advantage of the combined Palace and art museum ticket.

MUZA (the National Museum of Fine Arts), housed in a former palace in Valletta, presents varied collections spanning several centuries of Maltese art. The National Museum of Archaeology displays finds from the prehistoric temples. Fort St Angelo in the Three Cities is home to the National War Museum. The Inquisitor’s Palace in Vittoriosa is one of the few inquisition palaces still open to the public in Europe: I found the atmosphere of the deliberation rooms particularly striking. The presentation of Maltese collections is generally of high quality, with clear panels and well-restored spaces.

Museums in Sicily

Sicily offers a vast museum landscape spread across the entire island. The Villa Romana del Casale, near Piazza Armerina, is a museum in its own right: this 4th-century residence covers 3,500 m² of mosaics preserved in situ, depicting exotic hunting scenes, chariot races and mythological figures. I spent far longer than planned studying the thousands of tesserae composing these works: each room tells a distinct story. Elevated walkways installed above the mosaics allow visitors to admire them without causing damage. Book tickets and guided tours.

You will also discover several fine archaeological museums, art museums, sacred art museums and an offer that covers far more subjects.

My verdict

Advantage to Malta for the quality of presentation and the concentration of collections within a compact space. Sicily wins on quantity and diversity.

Activities and excursions

Activities in Malta

Malta is a reference destination for water activities in the Mediterranean. Underwater visibility regularly reaches 30 m, and the variety of dive sites is remarkable: the wreck of the MV Karwela off Gozo (deliberately sunk to create an artificial reef), the Blue Hole at Dwejra, and the underwater caves of Comino. Diving centres offer introductory dives and excursions for all levels. I was impressed by the clarity of Maltese waters, far superior to what you typically find in the Mediterranean. Snorkelling is also accessible from many points along the coast, particularly at the Blue Lagoon and around Gozo. See all available water activities.

Sea kayaking allows you to explore cliffs and coves inaccessible by road, particularly around Comino and the southern coast of Gozo. Hikes along the Dingli and Sanap cliffs offer open panoramas over the Mediterranean. The Popeye Village, a film set built in 1979 for Robert Altman’s movie, is a curiosity in its own right, now transformed into an amusement park and very popular with families.

My favorite activities in Malta:

• Boat trip to Comino Island and the Blue Lagoon – see options
• Kayaking excursions – see options
• Culinary tours – see options
• ATV tours – see options

Activities in Sicily

Climbing Etna is Sicily’s flagship activity. This active volcano peaks at around 3,350 m (its height varies with eruptions) and dominates the entire eastern coast of the island. The landscape transforms radically on the ascent: vineyards and orchards at the base, beech forests at mid-altitude, then a desert of black lava and smoking craters at the summit. Plan this excursion early in your stay so you can switch dates if weather conditions are poor. See Etna excursion options.

The Aeolian Islands, reachable by hydrofoil from Milazzo in 1 hour, make for an exceptional excursion or stay. Each of the seven islands has its own personality: Lipari is the most versatile, Vulcano is known for its sulphurous mud baths, Stromboli offers the spectacle of one of the most impressive active volcanoes in the world.

The Zingaro Nature Reserve is ideal for coastal hiking and swimming in wild coves. The Alcantara Gorge, at the foot of Etna, lets you walk through a river between walls of sculpted basalt. See options for the Aeolian Islands.

My verdict

Sicily takes the lead thanks to Etna and the Aeolian Islands, two absolutely unique experiences that no other Mediterranean destination can offer. Malta wins on water activities, particularly diving, which ranks among the best in the Mediterranean.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Malta

Malta is known across Europe for its nightlife scene. Paceville, the bar and club district of St Julian’s, is the epicentre of that reputation: a concentration of themed bars, clubs open until sunrise and a very young international crowd. I found a remarkable energy there, even if the atmosphere is far removed from any authentic Mediterranean charm. The clientele is mainly made up of language students, expats and tourists in search of a good time. For a more relaxed mood, Valletta offers a welcome alternative: wine bars installed in former palaces, terraces on the ramparts and an atmosphere that is lively without being purely party-focused. Two worlds coexist in one small country.

Nightlife in Sicily

Nightlife in Sicily is more diffuse and more deeply rooted in local culture. Palermo and Catania have lively districts in the evenings, particularly around the historic markets and university squares. Sicilians go out late: dinner rarely starts before 9 pm, and bars stay open until dawn in student neighbourhoods. Taormina has a more elegant but also more touristy and more expensive nightlife scene. The Val di Noto towns (Noto, Modica, Ragusa) are, by contrast, very quiet after 10 pm. Sicilian nightlife often revolves around the table: a long meal, good local wine and conversation until midnight form the heart of the evening. A way of doing things I found far more memorable than any club.

My verdict

If your priority is partying and clubbing, Malta wins hands down: Paceville is one of the most active nightlife scenes in the entire Mediterranean. If you prefer an evening rooted in local culture, around a Sicilian meal and a glass of Nero d’Avola, Sicily offers a far more authentic and lasting experience.

Gastronomy

Maltese cuisine

Maltese cuisine bears the marks of its history: Arab, Norman, Spanish, Italian and British influences come together to form a distinct identity. Pastizzi are the quintessence of local street food, flaky pastries filled with ricotta or mushy peas, sold for just a few cents in pastizzerias. I ate several every day, they are so easy to find and so delicious. Ftira is the traditional Maltese bread, often topped with tomato, tuna and olives, close to a focaccia. Fenkata, a rabbit stew considered the national dish, is best enjoyed in neighbourhood restaurants. Fresh goat’s cheese (ġbejna), plain or peppered, accompanies almost every meal.

The Marsaxlokk fish market on Sunday mornings is an unmissable part of the Maltese experience. I watched the famous luzzu, those brightly coloured fishing boats adorned with the Eye of Osiris at the prow, return to port. The restaurants lining this village serve fresh fish and seafood of the day at very reasonable prices. Maltese gastronomy is less celebrated than Sicilian cuisine, but it has a character all its own that deserves to be explored. The gastronomic scene in Valletta, in particular, is developing rapidly.

Sicilian cuisine

Sicilian gastronomy is one of the great cuisines of the Mediterranean. It sits at the crossroads of Greek, Arab, Norman and Spanish influences, and that diversity shows up in every dish. Arancini, fried rice balls stuffed with ragù or butter and ham, are the unmissable street food, especially in Catania and Palermo. Pasta alla Norma, originally from Catania, combines fried aubergines, tomato, basil and ricotta salata. I was won over by the quality of the produce: the citrus fruits from the Catania plain, the capers from Pantelleria, the pistachios from Bronte, the dried tomatoes are omnipresent on the plate.

Palermo’s markets (Ballarò, Vucciria, Capo) are among the most vibrant in Europe: stalls of iridescent fish, pyramids of citrus fruit, the smell of spices and grilled sardines. Sicily also produces excellent wines: Nero d’Avola, a full-bodied red from the south, and Marsala, sweet and amber-hued, a legacy of the trading history of the Trapani region. The gastronomic restaurants, particularly in Palermo, Taormina and Cefalù, combine all these influences in menus that reflect the complexity of the island. On the question of gastronomy, there is no debate.

My verdict

Sicily wins this criterion without question. Its gastronomy is driven by exceptional produce, markets overflowing with life and a culinary culture deeply rooted in the island’s history. Malta has its own specialities and a restaurant scene that is growing, but the comparison does not work in its favour on this ground.

Climate

Both destinations enjoy a similar Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, winters mild. In Malta, temperatures range between 12 and 18°C in winter and regularly exceed 35°C in high summer. In Sicily, the situation is comparable along the coasts, but the interior of the island and the south easily reach 40°C in July and August. Both destinations can experience sandstorm episodes from the Sahara (the scirocco), making days hazy and stifling.

Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the best periods for both destinations: pleasant temperatures between 20 and 28°C, moderate crowds and more accessible prices. In summer, the most visited sites fill up from midday, whether the Blue Lagoon in Malta or San Vito Lo Capo in Sicily.

Winter allows you to visit historic sites in excellent conditions, but some accommodation and restaurants close or reduce their hours in coastal areas. I recommend spring to enjoy both the heritage and the beaches without enduring intense heat or crowds.

How long to stay and accommodation

Ideal length of stay in Malta

Malta’s main asset is its human scale. The main island measures about 27 km long by 14 km wide, so you can drive across it in under 45 minutes. Five days are enough to cover the unmissable sites: Valletta, Mdina, the Three Cities and the island of Gozo. I found this compactness genuinely liberating compared to other Mediterranean destinations: no long hours on the road, no complex logistics. A week allows you to explore everything at a relaxed pace, including Comino and the Blue Lagoon. Ten days or more open the door to less-visited sites, such as the Dingli Cliffs, the prehistoric temples of Ħaġar Qim or the isolated coves of San Blas on Gozo.

Where to Stay in Malta – My Favorite Spots:

• Valletta – See best-rated accommodations
• St. Julian’s – See best-rated accommodations
• Victoria (Gozo Island) – See best-rated accommodations

My Top Picks:

• Cugo Gran Macina (5 stars) – see photos and availability
• The Gomerino Hotel (4 stars) – see photos and availability

See my article on the best places to stay in Malta (coming soon)

Ideal length of stay in Sicily

Sicily is an entirely different matter. It is the largest island in the Mediterranean, with a substantial relief that considerably extends travel times. To give you a sense of the distances: it takes 1h30 between Syracuse and Taormina, 2h15 between Syracuse and the Valley of the Temples, and 3 hours between Syracuse and Palermo. I recommend a minimum of 2 weeks to cover the main sites. One week is enough to discover either the east coast (Catania, Etna, Taormina, Syracuse) or the west coast (Palermo, Segesta, the Zingaro Reserve, Agrigento), but not both at the same time. For a complete tour that does real justice to the island, plan for 2 to 3 weeks. See more advice.

In Sicily, the hotel offering is varied with a great many small hotels in historic buildings. Check out our accommodation tips.

Malta and Sicily: why not both?

The good news: these two destinations combine naturally. Malta and Sicily are separated by less than 100 km. Regular flights link the two territories in about 45 minutes from Malta International Airport to Catania or Palermo. Maritime connections also exist in summer.

You can choose to split your holiday between the two: See ferries
Or you can make a day trip, just to get a small taste ahead of a future trip. From Malta, you can visit Catania and Etna or Syracuse – See options

Plan your unforgettable trip to Malta!

• maps to help you plan
• handpicked beautiful spots
• Practical information, including GPS coordinates
• photos to help you choose

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