Malta is fast becoming one of the hottest destinations in Europe for all types of travellers – from Millennials and the Instagram-savvy photographers, to families, the middle-aged and the elderly.
It’s no surprise that everyone who visits these islands is eager to find all the BEST locations to take those iconic shots that receive 1000s of likes on Instagram.
However, many of these spots are HIDDEN treasures on Malta – and most people don’t know where they are, or how to reach them!
So, after much research and planning, and after my travels around Malta, scanning the islands for those tricky-to-find little gems, I have compiled all the Top 13 Instagram-worthy spots on Malta, and a guide to how you can find them all.
By the way – if you’re planning to visit Malta, be sure to check out my post: The Perfect 1-week Malta Itinerary.
Scroll on to read my Top 13 Instagram Spots In Malta (+ How To Find Them)
Table of Contents
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Top 13 Instagram Spots In Malta (+ How To Find Them)
1. Mdina Gate, Fortress City, & Hidden Enclosure
With a population of 250 people, Malta’s former capital, Mdina, is known as the Silent City. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, everything is within walking distance in this tiny city.
Mdina is easy to reach by bus from Valletta. Take the number 51, 52 or 53 bus from Valletta Main Bus Terminal.
Take your time snapping photos of Mdina Gate and the archway into the fortress city.
Patience is key as you wait for the area to clear of tourists to get that perfect shot.
Stick to your right, and make your way through the city and its alleyways.
There are PLENTY of excellent photo opportunities here! I have seen newly married couples getting their wedding photos taken all over Mdina.
The final – and most iconic image in Mdina: The Hidden Enclosure – is on the other side of the fortress city. You have to walk through this city all the way to the final square. Here you will see this private house:
After snapping this house, walk down the alleyway directly to the left of this house, and keep going until you see that massive violet-leaf tree that grows up the building – and Voila! You are here!
Tip: This place is hidden from view of most tourists, but you’ll find hawk-eyed Instagrammers here taking that iconic shot. Ask someone to take your photo here. They will be happy to do it, and likely expect you to return the favour for them too.
Need hashtag ideas? Click here to discover all the best travel hashtags for your Instagram and TikTok posts
2. Valletta: Iconic Alleyways
Valletta is a fortress city situated on a peninsula in the north of the island. The capital of Malta, it’s granted UNESCO World Heritage status and was the former headquarters of the Knights of St John during the Crusades.
As you enter the fortress city of Valletta you are on one of the two main streets called Republic Street. Keep walking until you see an alleyway on your right, turn down there and proceed until you reach the other main street in Valletta, called Merchant Street. Turn left onto this street and walk ahead.
You will pass alleyways on your right, that lead down to the harbours. Check these alleyways out – one of these is the iconic alleyway in this photo:
3. Valletta: Red Balcony Buildings (down the alleyway)
After taking those alleyway shots, walk down one towards the harbours.
Down here, turn left and continue walking until you see the iconic red balconies with the red telephone box in front. Explore this area for fantastic shots – walk over the bridge to get a better view of the red balcony buildings.
4. Blue Grotto: Stunning Views from Panorama
The Blue Grotto is a series of stunning sea caverns located near the fishermen’s harbour village of Qrendi, on the southern coast of Malta.
With incredible blue waters, brilliant phosphorescent colours of underwater flora and fauna, and the mirroring of the seawater on the caves due to the rays of light, Blue Grotto has become one of the HOTTEST attractions on the island.
Most people will get off at Grotto, but I advise staying on the bus as it goes back up the winding hill, and get off at the next stop called Panorama.
Just like the name says – this stop is directly in front of the most breathtaking panoramic sights of Blue Grotto – this is an absolute MUST see, and a bonus that there’s hardly anyone there!
How big is Malta?
Have you ever wondered how Malta compares with other countries and popular island destinations? This post is packed with visual comparison maps showing just how big Malta is compared to places like Ibiza, Cyprus, Bali, Hong Kong, and even the Isle of Wright.
5. Comino Island: The Crystal Lagoon
Malta’s third island, Comino, is a tiny, uninhabited island that host natural stunning beauty spots including The Blue Lagoon – the most popular attraction in Malta.
However, The Blue Lagoon is unfortunately SPOILT by the hordes of tourists that fill the landscape. You won’t be able to get a decent pic here without there being lots of people in your photos.
Worry not!
Get yourself over to Crystal Lagoon – this is the TRUE hidden gem of Comino Island – it’s FAR prettier! And even better – there’s HARDLY anyone around!
Get the bus to Cirkewwa port and from here you can buy return ferry tickets to visit the small island of Comino, just 25 mins away.
When your ferry docks at the overcrowded Blue Lagoon, make your way past the crowds, past all those ugly umbrellas and sun loungers, and take the rough, rocky path that goes over the hill. This is gonna be a rough trek – so be sure to wear sensible footwear! I made the mistake of doing this trek in flip flops!
If you feel lost – don’t worry, there are a few Instagrammers heading to and from Crystal Bay (they know about this hidden treasure too!)
Once over the the hill, trek down to the coast, and you will find the majestic Crystal Lagoon.
Here’s another fantastic Insta-worthy spot near Crystal Lagoon:
6. The Coral Lagoon: Open Cave (Near Armier Bay)
Yet another hidden little gem that not many people visit, the brilliant, clear blue waters of the Coral Lagoon are silent and calm, and the shimmering sun light reflecting onto the rocks is truly mesmerising.
It’s a bit of a walk over the harsh rocks, but on arrival the views are INSANELY stunning!
7. Popeye Village
The Popeye Village at Anchor Bay is a children’s water park that used to be the film set for the 1980 Popeye TV show.
The set is still there, the bay is quiet and scenic except for the water park which is good for the kids, but kinda spoils the views at certain angles.
There’s plenty of opportunity here to take some great snaps around the set, with its boldly-coloured, cartoon style buildings along the bay.
8. Anchor Bay: Panoramic Cliff-top Views
Before you get back on the bus at Popeye Village, walk up to the cliff edge to get a spectacular panoramic view of Anchor Bay from high up.
9. Gozo: Ta’ Pinu Cathedral
On Malta’s sister island, Gozo, there’s a treasure trove of hidden gems and insta-worthy snaps to be taken.
Be sure to check out the majestic Ta’ Pina Cathedral on Gozo, also known as the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pina. Its situated not far from the village of Gharb.
10. Gozo: Tal Mixta Cave & Ramla Bay
One of my favourite spots on Gozo, the Tal Mixta Cave is situated on the northern coast of Gozo island. Well-worth the visit, once you climb up into the cave, you’ll witness a breathtaking view of the coastline, including the bright orange beaches at Ramla Bay – the best spot for sunbathing on Gozo.
11. The Red Tower
You may have noticed in northern Malta a large red tower on the hills near Popeye Village and Mellieha.
Take the bus to Qammieh stop and from here walk up the hill to this large, bright red watch tower that also goes by the name Saint Agatha’s Tower.
12. Golden Bay / Ghejn Tuffieha Panoramic Views
Head over to the west coast near Mellieha – trek up the rocky cliffs and admire the marvellous vast coastline as you approach the watchtower.
Passing the tower, continue around the cliffs and hike some more rocks until you reach Ghajn Tuffieha Bay – a much quieter beach that’s visited mostly by the locals.
This is a panoramic photo to give you an idea of the vast coastline – there are plenty of opportunities to snap some Insta-worthy shots from various positions around these coastlines. Give it a go!
13. Golden Bay: Quote Steps
After a long trek around the coastline of Golden Bay and Ghejn Tuffieha, make your way down to the golden sands beach at Golden Bay and when you head back to the bus stops and car park areas, you’ll be met by steps leading from the beach with quotes painted on them.
So there you have it – my Top 13 Instagram Spots in Malta.
Did you find any other great Instagram spots in Malta? Comment below and share your snaps!
Malta Day Trips and Activities on Get Your Guide:
Check out some excellent deals on tickets for the most popular day trips and activities around Malta and Gozo. (Remember, you can cancel your bookings at anytime!)
Malta Travel Guides
For more in-depth reading on Malta and Gozo, you can get your hands on a copy of these bestsellers below:
Travelling to Malta soon?
- Malta: The Complete Travel Guide – a comprehensive guide of everything you need to know before you go
- Head over to my post: How To Spend 5 Days in Malta for the perfect itinerary guide
- Click here to learn how to travel Malta on just $50 per day!
- For Malta’s top highlights, head over to Top 10 Things to See & Do in Malta
Thanks for reading!
Book Your Trip to Malta: Budget Tips & Tricks
Flights: As always, I source the cheapest flights on the web from Skyscanner and Kiwi.com. They are considered the top flight search engines for the best deals.
Accommodation: I use Booking for the best hotel deals and HostelWorld for the cheapest stays. If you’re considering Airbnb, be sure to check Vrbo to find cheaper vacation stays.
SIM cards: DrimSim is a universal SIM card that isn’t tied to an operator and works in any country/region.
Travel Insurance: Stay protected from theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. A safety net in case anything goes wrong, I never leave without it. World Nomads is my favourite agent for total peace of mind.
Tours & Excursions: I book all my fave activities and guided tours on Get Your Guide & Viator – they do superb deals whilst offering excellent customer support.
Renting a car? I always use DiscoverCars, make sure you book your car hire in advance. For airport transfers, I use KiwiTaxi for the best deals.
Need to store your luggage in a locker? Use Radical Storage to store your stuff in a locker in any city for just $5 per day.
Head over to my Travel Tools page for all my best travel tips & advice and everything you need for your trip.
