Why go to Malta? The 10 good reasons to go Malta

Some of Malta's sites and museums have been brought together under the umbrella of Heritage Malta. Most are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and open from 9am to 5pm. But this may vary between museums and sites (check their websites at the last minute) and according to the season. Generally speaking, everything is closed on December 24, 25, 31, January¹ and Good Friday. Groups prefer morning visits, so avoid them if you want to be more relaxed.

If you'd like to visit St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, you don't need to book in advance, but as the queues are long enough, it's best to plan your sightseeing schedule around this visit as a priority. On the other hand, you'll need to book well in advance, at least two months in advance, to visit the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. Visits are limited to groups of 8, with a maximum of 64 visitors per day. So plan ahead as soon as you decide to travel, otherwise you won't be able to visit once you've arrived. Another tour, Underground Valletta, must be booked in advance, as guided tours, the only way to get there, are limited to groups of 10.

In Malta, the most expensive entrance is the Hal-Saflieni Hypogeum (€50 for an adult). Most other sites and museums managed by Heritage Malta cost between €5 and €10 for an adult. A multi-site pass is available (see conditions at https://heritagemalta.org, under "admission fees"), but does not include admission to Hal-Saflieni or Underground Valletta. Don't hesitate to list what you'll have the time and inclination to see to decide whether this pass is worthwhile. Many churches are free to visit, with the exception of the co-cathedral of St. John (€15 for an adult), Mdina (€10 for an adult) or Victoria in Gozo (€4 for an adult). The prices given in this guide refer to adult rates, but various discounts are almost always available for children, senior citizens, students and even families. Don't hesitate to ask when you buy your tickets.

Please note that the monuments are closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday and Maltese public holidays.

Where available, an audioguide in French is recommended, as many directions are in Maltese and English. On the Malta Tourist Board website (https://www.visitmalta.com), you'll find a list of approved guides. Colour my travel (https://www.colourmytravel.com) organizes guided tours of Valletta, in English but free of charge, lasting around an hour and a half, departing Wednesdays at 5pm and Saturdays at 10am. Meet at Valletta City Gate.