15 amazing Malta Instagram spots you shouldn’t miss

Malta, the tiny sun-soaked Mediterranean nation, is full of beautiful photo-worthy places. With its picturesque medieval towns, dramatic coastline and beaches with crystal clear water, this country is a photographer’s paradise.

I spent a week exploring the three islands of the Maltese Archipelago (Malta, Gozo and Comino) and scouring them for scenic photo locations, which I’ve now compiled into this post. Keep on reading to discover the 15 best Instagram spots in Malta, together with my tips on how to get to them. At the end of this post, you’ll also find a map with each of these places.

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15 Malta Instagram spots you should visit

1) The streets of Valletta

Known for its rich history and wonderful architecture, Malta’s capital city, Valletta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with photo-worthy places. Its hilly streets are lined with limestone buildings and colorful Maltese balconies, creating an incredibly charming atmosphere. 

Some of the most notable streets here are Republic Street and Merchants Street, where you’ll find many quaint houses and cute cafes. From Old Mint Street, you can get a nice view of the huge dome of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, one of the most prominent features of Valletta’s skyline. 

Another cool spot to photograph here is St. Lucia’s Street because of the bars and restaurants that set up their tables on the steps of this sloped street. It’s such a romantic place, and it captures the vibe of Valletta so well.

How to get to these places? The best way to visit all the Instagrammable places in Valletta is on foot since the city is tiny and many streets are for pedestrians only. I recommend leaving your heels at home and wearing comfortable footwear because many of the streets are steep, uneven and covered with cobblestones.

2) Upper Barrakka Gardens

In addition to the many charming streets and quaint honey-colored buildings, another one of the best Instagram spots in Valletta is the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

This public park feels like a little green oasis in Valletta and has a fountain, a cafe, beautiful flowers and some of the best views in Malta. As the park is situated on top of a hill, it offers a breathtaking panorama of the Grand Harbour and the area known as the Three Cities.

If you visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens at noon or at 4pm, you can watch the firing of a cannon at the Saluting Battery next to the park.

How to get there? The garden is located on the east side of Valletta, just a 5-minute walk from the city gate.

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3) Marsaxlokk harbor

Marsaxlokk is an idyllic fishing village on the south coast of Malta. What makes this place so adorable and fun to photograph are the colorful luzzu fishing boats bobbing in the village’s harbor.

Along its waterfront promenade, you’ll find brightly-colored benches perfect for relaxing and taking in the view of the cute boats with the sand-colored houses of the village in the background. There are also various restaurants, where you can enjoy some local seafood or gelato with a sea view.

If you come here on a Sunday, you can visit the famous open-air Marsaxlokk fish market. However, this is also when the village is the busiest, so if you want to avoid crowds, it’s better to visit on a different day.

How to get there? If you have a car, it’s an easy 20-minute drive from Valletta to Marsaxlokk. You can also get here by public bus in 30 minutes from Valletta or by taking the hop-on hop-off bus.

4) Blue Lagoon

Next up is the stunning Blue Lagoon on Comino Island. This little slice of paradise is often considered one of the most beautiful places in Malta and was the highlight of my Malta itinerary.

Surrounded by golden cliffs, the Blue Lagoon is a sheltered cove with irresistible neon blue water and a small sandy beach. While here, you can go swimming and snorkeling, walk around Comino Island or just relax and take in the beauty of this place. At the beachside drink stands around the lagoon, you can buy some Instagram-worthy pineapple cocktails, a classic thing to do in Comino.

Note that the lagoon gets extremely busy in the summer season. If you want to get some photos without tourist hordes, arrive as early in the morning as possible or visit in the low season, as I did.

How to get there? You can take a ferry to the Blue Lagoon either from Gozo or Malta. Alternatively, you can take a guided boat excursion, which, in addition to the Blue Lagoon, also includes other cool stops along the coast of Comino. If you’re in Malta during the peak season (June to August), you’d be better off renting a private boat with a skipper, so you can be in control of your route and avoid the most crowded spots.

5) Crystal Lagoon

Crystal Lagoon is another spectacular cove on Comino Island. It’s just a short walk (or a boat ride) from the Blue Lagoon, but it isn’t nearly as crowded and has equally beautiful blue water.

There’s no beach here, but if you want to get in the water, you can jump from the cliffs or come here on a boat. Otherwise, you can simply enjoy the beauty of this place from land, as there’s a walking trail on the cliffs surrounding the lagoon. 

The best photo spot here is on the cliffs near the abandoned hospital.

How to get there? The same way as getting to the Blue Lagoon (see above). From the dock where the boats drop you off, it’s a 10-minute walk south along the coast of Comino.

6) Blue Mdina Door

Malta’s former capital, Mdina, also known as the Silent City, is a fortified city that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a medieval fairytale. 

Hidden between its alleyways, you’ll find one of the most famous Instagram spots in Malta – the Blue Mdina Door. It’s basically just one of those classic limestone buildings of Malta, but with a pastel blue door and matching window shutters.

There’s also a big bougainvillea tree climbing up the facade of the building, and in the summer, it will be blooming with bright purple flowers. The photo above was taken in March when there were almost no flowers.

How to get there? If you have a car, Mdina is a 20-minute drive from Valletta. You can also get there by the hop-on hop-off bus or the public bus from Valletta. To find the exact location of the door, just search for ‘Blue Mdina Door’ in Google Maps or use the map at the end of this article.

7) The streets of Mdina

In addition to the Blue Door, Mdina offers many other great photo opportunities. With its winding alleyways and impressive Baroque and Norman architecture, there’s something beautiful around every corner.

The photo of me above was taken at Triq L Imhazen street, but you can find similar narrow alleys all over the town.  

You might also want to snap some photos with the magnificent Mdina Gate, which is the main entrance to the city.

If you’re looking for Instagrammable restaurants in Mdina, check out Fontanella Tea Garden, which has a terrace with a wide-open view of the countryside of Malta. Although they serve all kinds of food, they are best known for their delicious cakes.

How to get there? From Valletta, it’s a 20-minute drive or a 40-minute bus ride to get to Mdina. Once you arrive in Mdina, everything is within a short walking distance since the city is very small.

8) Gozo Salt Pans

Gozo, the second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago, is full of hidden gems. One of the most unique photo spots here is Xwejni Salt Pans, which the locals have been using for more than 350 years to harvest salt. 

The salt pans stretch for several kilometers along the rugged north coast of Gozo and consist of countless shallow pools in geometric patterns.

This place becomes especially beautiful during sunset when the small pools reflect the colors of the sky. Right next to the salt pans, you can also find some cool sandstone formations.

How to get there? The easiest way is to drive. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the harbor of Gozo in Mgarr. You can also take a bus from Victoria, the capital of Gozo.

Related post: If you need some inspiration for planning your Malta trip, make sure to read my 7-day Malta itinerary.

9) Rotunda St. John Baptist Church

The Rotunda St. John Baptist Church is the largest church on the island of Gozo. It’s an architectural masterpiece with an ornate limestone facade and a huge dome weighing a whopping 45.000 tonnes. I’m usually not big on visiting churches, but I found this one quite impressive. 

It’s definitely one of the lesser-known spots in Gozo and doesn’t seem to receive a lot of tourists, which is perfect for snapping some photos without crowds.

To take a photo from the same angle as I did, you’d have to stay at Quaint Hotel Xewkija, which is located right next to the church. Be sure to book one of the rooms with a balcony facing the square.

Otherwise, you can also get some nice shots on the square in front of the church. 

How to get there? The church is located in Xewkija village, right outside Victoria, the capital of Gozo. You can just drive there or take a bus from Victoria.

10) Blue Grotto

The Blue Grotto is one of the most famous natural landmarks of Malta. It is situated on the island’s south coast and consists of a group of sea caves and a huge rock arch rising out of clear blue water.

Opposite the Blue Grotto, there’s a viewpoint which is a well-known Malta Instagram spot. To get the best photos, be there in the morning when the sunlight illuminates the striking azure water inside the Blue Grotto.

If you want to get a closer look at these sea caves, head to Wied Iż-Żurrieq village, where you can take a Blue Grotto boat tour.

How to get there? The quickest way to get there is to either drive (25 minutes from Valletta) or take the hop-on hop-off bus. You can also get there by public bus, which takes around 40 minutes from Valletta.

11) Popeye Village viewpoint

Located on the main island of Malta, Popeye Village is perhaps one of the most unusual attractions in the country. Originally built to be the set of the 1980 movie “Popeye”, this cute village now serves as a theme park that you can visit.

To enter the park, you need to pay a fee of 15 euros, but the viewpoint opposite the village is free to visit. From there, you can get a nice view of Anchor Bay with its clear blue water and the fairytale-like village.

How to get there? From Valletta, it’s an easy 30-minute drive if you have a car. If you’re traveling by public transport, you’ll first have to take a bus to Mellieha and from there another bus to the park.

12) Ghajn Tuffieha Beach

Another great photo spot in Malta is the Ghajn Tuffieha Beach on the island’s west coast. With its crystal clear water, orange sand and green hills, Ghajn Tuffieha is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Malta.

Besides the scenic nature, there’s also the Instagram-worthy Singita Miracle Beach bar, where you can enjoy refreshing cocktails and food with a view of the Mediterranean. 

As the beach faces west, it’s also an excellent place for watching the sunset.

How to get there? Ghajn Tuffieha is a 35-minute drive or a 1-hour bus ride from Valletta.

13) Red Tower

The Red Tower, also known as Saint Agatha’s Tower, is located in the hills of northern Malta and can be spotted from kilometers away. Painted in bright red color, this fortified watchtower dates back to the 17th century and resembles a little castle.

As the tower sits on a hill, it offers a panoramic view of Malta, and you can even see Comino and Gozo from here. 

To enter the tower and climb up onto its roof, you have to pay an entrance fee of 2.50 euros, but just walking around outside the tower is free of charge.

How to get there? The Red Tower is a 45-minute drive from Valletta. If you’re using public transport, take the bus to the Qammieh stop and walk from there.

14) Tal-Mixta Cave

Situated up in the hills of Gozo Island, the rugged Tal-Mixta Cave is a pretty cool spot to visit if you appreciate nature. The cave has a large natural ‘window’ that offers a spectacular view of Gozo’s rural landscapes and the beautiful Ramla Bay Beach. It’s also a fabulous spot to watch the sunset.

As this is one of the most unique Gozo Instagram spots, it tends to get pretty busy even in the low season. If you want to get some nice shots here without people blocking the view, make sure to arrive early. The cave is free to enter.

How to get there? From Victoria, the capital of Gozo, it’s a 15-minute drive to the cave. You can also hike to the cave from Ramla Bay, but be aware that it’s a pretty steep trail.

15) Inland Sea

The Inland Sea is another example of Gozo’s natural beauty. At first glance, this place might just look like a small lake, but it’s actually a seawater lagoon connected to the Mediterranean by a long natural tunnel through the rock.

Surrounded by fishermen’s huts on one side and steep cliffs on the other, this emerald pool of water is a truly picturesque place. It is best known as a scuba diving site, but you can also take a boat tour through the tunnel, walk along the shores of the lagoon, go for a swim or enjoy the view from the cliffs above.

How to get there? The Inland Sea is a 15-minute drive or a 20-minute bus ride from Victoria.

A map of Malta photo spots

On the interactive map below, you can see the location of each of the photo spots I covered in this post. Click on the icon in the top left corner of the map to see a list of the locations. To view this map in the Google Maps app, click on the rectangle icon in the top right corner.

Other Instagrammable places in Malta

As you can see, Malta is full of photogenic places that deserve a spot on your Instagram account. Do you have any questions about these photo spots? Let me know in the comments!

Be sure to also read my one-week Malta travel itinerary for more tips to help you plan your trip.

P.S. Did you know that Malta is just a short ferry ride away from Sicily? If you feel like exploring another fantastic Mediterranean island after visiting Malta, check out my 7-day Sicily itinerary to get inspired!