I traveled to Malta without a plan and loved it. Here are 3 of the best things I did and 2 I’d skip next time.

Staying in multiple hotels on one trip can be a hassle, but it also makes it easier to explore different parts of the country.

I’m glad I decided to do this on my trip to Malta, as I quickly realized it would become time-consuming to travel to multiple towns on the same day.

I booked three hotels, my favorite of which was Domus Zamittello in Valletta. Staying at this 16th-century restored palazzo really stood out as a highlight of the trip. I loved learning about the family-run hotel’s rich history and admiring its beautiful design.

One of the highlights of my trip was visiting Bahia, an upscale restaurant at the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Balzan.

Here, diners can choose from the à la carte or tasting menus (plant-based or classic). I opted for the classic tasting menu, which took me on a culinary journey through dishes inspired by different villages in Malta.

The tasting menus are seasonal, and I had dishes ranging from baked carrots to fresh sea bass. Since I’m a pescetarian, the chef was able to swap out meat-based dishes for seafood versions.

Each dish I received came with a little card that described the village where the dish originated, which I thought was a nice touch. The food was beautifully presented, and each dish had its own unique flavor.

I’m all about exploration, and I truly believe seeing as much as I can without an agenda creates the best memories.

For example, after sitting down for a fresh-tasting seafood lunch in Marsaxlokk, a local fishing village, I decided to visit the nearby St. Peter’s Pool. This small bay was created by a natural limestone rock formation and is ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Then, during my hourlong drive from the pool to Golden Bay Beach, I popped into the Mosta Rotunda, a gorgeous basilica with a massive dome. The church was built in 1833 and even served as a shelter during World War II.

After lounging at Golden Bay, I drove about 20 minutes to roam the historic streets of towns like Mdina and Rabat.

Although the island is spread out and it can be time-consuming to drive from one attraction to the other, I felt like I left Malta having experienced and seen so much of what the country has to offer.

The locals I spoke to advised me not to rent a moped, but since I’ve done it in other countries, I figured I’d be fine. However, looking back, I wish I’d just rented a car instead.

In my experience, the roads in Malta were quite busy and had constant traffic, so I didn’t feel safe navigating these busy streets on a bike.

I spent one night in St. Julian’s, a seaside town known for its nightlife. Although I recommend exploring this neighborhood, it’s packed with tourists, chain hotels, bars, and clubs.

It’s a fun area to go out in, but in my opinion, it doesn’t give you a true sense of the country or its culture. Next time, I’d stay in a different town and taxi to St. Julian’s if I wanted to barhop.