Malta is not just one island. It is a small island group in the Mediterranean, and several islands can be reached by boat. You can even travel beyond Malta to places like Sicily in Italy.

If you are wondering what to do in Malta beyond beaches and cities, visiting the islands is one of the best choices. In fact, many Malta tours focus on island trips because each island offers something different.

Gozo, Malta’s twin sister

Gozo is the most popular island to visit from Malta. You can take the Gozo ferry from Ċirkewwa, which takes about 25 minutes. There is also a fast catamaran connecting Gozo with Valletta and Buġibba.

Gozo feels slower, greener and more traditional than Malta. You will find peaceful villages, ancient temples and beautiful landscapes.

Because of this, Gozo is popular for walking, snorkeling and road trips. Many visitors also choose guided Gozo tours by jeep, quad or buggy.

If you ask many locals what the best island near Malta is, Gozo is often the answer.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Comino is the small island between Malta and Gozo. Although almost nobody lives there, it is famous for the Blue Lagoon.

Boat trips to Comino leave from Sliema, Valletta, Buġibba and Gozo.

Here you can swim, snorkel and enjoy some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. However, proper shoes are a good idea because the rocks can be rough.

While small ferries exist, a proper boat tour is often a much better experience, especially in busy seasons.

Filfla, the forbidden island

Filfla is a small island near the Blue Grotto.

You cannot visit it, because it is protected and closed to the public. In addition, there may still be unexploded military ammunition.

Boats can pass nearby, but nobody may go ashore.

Sicily, a trip to Italy

Yes, you can even visit Italy from Malta. A fast catamaran connects Malta with Sicily in around 90 minutes to two hours. From Pozzallo, you can continue to cities such as Catania, Syracuse and Ragusa. If you want a completely different experience, Sicily offers great food, history and culture. Many visitors also choose organized Sicily day trips from Malta.

Other small islands nearby

There are also smaller islands such as Manoel Island and St Paul’s Islands.

While they are part of the Maltese islands, they are not major tourist destinations like Gozo or Comino.

Discover the real Malta

To experience more of Malta, do not stay only on the main island.

Visit Gozo for nature and history. Discover Comino for crystal-clear water. See Filfla from the sea. Or take a trip to Sicily for something completely different.

Very often, the real character of Malta appears beyond the busy tourist areas. Want to explore beyond the main island? Our Malta tours include Gozo excursions, Blue Lagoon cruises, Comino boat trips and guided island experiences designed to help you discover more of Malta.