Malta

October 15, 2025October 13, 20251 Comment

PRO TIPS:

Malta is part of the Schengen Zone so no visa needed for US Citizens but just watch your 90 day count if you are visiting here on a longer trip around Europe
They use euros here so currency is easy 🙂
Uber & Bolt both work for getting around the island
Avoid coming in August as I can only imagine how packed it would be
Bring a friend or partner as I think this would’ve been a lonely place to visit solo
Decide if you want to stay the entire time on Malta or if you want to spend some time in Gozo. Gozo is pretty tiny so would be pretty quiet, but if that’s your thing, could be fun for a night or two

CITY: VALLETTA

HOW LONG: 4 NIGHTS

ACCOMMODATION:

Because my best friend Haley joined me in Malta, this was more of a vacation vibe than a backpacker vibe so these places were $200+ per night (good thing I’m staying with friends for most of the rest of the trip 😝) #balance

For our 4 nights in Valletta, we stayed at the Grand Excelsior. Theoretically it’s a five star hotel but was a little tired & dated. The room was very spacious as was the bathroom! We had a little balcony which is always nice. The hotel has a big outdoor pool & indoor pool as well as a little beachfront area where you can jump in the sea. We didn’t eat at the hotel but there were a few options.

WHERE TO EAT:

My favorite restaurant for breakfast was Elephant Shoe. Such yummy breakfast options and felt like a classic brunch spot from home. A real treat since I haven’t had a good brunch in a while! Also the service was top notch, which isn’t always the case in Europe haha.

We also had breakfast at Manouche Craft Bakery which had a nice menu + lovely outdoor patio.

For dinner, check out Papannis. Right in the center of Valletta, it’s a cute, upscale restaurant with great locale cuisine menu options. Haley tried the rabbit here!

WHAT TO DO:

Three main things I’d recommend:

Day trip to Comino & Gozo – We signed up for this one through Viator. You sail from the North part of the island to Comino to visit/swim in the Blue Lagoon, then have a few hours to explore the island of Gozo. This is a must!! If you don’t care about visiting Gozo, there’s also an option to stay at the Blue Lagoon for a few extra hours (while the others visit Gozo).

Walking around Valletta – the streets & views are so charming!

Taking a water taxi to the “three cities” across from Valletta – check out Senglea & Birgu. The water taxi was a fun experience in and of itself and only costs 3 euros per person. Walking around the small fortified cities was a great way to spend a half day.

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

Valletta was fabulous! Charming, medieval, & highly walkable. It was a great first stop back in Europe after 2 years away! Haley & I had a blast meandering & catching up during out time in Valletta.

CITY: MDINA

HOW LONG: 2 NIGHTS

ACCOMMODATION:

We stayed at Palazzo Bifora in Mdina. Obviously Mdina is TINY, but it was fun to stay in the middle of it. This hotel is quite small but it felt really nice. The room is quite small (but that what’s available in a quaint, small medieval walled in city 😅). Breakfast was included! Would highly recommend at this hotel if you plan to stay here! Also, Haley told them we were celebrating our friendship anniversary so we arrived to this gorgeous room haha

WHERE TO EAT:

I wouldn’t say we were overly impressed with any of the restaurants, except the restaurant at our hotel. Definitely worth the splurge!

We also obviously found some sweet treats to try around town! Try Fior di Latte for an afternoon gelato.

WHAT TO DO:

It doesn’t take long to explore all of Mdina, it’s so so so small, but we enjoyed strolling through all the quiet alleys and taking lots of pictures 🙂

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

I’m glad we stayed in Mdina for 2 nights even though there’s not much to do. We loved the slow pace, especially at night when it really emptied out (since most people just come visit a a day trip). We even said we could’ve spent another night here, but I think Haley & I would be happy to spend time anywhere together haha.

BUDGET FOR 6 DAYS IN MALTA:

Accommodation: $766 ($110 per night)
Food: $200
Activities: $45
Local Transportation: $71
Miscellaneous: $10

Total: $1092 (Daily average: $182)

Transportation to next destination: $100 (Flight to Marseille + train to Nice)

Rome

July 19, 2017July 19, 20171 Comment

CITY: Rome

HOW LONG: 2 NIGHTS

ACCOMMODATION:

I stayed at Hostel Alessandro Downtown and it was not my favorite, but only because it was very big, which means it is difficult to meet people. The kitchen was only available after breakfast. The common room was too big so people ended up sitting alone at different tables instead of all close together. The rooms were big, but the lockers were a little janky. Some worked and some did so I was a little paranoid that it would be easy to break the locks (luckily no one did). Anyway, I wouldn’t stay here again.

WHERE TO EAT:

I was only in Rome for 2 nights, 1 day so it was quick! I did eat some delicious pasta and pizza, but surprising it is easy to find pasta and pizza 🙂 I did eat some delicious gelato at Venchi!

WHAT TO DO:

Because I only had one day I decided to walk around Rome and see the sights, but not take the time to go inside anything. I know I will be back and hopefully with more money, so it made sense to just visit the outside of all the incredible sites. I started with the Colosseum the first night I arrived because that was the closest to my hostel. I caught it right at sunset and it was incredible!

Perfect timing!

My one full day started with a visit to the Vatican, where I managed to see the Pope speak. What a unique experience.

St. Peter’s Basilica

The Pope!

After meandering through the smallest country in the world I headed to Castel Sant’ Angelo, Piazza Navona, then the Pantheon.

Castel Sant’ Angelo

Piazza Navona

Pantheon

After a quick gelato break I arrived at the Trevi fountain, where I just sat and watched all the tourists get their selfie/boomerang of them throwing a coin in the water! Pretty funny stuff.

Next up was the Spanish steps before heading to the ruins. The ruins were probably my favorite part because it made you think about all the people who came before those of us living today, and how they built an entire city. It’s crazy how much is left standing after all these years!

Spanish Steps

I’m guessing this is kinda old?

Walking around Rome

Streets of Rome

Ruins

More Ruins

EVEN MORE RUINS

Finally after miles and miles of walking I turned back to the hostel to pack up before getting up at 3:45 to catch a flight to Greece!

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

I went in with such low expectations of Rome because I am not into museums or religion… so I wasn’t sure what I would do in Rome, BUT I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed my day exploring the city. However, I wouldn’t say Rome is the best city for solo travelers. Like Paris, I think Rome is better with someone, whether it be a parent, sibling, friend or S.O.

Ciao for now 🙂