One of the perks of being a lifestyle photographer is getting to travel to some truly beautiful places for work. Sometimes, it doesn’t even feel like work at all!
This time, my job took me to the stunning island of Malta after confirming a collaboration with Hilton Malta Hotel, which welcomed us for 3 days.
Malta is a mix of places I’ve visited in the past, a blend of old-world charm and lively energy. Walking through its streets reminded me of my time living in Italy. It also had the vibe of a bustling, cosmopolitan city, full of people eager to enjoy life, especially after sunset. There’s also a big Arabic influence in the architecture, colours, and overall atmosphere, which gives Malta a unique cultural flair.
With its Mediterranean climate, Malta was promising temperatures up to 30°C, so we decided to keep things relaxed rather than cramming our itinerary. It was the perfect weekend to unwind and soak in everything this gem of an island had to offer and enjoy the last 3 days of summer ( I live in the UK and this year summer was non-existent).
I wanted to share what we did during these 3 days, what I would recommend and what I wouldn't!
A Late Arrival on Friday Night
We arrived late on Friday evening, thanks to a delayed flight. By the time we got to Hilton Malta and checked in, it was already past 11 p.m.
We had a reservation in one of their restaurants, but unfortunately, we were too late (the restaurant closed at 10.30 pm) so they kindly rescheduled it for another night.
Hungry and eager to explore, we stepped out in search of food. Unfortunately, most restaurants were closed by then, but we stumbled upon a takeaway pizza place. Whether it was our hunger talking or not, their pizza slices were really good!
Afterwards, we wandered through the streets, enjoying the lively atmosphere. We found this bar which was placed at the bottom of stairs, with outdoor seating full of people having a great time. Even though it was late, the energy in the air set the holiday mood for us, so we decided to enjoy our first Maltese glass of wine!
The place:
📍Juuls https://juuls.mt/index.html
Saturday: First day in Malta
We woke up to the most incredible views from our room at the Hilton Malta.
Hilton Malta is one of those hotels that you just don't want to leave. Their service made us feel so welcome, especially after a delayed flight. They were super accommodating at rescheduling our dinner and they were very helpful at all times. They even picked the tables with the best views for us to make my job easier!
So after admiring our balcony views, we headed to the hotel's buffet, which offered a fantastic selection. You can even order your own eggs and omelettes and the chefs would just cook it right in front of you.
After breakfast, we spent the late morning lounging by the pool. It was exactly what we needed—a few hours of pure relaxation, with no rush to be anywhere.
Lunch was at Vista, one of the Hilton’s lovely on-site restaurants, offering great food with a view. These were our choices: my favourite, of course, had to be the burrata.
📍Vista Restaurant, Inside Hilton Malta
In the evening, we decided to explore Valletta. Taking the ferry from Sliema ( Sliemma Ferry Terminal) turned out to be an excellent decision. The timing was perfect, as we caught the last rays of sunshine reflecting off Valletta’s beautiful historic buildings.
We walked into Valletta's fort and before dinner, we found a charming little wine bar outside on a narrow street with stairs. We sat and order a delicious Maltese wine while we chatted about our day and enjoyed people watching walk by.
After our wine, we got a bit hungry and we found out that the same wine bar had a restaurant nearby, so we quickly made the decision to go and get a table.
The restaurant was called Trabuxu Bistro, a cosy place known for its great atmosphere and excellent food. We highly recommend it—everything we ordered was delicious. If you ever visit, don't miss out on their local dishes, I had the delicious tagliatelle al ragù!
📍Trabuxu Bistro and Wine Bar, Valleta
Sunday Surprises: (Not so) Pretty Bay and a Relaxing End to the Day
Sunday started with a late breakfast and a visit to the bustling Sunday market.
It was quite hot and crowded, so maybe it is better to visit the market earlier in the morning: we were busy shooting at the hotel so we didn't leave till after 11 am. Seeing the boats was nice but it felt very tourist orientated.
From there, we headed to Pretty Bay, which we were recommended but also "warned" about the sea containers.
The juxtaposition of the beach with the industrial containers nearby was surprising—but still, it had its quirky charm and it became a bit of an anecdote! I decided to post a picture about it so you know what to expect...Still, we had a nice swim in the very crystalline water.
We grabbed lunch at a beachside restaurant. The food was delicious though our meal came with a bit of an unexpected “surprise” in the form of a questionable bill! Lesson learned: always check beforehand how much fresh fish will cost!
Despite that little hiccup, we recovered by heading to St. Thomas Bay Sandy Beach, a more relaxed bay nearby which was perfect to have a little swim and relax.
We spent the afternoon sipping Aperol Spritz at San Tomaso Bar & Restaurant, watching the sun go down and unwinding. We made sure we were on time for the happy hour 2 for 1 drinks, no more bill surprises!
After the sunset, we headed back to Hilton Malta to try their Thai restaurant Elephant Blue and it didn't disappoint. Everything was so good and the service was polite and friendly. The beautiful decoration made you feel like you were transported to a different world!
You can see the reel I did for Elephant Blue below.
Monday: One Last Taste of Malta
Monday was our final day, so we decided to make the most of the day!
We headed to Mdina, the silent city and old capital of Malta. What a beautiful place! It felt very magical place. I found a nice local shop where I bought some tiles to take with you to the UK - yes, I made my suitcase heavier! -.One little thing that spoiled it a bit was that there were lots of cars parked inside, which was a shame but I guess inevitable, but it would have been even better to just see it empty of cars. Anyhow, a recommended visit to do!
If you don't do any guided tours or stop for lunch, Mdina is quite a small city and quick to visit, so we had time to head to Valletta for lunch.
We had another look around Valletta because we didn't manage to see it during the day, had lunch and headed back to Hilton for one last sunbathing session by the pool and making the most of our stay before heading to the airport.
Malta charmed us with its mix of history, culture, and stunning views. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back getaway or a place full of energy and nightlife, Malta offers the best of both worlds. If you're planning a trip, take it slow and savour every moment—after all, that’s the beauty of the Mediterranean lifestyle.
📍Recommendations recap:
Restaurats: Trabuxu Bistro, Elephant Blue.
For a glass of wine: Trabuxu Wine Bar
Where to stay : Hilton Malta.
Beach: St. Thomas Bay Sandy Beach
Places must visit: Mdina and Valletta
Here is a short video I made of the Hilton Malta Hotel. Thanks to Hilton Malta for hosting us, we had an amazing time!
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