Natural attractions in Malta: cliffs, sea caves and valleys

What natural attractions Malta offers

The islands do not have forests or mountains, so nature here is shaped by rock and sea. Soft limestone has been cut into cliffs, caves, arches and narrow inlets, and the countryside between the villages hides valleys that still hold water in winter. The eight places on this hub are mostly outdoors, mostly free of facilities and best visited with a bit of planning.

The west and south coast of Malta

Dingli Cliffs are the island’s highest, 253 metres above the sea, with views of the islet Filfla and a chapel standing close to the edge. The usual visit is a walk along the clifftop at sunset, and a road with roadside parking runs along it. The edge is unfenced in many places, so keep well back.

On the south-west coast, the Blue Grotto is a group of sea caves reached by short boat trips from the small harbour at Wied iż-Żurrieq. The water is famed for its colour and the views along the coast are wide. The boats run only in calm seas, and mornings give the best light inside the caves. Time the trip for early in the day, and keep a margin in case it is cancelled.

Dwejra on Gozo

The west coast of Gozo holds the most concentrated natural scenery on the islands. The Azure Window was a limestone arch and the island’s most photographed sight until it collapsed. What remains is a dramatic coast and a diving area. The nearby Inland Sea is a seawater lagoon joined to the open sea by a natural tunnel, with a small boat ride in calm weather and one of the better dive sites. Fungus Rock, a sixty-metre limestone islet in the bay, was guarded by the Knights for a medicinal plant and is now a nature reserve. It cannot be climbed or landed on, so it is seen from the shore.

Buses run to Dwejra from Victoria in the warm months, and drivers use the car park by the bay. Give the area at least half a day, and keep well back from unstable edges and waves, as the sea here can be rough even on sunny days.

Quiet coast on Gozo

Further around the island, Sanap Cliffs near Munxar are a quiet stretch of high cliffs known for sunsets and a long view along the coast to Xlendi Bay. Nothing is built there. Bring water and expect no facilities.

In the north, Wied il-Ghasri is a narrow, steep-sided inlet with a rock-cut stairway down to a tiny shingle beach. It is popular with divers and with anyone after a quiet swim, but there is no sand and very little shade. Northerly winds make it rough, so check the sea forecast first.

A green valley

Wied il-Ghasel, the Valley of Honey, lies on the edge of Mosta. It is a nature reserve and area of high landscape value, with three wayside chapels, seasonal streams and wild plants. It is the best walk for a winter or spring day, when the valley turns green. In summer it is dry and hot.

How the sights fit together

The natural attractions sort into three trips. The west of Malta suits a late afternoon: Dingli Cliffs for the view, and a sunset walk along the road. The south-west suits a morning: the Blue Grotto boats leave early, and the light in the caves is best before midday. Dwejra on Gozo needs a day, and gives time for the Inland Sea boat ride, the shoreline view of Fungus Rock and a stroll to the former arch site, with Sanap Cliffs saved for sunset on the way back.

Each of these sights is close to a sea or a cliff edge, so weather matters more than the calendar. A calm day opens the sea caves and the Inland Sea tunnel. A windy day makes the clifftops uncomfortable, and winter swells can close the boats. Look at the forecast the evening before and keep one indoor option in reserve, such as a museum in Valletta or Victoria.

Choosing and staying safe

For a quick stop with big views, take Dingli Cliffs or Sanap Cliffs. For a half day with several features, choose Dwejra. For a walk, take the valley. The sea caves and the Inland Sea depend on the weather, so keep them flexible.

The common thread is exposure. Many of these places have no shade, no kiosk and unfenced edges. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and sun protection, and keep children close. Strong wind and swell change what is safe, and what is open, from one day to the next. Mobile coverage can vary in valleys and on cliffs, so tell someone the plan.