1. Spend an afternoon discovering Valletta
Make time to experience Valletta, Malta's historic capital. Its streets, architecture, museums, cafés and harbour views offer an opportunity to discover a different side of the country outside of your regular study routine.
You can explore landmarks such as St John's Co-Cathedral, visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens or simply spend an afternoon discovering the city's streets. St John's Co-Cathedral currently charges €12 for students, making it a worthwhile addition if you want to explore Malta's cultural heritage.
Getting there: Valletta is connected to towns and residential areas across Malta by the public bus network.
Estimated spend: Around €5 to €20, depending on transport, food and attractions. Standard daytime bus fares are currently around €2 in winter and €2.50 in summer.
Pro tip: Give yourself several hours rather than trying to cover everything in one visit. Valletta is best experienced at a relaxed pace.
For more inspiration, explore GBS Malta's guide to the top places to visit in Malta.
2. Make time for the Mediterranean coast
One of the advantages of living and studying in Malta is having the Mediterranean coastline within easy reach. You can make the most of it during weekends, study breaks or quieter evenings.
Whether you enjoy swimming, snorkelling, coastal walks or simply spending time outdoors, Malta’s coastline offers plenty of opportunities to take a break from your academic routine.
Getting there: Many coastal destinations can be reached by public bus, although journey times and routes will depend on your location and destination.
Estimated spend: Around €0–€15 for a simple coastal afternoon, depending on your transport, food and any activities you choose.
Best time: Late afternoon can be a good option if you would like to combine your coastal visit with sunset. However, timings may vary depending on the season and location.
Pro tip: Check your return transport before settling in, particularly if you plan to stay until the evening, as routes and schedules may vary.
Disclaimer: Travel times, transport schedules, prices and other information mentioned in this guide are based on the latest available information and may be subject to change. We recommend checking the relevant official sources before planning your visit.
3. Experience Gozo at your own pace
Set aside a day to explore Gozo and experience the quieter side of the Maltese Islands. You can visit the Citadel, discover the island's beaches and countryside or explore its villages and local culture.
A day trip also gives you an opportunity to spend time with your classmates and discover somewhere new without planning an extended holiday.
Getting there: Gozo Channel operates daily ferry services between Malta and Gozo. The crossing takes approximately 25 minutes, while the current standard passenger fare is €4.05.
Estimated spend: Around €15 to €40 on transport, food and activities, depending on your plans. This is an indicative estimate and may vary.
Pro tip: Start early if you want to experience several parts of Gozo without making the day feel rushed.
If you want to plan more time away from your usual routine, explore GBS Malta's guide to weekend getaways and day trips in Malta.
4. Discover Comino and the Blue Lagoon
Comino and the Blue Lagoon are among Malta's best-known coastal experiences. If you enjoy swimming, snorkelling or exploring natural surroundings, this is one to keep on your list.
Getting there: Various boat services connect Malta and Gozo with Comino, with routes, schedules and prices varying by operator and season.
Estimated spend: Allow approximately €20 to €50 for transport, food and optional activities, depending on the service and acivities you choose. This is an indicative estimate and may vary.
Best time: Consider visiting outside the busiest periods if you prefer a quieter experience.
Pro tip: Check the latest visitor information, access requirements and boat schedules before travelling, as arrangement may change and the Blue lagoon can become very busy during peak periods.
5. Discover Malta through its food
Your time in Malta is also an opportunity to discover the country's culture through its food. Make a point of trying local specialities such as pastizzi and exploring Maltese cuisine in local cafés, restaurants and markets.
Trying different dishes can become a social experience too, particularly when you exchange recommendations with classmates.
Estimated spend: Around €5 to €20 for a casual food experience, depending on where you eat and what you choose. This is an indicative estimate and may vary.
Pro tip: Mix local cafés and casual eateries with occasional restaurant visits. This lets you experience Maltese food while keeping the experience manageable within a student budget.
If you are planning your everyday expenses, GBS Malta's guide to managing a student budget in Malta offers practical advice.
6. Experience a Maltese festa
If your time in Malta coincides with a local festa, make it part of your experience on the island.
Village festas offer an opportunity to experience Maltese traditions and community life, with celebrations often featuring local food, music, decorations and religious traditions.
Getting there: The location will depend on the village hosting the festa. Public transport can be a practical option, particularly if you are attending with classmates.
Estimated spend: Around €5 to €20 for transport and refreshments, although this will vary. This is an indicative estimate and may vary.
Best time: Check the local programme before visiting, as celebrations can take place across several days.
Pro tip: Treat the festa as an opportunity to understand local culture rather than simply another event to attend.
7. Try something outside your usual routine
Your time as a student can also be an opportunity to discover interests outside your academic field. Malta's coastal setting gives you plenty of options to try something different, from kayaking and snorkelling to diving and other outdoor activities.
Estimated spend: Around €15 to €60+, depending on the activity, provider and equipment required. This is an indicative estimate and may vary.
Pro tip: If you are trying an activity for the first time, choose an established provider and check what is included in the price before booking.
You do not have to turn every new experience into a hobby. Sometimes trying something unfamiliar is enough to give you a memory worth keeping.
8. Find your favourite student spot
Your time in Malta will gradually create a collection of places that become part of your routine. It could be a café where you catch up on coursework, a waterfront spot where you meet classmates or a place you return to after a long day.
Finding these personal favourites is part of settling into life in Malta. They may not appear on a typical tourist itinerary, but they can become the places you associate most strongly with your time as a student.
Getting there: Choose somewhere accessible from where you study or live.
Estimated spend: Around €5 to €15, depending on what you choose to eat or drink. This is an indicative estimate and may vary.
Pro tip: Ask your classmates for recommendations. You may discover places that you would not find through a typical travel search.
9. Create a memory that lasts beyond graduation
Your Malta experience will be personal to you. It might be a weekend in Gozo, an evening by the coast, a local celebration, a new friendship or an experience you never expected to have when you first arrived.
This is the one item on your bucket list that cannot really be planned or priced. Make space for experiences that matter to you and the people you meet along the way.
Your time in higher education is an opportunity to develop professionally while experiencing a different environment, meeting people from different backgrounds and creating memories that remain part of your story after graduation.
Make Malta part of your student experience
Choosing where to study is also about considering the environment in which you will spend your time. Alongside your programme, qualifications and career goals, think about what you want your wider student experience to look like.
At GBS Malta, you can pursue career-focused higher education programmes while experiencing life in St Julian's and the wider Maltese community. The institution's location gives you access to cafés, restaurants, shops, transport connections and many of the experiences that make life in Malta distinctive.
Understanding what life in Malta offers can help you decide whether the country and study environment align with your academic goals and expectations.
Feeling excited about making Malta part of your student experience? Enquire now with GBS Malta and take the first step towards studying in Malta.
