So you’ve booked the English course. You know about the classes, the teachers, the school. Great. But what about the other 18 hours of your day? Because honestly, for most students who come here, the things to do in Malta outside the classroom are what turn a language course into something they talk about for years.
Malta is tiny. Like, absurdly small. But the amount packed into this island is kind of ridiculous — 7,000 years of history, beaches with water so clear it looks fake, nightlife that goes until 4am, diving, festivals, outdoor restaurants where you eat too much and stay too late. All of it within easy reach of St. Julian’s, where the school is based.
Here’s what’s actually worth your time.
Beaches and Swimming Spots
The water here is something else. Clearest in the Mediterranean, apparently, and you’re never more than 20 minutes from the coast. St. George’s Bay is literally round the corner from school — you can be swimming on your lunch break if you want.
But the really good spots are a short bus ride away:
Golden Bay — most popular sandy beach on the main island. Sunbeds, beach bar, the whole setup.
Għajn Tuffieħa — right next to Golden Bay but way quieter. You have to walk down this long stone staircase to get there (your legs will know about it the next day).
Blue Lagoon, Comino — the one you’ve seen on Instagram. Turquoise water, postcard-perfect. 25-minute ferry from Ċirkewwa. Go early or it gets packed.
St. Peter’s Pool — natural rock pool near Marsaxlokk. Great for jumping in. Looks terrifying, feels amazing.
After a morning of grammar drills and conversation practice, an afternoon at the beach feels genuinely earned. And if you can’t be bothered going anywhere? The school has a rooftop pool. Problem solved.
History and Culture Without the Boredom
Malta has been inhabited for over 7,000 years. Seven thousand! The evidence is literally everywhere and you don’t need to be some kind of history nerd to appreciate it. The sites here are genuinely impressive even if you’re just kind of wandering through with no plan.
Valletta is the capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — but it’s small enough to explore on foot in one afternoon. St. John’s Co-Cathedral is jaw-dropping inside (seriously, Google it). The Upper Barrakka Gardens have these harbour views that make you stop and stare. And grab a pastizzi from a street bakery while you’re at it — 50 cents, life-changing.
Mdina. The old fortified capital. Go in the evening once the day-trippers leave. It gets this eerie, beautiful quietness — like stepping into another century. One of those places that photos don’t do justice.
The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is underground and 5,000 years old. Tickets sell out weeks ahead so book that early or you’ll miss it entirely.
Most students are genuinely surprised by how much there is. It’s a small island but it absolutely does not feel small.
Nightlife and Social Life in St. Julian's
If you like going out, you’ve picked the right place. St. Julian’s and Paceville next door are basically Malta’s nightlife headquarters. Clubs, bars, rooftop spots, live music — all walking distance from school.
Havana Club is popular. Hugo’s Lounge has rooftop views. The whole strip along St. George’s Bay gets pretty lively. Most clubs don’t even charge entry and drinks are way cheaper than London or Berlin. Like, noticeably cheaper.
Not into clubbing though? That’s fine. Loads of students spend their evenings at the waterfront restaurants in Spinola Bay, or at weekend markets in Valletta. Malta has this relaxed social culture where people eat late, sit outside forever, and nobody rushes you. It’s nice.
And here’s the thing — this social life is where your English actually improves fastest. When your classmates come from 40+ different countries, English is the only language everyone shares. In class and out of it. You end up practising without even realising you’re practising.
Top Things to Do in Malta for Students: Day Trips and Adventures
The island is compact enough that you can see a ridiculous amount in a single day. A few worth planning:
Gozo — Malta’s quieter sister island. Ferry takes 25 minutes. Rent a quad bike, hit the Citadel, swim at Ramla Bay, check out the salt pans at Marsalforn. Whole day trip, totally worth it.
Marsaxlokk — colourful fishing village with a famous Sunday fish market and those traditional luzzu boats. Very photogenic. Very Maltese.
Dingli Cliffs — highest point on the island. Dramatic coastal views and decent walking trails.
The Three Cities — Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua, across the harbour from Valletta. Quieter, less touristy, loads of character.
For the adventurous types — Malta is one of Europe’s top diving destinations. Visibility regularly over 30 metres. Wrecks, caves, reefs at every experience level. And hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, paddleboarding are all options too. Over 300 days of sunshine a year means you can pretty much do outdoor stuff whenever you want.
Food Worth Trying
Maltese food. Right. It’s this mix of Italian, North African, and British influences that somehow just works. Hearty, flavourful, and cheap. You will eat well here without spending much at all.
Must-tries:
Pastizzi — flaky pastry with ricotta or mushy peas. About 50 cents each. You will get addicted. Everyone does.
Ftira — Maltese bread, usually served open with tomatoes, capers, olive oil. Simple but perfect.
Rabbit stew (stuffat tal-fenek) — the national dish. Slow-cooked, rich, genuinely delicious if you’re not squeamish about rabbit.
Ħobż biż-żejt — bread rubbed with tomato and drizzled with olive oil. That’s it. That’s the whole thing. And it’s amazing.
Street food stalls and small trattorias are everywhere. Oh, and the Sunday roast at a local pub is surprisingly solid — a leftover from Malta’s British colonial days that they’ve kept going. Fair enough.
Making the Most of Your Time
Best advice? Don’t try to cram everything into the first week. Malta rewards you for slowing down. Talk to your classmates — they’ll have tips you won’t find in any guidebook. Say yes to the school activities. The beach trip. The boat party. The Valletta walking tour. Just go.
The English courses at Maltalingua give you structure in the mornings and freedom in the afternoons. That balance — proper learning plus real-world experience — is what makes studying here feel completely different from studying at home. And honestly it’s what most people remember long after they’ve gone back.
Ready to Experience Malta for Yourself?
The classroom improves your English. Everything outside it is where Malta gets under your skin. Come for the course, stay for the island, leave with better English and a genuinely long list of memories.
[CTA: Get your FREE quote → https://www.maltalingua.com/quotation/]