Today is my last full day in Malta. Unfortunately, I have to head home tomorrow, but I plan to make the most of this final day.
It’s driving time again. I hop into my car and head southeast toward Marsaxlokk. As with every drive in Malta, the distance from St. Paul’s Bay isn’t that far, but traffic around Valletta is terrible. Google Maps once again tries to send me through side roads, but I successfully resist.
Marsaxlokk is a small coastal town I discovered while looking up things to do in Malta. It’s famous for its traditional, colorful fishing boats called Luzzu, which have a pair of eyes painted on the bows—believed to bring sailors safely home.
Exploring Marsaxlokk
Arriving at the seafront, parking is scarce. I get lucky and find a spot at the far end of the waterfront, within walking distance. Marsaxlokk is one of the nicer-looking towns I’ve visited on this trip, with older buildings and a lively seafront lined with restaurants offering outdoor seating.
There’s a small market just opening as I arrive (I’m early, as always). It mostly caters to tourists, selling the usual magnets and knick-knacks. However, there’s also a selection of Maltese food and sweets. The stalls are quite low, so I have to duck while walking through.
In front of the church (which I skip—I’ve had my fill of churches on this trip), I stop at Costa Coffee for a morning latte macchiato. However, I’m a little disappointed that there isn’t much else to do.
Boat Tour Adventure
Back at the harbor, a guy asks if I want to take an 80-minute boat tour along the coast for just 10 euros—in a traditional boat. Why not?! I pay and wait the promised 15 minutes (which turns into 30) until he fills the boat. Not many tourists around yet.
The boat is small and wobbly as I step on board. I’m joined by two families, each with a small child—seven of us in total. Our skipper is a woman with a cigarette clenched between her teeth. Before we properly set off, we first have to tow another boat to shore. Then, back out again, where we’re given life vests. Instead of heading straight out to sea, we take a detour to the yacht harbor, likely in search of more passengers.
Finally, we leave the harbor for open water. The boat rocks quite a bit, but I quickly adjust, going from holding onto anything within reach to simply enjoying the ride and taking photos.
Scenic Coastal Views
We pass a massive LNG tanker that supplies Malta’s only power plant. Soon after, we reach the cliffs and Forti Delimara, a fortress built into the rock. Next, we see the salt pans, where sea salt is harvested, just like in other parts of the islands.
As we round the tip of the island, a larger tourist boat passes us, doing the same route. We pass a World War II searchlight emplacement before turning into Il-Kalanka, a bay that must be heaven for geologists with all its unique rock formations. Our small boat allows us to get much closer than the bigger tour boat—definitely a plus.
Next stop: St. Peter’s Pool (Il-Bajja ta’ Pietru), a natural swimming pool with crystal-clear azure and light green waters. In summer, it’s packed with tourists, but today, while a few people are walking around, it’s too cold to swim. I can only imagine how crowded it gets in peak season.
The last bay of the trip (which rhymes 😆) is Il-Ħofra ż-Żgħira, home to the Hofriet Window—a stunning natural arch formed by the sea. A highly photogenic spot! And thanks to our small boat, we can get even closer—so close, in fact, that we end up in the background of the bigger tour boat’s photos. Not that I’m evil or anything. 😏
Our skipper barely speaks English, limiting commentary to “Stop for the…” followed by the name of each sight (window, pool, fortress). That’s about it.
The Unexpected Docking Drama
Time to head back to Marsaxlokk. By now, many boats are heading out, so arriving early was a good call. We pass another boat from the same company, and they swap skippers while moving.
As we approach the harbor wall, the engine dies. Our now-male skipper scrambles to stop the boat from crashing. He fails. Nothing major happens, but he looks embarrassed. Still, for 10 euros, this was absolutely worth it.
By now, the waterfront is packed with tourists who arrived via charter buses or hop-on-hop-off tours. Another reason to get here early!
Geocaching & Minor Car Trouble
Next, some geocaching. Unfortunately, I come up empty-handed on a few, but I still manage to find enough. The downside? I clip a small truck with my right-side mirror. Just a minor scratch, but annoying nonetheless. Hopefully, the rental company doesn’t notice…
Geocaching Event & Final Dinner
Back at the hotel for a break before my geocaching event in the evening. I plan to be there at 16:30, even though it officially starts at 17:00. I chose a spot near the National Aquarium of Malta, just a short walk from my hotel. It’s quite crowded, so I shift the event location slightly and put up my banner.
The first arrivals are a German and an American (of course, early). Then, a Slovakian guy and a couple from Poland and the Czech Republic join. As usual, we chat about caching experiences, exchange tips, and share stories. It’s great to have five people show up! Thanks to a tip, I even grab an extra geocache that I had previously missed.
For my last evening, I plan a nice meal. There’s a trattoria near the hotel with great reviews—Riccardo’s. It’s a big restaurant with a fantastic view over the water and friendly staff.
Starter: Burrata.
Main: Pizza Diavola.
Both are delicious, but I can’t finish the pizza, so I take half with me for tomorrow.
Packing Up
Back at the hotel, it’s time to pack. Hard to believe a week has gone by so fast. In just two days, I’ll be home again.