In this blog post I would like to share the best locations to shoot in Malta. These are publicly accessible places which everyone can shoot in. I sometimes hear the comment that Malta is small and that there are not enough varied locations for a photoshoot. I do not agree at all with such idea and the more I discover new locations the more I am sure of this.
These are just some locations that I have shot in or love to shoot in, but I am sure that there are alot more locations which are special and which a photoshoot can be done near them and I have never shot at or it never crossed my mind to use! Also there are probably many more beautiful locations in Malta which are Instagrammable or amazing for some landscape photography, but which I am not mentioning as I have couple photography mostly in mind!
I have split this guide in 4 sections mainly:
Iconic Maltese locations
Gardens and nature areas
Seaside locations
Other Niche locations in Malta
Iconic locations and villages
I find the below mentioned locations iconic, that is they really represent what Malta is.
Mdina
Mdina is a historical location which goes back to around 4000 years. The story says that the Apostle St. Paul resided here when he came to visit Malta. What is certain is that in the 12th century Mdina became the home to noble families and therefore it became known as ‘Citta’ Notabile’: the noble city.
The small city is like travelling back in time. During the night it has a different vibe to it with lamps lit by night and for this reason is also referred to as “the silent city”.
Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city and extraordinary in its mix of medieval and baroque architecture.
From a photographic point of view, Mdina presents some interesting shaded streets, lots of Maltese classic doors and famous locations such as the:
The main entrance to Mdina
The famous blue door
The main piazza in front of the cathedral
2. Valletta
Valletta is the capital city of Malta which following the siege of Malta in 1565, was rebuilt from scratch and completely fortified. The capital city is located in a peninsula with the sea completely surrounding the city. It is astonishing to note that the city includes 320 monuments that encapsulate every aspect of the civil, religious, artistic and military functions of its illustrious founders.
I highlight below which I believe are some of the highlights which Valletta provides and which in themselves can produce so much variance for a photoshoot:
The triton fountain
Parliament entrance and stairs
The main streets of Valletta or narrow streets such as Strait street
St. Elmo break water
Arches under National Library
Upper and Lower barakka Gardens (see Gardens section of this post!)
3. The Three cities (Birgu, Bormla and Isla)
The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea (Isla) and Cospicua (Bormla). The oldest of the Three Cities is Vittoriosa (Birgu), which has existed since prior to the Middle Ages while the other two cities, Senglea and Cospicua, were founded by the Order of Saint John in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Three Cities are all to the south east of Valletta and are enclosed by the sea.
From the three cities I do prefer Birgu (Vittoriosa) due to its narrow streets, spacious piazza and also the nice area around the main gate.
However recently I also had the opportunity to have a better look at Isla (Senglea) and I have fallen in love with it too! Apart from the great street vibes of Isla, it also has the beautiful Gardjola Gardens which are overlooking the sea.
4. Rabat
Rabat is a village which may be best known because it is just outside of Mdina so infact I like to combine Rabat with Mdina in my photoshoots. The name of the village means a 'suburb' in Semitic, as it was once the suburb of Mdina, the old capital city.
The village includes interesting sites like the catacombs or the St. Paul’s Grotto but photographically I like it because of its old Maltese authentic village vibes - a village I just love to get lost in :)
5. Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk is a small, traditional fishing village in the southern part of the island. Although small it is worth a visit in view of the views, fishermen and its history.
What I find particular interesting in this village are the colours of the boats which create a particular feel to the images.
Gardens
1. Buskett woodlands
(open all time)
Planted in the 16th century, Buskett was a hunting ground, before becoming the summer residence of the Grand Master. The woodlands provide a relatively large area of greenery and a beloved picnic spot. Buskett comes alive on the feast of St Peter and Paul, when folk flock from far and wide to celebrate with local traditional folk music and tasty local fare.
The Buskett Gardens is Malta’s only woodland area and is located south of Rabat and east of Dingli. It is one of the greenest spaces in Malta and home to various types of trees such as orange, cactus, Mediterranean pines, and capris trees. Surrounded by flowers and natural springs, this is the ideal location for picnics and for those who love nature and want to explore the flora and fauna. It's a place where you would never get bored as there are several peaceful pathways to take and many trees to sit under.
2. San Anton Gardens (Attard)
Monday - Sunday: 7:00 till 18:00 (June to September) and from 7.00 am till 5.00 pm (October to May)
The San Anton Gardens one of the most beautiful gardens in Malta with a large variety of beautiful flowers and plants and is located in Attard. The garden was opened to the public in 1882 and it was built by Grand Master Antoine de Paule to complement his summer residence, San Anton Palace, which today is the residence of the Maltese President.
The garden has fountains, ponds with families of ducks and several plants and flowers such as roses, Bougainvillea, Norfolk, Araucarias as well as other trees from all over the world some of them over three centuries old.
3. Upper and Lower barakka Gardens (Valletta)
Upper Barrakka Gardens (Monday - Sunday: 07:00 - 22:00)
The Upper Barrakka Gardens are situated in the upper part of Valletta, next to Castille Palace. The gardens offer fantastic views of the Grand Harbour, the cities of Senglea, Vittoriosa and Kalkara as well as the Breakwater. The Upper Barrakka Gardens are built on top of a bastion, on the highest point of Valletta and date back to 1661 when it used to be a private garden of the Knights.
It was not until over 150 years later the gardens opened to the public and today visitors can admire the colourful garden with various flowers and trees that make the gardens a peaceful spot in the otherwise busy city. There are a number of statues and monuments that complement the gardens, including a bronze group called ‘Les Gavroches’ and a statue dedicated to Winston Churchill.
Every day at noon, members of the Malta Heritage Society (dressed in British Artillery uniforms) fire a salute.
Lower Barrakka Gardens (Monday - Sunday: 07:00 - 22:00)
The Lower Barrakka gardens is situated at the lower end of Valletta on the bastions overlooking the entrance to the Grand Harbour. Located strategically so, from there one can see a superb view from the very mouth of the harbour.
These gardens are built on the bastion edge with stunning views over the Breakwater entrance to the Grand Harbour, Fort Ricasoli, Bighi Palace, Fort St. Angelo in Vittoriosa and Kalkara. Apart from the fantastic view, the peaceful garden is home to many trees and colourful flowers and cats resting in the shade.
The statue of the first British Governor of Malta, Alexander Ball, and a monument in remembrance of the Great Siege in Malta complements the garden. Even though the gardens are quite small, they are very popular with both locals and tourist who would like to spend a relaxing time in the city.
Other notable gardens:
4. Argotti Botanic Gardens (near Floriana)
The gardens are currently open on Tuesdays for a tour from 9:30 am to 11:00 am
5. Sa Maison Gardens (near Floriana)
The garden is open from 7am to 7pm
6. Romeo Romano Garden (St. Venera)
The garden is open from 7am to 7pm
By the seaside
The locations I hereby mention are areas which are relatively easily accessible and are engulfed in nature. I would recomment that we only visit these locations during sunset time and during periods when the temperature is not too hot (so I would recommend avoiding the summer period!).
Pembroke area (near Torri tal-Madliena)
2. Ghajn Tuffieha / Golden Bay and Clay cliffs
3. Dingli Cliffs
4. Migrah il-ferha
5. Ghar Lapsi
6. Il-Munqar area (near Zurrieq)
7. Majjistral Natural Park
8. Munxar Path
Niche Locations
1. Sliema
Sliema is a town located on the northeast coast of Malta in the Northern Harbour District. It is a major residential and commercial area and a centre for shopping, bars, dining, and café life. It is also the most densely populated town on the island.
Lining the coastline is a promenade known as the Sliema Front that has become the ideal spot for joggers and walkers as well as a prolific meeting place for locals during the summer season. Romantic moon strolls, barbeques and open air restaurants and cafes have made Sliema the hub of social nightlife. Sliema is also known for its numerous rocky beaches, water sports and hotels.
Sliema was once a quiet fishing village on the peninsula across Marsamxett Harbour from Valletta and has views of the capital city. The population began to grow in 1853 and the town was declared a parish in 1878. Now Sliema and the coastline up to neighbouring St. Julian's constitutes Malta's main coastal resort.
Sliema has now been ringed with modern apartment blocks, some of which are amongst the tallest buildings in Malta. This has resulted in significant traffic, parking and construction-related noise pollution issues. In view of this, I would suggest Sliema only for a short section of the images such as for the ones below in view that Valletta is also visible from Sliema.
2. Torri l-ahmar
Located just outside of Mellieha's golden beaches, St Agatha's Tower, also known as the Red Tower, was built in 1647 by the Order of St John to strengthen northern coastal defences during the reign of Grand Master Lascaris de Castellar. From its roof it commands marvellous views over Mellieha Bay and over the Straits of Comino all the way to Gozo.
The photoshoot would normally be conducted outside and around of the tower.
3. Palazzo Gomerino
Palazzo Gomerino is a house which lies on a privately-owned estate that even has its own private chapel and natural spring. The estate is co-owned. One of the owners is the present baroness of Gomerino, a title granted to the family by Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Rocaful in 1710. Apart from the main house which is purple in colour there are arches and other maltese elements in the whereabouts of the house.
4. Smart City
SmartCity is a technology park in Kalkara, Malta. The original plan was to transform the Ricasoli Industrial Estate into an information technology and media city on the models of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City. Today, the place provides a moden backdrop for some particular type of images.
