Malta travel shortlist
Influencer @esterbjoru recommends St. Julian or Sliema for base stays, north beaches like Mellieha for sand, and must‑see day trips to Valletta, Mdina and the Dingli Cliffs — beaches are roughly a 40‑minute drive from central towns (x.com). She notes buses and taxis are affordable, making Malta an easy compact island for beach + history itineraries (x.com).
The Malta tips were posted by Norwegian creator Ester Bjoru, who uses the handle @esterbjoru on TikTok and maintains profiles across other social platforms. (tiktok.com(tiktok.com); famousbirthdays.com(famousbirthdays.com)) Mellieħa Bay (Għadira) is Malta’s largest sandy beach and the island’s most visited sand strip for families and sunbathers. (maltauncovered.com(maltauncovered.com)) Driving from central north‑shore bases such as St Julian’s or Sliema to Mellieħa typically takes about 25–40 minutes by car depending on route and traffic. (rome2rio.com(rome2rio.com); viamichelin.co.uk(viamichelin.co.uk)) Ferry transfers between Sliema and Valletta run year‑round, take roughly 15 minutes per crossing and are usually priced around €2–€3, making the waterfront transfer a faster alternative to driving. (rome2rio.com(rome2rio.com); vallettaferryservices.com(vallettaferryservices.com)) Mdina is reachable from Valletta in about 16–20 minutes by car over roughly 13–14 km, and many visitors combine Mdina’s walled‑city visit with nearby attractions on single day trips. (rome2rio.com(rome2rio.com); carryonchronicles.com(carryonchronicles.com)) The Dingli Cliffs form Malta’s highest coastal point at about 253 metres and can be driven to from St Julian’s in roughly 16–19 minutes by car; public routes with transfers take substantially longer. (worldofmalta.com(worldofmalta.com); fromto.travel(fromto.travel)) Malta Public Transport fares keep island travel inexpensive — two‑hour single bus tickets are typically €2–€2.50 (higher on premium/night/airport services) while the 7‑day Explore Card is commonly offered at around €25 for unlimited travel. (malta.busatlas.uk(malta.busatlas.uk); nationaltraveller.com(nationaltraveller.com)) Typical taxi transfers from Malta International Airport to St Julian’s average about €25–€30 one way, while a bus or Tallinja app ticket for the same route is often available for around €2–€3. (maltauncovered.com(maltauncovered.com); airporttransfer.com(airporttransfer.com))
