Photographer Stuart Forster discusses travel photography in Malta and some of the locations and subjects that he enjoyed photographing.
A year-round travel destination in the Mediterranean, Malta is a great place to enjoy travel photography. In addition to the climate, Malta’s relatively compact size and long history are factors which help make it easy to explore with a camera.
Often depicted in travel photography of Malta from the outside, this is the interior of the famous dome of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Valletta.
Travel photography in Malta
It’s relatively easy to get between points of interest, including megalithic temples that are older than historic sites such as the Great Pyramid of Giza and Stonehenge. After visiting the Ġgantija Temples on Gozo, I enjoyed pausing in Xagħra for refreshment and photographed inside the beautiful Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady.
The ornate ceiling of the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady in Xagħra on the island of Gozo, the island that must be visited to get a truly representative sense of travel photography in Malta.
The exterior of the church was impressive but heading inside provided a wealth of images that helped depict the strong Roman Catholic culture of Malta.
Statue of the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus outside of the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady in Xagħra on Gozo, Malta.
At Citadella, the fortress in Victoria, I enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch on the parapets. It was supplied by Gozo Picnic.
A smiling member of the Gozo Picnic team serving coffee and cake at the Cittadella in Gozo.
Even on an uncharacteristically overcast day, I was able to get some memorable travel photos while exploring the island of Gozo.
A photographer photographing Ramla Bay on Gozo, framed by the mouth of Tal-Mixta Cave.
Festas in Malta
Parishes across Malta host festivals known as ‘festas’. Featuring marching bands, parades of saints and colourful banners, they are a joy to photograph.
Band members check their phones and relax between playing tunes during a ‘festa’, a traditional Maltese festival, in Rabat.
With people at ease and consequently receptive to conversation, I found that the festa proved a great occasion for street photography and documenting traditions.
Benedictine monks greet bypassers during the festa in Rabat, Malta.
And while photographing in the village of Rabat, a short walk from Mdina, the popular destination known as ‘the silent city’, I found much else to photograph.
Cute window box with red flowers and blue shutters on a house in Rabat, Malta.
In addition to traditional stone houses with colourful shutters and flowers in window boxes, I found the ornate door knockers worthy of attention.
An ornate door knocker featuring a coat of arms held up by female figures on a red door in Rabat, Malta.
With doors of all colours and metallic knockers, it was possible to undertake a study depicting the details.
The Maltese Cross worked into a door knocker featuring fish in Rabat.
The Three Cities in Malta
Across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua are together known as ‘the Three Cities’. Their history and architecture mean that there’s much to photograph while underway.
Ornate lookout tower at Gardjola Garden in Senglea overlooking the Grand Harbour and Valletta.
Participating in a Rolling Geeks self-drive tour proved a great way of discovering aspects of their history and pausing at key landmarks.
Colourful boats outside of Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu, the Maltese city also known as Vittoriosa.
Boat journeys are a way of crossing the harbour to visit attractions on the far side.
A clear blue sky above the Maritime Museum Malta in Birgu.
During lunch at Malta Maritime Museum, I took the opportunity to engage in portrait photography in front of historic paintings.
Portrait captured inside of Malta Maritime Museum.
A photo tour of Valletta
Clive Cortis proved an amiable and insightful tour guide in Valletta. As we walked between points of interest, he outlined the city’s history and suggested places to pause for shots.
Travel photography is often about capturing landmarks and well-known buildings. This is the Malta Stock Exchange in Valletta.
We drove from St Julian’s and parked at the Malta Stock Exchange…a great place to start shooting stock photography, you might argue.
Sunrise over the Grand Harbour seen from the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta and framing the scene through one of the famous arches proved a memorable early morning start to a day of travel photography in Malta.
Our early start meant we were in place to see the first rays of sunshine strike the Grand Harbour.
Stone arches and the promenade that overlooks the Grand Harbour in Valletta’s Upper Barrakka Gardens, a popular tourist attraction in Malta.
Interestingly, a Bollywood movie began filming shortly after we arrived.
The sun rises over the open-air theatre known as the Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta, at a site damaged by Axis bombing during World War Two and left as a memorial of that destruction and suffering.
Street photography in Malta
From there we strolled through the still-empty streets of Valletta. By 9.00 am they were busy, so for photos, the early start was warranted.
The sign of the Tas-Soli restaurant, where traditional Maltese cuisine is served, throws a shadow across the wall and window in Archbishop Street, Valletta.
Clive pointed out locations such as Strait Street, an area formerly frequented by sailors and known for its bar culture.
Faded signage on the wall of Strait Street, once an infamous area for bars frequented by sailors, in Valletta, Malta.
He also ensured we saw key locations and heard stories associated with them.
Flagpoles outside of the Main Guard Building at St George’s Square in Valletta.
That included pointing out the slightly twisted pedestal of the Queen Victoria statue outside of the national library. A bomb blast during World War Two lifted and twisted the statue of the monarch, which retained a stiff upper lip and did not fall.
A legacy of the days of British rule in Malta, the statue of Queen Victoria outside of the National Library of Malta in Valletta.
Prior to taking us to see the Caravaggio paintings in St John’s Co-Cathedral, Clive led us through the ornate place of worship.
Religious scenes and gilded arches on the ornate ceiling of the Co-Cathedral of St. John in Valletta, Malta.
You can read more about the photography experience in Valletta in issue 91 of Northern Insight magazine. Pausing for a traditional pastry and a cup of coffee provided an energy boost that kept me going well into the afternoon.
Mqaret sweet date pastries are a traditional Maltese dish.
St Julian’s in Malta
My base for the duration of my stay in Malta was St Julian’s. It’s a relatively short Uber or taxi journey from the airport and Valletta. Malta’s bus network means it’s easy to get between destinations elsewhere on the island.
For me, travel photography in Malta included looking up to see usual and lesser photographed scenes, such as this colourful facade in St Julian’s.
It was a relaxing base and my hotel room overlooked the coastline, which provided a series of sunset shots.
Warm colours in the evening sky, above the Mediterranean Sea, at St Julian’s, a popular holiday destination in Malta.
If you appreciate beautiful sunsets, you may want to visit Golden Bay late in the afternoon to get ready for the evening colours.
A boat and jet ski on the water at Golden Bay, a popular spot for enjoying sunsets and travel photography in Malta.
Malta travel information
See the visitmalta.com website for information about attractions in Malta, including monthly events.
Jet2 (jet2.com) operates flights between Newcastle and Malta International Airport on Thursdays from May until the end of November.
Direct flights to Valletta depart from a number of airports around the UK, including easyJet (easyjet.com) from Manchester, Ryanair (ryanair.com) from Edinburgh and Air Malta (airmalta.com) from Gatwick and London Heathrow.
The Valletta waterfront at night with the illuminated landmark of the cupola of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel dominating the skyline of the Maltese capital.
Hotels in Malta
I always appreciate a good, secure hotel when travelling with valuable photography equipment.
The Radisson Blu Resort Malta (radissonhotels.com; St George’s Bay, St Julian’s; Tel: +356 21 374 894) is a 252-room hotel by the seashore. It is a 25-minute drive from Valletta, so well placed for exploring the Maltese capital and other destinations. Its in- and outdoor pools and sizable spa area are ideal for unwinding between photo shoots.
The Hotel Phoenicia (phoeniciamalta.com; The Mall, Valletta; Tel: 0800 862 0025) is a luxury property with sizable gardens just beyond the Maltese capital’s city walls. It’s ideally placed if you want an early start to photograph the capital or want to pop back to pick up a tripod for low-light photography. Afternoon tea in the Palm Court Lounge or a cocktail in The Club Bar are options, even if you choose to stay elsewhere.
Sunrise over the Grand Harbour of Malta. The three cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua lie across from Valletta.
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Like what you see in this post about travel photography in Malta? View further work by Stuart Forster in this post focusing on travel photography in New Brunswick, Canada and elsewhere on this website.
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