In Malta, all roads lead to the sea

I arrived in Malta in spring, where the warm season was hotter than I was used to back in France, however the evening was still fresh. The only two things I knew of Malta before choosing Corinthia Palace for my internship program were the knights of Malta and its very warm climate. I expected that the sea around this tiny island would compensate for the heat and that was it.

Perhaps I was lucky to discover Malta during its peak season: summer. Indeed, it is quite renowned for its deep blue sea and beaches, architecture and history. During my six-month internship I had the opportunity to visit the main attractions, as well as the lesser-known treks that always seemed to surprise me with quaint sea spots. Somehow in Malta all roads lead to the sea . I got to experience some of the most spectacular sunsets by the sea, it became a daily routine for me here; like a quest to end the day on a positive note.

As Corinthia Palace is located in the centre of the island, it was very easy to get to the capital city of Valletta as well as Mdina. My favorite remains the capital city, with its fortifications that sit majestically on a natural harbour surrounded (of course) by the sea. I enjoyed sunrise there from one side of the city and sunset from the other side. Of course, this is possibly because of the small size of the capital.  

Most days after work, searching for a new sunset spot became part of my routine. It was also a great opportunity to make friends along the way. It seemed like the perfect conversation starter; everyone seemed to have their own personal sunset location.

I am fascinated by sunsets. I observe the colours, shades and patterns and the way the sky intertwines beautifully with the clouds (although rare here) and the rocky or sandy surrounding landscape. Golden hour offered a different spectacle each and every time. Sunsets tend to imbue my day with a sense of positivity and the tranquil vibe feels like a meditative moment.

The top sunset location for me remains Rivera Bay (or, in Maltese, Għajn Tuffieħa). It is known to be one of Malta’s finest spots. Indeed, to get there you need to go down over 100 steps and, once in the bay, you can choose to trek in the surrounding hills or to stay on the sandy beach. Not only is it a superb spot far from the city, there is also a very nice beach club that offers Mediterranean food by the sea.

An alternative spot is the Dingli Cliffs. Not only is the sunset amazing, the cliffs are breathtaking. While there, I took a walk all the way through the cliffs as they are very long. You can choose to sit wherever you want on the trail. This location allows you to pick your own viewpoint; as the stretch is long it is more intimate and viewers can enjoy the sunset from a distance.

My favorite experience was a sunset from a catamaran around the area where Popeye Village is. The set where the musical production Popeye was shot in 1980 still stands. What made the experience unique was a stroke of luck; we were the only people out at sea with nothing but soft music in the background and friends. We even had our own personal chef, who prepared a lovely Mediterranean dinner which we later enjoyed under the light of a full moon.

I am looking forward to returning to Malta to experience the winter sunsets.