Sicily - Malta

Just take the 40 minute flight from Catania to Malta via Malta Air, it's by far the easiest option (otherwise you'll have to trek all the way down to the southernmost tip of Sicily to catch the ferry). I would stay in Valetta and get yourself either a Bradt Travel Guide to Malta or Lonely Planet (and also check out the Malta and Gozo tourism websites).

I stayed at the Barakka Suites but it was an apartment, so no breakfast (http://www.booking.com/Share-Yi16Ir). Look on Booking.com, lots of options out there.

Hypogeum (requires advanced reservations; limited number of people), neolithic temples, Mdina/ Rabat, Valetta, Three Cities, Naxxar, and Gozo were the highlights for me.

I enjoyed staying in Gozo and walking across the island, and while on Malta I also enjoyed staying in beautiful Valletta, but my hotel rec would be out of date. My to-do list was neolithic temples and Mdina. I missed the hypogeum by failing to reserve (regret that!).

I haven't actually been to Malta (yet) as it keeps getting postponed along with our month in Sicily. However, I can suggest the book "Malta and Gozo" by Juliet Rix. The most recent edition is 2019, but there's a website in the book where travelers can add updates. It's a really complete guide for everything from the practical like transportation, health and which adapter plug to bring (the British one) to where to stay and what to see. visitmalta.com and mta.com.mt both have good information, too.

This is from the book: [ferries] take as little as 1.5 hours to cross from Pozzalo on Sicily or 3-4 hours including a coach transfer from Catania. The company is called Virtu Ferries. Website is www.virtuferries.com We planned to take the ferry from Pozzalo, as we were staying in Casale Zappulla for a few days. Try Air Malta or Ryan Air. Looks like they both do the trip.

We haven't stayed there (yet), but the staff at the Ursulino were lovely and upgraded us after they messed up our reservation for a handicap access room. Too bad we didn't get the chance to use it!

I would definitely fly. It was quick and easy and, at the time I looked, flights were cheaper than ferry tickets.

However, we were frankly underwhelmed by our visit to Malta. We didn’t find it to be relaxing and didn’t find good food there. If I were coming off 6 weeks of travel, I would spend that final week in Sicily, either on the island of Lipari or in the town of Ortigia. Either would give you the views, the food & the relaxation you need at that point.

After 5 or so weeks in Italy, I think that Malta would be an interesting change of pace. We spend 18 nights in Malta in January/early February 2020 and used the Brandt guidebook for planning.

Malta is spread out and it tough for us to decide where to stay. Public transportation is good and you can get almost anywhere on bus or ferry. For a short trip many stay in Valletta - it's near the main bus station hub. Because we were staying longer was picked Sliema and stayed in a hotel close to the ferry stop - Pebbles Boutique Aparthotel. We had a nice apartment with a separate bedroom and kitchen where we could have breakfast, cook a basic meal or have a place to eat a take-out meal. It was a good value - we had a nice view of the harbor but from across a busy street. One thing to know is that there are several bars located on the street below the hotel and they get noisy at night. We were careful to book a room at the back of the hotel and it was very quiet. We really liked this location for it's convenience to the ferry stop to Valletta - breakfast is not served there but there are many coffee shops nearby and grocery stores for supplies.

If you like history and archaeology, there is lots to see - the many Museums, the Hypogeum, Fort St. Elmo, Cathedrals, Tarxien Temples, Mdina, Rabat, etc. it's all very interesting. We attended a concert at Manoel Theater which is a beautiful performance hall. Exploring the many different regions is fun - we only took a daytrip to Gozo but I know that others have enjoyed spending more time there.

We flew Malta Air from Malta to Catania - it's a quick flight - easier than taking the ferry.

This is pre-covid, of course, but the best way was the fast ferry between Sicily and Valletta. Unfortunately that ferry works from Pozzallo in Sicily, which is not very convenient if starting from Catania. Given that is where you start, I would fly. The Malta Airport is well located to then get to Valletta or wherever else on the main island you want to be. Obviously, if you're going to Gozo, it is a bit of a trek, but not difficult.

So far as where to stay, I'd look at Valletta or nearby (e.g. Floriana or similar), since that puts you convenient for many of the principal sights and the easiest public transport / tourist bus hub for the rest of the island.

I'd second the advice to get the Bradt guidebook. They are certainly the best guides around (at least of those written in English), but sadly don't bother with much of continental Europe. In this case, however, you're in luck as they have one for Malta.

There is a lot to see in Malta, despite its dinky size. So it is worth sketching out a rough trip before arriving.