I traveled to Malta without a plan and loved it. Here are 3 of the best things I did and 2 I'd skip next time.

Last summer, I planned a last-minute trip to Malta and had an amazing time.

Some of the things on my itinerary were absolutely worth it, but there are a few I'd skip next time.

I'm glad I stayed in multiple hotels and explored a lot, but I wouldn't rent a moped again.

Last summer, just two weeks before my trip to Italy, I decided to add another country to my itinerary — Malta.

The island country is only a 45-minute flight from Catania, Sicily, and was an option that honestly never crossed my mind when planning European trips in the past.

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However, I was excited to slow down, wander aimlessly through villages and back streets, taste new foods, and most importantly, soak in a new culture.

After experiencing a lot of what the island has to offer, these are three of the best things I did, and the two I'd skip next time.

My favorite hotel was the Domus Zamittello in Valletta.Latifah Al-Hazza

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I loved dining at Bahia, an upscale restaurant in Balzan.

I had a great meal at Bahia.Latifah Al-Hazza

One of the highlights of my trip was visiting Bahia, an upscale restaurant at the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Balzan.

Here, diners can choose from the à la carte or tasting menus (plant-based or classic). I opted for the classic tasting menu, which took me on a culinary journey through dishes inspired by different villages in Malta.

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The tasting menus are seasonal, and I had dishes ranging from baked carrots to fresh sea bass. Since I'm a pescetarian, the chef was able to swap out meat-based dishes for seafood versions.

Each dish I received came with a little card that described the village where the dish originated, which I thought was a nice touch. The food was beautifully presented, and each dish had its own unique flavor.

I'm glad I explored as much as possible.

I enjoyed swimming in St. Peter's Pool.Artush/Shutterstock

I'm all about exploration, and I truly believe seeing as much as I can without an agenda creates the best memories.

For example, after sitting down for a fresh-tasting seafood lunch in Marsaxlokk, a local fishing village, I decided to visit the nearby St. Peter's Pool. This small bay was created by a natural limestone rock formation and is ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

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Then, during my hourlong drive from the pool to Golden Bay Beach, I popped into the Mosta Rotunda, a gorgeous basilica with a massive dome. The church was built in 1833 and even served as a shelter during World War II.

After lounging at Golden Bay, I drove about 20 minutes to roam the historic streets of towns like Mdina and Rabat.

Although the island is spread out and it can be time-consuming to drive from one attraction to the other, I felt like I left Malta having experienced and seen so much of what the country has to offer.

However, I wouldn't explore the island on a moped again.

I didn't feel safe navigating the roads on a moped.Latifah Al-Hazza

The locals I spoke to advised me not to rent a moped, but since I've done it in other countries, I figured I'd be fine. However, looking back, I wish I'd just rented a car instead.

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In my experience, the roads in Malta were quite busy and had constant traffic, so I didn't feel safe navigating these busy streets on a bike.

Next time, I'd skip staying in St. Julian's.

Going out in St. Julian's was fun, but I wouldn't stay there again.Karina Movsesyan/Shutterstock

I spent one night in St. Julian's, a seaside town known for its nightlife. Although I recommend exploring this neighborhood, it's packed with tourists, chain hotels, bars, and clubs.

It's a fun area to go out in, but in my opinion, it doesn't give you a true sense of the country or its culture. Next time, I'd stay in a different town and taxi to St. Julian's if I wanted to barhop.

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