Malta vs Sicily: which to choose, and can you do both?

A special relationship: Malta and Sicily

Before comparing Malta and Sicily as travel destinations, it is worth noting that the two are geographically proximate (Sicily is Malta’s nearest large neighbour, 90 km to the north) and historically intertwined. Sicilian Arabic influenced the Maltese language. The Knights of St John ruled Sicily before Malta. Sicilian Baroque architecture directly influenced Malta’s. Maltan cooking draws heavily on Sicilian ingredients.

This means the comparison is not entirely between opposites. There is substantial overlap in food culture (ftira and sfincione share ingredients), architectural character and general Mediterranean atmosphere.

But as travel experiences, they are genuinely distinct.

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The comparison at a glance

Factor	Malta	Sicily
Size	316 km²	25,711 km² (81× larger)
Capital	Valletta	Palermo
Language	Maltese + English	Italian
Currency	Euro	Euro
Highest point	253m (Dingli Cliffs)	3,357m (Mount Etna)
Annual tourists	~3 million	~5 million
UNESCO sites	3 (Valletta, Temples, Hypogeum)	7
Accessibility	Direct flights from most EU cities	Flights to Palermo, Catania, Trapani
Distance from Malta	—	90 km (catamaran: 90 min)

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The case for Malta over Sicily

Ease and navigation

Malta is one of the most navigable destinations in Europe. It is 27 km × 14 km. You can cross the island in 40 minutes. The three islands (Malta, Gozo, Comino) are logistically simple to connect. English is the official language alongside Maltese. The bus system is imperfect but covers everywhere. Bolt works island-wide.

Sicily is vast — 25,711 km². Travelling from Palermo to Siracusa takes 3 hours by car. Catania to Agrigento Valley of the Temples is another 2 hours. Navigating Sicily requires either a car rental, knowledge of the Sicilian train system (limited but improving), or accepting that you are choosing a subset of the island rather than a complete picture.

For a traveller with 5–7 days wanting a complete experience without transport complexity, Malta delivers that more efficiently.

The Baroque capital

Valletta is a UNESCO city and arguably the finest Baroque capital in the Mediterranean for its size. The density of major monuments — St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Grand Master’s Palace, Fort St Elmo, the Barrakka Gardens — in a walkable city of 5,800 permanent residents is extraordinary.

Sicily has excellent Baroque architecture (particularly in the Val di Noto UNESCO towns of Noto, Ragusa, Scicli and Modica), but these are spread across the southeastern corner of the island. Palermo has its own distinct Baroque character (mixed with Arab-Norman architecture) but is a large, complex city.

Diving

Malta consistently ranks among Europe’s top three diving destinations. The clear water, underwater visibility (20–30m regularly), accessible wrecks and Gozo’s Blue Hole make the Maltese archipelago a world-class diving location. Sicily has some diving (Pantelleria, the Aeolian Islands), but not in the same category as Malta for quality and accessibility.

Three islands in one trip

Malta + Gozo + Comino gives you three distinct island experiences in a 316 km² area. This variety-to-size ratio is remarkable. The Gozo experience (slower, greener, more agricultural) and the Blue Lagoon day on Comino add genuine depth to a Malta trip without requiring long journeys.

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The case for Sicily over Malta

Food culture

Sicily has one of the most distinctive and satisfying food cultures in Europe. Arancini, pasta alla Norma, cannoli, sfincione, cassata, granita — these are not tourist-facing dishes but the actual food that Sicilians eat daily. The street food markets of Palermo (Ballarò, Vucciria) and Catania (La Pescheria) are extraordinary sensory experiences.

Malta has good food (pastizzi, ftira, fresh seafood, Maltese rabbits and sausages), and Valletta’s restaurant scene has improved dramatically since 2015. But it does not have the depth, regional variety or cultural weight of Sicilian cuisine.

Scale and scenery

Mount Etna (3,357m) is one of Europe’s most active volcanoes and a dramatic presence in eastern Sicily. Driving around its flanks, visiting the Valle del Bove, or hiking to the summit craters is a unique European experience. The Madonie and Nebrodi Mountains, the Zingaro Nature Reserve coastline, the salt pans at Trapani at sunset — Sicily has dramatic, varied landscapes that Malta simply cannot match.

Length of stay

Sicily is better for longer trips. 10–14 days barely scratches the surface: Palermo (2–3 days), Taormina + Etna (2 days), Siracusa and Ortigia (2 days), Val di Noto (2 days), Agrigento Valley of the Temples (1 day). The island rewards slow travel in a way that Malta, with its concentrated scale, does not require.

Archaeological depth

Sicily’s Greek temples at Agrigento (Valley of the Temples) are among the best-preserved Greek temples outside Greece itself. Siracusa was one of the most important cities in the ancient Greek world. The Museo Archeologico Regionale in Palermo and the museum at Siracusa hold extraordinary collections.

Malta’s prehistoric temples are older (and older than anything in Sicily), but Sicily’s Greek and Roman archaeological heritage is more extensive and spectacular in scale.

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The hybrid option: Malta + Sicily day trips

This is the honest best-of-both-worlds option, and it is genuinely practical.

Malta offers direct catamaran day trips to Sicily operated by Virtu Ferries from the Marsa terminal. Options include:

• Mount Etna + Taormina: The most popular. The Malta to Etna and Taormina day trip takes the catamaran to Catania, then a guided tour to Etna’s craters and the cliffside theatre at Taormina.
• Catania city: A quieter Sicilian city day, good for the fish market and Baroque cathedral
• Siracusa + Etna: A longer day, two major sites
• Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Scicli: The baroque towns of the Val di Noto

The crossing takes 90 minutes (Catania) to 2 hours (Pozzallo). Day trips leave around 7:30 am and return around 9 pm. It is a long day, but it delivers a meaningful Sicilian experience from a Malta base.

The practical recommendation: If Sicily is genuinely appealing but you have 7–10 days in the region, use Malta as your base for 7 days and take 1–2 Sicily day trips. You get the best of Malta (concentrated, navigable, history-dense) plus meaningful Sicilian exposure without the complexity of navigating Sicily independently for multiple days.

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Who should go where

Go to Malta if:

• You have 5–7 days and want a complete island experience
• History, diving and compact island-hopping are priorities
• You want to see Sicily too — the day trips make this possible
• English-language comfort matters
• Budget is a consideration (Malta is slightly cheaper)

Go to Sicily if:

• You have 10–14 days for a slow, immersive journey
• Food and food culture are a primary motivation
• Dramatic scenery (Etna, Greek temples, Baroque towns) is more appealing than prehistoric temples
• You are comfortable driving in Italian conditions
• The depth of Italian culture and language contact interests you

Do both if:

• You have 10+ days
• Use Malta as base for 7 days + 2 Sicily day trips (Etna, Taormina, Siracusa)
• Or fly Malta → Catania or Palermo for a second week

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Frequently asked questions about Malta vs Sicily

Is Sicily easier to travel than Malta?

Malta is significantly easier to navigate due to its small size, English official language, and compact tourist circuit. Sicily requires more planning — it is large, the public transport is limited outside Palermo and Catania, and a car is strongly recommended for seeing the island properly.

Can you do Sicily as a day trip from Malta?

Yes. Virtu Ferries runs catamaran day trips from Malta to Sicily (Catania and Pozzallo) taking 90 minutes to 2 hours. Guided day tours to Mount Etna, Taormina and Siracusa are available from Malta as organised tours.

Is food better in Malta or Sicily?

Sicily is one of Europe’s strongest food cultures; Malta is good but not in the same league. For food-motivated travel, Sicily wins clearly. Malta’s food is genuinely enjoyable (pastizzi, fresh local fish, Maltese bread), but it does not have the same breadth or cultural weight.

Which is cheaper, Malta or Sicily?

Very similar. Both are cheaper than northern Italy or the UK. Sicily has a wider range of options (luxury in Taormina can be very expensive; agriturismo in the interior is very cheap). Malta’s tourist corridor (Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s) is moderately priced for Mediterranean standards.

Is Malta safe for solo travellers?

Yes, very. Malta is one of the safest countries in Europe with very low crime. It is English-speaking, compact and easy to navigate alone. Sicily is also generally safe for tourists, though the usual urban awareness applies in Palermo city centre.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20