Three Mediterranean Islands Quietly Gaining Interest

"Home to three Unesco World Heritage Sites, a flourishing culinary scene, and the backdrop to films such as Gladiator I and II, it has become a staple holiday destination in the Mediterranean. Yet just across the water, its lesser-known sister islands - Gozo and Comino - reveal a different side of the archipelago. Together, the sun-drenched trio blend heritage, culture, and unvarnished charm, rewarding those who are willing to venture off the beaten path."

"For history enthusiasts and sun-seekers alike, Malta delivers in depth. Its capital, Valletta - built by the Knights of St John - remains one of Europe 's most charming fortified cities. Inside St John's Co-Cathedral hangs the only painting ever signed by Caravaggio, a masterpiece that alone justifies the journey. Culinarily, the island has emerged as a rising Mediterranean powerhouse. Its refined local cuisine and farm-to-table ethos have earned serious recognition: the 2025 Michelin Guide spotlighted two restaurants with two stars and six with one star."

"On Gozo, a quieter, more secluded slice of Maltese life awaits. Accessible only by ferry, it's defined by stillness and unspoiled landscapes, and a spectacular coastline offers some of the best dive sites in the Mediterranean. Believed by many to be the legendary Calypso's Isle of Homer's Odyssey, Gozo is dotted with Baroque churches, traditional farmhouses, and one of the archipelago's most impressive prehistoric treasures: Ġgantija, a Unesco-listed temple."

Malta, Gozo and Comino form a Mediterranean trio combining World Heritage sites, cinematic ties and an evolving food scene. Valletta, founded by the Knights of St John, showcases St John's Co-Cathedral and Caravaggio's only signed painting. Malta's culinary profile has grown, with multiple restaurants recognised in the 2025 Michelin Guide and a pronounced farm-to-table approach. Gozo provides a quieter island experience, ferry access, notable dive sites and the prehistoric Ġgantija temple. Comino remains tiny yet prized for crystal-clear waters and the Blue Lagoon's turquoise swimming and white-sand appeal.

Read at Elite Traveler