![Valetta, Malta](https://images.suitcasemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/10202035/seven-destinations-for-a-2023-spring-holiday_652e6a7524c01.jpeg)
Valletta
Malta
Blessed with long stretches of golden coastline, herb-scented hillsides, storied fortresses and traditional villages, the sea-sprayed island of Malta is topping our list for a go-slow Mediterranean getaway this spring. Yes, Valletta might be Europe's smallest capital, but its cultural appeal is anything but. Take a morning stroll to Lot61 Coffee Roasters for an icy caffeine fix, before wandering the labyrinthine of butter-yellow streets, stopping at tiny shops and admiring handcrafted fabrics and ceramics. For a midday refuge, head to the Upper & Lower Barrakka Gardens, where you'll be rewarded with a refreshing breeze and sweeping views across the city. Then, it's a visit to the waterfront market of Marsaxlokk to join locals haggling over buckets of freshly caught seafood. Dinner? Try the award-winning restaurant Noni, a spot known for its caught-that-morning prawns and exceptional elderflower tarts.