Malta Travel Guide

Comprising the two main islands of Malta and Gozo, two tiny islets and the smaller island of Comino, the Republic of Malta occupies a total area of just 316 square kilometres. Nestling quietly in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Tunisia, it draws its influences from Europe and North Africa and is a unique microcosm of all that is great about the Mediterranean region.

History and culture

Malta’s history dates back some 7000 years, with monuments and structures pre-dating even the Egyptian pyramids. Over the millennia, the islands have seen occupation by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and the military and charitable Order of the Knights of St John. More recent times have seen Malta used as a British military base in both World Wars and as an important centre for NATO. In 1979, it became a republic, and a few years later the Maltese people declared themselves an independent, neutral country.

Unsurprisingly with such a rich and fascinating past, the tiny archipelago is home to a number of important UNESCO World Heritage sites. Malta’s capital city Valletta houses 300 monuments in a 55 hectare area and was dubbed ‘one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world’ by UNESCO. You could easily spend days here exploring the winding streets and admiring the ancient fortifications and exquisite architecture.

The island’s Neolithic period is best seen at the remains of the seven Megalithic Temples, another World-Heritage site. The temples include that of Ggantija, the world’s oldest freestanding structure, believed to pre-date the Egyptian Pyramids by more than 1000 years. Don’t miss the chance to explore Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground complex that dates back to 3600 BC. It is considered one of the world’s most important prehistoric structures.

Much of the cultural and artistic legacy of the islands can be credited to the Knights of St John, who ruled over the island from 1530 to 1798. Under their leadership the island came alive, with the construction of exquisite churches and palaces and the overseeing presence of great painters like Caravaggio and Favray.

Get back to nature

With a mild year-round climate, Malta is also famed as the perfect beach getaway. Secluded stretches of white sand, romantic coves and stunning reefs are lapped by the warm, blue sea and for those wishing to expend as little energy as possible, snorkelling, swimming or relaxing with a book on the beach are perfect pastimes. All three of the Republic’s islands benefit from calm waters with excellent visibility, which also make this a great place for scuba diving. Reefs, underwater caves, shipwrecks and archaeological artefacts make for perfect underwater playgrounds for beginners and advanced drivers alike.

Gozo

Only 5 kilometres away, sister island Gozo is often referred to as the ‘land where time stood still’. Meaning ‘joy’ in Castilian, it has a distinct character based on simple, rural village living and is an excellent place to pull on your walking boots or jump on a mountain bike, breathe in the peace and quiet and get exploring. Though it’s a tiny island, you’ll quite often find you have the landscape to yourself and you can allow yourself to relax in total isolation. Gozitans also have a very different dialect, accent and sense of humour to the main islanders.

Valletta

Much more than just an historic playground, Malta’s bustling capital city Valletta is home to a fantastic selection of restaurants, bars, shops, museums and galleries. Known as the fortress city, and built in just 15 years from 1566, it is the administrative and commercial heart of the country and hosts a vast cultural program throughout the year. The main streets, Triq ir-Repubblika and Triq il-Merkanti, are a hive of activity, littered with high-end fashion brands, intimate boutiques and international restaurants.

Top 5 things to do

1. Admire one of the world’s most historic cities

Wander the streets of capital Valletta for a feast of historic buildings, monuments and structures, which date from the times of occupation by, amongst others, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Byzantines and the Order of the Knights of St John.

2. Relax on the beach

The main coastal resorts and most popular sandy beaches are located to the north of Malta, with Mellieha Bay, Ghajn Tuffi eha and Golden Bay amongst the best. For a bit more seclusion, head to Paradise Bay or Armier, or hop over to Gozo’s stunning Ramla I-Hamra.

3. Swim in the Blue Grotto

Take a boat trip to the tiny island of Comino to see the picturesque Blue Grotto. Reached by boat, you enter the grotto beneath a huge arch which draws you into a 43 metre high cave and through to six interlinking caverns, where the water is cobalt blue and the caves sparkle with the refl ections of the sea.

4. Discover the historic Megalithic Temples

The seven Megalithic Temples on Malta and Gozo were each built as individual developments and the oldest dates back more than 5000 years. Malta’s Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien temples are hailed as architectural masterpieces.

5. Explore aristocratic Mdina

Known as ‘the silent city’ and lamp lit at night, Mdina is a timeless place full of cultural and religious treasures. A fantastic example of a walled city, it was once the home of the Apostle St Paul and today is popular for its fascinating mix of medieval and Baroque architecture.