Malta
Malta, Your home away from home
Known as ‘The Jewel of the Mediterranean, Malta is a small island, making it easy for all to reach different places by bus or taxi. You can also visit the sister island of Gozo by ferry boat, which only takes 25 minutes. You can also rent a car during your stay. Remember, we drive on the left in Malta!
We boast of having over 300 days of sunshine. The weather is typical of the Mediterranean with long warm summer months and very mild winters. The average seasonal temperatures in Malta are 18 to 19°C in winter and 27 to 32°C in summer.
Most shops open from 09:00 to 19:00 with some closing for lunch between 13:00 and 16:00. As a general rule, shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays except in the main shopping districts of Valletta and Sliema.
- The Maltese Islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino
- Official languages: Maltese & English
- Population: approximately 450,000
- Currency: Euro (€)
- International Country Code: (00 356)
History & Attractions
Malta and its sister island of Gozo are considered to be open-air museums. One may find many attractions such as:
Valletta
“A city built by gentlemen for gentlemen”, Valletta is the capital city of Malta and was built in 1565 by the Order of the Knights of St John. The European Capital of Culture (2018) boasts breath-taking architecture as well as a wide range of museums, shops, bars and restaurants for you to discover. It is the only capital city in the world that is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety!
Mdina
Malta’s old capital city, Mdina, is an ancient hill-top citadel that has remained untouched through the ages. Known as ‘The Silent City’, it is one of the most perfectly preserved medieval towns in the world! Wander around the winding, cobbled streets and stop at the bastions to enjoy a view of the whole of Malta and sometimes even catch a glimpse of Sicily!
Megalithic Temples
Malta is home to some of the oldest free-standing structures of the world. The country is believed to have been inhabited since the early Neolithic period of 5000 BC. Step back in time to some of the oldest UNESCO World Heritage sites; the free-standing temples of Ġgantija, Ħagar Qim and Mnajdra, and the fourth oldest site in the world, the underground temple of Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum.
Gozo & Comino
Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Malta is the tranquil island of Gozo, with its natural landscape and wonderful views. Between Malta and Gozo is the tiny islet of Comino, famous for the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon.
Outdoor Adventure
Although small, Malta’s amazing weather and clear, clean, seas make outdoor activities an absolute joy. Choose from adventure sports like rock-climbing or para-sailing, horse-riding or quad-biking or just take a walk on one of our lovely hiking trails.
Did you know?
Beaches
Malta has some of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean. The most popular ones are situated in the northern part of the island; namely Mellieha Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha and Golden Bay. Yet a trip to Blue Lagoon and Blue Grotto are definitely the highlight of your stay, giving you beautiful Instagrammable photos as you get to see a little paradise of white sand and crystal clear water.
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Malta Nightlife
Malta is surely not short of night-time activities. The island boasts some of the greatest summer festivals and music concerts, the majority taking place in summer. One can also visit wine bars and café’s in style at Malta’s capital city, Valletta (the European Capital of Culture 2018) which has some of Europe’s most amazing medieval relics.
English Malta
Malta was a British colony for more than 150 years. This radically and permanently transformed the language, culture, politics and education of the island. Some of the traditions and influences that we still see in modern Malta today is the Turkey and Plum Pudding at Christmas and the annual Christmas Pantomime!
Food Lovers
If you love food, Malta has it all covered. The island’s cuisine is influenced by various Mediterranean neighbouring countries yet it offers a delicious unique cuisine experience. It is mostly famous for its bread, locally made cheese and pea cakes known as ‘pastizzi’ and the famous, traditional rabbit dish!
European Malta
Malta joined the European Union back in 2004 and embraced the Euro currency in 2008. The island also became a member of Schengen in 2007, allowing people from other Schengen members to move around freely without border checks or visa requirements.
Hollywood Malta
Malta’s beautiful islands have featured in major motion picture productions like Midnight Express, Gladiator, Troy and Game of Thrones to mention just a few. A village was also built in Malta for the musical production of Popeye in 1980. The movie set village is still a major tourist attraction today!
