Visit Malta
Reasons to Visit Malta
A tiny nation in the central Mediterranean 50 nautical miles from Sicily, Malta is a place that has yet to truly register in the consciousness of rank and file American travelers.
It certainly doesn’t have the instant name recognition of iconic tourist hotspots like France and Britain, both of which have attracted Americans in droves for decades. And given the island’s out of the way location, it’s not the sort of place you might accidentally stumble across while traipsing around Europe on a summer vacation.
“Not a lot of people know where Malta is. We’re still in the education phase,” Michelle Buttigieg, of the Malta Tourism Authority, recently told TravelPulse.
With its 7,000 years of rich and fascinating history to explore including ruins linked to the Romans, Moors, and Knights of Saint John (all of whom once ruled the island), it’s remarkable Malta still remains so very under the radar. Here’s a closer look at some of the many, many reasons to visit.
300 Days of Sunshine
A tiny nation in the central Mediterranean 50 nautical miles from Sicily, Malta is a place that has yet to truly register in the consciousness of rank and file American travelers.
It certainly doesn’t have the instant name recognition of iconic tourist hotspots like France and Britain, both of which have attracted Americans in droves for decades. And given the island’s out of the way location, it’s not the sort of place you might accidentally stumble across while traipsing around Europe on a summer vacation.
“Not a lot of people know where Malta is. We’re still in the education phase,” Michelle Buttigieg, of the Malta Tourism Authority, recently told TravelPulse.
With its 7,000 years of rich and fascinating history to explore including ruins linked to the Romans, Moors, and Knights of Saint John (all of whom once ruled the island), it’s remarkable Malta still remains so very under the radar. Here’s a closer look at some of the many, many reasons to visit.
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History
Sea/Beaches
300 days of sun
Festival
Gastronomy
Affordability
Malta has a huge mix of natural and human history, showcasing epic rock formations across the island as well of some of the oldest known creations by humans that are still standing today. The cities of Mdina and Valletta are steeped in history and you will find yourself transported to a new world (think Game of Thrones – it was filmed here during season one) which will leave you constantly experiencing delightful new finds.
Diving
Nightlife
Culture
One Destination, Three Islands to Explore
Located in the center of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily and off the coast of North Africa, Malta is actually made up of three islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. While Malta is the largest of the islands, the cultural and commercial center, Gozo (known as a tranquil haven) is more rural and known for its fishing industry, tourism, crafts, and agriculture. Comino is the smallest and is largely uninhabited.
Sand and Sea
Apart from its rich history, Malta is, after all, a Mediterranean island. In other words, it’s surrounded by beautiful ocean and there are plenty of outdoor activities to indulge in – everything from walking and cycling to diving. In fact, the clear blue sea surrounding the Maltese Islands is ideal for scuba diving. “We have 20 meters of visibility in the water,” Buttigieg noted. There’s also an abundance of reefs, caves and wrecks in the area to explore. And added bonus: the risk of encountering dangerous fish is extremely low, creating the ultimate conditions for first time divers and beginners.
what to visit in malta
Fort Saint Elmo
You simply can’t miss Fort Saint Elmo in Valletta – it shoulders above the old city with its honey-hued stone, looking like something out of Game of Thrones, keeping watch over the main harbor and the Med. The great rock citadel was built by the Knights Hospitaller way back in the 16th century.
Catacombs and cathedral in Mdina
Venerable Mdina is also known as Città Vecchia and the Silent City of Malta. It’s an apt name for the onetime Maltese capital, which sits close to the middle of the main island. More than 3,000 years old, it hosts some of the greatest cultural treasures of the nation. First up is St Paul’s Cathedral, which dates back to the 1100s.
Traces of Caravaggio
Dark and brooding Caravaggio remains one of the most evocative painters of all time. In the first decade of the 1600s, the artist was chased to Malta by bounty hunters. He left one of his greatest works in the glorious St John’s Co-Cathedral, located in central Valletta. Both are musts for any art lovers exploring the Maltese capital.
Dwejra Bay
Dwejra Bay is lined with caves, rock-ribbed cliffs, and lonely islets, making it one of the most dramatic sections of Malta’s coastline. You can find it in the remote western region of San Lawrenz, on the wild island of Gozo. There, beautiful walking trails weave across high cliffs to give spectacular views past the stones, coastal herbs and headlands.
Comino
Comino is a tiny limestone islet wedged between Malta and Gozo, the 2 main islands of the archipelago. Size aside, there’s plenty to explore, with rugged cliffs and deep waters that make for an ideal yachting location. Then comes the untamed backcountry, where hikers can tread dusty trails past eerie disused prisons and meadows of wild herb.
Ggantija Temples
Forget Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, Malta’s Ggantija Temples pre-date the lot. They clock up a mind-boggling age of 5,000 years or more, found in the remote and rural heart of Gozo island. History buffs should be certain to add a pitstop to the itinerary, to spy out the grand concentric structure of megalithic stones and small shrines.
hotels in malta
from 200 €
Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands
RATE
4.5
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL CLASS
Business
Modern
from 200 €
The Embassy Valletta Hotel
RATE
4.5
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL CLASS
Business
Modern
from 200 €
Dolmen Hotel Malta
RATE
4.5
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL CLASS
Business
Modern
from 200 €
Hilton Malta
RATE
4.5
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL CLASS
Business
Modern
Grand Hotel Excelsior
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The Official Event Hotel!
As the premier destination among 5-star Valletta hotels, the Grand Hotel Excelsior is ideally located on the doorstep of a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Capital City of Valletta, with all its major attractions, culture, art treasures, and historical architectural gems.This acclaimed Valletta Malta hotel prides itself in providing the discerning traveller with magnificent accommodation, breathtaking views of Marsamxett harbour and Manoel Island, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, and an unforgettable dining experience. Its central position allows for easy travel to all parts of the Maltese islands.
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