| 6 mins read
By Joseph Francis
Rising from the swells of the Mediterranean Sea midway between the island of Sicily and the sun-splashed beaches of North Africa, Malta remains a veritable jewel of Europe. It’s trodden by beach lovers, history buffs, culture vultures and many more; after all the country offers a medley of fascinating medieval architecture, breathtaking towns forged by the hands of Knights Hospitaller, French invaders, Norman conquests, Andalusian sailors and Moorish Berber fighters alike, glorious beaches, rugged cliffs and enthralling ancient dig sites to name just a few of its totemic draws.
Here is a Malta tour guide to all the major must-sees peppering the various islets and islands that form the Maltese archipelago as a whole…
Mdina
Crowning the hillsides in the very heart of Malta Island, the ancient city of Mdina is home to more than 4,000 years of history (legend has it that it was here that St Paul settled after being shipwrecked in the Mediterranean!). Surrounded by a series of formidable bulwarks that were first raised by the Phoenician Greeks in the 8h century BC, this UNESCO World Heritage site plays host to wondrous attractions like St Paul's Cathedral – with its elegant Baroque façade and Norman roots – and the grandiose, Francophone Palazzo Vilhena, now home to Malta’s National Museum of Natural History.
The bustling, sun-splashed capital of the island is an absolute must for any travellers making their way through the country. Cascading its way down beautifully to the shorelines of the Med, the old town here is a symphony of majestic sandstone architecture. It was raised in the Middle Ages by the Knights of St John, is inscribed by UNESCO, and accordingly teems with museums, churches and palaces alike. For one, it hosts the great St John's Co-Cathedral, complete with its legendary interior lined with the sepulchres of Hospitaller heroes and elaborate frescos and murals. Then there’s the gorgeous Grand Harbour and Upper Barrakka gardens for spectacular views, as well as the city’s wealth of bubbling cafes and eateries, all al fresco and awash with Maltese chatter in the summer.
Diving
This island nation is home to a good number of dedicated Malta scuba diving guides. These help travelers enjoy the crystal-clear conditions and majestic array of underwater marine life that meet in this section of the Mediterranean Sea, offering excursions out to famous dive sites like the sunken Imperial Eagle and an ethereal statue of Christ that was lowered to the depths in the 1990s. There are also plenty of reefs and caves like Santa Marija and the Azure Window on Gozo to explore while donning the scuba gear!
Mnajdra, Hagar Qim and Ggantija
Delve into Malta’s deepest past with a trip to the striking monolith complexes that pepper both Malta Island and the smaller island of Gozo to the north-west. Start with a trip to the sites of Mnajdra and Hagar Qim, which date back to the 4th millennium BC and showcase a curious array of astronomically aligned prehistoric worshipping houses. Finish off with a trip to the beautiful island of Gozo; home to the awesome altars and animist shrines of Ggantija Temple. All of these megaliths are now listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Walking and hiking
Malta has gradually established itself as one of the top hiking spots in Europe. And it’s true: offering a bucolic backcountry of green pastures and rugged hills peppered with crumbling farmhouses, smiling locals and wandering goat herds, the islands that form this archipelago offer a great counterweight to the cities and cultural sites. On the island of Gozo, hikers scale the cliffs to Giordan Lighthouse or spy out the dusty ridges and flower-packed meadows of the San Blas Valley. Meanwhile, the little island of Comino offers up breathtaking cliffs, cerulean seas and real solitude. Nice.
The beaches
Given its prime location in the midst of the warm Mediterranean and the fact that Malta is an island nation, it’s hardly surprising that beaches are one of the county’s major draws. Travellers enjoy a medley of hidden coves and cliff-backed beaches that are part Greek Aegean part Balearic Islands; real travel brochure stuff! The top spots include the Blue Lagoon on the edge of deserted Comino, the lively, wave-battered Golden Bay, and sandy Ghajn Tuffieha. Locals tend to prefer the rugged coves however, and many head for the cliffs of Ghar Lapsi or the chiselled Delimara Peninsula in the south. And if you’re after something a little more active, surfing is big between the beaches and reefs here, with Ghallis and Palm Beach both popular riding spots!
Enjoy the Maltese nightlife and music scene
It’s not all history and seaside relaxation on Malta though, because these islands are famed for their throbbing nightlife and packed calendar of events too. Travellers who head to the lively district of Paceville, where the streets are loaded with gaudy red-light joints and sleepless clubs, are all but guaranteed to spy out a big name DJ or global act spinning the decks during the summer months. Others will prefer something a little more refined, and hang on for the International Jazz Festival in June or July, which has been running for more than 25 years and draws accomplished trios and quartets alike to the heritage city of Valletta.
Sample Maltese cuisine
Drawing influences from Campania and Sicily, North Africa and Greece, Malta’s national kitchen is a real medley of fresh and local flavours straight out of the Mediterranean Basin. Local specialities include beef-packed bragioli olives, broad bean pates served with crusty, rustic breads, salty aljotta fish stews made with fresh seafood cuts from the stalls of the famous Marsaxlokk fish market, rabbit broths, and sweet cannoli pastries for dessert or Italian-style ice creams aplenty. Then there’s Malta’s accomplished wine scene to enjoy, which remains less well known than its counterpart in Apulia across the water. Aside from a host of Merlot and Syrah, wine aficionados here can sample local grape varieties like Gellewza, which mix with the island’s unique terroir to create a truly unforgettable taste!
Joseph ‘Rich’ Francis is a freelance travel writer who has travelled extensively in Asia and Europe. He particularly enjoys the jazz bars of Poland, the ski slopes of Austria and the beaches and cities of India.
Image Details and Licenses: https://flic.kr/p/o1qxE6 (elniteo, CC BY-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/54qfmr (Steve Hodgson, CC BY-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/nkvs1N (iñaki, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/2rN8YA (Juliette Melton, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/pXgCoh (Trevor Claringbold, CC BY-NC 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/7rDPRL (Jennifer Morrow, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/nYpWYq (elniteo, CC BY-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/dYTx8y (Simon, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)