| 6 mins read
By Jen Mullen
If Malta were a person, she would be not one person, but a set of triplets, representing her three islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino. On first impression most people would struggle to guess which language they are speaking. Are they conversing in Italian? Arabic? English? Actually, the language sounds like a mixture of all three. The Maltese siblings would make a striking impression, clad in the deepest blue cloaks to represent their aquamarine coves and grottos, but accessorised with the deep reds and beiges of their stylish towns.
The Maltese archipelago enjoys a central Mediterranean location, only 93 km from Sicily and 288 km from Africa. Malta is the main Island and serves as the country’s administration centre, followed by popular tourist island Gozo, which still has strong fishing and agricultural traditions. Finally, lesser-known Comingo is largely uninhabited, but with its one hotel, it can still be enjoyed by travellers looking for secluded walks and photographing nature. While a large portion of Malta’s income nowadays is through foreign tourists, sun seekers are by no means the first visitors. Malta has a rich tapestry of history, which is reflected in the island's architecture and cultural attractions. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, as well as Byzantines have all called Malta home at some point, due to Malta’s strategic island location. To enjoy the Maltese experience to the max, here is a list of the best things to do:
Choose a beach!
One thing is guaranteed; when you visit beaches in Malta, you will require absolutely no Instagram or other filter on your photographs, as the shades of blue are so breathtaking. Golden Bay certainly lives up to its name and has plenty of space for those who love to relax, but also for more energetic visitors to run around and play beach games. Malta’s longest beach is Ghadira Bay, which at 800 metres in length is a magnet for water sports enthusiasts. St George’s Bay is proud to hold a Blue Flag Award and is an easy hop from both Valetta and St Julians. Ghar Lapsi is a great place to take a refreshing dip after a hard morning’s sightseeing at attractions such as Mnajdra and Hagar Qim temples. The Blue Lagoon is Malta’s most popular swimming spot, situated on the tiny island of Comino. A Malta tour guide will advise you to come early and bring an umbrella for shade in peak season, as it does get fairly busy.
Savour the cuisine!
Malta has an eclectic cuisine, due to all its cultural influences (Spanish, French, Sicilian and English to name a few) therefore no two meals need be the same. A lot of Maltese start the day with a cup of sweet tea and pastizzis, which are flaky pastries filled with peas and cheese. Malta makes some of the best cheese in the Mediterranean, prepared with deliciously rich goat or sheep’s milk. Rabbit and fish also are popular dishes in Malta, often cooked with local wine and aromatic herbs, for example Lampuki fish pie. Perfect packed lunches can be quickly assembled using tomato paste on fresh Maltese bread, such as Ftira, accompanied by pickles, vegetables, tuna fish and more cheese. Other tempting delicacies include Bigilla, a paste made of broad beans and garlic and the“widow’s soup”.
Sail away!
As Malta is made up of three islands, one of the best ways to see the area is by boat, particularly a colourful wooden dghajsa. Malta’s Grand Harbour has played such a key role in the country’s history, such as holding off the Turks in the 16th century, and witnessing even significant events in World War 2. More than 50,000 people a year come to Malta to dive, therefore to get further out, take a more powerful boat to one of the sites to explore under water wrecks. Zurrieq is the home of the famous Blue Grotto; exploring the coves and caves of the area will leave you pondering where the water ends and the sky begins. Navigating the coast by boat will also give you some incredible views of the Three Cities and their formidable fortifications, not to mention Valletta’s iconic domed skyline.
Explore the capital!
Valletta sometimes seems like it should be straight out of a romantic poem. Built by the Knights of St John in the 16th and 17th centuries, the intention was to create “a city for gentlemen, built by gentlemen”. UNESCO has recognised the historical significance of this compact and highly elegant city, by declaring it as “one of the most concentrated historical areas in the world”. Valletta is laid back, baroque, and embellished with ornate palazzos and a rainbow palette of houses. Some of the highlights include St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the Lascaris War Rooms, the Fortifications Interpretation Centre, Fort St Elmo and the Grand Master’s Palace. There is a distinct excited buzz about the city, now they are renovating and restoring all its glory towards being the European Capital Culture in 2018.
Soak up the past!
In Malta, history envelops you as soon as you walk out into the warm sunlight from the plane. Archaeology enthusiasts will be spellbound by the Hypogeum, a labyrinth of underground chambers, which historians believe were used as a temple or sacred burial ground. The Hagar Qim is older than Stonehenge is arguably more sophisticated (sorry Brits!). Malta has Roman villas, megalithic monuments, Bronze Age remains, as well as tombs. In fact it is thought that the temples of Malta and Gozo are some of the most ancient free-standing buildings known to man. Likewise, the best way to work up an appetite in Malta for all those pastizzis is walk around one of the many fortresses, such as Dwejra Tower, Fort Manoel, Fort St Angelo, the Ghallis Tower and the Qalet Marku Tower. It is no surprise Malta is sometimes called the “Fortress Island”. If ruins and forts are not enough, simply wander through quaint towns such as Mdina and The Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua), whose palaces and bastions are often older than those in Valletta.
A visit to Malta can offer experiences and excursions to suit every taste. Whether you wish to read a dramatic novel about gentlemanly knights on the beach or enjoy a fresh fish soup in a tiny café in the shadow of spires, Malta is a destination where lasting holiday memories are made.
Image Details and Licenses: https://flic.kr/p/bWJtcQ (Henrik Berger Jørgensen, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/oEB2t2, imagea.org, CC BY-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/pfpPf (Michael Brys, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/aZZJS2 (Michael Caroe Andersen, CC BY-NC 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/2rwxwn (Juliette Melton, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/tskd9p (Jeff Marquis, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/2onjkB (Adam Burt, CC BY-ND 2.0)