Top 11 Reasons to Visit Malta
Malta, a little country in the middle Mediterranean 50 nautical miles from Sicily, is a location that hasn't really made an impression on average American ... read more...travelers. It certainly lacks the instant name recognition of well-known tourist destinations like France and Britain, which have long drawn large numbers of Americans. It's also not the kind of destination you'd stumble into by chance when wandering about Europe on a summer vacation, considering the island's remote location. Here are many reasons to visit Malta.
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Malta's coastline is beautiful, featuring a variety of bays, creeks, sandy beaches, and rocky coves. That is one of the various reasons to visit Malta. Living in Malta as an expat could be an unmatched experience for those used to hectic city life and long commutes to and from work. Everything is close by due to its small size. Because everything in Malta is so accessible, you could even purchase a home in a remote area and still enjoy living there. Using a vehicle or the island's public transportation system, you may travel comfortably.
Living in Malta won't let you down if you like to shop, eat out, play sports, and other things to do. Numerous activities are available, from biking and hiking in natural areas to taking advantage of the exciting nightlife, where bars and clubs stay up late. Being a resident of Malta gives you access to some of the best dining establishments along the Mediterranean coast, where you may order fresh seafood prepared in accordance with age-old recipes. The World Risk Report has placed Malta as one of the safest nations in the world in terms of its susceptibility and capacity to deal with natural disasters, in addition to its excellent quality of life and standard of living.
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The most notable cities in Malta are like enormous open-air history museums, which is one of the main reasons to visit Malta. The Knights of St. John (Knights Hospitaller) established Valletta as the nation's capital in the sixteenth century. Since many of the structures they constructed are still intact, Valletta has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A memorable experience and a great reason to travel to Malta is seeing the city's sights (such as St. John's Co-Cathedral and the remnants of the Royal Opera House) while ambling along its quaint alleyways decorated with vibrant Maltese balconies.
You'll feel as though you've entered another world when you visit Mdina, a fortified hilltop city (and the historic capital of Malta) with a history that extends back thousands of years. The city you see now was constructed during the Middle Ages, and its period setting is utterly enthralling. It also offers a sense of tranquility because it has less than 300 residents and only allows residents with a special permit to enter the Mdina with a car. While exploring the winding lanes and streets that appear to be from another period, you may take in the silence.
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Malta is a haven for beach lovers who cherish the sun. It s one of the many reasons to visit Malta.The Maltese islands enjoy a temperate Mediterranean environment with more than 300 days of sunshine annually. Malta not only has wonderful beach weather most of the time, but also has stunning scenery throughout its varied coastlines. The landscapes on the islands are all unique. The beaches on the island of Malta are small, rocky, and not particularly picturesque. They are close to the resorts of Sliema and St. Julian's as well as the capital city of Valletta. However, due to the area's popularity as a summer vacation destination, these beaches continue to draw large people. Other areas of Malta have a lot more gorgeous sandy beaches, particularly around the northwest coast.
Visitors should travel to the Island of Gozo, which is renowned for its picturesque rural terrain, for a more dreamy beach vacation. Long stretches of exquisite sandy beaches span the coastline; they are hidden among farms and sheltered in peaceful coves. Despite the crowds of tourists, the Blue Lagoon on the Island of Comino is a well-known location that is well visiting. For any kind of traveler, the Maltese islands offer an astounding diversity of beaches. Check out our selection of Malta's top beaches if you're looking for fun for the whole family or a buzzy beachside environment.
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The Mediterranean-style climate of Malta is greatly influenced by the sea. The islands see highly sunny days, averaging five to six hours per day in midwinter and about 12 hours in the summer. Summers are hot, dry, and highly sunny, and winters are pleasant. Average annual precipitation is only 600 mm, and the summer dry season is longer than in Italy's neighbor. Even during the so-called "winter" months, you can still get some sun, and the busiest beach season can run until late October.
Bright beaches and large summer festivities are best experienced during the busy season (June to August). Four enormous music festivals draw throngs of music enthusiasts and some of the biggest DJs in the planet with their castle raves, outdoor concerts, and boat parties. On the beaches of Malta and Gozo, on the other hand, the emphasis is on relaxation and water sports. After days spent enjoying the warmest Mediterranean water, sun, and beach, revelers are drawn to jazz, the arts, and a well-known beer festival.
The ideal period for physical excursions and sporting events is in the shoulder seasons (March through May and September through October). Outside of the summer peak season, visitor numbers are more modest, and the weather should be warm enough to fit in a swim after going on a hike, a run, or a mountain bike ride. Easter is celebrated across the island with fervor and tradition, and a pair of thrilling events feature motor racing and aerial thrills.
The low season (November to February) offers the best deals on lodging and access to cultural attractions. Swimming is clearly out of the question due to the cooler temperatures, but the absence of crowds makes it simpler to explore cathedrals, art galleries, and museums. Carnival in February and Mdina's outstanding arts biennale in November are two festival highlights. -
The people is one of the various reasons to visit Malta. The Maltese are well known for their warmth, charity, and hospitality. The locals are generally friendly and make an effort to make visitors feel welcome. The vast majority of individuals are quite accommodating and eager to lend a hand if you need any form of assistance or directions. This trait is well ingrained in Maltese culture and creates a highly hospitable atmosphere.
The language barrier that many visitors to other resorts often encounter, don't worry the locals, because the language barrier has been eliminated by the fact that English is the second official language of Malta. They will be very excited to talk to you in English. The fact that Malta was a colony of the British Empire for roughly 160 years before attaining independence in 1964 impacted both the nation and its people, the majority of whom now speak English fluently. This has the key virtue that it makes conversation between English-speaking tourists easy or nonexistent. However, the bulk of Maltese people continue to speak Maltese as their first language.
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The Maltese Islands are widely renowned for their beautiful skies, clear waters, and fascinating history, but Malta also has a fantastic nightlife. With a wide selection of nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and wine bars, Malta is renowned for its nightlife and party culture, so you'll never be without a good time. Malta's nightlife is well-known throughout Europe, and for good reason—the tiny island country is teeming with fantastic bars and clubs, suitable for every type of partygoer.
In Malta's capital, Valletta, you can sip on a quality local wine while listening to buskers, or you can travel to Paceville for a night that won't finish until the sun comes up. There is a club in Malta for everyone, whether you prefer top-40 music or dirty drops and simple beats. In fact, there is almost too much variety offered throughout the archipelago. Numerous fantastic venues can be found all across the tiny city, offering a more sophisticated experience than many major nightlife hubs. There are several bars and restaurants along the waterfront, which is a nice place to stroll while taking in the ambiance. Due to its long history of ties to England, Malta is also one of the few countries in the world that can successfully imitate the distinct pub atmosphere seen mostly in the UK and Ireland. If you're looking for a true boozer, suggesting The Queen Victoria City Pub or the appropriately titled The Pub, both of which serve up delicious pints and traditional pub fare.
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Most tourists consider the cuisine to be an essential component of the trip, and Malta will not let you down in this department. The diverse cultures that have lived on the islands throughout history are reflected in the country's cuisine. The end effect has a somewhat eclectic Mediterranean look. Traditional Maltese cuisine is famous for dishes like beef olives and fish pie. The fish market in Marsaxlokk, which is a vivid demonstration of exactly how diverse the fish catch may be in Maltese seas on Sunday mornings, is a must-see when in the country.
Finding the pastizzi, appetizers made from pastry stuffed with ricotta or pea puree, and the "ftira," a special focaccia with a central hole seasoned with all the basic ingredients of Maltese cuisine, are among the specialties that stand out in the cuisine of Malta. The "ftira" is a great summer snack that you can find in any restaurant in Malta. Along with Firaira focaccia, another traditional Maltese bread known as "hobz biz-zejt" is also available. This bread is baked in olive oil and topped with a mixture of chopped tomatoes, onions, and fine herbs. It makes a delicious accompaniment to a Maltese aperitif. Desserts are essential to capping off the experience in Maltese cuisine. It is possible to locate various ingredients in the diverse culinary selection that have been adapted to the Maltese culture, such as the Kassata, Kannoli, and other dishes. Butter biscuits in the shape of an eight, dusted with sesame seeds, cloves, and anise, are known as "Ottijiet" treats. Imqaret, a diamond-shaped cake packed with dates and served fried, is another common dessert. It was introduced to Maltese cuisine by the Moroccan and Tunisian cultures that had an impact on the island throughout its history.
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Malta has many attractions that are worth seeing if you want to spend part, if not all, of your time exploring them. In addition, unlike most holiday locations, Malta offers a wide variety of fascinating museums and sights that reflect the country's turbulent and rich past in a very small space. Instead of wasting the first half of the day traveling to just one place, you can plan day tours that combine visits to two or more places in one day, like Mdina and the Tarxien Temples.
Malta, Gozo, and Comino are the three islands that make up this country, which is situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily and off the coast of North Africa. Malta is the largest of the islands, but Gozo, which is recognized as a calm refuge and the cultural and commercial center, is more rural and famous for its fishing industry, tourism, crafts, and agriculture. The smallest and least populated island is Comino.
You have access to a wide range of tours across the Maltese islands thanks to numerous tour operators, although they are clearly not free. If you want to tour the islands independently, a rental car or public transportation are both quite easy to navigate thanks to the small distances, convenient bus lines, and clear road signs. Even simpler, you may take a hop-on, hop-off bus trip that will quickly take you through a number of locations.
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If you're looking for a place to stay, Malta and Gozo offer a variety of lodging options. Along with a variety of hotels (ranging from opulent 5-star hotels to more affordable 4- and 3-star hotels), Malta and Gozo also provide a large number of self-catering apartments and hostels. The area of St. Julian's, Buibba / Qawra, and Sliema, which are all located along Malta's northern shore, has the biggest number of vacation resorts and hotels. While vacationing in St. Julian's is advised if you enjoy spending your evenings out, it is not suggested for couples and families who value peace and quiet as it is close to Malta's nightlife center. Melliea and St. Paul's Bay are considerably better locations for those travelers to hunt for lodging.
The Maltese Islands are home to 18 5-star hotels. There is only one 5-star hotel on the neighboring island of Gozo, and seventeen of them are on the main island. There are two main types of 5-star hotels in Malta. The "Palace Hotel" profile, which includes Phoenicia Malta, gathers opulent hotels in a classic, real-world way. Modern, opulent hotels with a wide range of amenities and services fall under the "Resort" profile. The "Resort" hotel family includes the Hilton Malta, Corinthia, and Grand Hotel Excelsior.
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With so many things to do and see, it's difficult to get bored in Malta. In Malta, you can engage in a wide range of sports and recreational activities, such as windsurfing, mountain biking, rock climbing, scuba diving, and hiking. If you like to be active when the weather isn't too appealing to go outside, the majority of the larger hotels have indoor pools, gyms, and tennis courts.
The majority of equipment required for outdoor sports may be rented for a reasonable rate, and these games can be played in a number of sites throughout the islands. Due to its sheer cliffs and good hill climbs, Gozo is a particularly well-liked destination for mountain biking and rock climbing.
Tourists also enjoy scuba diving at numerous dive locations throughout the Maltese islands because there are so many fascinating diving sites (such as wrecked ships) and accredited PADI courses accessible. You won't have to worry about missing any significant football games or other sporting events if you choose to simply watch sports.The majority of pubs (as well as specialty sports bars) have a satellite dish mounted on their roofs, and the majority post chalkboard notices outside their establishments listing the sports events that are being televised.
Events like musical concerts and theater performances, as well as historical re-enactments like In Guardia, are much-liked by tourists and offer excellent family entertainment. -
Malta is a nation that encompasses more than just its island alone. The sister island of Malta, Gozo, which is part of the Republic of Malta, is described as being tranquil and rural, much like the former Malta. Families, couples, and senior citizens who enjoy a relaxing vacation with views of the countryside and gorgeous beaches can consider Gozo.
There are many other fascinating locations in and around Gozo, such as the Citadel bastions of the island's capital Victoria, the Megalithic temples of Ggantija, or Calypso's cave, which is thought to have been the setting for some of Homer's Odyssey. A well-liked tourist site is the beach village of Xlendi, which has a stunning bay encircled by towering cliffs. Beautiful swimming beaches include Ramla l-Hamla, Dahlet Qorrot, and San Blas Bay. One is larger and busier, while the other is more private and requires a long slope descent but is well worth the effort.
When arriving at the airport in Malta, you can arrange a direct shuttle that will take you directly to the ferries at the island's northernmost tip (a place called Cirkewwa). If you arrive during the day, the boats will transport you to Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, where you may easily take a taxi to your lodging. It's preferable to make arrangements with a nearby taxi driver in advance if you plan to arrive late at night.