Malta, often called the jewel of the Mediterranean, a honey-sweet haven for the weary traveller and a rather cosmopolitan destination for young and old alike. It has a long history of receiving visitors mainly due to its strategic location at the heart of the Med and has been used as a staging post by many civilisations and nationalities throughout time.
The history of Malta is a long and colourful one dating back to the dawn of civilisation, the islands have experienced a golden Neolithic period, the remains of which include the mysterious temples dedicated to the goddess of fertility. Later on, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Byzantines, all came and left their marks on the Islands.
The history is deep on the islands, indeed it is said that in 60 A.D St Paul was shipwrecked on Malta, on his way to Rome and is credited to bringing Christianity to the islands. The Arabs conquered the islands in 870 A.D. and until 1530 Malta was an extension of Sicily: The Normans, the Aragonese and other conquerors ruled over the islands, then the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem ruled over Malta from 1530 to 1798. Following the Great Siege of 1565, the Knights took Malta through new golden age, making it a key player in the cultural scene of 17th and 18th century Europe. It was during 1798 that Napoleon Bonaparte took control of the islands on his way to Egypt, but the French influence was a rather short-lived experience as the English came over the bequest of the Maltese to and British rule in Malta lasted until 1964 when Malta became independent.
Modern Malta became a Republic in 1974, joining the European Union in May 2004 and later adopting the Euro in 2008.
Since then Malta, plus its smaller neighbour, Gozo have become a popular destination for tourists from all over Europe and further afield Indeed roughly 1.6 million visitors a year cole to the islands, some three times more than there are local residents - approximately 500,000. Yet worry not, you'll never feel overrun and the welcome you get from the locals is a warm and friendly one.
The islands are popular throughout the year, thanks to the 300+ days of sunshine each year and a wealth of things to do and places to see. The capital, Valletta, was recently voted the sunniest city in the whole of Europe and the English speaking islands are around a three-hour flight from most places in Europe, with a large selection of direct flights from across the UK and elsewhere, there is bound to be either a direct flight or a single connection from wherever you happen to be.
Where to go
Probably the most rugged of regions is the North, where you'll find Malta's most established beach and holiday resorts, Buġibba, Qawra, St. Paul's Bay, and Malta's largest sandy beach at Mellieha. The coast has great views over towards Malta's little sisters of Comino and Gozo. Also in the north you'll be able to visit Golden Bay, Għajn Tuffieħa and Paradise Bay.
Sliema and St. Julian's are Malta's main coastal resort towns, where the newest hotels and apartments are, along with some top shops and eating places. St. Julian's and Paceville are considered to be Malta's main nightlife areas as well.
The Southern area is dotted with small fishing villages and quiet bays and perhaps a more rural and traditional Maltese way of life. Down this way, you'll find two of Malta's prehistoric temples, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra. This is a relatively undeveloped region, except for Marsaskala, which is quite a busy resort where the hotels are, but whilst it is often active at night, it still have a sedate ambience during the day.
Central Malta is dominated by Malta's ancient capital, Mdina, a near-perfect example of a medieval walled town, a popular area for film crews! Beyond the walls, lies Rabat, a large town of Roman origin.
The Historic Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua have played home and fortress to almost every people who came, conquered or settled on the Islands, from the Phoenician's to the Knights of St John and many others. As such they are steeped in history and are a 'must-visit' destination for any holidaymaker to Malta.
Malta's little sisters Gozo and Comino provide a tranquil haven and change of scene and are greener and a god deal more rural than Malta itself, but then they are a lot smaller! Gozo has a slow and almost glacial pace of life, perfect for a restful getaway from it all. Good mix of hotels to suit all tastes and pockets as well as apartments and cottages.
Litle Comino is the ultimate escape, all year round, peaceful, no cars and only one resort so is one of the most peaceful of all the Med's many islands or destinations.
Beaches and Bays
There is no doubt that Malta has beaches and bays for everyone, from windsurfers to sunbathers from shoppers to watchers. Choose from golden sand, red sand, rocks, blue lagoons and even inland seas. Some of the beaches and rocky shores are someway off the beaten track, but definitely worth seeking out for their seclusion and beauty.
Probably the most popular beaches are at Mellieha Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha and Golden Bay, whilst smaller, quieter and less busy beaches can be found at the tip of Malta, overlooking Gozo - Paradise Bay and Armier.
Anchor Bay is perhaps most known for Popeye Village, the set of the 1979 film starring Robin Williams as Popeye. After more than three decades, Popeye's Sweethaven village still occupies the craggy slopes of Anchor Bay.
Armier beach stretches around the shore of an open bay at the extreme northern fringe of Malta. This sandy bay faces the nearby islands of Comino and Gozo. Bars and small restaurants provide the necessary beach facilities but this is a rural area, so don't expect hotels or tourist places in the locality. It is a great place for a day trip, a picnic or a barbeque, swimming is fine, just watch out for the rough swells from time to time.
Birżebbuġa is a fairly small seaside resort not far from Marsaxlokk in the south-east area of Malta. Its shoreline hugs St. George's although the sandy beach is known as Pretty Bay. It has been a popular bathing spot for Maltese holiday-makers for decades. Outside Pretty Bay, going towards St. George's Bay, you'll find a rocky shore ideal for sunbathing and snorkelling. St. George's Bay is a lovely inlet used by local fishermen who moor their boats there.
Buġibba and Qawra are Malta's largest, seaside resort towns. The coastline promenade stretches from Salina Bay to St. Paul's Bay, with great views and a vista over to St. Paul's Island.
The shore is rocky, but that has not prevented the resorts' appeal. The flat rocks provide places for sunbathing and there are access points every so often for swimmers. The water is deep, but generally clean, clear and safe for bathing.
The Qawra promontory to the northwest has been developed into a distinct resort with hotels along the coastline and numerous holiday apartments just inland. Salina Bay takes its name from the salt pans cut in the inner segment of this sea inlet.
Dwejra is perhaps the archipelago's most spectacular natural landmark. Here, geology, time and sea have worked together to produce some of the most remarkable scenery on the Islands - the Inland Sea, Fungus Rock, sheer cliffs and a rocky coastline, a true natural delight.
Xlendi Bay, lies at the end of a deep, lush ravine which was once a river bed. Until the mid-20th century, Xlendi was a small fishing port and a restful summer resort for a few locals, Now, the bay is classed as a must-visit place either for the day or a little longer. The bay still retains a peaceful atmosphere and is surprisingly relatively undeveloped. Xlendi is flanked by steep cliffs, great to climb for some of the best views of the bay. Bathing in Xlendi is usually off the rocks along the bay with access down ladders. On the left side of the bay, two tiers of pathways provide ample space for both a walkway and a flat space to spread out a towel and sunbathe. The Xlendi Tower dates back to 1650 and enjoys superb sea views across the scenic coastline - don't miss it.
Food and Drink
As you might expect with such a varied heritage, Maltese cuisine takes its influence from so many places and visitors that you'll find something for most tastes in an eclectic mix of Mediterranean cooking. There is a wide selection of restaurants ranging from top-end to local cafes and many serving their own versions of specialities.
Some of the local dishes to keep an eye out for include, Lampuki Pie, Rabbit Stew, Bragioli, Kapunata and my favourite Pastizzi which is basically a flaky pastry parcel filled with either ricotta cheese or mushy peas and occasionally beef. Perfect either for a snack or a few for a more substantial hunger!
 |
| Marsovin Winery Photo Marsovin |
Oh and something you might not know about, Malta has its very own wine, it's not new, they've been making the stuff here for years, but it was only in the early 1970s that wine production stepped up a gear. Marsovin is the biggest and most widely known producers and has been going for over 100 years, with a wide variety to try. My favourite is the Ulysses Shiraz, rich, dark, full-bodied and rather fruity, with the grapes coming from the family's vineyard on Gozo. Antonin Noir is also a top tip, although it is a bit more expensive, but tastes great.
Shopping
Shopping is perhaps one of those key activities that take place on almost every visit, regardless of whether its for business or pleasure and Malta has it in spades. The capital Valletta has lots to offer, just head down to Republic Street or the aptly named Merchants Street. If you are in Sliema then you'll find the best on The Strand, Tower Road and Bisazza Street. However, you'll find a good mix of local and international type stores in most places. Local crafts have been making a bit of a come back in recent years, with a large collection on sale, plus in normal times there are craft markets which are fun.
There are also a few shopping centres or malls in which you can while away the hours and splash out the euros, Main Street, Daniels Shopping Complex, Plaza Shopping Centre are good to go to, along with the Savoy Arcade in Valletta.
Nightlife
There is usually a vibrant and excitingly rich nightlife seen on Malta and Gozo, although with the current coronavirus situation this is somewhat more subdued than before, that said, it isn't dull an dead, no far from it. For example, Gianpula Village in Rabat is where Malta comes alive and everyone comes to party! Indoor and outdoor, dry and in the pool and whilst the big festivals are off the agenda for a while, it is still the place to be. More details on its facebok pages.
Offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and St Paul's Island, Café del Mar, forming part of the Malta National Aquarium complex, is one of the main places to be. During the day, enjoy the lido and sunbeds with a great view - but expect to fork out a bit as prices start at €15 for a basic sunbed to €100 for a lil gazebo. Café del Mar also offers great food also, with a more international Mediterranean flavour - for a three-course meal think around €70.
Club Numero Uno is the island’s largest and said to be the most magical open-air venue which is a mecca for clubbing. Various events attract thousands during normal times. Pete Tong, Deadmaus, Too Many DJs, Steve Iokii, Bob Sinclair, Carl Cox, Axwell, Steve Angelo are just a few of the top names that have played there over the years.
Diving
Due to its location and history, the Maltese Archipelago is blessed with a massive array of dive sites and wrecks to explore along with conservation areas and places of pure natural beauty. The waters here are some of the most limpid and clear in the world so visibility is excellent down to around 30 metres or so. Malta is a dream destination for underwater photography as marine life flourishes in a vibrant display of colours. Numerous areas for shore dives and dives from boats will ensure there is always more to see, explore and enjoy. Don't worry, if you don't dive yet, there are a number of dive schools around the Islands, so learning shouldn't be too difficult either.
British Influence
As Malta was part of the British Empire for over 150 years it is hardly surprising that a little of that influence still lingers. For example, business, laws and education all have some British overtones. Plus English is a joint official language with Maltese, both are widely spoken. You'll find most Maltese often switch effortlessly from Malti to English mid-sentence and don't be surprised to hear the odd Italian word popped in here and there.Take a walk through the streets of Valletta and it won't be long before you see British names on stores and cafes. Then, of course, you'll also see the old fashion red telephone boxes dotted around, which are virtually non-exisitant in the UK these days. Another touch of the Britishness comes in the shape of the vintage cars you'll often see tottling off down the road - you know models like Ford Prefects, Anglia's and Morris Minors. You might even see a few Triumphs and even the odd Bedford lorry delivering the brad or other such goodies. Oh and one other thing, whilst you may be in Europe, unlike elsewhere the Maltese drive on the left!
Getting Around
It seems like nearly everyone has a car in Malta, the roads can get very busy, especially during the rush hours 07:00-09:00 and 15:30-18:00 and whilst the speed limits are 50kmh in towns and cities or 80kmh in open countryside, you'll hardly ever get a chance to reach that speed. There are a number of free car parks with parking attendants operated by the government, whilst these are free, a small tip for the attended is customary.
Taxi's are widely available and can pick you up pretty much anywhere - except in a bus stop! Agree on the cost before you set off, otherwise, you might come in for a surprise.
Taxi's from the airport have fixed fares, but add on another 10 euro for admin fees or extra charges.
Busses are plentiful for a relatively small island, covering most places (see the map) and are easy to use. Try to have the exact fare and take note of the special seats for disabled etc. With a two-hour ticket costing around €1.5 or an unlimited use 7-day ticket, just €21 hopping on the bus is a really cost-effective way of getting about. Airport routes all start with X making them easy to find.
There are also three or so tour bus companies offering various tours in a variety of old-style busses or double-deckers. A daily hop on hop off ticket on the double-deckers costs almost the same as a weekly ticket on the normal busses, so keep that in mind if you are on a budget or have a large family. Malta bus co has a fleet of classic vehicles some going back to the 1930s which make tours fun.
Gay Friendly
Whilst Malta might not feature highly in your top five or even ten of the best most friendly traditional gay destinations, but this tiny haven in the Mediterranean is a beacon of acceptability, tolerance and discrimination-free within Europe. Recent law changes and greater cultural acceptance has seen the Maltese Islands take at first place on the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Europe Index for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. For comparison, in 2020 the UK was 9th, France 13th and Germany 16th.
Malta has introduced equal marriage, a new gender recognition law, a ban on gay ‘cure’ therapies, protections for trans people and Maltese law grants adoption rights to sale sex couples. It is, therefore safe to say it is by and large one of the most gay-friendly places in Europe. Of course, that's not so say there isn't some resentment of the liberalisation of laws and acceptance, although this is mostly from the older generations and those that are strongly religious, but that is just a tiny minority and discrimination is illegal, so rest assured you're visiting a safe and welcoming country.
According to the Malta Gay Guide, the top gay club is Michelangelo just off St George's Street in St Julian's. This is a late-night venue, opening around 10.30pm until around 3 or 4 in the morning. During the current situation, they have a limit on the number of people admitted, but I'm told, that hasn't dampened the spirit.
Where to stay
There are numerous hotels of off different standards and styles in Malta that will cater for all tastes and budgets. Also, because this is a popular tourist destination, there is a plentiful supply of apartments in various locations that can be a more cost-effective option. Many British and northern European older folk stay here for longer periods during winter, escaping the cold for the warm Mediterranean warmth.
Corinthia St George’s Bay.
Corinthia St George’s Bay.
The ideal retreat for long, languid days, here you can perfect the art of seafront relaxation. Rest easy with sublime views across the Mediterranean, knowing your favourite cocktail can be ordered from your sun lounger. And appetites are satisfied with the many delectable eateries set just moments from the water’s edge.
Book with Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay, Malta, and get 20% off on Room only and Bed and Breakfast Rate in Malta. Book now and pay later!
Corinthia Palace Hotel and Spa
A true oasis of luxury and charm, sophistication and value. Plus to help you make the most of your luxury getaway at the Corinthia Palace, why not take advantage of a special 20% off the best available rate and 20% discount on food and beverage consumption, Cocktail per adult, while lounging by the pool, once per stay as well!
The basics
Capital Valletta
Population 500,000 approx
Language Maltese - English
Currency Euro
Electricity 220 - 240 volts - three rectangular pin plugs (same as UK)
Drive Left-hand side of the road (same as UK)
Emergency 112
Water Safe to drink - bottled water widely available
Religion Catholic (93%), Agnostic (3%), Christian (1%), Islam.
Dialling code 356
WiFi Widely available including 191 government provided free hotspots.
Health Good quality hospitals, EHIC required, travel insurance recommended
Public Holidays
Malta and Gozo have 14 annual Public Holidays. With the exception of Good Friday, the date of which varies from year to year, every other public holiday is celebrated on a fixed day of the year.The dates are the following:
1st January – New Year’s Day
10th February – Feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck
19th March – Feast of St. Joseph
31st March – Freedom Day
March / April (date changes) – Good Friday
1st May – Labour Day
7th June – Sette Giugno
29th June – Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul (L-Imnarja)
15th August – Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady (Santa Marija)
8th September – Feast of Our Lady of Victories
21st September – Independence Day
8th December – Feast of the Immaculate Conception
13th December – Republic Day
25th December – Christmas Day
Lounges at Malta International Airport
Opening Hours - 24 hours daily.
Location - Airside - after Security Checks, proceed through the Duty Free Shop and at the exit take the lift to the 3rd Floor.
Priority Pass members must book at least 24 hours in advance via email:info@lavaletteclub.com or call on +356 2369 6464 with name (including guests) and flight number details. An email confirming availability will be sent by the lounge.
VIP LOUNGE (ARRIVALS)
Opening Hours - 24 hours daily.
Location - Airside - Arrivals, near to the Baggage Reclaim Hall.
Priority Pass members must book at least 24 hours in advance via email:info@lavaletteclub.com or call on +356 2369 6464 with name (including guests) and flight number details. An email confirming availability will be sent by the lounge.
