Malta, comoara Marii Mediterane – tot ce trebuie sa stii despre aceasta tara

Malta is one of the sunniest countries in Europe. Located in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta welcomes you with beautiful landscapes, with a rich history, with a particular culture and architecture specific to this country. Suitable for a trip to explore or for a beach destination, Malta is always a very good idea to spend your holiday.

If you want to find out how we organized a 3-day vacation in Malta, read this article: 3 Days In Malta - How Much Does It Cost And How To Organize Your Holiday In Malta.

What do you need to know about Malta

Malta (officially called the Republic of Malta), is an island country in southern Europe, formed by an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, and the three largest islands are Malta, Gozo and Comino. The first two islands are inhabited, and the third island can only be reached by boat. Malta is located south of Italy, west of Greece and north of Tunisia.

Malta has a population of approximately 450,000 inhabitants. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, but also among the most densely populated.

The capital of the country is Valletta, which, with an area of less than 1 km² (0.8 km², more precisely), is the smallest capital in the European Union.

Malta has been a member of the European Union since 2004, and the official currency is Euro.

Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English. Maltese is a Semitic language, derived from Sicilian Arabic, with influences from Italian and English.

Malta's positioning has made it strategically important over the years, being constantly dominated by various world powers: Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, Sicilians, Spaniards, Knights of St John, French or English.

In 1964, Malta gained its independence from the United Kingdom, thus becoming a sovereign and independent territory. The George Cross is present on the country's flag, being a decoration received in 1942 from King George VI of Great Britain, for the courage shown in the Second World War.

Catholicism is the state religion, with over 360 churches here.

Malta is a popular tourist destination, with approximately 1.5 million tourists per year, three times more than the country's population.

When to go to Malta

Malta has a Mediterranean climate, with very mild winters and quite hot summers.

Malta can be visited throughout the year, but to enjoy the beach and sea weather, it is recommended to come here between April and November. The autumn-winter months are rainier, but they can be a good time to explore the island - being off-season, the crowds and prices are lower.

In the months of July-August, temperatures can be quite high, which can bring thermal discomfort for some tourists.

How to get to Malta

Being an island, the easiest way to get to Malta is by plane. Malta has only one airport, located 10 km from Valletta.

Another way to reach Malta is by ferry from Italy (Catania - Sicily).

If you want to get to Gozo (the other island of the country), you have to take the ferry from Malta (from Cirkewwa, located in the north of the island of Malta, or directly from Valleta).

How do you get around in Malta

I invite you to read here all the possibilities you have when it comes to traveling around Malta: How to Travel in Malta – By Bus, Car, Ridesharing, Ferry.

Where to stay in Malta

Malta offers many places to stay, depending on everyone's budget, needs and preferences. Whether you want a holiday where you would like to visit, stay longer at the beach or party, you will have a choice.

Valletta can be a perfect accommodation option if you want a trip where you will only visit. It can be the starting point for all your excursions on the island. There is a bus terminal in Valletta, from here buses depart to any location in Malta. In addition, from here you have a ferry to Gozo, Sliema or the 3 Cities.
- The advantage is that Valletta is always lively, you can find many places to eat or to go shopping.
- The disadvantage is that in Valletta the accommodations are more expensive than on the rest of the island.

Sliema is a chic city near Valletta, but with better accommodation prices. It is a quiet location and not very far from the country's capital, so you can take advantage of everything that Valleta has to offer, being only 10 minutes away by ferry.

St. Julians is the favorite holiday destination for partygoers: many terraces or clubs where tourists can have fun all night. If you want a quiet holiday, I would not recommend this resort in the peak of the season. But, otherwise, St. Julians is elegant, in the off-season you can find very good accommodation prices and it is not very crowded.

Bugibba / St. Paul’s Bay is another place frequented by tourists, located in the north of the Malta island. From here you can make various organized day trips also, with even better prices than in Valletta/Sliema.

Mellieha - if you want a beach holiday, near this city you will find the most beautiful beaches

What to eat in Malta

In Malta they eat very well. There are many places and restaurants where you can serve a meal, and the price of a meal for 2 people is around 30-40 euros, drinks included. Many restaurants offer dishes from international cuisine (pasta, pizza, burgers), but you can also find traditional or fish-based food.

The Maltese traditional food is stewed rabbit (called Stuffat tal-Fenek). I admit, we didn't eat this kind of food because it doesn't sound very appetizing (or at least we sympathize with bunnies too much), but in Malta it is considered a specialty.

Another traditional dish is pastizzi, a salty pastry product, usually filled with ricotta or peas.

What to do in Malta - tourist attractions

1. Valletta

Valletta is the capital of Malta and is considered the center of the country. It is a historical city, an important tourist destination, with a rich cultural and architectural heritage.

Read this article to find out how to spend a day in Valletta: A Day In Valletta, Malta - Europe's Sunniest Capital.

2. The 3 cities – Birgu, Cospicua, Senglea

The Three Cities of Malta are Birgu (Vittoriosa), Cospicua (Bormla) and Senglea (L’Isla), located on the other side of the Grand Harbor of Valletta. From Valletta, from the Barraka Gardens, you have a wonderful view of the 3 peninsulas, representing the 3 cities, just as from any of the three cities you can admire the capital Valletta.

If you come to Valletta, I recommend you visit at least one of the three cities, I guarantee you won't regret it. From Valletta you can go by ferry to Cospicua, the journey takes a few minutes and the price of a ticket starts from 1.3 euros.

Of all the three cities, Birgu is the most interesting one. If you don't have time to go and visit all three cities, then Birgu should be first on the list.

Read this article for more information: A Day In Valletta, Malta - Europe's Sunniest Capital

3. Blue Lagoon & Comino

The Blue Lagoon on the island of Comino is one of Malta's most popular tourist attractions. It is a small lagoon with gorgeous turquoise water and absolutely spectacular views. It is the place you cannot miss if you come to Malta!

The place offers a unique experience of fun and relaxation: you can choose to go to the beach and swim in the crystal clear water, you can try various water activities (snorkeling, boating, etc.) or you can just walk around the island and enjoy the exceptional landscapes.

Keep in mind that in the summer months The Blue Lagoon is very crowded. On the island you can find different food trucks where you can serve something quick to eat or drink.

Comino is a small island, located between the islands of Malta and Gozo, where you can go only by boat. To get here, I recommend either an organized trip from Malta, or to go by ferry from Malta or Gozo..

4. Gozo

Gozo is one of the three islands of Malta, located in the northwest of the main island. With an area of 67 km², Gozo seems much quieter than Malta, with more picturesque and green landscapes.

Read here how to get from Malta to the island of Gozo: How to Travel in Malta – By Bus, Car, Ridesharing, Ferry.

From Mgarrport, you can travel by bus, Bolt or rental car to the rest of the island.

Alternatively, you can choose an organized day trip to Gozo and Comino, with the Blue Lagoon..

Victoria - Cittadella

Victoria is the capital of Gozo island, located in the center of the island. Victoria is known for Cittadella, a fortress dating from the medieval period, built as a defense point on the hill in the center of the city.

Ġgantija Temples

Ġgantija is a complex of megalithic temples from the Neolithic era. These are the oldest megalithic temples in Malta, they are more than 5500 years old and are even older than the pyramids of Egypt. They can be visited, and a ticket costs 10 euros / adult, 8 euros / student, child 12-17 years old or senior over 60 years old, 6 euros / child 1-6 years old.

5. Mdina & Rabat

Mdina - The Silent City

Mdina is a historical city, one of the emblematic points of Malta. It is the former capital of the country, until 1530, when the capital was moved to Valletta.

Mdina is a medieval city, surrounded by defensive walls, and is also called the Silent City. In the city you are not allowed to make noise, everything is very quiet and calm, far from the sound of cars or the crowd of Rabat, the adjacent city. Mdina is still habitable, with a population of up to 300 inhabitants.

Rabat

Rabat is the city in the vicinity of Mdina. If in the old days Rabat was considered a suburb of Mdina, today the city has a population of almost 12,000 inhabitants, far exceeding Mdina.

Unlike Mdina, Rabat is a crowded city: many people, many cars and a lot of bustle. The city center is chic, and worth a visit if you come to Mdina.

Catacombs of St. Paul

In Rabat you can find the Catacombs of St. Paul and St. Agatha, used in the Roman period to bury the dead. They can be visited, and an entrance ticket costs 6 euros / adult, 4.5 euros / student, child 12-17 years old or senior over 60 years old, 3.5 euros / child 1-6 years old.

6. The Blue Grotto

The Blue Grotto is one of the most beautiful attractions in Malta, and a boat ride around the grotto is an extraordinary experience.

The Blue Grotto is located in the southwest of the island, and to get there, you need to know that the village from where you can take a boat ride is called Wied Iż-Żurrieq. It costs 10 euros (you can only pay in cash) and lasts 30 minutes.

The ride with the boat is an activity that I definitely recommend doing in Malta! The views are absolutely spectacular, you can enjoy the turquoise color of the water and the high rocks of the island. Besides the Blue Grotto, the boat takes you to other 7 caves.

I advise you to get here early in the day, preferably before 10 am, on a sunny day. In this part of the day, the water has the most beautiful color, due to the reflection of the sun's rays. In addition, you avoid the crowds. After 10 o'clock, the buses with tourists start to arrive, and the waiting time for the boat will be much longer.

Here you also hve a panoramic point, from where you can see the Blue Grotto in all its splendor. I recommend you to stop here the first time, admire the view from the height, and then go down to the village for the boat ride.

7. Marsaxlokk

Another symbolic place for Malta is the port of Marsaxlokk. This is a place that you must not miss if you come to Malta. It is the representative image of Malta, with all those beautifully colored boats. The boats are called Luzzu, they are traditional Maltese boats, used in the past for fishing.

In Marsaxlokk you can walk on the seafront in the port, where you can have a meal, a coffee or a glass of wine. Also here in the port you can take a boat ride to the interesting places in the area: St. Paul's Pool, Il-Kalanka beach or Hofriet Window. The boat ride costs 10 euros and lasts an hour.

8. Beaches

Malta can also be a beach destination. You can find different beach locations everywhere, and I will list the most famous ones below:

Blue Lagoon

As I mentioned above, The Blue Lagoon is one of the most famous locations in Malta, being the place that many tourists choose for a day of relaxation at the sea. And thanks to its natural beauty, The Blue Lagoon deserves to be recognized as Malta's top destination.

St. Peter’s Pool

As its name suggests, St. Peter’s Pool is more of a natural pool than a beach. To reach the water, you can jump from the rocks, and the less brave also have ladders at their disposal. St. Peter's Pool is located southeast of the island of Malta, near the village of Marsaxlokk.

Golden Bay Beach

Golden Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches of Malta, located on the northwest coast. With fine, orange sand, the beach received the distinction of blue flag.

Mellieha Bay Beach

Mellieha Bay is the widest sandy beach in Malta, and also the most popular. It is located in the north of the island, close to the city of Mellieha.

Ramla Beach

Ramla Beach is the longest beach on the island of Gozo. Located at the base of a valley full of vegetation, the beach is famous for its red sand.

Xlendi Beach

Another beautiful beach on the island of Gozo is Xlendi Bay Beach. Surrounded by high rocks and with beautiful water, the view from this bay is wonderful.

9. The Rotunda of Mosta

The Rotunda of Mosta, or the Dome of Mosta, is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Built in the 19th century, the plan of the church is similar to the Pantheon in Rome, being the third largest unsupported dome in the world.

It is remarkable that, during the Second World War, an aerial bomb pierced the dome and fell into the church, but did not explode. This event is considered a miracle by the Maltese.

10. Popeye Village

An interesting place to visit in Malta, both for adults and children, is Popeye's Village.

The filming set of the movie Popeye, the Sailor Man from 1980 was converted into an amusement theme park, where visitors can have fun and relax in a very colorful and cheerful movie setting.

Malta is a perfect holiday destination, whether you want to relax on the beach or explore the country's islands. If you want to see how we organized our trip in Malta, what was the itinerary by days and what was the total cost of the trip, you can also read this article: 3 Days In Malta - How Much Does It Cost And How To Organize Your Holiday In Malta.