MALTA More to Explore

Only a short three-hour flight away from the UK, city breakers can enjoy a trip to Valletta, the Sunniest City in Europe. Families can experience adventure holidays, and music enthusiasts can lose themselves in eclectic festivals, whilst basking in over 300 days of sunshine a year.

Valletta

The Sunniest City in Europe

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world; there are over 320 historical monuments to be found in Valletta alone. Travellers can wander through elegant winding streets and explore the city at their own pace.

The city boasts stunning boutique hotels; perfect for visitors wanting to stay in luxurious accommodation with a quirky edge. City breakers can enjoy waterfront alfresco dining overlooking the Grand Harbour whilst tasting an array of sea-food caught from the Mediterranean Sea accompanied by a glass of Maltese wine.

Home to the oldest structures in the world

History buffs can discover over 7,000 years of history. The Islands’ scenery and architecture provide a spectacular backdrop to explore megaliths, medieval dungeons and ancient cities; the destination is positively mythic. There are three UNESCO World Heritage sites found on the Maltese Islands; the Megalithic Temples, the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum and the City of Valletta. The Megalithic Ġgantija Temples were created 1,000 years before the Egyptian Pyramids and is the oldest free-standing structure in the world.

Beach parties and all-night raves in castles

Malta has become a popular destination for the clubbing and festival scene, allowing travellers to party all night and spend the following day relaxing on picturesque beaches in the warm Maltese sun. Malta attracts a number of music festivals to its shores each year, including Annie Mac’s Lost and Found, Isle of MTV, Glitch Festival and Earth Garden, all featuring high profile acts. With accommodation and flight packages to suit all budgets, music enthusiasts have every reason to check out this Mediterranean hotspot.

Calling all adventure enthusiasts

The sparkling Mediterranean-Sea offers a tranquil environment for snorkelling, kayaking and swimming; whilst the topographical island landscape encourages rock-climbing, mountain-biking and horse-rising. The Maltese Islands were awarded second place in the ‘Best Dive Destination’ in the world category at the Diver Awards in 2018. Malta, Gozo and Comino offer an array of unique diving experiences with an abundance of stunning reefs, natural caves and WW2 wrecks to explore.

Welcome LGBT+

The warm Maltese welcome extends to LGBT+ visitors. The ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map, reflecting the human rights of LGBT+ people in Europe, has voted Malta the most LGBT+ friendly destination for seven consecutive years. Couples can also choose to get married on the Maltese Islands.

The annual and widely commemorated Malta Pride takes place in the autumn. With the participation of thousands of marchers, eye-catching floats and incredible street performers, Malta Pride week sends out a message of empowerment to the community and celebrates love, life and diversity. EuroPride will be taking place in Valletta in 2023.

Things To Do

• Explore Valletta Harbour

• Visit the old capital of Mdina

• Explore Fort St. Elmo

• Take in the views from Upper Barrakka Gardens

• Visit Marsaxlokk

• Visit the National Museum of Archeology

• Explore the Ggantija Temples on Gozo

Gozo

Stunning bays hug the sparkling crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, topographical cliffs rise from the gentle sea, and beautiful sandy beaches open up the landscape to untouched countryside dotted with villages, majestic churches, farmsteads and the oldest known human structures in the world. Charming Gozo offers visitors a slowpaced lifestyle with the chance to discover natural caves, world-class diving, rock climbing and picturesque walking routes boasting wild flowers and wildlife.

Foodies can enjoy Gozitan gastronomy that reflects the island’s vibrant history; a tantalising melting-pot of cultures including the Sicilians, Romans, Spanish and French have influenced its rich taste. The most popular Gozitan cuisine is sheep or goats’ milk cheese known as Ġbejna, Pastizzi; pastries filled with ricotta cheese and ftira; a typical Gozitan pizza.

A visit to Gozo would not be complete without enjoying a village festa. Held until mid-September; each village holds an annual feast dedicated to its Patron Saint. Villages are decorated with lights and bunting, bands march through the streets and fireworks light up the skies as crowds enjoy traditional cuisine from street stalls. Visitors are always welcome and joining a festa is a great way to get a real taste of local life.

Gozo, just a 25-minute ferry from Malta, beckons those who long to escape the daily routine and take things at a leisurely pace; immersing themselves in spectacular natural beauty, Mediterranean cuisine and colourful feasts and festivals throughout the year.