Malta invites you to the beach, historic cities and a dive into the underwater world – the multi-faceted island nation offers more experiences in its size.
The small Republic of Malta attracts tourists with its clear Mediterranean waters, cultural attractions and activities.
According to countryaah, Malta is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world. Due to its small size, the Maltese islands are rich in historical attractions. In addition to culture, Malta is also known for its sports facilities.
The long history of the small archipelago
The Republic of Malta consists of numerous islands, only the three largest of which are inhabited. The largest islands in the republic are Malta, Gozo and Comino. The Maltese archipelago is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, less than a hundred kilometers from Sicily.
Malta has a long and interesting history as a melting pot of cultures. The island has been inhabited for several thousand years, and based on the still standing prehistoric remains, the first Maltese are said to have lived on the island as early as five thousand years ago. Throughout its history, Malta has been a maritime pioneer, an important trading post and the base of the Order of St. John. Malta later belonged to the United Kingdom, among others, before independence in 1964.
Today, Malta is a popular destination, with the most famous cultural attractions being the ancient megalithic temples. In addition to culture, Malta also offers tourists rocky beaches, diving opportunities, hiking and rock climbing. Malta is indeed a holiday destination for sunbathers and active movers, not to mention cultural lovers.
One of Malta’s must-see natural attractions is the Blue Cave in the Blue Cave.
The Mediterranean brings a long summer
Short for MT by abbreviationfinder, Malta has a typical Mediterranean climate: summers are dry and hot, winters are cool and humid.
In summer, winds blowing from the sea often cool the heat, but the effect of the winds can also be the opposite. In spring and autumn, winds from Africa occasionally bring heat and moisture to Malta, extending the duration of the warm season.
The dry and warm summer season lasts relatively long, and there are plenty of beach conditions from May to June until October. The warmest is from July to September, when daytime temperatures rise to an average of about 25 degrees.
Malta is a fairly dry destination, and in July, for example, there is virtually no rainfall at all. Most rains are in November, December and January. Winters in Malta are mild. The coolest is in January-March, when daytime temperatures fluctuate above ten degrees.
Culture and sports
The cities of Malta have grown so close together that it is not always easy to distinguish where one city ends and another begins. Malta is a treasure trove for the cultural holidaymaker and the islands are rich in historical attractions. Malta is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the city of Valletta, the Maltese megalithic temples and the Hal Saflien hypogeum. Other cultural attractions include the Citadel Fortress and the old capital Mdina.
Malta’s beaches and waters are generally clean and safe. The beaches are often rocky or coral beaches, but there are also soft sandy beaches among them. The diving waters in the region are among the best in Europe: in Malta, the Mediterranean waters are clean and clear. Diving equipment is rented on the island near almost all the major beaches. In addition to diving, you can go sailing, water skiing and paragliding in Maltese waters.
In addition to water sports, Malta also has a wide range of opportunities for other types of active holidays. Hiking on the Maltese Islands is an experience and the main island hosts the Maltese Marathon every year from February to March. The rocky terrain also offers good opportunities for rock climbing.
Security and custom culture
Malta is a safe destination, but you should be careful about left-hand traffic, for example. Siesta is celebrated in Malta during the hottest hours of the day from 1pm to 4pm. In this case, the shops are usually closed, with the exception of some clothing stores in large cities.
In Malta, there is a need to dress a degree more formally, especially in Valletta, and by the time of church, shoulders and knees should be covered.
FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN MALTA
Surrounded by the Mediterranean, Malta is a particularly popular beach destination.
For a package trip or on your own
Malta has good air connections from Europe and many European airlines operate flights to Malta. From Finland to Malta, direct flights are operated by the domestic Finnair, which flies the route from September to October. Flights to Malta cost around € 200-300.
Malta’s national airline, Air Malta, also operates flights to cities in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Malta International Airport is located about ten kilometers from Valletta.
In many cases, traveling to Malta may be the cheapest with package tours organized by travel agents, which include both flights and a hotel.
Hotels and accommodation
A large number of hotels in the archipelago are located on the main island of the country, Malta, which has the largest hotel concentrations. Hotels are also located on the island of Gozo. You can stay in a hotel, apartment hotel or villa in Gozo, for example. Accommodation in Comino is more modest.
In addition to luxury hotels, the islands also offer affordable hostels and inns. A hotel night in Malta costs an average of € 60-150 per night, depending on the level you want.
Getting around and car rental
Getting around Malta’s destinations is often easy on foot, as the cities are small in size. In Valletta, for example, you can move from one place to another on foot, not to mention small villages. However, it is worthwhile for the pedestrian to be vigilant, as the Maltese traffic culture is different from the Finnish one.
Getting around by bus is cheap in Malta. The capital Valletta is a crossroads from where you can take a bus to almost any part of the island. For example, a trip from the airport to the center of Valletta costs only a couple of euros.
In Malta, you can also travel by taxi, which, however, is much more expensive than bus travel. The price of a taxi ride must be agreed in advance before boarding the car. If a regular car taxi feels boring, try the local option: bright yellow boat taxis run between Valletta and the historic cities of Senglea and Vittoriosa, among others.
Inter-island traffic is operated by ferries. For example, there is a regular ferry service between the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino.
The best way to explore the islands is with your own rental car. Malta has left-hand traffic, and the streets of the islands can be narrow and the roads in poor condition, but the traffic in southern Europe is even surprisingly quiet. The small island is toured by car in one day, so there is no need to rent a car for every holiday.
MALTA DESTINATIONS
Surrounded by walls, the city of Mdina is one of Malta’s great historical attractions.
The capital is Valletta
The capital of the Republic of Malta, Valletta, is located on the main island of Malta. In Valletta, for example, you can follow in the footsteps of the Order of John in the old town of Valletta, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980. Those looking for a youthful nightlife will find many lively nightclubs, bars and music events in Valletta.
In Valletta, you can also explore other cities that closely surround the city, such as Sliema and Saint Julians.
Romantic Gozo
the second largest island of Malta, Gozo, located about a half-hour ferry ride to get to the main island of Malta. Gozo is a rustic small island with natural peace, small villages and attractions. Gozo can also enjoy beach life on Ramla Bay.
Gozo’s most famous attractions are the Citadel Fortress and the Calypso Cave Lookout. The island was previously also known for its rock formation Blue Window, but it collapsed into the sea in 2017.
Little Comino
Located between the islands of Malta and Gozo, Comino is a small island of just over three square kilometers. At Comino, tourists can enjoy the tranquility of the nature reserve and bird watching.
Compared to other islands, Comino has very few man-made structures. The most famous attraction on the island is the St. Mary’s Tower, which dates back to the 15th century. The tower has flashed in many films and Hollywood productions, as the island has been popular with filmmakers.
THE BEST OF MALTA
Popeye Village, or Kippari-Kalle village, is an interesting theme park for those interested in movies. One of Malta’s funniest attractions has been built on old sets.
The best attractions in Malta
- Valletta’s old town
- Hal Saflien’s hypogeum
- Underground Mediterranean
- Mary’s Tower
- Popeye Village