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.
