Whether you want to spend your holiday actively or just want to soak up the warm sun - in any case, Malta will hospitably welcome you, this resort that is attractive to many. Fresh air and clear water of the Mediterranean Sea will not leave the most demanding tourist indifferent. The main languages here are Maltese and Italian; many residents also understand Italian well. In Malta there is no frost, snow, piercing wind, the sun shines for more than 10 hours a day. Malta is rich in picturesque places and historical values. Here everyone will find a place to relax, depending on their preferences. Consider the most popular resorts in Malta
Valletta
It’s definitely worth giving your attention, because this is the capital of Malta. The city is interesting because it is practically an open-air museum - every building here is of great historical value. In the city you can see unsurpassed temples and luxurious palaces; there are about 365 Catholic cathedrals alone. The National Archaeological Museum, as well as the National Military Museum, are located in Valletta. In this city, like nowhere else, you can diversify your vacation with extremely interesting excursions; for swimming in the sea, it is better to go to other places - in Valletta there are practically no normal descents to the water. A large number of tourists like to live in Valletta, enjoying the historical heritage of the city, and go swimming in neighboring areas, the distance is from 6 to 12 km. Valletta is located on the coast of one of the most beautiful natural bays and there are many good hotels providing comfortable and not too expensive accommodation.
Valletta is the capital and popular resort
Sliema
This resort is one of the most beloved among tourists. Why? It’s just that there is everything for a good holiday - sandy beaches and beautiful nature, as well as numerous shops, good hotels and fashionable restaurants. This is where all the most modern hotels in Malta are concentrated. There is some peculiarity in the architecture of the city: all the streets are strictly perpendicular to each other. The main pride of Sliema is the beautiful promenade overlooking Valletta and the Mediterranean Sea. It should be noted that the beaches here are rocky, you can swim from June to September, since a cool breeze often blows from the sea - there is practically no feeling of unbearable summer heat. From this city you can easily get to the capital or other resorts of the island by bus.
Sliema - a famous Maltese resort
Gozo Island
This is an amazing and unique place. According to legend, it is believed that this is the island of the most beautiful Calypso and on it there is a cave of her permanent residence. Sandy and rocky beaches, incredibly beautiful landscapes - all this can show the island to a person visiting it. Also, a tourist should definitely try the dishes in the fishing restaurants of this island, which are distinguished by their unsurpassed taste. The island of Gozo almost always has good sunny weather, winters are warm and summers are hot. The water warms up in the summer closer to 30 degrees. But it should be noted that water temperatures will always differ depending on the chosen bay. Holidays on the island are suitable for those who love a leisurely and measured holiday, quiet and remote from noisy cities, in complete unity with nature. There are a large number of good hotels located on it, there are many good beaches, and bright plants constantly delight with their blooming. The most beautiful terrain, majestic hills with strict slopes, sandbanks - this island is rich in nature. And from the mysterious Calypso Cave there is a truly amazing view of the whole of Malta. It should be noted that for all divers there is a sweet spot here - this is the “inland sea”, a bay - a lagoon connected to the sea through a tunnel in the rock.
The island of Gozo is a favorite tourist destination
Bujiba and Aura
These are two cities that have practically merged into one. Bujiba is a noisier and more cheerful resort, suitable for youth recreation, with developed infrastructure, with numerous bars, discos, and various entertainment attractions. It does not offer incredibly luxurious service like Sliema, but its picturesque views are attracting an increasing number of holidaymakers. Summer in Bujiba is quite dry, you can swim here from June to mid-October, in general, sunny weather quite often pleases tourists, you can come and enjoy your holiday here almost all year round. True, lovers of sandy beaches should go on vacation to neighboring resorts; Bujiba has a rocky approach to the sea. There is, however, an artificial sandy beach within walking distance from the city itself. In Bugiba, it should be noted, the cheapest car rental is available, and this city is connected by regular bus services to Valletta and Sliema.
Bujiba's neighbor, the city of Qawra, is a quieter resort, with comfortable hotels, a large number of shopping centers and shops, it is more suitable for families with children. Along the entire coast there are well-equipped rocky and rocky beaches. You can also go on an excursion in Aura – there are interesting historical and architectural monuments here.
St Julian's
St. Julian's is a very famous expensive resort located northwest of the capital. From a small fishing village it has grown into one of the best resorts in Malta. The British love to visit it, so if you want to improve your English, hurry up and practice it. There are a huge number of restaurants, bars, clubs. - This is the most party area of the city, where young people party day and night. The air temperature is comfortable all year round for relaxation, summers are not so dry, and winters are mild. At this resort there was a place that cannot but please many tourists.
Malta has many interesting places where you can have fun and have a good rest. Such places include the island of Gozo. This is one of the best Maltese islands and is ideal for a family holiday. Fans of constant parties and nightclubs do not choose this resort. The island boasts beautiful nature, well-developed infrastructure and everything necessary for recreation.
The island can please vacationers with stable weather conditions. Summer is dry, precipitation is extremely rare, and if there are temperature fluctuations, they are minimal. The average air temperature in the summer months is between 32-35 degrees. The beach season opens in May and lasts until mid-October. In winter, the air temperature rarely drops below 10 degrees above zero.
There are many beaches and they are varied, everyone can choose the beach that they like best. Along with sandy beaches, there are pebble, stony, rocky and even concrete beaches. The most popular beaches are San Blas and Ramla Bay. In order to get around the island, it is better to rent a car or take a taxi. There is a bus service, but it is poorly developed, so you shouldn’t rely on this type of transport (the island is not small, so walking all the time is not an option). By ferry you can get to other islands on your own and save on buying excursions.
There are a sufficient number of hotels of different star ratings on the island, but the distinguishing feature of all hotels is a high level of service. Each hotel has bars, swimming pools, and terraces on its territory. Some hotels have their own tennis courts. In addition, each hotel has its own range of entertainment. And here we are not talking about animation, but about gyms, spa centers, saunas, diving centers and much more. Outside the hotels there are a large number of water attractions, opportunities for diving, fishing, going to a nightclub, sitting in a restaurant and much more.
There is a lot to see in terms of attractions, but the most significant place on the island is the Citadel Fortress. For many centuries, this structure served as a defense against pirate raids. Inside the fortress there are several museums that can tell about the life, culture, religion and history of the Maltese state. Here are the Folklore, Natural, Cathedral museums, as well as the Museum of St. George. In addition to the Citadel, you can visit other attractions, including the Palace of Justice, the Bishop's Palace, the flowering Rundle Gardens and many others.
I advise you to pay attention to this island. Compared to other resorts, it is not so noisy here and, nevertheless, you can choose entertainment for every taste and pocket.
The island state of Malta lies at the crossroads of the sea routes of Europe, Africa and Asia. If Italy on the map resembles a woman's boot, then the geographical contours of its closest neighbor Malta are presented in the form of an elegant footprint from the boots of its many guests and conquerors who have ever set foot on this blessed land. Since ancient times, several miniature islands have served as a quiet haven for travelers, merchants and emigrants who roamed the sea. Even the famous pilgrim Odysseus enjoyed the hospitality of the local nymph Calypso for seven long years. By the way, translated from the ancient language of the eternal wanderers of the Phoenicians, Malta is a refuge.
The warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea wash the Maltese archipelago from all sides. The territory occupies several rocky islands. Three of them are so densely populated that the country is now the third most densely populated in the world, although its largest island is smaller than the area inside the Moscow ring road. The remaining islands are uninhabited and therefore attract travelers looking for unusual adventures. And even with all its guests combined, the state is still the smallest in the European Union.
The blue lagoons of Malta annually attract millions of tourists from all over the world. Even homebodies in Britain have traditionally escaped their rain and fog to these sunny islands. The mild climate here is enjoyed not only by beach lovers.
Over the past seven thousand years of chronicle, countless historical and cultural monuments have accumulated on the islands: from legends about Atlantis in the archipelago region and knightly symbols of the mysterious Order of Malta, to traces of the presence of Napoleon’s soldiers and British colonialists from the time of Queen Victoria. A fair number of English language schools attract students from all over the world with their reasonable costs and excellent quality of educational programs. The Mediterranean country is also favored by those who prefer active recreation in the fresh air. Here, nature itself has created favorable conditions for avid yachtsmen, scuba divers and rock climbers.
There is a growing number of Russians who want to learn English, combining a relaxing holiday with communication among native speakers. For more than a century and a half, the state was a colony of Great Britain, until the 70s of the twentieth century. The Republic of Malta is still part of the British Commonwealth. Therefore, the second official language, after Maltese, is considered to be the language of the great Lord Byron. In the minds of the British, with the light hand of the English poet, the definition of the country as a “garrison greenhouse” was firmly established for a long time, hinting at a hot climate and belonging to a great empire. The poem “Farewell to Malta” was written by him during a visit to the island in 1809.
Scuba divers come to Malta all year round. The minimum water temperature of 14 degrees in winter and 24 degrees in summer is favorable for scuba diving. There are several dozen training schools for beginner divers. The oldest Russian underwater club, Moscow State University, has been taking its amateurs and professionals to the islands for many years, many of whom have diving experience in different parts of the world known for their diving communities. The local rocky coast is famous for its grottoes and beautiful marine architecture in the depths. Underwater caves will not leave the most experienced divers indifferent.
The Maltese archipelago is surrounded by countries on two continents. There are no land borders, only sea ones. To the north, 90 km across the strait, the islands border Italian Sicily. Residents of the southern and western coasts, as before, meet sea caravans from Africa. The ancient trade routes of modern Egypt, Libya and Tunisia intersect here. A little further east live our neighbors on the Greek islands. Loaded caravels of merchants of the Basque country used to sail from the west, now planes of Spanish airlines arrive.
The three miniature islands of Malta, Comino and Gozo are home to the entire population of the Parliamentary Republic, numbering about four hundred people. Other islands have no towns or villages due to their tiny size. The largest of them, Malta, measures 246 square kilometers, which is three and a half times smaller than Moscow. The length of its territory from north to south is 27 km.
The Maltese capital Valletta bears the name of its most famous knight and protector. With his proposal, the construction of a new city began in 1566. This happened immediately after the successful victory of the knights of the Order of St. John over the troops of the Ottoman Empire.
Another major tourist city with the Arabic name Mdina is known for its complete absence of car traffic, which allows its countless Baroque palaces and Moorish fortresses to be preserved from destruction.
Malta does not have a mountainous landscape; the highest point is at an altitude of 253 meters above sea level. However, numerous low but steep rocky slopes attract beginner climbers. A characteristic feature of the landscape is the absence of freshwater rivers. But the coastline is literally indented with rocky bays.
The Maltese language and its speakers have roots close to the Greeks and Italians. Now the local population is rapidly growing due to emigrants from North African countries. It is not uncommon for British grandparents to settle on the islands after retirement. Recently, a lot of marriages between Maltese and Russians have been registered.
Tourists come to Malta not only to swim in the warm Mediterranean waters and sunbathe on sunny beaches. The rich history of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, with its fascinating stories, is fully reflected in the rich culture and luxurious architecture of the Maltese islands, which attracts curious travelers from all over the world.
Current time in Valletta:
(UTC +1)
Local museums contain artifacts that are seven thousand years old. The structures, built long before the Egyptian pyramids, still hide the history of the mysterious ancient people who lived on the territory of Malta in prehistoric times. Catholic churches preserve evidence of the missionary work on the island of the Apostle Paul, the closest comrade-in-arms and contemporary of Jesus Christ. Italian palazzos surrounded by works of landscape art delight experienced artists. The noble medieval knights of the famous Order of Malta left their traces everywhere, full of mystery and romance.
How to get to Malta
By plane
In addition to the obvious option of getting to Malta from various Russian cities with a connection in Moscow, there are other ways: various European airlines fly from both the Russian capital and from the regions to the capital of Catalonia with connections at their home airports. Below we list these airlines (connection cities are indicated in brackets).
- Lufthansa (Frankfurt am Main): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, Samara.
- Austrian Airlines (Vienna): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar.
- AlItalia (Rome): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
- Brussels Airlines (Brussels): Moscow.
- Air Berlin (Berlin): Moscow.
- Swiss (Zurich): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
- Air Baltic (Riga): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad.
From Italy and Greece
Air Malta airbuses can be used to travel to Malta from the Italian cities: Rome, Bologna, Catania, Reggio Calabria, Palermo and Milan. In addition, several flights daily from Italy are carried out by Alitalia and Meridiana airlines. Cost from 130 euros.
There are air connections with Athens. An economy class ticket costs 180-220 euros. Travel time 35 minutes. Direct flights on Fridays and Tuesdays. The same airline Air Malta has one-stop flights on Mondays and Sundays costing from 250 to 350 euros.
Other airlines also operate flights from Greece and Italy to Malta, but with transfers. Sometimes the total flight time can reach 9 hours. (for example, Lufthansa has flights from Athens to Luqa via Frankfurt am Main). In any case, getting to Malta through the Italian cities mentioned above will not be any problem.
On a ferryboat
Ferries operate between the Italian island of Sicily and the Maltese capital. Virtu Ferries ferries depart from the piers of the Sicilian towns of Catania and Pozzallo to Valletta. There are high-speed flights lasting 1.5 hours. There are also less high-speed vessels that transport passengers from one state to another in 3 hours. Ticket prices depend on the season and range from 55 to 100 euros. Children are almost twice as cheap. A catamaran from the Jean de la Valette company, which can accommodate up to 800 passengers, runs to and from the Sicilian seaport. Another ferry service runs from Genoa, Italy.
Having a Schengen visa allows you to travel between European cities and Malta without any border problems.
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Climate and weather in Malta
The hot breath of close Africa is felt on the Maltese islands, like in no other southern European country. And only the prevailing north-west wind in winter, bringing with it storms and bad weather, reduces the average number of sunny days per year to three hundred. But even the “cool” winter weather does not prevent tourists from sunbathing and swimming in the numerous outdoor pools warmed by the southern sun on New Year’s holidays. Malta is on the same latitude as Morocco and Tunisia. But warm Mediterranean winds blowing across the islands from all sides soften the climate, permeating the air with sea freshness.
There is no sweltering African heat in Malta, although once, many years ago, a maximum temperature of 43 degrees was recorded here. The usual summer temperature of 28-35 degrees is balanced due to the intense movement of air masses over the islands, which have a very modest size. In addition, they have neither mountains nor skyscrapers, which usually delay the refreshing winds in other southern countries.
Half a year summer
For six months, from May to October, real summer lasts here. Russian tourists, accustomed to closely monitoring changes in temperature and precipitation in order to dress “for the weather,” may forget about their home habits during their stay in Malta. Typical summer clothes - shorts, T-shirts and sunglasses - are not changed even by those who brought with them a couple of suitcases of dresses and shirts. Those who forget to put on baseball caps and hats in the morning are in for trouble in the form of sunstroke and sun-scorched tops. There are no fresh mornings and cool evenings in the middle of summer. Night temperatures of twenty degrees replace the daytime heat of thirty degrees. Only the fresh sea breeze on the coast pleases lovers of walks under the southern stars.
Travelers arriving on an overnight flight are greeted by increased air humidity, which is, however, common in Mediterranean countries. But local residents rarely enjoy fast and warm rain. If a rare rain cloud appears in the bright blue sky, it won’t last long. Ten minutes of rain again gives way to heat. Therefore, you will only need an umbrella here to protect yourself from the sun. By the way, another protection against scorching rays - a thick layer of suntan cream - should not be neglected even in September, when the temperature sometimes warms up above 30 degrees during the day.
Autumn: swimming season continues
Autumn comes to Malta in mid-October. Although it is difficult for an ordinary resident of central Russia to mistake the lush greenery of the surrounding nature and the air warmed to 20-23 degrees for boring autumn weather. Our compatriot would rather call this time cool summer days, given the swimming season that continues until mid-November and the absence of heavy rains. The sea cools down very slowly under the hot southern sun. The water temperature in November is almost the same as the air temperature. Twenty degrees does not stop Russian tourists from swimming in the sea.
When visiting Malta, no matter the time of year, don't forget flip-flops or other open-toe shoes with elastic soles for walking along the rocky coastline. Sandy beaches on the islands are very rare, there are only 15 of them. They are mostly man-made. Elsewhere along the coast, people sunbathe on pebbles, sun loungers and artificial pontoons.
Winter: lots of sun and some rain
The so-called “winter rainy season” begins in December. Oh, heat-loving southerners! They do not know the real torrential rains that lasted for several weeks under the gloomy sky of our northern side. Therefore, the Maltese call their rare rain in December-January a whole “season”. And the average daily temperature of plus 15-18 degrees is called winter. But the still bright sun does not allow the sea to cool down. The water temperature from December to February plus 14-16 allows divers at this time of year to explore with interest the clear blue waters of underwater caves rich in marine fauna. In winter, the number of tourists in Malta is significantly reduced, but still decent discounts in this cool but warm season attract many people escaping to warm countries from the Christmas cold of their northern homeland.
And it's spring again
In March, mild winter gives way to the long-awaited spring. Already from the end of February the sun begins to noticeably become hot. The already rare storm winds at sea are ending completely. Nature renews its colors, wildflowers, hibiscus and bougainvillea begin to bloom. The temperature creeps up and quickly exceeds the twenty-degree mark during the day. It's time to get on a bike and, under the cool spring sun, go around the islands, emerald with young foliage. 4/5 of the country is not occupied by cities, but is covered in spring with green fields and blooming gardens.
Cities and regions
Since 1993, Malta has been divided into 68 municipalities, which are combined into 6 districts and 3 regions. The districts are called: Outer Harbor (No. 3) and Inner Harbor (No. 1), Gozo and Comino Islands District (No. 6), Western (No. 4), Northern (No. 2) and South Eastern (No. 5) districts. The centers of the districts are the cities around which they were formed.
Regions of Malta
Cities of Malta
Valletta, La Valletta is the capital of the Republic of Malta, named after its founder - knight, naval commander, Master of the Order of St. John, Jean Parisot de la Valletta, who defended the city from the Turks.
Valletta is located on the north-eastern coast of the island of Malta, on a peninsula between Marsamchette and Grand Harbor bays, at the foot of Mount Sciberras.
The first settlements in this area date back to the 9th century BC. e. In the 7th century BC. e. The area belonged to the Greeks from the 6th century BC. e. - to the Carthaginians, from 218 to the Romans, then to the Byzantines, and from 869 to the Arabs. In the 11th century, Malta was annexed to Sicily by the Normans, who at the beginning of the 16th century transferred it to the Order of St. John.
The history of the city of Valletta begins with the victory of the Maltese knights of Jean de La Valletta over the Turkish troops of Suleiman the Magnificent, after which on March 28, 1566, the Grand Master personally laid the first stone of the new city. The construction work, led by the Italian architect Francesco Laparelli da Cortona, took place with donations from the entire Christian world and was carried out in accordance with all the canons of urban planning. Thus, special systems were created to drain wastewater and remove garbage from the city, and the streets were planned so that the sea breeze cleans and cools the air in Valletta. The subsequent development of the city with residential buildings was controlled by a special Department of City Planning that exists to this day. According to the rules, it was allowed to build houses only along the streets, decorate their corners with statues, and install a well in the courtyard to collect rainwater; it was forbidden to lay out gardens in front of the facades. Upon completion of construction, Valletta was surrounded by a ditch 1 km long, 20 m wide and 18 m deep.
Since 1570, the construction of the city was continued by Laparelli's student Gerolamo Cassar, who erected many significant palaces and churches in the Maltese capital. Trade, crafts and art developed in Valletta. In 1798, Valletta was occupied by Napoleon's troops, who were warmly received by the Knights of Malta, which ultimately allowed them to avoid destruction of the city. In 1800, the island of Malta came under British rule, where it remained until 1974. During World War II, the city was heavily damaged by German bombing, but was restored in peacetime. Since 1974, Valletta has become the official capital of the Republic of Malta. Today the city is an open-air museum, full of interesting historical and architectural monuments and attracting a lot of tourists every year.
Mdina is an ancient city in Malta, which was once its capital. The city was formed about 4000 years ago. At the turn of the 2nd-1st century. BC e. There was already a fortified Phoenician fortress on this site. Mdina's heyday came during the Roman period, when its territory consisted of the current city itself and nearby Rabat. It is known that the Apostle Paul visited Mdina, landing here after a shipwreck in 60 AD. e.
The Arabs, having come to power, reduced the size of Mdina, but added more powerful fortifications and a moat to the fortress. The Knights of the Order of St. John occupied Mdina in 1530.
Mdina, which is dominated by buildings in the Norman and Baroque styles, is often called the “Aristocratic City” (Citta Notabile).
It is also worth seeing Rabat - a colorful suburb of Mdina, formed at the same time as it, but separated by the Arabs from the city in 870 and remaining outside the fortress wall.
Car traffic is prohibited in Mdina.
Sliema is a famous resort in Malta, where the holiday season continues all year round. Sliema is located on the northern coast of the island, in the Marsamxett harbour. Formed in the 19th century as a respectable metropolitan suburb, Sliema today is perhaps the most fashionable Maltese city, a center of tourism and shopping. Hotels of various “star ratings” and levels are also located here - from luxury ones, like Crowne Plaza 5* and Fortina Spa Resort 5*, to small and affordable “starless” private boarding houses.
St. Julian's is a small resort town located between fashionable Sliema and Patchville, next to it to the west, on the shores of Spinola Bay. St Julian's, which grew from a small village around the local cathedral, is today one of Malta's busiest resorts. St. Julian's is best known for its excellent restaurants, of which there are a great many in the city.
Patchville is a small town that has no border with its predecessor, St. Julian's. This is an area of discos and bars, where nightlife begins around eight o'clock in the evening and ends by the next morning.
Marsaskala is a resort town on the shores of the bay of the same name in the east of Malta. Marsaskala is a fairly large settlement by Maltese standards, with a population of about 9,500 people. The name of the city comes from the words “marsa” and “sqalli” and translates as “Sicilian port”.
Cottonera
The Three Cities - Cottonera - is a historic site near Marsaskala, south of Valletta. The three towns are Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, the settlements south of Valletta where the Knights of the Order of St John originally settled in 1530. The first residence of the Grand Master in Malta was located here. Later, the knights erected new fortification lines (the Cottoner Lines, in honor of the Grand Master Nicholas Cottoner) that protected all three cities at once. Today Cottonera is the only place in Europe protected by two rows of fortress walls. Cottonera has many interesting architectural monuments.
Qawra and Bugibba are two resort towns in the north of the island of Malta, forming the popular tourist area of St. Paul's Bay. Originally small fishing villages, located near the place where in 60 AD. e. The shipwreck of the Apostle Paul, Aura and Bugibba today are comfortable resorts with numerous hotels, shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
Victoria is the unofficial capital of the island of Gozo, which, together with the island of Comino, forms a separate administrative-territorial unit of Malta. Victoria, with the suburbs of Fontana and Kerch, is the most populous city of the island, located in its center. Originally called Rabat, like the suburb of Mdina, the city was renamed Victoria in 1887 - in honor of the Queen of England, but among local residents and on car signs on the roads you can often find the old name.
A distinctive feature of Victoria is that it has absolutely no hotels marked with “stars” - only private housing for rent. At the same time, there are always a lot of tourists who want to visit Victoria: they are attracted by the local fortress (Citadel), the cathedral, many churches, museums, and two theaters.
Xlendi (or Xlendi) is one of Gozo's two main resorts, located in a picturesque natural bay. Until the end of the 1980s, Xlendi was a small fishing village, but with the development of the tourism industry it turned into a cozy resort town.
Marsalforn is another resort town in Gozo, located in the north of the island. Like other coastal resort towns in Malta, Marsalforn was also originally a fishing village. But echoes of fishing can be found in the resort to this day - there are excellent fish restaurants.
What to see
Malta, being for many centuries at the crossroads of European trade routes, has acquired many cultural, architectural and historical monuments. Therefore, despite its relatively modest size, there is a lot to see on the island.
Below we list the main attractions of Malta. By following the links, you will find more detailed information about the object (history, description), as well as find out the cost of tickets, ways to get there by public transport, opening hours, location on the map, photographs and other useful nuances.
Sights of Malta
Museums of Malta
Costume shows
In addition to the classic stone attractions, Malta offers tourists all kinds of costume shows and performances. The most popular ones are listed below.
Where to go in Malta
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Where to eat and drink
Entertainment
Parks and Recreation
Transport
Shops and markets
Private guides in Malta
Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Malta in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.
Things to do in Malta
Excursions
The list of excursions around small Malta is quite impressive. Here's what domestic and Maltese tour operators offer:
| Excursion name | Peculiarities | Cost, euro |
| Valletta (½ day) | Sightseeing tour of Valletta + film “The Life of Malta” | 31 (adult), 15 (child) |
| Gozo Island (full day) | Sightseeing tour of the island of Gozo | 54 (adult), 21 (child) |
| Mdina (½ day or full day) | Sightseeing tour of Mdina | 23-45 (adult), 8.50-21 (child) |
| Three cities (½ day) | Excursion to Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea | 27 (adult), 14 (child) |
| Grand Harbor Cruise (½ day) | Boat trip along the shores of the natural port of Marsamxett and the Grand Harbor | 28 (adult), 12 (child) |
| Blue Grotto + History of Limestone (½ day) | Visit to unique caves + show “The History of Limestone” at the bottom of a former quarry in Sijivwi, introducing the traditional craft of the Maltese. | 27 (adult), 12 (child) |
| Island of Sicily (full day) | Volcano Etna, Taormina | 114 (adult), 75 (child) |
Tourist train
The Melita Trains Sightseeing Tour is a red trackless train that offers sightseeing tours around Mdina and Rabat. It departs every hour from the Roman Villa (Domus Romana). There is an audio guide in 7 languages. The train covers the 8 km route in half an hour. .
Diving
Diving is a very popular pastime in Malta. The Maltese archipelago, consisting of the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino, attracts divers from all over the world with the purity of coastal waters (visibility under water is 30-50 m at a depth of 20-30 m), rich underwater flora and fauna, diversity of underwater landscapes (grottoes, tunnels, caves, arches, etc.).
Diving in Malta can be practiced all year round: even in the winter months, the water temperature does not drop below 14°C, while in summer the sea temperature averages 23°C.
The flora and fauna of Maltese waters is extremely rich: there are many species of fish (Mediterranean grouper, parrotfish, red mullet, moray eel, sunfish, stingray, flounder), octopus, seahorses, squid, lobsters, starfish, crabs and cuttlefish. At the bottom there are corals, hard and soft, some varieties of which are practically not found in other areas of the Mediterranean Sea.
The most popular Maltese dive sites are:
- Malta Island: Cirkewwa (Marfa Point), L-Ahrax Point, Delimara Point, St. Paul's Islands, Ghar Lapsi, Anchor Bay, Wied iz-Zurrieq, HMS Maori.
- Gozo Island: Xlendi Cave and Xlendi Reef, Fungus Rock, Reqqa Point.
- Comino Island: Irqieqa Point, Santa Maria Caves, Cominotto Reef.
In addition to these dive sites, there are a number of wrecks (sunk ships).
Independent divers wishing to dive in Malta without an instructor must fill out an application form, present a dive log book and a valid diver certificate (minimum CMAS/2 stars), 2 photographs. All diving schools will help with paperwork.
Dive centers in Malta, united in , offer a wide range of courses, from basic training to advanced training according to international standards to the rank of instructor. The duration of the courses is from 1 day. There are courses on PADI, CMAS and BSAC systems with the issuance of relevant international certificates and dive registration books.
List of diving schools:
Casino
Casinos are another form of entertainment in Malta. Foreign tourists over 18 years of age and Maltese citizens over 25 years of age are allowed to visit them. When visiting for the first time, you must have an identification document. All four casinos in Malta have a dress code: visitors are not allowed in swimsuits, and after 20:00 shorts, sleeveless shirts and open sandals are prohibited. Some casinos give you a jacket and tie to rent upon entry.
List of the most famous casinos in Malta
- Oracle Casino
- Casino at Portomaso
- Casino di Venezia
Teaching English in Malta
Malta is also known in Europe as a country where you can effectively learn English. In recent years, Russians have also begun to come to the island to study English. They are attracted by the absence of visa problems, as well as the cost of training - 30-40% lower than in other English-speaking countries.
Language schools in Malta operate all year round, training takes place according to traditional programs: preparation for the IELTS/Cambrige exams (about 3 months), simple courses of various durations.
Beaches of Malta
In the waters of the Maltese islands there are no ebbs and flows, there are no strong undercurrents or dangerous marine inhabitants, so swimming on its beaches is quite comfortable. Since Malta is a small country, there are no endless beaches here, but small beaches in coves and on the shores of bays are also quite suitable for relaxation. The beaches in Malta are sandy, rocky and pebble, and are also divided into “wild” and “civilized”. Admission to them is free, with the exception of the beaches of hotels and clubs. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for a fee. Follow the links for more information.
"Transport in Malta".Kitchen
Maltese cuisine is a mix of local culinary traditions and cuisines of other European countries (Italian, French), in particular Sicilian, with some shades of Mauritanian cuisine.
Maltese cuisine is simple and satisfying. For their preparation, seasonal products (fruits, vegetables), meat and seafood are used.
So, the meal begins with a light snack “bigilla”, prepared from vegetables seasoned with marinade and herbs.
Then soups are served - with meat broth, seasoned with fresh and dried vegetables and jbeinit cheese from the island of Gozo.
Maltese cuisine is famous for its stuffed dishes. Thus, the most famous specialties are stuffed octopus “arnit mimli” and “brajoli” - meat stuffed with herbs and eggs. Excellent fish dishes are “lampuki” (dorado) with tomato sauce and “lampuki pai” - a pie with sea bream and vegetables. Another local cult dish is “stuffat tal fenek”, rabbit stewed with herbs and garlic. Exotic lovers should enjoy the Babbouche snail stew.
In addition, it is worth trying the rice casserole with meat and tomatoes “ross fil-forn”, vegetable stew “kapunata”, local ravioli and pastas with various fillings.
Traditional Maltese bread is called “hobza”, and sandwiches made from it are called “hobz biz zeit”.
The meal is completed with Maltese sweets, of which there are a huge number in the local cuisine: pie with eggplant and dates “m'aret”, “cannoli” cakes with various fillings, halva with almonds “helva tat-tork”, nougat “kubbayt”, biscuits with figs and almonds, etc.
In addition to strong coffee and tea, the Maltese drink the national soft carbonated drink Kinnie. The drink has the taste of bitter oranges, herbs and spices (anise, ginseng, licorice, rhubarb). It began to be produced by the Farsons company in Malta in 1952, as opposed to the American Coca-Cola and Pepsi. It is believed that Kinney perfectly quenches thirst.
The cost of a jar or bottle of Kinny is about 1 euro.
Malta is famous for its wines; winemaking has been a traditional activity of local residents since ancient times. The following grape varieties are grown on the archipelago: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Moscato, Syrah, Gellewza, Girghentina.
The most important wine producers are companies and.
During lunch and dinner, the Maltese usually drink inexpensive table wines: Lachryma Vitis, Special Reserve, Vigne d’Or. In restaurants you can find Dolcino, Red / Green Label, La Vallette, Verdala. Antonin, Gran Cavalier, Marnisi are considered expensive collectibles.
Lovers of sweet desserts should try Casella Moscato.
The cost of a bottle of wine is 2-20 euros.
The main producer of local beer is Farsons. The most popular beer is light Ċisk (“Chisk”). You can also try dark varieties with a more textured taste - Blue Label and Lacto. A cocktail made of beer and lemonade is called Shandy. It is also worth trying another local variety - “1565” from Lowenbrau Malta.
Luna di sera
Shopping in Malta
Malta is certainly not a shopping capital like, say, Milan or Paris. However, it is quite possible to dilute the pleasure of walking through the Middle Ages with shopping.
First of all, Malta has a huge number of souvenir shops and jewelry stores. There are large department stores, interesting stores of household goods and interior items. Valletta has many shoe stores and children's stores.
The town of Sliema is considered a paradise for shopping. The main shops there are located in St. Anne's Square, Tower Street, Tigne Street and Bisazza Street.
You can read more about shopping in this amazing island state in the material " Shopping in Malta ».
Communications in Malta
Within the Maltese archipelago, all domestic calls are considered local. Phone numbers are six digits. You can call from a landline phone in a hotel or apartment, from a mobile phone and from a payphone on the street, most of which are cardphones, a minority of which are coinphones. There are two types of cards - EasyLine and Telecard, of different denominations. They can be bought in souvenir shops, gas stations, department stores, and hotels. You can call abroad from all payphones.
Calls in the evening and on weekends are much cheaper than during business hours. You can also call from the hotel, but it will be significantly more expensive.
Malta's international code is 356.
The international access code is 00, no need to wait for dial tone. For example, a call to Russia will look like this: 00-7 - area code - subscriber number.
- Call to Ukraine: 00-38 - city code - subscriber number.
- Call from Russia to Malta: 8-10-356 - subscriber number.
There are two cellular operators in Malta - and their tariffs are approximately the same. Packages from local operators are worth purchasing if you plan to stay in Malta for a long time or are traveling with a large group.
Malta has a large number of internet cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots. Thus, the owners of many hotels and apartments provide their guests with such a service free of charge. In bars and restaurants in resort areas, in order to access the Internet, you need to order something from the menu. McDonalds restaurants also provide Wi-Fi access. The cost of an hour of online work in an Internet cafe will be about 3-5 euros.
A map of Wi-Fi hotspots in Malta can be seen at.
Emergency telephone numbers in Malta
Economy
Safety
Malta is a safe country for tourists. Crime here is almost zero, which is due to long traditions and the small size of the state. However, the old Maltese proverb “When you shake hands with a Maltese, don’t forget to count your fingers” did not arise out of nowhere, so some caution will not hurt: you should not leave valuables in the car, documents and large sums of cash should be kept in the hotel safe, keep a close eye for your things in crowded places.
The Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, according to the authoritative publication International Living, is the place with the best climate in the world. You can relax here all year round: in winter - learn English and take excursions to medieval temples and ancient streets, and in summer - sunbathe and swim on Maltese beaches. Dozens of thalassotherapy centers have been opened in the country and hotels have been built to host business meetings and conferences. Ecotourism and diving are practiced here. If you are planning to go on vacation with children, carefully study where it is best to stay so that the beach is comfortable, the hotel is convenient, and the attractions are within walking distance. The most popular Maltese resorts are at your service, and both an ascetic and a lover of holiday excesses can find one suitable for themselves.
In the footsteps of the knights
In the middle of the 16th century, Malta became the patrimony of the knightly order, called the Order of Malta. Since then, many medieval buildings have remained on the archipelago, from which you can study history. One of the most popular excursions here today is a walk through the places where the now cult TV series “Game of Thrones” was filmed.
You can organize a beach holiday with children in Malta at any of the resorts:
- The capital of the country is located in a small bay, sheltered from the winds. The swimming season begins in Valletta in early May, when the air and water temperatures steadily rise to +24°C and +19°C, respectively. But the best time to relax with little tourists here comes in June - the sea becomes comfortable for them to swim.
- The bay and the beach located in it are the most suitable place in the resort for families with children. Waves are rare here, and the beach is covered with clean golden sand.
- In summer it is a little hotter than in other Maltese resorts, and the full beach season here lasts until the last days of October. Among the hotels in Sliema you will find both inexpensive and fashionable ones, but there are more of the latter here than in other Maltese cities.
Despite the obvious advantages of other resorts, regulars of Malta recommend Mellieha for holidays with children, where you can stay with your kids most comfortably.
Mellieha for children and adults
The popular family resort of Mellieha is located in the north-west of the main island of the archipelago. The main advantage of the town is the large sandy beach of the same name, located on the shore of a shallow bay. The absence of strong winds and waves, a gentle entrance to the sea and water that warms up to a comfortable temperature from early morning allow even the smallest tourists to have a pleasant and safe holiday.
The second most popular beach in the resort is called Golden Bay. It is more suitable for holidays with older children. The entrance to the water here is not as flat as on Mellieha Beach, and the waves can be quite serious.
Rental of beach equipment is organized in Malta on almost all beaches except wild ones. The cost of a standard set of sun lounger and umbrella is from 6 euros for a full day. Entrance to the beaches is usually free.
The Mellieha resort area is replete with hotels, restaurants, and shops, and therefore any needs of vacationers can be easily satisfied here. The swimming season lasts until the second half of October, although the most seasoned travelers swim here in November, when the sea cools down to +19°C.
You can stay on holiday with your children either in a hotel or in apartments that Mellieha residents willingly rent out to tourists. Prices per night start from 30 euros for a two-bedroom apartment. To travel around the area, it is worth renting a car, because Malta has something to see for both children and adults.
In little Gozo
Having crossed by ferry, you will enjoy sunbathing on the local beaches. The most convenient for relaxing with young travelers is a sandy beach, located three kilometers from the ferry crossing. If you rent a car in Malta, you can take the ferry to Gozo with it.
Gozo has many impressive natural attractions to explore with your children. For example, the Azure Window is a rock in the form of an arch on the seashore.
By renting places on pleasure yachts, you can sail from Gozo to the smallest inhabited island of the Maltese archipelago. It is called Comino, and its main attraction is called the Blue Lagoon. The beach on its shore is ideal for swimming children, and the water in the lagoon warms up to +27°C. The best time to go is the first half of the day, before large tourist groups from the main island arrive on Comino.
