Malta is a beautiful Island nation between Sicily and the North African Coast. It is the world’s 10th smallest country and is currently the smallest country in the European Union. It is a nation that has been conquered many times, thanks to its strategic position in the Mediterranean. Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Argonese, Knights of St. John, French and most recently, the British, all took turns conquering this tiny island nation. It became a British colony in 1813 and after independence in 1974, joined the EU in 2004.
This is a country with a rich history. Each culture that conquered it left their mark, and the Maltese people are a diverse mix. They do not stick to one architectural style, food or language. The official languages are Maltese and English, however you will hear Italian and even some French being spoken in the streets. There is a nice mix of British, Italian and Arab influences here, and its clear in the diversity of food and the different types of buildings. However, it still feels very classically European, and thanks to the British influence, they enjoying being sightly cheeky and don’t take themselves too seriously. Malta’s identity is in its multiculturalism, and this is a favourite spot to visit for Europeans.
Malta is divided into different city districts. The main areas to visit are Valletta and Sliema. Valletta is the capital, and very historical. It is a walled city, surrounded by high wall rising from the sea. There are no beaches in Valletta, just a series of beautiful lookouts from atop the fortress walls. The city itself is built on a large hill, and the streets are narrow and steep.
A large church sits at the top of the hill, and is a famous landmark for this beautiful city. The buildings are made of limestone, giving the whole city a beautiful, honey cream color.
Valletta does not feel overwhelmingly busy, however does have a lively vibe. There are a number of great restaurants with outdoor seating on the street, or tables in the square. Food ranges from Maltese to Italian to Asian and Middle Eastern. You really have to try the pulled pork sandwich from The Pulled Meat Company. Divine. Most ethnic cuisines are represented here, and I found that a nice change from other places in Europe. There is also a great Happy Hour culture here, and drinking mid-day is encouraged. For those who like to party, one of the main streets becomes an open air nightclub on the weekends, with all bars opening their doors and allowing people to drink in the street, and walk from bar to bar. Its a great scene if you’re looking for something lively!
Sliema is just across the water from Valletta and a quick public ferry ride. It is the newer city in Malta. It has high rise buildings, more modern architecture and a younger feel. It feels up and coming, and has a number of restaurants along the seaside boardwalk/Main Street. There is also a lot of great shopping, so you can easily spend the day walking around here. If you get tired and need a drink, I recommend the trendy Hole in the Wall bar, as its a great place to hydrate and meet locals. It is also a great vantage point for seeing Valletta, which is a feast for the eyes in itself. This is where most tours of the island depart from, and a nice hub if you wanted to rent a car or motorbike to explore the area on your own.
I was originally attracted to Malta because of the weather. With little rain and lots of sunshine, this is the perfect place to visit off season. Temperatures range from 16 degrees Celsius in January to 31 degrees Celsius in August. So…its never really gets very cold. With that in mind, a motorcycle ride around the island was in order. At only 246 sq km, you could easily cover the entire island in a few short hours, however there is a lot to see once you get off the main cities. Be advised though…they drive on the left side of the road, so it may take you a few minutes to get used to that. Malta has UNESCO World Heritage sites which host Megalithic Temples that were built between 3600 to 2500 BC. Seeing remnants from ancient civilizations is very humbling. Malta also has a very rugged coastline. It rises and falls dramatically. And one of the best sites to see is the Blue Grotto. This is a is a complex of seven caves found along the southern coast of the island and there is a great lookout point just off the highway that you can walk to in order to get a good view. Its a favourite spot for tour buses as well, so it might get busy.
But the best part….the beaches!! Malta has as number of gorgeous beaches, many preserved in their natural setting, where you can enjoy a swim and get a tan. There are not always a lot of facilities at these beaches, so be prepared to bring your own food/water and even toilet paper, depending on the beach you go to. I decided to check out Singita Miracle Beach, a gorgeous bay surrounded by dramatic cliffs. They had a great beachside restaurant here, along with showers and a changing area. When I was there in mid-November, the water was still warm and swimmable, and the sun was warm enough to get a tan. I do recommend you do your homework before deciding on a beach though, as each one is unique and has different levels of service.
In summary, Malta is a fabulous place to visit. It has great food, a lively vibe, interesting things to see, lots of history and beautiful, natural settings. This is so much more than just a one day cruise stop. Its one of my favourite places in Europe and since it seems rather undiscovered, it not overly touristy. I would love to help you plan your trip to Malta, so contact me today to get started!
