Malta: More than Mere Sunshine

Just 100 kilometres to the south of Sicily lies one of the loveliest locations in the world: the Maltese archipelago.  With more than 300 sunny days a year and surrounded by clear blue waters, Malta offers the very best of the Med within its three islands: Malta, Gozo (Azure window pictured), and Comino, including sandy beaches, beautiful scenery, stylish hotels and a warm, dry climate year round.  There is also the small matter of its incredible 7,000 year history; it is frequently described as one big open-air museum.  In fact, Malta has a greater density of historic sights than any other country in the world, with prehistoric temples, the world’s earliest stone buildings, Roman catacombs, medieval towns, ornate baroque churches, narrow Old World streets, and hilltop citadels – all working together to create an arresting effect of striking, honey-colored stone set against the deepest of Mediterranean blues.  Truly, here the scenery and architecture provide a spectacular backdrop for an extraordinary adventure. 

Additionally, high profile visitors such as the Duke of Cambridge along with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who filmed their upcoming movie ‘By the Sea’ on location on Gozo, herald a heightened interest in this small but perfectly formed European nation.

The coastal resort of Sliema on the north-eastern coast is a wonderful base from which to begin; the luxurious and popular resort offers incredible views and a charming seafront promenade dotted with inviting restaurants and bars.  From here, it’s an easy daytrip to just about anywhere else, including Gozo or Comino (home of the popular “Blue Lagoon”). 

And there is certainly plenty to do.  From historical excursions to adventurous downtime, the following options rise to the top:

Malta Noon Day Gun

In Malta’s modern capital of Valletta, you can take in the popular Malta Noon Day Gun signal. Watch this video of the saluting battery. While there, you’ll be treated to incredible views of Malta’s Grand Harbor and surrounding fortified towns.

In Guardia Parade

The In Guardia Parade (pictured) at Fort St. Elmo’s in Valletta is a great day out. A  re-enactment of an authentic event that once took place regularly, it portrays a military inspection during which both soldiers and knights – some 50 re-enactors in all – are kitted out in their finest and most colorful uniforms to perform the military drill. The next parades are scheduled for 20 September and 27 September. The show begins at 11.00 a.m. and lasts 40 minutes. For a taster watch this video.

Malta Artisan Markets

Fun for the whole family: the Malta Artisan Markets invite you to meander through eye-catching stands featuring local arts and crafts, food, and seasonal products. Look for summer, fall, and Christmas versions of the Artisan Market at various locales, including Maria Rosa Vineyards in Attard, Palazzo de Piro in Mdina, and St. Elmo in Valletta. The next one up is the Autumn Market at Melita Gardens, Balzan, on 24-25 October. The Christmas Market will be 5-6 December (location TBD).

Popeye Village

The 1980’s Robin Williams’ classic movie Popeye was filmed here, with the set now re-imagined as a family fun park.  Popeye’s Village is a highlight of beautiful Anchor Bay, offering something for both younger children and older kids, including a swimming pool, water trampolines, boat rides, film animation activities, and an indoor play area, sun-bathing decks, cliff top views, and of course the requisite joyful gratitude from your offspring.

Mdina Exploration

A visit to the medieval capital of Mdina (pictured) is a must and in particular the Mdina Dungeons Museum.  It’s a remarkable chronicling of the history of savage warfare.  Because of its desirable location, Malta was overrun by every major Mediterranean power: Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs; Normans, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, and the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem; even the French and the British.  The Mdina dungeons present a vivid and harrowing picture: including underground passageways, chambers and cells once home to some of the darkest and most torturous measures taken in a bygone era. In nearby Rabat, it’s recommended to explore the fascinating St. Paul’s Catacombs, which represent the oldest and largest evidence of Christianity on the Maltese islands. This archaeological treasure is a typical complex of adjoined underground Roman cemeteries, an area of more than 2000 square meters of interconnecting passages and tombs, that were used up until 4th century AD.

The Beach

A holiday in Malta will of course include a visit to the beach. Top sandy spots are Golden Bay, Mellieha Bay (or Ghadira), and Tuffieha Bay. Note that many Maltese beaches are rocky and require a downhill hike. Also worth noting, check the jellyfish forecast before you go. You can see the potential danger zones on this jellyfish map and plan accordingly. But while pebbly beaches dominate, there are plenty of sandy ones from which to choose. The sheltered bays are ideal for safe swimming in clear water. And stay until evening if possible; the sunset at Golden Bay is incredible. Malta gets late summer sunshine which means warm waters for swimming well into the autumn when summer crowds have dissipated. Indeed, it’s advisable to pack for warm weather. Thankfully, when Valletta’s streets were designed in 1566, it was with summer heat in mind– a gridiron pattern allows breezes to pass through the city.

The Ġgantija Temples 

Comino, otherwise known as the The Blue Lagoon, is a little island next to Malta named for its stunning blue green sea, one of the most beautiful sea views in all of Europe. From there you ought to give your fair share of tourist attention to the peaceful and lovely island of Gozo and its Ġgantija Temples (pictured) (3,200 B.C.) which are well worth the trip – they are the oldest, free-standing monuments in the world, and pre-date both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.

If you’re ready to experience this exceptional adventure, Air Malta flies to Malta from New York (12 hours) London (3 hours), Paris (3 hours), Rome (1 hour), and Frankfurt (21/2 hours). If you’re travelling via Private Aviation, there are a couple of FBO’s to choose from for refuelling and other services. Whether you are flying with an airline or on a private aircraft, Malta International Airport (MLA) will be where you visit begins.

Header photo courtesy of Berit Watkin. In Guardia Parade photo and Gozo Azure Window photo courtesy of viewingmalta.com. Mdina photo by Clive Vella, courtesy of viewingmalta.com. Ġgantija Temples photo courtesy of heritagemalta.org.