Malta

The ancient capital of Mdina, also known as the Silent City, rests at a high point in the heart of the island. Surrounded by the scenic town of Rabat, this fortress is one of Malta’s finest jewels, boasting architecture, history and a quality cup of coffee with a splendid view. Mdina gets very peaceful and romantic in the evenings when the day-trippers leave.

Valletta is similar in that it boasts a rich history, but, being today’s capital, it is very much alive and much more modern, serving as a shopping area during the day and offering an array of museums and cultural sites. Of particular note is St John’s Co-Cathedral, built by one of the earlier Grandmasters of the Knights Hospitaller. It contains the various chapels of the Knights’ langues, with Caravaggio paintings, tapestries and various relics of immense value to the Maltese heritage. The very floors of the Cathedral are the tombs of the most famous knights of the Order of St John, and a crypt, though off-limits to tourists, hosts the bodies of some of the most illustrious of Grandmasters, including the city’s founder, Jean de Valette.

Must-see attractions include the Unesco World Heritage sites such as the Hypogeum and the megalithic temples that can be admired on both Gozo and Malta and are the oldest in the world.

In Gozo, a rural atmosphere is predominant. Visitors will be interested in taking a look at the impressive geographical feature of the Inland Sea, carved out by the Mediterranean. One may also visit the Citadel, Gozo’s version of Mdina. Gozo is situated 5km north west of Malta and can be reached by a 25-minute crossing from Cirkewwa, the northern harbour of Malta.

For a look into more traditional Maltese life, the seldom-seen south of Malta is a possible option for visitation. Townships like Ghaxaq often escape public notice, but some of the island’s finest churches lie in the south. The many churches of Malta are testaments to the style and design of their times. Many towns in the north have been stripped of their culture due to rapid urbanisation, but this has been felt less in the south of the island.

If you visit Malta in summer, be sure you visit one of the town/village feasts. Every town or village has at least one feast dedicated to a saint. The feast usually lasts for one week (in most cases from Monday to Sunday), with its peak being usually on Saturday. During this week, the village or town will be decorated with several ornaments and work of arts such as statues, lights and paintings on tapestry. In most cases, the feast would also be furnished with fireworks, both air and ground (which are quite spectacular and unique to Malta). Every feast has its own characteristics, and rivalries between certain village feasts are quite well-known. Some of the most famous feasts are those of Our Lady of the Lily in Mqabba (third Sunday of June), Saint Philip in Zebbug (second Sunday of June), Mount Carmel in Zurrieq (Sunday before the last of July), Saint Mary of Imqabba, Qrendi (on the 15th of August), Saint Catherine in Zurrieq (first Sunday of September) and the Nativity of Our Lady in Mellieha and Naxxar (on the 8th of September). Organised tours to village feasts for tourists are available as well.

During the month of April, a fireworks contest occurs in the Valletta/Floriana area, where different fireworks factories compete with each other, exhibiting their finest works both ground and air fireworks. It is spectacular and above all its free to attend.

Quite a few wine festivals are organised during summer, two of which are in Valletta and one in Qormi. It is a great experience to taste several Maltese wines at very cheap prices. (In the Qormi festival in September and Delicata wine festival in August, you buy a 12 euro cup, and you can drink as much as you like; in the Marsovine wine festival in July, you buy a cup and 14 tokens for €10). A beer festival (Jul-Aug) is also organised in Ta’ Qali.

Finally, Malta’s megalithic temples are the oldest free-standing structures on Earth, and one should not forget to take walks in the countryside. The most popular tourist destinations of Sliema and St. Julians probably have the least to offer as regards a taste of Malta, though they continue to be the most frequented. They are the most modern of locations, with most old buildings having been knocked down due to the considerable construction industry fuelling the economy. Malta’s main nightlife area can be found here, especially in Paceville.

• Sample the local delicacies – gbejna, pastizzi, bigilla, hobz biz-zejt, timpana, oven-baked rice and macaroni, snail, rabbit, gozitan ftira (pizza), maltese ricotta, maltese sausage, twistees etc.
• Try the sweets – imqaret, helwa tat-Tork, prinjolata, figolli (frosted almond cake), qaq tal ghasel, kannoli, qubbajd etc.
• Drink Kinnie, Cisk (local beer), local wines – marsovin, delicata, meridiana, Ta Mena.

• In summer, the island is perfect for water sports and beach activities.

The island has been described as an open-air museum by some; one is unlikely to run out of things to see during a visit to Malta. Each township has its own unique sights to offer.

• Boat trips being surrounded by sea, Malta is perfect for taking boat trips around the island and also to beautiful lagoons, beaches and bays.

• Hiking in the countryside offers a taste of rural Malta, especially if trekking along the coast of Gozo.

• Sailing is a wonderful option, as Malta boasts an impressive array of caves, scenic sunsets, and other views.

• Tennis is a popular activity in Malta and Gozo. Because of the warm weather on the islands you can play tennis all year around. There are several courts and tennis clubs spread out across Malta that are open to seasoned players as well as beginners. There is also opportunity to take part as a spectator as there are professional games being played regularly.

• Valletta Carnival– February/March. Malta Carnival national activities will be held in Valletta and Floriana. Dance and costume competitions will take place in the capital and Floriana followed by defiles which include triumphal floats, bands, grotesque masks and lots of dance. Malta Carnival is an unforgettable experience of fun, colour, art and merriment. The most popular carnival event amongst young adults takes place in Nadur in Gozo.

• Malta Free Walking Tours – Get a 90 minute free walking tour around the beautiful capital city of Valletta. Tours happen all year round. Check their website for more information.

• Corsairs of Malta Tours in Valletta about the history of “licensed piracy” Discover who were the infamous corsairs. Definitely, a must do in Malta.

• Għanafest – Malta Mediterranean Folk Music Festival in June. The Malta Mediterranean Folk Music Festival is a fabulous 3-day event of Mediterranean folk music, including Maltese folksongs (għana), Maltese songwriters and folk ensembles, together with guest folk musicians from neighbouring Mediterranean countries. Għanafest also hosts a series of workshops on traditional instruments and a special programme for children, and is complemented by traditional Maltese food and the marvellous surroundings of the Argotti Botanical Gardens in Floriana.

• Malta Jazz Festival – July. The Malta Jazz Festival has a special place in Malta’s Cultural Calendar, attracting great stars of the international jazz scene to Malta. It has become a hub for the exchange of musical experience – an encounter between musicians of international fame and gifted local artists. The magnificent setting of the historic Ta’ Liesse wharf in Valletta’s Grand Harbour makes the Malta Jazz Festival a uniquely memorable experience.

• Malta Arts Festival – July. The Malta Arts Festival is the highlight of Malta’s Cultural Calendar – a showcase of diverse top quality theatre, music and dance performances, and offers something from almost all artistic forms, including collaborations between Maltese and foreign artists.

The Festival events are held in various venues in and around Valletta, mostly open-air, taking advantage of Malta’s cool summer evenings. The Festival’s joint performances and workshops, together with its specially-commissioned works, enhance local artistic development and provide impetus for cultural innovation.

• Notte Bianca – September/October. Notte Bianca is held annually in Valletta and is a spectacular, night-long celebration of culture and the arts. State palaces, historic buildings and Museums open their doors almost all night, playing host to visual art exhibitions and music, dance and theatre performances. Streets and squares become platforms for open-air activities, and many cafes and restaurants extend their hours and run pavement stalls. All areas of the Capital City, from the Entrance Gate to the far end of the peninsula, are involved and all events are free of charge.

• Isle of MTV Malta Special – June. Held annually at the Fosos square in Floriana, it is the largest open air free concert in Europe. Worldwide acclaimed artists take the stage in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 50,000 people. 2012 saw the performances of Nelly Furtado, Flo Rida and Will.I.Am.

• The Farsons Great Beer Festival – July/August. An annual festival hosted by the Farsons Brewery (known for the popular Cisk beer and Blue Label Ale). Amongst the vast selection of alcoholic drinks presented, the festival is also a very important event for local musicians and music lovers. This is because during the festival many local bands and a small number of international bands, take the opportunity to perform on the Main Stage or the Rock Stage.

• Malta Film Tours. Known as the Los Angeles of the Med, Malta has played home to all manner of Hollywood blockbusters over the last forty years. Maltese actors Malcolm and Elizabeth Ellul take you on a tour of key locations from shows and films such as Game of Thrones, Gladiator and Troy. They provide detailed behind the scenes information and first-hand accounts of the productions featured. Check the website for more information on specific tours.

Dive

Malta is a great place to dive, with it being possible to dive all year around. The water temperature varies from a cool 14°C in February/March to warm 26°C in August. The visibility of water is generally high, making it a good place to learn diving as well.

The dive sites are located close to shore. Consequently, most dives start there, making everything easier and cheaper. The dive sites include rocky reefs, some wrecks and cave diving (especially interesting is the dive in the Inland Sea in Gozo). There will tend to be more marine life during the warmer months, when you can hope to see tuna, octopus, moray eels, seahorses, fire worms, soft coral along with the usual sea grass and underwater ridges.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is a famous summer activity on the island of Malta. The Mediterranean Sea with its crystal clear water offers a lot to see underwater. The pleasant water temperature and sea conditions make Malta a great place for snorkeling! Things to see: You can expect observing the undersea life of the Mediterranean Sea while snorkeling: wide variety of seaweed and algae, different fish, crabs, sea cucumbers, starfish, but cuttlefish, moray eels, octopus and rays also can be spotted. Fireworms and jellyfish are also common. Best beaches/places to snorkel:

• Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq beaches
• Anchor Bay by Popeye Village
• Għajn Tuffieħa
• Ġnejna Bay
• Qawra Point
• Slugs Bay
• Armier Bay
• Mistra Bay
• Kalanka Bay
• St. Peters Pool
• Għar Lapsi
• Ċirkewwa

Surf

Being an island in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta offers up numerous amazing surf spots stretching all over the coastline. In the summer air temperatures average at 31˚C and sea temperature is a comfortable 25˚C, creating perfect conditions for spending hours in the clear blue ocean. Check out surf spots Ghallis, Palm Beach and St Thomas, they are all located close to the most popular tourist areas on the north shores of Malta.

Christmas in Malta

Christmas is a largely religious affair on the Maltese islands. This is due to the fact that most Maltese people are Catholics. During the festive season, various Christmas cribs, or Presepji, as they’re called in Maltese, can be seen on display in churches, shopping centres, etc.

The Maltese people have many Christmas customs that are unique to the island. A very popular traditional Christmas dessert is Qaghaq ta’ l-Ghasel. These are light pastry rings filled with honey.

Kayaking and Cycling in Malta

You will be impressed by the beautiful beaches and turquoise sea in Malta.

Climbing in Malta

Malta is a top destination for climbing enthusiast. It is suggested to try climbing with companies. The Dinglie cliffs on the western coast of Malta is a popular place for climbing and gliding. On a nice day one can watch para-gliders from the village of Dingli.