Malta Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Blue Grotto
Wonder at the place where, legend reports, sirens bewitched seafarers with their songs. Four caves reflect the brilliant colors of the corals and minerals in the limestone. The most spectacular is the Blue Grotto itself, best viewed in the early morning with a calm sea.

Ghar Dalam
This dark cave houses the bones of animals that were stranded on Malta and subsequently died at the end of the Ice Age. Among the remains are a dwarf elephant and a hippopotamus that became extinct over 180,000 years ago.

Grand Harbour
Used since Phoenician times, this natural harbor has been fortified over an extensive period: it provided a base to the Knights of St John and was used by the British for over 170 years. Today, it is a far more serene affair, with restaurants, bars and the tranquil Barracca Gardens.

Mdina
Witness one of the finest surviving examples of a medieval walled city. Of particular interest is the Norman-style Palazzo Falzon. From Bastion Square, see breathtaking views of the surrounding area and St Paul's Bay.

Mdina Dungeons
A memorable and dramatic attraction, with much to discover and explore, the Mdina Dungeons (www.dungeonsmalta.com) bring to life events and personalities from a dark and, at times, gory history.

Museums
In Valletta find the National Museum of Fine Art, housed in an 18th-century palace, the Church of Our Lady of Victories, the National Museum of Archaeology, and the Malta War Museum.

Popeye Village
Take the family to visit the set of the film Popeye, which today is an open-air museum and entertainment complex (www.popeyemalta.com). There are shows, rides and museums, as well as play houses where children can climb and explore the village. Children may also get to meet the main characters from the show.

St Agatha’s Catacombs
According to a strong local tradition, during the persecution of Christians decreed by the Roman Emperor Trajanus Decius (249-251 AD), St. Agatha fled from Sicily and took refuge in Malta. A natural cave built underneath Malta’s oldest parish church was altered into a crypt, typical of the underground Christian cemeteries of the time. The exstensive subterranean catacombs hold numerous galleries and graves.

St Johns Cathedral
Built by the Knights of Malta in true baroque style, St Johns Cathedral (www.stjohnscocathedral.com) is home to eight chapels, an inspired interior by Knight Mattia Pretti and a masterpiece by Caravaggio. Do not be fooled by the military exterior built just after the siege - the interior is one of the most ornate in the world.

Temples
The prehistoric temples of Malta are the oldest standing stone structures remaining from ancient times. The temples date from 4000 - 2500 BC; they are older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids. Ggantija, Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien are all home to some truly impressive sites.

Top Things to Do

Catch a bus
Public transport in Malta is cheap and easy to use, and the eccentric vintage buses prove quite an attraction for tourists - especially when greeted with various religious shrines upon getting on. Valletta is very well connected with buses to all other towns and villages, and other popular tourist areas are in easy reach. For more information see www.maltabybus.com.

Chill Out
Malta is home to a collection of beautiful and unspoiled sandy beaches. Take a book and a towel, and spend a simple day doing exactly what you are supposed to do on vacation: relaxing. Golden Bay is one of the most popular beach spots.

Cruise
There are some stunning villages, cliffs and inlays with crystal clear waters, so spend a leisurely day exploring Malta from a different perspective and take a cruise. Many cruise operators will pause for a quick snorkel. For more information see www.herayachtmalta.com.

Get back to nature
Despite Malta's small size, there is still plenty of natural beauty to enjoy: gorgeous countryside is all around. Explore for yourself, or try asking a local where they advise, as different areas can be more interesting depending on the time of year.

Go to the theater
Check out Valletta's Manoel Theater, reputedly the oldest in Europe, for opera, drama and ballet. St James Cavalier (www.sjcav.org) houses a cinema, a theater and a gallery, as well as serving up a tasty selection of food.

Party
Forget the night club and attend one of the village "festas" for a real taste of Maltese cuisine and hospitality. Local bands take to the streets filled with flowers, flags, statues, bulbs and lavishly decorated cloth banners.

Ride a Karozzin
A traditional horse and cart is a great alternative to a cab. You can still find karozzin stands in Valletta, Mdina and in Victoria Gozo. Rides aren't cheap, but they are a wonderful and unique way to spend a couple of hours' sightseeing.

Scuba-diving
An all year round activity in Malta with the best sites being found in the North. There are numerous accredited diving schools on the Island for those with no experience but a healthy appetite for excitement. See www.scubadivingmalta.com

Watch glass blowing
Entirely mouth blown and hand made, much of the glassware is a type of original Maltese glass in strong Mediterranean colors. Not only can you observe the glass blowers at work, but they can also create customized blown-glass souvenirs engraved with names, a family emblem or even your company's logo. Try www.phoenicianglass.com.

Windsurfing
The winter temperatures are appealing, with the North African wind pushing up between September and May giving the more experienced surfer something to get there teeth into. The summer months are perfect for those with little or no experience. See www.windsurfmalta.com.