Malta is small enough to cross in an hour and dense enough to fill a week. Sitting in the middle of the Mediterranean, it has been fought over by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Knights, French and British — and every one of them left something behind. Add honey-coloured stone, English widely spoken and dazzling water, and it is an easy sell.
Valletta
The capital is a fortified Baroque jewel and a UNESCO site: grand harbours, the extraordinary St John's Co-Cathedral with its Caravaggio, and tiny streets that suddenly open onto sea views. It is walkable and best explored on foot.
The Blue Lagoon and Gozo
Hop to the little island of Comino for the Blue Lagoon, an almost cartoonishly turquoise inlet, then continue to greener, slower Gozo with its citadel, salt pans and diving.
Old towns and old stones
Wander the silent former capital of Mdina at night, and visit megalithic temples older than the pyramids at Ħaġar Qim.
When to go
Malta has one of Europe's longest seasons. April to June and September to November are warm and comfortable; midsummer is hot and lively.
Good to know
- Public buses are cheap and reach most sights; a car helps on Gozo.
- Malta swims off rocks and lidos more than sandy beaches — pack water shoes.
- English is an official language, which makes everything easy.
