Europe

Malta

Honey-coloured fortress towns, clear water and 7,000 years of history.

Malta is a small archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean with an outsized history. Valletta, a fortified Baroque capital, looks across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities, while Mdina is a quiet walled town on a hill. Prehistoric temples such as Ħaġar Qim predate the pyramids, and Gozo and Comino offer cliffs, coves and the Blue Lagoon.

Distances are tiny, food blends Italian and North African influences, from pastizzi to rabbit stew, and English is an official language. Diving and swimming are excellent. April to June and September to October are ideal; July and August are hot and crowded, and winter is mild and quiet, good for sightseeing rather than beaches.

Best time to visit Malta

April, May, June, September, October.

Places to visit in Malta

• Valletta: Malta's compact baroque capital, built by the Knights of St John on a peninsula above the Grand Harbour.
• Gozo: A rural island of cliffs, salt pans and dive sites, with one of the world's oldest temples.
• Mdina: A tiny walled hilltop city of palaces and quiet lanes, the island's capital before Valletta.

Essentials

• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Language: Maltese and English
• Plugs: Type G, 230 V
• Driving: Left side
• Time zone: UTC+1
• Tipping: 5–10% in restaurants if service isn't included
• Getting around: Buses cover Malta and Gozo, with regular ferries between the two islands
• Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking

Plan a trip to Malta