Malta

Malta is located in southern Europe in the Mediterranean Sea southeast of Sicily and north of Africa.  The Maltese archipelago is comprised of several islands, the largest of which are Malta, Comino and Gozo.  Gozo is the most northerly island, with Comino in the middle and Malta to the south.  Malta is the largest of the islands and the main tourist, commercial and cultural centre. Gozo is the next largest of the island chain and is known for its tourism industry, fishing and crafts.  The island of Comino is sparsely inhabited, with most of the population residing on Gozo and Malta.  Malta has been independent since 1964 and was declared a Republic a decade later.  Malta joined the EU in 2004.  Maltese and English are the official languages. The capital city is Valletta and the largest city Birkirkara.  Currency is the Maltese Lira.   Malta used to be part of the British Empire and was strategically important for its location between the Suez Canal and Gibraltar.  The coastlines of the islands have many bays and harbours, there are caves, and the landscape is mostly hilly with no significant lakes or rivers.

Malta is a popular holiday destination, with its pretty limestone buildings and the sparkling blue Mediterranean, and especially for its lovely sunny climate with warm summers and mild winters and no extremes of temperature.  Malta has beautiful  beaches so it is a wonderful place to relax and unwind, or you can spend time exploring the islands, or dining and enjoying the nightlife at a club or casino. There are many sights and attractions including temples, palaces, forts and the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the prehistoric underground world of the Hypogeum, the city of Valletta and megalithic temples.  Due to the many nationalities that have ruled over the centuries there is a pleasing mix of architecture and styles. The familiar Maltese Cross with its eight points goes back to the medieval Order of the Knights of St. John and their history is well worth reading about.
 
There are plenty of opportunities to just relax, but the islands are also a haven for those who want some outdoor action, adventure and activities.  There are wonderful scuba diving opportunities with reefs, cave-diving and wreck diving.   Water sports are widely available at beaches and resorts around the islands, including wind surfing, water-skiing, paragliding, sailing and wind surfing.  You could also play golf or tennis or go horse back riding or hiking. 

www.visitmalta.com

Valletta

Malta’s capital city, Valletta, is located on a peninsula on the north-eastern side of the island of Malta and has two harbours which are busy with all manner of shipping, including cruise ships. The city has a rich history from its many former occupiers and rulers which is reflected in the many ancient sites and temples.  It was one of the first cities to be built on a grid system. The cathedral built in the 16th century contains a painting by Caravaggio, the Grand Master’s Palace, Museum of Fine Arts and many other sites to explore as you wander the narrow streets past fountains and statues.  There is plenty of choice for shopping, from local shops selling crafts to fashion boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The city also stages many cultural events, concerts and plays.  The Museum of Archaeology has exhibits of ancient artifacts. 

European Guide

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Rebublic
• Denmark
• England
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Holland
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Malta
• The Netherlands
• Northern Ireland
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Russia
• Scotland
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• Wales