Destination overview

With 7,000 years of history, the Maltese Islands are steeped in culture and heritage. This historic legacy, unique in the Mediterranean, is reflected in the country’s national architecture and collections. There are so many areas of heritage and culture to be explored and include the 16th century masterpiece Grandmasters’ Palace, which is now Parliament, the Sacra Infermeria, which is now a fully-equipped conference centre, the St James Centre for Creativity – a superbly restored fortification where contemporary works of art are exhibited against the original rough-textured walls and rediscovered spaces. With these buildings, past and present blend into an enduring and admirable lesson in the art of living.

The arts have always played a large role in Maltese culture and continue to do so with cultural events occurring frequently. The National Museum of Fine Arts, housed in an exuberant Rococo building dating from the 1570s exhibits some magnificent art, ranging from the early Renaissance to modern times. Both established and budding artists are encouraged to display their efforts through publicly-supported programs.

Theatre and music are also very popular in the Islands. A variety of theatres - including the Valletta's Manoel Theatre and two opera houses in Victoria (Gozo) as well as several open-air venues offer a wide selection of plays, musicals, operas and concerts.

Megaliths, medieval dungeons and Calypso's Cave - you’ll find that Malta is positively mythic. The narrow meandering streets of its towns and villages are crowded with Renaissance cathedrals and Baroque palaces. As the countryside is dotted with the oldest-known human structures in the world, Malta has rightly been described as an open-air museum.

The Islands went through a golden Neolithic period, the remains of which are the mysterious megalithic temples dedicated to the goddess of fertility. Later on, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Byzantines all left their traces on the Islands. There are megalithic monuments, Bronze Age dolmens, Punic tombs, remains of Roman villas and traces of prehistoric man which defy explanation, such as the mysterious 'cart' tracks. For three millennia, from around 5,200 BC, the archipelago was home to a unique, temple-building civilisation. Malta's temples are thought to be the oldest free-standing buildings known to man.
One site above all others that is special to Malta is the Hypogeum, a labyrinth of underground chambers probably used as both a burial site and a temple. The Island's temples qualify as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are open to the public. A good place to start your tour is at the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta or the Hypogeum itself.

With superbly sunny weather, expansive beaches and a thriving nightlife, not to mention all that history, there is a great deal to see and do. Everywhere you go, you will come upon a unique historic sight. Temples, palaces, cathedrals and forts provide a living history you can almost touch. Sound also plays an important part in the life of the Islands. The mix of fireworks and village band marches transforms a summer night into a special memory.

Malta offers an exhilarating contrast of colours - the azure of the Mediterranean, the mellow honey-coloured limestone which characterises the architecture and clear skies - it is a feast for the senses. Due to the undoubtedly great advantage of fair weather (average rainfall of 578mm a year and average temperature of 30°C during the summer months), Malta lends itself to outdoor activities.

The first rains after the long, hot summer bring the landscape to life with an astonishing variety of wild flowers. From mid-November until mid-May the Islands are green and lush with fields full of vegetables and waysides carpeted with fennel, clover, wild iris and myrtle.

Away from the hustle and bustle of villages, Malta offers a great variety of natural spots to be explored and admired, some left almost untouched by the 20th century. Much of the countryside is dotted with the world's oldest free-standing structures, so a stroll could prove to be more than interesting.

The Island offers some of the most stunning views anywhere in the Mediterranean. The first thing to do is decide what sort of view you prefer - dramatic cliffs plunging into waves, the rocky, scrubland of the garrigue or hidden, lush valleys. En-route, you'll come across mysterious, prehistoric sites, cave chapels and secluded palaces of the Knights. One of the best walks is along Dingli Cliffs. It's truly spectacular to watch the sun set over the sea from the highest area in Malta where the land falls away at a spectacular 220 metre height.

Valletta is often described as 'a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen'. It is a beautifully preserved sixteenth century walled city with World Heritage status. Narrow streets are overflowing with quaint shops and cafés. Being of modest size it is quite easy to access the many attractions including some of Europe's finest artworks, palaces and cathedrals. And, whatever you do, the National Museum of Archaeology should not be missed.

Medina, just 15 kilometres away, offers great views of the Island and is overflowing with Norman and Baroque architecture. The eleventh century Roman Catholic Sicula-Norman Cathedral's museum is teeming with interesting artefacts. Cuisine here is a taste of the Island's multicultural heritage. Local restaurants offer a creative selection of tempting fare that is sure to delight the most sophisticated of palates.

Typical of the Mediterranean lifestyle, the Islanders' approach to life is to enjoy and celebrate it as much as possible. Nightlife on the Islands is always bustling with scores of clubs and excellent wine bars to visit. You can even enjoy a flutter at one of the casinos.

The long relationship between the Islanders and the various nationalities that occupied Malta over the centuries has created a marriage of styles and traditions, giving Malta a fascinating, eclectic culture. It truly is a magical place and one not to be missed.