Malta

Malta is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, specifically south of Europe, between Italy (Sicily is only 80 km away), Tunisia (280 km), and Libya (320 km).

Malta is composed of 8 islands, has a total area of 316 km2, and a total of 45,000 inhabitants.

As a curious fact, its capital, Valletta, is only 1 km2.

The main island shares its name with the country, which can sometimes lead to thinking that Malta is just one big island. The 8 islands that make up Malta are: Malta, Gozo, Comino, Manoel Island, Cominotto, Saint Paul’s Island, and the islets of Filfla and Filfonetta Rock.

Of these 8 islands, only Malta, Gozo, Comino, and Manoel Island are inhabited.

The island of Malta is the largest of them all, with 27 km in length and 14.5 km in width. In Malta, you can find the fortified capital of Valletta.

Malta’s location in the middle of the Mediterranean basin has placed it in a fundamental role in the history of humanity since early times: it is said that the first inhabitants of the island of Malta arrived from Sicily and North Africa around 5,000 BC.

Since then, Malta has always been inhabited by different civilizations that left their mark and legacy.

Malta has witnessed the Stone Age, the settlements of Phoenician merchants, the Greeks, the Carthaginians, and, as could not be otherwise in this game of conquests, the powerful Roman Empire.

The Byzantine Empire, the Vandals and the Arabs, the Sicilian Normans, and even for a time Malta became part of the Crown of Aragon, becoming one of those kingdoms that helped maintain the title of the Spanish Empire as the Empire where the sun never set.

After numerous wars with Turks and Ottomans, Napoleon’s cavalry conquered Malta…and shortly afterwards, the English reconquered it. And there they were ruling until 1964, the year in which Malta finally achieved independence, becoming the Republic of Malta.

Malta enjoys a Mediterranean climate, temperate throughout the year, with very mild winters in which temperatures rarely drop below 15ºC; and somewhat hot summers, with temperatures between 22ºC and 35ºC, ideal for refreshing yourself on one of its beautiful beaches.

The hottest months are July and August. And the most pleasant temperatures are enjoyed from September to November, where the maximums usually do not exceed 25ºC.

There are two official languages in Malta, Maltese and English.

Maltese is a Semitic language derived from the Afro-Asiatic languages, with a marked English and Italian influence, due to the historical presence of colonies originating from these two countries.

In addition, due to its time as a British colony, English is the second official language of the country and is spoken by young people as well as the elderly.

Malta is world-famous for its beautiful beaches. There are beaches for all tastes: some very prepared to receive hundreds of tourists, with their umbrellas and beach bars. But there are also more secluded ones, where you can enjoy reading a book or snorkeling in its turquoise waters.

Thanks to its strategic location and rich historical past, Malta enjoys a spectacular culture and cuisine with Arab, Mediterranean, Italian, and English nuances. From the architecture of its cities and buildings, in which walled cities and churches of all styles abound, to your plate, in which pasta, vegetables, and spices abound.

St. Julians is a city located on the island of Malta, very close to Valletta. It is very touristy, as it is the country’s business center. It has many hotels, casinos, bars, and restaurants…

St. Julian’s beaches are among the most beautiful in all of Malta, perfectly combining the fishing atmosphere with historical buildings and many bars and restaurants to enjoy a drink or meal.

La Valeta is the capital of Malta. Founded in the 16th century by the Knights of the Order of St. John, it is one of the few walled cities that remain in the world.

Its geographical location is not only spectacular but also responded to military purposes, as it helped protect it from enemy attacks.

Sliema, located on the northeast coast of Malta, is the city where the local council of Malta is located. This city stands out for its commerce and you can enjoy walking through its commercial areas, full of fashion shops, restaurants, cafes, and the most expensive and exclusive hotels in Malta.

It was the Greeks who baptized the island of Malta with the name of Melite, which means “sweet as honey,” because beekeeping was famous on the island, and the honey produced was of great quality.

Malta is a predominantly Catholic country: 98% are Catholic and in Malta, there are nothing more and nothing less than 365 churches, so you could go to visit them or attend mass in a different one every day for a year.

Furthermore, the most common names in Malta are Joseph and Mary, quintessential Christian names!

Still, other religions from around the world also coexist in Malta, so there are also very beautiful synagogues and mosques.

If you travel to the island of Gozo, you can visit the temples of Ggantija, built in the Megalithic, between 3600 and 2500 BC, making them older than the pyramids of Egypt.

Malta has places of great beauty, three of them declared World Heritage by UNESCO: the fortified city of Valletta, the Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni, and the megalithic temples of Ggantija.

Due to its past as a British colony, some very English customs and uses are preserved in Malta. Of course, English as a second official language, but also driving on the left and red telephone booths.

Some historians support various theories, such as Malta could have been connected to Sicily by an arm of land. And the most disturbing of all: Malta could be the famous sunken city of Atlantis.

Well, yes, in Malta is located the residence of the famous Popeye the Sailor, a movie that was shot in the 90s. It is just an hour away from Valletta and today it is a theme park open to the public.

When you come to Malta, walking through its streets will make you feel like the protagonist of some of the most epic movies of cinema. And it is that here, great Hollywood productions have been filmed, such as Gladiator, Troy, The Count of Monte Cristo, and World War Z. Not to mention the great series Game of Thrones.

Pastizzi is a perfect mix between British and Italian cuisine. It is a puff pastry filled with meat, spinach, peas, and ricotta cheese. You will find it everywhere, in the famous pastizzerias, and it is perfect to fill your stomach without having to sit down to eat in a restaurant.

Specifically, for 300 days a year! Malta’s climate is temperate Mediterranean and is made for enjoying the outdoors without worries.