The Mediterranean island of Malta lies between Sicily and Libya. Due to its location, it has long been seen as a place of great strategic importance. Granted, Malta has seen its shores invaded numerous times by a variety of different cultures.
The English, French, Romans and Arabs are some of the many who have tried to claim this land as their own. It is this mix of cultural influences that has helped shape the Maltese culture seen today. This is evident in its architecture, language, and cuisine.
Now known for its beautiful beaches and sunny climate, Malta’s mix of Mediterranean lifestyle and nightlife make it a favorite with tourists.
Here are 10 reasons why Malta should be your next holiday destination.
The weather
Like most Mediterranean countries, Malta is rarely cold. The annual climate on average is 22-23 C (72-73F). The summer season begins in mid-April, and tourists are still seen sunbathing in November. Malta can total an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, one of the highest in Europe.
The locals
The Maltese are not only famous for their hospitality, but many of Malta’s residents are multilingual.
Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English. Until September 1964, Malta was under British rule. It is still common to find many Spaniards who have emigrated here, either for work or retirement.
Although most of the locals speak English, it is common for them to speak another language such as Italian, French or Arabic. If you listen to the Maltese language, you will find a mixture of these four influences.
Culture
Religion is very important in Malta, with more than 90% of the population practicing Catholicism. Each town has its own church and you will often see religious statues in gardens, cars and houses. There are many festivals and carnivals throughout the year that bring life to the streets and communities.
The Maltese also love their music. Maltese traditional music is known as ghana. This is where the Maltese locals take turns arguing points in a song on a folk guitar. Ghana has been used throughout history as an impromptu way to highlight current events.
In more recent years, jazz has become a popular source of entertainment. Sliema in Malta hosts an annual jazz festival during the summer. St Julian’s has a wide variety of jazz bars featuring local and foreign artists.
Night life
There are two types of nightlife in Malta. Paceville, located near St Julian’s, is known for its many clubs and residences that never sleep. The place is packed with a mix of locals and tourists, all looking for a good night out.
For a slightly quieter evening, there is Valletta or Sliema. Not far from the party town of Paceville. Many of the locals flock to these coastal towns to eat, drink and socialise.
Eating at one of Malta’s many restaurants is a must while on holiday in Malta.
Food
Like the language, Maltese cuisine is influenced by many different cultures. You’ll find an Arabic and an English one, but you’ll find the Italian food to be the standout (with a Maltese twist of course).
Some specialties include Fenek (rabbit), Aranchini (a deep-fried risotto ball with stuffing), Maltese sausage, Timpana (macaroni in puff pastry), Ross il-forn (baked rice), Bigilla (bean sauce) and the local Ftira bread. .
Accommodation
There is definitely no shortage of places to stay in Malta. With new accommodation being built every day in Malta, whatever your budget, there is sure to be a place for you.
Accommodation in Malta ranges from luxurious hotels to penthouses, self-catering apartments and budget rooms.
Locations range from central hot spots, resorts to ocean views and residential areas. Due to the size of Malta, you are never far from the sea and local attractions.
The location
Malta is located right in the center of the Mediterranean. Just south of Sicily, east of Tunisia, north of Libya, and northeast of Egypt, making Malta equally close to the Middle East and North Africa.
This central location makes it a convenient place to travel to and from.
Cheap flights
Since the introduction of low cost airlines, there is a long list of airlines that fly to Malta from all over the world.
Air Berlin, Air Malta, Alitalia, BMI Baby, Easyjet, Egyptair, Emirates, Finnair, Jat, Jet Time, Lufthansa, Luxair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, Scandinavian SAS, Thomas Cook Thomson Airways, Tunisair Express
they all fly to Malta. The number of airlines that fly there means that Malta is not only easy to get to, but also cheap.
Malta can also be reached by sea. Ferries and cruise ships frequent its shores.
Transport
Malta is a small island so getting to places is never complicated. Malta’s regular bus service means getting around couldn’t be easier. Since the British company Arriva took over the public bus company, more bus routes have been added. The new nozzles also include air conditioning, essential in summer.
You can still see some of Malta’s iconic yellow buses, which offer tours of the island in the summer months.
Entertainment
Malta has a variety of attractions, museums and events to keep even the most active busy.
For family fun, there is Popeye’s town. This old film set was from the movie Popeye starring Robin Williams. Since then, it has been converted into a theme park offering a variety of activities for children and adults alike.
Malta is full of historical artifacts and destinations. The capital of Valletta is not only home to a number of museums and galleries, but has been classified as a UNESCO national heritage site since 1980.
A large number of casinos, water sports and a wide range of other activities are also available on the island.
