DETAILED ITINERARY

Malta is an archipelago of 21 small sun-soaked islands situated in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily. It is known for its many historical sights, as well as its lovely beaches and clear Mediterranean waters ideal for diving. The main island is not large – only 17 miles by 9 miles – so you are never far from the sea and sunshine is almost guaranteed, with an average of 10 hours per day in the summer and 6 hours in winter. 

Small Gozo is the second island, offering adventure activities and a completely relaxed experience. It is reached by 30 minute ferry from Malta. The almost uninhabited island of Comino is home to the fabulous Blue Lagoon and offers great diving.

Inhabited for over 7,000 years, Malta has been ruled by the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Sicilians, French and British, having been a crown colony for over 160 years prior to independence in 1964. History abounds in Malta, starting in the tiny capital of Valletta which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This old walled city was originally fortified by the Knights of St. John. It is known for its museums, palaces and grand churches, as well as the Baroque landmark of St. John’s Co-Cathedral, whose opulent interior is home to the Caravaggio masterpiece ‘The Beheading of Saint John’.

On the main island you can delve into pre-history and visit the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a Neolithic underground temple with preserved wall paintings that is a World Heritage Site. You can also explore the seven Megalithic Temples of Malta. The smaller island of Gozo is home to the Neolithic Ggantija Temple, the earliest of the megalithic temples and the oldest free-standing structure in the world (older than the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge). It too is a World Heritage Site.

Moving to Roman times, in and around Rabat you can visit the Museum of Roman Antiquities (commonly referred to as “The Roman Villa”) and the underground St Paul’s and St. Agatha’s catacombs.

Medieval history can be explored further in the walled city of Mdina, an ancient capital and citadel perched on a plateau and known as the Silent City. Here you will come across everything, from Napoleonic troops to flower festivals. The cathedral and its museum are not to be missed, as well as the torturous Mdina dungeons. For a romantic stroll, wander these lamp-lit streets at night and don’t miss the renowned chocolate cake at Fontanella tea rooms, situated right on the bastion with a spectacular view. 

Malta also has 365 Catholic churches, each celebrating a different saint.

World War Two sites to be discovered include the Mgarr War Shelter, the Mtarfa British military buildings and the Armoury and Maritime Museum in the old fortified city of Vittoriosa (Birgu) on the south side of the Grand Harbour. Here you will also find several sites associated with the Knights of St. John, including Fort St Angelo in Birgu and the Fort Rinella battery in Kalkara, home to one of the world’s two largest surviving Victorian canons (100 ton Armstrong).

Malta has beaches for everyone. Choose from golden sands, red sands, rocks, blue lagoons and even inland seas. The main coastal resorts and larger sandy beaches are in the northern part of the island with the most popular beaches being Mellieha Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha and Golden Bay. For smaller, quieter beaches try those at the tip of the island, overlooking Gozo, such as Paradise Bay and Armier. On larger beaches, you will find cafes or snack bars open during the summer season. With Malta’s climate, beach life lasts well into October. You can enjoy water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, jet and water skiing, paddle boarding, canoeing, paragliding and game fishing.

These clear blue Mediterranean seas are ideal for scuba diving and all three of the major islands offer excellent diving in warm clear waters with reefs, caves and wrecks to explore. The calmness of the sea makes for excellent visibility and the wildlife danger risk is extremely low, so ideal for first time divers and beginners. For the more experienced divers, there are various sites that include archaeological artefacts, some from World War Two and some dating back to the Roman era.

Many other activities are available on these islands including walking, mountain biking, horse riding, archery, clay pigeon shooting, abseiling and rock climbing. Malta has just one golf course, the Royal Malta Golf Club, but it is one of the oldest in Europe. The Malta Classic car race is also famous.

If you love art, you can visit the impressive collection at the National Museum of Fine Arts and the restored al frescos at Palazzo Falson in Mdina (the ‘Norman House’). To view more contemporary work, walk around the exhibits at the St John’s Cavalier Art Centre.

Eating out in Malta is fun and there are restaurants to suit every taste. Do try the fish, especially ‘lampuki pie’ (a white fish) and ‘fenek’ (rabbit cooked in wine). Maltese wine is inexpensive and improving every year. 

Outside Valletta, car hire gives you the freedom to explore more of the island, although the local bus service is excellent.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis. Local airport transfers & flights from London are included, with regional departures on request. Car hire can also be arranged.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance, and an appropriate driving licence if you intend to hire a car. The FCO should also be consulted.