Malta’s always been popular with visitors – for thousands of years people from across the globe have been drawn to this little jewel in the southern Mediterranean, and it’s still going strong. From the capital City Valletta, to the nightlife of St Julian’s, to the ancient city of Mdina, Malta’s a little island with a big personality, and holiday makers from around the world are flooding in to uncover its charms.

Being a Mediterranean island, the sea is a huge draw for Malta’s holiday makers, and there’s no lack of it – virtually the entire coast of this little island is used for swimming, as being outdoors during the summer is sewn into the very fabric of Maltese culture. The sea is as much part of the island as the rock itself, and people take full advantage for 6 months of the year, turning every bay and cove into a swimming spot. The beaches are mainly rocky – when people think of beaches in other countries, they think of large designated swimming locations, but Maltese familiarity with the sea means everywhere can be used, and the limestone and sandstone beaches make a great place to catch the sun and while away the days and evenings next to the blue waters. There are several sandy beaches around the island – the largest of which are a set of two beaches in the North of the island called ‘Golden Sands’ and ‘ghajn Tuffieha’ (Apple’s eye). Others include Mellieha Bay, Armier in the South, Paradise Bay, and others, including the small man-made St George’s Bay in St Julians. Throughout the summer months, tourists and locals flock to these spots to cool off from the midday heat with a swim, or to work on the perfect tan. Others find their own little stretch of coast to unwind on, and with Malta’s size only being 27 km by 14 km, it’s never that hard to get around the island.

Hotels in Malta are spread throughout the island, although the town of St Julians has the largest number of fiver star luxury hotels due to its reputation for entertainment and high-end services. Neighbouring Sliema also has its fair share of luxury accommodation, and Golden Sands, Mellieha, Bugibba and Qawra, all in the North of the island, also have luxury hotels. The capital Valletta does too, although there are fewer hotels there than in other places as the City’s World Heritage status means planning permission is much harder to come by for new developments. If something more affordable’s what you’re looking for, there are 2-4 star hotels throughout the island as well, as well as many self catering properties and some bed and breakfasts.

Getting around is never that hard as the island’s very small – there are no trains, so it’s all buses, and with the 2011 change in public transport providers, bus services in Malta are very different from what they once were. It’s useful to note that while services run to all destinations on the island, services to locations in the North of Malta such as Mellieha, Qawra, Bugibba, and St Paul’s Bay are less frequent than on routes through more centrally located town such as St Julians, Sliema and of course Valletta, where the main bus terminal is located. You can hire motorbikes, scooters or cars with relative ease provided you have a valid licence, and please note that we drive on the left hand side of the road in Malta, as in the U.K, so visitors from the States and several European countries need to be ready for the adjustment. Taxis are plentiful, and the fares are reasonably low, although it might be worth checking around to get the best deal, as not all of the taxis use meters to work out the cost of each journey.

Whilst you’re on the island, there’s lots to see and do. Besides the swimming, there’s the silent City of Mdina to visit – a World Heritage City unchanged since the times of the Knights of Malta, and before, with its Arabian influences and gorgeous architecture. The Capital of Valletta is great for shopping, cafes, restaurants, its newly redeveloped waterfront, the beautiful fortifications and much much more. Neighbouring Sliema is Malta’s shopping capital with international brands choosing the town as their base on the island. The ‘Three Cities’ offer a great glimpse into historic Malta and can be seen either by foot or by sea on one of the many cruises which take visitors around the various inlets which made Malta such a valuable naval resource. There’s a wealth of wreck-diving to be done if you’re a bit more adventurous, and rock climbing is common place at various locations around Malta. You can visit the temples – among the oldest known structures of any kind on Earth which are located all around Malta and neighbouring Gozo – they predate the Pyramids and Stonehenge and are open to the public.

Whatever your tastes, Malta’s got something to offer, and with its membership in the European Union and forward-looking ideas, the island is once again embracing its character as a meeting point for people from across the globe.

Author Bio: Use these links to find out more about Malta

The island of Malta – Malta

The Capital City Valletta – Valletta

The town of St Julians in Malta – St Julians

Category: Travel
Keywords: malta,st julians,mellieha,sliema,valletta,malta hotels,malta holiday,paceville,Qawra,