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 It has been said that the Maltese islands are the ‘open air museum of the Mediterranean’, offering 7,000 years or more of history to explore with numerous cultural, historical and megalithic sites unique in the world. The islands boast prehistoric ruins older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Egypt, and are steeped in the legacy of the medieval order of the Knights of St John, who used the island as their stronghold for defending Christendom.
The main island of Malta, covering just 95 square miles (246 sq km), is also a popular holiday destination because of its secluded bays and sandy beaches, washed by unpolluted clear blue waters. Set against the backdrop of the island’s scenery and its honey-coloured stone buildings, Malta is alluring and fascinating. Malta and its little sister island, Gozo, are not stuck in a time warp, however. The islanders enjoy life to the full, and the calendar is filled with summertime ‘festas’ with fireworks and revelry in every little parish in honour of the village patron saints, as well as the major carnival in early spring every year. The capital, Valletta, besides offering some awesome Baroque buildings and fortifications as its main sightseeing attractions, is bustling and bursting with restaurants and cafes. The island’s compact size is also a plus for visitors; it takes no more than an hour to drive between any two points on the main island, and there is very little open space. The dense population means that the island is virtually one large urban area, with buildings occupying every inch. Malta lies about 60 miles (97km) south of Sicily and 160 miles (257km) north of Libya, a strategic position in the Mediterranean that has made the islands a crossroads of history. The last occupiers were
the British, who granted Malta independence in 1964, but the biggest and most unique influence was left by the Knights of St John, to whom the island was donated in 1530; the Knights reigned supreme over the island for 270 years, building magnificent churches and monuments to themselves. Malta has its mysteries too, in the form of 30 prehistoric sites boasting massive Neolithic temples, considered to be the oldest freestanding stone buildings known to man. |
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Malta's main resorts: |
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Bugibba This large, developed tourist area is made up of a closely-knit string of neighbouring resorts, stretching for Three miles along St Paul's Bay, around Qawra Point and into Salina Bay. Of the group, Bugibba has developed into the largest resort in the area, with good views of St Paul's Bay and its islands. Known for its night-life, Bugibba is a lively friendly centre packed with waterfront cafes, a cinema, bingo hall and even a casino. The entire area is great for watersports. Warning: The nearest sandy beaches are about five miles away at Mellieha Bay and further a field in Golden Bay. Bugibba is still growing so it's best to check that there's no construction work near your accommodation. Journey time from airport: 45 minutes approx.
Mellieha Bay The village of Mellieha has a network of narrow lanes, a steep main street, and a huge 18th-century church with an ancient shrine. Mellieha Bay has one of Malta's few sandy beaches: clean, gently shelving, with shallow water which is ideal for children. Watersports include pedaloes. scuba-diving. windsurfing and canoes. Warning: Not suited to people with mobility problems. Journey time from airport: 1 to 1˝ hours approx.
Paradise Bay Paradise Bay will attract anyone looking for a sun-soaked, get-away-from-it-all sort of lazy holiday. Set right at the northern most tip of Malta facing the island of Gozo, the bay is fringed by stunning cliffs giving it a real sense of seclusion. There's a small beach where you can swim and snorkel to your heart's content, and if you want to make the most of the crystal-clear waters, take the chance to go scuba-diving in one of the favourite diving areas of the island. For a change of scenery, a ferry will take you to Gozo, where you can tour the capital Victoria with its hilltop citadel, or see the amazing prehistoric temples at Ggantija. Mild Warning: Many tour brochures recommend a trip to Gozo but fail to mention that you can sometimes waste up to three hours of your day waiting for the ferry. Journey time from airport: 1 hour approx.
Qawra Just up the road from Bugibba on the east coast of St. Paul's Bay, Qawra is a small, relaxed resort made for an easy-going holiday. However, it is more of a satellite of Bugibba with a large amount of construction work still going on. We would welcome an update from anyone visiting Malta this year.
Sliema Sliema lies on the Grand Harbour facing Valletta. It is a large, modern cosmopolitan town bustling with hotels, shops, cafés, cinemas, restaurants, bars, clubs and discos. Sliema is busy -and still growing, and the town focuses on The Strand, a broad promenade with views of Valletta. Sliema's shops are among the best on the island -look for Maltese lace, fine silverware, pottery, and woollens. Just beyond the shops, there are rocky platforms where you can sunbathe or take a dip in the blue waters. The Marsa Sports Club, about 8 miles away, offers golf; tennis and squash. Mild Warning: The shoreline is rocky and may not suit young children. Journey time from airport: 30 minutes approx.
St.Julians Linked by its seafront to Sliema, St. Julian's has grown from a sleepy fishing village and is an ideal base for soaking up the sun along with the islands heritage and stunning scenery. Located around two curving bays, its centre retains much of its original village charm and has some quality restaurants where you can sample traditional Maltese delights. An aquatic sports centre may also tempt you to take up scuba-diving or water-skiing. The hub of activity lies up the hill at Paceville, where the resort's night-life can be found. Other attractions include St. George's Bay. Warning: Not suited to people with mobility problems. Journey time from airport: St. Julian's 30 minutes approx. Journey time from airport: 45 minutes approx.
St. Paul's The wonderful seaside resort of St Paul's Bay, with its shops, restaurants and nightlife and casino offers something for everyone. St Paul's Bay was a small fishing village dating back almost 1000 years and is located in the north of Malta close to Qawra. Its main attraction is probably the best looking bay on the Islands, with the photogenic St Paul's Islet. Journey time from airport: 45 minutes approx. |
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Malta Travel Facts: Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 240 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin square plugs are used.
Money: The unit of currency in Malta is the Maltese Pound or Lira (MTL), which is divided into 100 cents or 1,000 mils. Banks, ATMs and exchange bureaux can be found all over the islands. Banks generally open between 8.30am and 12.30pm Monday to Friday, and until 11.30am on Saturday. Exchange Bureaux at the international airport open 24 hours a day. Many hotels, shops and restaurants accept foreign currency. Most hotels and restaurants, as well as many shops, accept Access, American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club International, MasterCard and Visa. Language: English and Maltese are the official languages. Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens must have a valid passport. If holding a British National (Overseas) or British Overseas Citizen passport issued in Hong Kong, a visa is required. In all other cases, no visa is required for British citizens for stays of up to three months.
Passport/Visa Note: Visitors must all hold return or onward tickets, all documents required for their next destination, and sufficient funds for maintenance during the period of their stay.
Health: There are no health risks attached to travel to Malta, and water and food is safe for consumption. A reciprocal health agreement exists between the United Kingdom and Malta and as a result British citizens receive emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Maltese nationals on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Visitors should, however, take out adequate medical and travel insurance in case medical evacuation or further treatment is required. Travellers coming from a recognised infected area require a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Tipping: A gratuity of 15% is expected in hotels, and 10% in restaurants, if service charge is not included in the bill. Most services are tipped about 10%.
Safety: Malta is considered very safe for tourists. Crime is rare, though theft from parked cars and handbag snatching can occur. Local driving conditions are poor so exercise caution.
Communications: The country code for Malta is +356, and the outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City codes are not required. Local and international telephone calls can be made from hotel rooms, and most hotels also offer fax and Internet access. Maltacom telecommunications offices also provide these services in the main towns, and coin and card operated telephone boxes can be found all over Malta and Gozo. The islands are covered by two comprehensive GSM 900 and 1800 mobile phone networks. Internet cafes are to be found in all the main towns and tourist resorts. |
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ABTA & ATOL protection is included on all holidays |
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