Malta, the small archipelago lost in the Mediterranean Sea, somewhere between Sicily, Italy and North Africa, may not be on everyone’s radar. But it’s known for its mild climate, breathtaking landscapes and some of the oldest temples in the world: the megalithic temples of Mnajdra and Ggantija (in Gozo) are about six thousand years old. Who lived and built these amazing structures on the Maltese Islands is unknown. 
Malta has a history rich with knights and pirates. There are 3 official languages: English, Italian and Maltese. As Malta was part of the British Empire for over 150 years, it is hardly surprising that business, laws and education have some British overtones. Today, you’ll find plenty of this blend of Mediterranean Britishness around in Maltese daily life. The late Queen Elizabeth II loved Malta as she lived here for a little while with her husband, Prince Philip, when they first got married when he was in the Royal Navy. Malta was granted Independence in 1964, although the British forces retained a presence in Malta until 1979, when their military bases were closed. Throughout its history, Malta has always been a tidbit, a kind of outpost of culture and trade between Europe and Africa, West and East, as much for the ancient Phoenicians and Carthaginians, as for the Romans, Arabs and Europeans. Moreover, all the culture who passed through the island left their mark here. This is why we encounter Roman baths, Arab citadels, Christian shrines, knightly palaces and fortresses on a small island in a viscous cocktail of past and present. The first capital of Malta is M’dina, or Melisa, as the city was known during Roman times. It is easy to get lost in its winding streets, and the views from the walls of the citadel are enchanting. In the main square, St Paul’s cathedral rises majestically above the city, it is definitely worth a visit.
To stay at: It depends on how extravagant you want to live. One of the most beautiful hotels in my opinion is the XVII cent palace (with a sublime breakfast), The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux.
Walk to: Rabat is a great place to walk all around the streets. You won’t stop taking pictures of the gorgeous facades – everywhere! Exquisite and sophisticated craftsmanship in wood carving, decorative relief motifs adorning doorways, door knobs, balconies! Ravages of time!
Not my favourite:
I adore history, but I can’t recommend everyone to visit the Catacombs scattered around Rabat in the suburb of M’dina – historical cemeteries outside the city walls at the Roman times. Unless you are a historian. Or you like such dark places and also want to see the places of the funeral feasts.
After the siege, in 1565, on the other side of the harbor, they began to build a new capital, named after Jean Vallette, the winner over the Turks. Valletta is great! Situated on a peninsula between two bays, Valletta serves as an open-air museum and is at the same time a dynamic and vibrant city. Its layout resembles a chessboard raised in the center.
Walking along its main central street at the crossroads, the whole city is visible through and through. In some places you can see the sea in three directions at the end of the streets. By the way. in all these directions, the city ends with fortress walls that break right into the sea.
Valletta›s main fetish is 🌟balconies! There are a great many of them here – of different shapes and colours, of varying degrees of preservation and habitation. Malta was Awarded The George Cross. There is practically no modern architecture in Valletta. It was built as a fortress city during the reign of the Order of the Ionite Knights, and it has remained so to this day. Once Controlled by The Knights of St. John.
Three cities are considered the cradle of Maltese history., Birgu, Senglea and Bormla, which are located south of Valletta, on the other side of the Grand Harbour.
There are many great museums, the main ones being the Palace of the Magisters and the solemn knight’s’ temple of St John’s – the magnificent conventual Co-cathedral with golden decor (built 1572 -1577) and redecorated later in Baroque style.
Do! See the only signed painting “Beheading of St John the Baptist” by Michelangelo Caravaggio (who was actually a fugitive murderer!), showing the artist’s signature who dipped his brush in fresh blood oozing out of St John’s neck in order to sign his name…
The so-called Three Cities located opposite Valletta – Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea – turned out to be no less interesting place. Three cities ”(The Tree cities) – this is the name in Malta of the three cities of Birgu, Senglea and Bormla, which are located south of Valletta, on the other side of the Grand Harbour. These three cities are considered the cradle of Maltese history. In the 16th century, the Hospitallers (Knights of the Order of Saint John) arrived on the island. It was extremely important for them to have a strong outpost on the coast. The knights reconstructed Fort St. Angelo in Birgu, slightly rebuilt the city itself and made it their capital. Birgu survived all the attacks of the Ottoman Empire and received the second name of Vittoriosa («Victorious City»), the other two cities are Bormla – Cospicua («Noticeable») and Senglea – Invicta («Invincible»).
MALTA OF THE THREE CITIES OF BIRGU, SENGLEA AND BORMLA, WHICH ARE LOCATED SOUTH OF VALLETTA, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GRAND HARBOUR. THESE THREE CITIES ARE CONSIDERED THE CRADLE OF .MALTESE HISTORY
The Maltese sometimes call them not the “Three Cities”, but Cottonera, after the Grand Master Cottonera, who built fortifications (bastions) in Bormla and Birgu. They are still surrounded by powerful fortress walls in several rows.
Do! make sure to take the ferry across to Sliema from Valetta, preferably at sunset.The most beautiful way to cross the Grand Harbor.
Do! Take the water ferry from Valletta to Sliema (two bays right across from each other)… One of the most beautiful views ever
Bonus: Do! take a boat tour of the Blue Grotto on the western side of Malta. Another fabulous view of the island from the water. A highlight of the trip! Drive to the beautiful bay of the Blue Grotto, where you won’t resist a short motorboat ride through the local sea caves.
MOVIES
You will love these breathtaking landscapes that serve as locations for major film productions: there is a small Anchor Bay. This place is famous for the village of the sailor Popeye (Popeye Village). Does anyone remember this cartoon character, filmed in the 70s right here? The remaining scenery was not destroyed and serves as an amusement park.
DON’T try to go to the Game of Thrones sight in on Manoel Island off Sliema at Fort Manoel. It›s
not open to the public except for a specific day which must be prearranged.
Fun fact: they expect the number of millionaires in Malta to rise by 60% over the next decade
CЭCTUS LIQUOR
The fruit of the prickly pear cactus, which grows ubiquitously in Malta and is often used as a hedge, with many seeds may look inedible, but a Maltese liqueur based on it has long been a popular aperitif and digestif on the island.
Perhaps the most popular sweet in Malta is nougat. It can be found everywhere: in supermarkets, in bars and roadside shops, souvenir shops. The Maltese love to eat a piece of nougat with tea during breakfast or lunch.
Luzzu boats, colourful, sometimes decorated with an Osiris eye are highly instagrammable.
WHAT TO BRING AS A GIFT
Jewelry in a special filigree technique was produced in ancient Greece and Rome, but today the main manufacturer is Malta, with the finest lace and ornaments.
The Maltese cross is considered the national symbol of the Republic of Malta. Look for it in gold or silver.
On the island, you will see original door handles everywhere in the form of a lion›s head, a dolphin›s head, a fish›s head, and also simply with the image of a Maltese cross. An ebony handle on an olive green or red door looks especially luxurious in antique or souvenir shops.
Don’t laugh, but the sand cannot be taken as souvenir from the beaches of Malta.
Don’t: Wherever you decide to visit on the island, you’ll be sure to pass plenty of prickly pear cacti and olive trees. While they’re widely used in culinary , don’t be tempted to pick and eat them on the spot. During the day, the spikes on a pear are at their fullest and you are guaranteed to get a few of them lodged in to your hand.
Btw: The tap water is safe for drinking but since it is desalinized you won’t get the taste.
Do: Remember some Maltese words to make the locals happy: bongu (hello) and grazzi ħafna (thank you very much)
I don’t think you will learn much more as Maltese is a very complexe Semite language, developed from a dialect of Arabic and closely related to the western Arabic dialects of Algeria and Tunisia and influenced by the language spoken in Sicily… Maltese is the only form of Arabic to be written in the Latin alphabet, so stick with English!
Malta is dominated by British characteristic accents in form of bright red telephone boxes and language.
Do make sure to try the local delicacies: lampuki pie (fish pie), rabbit, bigilla (broad beans with garlic), delicious but heavy pastizzi (pastry filled with meat, ricotta or mushy peas), and qassatat (flaky pie with ricotta and/or spinach).
DON’T expect to walk into a hot restaurant for dinner. You must make reservations unless you don’t mind eating late.
My restaurant tip: the Italian restaurant N’dujo didn’t disappoint me!
Bonus: Get a ticket for a show at the Manoel Theatre, one of the oldest in Europe!
Take it easy: Maltese typically have a relaxed approach towards timekeeping and punctuality. This is commonly referred to as ‘island time’. According to neuroscientists, late-comers go through life more easy-going and have a lower stress-level, they don’t live by the minute, but rather look at the bigger picture. So enjoy and travel relaxed, in Maltese way.