Malta

Welcome to MaltaThis captivating southern European island is a country in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, with three inhabited islands only 80 km south of Italy.

Valletta is the capital and one of the most stunning cities on Earth. It’s a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site with unforgettable turquoise lagoons and beaches that keep travellers returning. From the walled fortress city, every street leads to the sea lined by mostly 16th- and 17th-century townhouses fronted by traditional Maltese balconies: no ones in a hurry in Malta and that's the way they like it. Take a stroll into history while enjoying the vibrant present filled with welcoming locals and life's daily colours.

Behind the facades of old buildings are classy galleries, wine bars, live music and intimate restaurants. There's plenty of nightlife in Malta and a great party atmosphere. Maltese cuisine is exciting. It’s a mash of Spanish, French, Italian, a little English, and a lot of love. Very Mediterranean! With abundant fresh produce from the land and sea, food means happiness in Malta with family and friends gathering to feast. Local wineries are worth visiting or try a glass of Cisk, a homegrown beer and a favourite among the locals. Shots are often popular, and drinking and eating well is a way of life.

Adventurers: Malta has everything from exhilarating rock climbs to deep-sea dives. There are hikes along coastal trails, and into the hills, mountain bike rides and an abundance of reefs, caves and wrecks that makes Malta a very popular diving spot. Then there are the vineyards nurtured for hundreds of years, deep forests and prehistoric sites like Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a 5000-year-old necropolis carved from the living rock. Malta is extraordinary.

Best time to visit Malta

With almost all-year-round sunshine it’s hard to pick a month Malta is not worthy of visiting. Spring and early summer are the most popular as the weather is not too hot, and the nights are cool. It is also carnival and festival time with an exciting calendar. High tourist season is generally from June to August, and low from December to February, prices vary during these times. It is a dry climate and October is most likely to see rain.