10 Great Reasons Why Malta Is The Perfect Mediterranean Holiday Destination
The Mediterranean Island of Malta is located in between Sicily and Libya. Due to its location, it has long been viewed as a place of great strategic relevance. In accordance, Malta has seen its shores invaded numerous times by an array of different cultures.
The English, French, Romans and Arabs are a few of many that have tried to claim this land as their own. It is this mix of cultural influences that has helped shape the Maltese culture seen today. This is evident in their architecture, language and cuisine.
Now known for its beautiful beaches and sunny weather, Malta’s mix of the Mediterranean lifestyle and nightlife make this a favourite with tourists.
Here are 10 reasons why Malta should be your next holiday destination.
The Weather
Like most Mediterranean Countries, Malta is rarely cold. The yearly climate on average is 22-23 C (72-73F). The summer season starts around mid April time, with tourists still spotted sunbathing in November. Malta can total an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, which is one the highest in Europe.
The Locals
Not only are the Maltese famous for their hospitality but many of Malta’s residents are multilingual.
Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English. Until September 1964 Malta was under British rule. It is still common to find many English who have emigrated here, either for work or retirement.
Although the majority of locals speak English it is common for them to speak another language such as Italian, french or Arabic. If you hear the Maltese language, you’ll find a mix of all four of these influences.
The Culture
Religion is very important in Malta, with over 90% of the population practicing Catholicism. Every town has its own church and you’ll often see religious statues in gardens, cars and homes. There are many festivals and carnivals throughout the year bringing the streets to life and communities together.
The Maltese also love their music. Traditional Maltese music is known as ghana. This is where the Maltese locals take turns to argue points in song over a folk guitar. Ghana has been used throughout history as an impromptu way to highlight current events.
In more recent years Jazz has become a popular source of entertainment. Sliema in Malta hosts a an annual jazz festival during the summer. St Julian’s has a large range of Jazz bars that see both local and foreign artists perform at.
The Nightlife
There are two types of nightlife in Malta. Paceville located near St Julian’s is well-known for its many clubs and residence that never sleep. The location is bustling with a mixture of locals and tourists, all looking for good night out.
For a slightly more subdued evening, there is Valletta or Sliema. Not far from the party town of Paceville. Many of the locals go to these coastal towns to eat drink and socialise.
Eating at one of Malta’s many restaurants is a must when holidaying in Malta.
The Food
Like the language, Malta’s cuisine draws influence from many different cultures. You’ll find an Arabic and English but you’ll find Italian food being most prominent (with a Maltese twist of course).
Some specialties include Fenek (rabbit), Aranchini (a deep fried risotto ball with filling), Maltese sausage, Timpana (macaroni in pastry), Ross il-forn (baked rice), Bigilla (bean dip) and the local bread Ftira.
The Accommodation
There’s definitely no shortage of places to stay in Malta. With new accommodation being built everyday in Malta, what ever your budget, there’s bound to be a place to suit you.
Accommodation in Malta ranges from lavish hotels to penthouses, self catering apartments and budget rooms.
Locations range from central hot spots, resorts to seaside views and residential areas. Due to Malta’s size, you are never far from the sea and local attractions.
The Location
Malta is located right in the centre of the Mediterranean. Just South of Sicily, East of Tunisia, North of Libya and North East of Egypt, making Malta equally close to the Middle East and North Africa.
This central location makes it a convenient place to travel to and from.
Cheap Flights
Since the introduction of budget airlines, there is a long list of airlines that fly to Malta from all over the world.
Air Berlin, Air Malta, Alitalia, BMI Baby, Easyjet, Egyptair, Emirates, Finnair, Jat, Jet Time, Lufthansa, Luxair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, Scandinavian SAS, Thomas Cook Thomson Airways, Tunisair Express
all fly to Malta. The amount of airlines that fly there means not only is Malta easy to get to but cheap.
Malta can also be reached by sea. Ferries and cruise ships frequent its shores.
The Transport
Malta is a small Island, so getting to places is never a hassle. Malta’s regular bus service means getting around couldn’t be easier. Since the public bus company was taken over by British company Arriva, more bus routes have been added. The new buses also include air conditioning, which is a must in summer.
Some of Malta’s iconic yellow buses can still be seen today, offering tours of the island in the summer months.
The Entertainment
Malta has a variety of attractions, museums and events to keep even the most active of you busy.
For some family fun there is Popeye village. This old film set was from the film Popeye starring Robin Williams. It has since been turned into a theme park which offers a range of activities for kids and adults alike.
Malta is full of historical artifacts and destinations. The capital of Valletta not only hosts a number of museums and galleries but it has been classed as a national heritage site by UNESCO since 1980.
A large number of casinos, water sports plus a whole range of other activities are also available on the island.