Malta: The magical island of the knights

Prehistoric boulders, medieval castles, renaissance statues, beautiful beaches, intense local colour and one of the most beautiful ports of the Mediterranean bring every summer to this tiny country, whose charm is inversely proportional to its size (316 sq. Km.), with thousands of tourists visiting every year. In the heart of the Mediterranean, one of the seven archipelago islands (inhabited only by Malta, Gozo and Comino), is a rare crossroads of cultures and has more than 7,000 years of history.

An essential prehistoric civilization developed on these islands before the arrival of the Phoenicians, who named the main one Malat (Safe Harbor). For centuries, the island was the seat of the Order of the Knights of St. John and then part of the British Empire. And of course, all these influences are visible wherever you look – from the medieval cities (most notably the beautiful old capital Mdina) to the old Mini Coopers and other English cars you will find everywhere on the island.

Malta is the country in Europe where you live the experience of the Knights’ era. There are so many things to see in this dwarf country that you will be surprised to meet them. The impressive Valletta, the summer island of Comino, the quiet town of Medina and the beautiful island of Gozo are some of the places that will enchant you. In Malta, you will learn more about the time of the knights, and you will walk on the cobbled streets where they also walked since the Maltese have kept them in perfect condition.

The official languages of Malta are Maltese and English. Malta has been a member of the European Union since 2004. It is the smallest country in the European Union in terms of population and size. The most widespread religion in the country is Roman Catholicism. The southernmost point of Europe is the Greek island of Gavdos and not as – wrongly – Malta is believed.

Where to go – What to do

In Malta, you will find many things to see, but if you have a schedule of 3-4 days is enough. You should definitely visit Valletta and the Rocca Piccola House, Comino Island and Comino Island, Blue Grotto, St. Paul’s Catacombs (in Rabat), St. Angelo Fortress (Birko), Medina, and for sure Gojo is located very close. Do not forget to go through the cave of Calypso. Although it is no longer visitable, it has a stunning beach right next to it. It is important to remember that if you travel by car and want to go to the old town of Valletta, you will not be able to do it. It is forbidden to travel by car in the old city of Valletta.

What to eat – What to try

Of course, Malta is famous for its fish and rabbits. So these two dishes should be at the top of your list. Then you should definitely try the traditional street food pastizzi (pastizzi), which is like a cheese pie with ricotta. Maltese cuisine also has excellent desserts that you should try, such as imqaret and local cookies.

Travel to Malta

Tourism in Malta is doing well, but this makes it very difficult to travel there. Public transport is mostly crowded and suffocating. Renting a car is an option, but you should beware of the relatively bad roads of the country and the drivers who are not always the most careful. However, hiring a car in Malta is advantageous because taxis in the country are costly. To hire a car, you can contact the company Enjoy Travel, which can offer you the vehicle of your choice, at relatively low prices and with all the necessary insurance for your travels.

What you should definitely do in Malta

Enjoy a ride on the traditional boat luzzu, visit the village of Popeye, visit the city of Birgu and of course the Blue Grotto, with its substantial blue cave. If you travel to Malta during the summer months, you will see that there are several opportunities and places for swimming in the sea. Especially the islands of Comino and Cominoto are flooded with tourists who enjoy their clear blue waters. So if you visit Malta during the summer months (July, August), keep in mind because then the sea has many jellyfish. The 300 days of sunshine that prevail on the island allow visitors to enjoy the sights and the waters much more.

Payments and money in Malta

In Malta, you will not have any difficulty with payments, as you can normally pay by using a card everywhere. Also, because the country is within the EU, it has the euro as its currency, and you will not have any difficulty with foreign exchange. The only place you should definitely have cash with you is on Gozo Island. Some stores there do not accept cards. Also, souvenirs in Gozo are up to 50% cheaper than in the rest of Malta.

How many days will you need to enjoy Malta

You can go around the country in 3-4 days and at the same time get to know the local culture better. If your pace is slower than usual again, you may need 5 to 6 days to stay.

When to visit Malta

The best time to visit Malta is spring and autumn. And summer is a lovely time to visit because you enjoy your baths at the same time, but the temperatures are pretty high.

Travelling to Malta with children

The top attraction for children is Playmobil Park. It is home to the company’s largest factory in the world. Popeye Village is an equally beautiful getaway for children with a variety of activities. Finally, there is a park called Mediterraneo. There are daily performances with dolphins, a pool with seals while you are given the opportunity to swim next to dolphins.