Travel to Malta with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on Malta with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Travel to Malta

The fertile countryside is delightfully sprinkled with some of the worlds oldest buildings, and the island’s closely guarded Catholic community has retained its historic culture.

Valletta, located on the tip of Maltas northeast coast, is a well preserved 16th century walled city. It is compact and easily discovered by foot in a few hours. A stroll through the heart of the town guides you through a series of squares surrounded by palaces and cathedrals.

A particularly fascinating sight in Valletta, the Auberge de Castille is a Spanish palace that now serves as the prime ministers headquarters. St Johns Co-Cathedral and Museum has an opulent façade and baroque interior, while the Palace of the Grand Masters is used as the parliamentary house. Northeast of the city, Fort St Elmo features intriguing historical displays.

Also well worth seeing is the prehistoric temples at Hagar Qim, which have been standing since 3800 BC and are among the oldest known human structures on the planet. They are decorated with idols and altars, and rest on a pleasing hill overlooking the Mediterranean and the island of Filfla. Hagar Qim and the neighbouring Mnajdra temple are 15kms southwest of Valletta, past the village of Qrendi.

West of Valletta is the charming city of Mdina, dating back 3,000 years. It is best known for its Norman and baroque buildings, and also features some quaint cobbled streets. In the central piazza, you’ll find the 11th century Roman Catholic Sicula-Norman Cathedral, while other cultural attractions include the well-preserved Norman-style Palazzo Falzon, built in 1495, and the suburb of Rabat, home to the Museum of Roman Antiquities.

The main attraction of Malta is, of course, its resort towns, beaches and deserted bays. Gozo is smaller and quieter than the larger island, and boasts a verdant countryside, some medieval architecture and prehistoric temples, and a serene atmosphere. Victoria is the centre of the island’s commercial activity and offers a 17th century quality. There are breathtaking views from the Gran Costello Citadel, and at the base, the Norman House contains a folk museum. The Ggantija temple complex, near Xaghra, is the most spectacular in Malta.

Cottonera is home to three ancient cities: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicuam. The island has an interesting maritime legacy and is protected by 17th century fortifications. The Maritime Museum has some excellent exhibits of Maltas naval history, while the Folk Museum contains dungeons and torture chambers. The Hypogeum, in Paola, consists of a 4,400-year-old underground network of caves, tunnels and rooms, carved out of natural rock.

Comino is Maltas smallest island, with a lazy atmosphere and just one hotel. There is good snorkelling in the many sheltered bays. Alternatively, nearby Mosta is famous for its enormous Roman church, which has one of the largest unsupported domes (40m) in the world.

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