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Malta

The Maltese Islands have been described as one big open-air museum. What makes them unique is that so much of their past is visible today. Delve into the Islands' mysterious prehistory, retrace the footsteps of St Paul or see where the Knights of St John defended Christendom.

General Information

Megaliths, medieval dungeons and Calypso's Cave – The Maltese Islands are positively mythic. The narrow meandering streets of their towns and villages are crowded with Renaissance cathedrals and Baroque palaces. As the countryside is dotted with the oldest known human structures in the world, the Islands have rightly been described as an open-air museum.

The Maltese archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean, with Malta 93km south of Sicily and 288km north of Africa. The archipelago consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino with a total population of 400,000 inhabitants over an area of 316sq km and a coastline of 196.8km (not including 56.01 km for the island of Gozo).

Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre. Gozo is the second largest island and is more rural, characterised by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture while Comino is largely uninhabited.

With superbly sunny weather, expansive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. With a little help from any guidebook, captivating places of interest are immediately identified – the world famous Hypogeum selected as a place of World Heritage by UNESCO, prehistoric temples and grand palaces are but a few.

The long relationship between the Islanders and the various nationalities that occupied Malta over the centuries has created a marriage of styles and traditions, giving the Islands a fascinating eclectic culture.

Getting Around

The Maltese Islands are not very large, which makes getting around relatively trouble-free.

The public bus service on Malta and Gozo is a good way to get around as buses serve the major tourist areas, go practically everywhere and are cheap and efficient. The cost of a bus route ranges from €0.35 to €0.58 and the longest bus journey takes about fifty minutes; the average ride is between twenty and thirty minutes

Renting a car is a good option if you want to get to the farther reaches of the island. All the road signs are in English and driving is on the left.

Major and local car hires are located on Malta and Gozo with daily rates of €16 - €28. International and national driving licenses are acceptable. A number of internationally based car hiring firms as well as local garages also offer the services of chauffeur-driven cars.

Renting scooters, motorbikes or mountain bicycles is an option, but travel this way can be somewhat limited as not all roads are two-wheel vehicle friendly.

The white taxi service can pick up passengers from anywhere, except bus-stops. Taxi services from the Malta International Airport and the Seaport Terminal to all localities in Malta are based on a fixed tariff. For more information on taxi rates click here.

A regular ferry service links Malta to Gozo, taking about 20 minutes each way. A sea plane service links Grand Harbour in Valletta to Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. There are also regular boat services between each island and Comino.

A water taxi service using traditional Maltese 'dghajsa' boats is also available in Grand Harbour.

Exploring

In Malta, you'll explore 7000 years of history yet live passionately in the present. You'll span the millennia with an astonishing array of things to discover. And wherever you go, the Islands' scenery and architecture provide a spectacular backdrop. The colours are striking, honey-coloured stone against the deepest of Mediterranean blues.

Malta is holidaying as the mood takes you. And with near year-round sun, you can indulge in outdoor living at its best.

In just 48 hours and a kilometre or two, you can try a new sport, laze on an island cruise and tour the most important historic sites, and still have time to join in the nightlife. That’s the real advantage of a stay here.

The Islands offer plenty of specialist holidays for those seeking to learn a new skill, discover history or get fit. If you’re interested in sports, we cater as much for the seasoned enthusiast as the casual first-timer. Malta has wellness and spa facilities at the luxury hotels and club resorts. Sea and land lend themselves to activities from rock-climbing to gentle rambling.

For a tempo and scene change from Malta itself, hop to the sister islands of Gozo and Comino. Here, you'll holiday within a holiday and at the most relaxed of Mediterranean paces.

The Blue Lagoon

Anyone who loves the sea and water sports, loves Comino. This tiny island is given over to swimming, snorkeling,diving, windsurfing and dreaming in the sun. The waters are crystal clear with safe bathing for even the youngest children. The superb Blue Lagoon is not only excellent for swimming but also one of the most wonderful sights of the Maltese Islands.

Comino has 3 little sandy beaches and is surrounded by glorious ultramarine waters. The waters of the Blue Lagoon, between Comino and Cominetto, are irresistible- especially if you get here early in the day, before the cruisers and yachts arrive from Malta. The seabed here is covered with sand which reflects the sunlight so that the waters take on a glorious turquoise hue.

IN GUARDIA PARADE

Pageantry and Processions , Family Entertainment, Cultural- 27/09/2009 to 27/12/2009

The IN GUARDIA PARADE is a historical re-enactment that portrays an authentic historical event set in the late 16th – early 17th century. The re-enactment depicts the inspection of the fort and its garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of St. John who was in charge of military affairs. During the re-enactment the fort's garrison (some 70 characters in all) is dressed in its best uniforms to demonstrate its military prowess. The show starts at 11:00hrs and lasts some 40 minutes.

Admission to In Guardia: Tickets at the gate. Group tickets are also available at a reduced price from the Malta Tourism Authority, at 229, Auberge D’Italie, Merchants Street, Valletta (tel: 356 22915136).

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