Looking for your next holiday destination? Poppy Evans uncovers the scenic wonders that Malta has to offer.
50 miles south of Sicily and 186 miles north of Africa you will find a delightful island that is just 17 miles long. It is surrounded by the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, boasts a warm and sunny climate, and hosts a happy and easy living lifestyle. Malta is a top destination for your next holiday.
Despite the country’s small size there is something for everyone. Are you in need of a beach getaway to take a break from your busy life? The mesmerising town of Mellieħa is full of beautiful beaches and has little nightlife, perfect for a relaxing stay. Want to take the kids away for a family holiday? St Paul’s Bay is full of family friendly resorts and the area has generally been built with children in mind. In love with history, culture and architecture? The capital city, Valletta, has been declared as a World Heritage Site due to its number of historical buildings.
It is amazing that Malta is such a small nation but has managed to keep its identity so well. The country’s charm, culture and history are woven throughout the island, this is a rather rare treat to find nowadays and something that should be celebrated.
The Maltese Archipelago
Malta is made up of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. The largest island is Malta, it is the central, more commercial island and where people generally go to stay for their holidays. The second largest island is Gozo. It is a lot more rural than Malta; people generally visit this island for day trips and are attracted to the fishing, agriculture and crafts there. Comino is the smallest island. It has only one hotel and is generally uninhabited.
The lagoons
Comino is home to one of Malta’s top attractions – the beautiful Blue Lagoon. It is often described as “a little slice of paradise” as people are mesmerised by the magnificently sparkling blue, clear waters that surround the west coast of Comino. There are numerous boat trips running to access this happy haven. It is the perfect place to spend a hot summer’s day relaxing, snorkelling and exploring. Similarly, the Crystal Lagoon is also on the coast of Comino and is equally as captivating.
Weather and climate
The weather is yet another wonder of Malta. Generally, the country is blessed with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, celebrating 5-6 hours of sunshine a day during their mild winters and 12 hours during their hot, dry summers.
History and culture
Bit of a history fanatic? If so, Malta is an ideal getaway for you as there are remnants of the country’s 6,000 years of rich history scattered across the island. For example, there are mysterious circular temples and ancient statuettes that were left behind by the Neolithic Inhabitants of Malta.
There are plenty of places to visit to learn about Malta’s heritage. If this kind of thing interests you then be sure to head down to the Lacaris War Rooms, Fort St Elmo, Fort St Angelo and Hal Safleni Hypogeum.
Food and drink
People are astonished by the outstanding cuisine in Malta, this is thanks to the influences of different European cultures blending to shape the country. The Mediterranean climate and availability of fresh seafood also contributes to their delicious dishes. Ta’Philip is an up and coming restaurant situated in Mgarr in Gozo, the chefs are dedicated to using fresh, seasonal foods that are locally sourced and will make your taste buds tingle.
Nightlife
There are plenty of bars and restaurants all over Malta to spend the evening wining and dining. However, if you are looking for a livelier scene than this, then it is highly recommended to go to St Julian’s. In particular, Paceville is the heart of nightlife in Malta, as it hosts an array of pubs and clubs that are open to the early hours of the morning. Unless a special event is on, there is usually no entrance fees on the doors to clubs. However, in contrast to this, if you are looking for a relaxing or family friendly holiday, then it would be wise to avoid the St Julian’s area.
Malta truly is a spectacular country, it has a style, culture and charm that is rare to find. The people of Malta are welcoming and friendly, which makes your trip there even more memorable. It is a surprise that Malta is such a hidden gem in Europe, but I suppose that is what makes it such a special place.
I wrote this article in December 2019 for an Introduction to Journalism module. We were tasked with writing a 1,000-word lifestyle feature on a topic of our choice.
GRACEFULL REFLECTIONS 