These are the bare essentials you’ll need to see when you go there!

The Blue Lagoon!

Set on the uninhabited island of Comino under the guarding watch of St. Mary’s Tower a fort built by knights of times gone by you’ll find the Blue Lagoon… Comino is Malta’s 3rd largest island and the Lagoon area lies in its north westerly tip. Its crystal clear blue waters are excellent for snorkelling and boat tours of the rest of the island and its famous caves are visible there. If you decide to go on land you should consider venturing around the island a bit. There are some hidden beaches as well as abandoned fortifications to find and explore!

The Blue Lagoon, Comino, Malta by Yulia K

The Megalithic Temples of Malta

Considered to be the oldest freestanding temples in the world the megalithic temples are world heritage sites. They date back to 3600 B.C It is unknown who built the temples or how the massive rocks used in its construction were ever used/ No burial sites where ever found, however the remains of animal used for sacrifices were discovered.

Tarxien temples, Malta by Berthold Werner

Valletta

Valletta was built for defence. It is one massive fortress with towering interlocking bastions over mazes of defences. It too has the honour of being a world heritage site. Inside you will find a cultural hub with intricate churches, theatres, galleries, museums, historic palazzi, piazzas and auberges. Its underground is steeped in history too with many passages, shelters and secret spots, some of which have now become open to the public. Valletta has even got good shopping for the ladies and cafes or bars for the men (P.s try the local beer ‘Cisk’ while you’re at it). If you’re really up for doing things differently then try catch one of the traditional boats coming across the harbour from one of the surrounding towns like Sliema instead of catching the bus but be warned Valletta is set on a hill so it’s a good walk up from the dock!

Valletta, Malta by Briangotts

I found Malta to be a great place to stay.  The island has got something for everyone! I stayed at Hostel Jones. It’s central, inexpensive and run by two easy going locals who’ve decked out with unique art a traditional townhouse into what’s can easily be Malta’s best hostel slash modern gallery that you get to live in too!

About the author: Dieter Bulten is an avid writer/traveller or better still an avid traveller/writer with a passion for History, Beaches and Life

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Hagar Qim, Neolithic Temple; Malta by John Haslam

The Four Malta Museums

The four Malta museums opening their doors throughout Valletta and Gozo include the Folklore Museum, the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, the Gozo Nature Museum and the Old Prison. With such a wide variety to suit any taste, mood or goal, there is no excuse not to take a trip out and see the sights and soak in a bit of cultural history. The museums themselves contain many key exhibitions that many will not experience in a lifetime and Heritage Malta has taken the opportunity to offer massively discounted memberships to the visiting public. The memberships entitle visitors to a host of benefits such as discounted visits, newsletters and events specifically hosted for card holders.

Ancient Pre-History

Not many people realise how many years of history is contained upon the island of Malta; museums feature art from centuries ago while megalithic structures dated to pre-history scatter the country. More than a few World Heritage Sites are situated on the island and the four museums that are opening their doors for free are a great start on a journey of discovery. While the island if teeming with underground tunnels and megalithic structures, only speculation can be made about what their purposes were in ancient times and this mystery is part of the appeal to visitors.

Diverse Cultural Background

The history of Malta is contained within their museums with ancient Phoenicians, Biblical figures, knights of the Crusade and even more contemporary World War history all telling an overall tale of the cultural history of the island nation. Mediterranean does translate into Middle Earth and with Malta at the centre of that, it’s no small wonder that so many important cultural and historical features exist there. A Malta museum is a gateway into millennia of history and the open doors of Heritage Malta’s museums begin that journey for many visitors.

Eugene Calvini is a writer addicted to Malta holidays for rest and relaxation; he enjoys sharing the many aspects of Malta so that others may share his experiences.

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Marsascala history dates back to the 17th century, when there was a small and insignificant fishing village. It had a strategic position, which in 1614 was used by Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John – Fra Alof de Wignacourt. He rebuilt the town into a defensive fortress St. Thomas Tower, which protected this part of the island against the Turkish invasion. The village suddenly became a closely guarded place. Now, the fort does not fulfill its function any more, but it’s just a restaurant.

The Coast of Marsascala Bay is lined with a long promenade, where you can find many cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops – it is a centre of all social life. In the vicinity of the city there are constantly growing new villas and weekend houses. Especially the residents of the capital – Valletta, which is quite far away, use to spend a peaceful end of the week here.

Coast is flat and rocky. You can find sandy beaches in the neighbouring St. Thomas Bay. It offers ideal conditions for swimming, relaxation and water sports. The landscape around the city is made up of fields of orchards and vineyards, which give the place a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere.

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The city’s history dates back to somewhere in the 200 BC, when it was strategically advantageous area at an altitude of 185 meters above sea level, inhabited by the Romans. They built massive walls around the settlement and built a city named Melita. Later also the palace, where they placed the headquarters of the government.

In 870 Mdina was occupied with the Arabs and was divided into two parts. The central part was surrounded by walls and deep moat, and was renamed Medina, which in Arabic means “city”. The remaining part called Rabat, which is now an independent city, or more like a suburb of Mdina. Due to the walls, Medina was not able to expand further, therefore, it remained almost unchanged. After leaving of the Arabs its name was changed to the original one – Mdina, and even today has the character, who in the 16th and 17 Century imprint Maltese nobles, which I later withdrew from the island.

In 1571 Valletta became the capital of Malta and Mdina was further often referred to as the Citta Vecchia (Old City). This name comes from the Middle Ages, when this place was home to many aristocrats and their descendants from Norman countries, Spain and Sicily. Many people at that time left the city, but most aristocratic families still lived in their residences. This made it possible to maintain their homes still in its original beauty. Most of the buildings in Mdina dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries. The paradox is that most younger baroque monuments were destroyed by an earthquake in the 1693.

Today Mdina is a traditional city with only less than 400 permanent residents. The town is called “Silent” or “Silent City”. It is caused by the fact that it is forbidden to enter the city walls by any motor vehicle. The city is ideal for walking and relaxing. Mdina is, with the city of Rabat, very attractive place, especially for the history lovers. You can walk through the ancient streets or enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Malta from the city walls.

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Floriana has beautiful parks and squares and boasting the representative buildings occupied by the government ministry. But it is more appropriate for the serious history lovers, since it lacks a lively bustle streets of Valletta.

The main entrance to the fortifications of Valletta is City Gate, just behind that is the Republic Street, which stretches across the peninsula to its furthest end, to Fort St. Elmo, which is now a military museum. On the Republic Street there are major historical sights, most shops and the only two cafes in the city. Beautiful churches and palaces are in contrast with the military look of the city. Rising and falling streets are lined with houses that are decorated with beautiful bay windows and balconies.

What to see in Valletta?
When you go to Valletta, you should not miss its sights that are definitely worth seeing. Among the most interesting of them is one of the oldest buildings in town – Grandmaster’s Palace from 16th century. Today it houses the Maltese parliament, president and museum. Today it houses the Maltese parliament, president’s office and museum.

Another major attraction is fortification Fort St. Elmo, that played an important role in defending the island. It is now home to a voluntary army and a location of the National War Museum. St. James Cavalier is the strongest fortification of Valletta, now there is a cultural center with a cinema, theater and concert hall.

Memorial to victims of the second World War II we can see in the Lower Barracca Gardens. Another baroque building is the Co-Cathedral of St John, which dates from 1573 – 1578. Discreet Manoel Theatre building dates from 1732 and is the cultural heart of the island. One of the dominant features of Valletta is a the Church of Our Lady of Mount Caramel. This church was founded in 1573. The Upper Barracca Gardens offers a beautiful view of Grand Harbour, the marina and the “Three Cities” on the opposite shore of the Gulf.

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