UltimateIsland Guide Malta
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Stories from Malta

Every story, long read and guide in the ULTIMATE Malta Island Guide, in one place.

Areas

Malta by area

From the Knights’ capital to the fishing harbours, the Silent City and the green island of Gozo: each area has its own guide.

Valletta’s honey-coloured skyline, with the dome of the Carmelite church and the spire of St Paul’s, above the harbour at sunsetArea guideVallettaThe Knights’ capitalA red-and-yellow dgħajsa moored off Senglea, with the yachts and churches of Birgu behindArea guideThe Three CitiesBirgu, Senglea and CospicuaFishing boats and waterfront restaurants on Spinola Bay, St Julian’sArea guideSliema & St Julian’sThe sea frontThe baroque Main Gate and walls of MdinaArea guideMdina, Rabat & the centreThe Silent CityThe timber houses of Popeye Village above the water of Anchor BayArea guideSt Paul’s Bay & the northBeaches and Popeye Village

Valletta or Gozo

Book Valletta for culture and dinner on foot, and leave a car-free day for Gozo.

  1. Area guideMarsaxlokk & the southTemples and fishing boats
  2. Area guideGozoThe green island
  3. Area guideComino & the Blue LagoonThe Blue Lagoon

Culture

Malta Art, Culture & Architecture

All of Arts & Culture

Honey-coloured limestone, the Knights’ baroque, Caravaggio’s greatest canvas and temples older than the pyramids.

The gilded tiers of boxes inside the Manoel Theatre, VallettaThe back storyArt & architectureA city of stoneThe gilded nave of St John’s Co-Cathedral, with Mattia Preti’s painted vaultArts & CultureSt John’s Co-CathedralCaravaggio’s BeheadingThe courtyard of the Auberge d’Italie, home of MUŻAArts & CultureMuseums & theatresMUŻA, the Manoel and more

Our advice

Caravaggio first

See the Caravaggio first thing in the morning, and book a night at the Manoel Theatre. The back story

Practical

Plan your trip

The practical things to know before you go: the airport and the sea routes, entry and money, one perfect day from Valletta to Mdina, and Gozo in a day.

A red-and-yellow dgħajsa moored off Senglea, with the yachts and churches of Birgu behindGetting hereGetting to MaltaAirport, ferries and the sea routesBefore you goMalta essentialsEntry, money, the contribution and 112The noon gun fired at the Saluting Battery above Grand HarbourItineraryOne perfect dayValletta, Birgu, Sliema and MdinaDwejra Bay on Gozo, with Fungus Rock and the cliffs in late sunItineraryGozo in a dayThe Citadel to DwejraThe rooftop pool at Iniala Harbour House, looking across the Grand Harbour to Fort St AngeloLuxury guideLUX LivingThe finest addresses

Our advice

Sunday is for rabbit

Book ION Harbour or Under Grain weeks ahead, and keep one long Sunday lunch free for rabbit. The Malta table

In depth

Malta in depth

The islands’ history, the British years, the table, where to stay and where to buy.

The Christmas tree in Castille Square, Valletta, before the Auberge de CastilleManoel TheatreChristmas in MaltaThe panto, the Nutcracker and the tree in Freedom SquareClear turquoise water below the limestone cliffs of CominoIn depth: nature & wildlifeWild MaltaCliffs, coves and the seaThe great megaliths of Ħaġar Qim under the protective canopyThe back storyTemples, knights and the Grand Harbour: how three small islands became MaltaSeven thousand years

The temples

Start with the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta, then see the temples. The Hypogeum must be booked weeks ahead.

  1. The back storyBritish MaltaThe naval years
  2. The back storyThe Malta TablePastizzi to two stars

Beyond Malta

Sicily is under two hours away by fast ferry: Pozzallo and the baroque towns of the south-east.

Valletta’s honey-coloured skyline, with the dome of the Carmelite church and the spire of St Paul’s, above the harbour at sunsetDay tripSicilyPozzallo and the baroque towns

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