Malta

With 1.6 million visitors each year, Malta is a renowned tourism destination. There are three times as many visitors as locals. The island’s tourism infrastructure has improved significantly over the years, and there are now a number of high-quality hotels, but overdevelopment and the loss of traditional homes is a major issue. A growing number of Maltese are taking vacations overseas.

Malta has promoted itself as a medical tourism destination in recent years, and a number of health tourism companies are growing the sector. No Maltese hospital, on the other hand, has received independent international healthcare certification. Malta is a popular destination for British medical tourists, prompting Maltese hospitals to seek certification from the United Kingdom, such as the Trent Accreditation Scheme. If hospitals in Malta want to compete with the Far East and Latin America for medical tourists from the United States, they need dual accreditation with the American-oriented Joint Commission.

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean (in its eastern basin), located 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Sicily, Italy, and separated by the Malta Channel. Only the three biggest islands are inhabited: Malta (Malta), Gozo (Gawdex), and Comino (Kemmuna). The smaller (see below) islands are deserted. The archipelago’s islands are located on the Malta plateau, a narrow shelf created by the high points of a land bridge that connected Sicily and North Africa but became separated when sea levels rose after the last Ice Age. As a result, the archipelago is located between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates.

Numerous bays dot the islands’ indented shoreline, providing excellent harbors. Low hills with terraced farms make up the scenery. Ta’ Dmejrek, near Dingli, is Malta’s highest peak at 253 meters (830 feet). There are no permanent rivers or lakes in Malta, despite the presence of a few small rivers during periods of heavy rainfall. Some watercourses, such as Barija near Ras ir-Raeb, l-Imtaleb and San Martin, and the Lunzjata Valley in Gozo, have fresh water flowing all year.

Malta is part of the Mediterranean Region’s Liguro-Tyrrhenian province, which is part of the Boreal Kingdom. Malta is located in the “Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub” ecoregion, according to the WWF.

The archipelago’s smaller islands are deserted and include the following:

Malta has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climatic classification Csa), with warm to hot summers and moderate winters. Autumn and winter are the rainiest seasons, with summer being mostly dry. Malta is the country with the finest climate in the world, according to International Living.

The average annual temperature is approximately 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit) at night. The coldest month is January, with daytime temperatures ranging from 12 to 20 °C (54 to 68 °F) and nighttime temperatures ranging from 7 to 12 °C (45 to 54 °F). August is the hottest month, with maximum temperatures ranging from 28 to 34 °C (82 to 93 °F) during the day and low temperatures of 20 to 24 °C (68 to 75 °F) at night. Summers/holiday season lasts approximately 8 months, beginning around mid-April with temperatures of 19–23 °C (66–73 °F) during the day and 13–14 °C (55–57 °F) at night, and ending in November with temperatures of 17–23 °C (63–73 °F) during the day and 11–20 °C (52–68 °F) at night, although temperatures can reach 20 °C (68 °F) during Valletta, the capital of Malta, enjoys the warmest winters in Europe, with average temperatures of about 16 °C (61 °F) during the day and 10 °C (50 °F) at night in the months of January and February. The average temperature in March and December is about 17 °C (63 °F) during the day and 11 °C (52 °F) at night. Temperature swings of this magnitude are uncommon.

The sea’s average annual temperature is 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), ranging from 15–16 degrees Celsius (59–61 degrees Fahrenheit) in February to 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit) in August. From June through November, the average sea temperature surpasses 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).

Sunshine length hours average approximately 3,000 per year (the highest in Europe), ranging from an average of 5.2 hours per day in December to over 12 hours in July. For contrast, cities in the northern part of Europe have approximately twice the population: London – 1,461; nevertheless, it gets up to four times more sunlight in the winter; for example, London has 37 hours of sunshine in December, while Malta has over 160.

Every 10 years, Malta conducts a population and housing census. In November 2005, an estimated 96 percent of the population was tallied in a census. In April 2006, a preliminary report was released, with the findings weighted to estimate for 100% of the population.

The Maltese people make up the vast bulk of the island’s population. Minorities do exist, the most prominent of which being Britons, many of whom are retirees. Malta’s population was projected to be 408,000 in July 2011. In 2005, 17 percent of the population was 14 years old or younger, 68 percent was 15–64 years old, and the remaining 13 percent was 65 years old or over. Malta has the greatest population density in the EU, with 1,282 people per square kilometer (3,322/square mile), and one of the highest in the world. In July 2014, the world’s average population density (land only, excluding Antarctica) was 54 people per square kilometer.

The only census year with a population drop was 1967, with a total loss of 1.7 percent due to the emigration of a large number of Maltese people. In 2004, the Maltese population was projected to account for 97.0 percent of the overall resident population.

Since 1842, every census has shown a small gender imbalance. The censuses of 1901 and 1911 came closest to recording a balance. The greatest female-to-male ratio was achieved in 1957 (1088:1000), but the ratio has steadily declined since then. According to the 2005 census, the female-to-male ratio was 1013:1000. From +9.5 percent between the 1985 and 1995 censuses to +6.9 percent between the 1995 and 2005 censuses (a annual average of +0.7 percent), population growth has decreased. The birth rate was 3860 (down 21.8 percent from the 1995 census), while the mortality rate was 3025. As a result, there was an 835-person natural population gain (compared to +888 in 2004), with over a hundred immigrant migrants.

The age structure of the population is comparable to that of the European Union. Since 1967, a trend suggesting an aging population has been seen, and it is anticipated to continue in the near future. Malta’s old-age-dependency-ratio increased from 17.2% in 1995 to 19.8% in 2005, still lower than the EU’s 24.9 percent average; 31.5 percent of the Maltese population is under 25 years old (compared to 29.1% in the EU); however, the 50–64 age group accounts for 20.3 percent of the population, significantly higher than the EU’s 17.9%. In the next years, Malta’s old-age-dependency-ratio is projected to continue to rise gradually.

Both civil and canonical (ecclesiastical) marriages are recognized under Maltese law. The annulments granted by the ecclesiastical and civil courts are unconnected and do not always agree. In a referendum conducted on May 28, 2011, Maltese citizens voted in favor of divorce law. Abortion is prohibited in Malta. To marry, a person must be 16 years old. Brides under the age of 25 dropped from 1471 in 1997 to 766 in 2005, while grooms under the age of 25 decreased from 823 to 311. Females are more likely than men to marry young on a consistent basis. In 2005, 51 brides between the ages of 16 and 19 were married, compared to just 8 grooms.

The population of the Maltese Islands was 410,290 at the end of 2007, and is projected to rise to 424,028 by 2025. Females slightly outnumber males at the present, accounting for 50.3 percent of the population. The 25–29 age group had the highest percentage of people (7.5%), followed by the 45–49 and 55–59 age groups, each with 7.3 percent.

As of 2013, the total fertility rate (TFR) was projected to be 1.53 children per woman, which is lower below the replacement rate of 2,1. Unmarried women accounted for 25.8% of all births in 2012. In 2013, the average life expectancy was 79.98 years (77.69 years male, 82.41 years female).

The Maltese Constitution proclaims Catholicism to be the official religion, notwithstanding established protections for religious freedom.

Roman Catholicism is the most widely practiced religion in Malta. The Maltese Constitution defines Catholicism as the official religion, which is also represented in many aspects of Maltese culture.

In Malta, Gozo, and Comino, there are around 360 churches, or one for every 1,000 inhabitants. The parish church (Maltese: “il-parroa” or “il-knisja parrokkjali”) is the architectural and geographic center of every Maltese town and hamlet, as well as the source of civic pride. This municipal pride is on display at the local village festas, which celebrate the patron saint of each parish with marching bands, religious processions, special Masses, pyrotechnics (particularly petards), and other festivities.

Malta is an Apostolic See; the Acts of the Apostles speaks of St. Paul being shipwrecked on the island of “Melite,” which many Bible scholars identify as Malta, on his journey from Jerusalem to Rome to stand trial, an event that occurred about AD 60. St. Paul spent three months on the island on his journey to Rome, as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles, healing the ill, including the father of Publius, the “principal man of the island.” This story is linked to a number of different traditions. The shipwreck is believed to have happened at what is now known as St Paul’s Bay. Saint Publius, a Maltese saint, is said to have been made Malta’s first bishop, and a grotto in Rabat, now known as “St Paul’s Grotto” (and in the vicinity of which evidence of Christian burials and rituals from the 3rd century AD has been discovered), is one of the island’s earliest known places of Christian worship.

Catacombs under different locations throughout Malta, notably St Paul’s Catacombs and St Agatha’s Catacombs near Rabat, just beyond the walls of Mdina, provide further evidence of Christian activities and beliefs during the time of Roman persecution. The latter were especially well-frescoed between 1200 and 1480, but invading Turks damaged several of them in the 1550s. There are also a number of cave churches, such as the grotto at Melliea, which is a Shrine of the Nativity of Our Lady and tradition has it that St. Luke painted a portrait of the Madonna there. It has been a pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages.

According to the Acts of the Council of Chalcedon, a certain Acacius was Bishop of Malta in 451 AD (Melitenus Episcopus). It is also known that a certain Constantinus, Episcopus Melitenensis, attended the Fifth Ecumenical Council in 501 AD. Pope Gregory I dismissed Tucillus, Miletinae civitatis episcopus, in 588 AD, and the clergy and people of Malta chose Trajan as his successor in 599 AD. Before the conquest of the islands, the last documented Bishop of Malta was a Greek called Manas, who was afterwards imprisoned in Palermo.

According to Maltese historian Giovanni Francesco Abela, the Maltese maintained their Christian faith despite the Fatimid invasion after their conversion to Christianity at the hands of St. Paul. Malta is described in Abela’s works as a divinely appointed “bulwark of Christian, European culture against the expansion of Mediterranean Islam.” In the 12th and 13th centuries, immigration to Malta from Italy strengthened the local Christian population that welcomed Roger I of Sicily.

For centuries, the Church in Malta was subject to the Diocese of Palermo, except when it was under Charles of Anjou, who chose bishops for Malta, as did the Spanish and, subsequently, the Knights on rare occasions. Since 1808, all Maltese bishops have served. Malta became the devoted Catholic country that it is today as a consequence of the Norman and Spanish eras, as well as the authority of the Knights. It is worth mentioning that the Office of the Inquisitor of Malta had a lengthy stay on the island after its foundation in 1530: the last Inquisitor left the Islands in 1798, when the Knights surrendered to Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops. Several Maltese families moved to Corfu under the Republic of Venice. Their descendants make up about two-thirds of the 4,000 Catholics who currently reside on the island.

Malta’s patron saints are Saint Paul, Saint Publius, and Saint Agatha. Although not a patron saint, St George Preca (San or Preca) is highly regarded as the second Maltese saint to be canonised after St. Publius Malta, Malta’s first recognized saint (canonised in the year 1634). On June 3, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI canonized him. In addition, a number of Maltese people have been declared Blessed, notably Maria Adeodata Pisani and Nazju Falzon, who were beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001.

Malta is home to a number of Roman Catholic religious orders, including the Jesuits, Franciscans, Dominicans, and Little Sisters of the Poor.

The majority of the congregations of the local Protestant churches are not Maltese; their congregations are drawn from the numerous British pensioners residing in the island as well as tourists from many other countries. There are around 600 Jehovah’s Witnesses in the area. Each of the Churches of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), the Bible Baptist Church, and the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches has about 60 affiliates. Other denominational churches include St. Andrew’s Scots Church in Valletta (a mixed Presbyterian and Methodist congregation) and St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, as well as a Seventh-day Adventist church in Birkirkara. In 1983, a congregation of the New Apostolic Church was established in Gwardamangia.

The Jewish population of Malta peaked under Norman control in the Middle Ages. Malta and Sicily were annexed by the Aragonese in 1479, and the Alhambra Decree of 1492 compelled all Jews to flee the nation, allowing them to take just a few things with them. Several hundred Maltese Jews may have converted to Christianity to stay in the nation during the time. There is now just one Jewish congregation.

Zen Buddhism and the Bahá’ Faith both have about 40 adherents.

The Mariam Al-Batool Mosque is the only Muslim mosque in town. A Muslim elementary school was just established. Of the estimated 3,000 Muslims in Malta, roughly 2,250 are immigrants, 600 are naturalized citizens, and 150 are Maltese by birth.

Maltese and English are the official languages. The Italian language is widely known and spoken. Some individuals in Malta speak basic French, but very few speak fluent French. All official papers in Malta are required to be written in both Maltese and English, and many radio stations transmit in both languages. Almost all Maltese people speak English well, and some even have a typical British accent.

Maltese is a Semitic language, although it has acquired a lot of terminology from Romance languages (particularly Italian). The nearest living cousin of Maltese is Arabic, namely Maghrebi Arabic (spoken in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria), but Maltese is written in the Latin alphabet rather than the Arabic script. Maltese is also more closely linked to Hebrew and Amharic, so you’ll notice some similarities if you know any of these three languages. It also contains a significant amount of English. Knowing a few Maltese words may come in handy.

Vodafone, Go Mobile, and Melita Mobile are the three mobile phone networks accessible in the nation. Vodafone, GO, and Melita are certain to be included in your carrier’s roaming plan due to international agreements with providers all over the world.

Wi-Fi is nearly usually accessible in hotels and hostels, and many cafés and restaurants also provide it for free. There are also several “Free Wi-Fi” zones located around the island. The boat from Malta to Gozo also provides free Wi-Fi.

According to the International Monetary Fund, Malta, along with 32 other nations, is classed as having an advanced economy (IMF). Until 1800, Malta’s exports were based on cotton, tobacco, and its shipyards. Once under British authority, they began to rely on Malta Dockyard for Royal Navy assistance, particularly during the Crimean War in 1854. Craftsmen and others who served in the military benefitted from the military installation.

The completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 boosted Malta’s economy significantly, since there was a significant rise in the amount of ships that reached the port. Ships refueling at Malta’s ports aided the Entrepôt trade, bringing extra advantages to the island.

However, the economy started to decline towards the end of the nineteenth century, and by the 1940s, Malta’s economy was in severe trouble. One reason was the greater range of modern commercial ships, which necessitated fewer refueling stops.

Malta’s primary resources are now limestone, a favorable geographic position, and a productive labor force. Malta generates just around 20% of its food requirements, has limited freshwater resources due to the summer drought, and has no domestic energy sources other than the potential for solar energy from its abundant sunshine. Foreign commerce (acting as a freight trans-shipment hub), industry (particularly electronics and textiles), and tourism are all important to the economy.

Film production is becoming a more important part of the Maltese economy. The first feature film was made in Malta in 1925 (Sons of the Sea); since then, approximately 100 feature films have been completely or partly produced in the island. Malta has acted as a “stand-in” for a broad range of places and historical eras, including Ancient Greece, Ancient and Modern Rome, Iraq, and the Middle East, among many others. In 2005, the Maltese government established financial incentives for filmmakers. The current financial incentives for foreign productions are 25%, plus an extra 2% if Malta stands in as Malta; this means that a production may receive up to 27% back on qualifying expenditure in Malta.

The government is significantly investing in education, especially college.

In preparation for Malta’s accession to the European Union on May 1, 2004, it privatized several state-owned enterprises and liberalized markets. For example, on January 8, 2007, the government announced that it was selling its 40% share in MaltaPost in order to conclude a five-year-long privatization process. Malta was able to privatize telecommunications, postal services, shipyards, and shipbuilding in 2010.

Malta has made significant efforts to position itself as a worldwide participant in the cross-border fund administration industry. Malta, which competes with nations such as Ireland and Luxembourg, has a unique mix of a multilingual workforce and a robust legal system. Malta has a mixed reputation for transparency and a DAW Index score of 6, but both are likely to improve as the country implements a more comprehensive regulatory framework for financial services. Malta has a competent business development regulator, the MFSA, and the nation has been successful in luring gambling companies, aircraft and ship registration, credit-card issuing banking licenses, and fund administration. Service providers to these sectors, particularly fiduciary and trustee businesses, are an important component of the island’s development plan. Malta has made significant progress in adopting EU Financial Services Directives such as UCITs IV and, shortly, AIFMD. Malta has attracted a number of major companies, including IDS, Iconic Funds, Apex Fund Services, and TMF/Customs House, as a platform for alternative asset managers that must comply with new regulations.

Malta and Tunisia are presently considering economic use of their shared continental shelf, especially for petroleum exploration. Similar agreements are also being discussed between Malta and Libya.

There is no property tax in Malta. Its housing market, particularly around the port region, has been booming, with apartment prices in places like as Sliema and Gzira soaring.

According to Eurostat statistics, Maltese GDP per capita was €21,000 in 2010, representing 86% of the EU average.

Malta is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement.

Visitors from outside the EU, including Americans, must fill out a landing card, which is provided on certain incoming aircraft (sometimes) or at the airport’s entry hall from the little box between the customs officers.

Malta has its own national airline, Air Malta, which has frequent flights to numerous European, North African, and Middle Eastern destinations.

Ryanair serves the following airports: London Luton, Edinburgh, Eindhoven, Dublin, Madrid, Marseille, Trapani, Bristol, Pisa, Kaunas, Kraków, Stockholm (Skavsta), Seville, Valencia, Venice (Treviso), Wroclaw, Girona, Birmingham, and Bari. Easyjet operates flights to and from Belfast, Manchester, Newcastle, Rome, Milan Malpensa, and London Gatwick. Norwegian operates flights to and from Copenhagen and Oslo. Jet2 operates flights to and from the East Midlands, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, and Newcastle.

The airport on the island, Malta International Airport (IATA: MLA), is situated in Luqa.

Outside the terminal building are buses to different places on the island (Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian’s, and so on). The bus station has ticket machines and timetables. As of May 2016, a one-way adult ticket in summer costs €2.00 (€1.50 in winter). It takes around 40-50 minutes to go to Valletta or Sliema.

There are regular quick ferries to Catania, Sicily (3 hours) and Pozzallo, Italy (90 minutes), although the waters may be rough with a high wave if it is windy. The journey takes almost twice as long on big passenger ships, but the prices are much lower, making it perfect for drivers of cars, trucks, or campers. Livorno, Salerno, Rome (Civitavecchia), Palermo, Genoa, and Tunis are among the other destinations. Discount airlines like as Ryanair, Windjet, and Efly, on the other hand, may be more convenient, with flying costs sometimes equal to the cost of a boat excursion.

Until July 2011, one of Malta’s delights was its charmingly outdated public bus system, which was mostly made up of 1950s-era British exports decked up with more chintz than a Christmas tree and icons of every saint in the Bible and then some.

Buses have been contemporary, comfortable, and air-conditioned since 2011. Malta Public Transport Services Ltd took over the bus service in Malta from Arriva on January 1, 2014, after their bus system collapsed in less than three years.

A single trip costs €2.00 (€1.50 in winter) and may be purchased straight from the driver. It enables you to travel within two hours, including changing lines (but not returns), till you arrive at your destination.

If you want to remain and travel throughout Malta for a week or longer, a week pass for €21 is suggested. It is available for purchase at kiosks along the Valetta terminal and at certain bus stops. It is no longer available from the driver or vending machines.

The new bus system is much more efficient than the previous one (before to 2011), although it is far from flawless. Because so many lines leave from Valletta, it is nearly always essential to transit there. Another issue is that buses on the routes that run through tourist areas are often overcrowded, particularly on weekends. As a result, it is nearly always impossible to embark at a station other than the first; the bust will not even stop. With such low frequency (most lines run every 30, 60, or 90 minutes), you must wait for the next bus… which will very certainly be packed as well. As a result, it is recommended that you first go to the bus first station (e.g., Valletta), even though it is in the other direction, and then take the line in the desired direction. To go to Gozo from St. Julian’s, for example, return to Valletta (or Sliema Ferries if using line 222), and then proceed towards Gozo.

It’s also worth noting that buses often change routes at terminus stations. That is, do not look at the bus number until it has completely stopped and is empty of people, since it may change its number at that point (e.g., a bus can arrive to Valletta numbered as 51, but then depart as number 53).

Finally, the (new) bus system is still infamously sluggish, with numerous diversions and buses often caught in traffic jams, particularly about 6 p.m. As a result, don’t intend to hurry and instead take your time!

White cabs may be flagged down on the street in Malta. Budget €15 for small trips and no more than €35 for a round-trip across the island. Taxis leaving the airport now have government-approved rates ranging from €10 to €30.

Try one of the local “Black cab” taxi firms such as Active Cabs Malta Taxi by Sean Taxi Service, Peppin Transport (Cheaper Online Prices), Malta Transfer Airport shuttle Malta Taxi Online with a high quality of Service allow you to book on line from UK or Malta airport transfers for cheaper airport transfers and local taxis. Their prices are often cheaper than white taxis, but they must be pre-booked (at least fifteen minutes in advance).

If you want to take a taxi tour, it is best to schedule it ahead of time at an agreed-upon fee and arrange to be picked up from your hotel or apartment. The trips should be kept brief, approximately 3 to 4 hours. In a vehicle, you may visit Mdina, Rabat, Mosta, Valletta, and the Blue Grotto. Some argue that while visiting historical sites, it is preferable to employ a certified tourist guide (who will wear their license while on tour) and that cab drivers often provide incorrect information.

Renting a vehicle in Malta is a wonderful method to explore the nation since it is inexpensive and driving conditions have significantly improved in the past 10 years. Having your own vehicle enables you to make the most of your vacation and explore the numerous hidden gems that these tiny islands have to offer.

It is usually preferable to pre-book your vehicle hire online since it is less expensive than reserving when you arrive. According to the Mediterranean markets, vehicle rental prices in Malta are extremely cheap. Any driver and extra drivers must have their driver’s licenses with them in order to be protected by the insurances supplied by the local vehicle rental company.

Car rental is also accessible at Malta International Airport, with several major companies, including Active Car Rental, Avis, Hertz, Europcar, First Car Rental, and Economy Rent a Car, having a car rental counter within the airport.

There are also a number of local rental businesses that operate on a Meet & Greet basis at the airport; most of the time, these organizations offer customers with a more customized service.

Popular brands have GPS coverage of the island; nevertheless, check with your rental company to see whether this is accessible to you. Popular belief is that Malta’s GPS mapping isn’t entirely reliable, with some routes plotted on the GPS sending you along one-way streets without notice; it’s better to employ common sense in combination with this technology. When it comes to providing directions, the Maltese may be a really pleasant group of folks.

Within Malta

There are numerous ferry lines in Malta, the most notable of which connect Valletta to Sliema and Valletta to Birgu.

Between Malta and Gozo

There is a regular ferry service between irkewwa on Malta and Marr on Gozo, which runs every 45 minutes in the summer and almost as often in the winter (with lower frequencies in the evening, and very low frequency at night). At the Gozo end, you may purchase a return ticket for 4€65. (no ticket required in Malta, though you can buy your return ticket from there, and save time in Gozo). Also, keep in mind that the boat is not exactly on time, and it may even leave ahead of schedule.

To Comino

There are sporadic services to Comino.

Renting a bike in Malta is not a widespread or popular activity, but it is inexpensive and provides enough freedom to explore. Bicycle rental businesses may be found all around the island, however it is usually best to reserve them in advance via their websites to avoid disappointment.

Cycling is a unique and enjoyable way to see Malta and Gozo, which are renowned for their tiny size. Cycling on the west coast of Malta, in the regions of Dingli Cliffs and Fomm ir-Rih, is a fantastic option since they are distant from crowded towns and provide a nice perspective.

However, it should be noted that most roads in Malta are hazardous to bicycles; most Maltese motorists are hostile to cyclists, and there are no bicycle lanes. It is recommended to stay on rural roads and hire mountain bikes since country roads may be rough and unpleasant for city bikes. In the summer, avoid riding between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. since the heat is unpleasant.

Over the past several years, Malta’s yacht charter sector has expanded significantly. Malta’s favorable tax regime for commercial yachting, combined with its central location in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, has resulted in the availability of large, well-known charter yachts, such as the Maltese Falcon, as well as a wide range of small and midsized yachts for day and week charters. The Grand Harbour Marina has emerged as the primary location for bareboating (self-hire yacht chartering). The Sunseeker Experience, Yachthelp, and Navimerian Malta Yacht Charters all have their headquarters here.

• Malta Island
  the largest of Malta’s three islands and site of the capital city of Valletta, it sees the most visitors by a huge margin
• Comino
  tiny island with a real feel of isolation; most of it is a nature reserve
• Gozo
  known for its scenic rolling hills and rich history

• Valletta— the capital, named after Jean Parisot de la Valette, a French nobleman who served as Grand Master of the Order of St. John and led the defenders during Malta’s Turkish siege in 1565. Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site because to the large number of ancient structures packed into a small area.
• Cottonera (Three Cities) — The term given to the three historic and ancient cities of Birgu (aka Vittoriosa), Isla (aka Senglea), and Bormla (aka Cospicua), which are linked by fortifications built in the 16th century known as the Cottonera lines.
• Marsaxlokk — Marsaxlokk is a fishing hamlet in the island’s south. Every Sunday, a large market is held.
• Mdina — Mdina is Malta’s peaceful and well-preserved ancient capital. ‘im-dina’ is pronounced as ‘im-dina’
• Rabat — home to several ancient sites, including St. Paul’s Catacombs and the Domus Romana (previously known as Roman Villa)
• St. Julian’s — St. Julian’s is an ideal location for nightlife and amusement.
• Sliema — is a retail district located immediately north of Valletta.
• Victoria — Gozo’s major town is Victoria.
• Żejtun — the biggest city in Malta’s south and one of the country’s oldest.

• Hagar Qim and Mnajdra – Two stunning stone age structures perched on the cliffs of south-west Malta. Their magnificence is now surrounded by protective tents and a two-story new structure.
• Ġgantija – On the island of Gozo, there is another another Neolithic relic.
• Tarxien Temples – Tarxien’s Neolithic temple.
• Mellieħa – A Maltese village bordered by the biggest and most beautiful sandy beaches on the island.
• Golden Bay – On the northwest coast of the island, one of Malta’s most stunning sandy beaches; the Radisson Hotel overlooking it spoils the view slightly, unless you gaze at it from within the hotel.
• Għajn Tuffieha – “Apple Spring,” also known as “Long Steps Bay,” is located immediately below Golden Bay. Just as lovely, if not more so (unspoiled scenery), and much less busy during the peak season.
• Blue Grotto – A group of seven caves and inlets on Malta’s southern coast known for its deep blue seas and beautiful natural rock formations. Small traditional boats, skippered by cheery Maltese guides, depart from a well-signposted dock just off the major road along the south coast to reach the Blue Grotto.
• Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni – A underground construction dated between 3000 and 2500 BC. Reservations must be made in advance.
• Ghar Dalam – A prehistoric cave holding Pleistocene period relics.
• Clapham Junction – A section of western central Malta (near Buskett Woods) has deep ruts in the bedrock that seem to have been created in the distant past by wagons or carts. Some of these ruts overlap rock-cut punic graves, indicating that they existed prior to the tombs. There are huge caverns nearby that were formerly inhabited by troglodites.
• St.Thomas Bay – A charming inlet one kilometer beyond Marsaskala, with a sloping, built-up region on one side and desolate Munxar white cliffs on the other. In the summer, there are two tiny sandy beaches suitable for swimming. There is now a ‘window’ at the cliffside under Munxar. Beyond Munxar Point, there are stunning white cliffs with two huge and deep caves. Many amateur fisherman in the area possess boathouses and go fishing anytime the water is calm.
• St.Peter’s Pool – Delimara is a natural inlet situated south of Malta. It seems to be a naturally formed swimming pool cut into the rocks.
• Mosta Dome – Mosta Dome is Europe’s third biggest dome and the world’s ninth largest dome. On April 9, 1942, a bomb exploded in the church during a religious service attended by around 300 people. Fortunately, the device did not detonate.
• Manoel Island– Manoel Island is located in Gzira and is only sometimes utilized for certain events/activities.

Mdina, commonly known as the Silent City, is a historic city located on a high hill in the center of the island. This castle, surrounded by the picturesque town of Rabat, is one of Malta’s greatest gems, offering architecture, history, and a superb cup of coffee with a spectacular view. When the day trippers depart, Mdina becomes extremely quiet and lovely in the nights.

Valletta is comparable in that it has a rich history, but being the contemporary capital, it is considerably more vibrant and modern, functioning as both a retail center during the day and an array of museums and cultural attractions at night. St John’s Co-Cathedral, constructed by one of the Knights Hospitaller’s early Grandmasters, is particularly noteworthy. It houses the numerous chapels of the Knights’ langues, as well as Caravaggio paintings, tapestries, and other artifacts of enormous importance to Maltese history. The Cathedral’s very floors house the graves of the Order of St John’s most renowned knights, and a crypt, while off-limits to visitors, has the remains of some of the city’s most notable Grandmasters, including the city’s founder, Jean de Valette.

The Megalithic Temples of Malta are among the world’s oldest structures, and as such, they have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. On the islands of Malta and Gozo, there are seven megalithic temples, each the product of a unique evolution. Ggantija’s two temples on the island of Gozo are noteworthy for their massive Bronze Age architecture. Given the restricted resources accessible to their architects, the temples of Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, and Tarxien on the island of Malta are architectural marvels. The Ta’Hagrat and Skorba complexes demonstrate how the temple-building tradition was passed down in Malta. Be aware that admission to the Hypogeum is limited to a maximum of 60 people each day (10 people in six shifts), therefore tickets must be purchased in advance.

A rustic feeling prevails in Gozo. Billy Connolly bought a house in Gozo many years ago because he liked the island’s peaceful and pleasant atmosphere. Visitors will be drawn to the magnificent geographical feature of the Inland Sea, which has been cut out by the Mediterranean. The Citadel, Gozo’s equivalent of Mdina, must also be visited. Gozo is located 5 kilometers north-west of Malta and is accessible by a 25-minute ferry ride from Cirkewwa, Malta’s main port.

The seldom visited south of Malta is a potential alternative for visiting if you want to witness more traditional Maltese life. Townships like Ghaxaq frequently go unnoticed, although the island’s best churches may be found towards the south. Malta’s many churches are testaments to the style and architecture of each era. Many communities in the north have lost their culture as a result of increasing urbanization, although this has been less noticeable in the south of Malta.

If you visit Malta during the summer, be sure to attend one of the town/village feasts. Every town or hamlet has at least one saint’s feast. The feast typically lasts a week (usually from Monday through Sunday), with Saturday being the busiest day. Throughout this week, the village or town will be adorned with various decorations and works of art such as sculptures, lights, and tapestry paintings. In most instances, the feast would also include both air and ground pyrotechnics (which are quite spectacular and rather unique to Malta). In most instances, the ground fireworks are shown late at night the day before the real feast day. There are variations amongst village feasts, and some are more appealing and well-known than others. Some of the most well-known feasts are Our Lady of the Lily in Mqabba (third Sunday of June), Saint Philip in Zebbug (second Sunday of June), Mount Carmel in Zurrieq (Sunday before the last Sunday of July), Saint Mary of Imqabba, Qrendi, and Ghaxaq (on the 15th of August), Saint Catherine of Zurrieq (first Sunday of September), and the Nativity of Our Lady in Naxxar (on the 8th of September).

During the month of April, a fireworks event is held in the Valletta/Floriana region, when several fireworks manufacturers compete by displaying their best ground and air displays. It’s amazing, and best of all, it’s free to attend.

Several wine festivals are held throughout the summer, two of which are held in Valletta and one in Qormi. It’s a fantastic opportunity to sample a variety of Maltese wines at very low rates. (At the Qormi and Delicata wine festivals in September and August, you purchase a 10 euro cup and may drink as much as you like; at the Marsovine wine festival in July, you buy a cup plus 14 tokens for 10 euros.) Ta’ Qali also has a beer festival (July–August).

Finally, Malta’s megalithic temples are the world’s oldest free-standing buildings, and hikes in the countryside are highly recommended. The most popular tourist sites, Sliema and St. Julians, arguably have the least to offer in terms of a flavor of Malta, yet they remain the most popular. They are the most contemporary of places, with most ancient structures demolished to feed the economy’s enormous construction sector. The major nightlife district of Malta, particularly Paceville, can be located here.

Try some of the local delights. The island is ideal for water sports and beach activities throughout the summer. Some have characterized Malta as an open-air museum, and there is unlikely to be a shortage of things to see during a visit. If one looks closely, each municipality has its own distinct set of attractions to offer. Most Maltese people haven’t even seen all of the marvels and attractions that our island has to offer. Hiking in the countryside provides a flavor of rural Malta, particularly if done along the shore of Gozo. Although tennis is not well-known in Malta, it is a popular sport on the islands. Tennis players of all levels may gather at the numerous tennis courts located around Malta to play a game of tennis or to watch regular season games. Tennis is a sport that can be practiced all year in Malta because to the mild environment, even in the winter months. Sailing is a fantastic choice since Malta has a stunning variety of caverns, beautiful sunsets, and other sights. The island is ringed by an infinite number of beaches.

There are a handful of fantastic yearly events that are well worth visiting. Valletta Carnival is held in February/March. National Malta Carnival events will take place in Valletta and Floriana. Dance and costume contests will be held in the capital and Floriana, followed by defiles with triumphal floats, bands, grotesque masks, and a lot of dancing. Malta Carnival is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of joy, color, art, and happiness.

Malta is an excellent diving destination, with diving available all year. The temperature of the water ranges from a chilly 14°C in February/March to a balmy 26°C in August. The clarity of the water is usually excellent, making it an ideal location to learn to dive.

The diving spots are close to the beach. As a result, most dives begin there, making everything simpler and less expensive. There are rocky reefs, wrecks, and cave diving among the dive destinations (especially interesting is the dive in the Inland Sea in Gozo). During the warmer months, you may expect to encounter tuna, octopus, moray eels, seahorses, fire worms, and soft coral, in addition to the typical sea grass and underwater ridges.

Malta, being an island in the midst of the Mediterranean, has a plethora of excellent surf locations extending down its whole coastline. In the summer, air temperatures average 31 degrees Celsius and water temperatures are a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius, providing ideal circumstances for spending hours in the beautiful blue ocean. Ghallis, Palm Beach, and St Thomas are all surf locations on Malta’s north coast that are near to the tourist hub.

On the Maltese islands, Christmas is primarily a religious celebration. This is due to the fact that the majority of Maltese people are Catholics. Various Christmas cribs, or Presepji, as they’re known in Maltese, may be seen on exhibit at churches, shopping malls, and other public places throughout the holiday season.

The Maltese have numerous Christmas traditions that are unique to the island. Qagaq tal-Gasel is a popular traditional Christmas dish. These are honey-filled light pastry rings.

Maltese food is difficult to locate, yet it does exist. The food consumed is influenced by Italian cuisine. Most restaurants in resort areas like Sliema cater mostly to British visitors, with pub fare like meat and three veg or bangers and mash, and’real’ Maltese food is hard to come across. Rabbit (fenek) is one of the island’s specialties, and tiny savory pastries known as pastizzi are also popular.

Fenkata, a rabbit feast cooked overnight in wine and bay leaves, is the Maltese celebration supper. The first dish is typically spaghetti with rabbit sauce, followed by stewed or fried rabbit meat (with or without gravy). Look for fenkata-only eateries, such as Ta L’Ingliz in Mgarr.

True Maltese cuisine is simple and centered on fish and vegetables—the sort of food that a poor farmer, fisherman, or mason would have had access to. Soppa ta’ l-armla (widow’s soup), for example, is just a coarse mash of whatever veggies are in season, boiled in a thick tomato stock. Then there’s arjoli, which is a spiced and oiled julienne of vegetables to which are added butter beans, bigilla, a puree made from broadbeans and herbs, and whatever other delicacies are available, such as Maltese sausage (a confection of spicy minced pork, coriander seeds, and parsley wrapped in stomach lining) or bejniet (simple cheeselets made from goats’ or sheep milk and rennet,

Maltese sausage is very flexible and tasty. It may be eaten fresh (despite looks, the pork is salted), dried, or roasted. It’s an excellent idea to sample it as part of a Maltese platter, which is becoming more popular in tourist eateries. Sun-dried tomatoes and bigilla with water crackers are very delicious. By the end of summer, one may load up on fried lampuki (dolphin fish) in tomato and caper sauce.

Try a piece of ob bi-ejt, which is leavened Maltese bread split into large bits, or unleavened ftira baked and served soaked in oil. The bread is then smeared with a thick coating of strong tomato paste before being topped (or filled) with olives, tuna, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and the optional arjoli (also known as ardiniera in its basic version).

Take a diversion and eat lunch or supper at the Farmer’s Bar in ebbieg, on the route between Mgarr and the Golden Bay if you have a vehicle. Traditional Maltese cuisine is available in a casual setting at reasonable rates (less than 10€ per person). If you wish to eat rabbit (fenek), make a reservation in advance, and keep in mind that one dish for three easily feeds four people. Arrive early (at 12 p.m. for lunch and 19 p.m. for supper) or make do with what’s left in the kitchen.

Kinnie, a non-alcoholic fizzy drink created from bitter oranges (called “Chinotto oranges”) and somewhat evocative of Martini, is a characteristic soft drink that originated in Malta.

Cisk (pronounced “Chisk”) is the local beer, and it is extremely cheaply priced for a premium lager (4.2 percent by volume) by UK standards. It has a distinct sweeter flavor than other European lagers and is definitely worth a try. Blue Label Ale, Hopleaf, 1565, Lacto (“milk stout”), and Shandy are other local beers brewed by the same business that makes Cisk (a typical British mixture pre-mixture of equal measures of lager and 7-UP). Other beers, such as ‘1565,’ made and bottled at Malta’s Lowenbrau brewery, have been developed in direct rivalry with Cisk. Since late 2006, another beer named “Caqnu” has been available on the market, manufactured by a separate firm. Many beers, including Carlsberg, Lowenbrau, SKOL, Bavaria, Guinness, Murphy’s stout and ale, Kilkenny, John Smith’s, Budweiser, Becks, Heineken, Efes, and others, are imported from other countries or produced under license in Malta.

Although Malta has two indigenous grape types, Girgentina and ellewza, the majority of Maltese wine is produced from imported vineyards. Maltese wines produced directly from grapes are usually of excellent quality, with Marsovin and Delicata being notable examples, and reasonably priced, with prices ranging from 60-95ct per bottle. Both vineyards also produce quality wines that have received many international awards. There are also many amateurs who produce wine in their spare time, which may occasionally be obtained in local stores and restaurants, particularly in Mgarr and Siiewi. Meridiana premium wines are an outstanding illustration of the devotion that can be found in local vineyards.

Paceville (pronounced “pach-a-vil”), located north of St. Julian’s, is the major Maltese nightlife area. Young Maltese (as young as high school age) travel from all over the island to party, thus it becomes extremely crowded here, particularly on weekends (also somewhat on Wednesdays, for midweek drinking sessions). Almost all of the pubs and clubs are free to enter, so you may go from one to the next until you discover something that appeals to you. Paceville is definitely worth a visit because of the lively environment, inexpensive drinks, and absence of cover charges. The nightlife population ages somewhat after midnight, when most of the young people board buses returning to their hometowns to meet curfew. Paceville is still open into the early hours of the morning, particularly on weekends.

Surprisingly, Malta does not get much rain, and nearly all of the drinking water is taken from the sea through huge desalination facilities on the west coast of the island, or from an underground aquifer.

The euro is used in Malta. It is one of many European nations that utilize the Euro. All euro banknotes and coins are legal tender across the EU.

One euro is made up of 100 cents.

The euro’s official sign is €, and its ISO code is EUR. The cent does not have an official symbol.

Other than the Euro, major currencies are not accepted as over-the-counter money. They were generally accepted years ago and were altered on the fly at restaurants and pubs. So, if you have dollars or pounds, it’s better to convert them at one of the many exchange offices or banks located around the island before venturing out.

Transportation

By European standards, transportation expenses are low. The cost of a weekly bus pass is €21.

Food

In comparison to Western European cities, food prices are affordable. A Maltese-sized pizza in a good restaurant costs between 7€ and 12€. Snacks (sandwiches, hamburgers, and pizza pieces) range in price from 1€50 to 5€.

A main dish at a higher-end restaurant will usually cost between 20 and 30€.

Malta has the most vacation days in the European Union. Since 2005, any holidays that fall on Saturdays or Sundays have not been included to the employees’ leave pool.

• February 10 – Feast of Saint Paul, Patron Saint of Malta (Jum San Pawl)
• March 31 – Freedom Day (Jum il-Ħelsien)
• June 7 – Sette Giugno
• September 8 – Victory Day (Jum il-Vitorja)
• September 21 – Independence Day (Jum l-Indipendenza)
• December 13 – Republic Day (Jum ir-Repubblika)

• January 1 – New Year’s Day (L-Ewwel tas-Sena)
• February 10 – Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck in Malta (Nawfraġju ta’ San Pawl) – the apostle is the patron saint of Malta
• March 19 – Feast of Saint Joseph (San Ġużepp)
• Friday before Easter – Good Friday (Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira)
• May 1 – Worker’s Day (Jum il-Ħaddiem)
• June 29 – Feast of Saint Peter & Saint Paul, patron saints (L-Imnarja)
• August 15 – Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady (Santa Marija)
• December 8 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Il-Kunċizzjoni)
• December 25 – Christmas Day (Il-Milied)

The following is a list of Malta’s feasts and special days. With the exception of the dates stated in the preceding section, these feasts are not official holidays, and business as usual continues on the Maltese islands on these days. Because Malta is mostly Roman Catholic, the majority of these feasts commemorate Saints or events from the Holy Bible.

January

The Maltese call January ix-xahar tal-bard, which means “the coldest month.”

February

The Maltese call February ix-xahar ta’ San Pawl (the month of St. Paul).

March

The Maltese call March ix-xahar ta’ San uepp, tal-Lunzjata u tar-ros (the month of St. Joseph, the Annunciation, and Sales).

April

The Maltese call April ix-xahar tan-nwhar u ta’ San Girgor (the month of blossoms and St. Gregory).

The following feasts are movable, since they may take place in either March or April.

May

The Maltese call May ix-xahar tal-sad, tal-Madonna ta’ Pompej (The month of harvest, Our Lady of Pompeii)

June

The Maltese call June ix-xahar tad-dris, tal-ejje, tal-Imnarja, u tal-Qalb ta’ esù (the month of reaping, bonfires, St. Peter and St. Paul, and Sacred Heart).

July

July is known as tal-Karmnu in Maltese (of Monte Carmel).

August

The Maltese call August ix-xahar tal-frott, ta’ Santa Marija u ta’ San Lawrenz (The month of fruit, St. Mary and St. Lawrence).

September

September is known as ix-xahar tal-Vitorja, tal-Bambina, u tal-Grazzja in Maltese (the month of Victory, the Nativity of Our Lady, and Our Lady of Graces).

October

The Maltese call October ix-xahar tar-Ruarju (Month of the Rosary)

November

November is known as ix-xahar tal-inig tal-weraq, tal-erwie, u tal-imwiet in Maltese (the month of fallen leaves, of souls, and of deaths).

December

The Maltese call December ix-xahar tal-Milied u tal-Kunizzjoni (the Christmas and Conception month) The Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8th with the Traditional Festa in Cospicua.

• Maltese people are kind, giving, and helpful, despite their guarded demeanor.
• Maltese people talk louder than mainlanders, thus they may seem to be screaming at you even though the level is normal.
• Malta is a primarily Roman Catholic nation; visitor carousing, although allowed to some degree, is frowned upon, particularly outside of St. Julian’s and Paceville.
• When attending a church, dress appropriately. As a general rule, males must remove their caps and sunglasses. Ensure that your knees and shoulders are protected. Some churches, particularly those on popular package tours, offer shawls and/or skirts to any guests who are improperly clothed.
• If a service has already begun, you may be denied admission to a church, so come on time if you want to visit.

Malta’s culture reflects the various cultures that have come into contact with the Maltese Islands over the centuries, from the Phoenicians to the British, including neighboring Mediterranean cultures and the cultures of the nations that ruled Malta for long periods of time prior to its independence in 1964.

While modern Maltese music is mostly Western, traditional Maltese music contains gana. This includes background folk guitar music as a few individuals, mostly males, take turns arguing a topic in a sing-song voice. The goal of the improvised lyrics is to create a pleasant but difficult environment, and it takes years of preparation to be able to combine the necessary aesthetic characteristics with the ability to argue successfully.

Maltese literature has been documented for over 200 years. A newly discovered love song, on the other hand, attests to literary activity in the local language dating back to the Medieval period. Malta follows a Romantic literary heritage, culminating in the writings of Malta’s National Poet, Dun Karm Psaila. Following authors like as Ruzar Briffa and Karmenu Vassallo attempted to distance themselves from the rigidity of formal topics and versification.

Maltese literature saw its most dramatic change among poets, prose writers, and dramatists in the late 1960s. Among the notable poets of the latter quarter of the twentieth century are Mario Azzopardi, Victor Fenech, Oliver Friggieri, Joe Friggieri, Charles Flores, Daniel Massa, Maria Ganado, Lillian Sciberras, and Achille Mizzi. In literature, Frans Sammut (Malta’s National Modern Author), Paul P. Borg, and Joe J. Camillerile pioneered the avant-garde; in theatre, notable names include Francis Ebejer, Alfred Sant, Doreen Micallef, Oreste Calleja, Joe Friggieri, and Martin Gauci.

The following generation of authors broadened the tracks much further, particularly in prose. Young authors such as Guze’ Stagno, Karl Schembri, and Clare Azzopardi are quickly establishing themselves, while notable poets include Adrian Grima, Immanuel Mifsud, Norbert Bugeja, and Simone Inguanez.

Peter Serracino Inglott, Oliver Friggieri, and Charles Briffa brought insightful historical, philosophical, and psycho-social issues into Maltese theory via literary criticism. Ivan Callus, the current Head of the English Department at the University of Malta, is also a well-known literary critic for the English language in academic circles.

Other Maltese-born or Maltese-descent authors have made a name for themselves in other countries. Trezza Azzopardi, best-selling children’s author Saviour Pirotta, and comic-book artist/journalist Joe Sacco were among them.

Over the course of its history, Maltese architecture has been inspired by a variety of Mediterranean civilizations as well as British architecture. The earliest inhabitants on the island built gantija, one of the world’s oldest manufactured freestanding buildings. The numerous temples of Malta and Gozo were endowed with intricate bas relief designs, including spirals evocative of the tree of life and animal portraits, designs painted in red ochre, ceramics, and a vast collection of human form sculptures, particularly the Venus of Malta, by Neolithic temple builders between 3800 and 2500 BC. These may be seen in the temples (particularly the Hypogeum and Tarxien Temples) as well as the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. Malta is presently undertaking numerous large-scale construction projects, including the development of SmartCity Malta, the M-Towers, and Pendergardens, as well as the renovation of places like as the Valletta Waterfront and Tigné Point.

The Roman era brought extremely ornate mosaic flooring, marble colonnades, and classical sculpture, the remains of which are magnificently maintained and shown in the Roman Domus, a rural house just beyond Mdina’s walls. The early Christian paintings that adorn the tombs under Malta show a preference for eastern, Byzantine aesthetics. These preferences continued to affect medieval Maltese painters’ work, although they were more impacted by the Romanesque and Southern Gothic styles. Maltese painters, like their counterparts in neighboring Sicily, fell under the influence of the School of Antonello da Messina around the end of the 15th century, which brought Renaissance ideals and ideas to the ornamental arts in Malta. Malta’s temples, such as Imnajdra, are steeped in history and have a compelling backstory.

Malta’s artistic heritage flourished during the reign of the Knights of St. John, who brought Italian and Flemish Mannerist painters to decorate their palaces and churches, most notably Matteo Perez d’Aleccio, whose works can be found in the Magisterial Palace and the Conventual Church of St. John in Valletta, and Filippo Paladini, who was active in Malta from 1590 to 1595. For many years, Mannerism influenced the preferences and aspirations of Maltese painters.

Caravaggio’s presence in Malta, where he created at least seven pieces during his 15-month stay, further revolutionized local art. The Oratory of the Conventual Church of St. John has two of Caravaggio’s most famous works, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Jerome Writing. Local painters Giulio Cassarino (1582–1637) and Stefano Erardi (1630–1716) carry on his heritage. The Baroque movement that followed, on the other hand, was destined to have the greatest lasting influence on Maltese art and architecture. Mattia Preti’s magnificent vault paintings turned the austere, Mannerist interior of the Conventual Church St. John into a Baroque marvel. Preti spent the final 40 years of his life in Malta, where he produced many of his greatest works, which are currently on exhibit at Valletta’s Museum of Fine Arts. During this time, local artist Melchior Gafà (1639–1667) rose to prominence as one of the Roman School’s finest Baroque sculptures.

Neapolitan and Rococo influences emerged in the works of Italian painters Luca Giordano (1632–1705) and Francesco Solimena (1657–1747) during the 17th and 18th centuries, and these developments can be seen in the work of their Maltese contemporaries such as Giovanni Nicola Buhagiar (1698–1752) and Francesco Zahra (1710–1773). The transfer to Malta of Antoine de Favray (1706–1798), who took the post of court painter to Grand Master Pinto in 1744, significantly aided the Rococo style.

Neo-classicism made inroads among Maltese artists in the late 18th century, but this trend was reversed in the early 19th century, as local Church authorities – possibly in an effort to strengthen Catholic resolve against the perceived threat of Protestantism during the early days of British rule in Malta – favoured and avidly promoted the religious themes embraced by the Nazarene mob. Romanticism, tempered by the realism brought to Malta by Giuseppe Cal, influenced early twentieth-century “salon” painters such as Edward and Robert Caruana Dingli.

In the 1920s, Parliament created the National School of Art. During the postwar reconstruction period, the “Modern Art Group,” which included Josef Kalleya (1898–1998), George Preca (1909–1984), Anton Inglott (1915–1945), Emvin Cremona (1919–1986), Frank Portelli (b. 1922), Antoine Camilleri (b. 1922), and Esprit Barthet (b. 1919), greatly enriched the local art scene. The National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta exhibits work by painters like as H. Craig Hanna.

Maltese cuisine is heavily influenced by Sicilian and English cuisines, as well as Spanish, Maghrebin, and Provençal cuisines. A variety of geographical differences, especially in Gozo, may be seen, as well as seasonal changes linked with food availability and Christian feasts (such as Lent, Easter and Christmas). Food, particularly traditional fenkata, has traditionally been essential in the formation of a national identity (i.e. the eating of stewed or fried rabbit).

According to the National Statistics Office, the Kinnie is the most popular Maltese beverage.

According to a Charities Aid Foundation survey from 2010, Maltese were the most charitable people in the world, with 83 percent donating to charity.

Maltese folktales contain a variety of stories concerning strange animals and supernatural occurrences. Manwel Magri, a researcher and pioneer in Maltese archaeology, collected them most thoroughly in his fundamental critique “rejjef Missirijietna” (“Fables from our Forefathers”). Following scholars and academics were motivated by this collection of information to collect traditional stories, fables, and legends from all across the Archipelago.

Magri’s work also influenced a series of comic novels (published by Klabb Kotba Maltin in 1984), with names such as Bin is-Sultan Jiewwe x-Xebba tat-Troniet Mewwija and Ir-Rjie. Many of these tales have been widely re-written as children’s literature by Maltese writers like Trevor Ahra. While giants, witches, and dragons appear in many of the tales, some depict completely Maltese monsters such as the Kaw kaw, Il-Belliega, and L-Imalla. Because of the Maltese preoccupation with spiritual (or ceremonial) purity, many of these creatures protect prohibited or restricted places and attack people who violated the stringent rules of behavior that characterized the island’s pre-industrial culture.

Traditional Maltese proverbs show the cultural significance of childbirth and fertility: “i-wie mingajr tarbija ma fihx tgawdija” (i-wie mingajr tarbija ma fihx tgawdija) (a childless marriage cannot be a happy one). This is a belief shared by many Mediterranean civilizations, including Malta. “u gammru u tgammru, u spiat” is the Maltese version of the traditional ending phrase, “and they all lived happily ever after” (and they lived together, and they had children together, and the tale is finished).

Rural Malta and Mediterranean culture share a variety of superstitions about fertility, menstruation, and pregnancy, such as avoiding graves during the months leading up to delivery and avoiding the cooking of particular meals during menstruation. Pregnant women are advised to fulfill their desires for certain meals in order to avoid having a symbolic birth mark on their unborn kid (Maltese: xewqa, literally “desire” or “craving”). Maltese and Sicilian women also share certain traditions that are thought to predict the sex of an unborn child, such as the moon cycle on the expected date of birth, whether the baby is carried “high” or “low” during pregnancy, and the movement of a wedding ring dangled on a string above the abdomen (sideways denoting a girl, back and forth denoting a boy).

Traditionally, Maltese infants were baptized as soon as possible, partly to avoid the child dying in infancy without receiving this important Sacrament, and partly because an unbaptised kid is not yet a Christian, but “still a Turk,” according to Maltese (and Sicilian) legend. Biskuttini tal-magmudija (almond macaroons coated in white or pink icing), it-torta tal-marmorata (a spicy, heart-shaped pie of chocolate-flavored almond paste), and roolin, a liqueur prepared with rose petals, violets, and almonds, are traditional Maltese sweets offered during a baptismal feast.

On a child’s first birthday, Maltese parents would organize a game known as il-quija, in which a variety of symbolic items would be randomly arranged around the sitting infant. A hard-boiled egg, a Bible, a crucifix or rosary beads, a book, and so on are examples. Whichever item the kid is most interested in is believed to foretell the child’s future course and fortunes.

Money represents a prosperous future, while a book represents intellect and a potential job as a teacher. Infants who choose a pencil or a pen will become writers. Choosing Bibles or rosary beads denotes a priestly or monastic lifestyle. A hard-boiled egg will have a long life and many children if the kid chooses it. Calculators (refers to accounting), thread (fashion), and wooden spoons are more recent additions (cooking and a great appetite).

Traditional Maltese weddings included the bridal party going in procession from the bride’s family house to the parish church under an elaborate canopy, with singers trailing behind serenading the bride and husband. This tradition is known as il-ilwa in Maltese. In the face of contemporary customs, this tradition, like many others, has long ago vanished from the islands.

The gonnella, a traditional Maltese garment, was worn by new wives. It is, however, no longer worn in contemporary Malta. Today’s couples marry in churches or chapels of their choosing in the hamlet or town of their choice. The wedding is typically followed by a spectacular and joyful wedding celebration attended by several hundred people. Couples may sometimes attempt to integrate aspects of a traditional Maltese wedding into their celebration. In May 2007, hundreds of Maltese and tourists attended a traditional Maltese wedding in the manner of the 16th century in the hamlet of Urrieq, indicating a resurgence of interest in traditional weddings. This featured il-ilwa, which brought the bride and groom to a wedding ceremony on St. Andrew’s Chapel’s parvis. Following the ceremony, there was traditional music (gana) and dancing.

Local celebrations, similar to those seen in Southern Italy, are popular in Malta and Gozo, commemorating marriages, christenings, and, most notably, saints’ days, which honor the patron saint of the local parish. On saints’ days, the festa culminates with a High Mass including a discourse on the life and accomplishments of the patron saint, followed by a solemn procession of the holy patron through the local streets, with the faithful following in reverent prayer. The holy mood soon gives way to several days of celebration and revelry: band processions, fireworks, and late-night partying.

Since Grand Master Piero de Ponte brought it to the islands in 1535, Carnival (Maltese: il-karnival ta’ Malta) has played an important role in the cultural calendar. It is typically held during the week preceding Ash Wednesday and includes masked balls, fancy dress and grotesque mask competitions, lavish late-night parties, a colorful, ticker-tape parade of allegorical floats presided over by King Carnival (Maltese: ir-Re tal-Karnival), marching bands, and costumed revellers.

Holy Week (Maltese: il-imga Mqaddsa) begins on Palm Sunday and concludes on Easter Sunday (add il-Gid). Numerous religious traditions, the majority of which are passed down from generation to generation, are part of the Maltese Islands’ paschal festivities, which honor Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Mnarja, also known as l-Imnarja (pronounced lim-nar-ya), is a significant day in the Maltese cultural calendar. Officially, it is a national holiday commemorating the feasts of Saints Peter and Paul. Its origins may be traced back to the ancient Roman feast of Luminaria (lit. “the lighting”), when torches and bonfires illuminated the early summer night of June 29.

Mnarja, a traditional Maltese celebration of food, religion, and song, has been a national feast since the Knights’ reign. The celebrations still begin with the reading of the “bandu,” an official governmental proclamation that has been issued on this day in Malta since the 16th century. Mnarja was originally celebrated outside St. Paul’s Grotto in the north of Malta. By 1613, however, the emphasis of the celebrations had moved to Mdina’s Cathedral of St. Paul, with torchlight processions, the firing of 100 petards, horseraces, and races for men, boys, and slaves. Modern Mnarja celebrations take held in and around the Buskett woods, close outside Rabat.

It is claimed that under the Knights’ reign, this was the one day of the year when the Maltese were permitted to hunt and eat wild rabbit, which was normally reserved for the Knights’ hunting pleasures. The link between Mnarja and rabbit stew (Maltese: “fenkata”) is still strong today.

British governor William Reid established an agricultural fair at Buskett in 1854, which is being held today. The farmers’ exposition is still an important element of the Mnarja celebrations today.

Today, Mnarja is one of the few places where participants may hear traditional Maltese “gana.” Grooms would traditionally vow to take their wives to Mnarja during their first year of marriage. Many brides would come in their bridal gowns and veils for good luck, but this tradition has long since vanished from the islands.

Isle of MTV is an annual one-day music event organized and aired by MTV. Since 2007, the festival has been held yearly in Malta, with prominent pop singers playing each year. In 2012, internationally renowned singers Flo Rida, Nelly Furtado, and Will.I.Am performed at Floriana’s Fosos Square. Over 50,000 individuals came, making it the largest turnout to date.

The first New Year’s Eve street celebration was held in Malta in 2009, similar to what other major nations across the globe do. Despite the fact that the event was not well publicized and was contentious owing to the closure of a major thoroughfare on the day, it was considered a success and would most likely be held again next year.

The Malta International Fireworks Festival is an annual event held in Valletta’s Grand Harbour since 2003. The event features fireworks displays from a variety of Maltese and international pyrotechnics manufacturers. Every year, the event is held in the final week of April.

Malta is usually regarded as secure. Visitors visiting Paceville at night, on the other hand, should take care.

Because Malta is a major Mediterranean port, sailors on shore leave can get very raucous after lengthy journeys, and the introduction of low-cost air travel to Malta has brought an influx of teenagers from around Europe enjoying brief inexpensive weekend vacations in the sun.

Despite the fact that most public parking spots in Malta are free, parking attendants will impatiently extract gratuities from you under the guise of “charity.” They’ll persuade you believe it’s mandatory by telling you that everyone does it. However, bear in mind that tipping is entirely voluntary, and you are under no obligation to do so, particularly if you believe the parking attendant is unpleasant. Feel free to walk away – those men won’t damage your vehicle if you don’t tip (but be prepared that they may yell at you). Remember that if parking is not free (like at an airport), there will be a notice indicating this.

People of color have been known to face racial prejudice on the island of Malta.

The greatest health danger in Malta is the scorching heat in the summer, which may burn unwary visitors. Use a lot of sunscreen.

It is unknown if tap water is safe to drink.

Throughout the nation, there are many free and generally extremely clean public restrooms. However, toilet paper is not always readily accessible.

Dial 112 for an ambulance, fire department, or police department. Mater Dei Hospital (Telephone: (+356) 2545 0000) and Gozo General Hospital (Telephone: 2156 1600) are the major hospitals.