Thread: About Malta

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean Sea south of the Italian island of Sicily across the Malta Channel. Only the three largest islands - Malta Island (Malta), Gozo (Għawdex), and Comino (Kemmuna) - are inhabited. The smaller islands, such as Filfla, Cominotto and the Islands of St. Paul are uninhabited. Numerous bays along the indented coastline of the islands provide good harbours. The islands of the archipelago were formed from the high points of a land bridge between Sicily and North Africa which became isolated as sea levels rose after the last Ice Age.

The modern-day landscape is characterised by low hills with terraced fields. The highest point is at Ta' Dmejrek on Malta Island at 253 metres (830 ft) near Dingli. Although there are some small rivers at times of high rainfall, there are no permanent rivers or lakes on Malta. However, some watercourses are found around the island that have fresh water running all year round.

Maltese Landscape

Contrary to popular belief, the south of Malta is not Europe's most southern point; that distinction belongs to the Greek island of Gavd. Such places are Baħrija, l-Intaħleb and San Martin. Running water in Gozo is found at Lunzjata Valley.

View out to sea from Grand Harbor, which has been used as a harbour since at least Phoenician times

Maltese Carnival (Maltese: il-karnival ta' Malta) has had an important place on the cultural calendar for just under five centuries, introduced to the Islands by Grand Master Piero de Ponte in 1535. It is held during the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, and typically includes masked balls, fancy dress and grotesque mask competitions, lavish late-night parties, a colourful, ticker-tape parade of allegorical floats presided over by King Carnival (Maltese: ir-Re tal-Karnival), marching bands and costumed revellers.

Grilled Calamari

Maltese cuisine is typically Mediterranean, based on fresh seasonal locally available produce and seafood, with some influence from Italian cuisine, particularly Sicily and the south. There are many unique and distinctive local dishes and the cuisine also embodies the gastronomic legacies of Malta's past, including not only Italian or Tunisian, but Spanish, Berber, and more recently British and French influence.

Maltese cuisine is still popular in households and restaurants in Malta, but influences from outside Malta's shores continue, though nowadays they come through travel and TV rather than foreign domination. Alongside Malta's traditional cuisine with its strong Southern Mediterranean character, there is today an eclectic mix of dishes drawn from other cuisines, not only Italian but also Asian, North American and Mexican for example. This article on Maltese cuisine however refers exclusively to the traditional dishes of Malta and Gozo, still widely prepared and enjoyed on the islands of Malta and Gozo.

The Maltese cuisine is the result of a long relationship between the Islanders and the many foreigners who dominated Malta over the centuries. This marriage of tastes has given Malta a distinctive cuisine that is decidedly Mediterranean in character. While many dishes are native to the island, some popular Maltese recipes show Sicilian, Southern Italian or Turkish culinary influences. Popular local dishes include ftira biż-żejt, ġbejniet, pastizzi and Ross il-Forn.

A variety of Maltese bread, called ftira

35 Things to do in Malta...during your first visit!

1. Visit the St. John's Co. Cathedral in Valletta

2. Try 'pastizzi', a local ricotta or pea pastry

3. Jump in the crystal clear sea

4. Visit the unique UNESCO World Heritage site of Hypogeum

5. Organise a 'FENKATA' a traditional meal of Rabbit

6. Visit the lamp lit streets of our fortified cities

7. Walk through unique Medieval Mdina

8. Discover the oldest megalithic temples in the world

9. Enjoy a stroll along Sliema's long promenade during the cool summer nights

10. Cruise around Malta's beautiful coast in one day

11. Visit the golden sand beaches in the north

12. A night out at one of the quaint wine bars in the old city of Birgu

13. Take a trip on a traditional horse and cab, know as the 'karozzin'

14. Try fresh fish in Marsaxlokk Fishing Village

15. Shop at the Crafts Village for traditional filigree and glass items

16. Take a scenic flight around the islands

17. Enjoy local culture at one of the 'festas' during the summer months

18. Visit the island if Gozo by Jeep

19. Swim with Dolphins

20. Take a trip on one of our old 'Malta Buses'

21. Speak to the very friendly locals

22. Have a night out in Paceville, the main entretainment area

23. Visit a winery

24. Take a tour off the beaten track

25. Take a boat trip to the Blue Lagoon & Comino Island

26. Try Kinnie, the local soft drink

27. Speak Malti...Grazzi = Thank You, Bonju = Good Morning....

28. Explore the harbour on a tradtional Dghajsa boat trip

29. Enjoy 'al fresco' dining overlooking stunning bays

30. Try snorkelling at one of the lagoons

31. Visit during CARNIVAL

32. Enjoy the views overlooking the Grand Harbour

33. Try 'Bigilla', a dip made from broad beans

34. Visit the large Sunday flea market

35. Go to the Grand Masters Palace

Ah, Malta. We stayed in Golden Sands at the Island Residence Club, two years ago last week. Did a few of the 35 Things to do.

Malta is so comfortable for English speaking people and the weather is so great, that you could be convinced to just hang out at a beach and/or spa. And many people do! But because of its position in the middle of the mediterranean, it is a crossroads, and like all crossroads on land, it has been overrun by several civilizations.

I recommend finding a book that walks you through some of the history before you go, so some of the sights to see will make sense. And if you are a history buff, don't miss this place. There is something from almost every era, including WWII, although the History Channel has so far missed it.

We used Thomas Cook's Travellers Malta and Gozo for a reference, and I was pleased with it. It has maps and info for walking tours as well, for people who like to explore places at their own pace.

You can do much more than 35 things in Malta. Just bumped into a longer version of the list...of course, it is 101 things to do in Malta. Depending on the duration of your stay
101 things to do when on holiday in Malta.

Find below a random list of 101 things to do when on holiday in Malta. Malta’s small size is an advantage as most sites are within a relatively small distance. Different things apply to different people, tastes and lifestyles so not all of the things listed might apply to everyone. Nonetheless, try and enrich your malta holiday by pursuing some of the items on the list! There are alot of things to do in Malta. Enjoy your holiday in Malta!
1. Visit the ‘Hypogeum Temple’.
2. Go to a village ‘festa’ and mingle with the locals
3. Organise a ‘fenkata’ (rabbit) , at a restaurant in the village of Mgarr.
4. Visit the Mosta Church which is famous for having one of the largest domes in the world.
5. Wander the streets of Mdina at night.
6. Have coffee at ‘Café Premier’ in Valletta on a Sunday morning.
7. Try Maltese ‘pastizzi’, filled with ricotta or peas.
8. Play a round of golf at 'The Royal Malta Golf Club' – The Royal Malta Golf Club
9. Go diving.
10. Enjoy a ‘Gozo Day Tour’ with ChooseMalta.com
11. Visit the three cities in Cottonera.
12. Go to ‘Ghar Dalam’, a prehistoric cave.
13. Go to Dingli cliffs, limits of Rabat.
14. Explore Valletta's grid system of streets. Checkout our Valletta Audio Tour
15. Drink and dance at Paceville, where all the nightlife is!
16. Visit the ‘Azure Window’ in Gozo
17. Swim at the ‘Blue Grotto’.
18. Walk around ‘San Anton Gardens’ in Attard.
19. Go to Mellieha Bay, especially if you have kids.
20. Don't miss out on a Melita Train ride! A great way to discover the charms of Rabat, Mtarfa and Mdina on Malta's only sightseeing train tour.
21. Go to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk.
22. Rent a car and explore.
23. Eat ‘bebbux’ (snails).
24. Ride the traditional Maltese bus.
25. Visit the ‘Ta’ Qali Crafts Village’
26. Go for a ride on a ‘karozzin’ (horse drawn carriage).
27. Get a boat to the ‘Blue Lagoon’ in Comino.
28. Go for an evening walk on the Sliema promenade.
29. Go to the ‘Citadel’ in Gozo.
30. Admire ‘St. John’s Cathedral’ in Valletta.
31. Visit ‘St. Paul’s Catacombs’ in Rabat.
32. Have an audio-visual tour of Malta at the Malta Experience.
33. Enjoy the view from the’ Upper Barrakka Gardens’ in Valletta.
34. Explore underground shelters at the 'Malta at War Museum', Vittoriosa.
35. Walk around ‘Fort St Angelo’
36. Go to the open air market outside Valletta (early morning on Sunday).
37. Upgrade your holiday in Malta and rent a farmhouse in Gozo
38. Witness how old guns were loaded and fired at 'The Saluting Battery' in Valletta.
39. Visit the ‘National Museum of Archeology’ in Valletta
40. Soak up the sun at ‘Ramla Bay’ in Gozo
41. Use our wedding planner service and get married in Malta!
42. Take part in the ChooseMalta.com Malta International Triathlon in October
43. Enjoy a bottle of Maltese wine.
44. Drive to the salt pans in Qbajjar, Gozo.
45. Visit 'Lascaris War Rooms', Valletta.
46. Visit ‘St. Agatha’s Catacombs’.
47. Go to Ghar Lapsi, a cove and small fishing village.
48. Visit the ‘Second World War Shelter’ located in Mgarr.
49. Visit the church of St. Nicholas in the village of Siggiewi.
50. Visit the village of Marsascala.
51. Go to ‘Buskett Gardens’, a small ‘wood’ close to Rabat.
52. Check out the Mtarfa ex-British military buildings.
53. Admire the Caravaggio painting in ‘St John’s Cathedral’.
54. Go parakiting from one of our sandy beaches and get a bird’s eye view of Malta!
55. Have a shot of ‘Zeppi’s’, a Maltese bajtra (prickly pear) liqueur.
56. Look out for the ‘Alarme!’ and’ In Guardia’ historical re-enactments
57. Go to ‘Fort Rinella’ and see one of the world’s largest canons
58. Visit the sacred shrine of ‘Ta' Pinu’ in Gozo
59. Attend a concert or play at the ‘Manoel Theatre’ in Valletta
60. See a ‘Norman House’ by visiting Palazzo Falzon in Mdina.
61. Walk around the exhibits at the ‘St John’s Cavalier Centre for Creativitity’.
62. People-watch whilst having a coffee at a Sliema coffee shop.
63. Buy Maltese bread from a village bakery.
64. Try Maltese sausage, available from village butchers.
65. Try Gozo cheese.
66. See the 'Fat Lady' at the Tarxien temples.
67. Admire ‘The Magesterial Palace & Armoury’ in Valletta.
68. Eat by the water’s edge at Xlendi Bay in Gozo.
69. Walk around ‘Popeye’s Village’.
70. Explore the village of Rabat.
71. Read the ‘Times of Malta’ newspaper daily.
72. Walk around the stalls at the Marsaxlokk open-air market.
73. Do your own walking tours around the Victoria lines.
74. Relax at Gnejna bay.
75. Eat ‘lampuki’ in summer, (local fish).
76. Charter a yacht and sail round the island.
77. Go to Comino by ‘luzzu’ (maltese boat).
78. Do your last minute shopping at the Airport Value Shops in the Departures Lounge.
79. Get the ferry from Sliema to Valletta.
80. Have a pint of ‘Cisk’ – Malta’s local beer.
81. Try ‘Kinnie’, a bitter-sweet Maltese soft-drink
82. Try a packet of ‘Twistees’ (local packet snack)
83. Try ‘mqaret’ Maltese traditional date filled pastries.
84. Try ‘hobz biz-zejt’, maltese bread with tomato paste.
85. Visit the ;Hagar Qim Temples’.
86. Go to the ‘Maritime Museum’ in Vittoriosa.
87. Enter the ‘Mdina Dungeons’.
88. Attend the Gharb carnival in Gozo in February.
89. Go back to the past; visit the ‘Ggantija Temples’ in Gozo.
90. Drive to ‘Ta’ Kola Windmill’ in Xaghra, Gozo.
91. Go to a summer party at ‘La Grotta’ nightclub in Gozo.
92. Visit the National library in Valletta.
93. Go to Mgarr Ix-Xini cove in Gozo.
94. Swim at St Peters Pool in Marsascala.
95. Try the chocolate cake at ‘Fontanella’ tea rooms in Mdina.
96. Hop on and off the Malta Sightseeing bus.
97. Visit the ‘Museum of National History’ in Mdina.
98. Visit the Kordin 111 Neolithic Temples.
99. Go to the Malta War Museum in Fort St Elmo in Valletta.
100. Enjoy the mosaics at ‘The Roman Villa’ in Rabat.
101. Run the Malta Marathon in February.

Thank you for that great list and the links!

LOTS to do in Malta!