This island state is loved by tourists from many countries. No wonder: here is the purest Mediterranean Sea, pleasant climate. The holiday season lasts from early May to late October. But some guests like to spend Christmas in Malta. The rich history of the island state is interesting for those who are looking for a vacation not only for the hot sun and warm sea. Fortifications and temples erected by the knights-johannites in the 16-17 centuries have survived. Malta's resorts are the perfect place to combine a lazy beach holiday and exploring human history.
Valletta
The city received its name in honor of the Master of the Order of Malta, an aristocrat from France Jean de Valette. In the middle of the 16th century, the garrison repelled the attack of the Turks. At this time, the master was already about 70 years old. Vallett assessed the losses of his soldiers and decided to build fortifications to minimize the number of injured and killed. The mountainous relief made it possible to build an impregnable fortress. And today tourists can admire the buildings of the late 16th century.
Fate spared Valletta: in the 18th century, the fortress was first captured by Bonapartist and then English troops, but the buildings survived. Unfortunately, the buildings of Valletta were significantly destroyed by the bombing of the Second World War. But later part of it was reconstructed. Lush vegetation is difficult to find in Valletta, with the exception of the Upper and Lower Man-Made Gardens.
Here shady alleys are broken, flowers are planted. And the natural vegetation of the city is rare dead wood and grass scorched by the sun. The coastline is rocky, heavily indented, and the depth increases instantly. In order to enter the water, you will have to go down the steps. The locals do just that, while the guests of the city leave for other beaches.
But for tourists who love history, the rest here will be filled with impressions. In the city you can see:
- Fort St. Elmo, built in the 14th century
- St. John's Cathedral, for which the first Maltese donated funds
- palaces of the knights of the order (including the castle of the chief master)
It is pleasant to rest here all year round. The breezes constantly blowing in summer freshen the air, so the heat is not felt here. And the winter is mild, with a large number of sunny days. It rarely rains.
- Hotel Phenicia Malta 5 * - a seasonal outdoor infinity pool overlooking the harbor, surrounded by a 2.8 hectare garden, live piano music in the lobby
- Grand Hotel Excelsior 5 * - a private beach, indoor and outdoor pools, from the windows of the rooms there is a stunning view of the harbor of Marsamshett and about. Manoel
- Grand Harbor Hotel 2 * - 200 meters to the waterfront, there is a restaurant and a bar / lounge, a rooftop terrace
Mellieha
The settlement, located on the territory of modern Mellieha, was known even during the Byzantine Empire. But after the capture of the island by Arab troops, it was destroyed. The people living on the coast were constantly suffering from pirate attacks. The villagers breathed a sigh of relief only after the Order of Malta took custody of the settlement. It was the knights who built the temple of the Virgin Mary, where today you can see a unique fresco of the 13th century.
It is believed that the maiden's face helped protect the city. In memory of the heroic defense, from August 30 to September 8, a festival is held in honor of the Victorious Mother of God. The most popular beach among tourists is located in Mellieha. This is the northernmost (after Chirkeva) strip of the island's coast. There are always a lot of guests who prefer passive relaxation. Mellieha Bay beckons with fine yellow sand, warm water and a small, gradually increasing depth.
Families with children feel comfortable here. The town has a large beach, a playground is equipped. Older children will be interested in a trip to the reserve with exotic Adira birds and the Mistral National Park. Local soils are the most fertile on the island. The city market is always full of fruits and vegetables. The coast is famous for the fact that all conditions for practicing water sports are created here. Surfers catch the wave in special zones. It is not difficult to hire a yacht for cruises along the coast.
Sliema
This town is just 5 minutes by ferry from Valletta. This remoteness attracts tourists who prefer to relax near the points of arrival. Sliema is an unusual place. Its coastline is lined with hotels that do not mix well with each other. And if you go deeper, you will see a cozy center with narrow streets and houses of yellowish sandstone. In the evening, all this splendor is illuminated by lanterns.
At first glance, Sliema is not very suitable for swimming. The coast is a limestone slab extending inland. But it is rather shallow, and in some places the bathtubs have been cut down. Such containers are protected from sea waves: you can swim even in a storm. And for the convenience of tourists, steps have been cut in the limestone.
There is a promenade along the coast. It is always crowded here: locals and vacationers go for a walk or take a health run. If you are not too lazy, you can visit the seaside restaurant in the medieval fortress of Fortizza. And right behind the restaurant, a paradise for scuba diving begins: the limestone coast becomes steep. This place was chosen by divers.
In Sliema it will be interesting for everyone:
- Adira - a historical site with baths built by the Romans;
- Qwi-Si-Sana beckons with rapidly increasing depth (experienced swimmers rest here);
- a cozy square with playgrounds will allow children to tinker, and parents to relax in the shade.
Fans of resort shopping will also appreciate the resort: the largest shopping center in the town is located here.
- The Waterfront Hotel 4 * - a picturesque view from the windows of the rooms and an open terrace, an excellent location, a swimming pool and a gym, near the pier and bus stops
- 1926 Hotel & SPA 4 * - just a few meters to the seasonal beach club with an outdoor infinity pool, SPA center, good breakfast
- Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels 3 * - located in the city center, next to the sea, bus stops, shops and cafes nearby, hearty breakfasts
Gzira
A specialty of Gzira is the nearby island of Manoel. The town is connected with it by a 20 m long bridge. Some tourists have fun crossing the narrow strait in boats. Gzira means an island in translation. First, the knights set up a quarantine zone on it. Here the ships arrived from afar were defended. Then the Grand Master of the Order Antonio Manoel de Vilen built a fortress on the islet.
The fort was supposed to protect Valletta. And since then the island has been called Manoel. The coast is rocky (like almost everywhere in Malta), but the city beach is sandy. True, there are always a lot of people here. But small limestone coves are quiet and deserted. And for entering the water, steps are cut in the stone.
But the sea and the sun are a small part of what Gzira is interested in:
- The Royal Yacht Club is located in the Manoel Fortress. You can hire a boat to sail along the coast.
- Monuments of culture and architecture: Cathedral of Our Lady of Carmel and the Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer.
- Cafes, bars and restaurants. It is worth trying fish and seafood dishes here. Lamuca fish and pasta with octopus ink sauce are unusual.
In Gzira, there are many shops selling products of local artisans. In memory of the hospitable town, you can bring carpets, copper, glass and ceramics.
Birzebbuja
The name can be translated as the country of olives. This town offers a pleasant and affordable holiday. The population is 8000-9000 people. But people from other regions of the island come here to get hired at the port or cargo terminal. There are many cafes and restaurants in Birzebuja that offer simple but tasty food.Fish or seafood, vegetables and fruits are excellently prepared here. Hotels are quite affordable, if you wish, you can rent an apartment.
Tourists are attracted by the artificial sandy beach of Prettu Bay. During the construction of the port, a lot of white sand was raised from the bottom. It was poured onto a limestone sole. The beach administration offers rental of umbrellas and sun loungers. The depth on the coast is increasing gradually, so tourists with kids come here. But guests who prefer a secluded vacation will also find sections of the coast to their liking.
Not far from Birzebudji are the wonderful rocky coves Peters Pool and Delimara Bay. They can be reached by car or on foot.
To diversify passive rest, sightseeing will help:
- Remains of a settlement (and possibly a temple) from the Bronze Age. The place is called Borj in Nadur.
- Ar Hasan pirate cave. Here in the 12th century the Saracen Hassan hid the loot.
- A cave of darkness. The remains of an ancient human settlement were found here. The age of the finds is 5000 years BC.
There are many caves in the vicinity where skeletons of prehistoric mainland animals have been discovered. After the narrow bridge connecting the island with the mainland collapsed, large animals died out due to lack of drinking water.
Marsascala
Despite the fact that Marsascala is located only 8 km from Valletta and is very popular among tourists, getting here is problematic. The town is connected with the capital by a single bus route and taxi. But it is recommended to negotiate the price in advance: then it can increase several times.
You can rent a car: this will allow you to visit remote corners in the vicinity. But the roads around are disgusting: a terrible surface and no road signs. In this case, the navigator will be useful. And in Marsascala itself, public transport runs regularly on 9-10 routes (quite a lot, given the small area of the town). Hotels can be chosen for every taste and budget: here it is comfortable for well-to-do guests and tourists on a budget. And the restaurants are varied: from fashionable to inexpensive.
Marsascala is famous for the best rocky beach on the island - St. Thomas Bay. There are always a lot of people here. And in the vicinity of the town there are many cozy deserted coves. The swimming season lasts from May to the end of October. But in winter it is warm on the coast: the air temperature does not drop below +14 degrees Celsius.
Lovers of historical and architectural monuments will not be disappointed. There are enough interesting objects in Marsascal:
- monument Three crucifixes
- redoubt Bricone
- Fort of Saint Thomas
Marsascala has several medieval chapels and temples.
- Sensi Hotel 2 * - located within walking distance from the coast, in St. Thomas Bay, a bus stop is also within walking distance
- Cerviola Hotel 3 * - rooftop pool, sun terrace and bar
St. Julian's
This place is the most popular on the island. It has the largest number of luxury hotels, casinos, bars and restaurants. Students and schoolchildren come to St. Julian's to receive European education. It is crowded all year round (except for the Christmas break). The swimming season starts in May and ends in October. The high season is the period from July to September. Seaside lovers flock to St. Julian's in June.
It is already hot here, and prices are not yet very high. True, the water is far from ideal. But you can still swim. During high season, the central beach of St. George is crowded. Here they not only relax by the water, but also go in for water sports. There are no problems with instructors: you can take lessons in surfing, diving, kiting. And at night the doors are thrown open by clubs and bars. Tourists have no time to get bored.
In September, the tourist flow becomes less intense: the air temperature decreases, sometimes it rains. But the water is still warm, you can swim. On the other hand, prices for services are falling. At this time, St. Julian's is preferred by those who love comfort, but avoid the hustle and bustle. Winter in St. Julian's is unpleasant: damp and windy. The houses do not have central heating, so it can be difficult to keep warm. But guests from the UK are happy to spend Christmas here.
Paceville
Paceville is an independent resort and at the same time part of St. Julian's. Several neighborhoods were chosen by young people. Here is the most budgetary vacation on the island: hostels, cheap hotels, bars, cafes. Wealthy and family tourists do not come here. During the day, Paceville is deserted and boring, but with the onset of dusk, everything comes to life. Tourists leave the rooms, schoolchildren and students rush to discos.
And the fun continues until the morning: after all, Paceville is a place for young people. The beach is decent here: with loose sand. It is municipal, so admission is free. Paceville offers a vacation for young lovers on a tight budget. There is hardly a respectable restaurant or hotel here, but there are many budget bars and clubs. And the Axis disco, famous in Europe, will give you an unforgettable experience.
St. Paul's Bay
The second name of St. Paul's Bay is St. Paul's Bay. And the resort area consists of 3 villages: Bugibba, Qavra and Shemshia. It is quieter here than in Sliema or St Julian's. The prices are lower, but there is also less entertainment. You can swim here, but you should enter the water along specially made paths. In some places, steps have been cut in the limestone.
Locals enter the water almost everywhere, but tourists are advised to be careful. Sandy beaches are 6 km from Bugibba. St. Paul's Bay Quay is very picturesque. Here is an excellent promenade: locals and tourists go for walks and jogs along it. Bars, clubs and discos begin to work in the evening.
The price tag for services is quite low: everyone can afford budget entertainment. St. Paul's Bay is the place to go for active sports. Here they ride on yachts and catamarans, water skiing. The rich flora and fauna provide interesting diving. Salt baths have been preserved not far from Aura. Tourists come here to swim in brine.
You can diversify your beach vacation by visiting:
- Simar bird sanctuary
- fountain of Ain Razul
- caves where primitive people lived
- 17th century towers
- temples dedicated to the Mother of God
St Paul's Bay sells amazing lace and 8-sided crosses.
- Qawra Palace Hotel 4 * - located on the first line, indoor and outdoor pools, mini golf course, tennis court
- Dolmen Hotel Malta 4 * - private beach, 6 swimming pools, varied meals, evening programs
- AX Seashells Resort 4 * - SPA center, pool with hydromassage corner and children's pool with water slide, good location
Msida
This settlement is a fishing village. Once upon a time there lived people who obtained seafood. But today it is the largest port on the island. There are a variety of yachts in the local harbor. Walking along the promenade is an exciting activity for those who are keen on water sports. There are no places for swimming in Msida, and the choice of hotels and restaurants is limited. But here is the University of Malta, where students from all over the world study. The city is rightfully considered the cultural capital of the island.
Tourists come to explore the historic center of Msida. It is built up with buildings from the 18th century. The largest washing machine on the island is noteworthy. This is a laundry, built by order of the German-born John. The vaulted building is well preserved, but is now used by fishermen to store tackle. Chapels carved into limestone and the Cathedral of St. Joseph are interesting.
Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk can hardly be called a resort place, although there are several hotels here. Young people settle in them, preferring to relax in the nearby St. Peter's Bay. The bay has clear water, amazing flora and fauna at the bottom. This attracts divers. And from the steep cliffs, brave travelers jump right into the sea. The rest of the tourists come to Marsaxlokk because of the amazing fish market.
The first inhabitants of the village were engaged in fishing and seafood. Today their descendants continue the work of their fathers. The world of Marsaxlokk has remained the same: low houses of yellow limestone stand close to each other. They are literally several meters away from the sea: there are never strong waves here. And the harbor is filled with fishing boats. Many of them have a special decoration: the eyes of Osiris. These attributes help to return home in any weather.
Previously, the fish market was open only on Sundays: from early morning until noon, when the scorching sun threatened to destroy the entire catch. Today (albeit on a smaller scale) the market is open every day. It has already ceased to be specialized: it sells footwear, clothing, lace, ceramics, and copper products. But in the afternoon the square is still empty. Marsaxlokk has an abundance of fish restaurants. Here they cook excellent dishes from freshly caught shellfish, octopus, fish. The culinary delights are washed down with local wine.
Gozo island
Gozo Island has nothing to do with Malta. You should come here in order to see historical and natural objects concentrated in a small area. You can spend several busy days on Gozo. There are plenty of places for swimming: from the traditional stone paths with paved paths to enter the water or steps cut into the limestone to the sandy one in Ramla Bay. The coast of Gozo is heavily indented: there are picturesque grottoes.
Some of them can be viewed from land, and the rest from the sea. For this it is better to rent a yacht. Surprisingly, such a tiny island has its own Inland Sea. This is the name of a small bay, fenced off from the Mediterranean by a rocky coast and connected to the outer sea by a cave. Gozo has a wide range of activities: rent of catamarans, boats, jet skis, scuba diving. And from exotic entertainment - swimming in salt baths. These are small containers left over from old salt pans.
Zurrik
Zurrik can hardly be called a developed resort town: local residents fear that an increase in the tourist flow will negatively affect historical sites. And there are enough of them here. The artist Preti lived in Zurrik for the last years. The paintings are found in the temples and galleries of the island. Zurrik's most famous site is the Blue Grotto. It is easily accessible from Ouid Cove from Zurrit.
In the Blue Grotto in the 16th century, pirates hid ships from the royal authorities. Today it is a beautiful place where you can see the bottom covered with white sand through the turquoise water. And the underwater rocks are overgrown with corals. You can spend several hours here. Not far from the Blue Grotto is Filfla Island. It has absolutely steep rocky shores and a flat surface.
Zurrik itself has an abundance of interesting historical sites:
- The entire center is built up with houses of the 15-17th centuries. The buildings are in excellent condition.
- Temples and chapels are found literally at every step.
- Tombs of the ancient Phoenicians and a fortress tower built by the Romans.
- The settlement of Hal Millieri. Historians appreciate its 14th century chapels with unique frescoes.
- Zurric Cathedral. Services are still held there.
Archaeological excavations are underway near the town. You can visit them and see what scientists have discovered.
Bormla
The successful geopolitical position of the town was used by the Knights of Malta: they built a strong fortification - a double fort. And the Great Harbor is an ideal place for anchorage and repair of ships. The British began to use it actively at the end of the 18th century. Today Bormla is a quiet working town. The main population is sailors and dock workers. But tourists do not forget Bormla either: people from other cities in Malta come here to see the unique shipyard.
Today it is being refitted to serve modern yachts. Athletes from all over the world come to the convenient port of Bormla. Cultural sites that guests of the island willingly visit: the Temple of the Immaculate Conception, the fortifications of Margherita and Firenzuola. In December, a large-scale feast day is celebrated. This is a very beautiful sight.
Comino island
Rest here is suitable for those tourists who prefer a calm and measured life. There is one 4 * hotel in Comino, and the entire population is about 10 people. But fishing, diving, hiking and biking are great here. And there are a great many historical and natural sites in Comino. Here are caves, grottoes, the chapel of St. Mary, the remains of fortifications built by the Johannites in the 16-17 centuries, the shallow bay of St. Mary with clean sand, the famous Blue Lagoon, whose crystal water seems sky-blue. And how not to explore the cave where the hermit Saint Korrot once lived. And just 100 m by sea is the islet of Cominotto. You can get to the picturesque, clean, uninhabited Cominotto by boat. Some daredevils can swim these 100 meters.
