Malta

Valletta, the capital of Malta, was ingeniously constructed in the 16th century by the Knights of St John. Exuding baroque elegance, it is rightfully hailed as an open-air museum due to the number of historic buildings concentrated in the area like St John’s Co-Cathedral and the Grand Harbour, masterfully crafted by the Knights. Within a mere 900m x 630m area, over 25 churches grace the landscape. This remarkable city is an esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Site, a testament to its cultural significance and architectural splendour.

Mdina, the old capital of Malta, is a typical medieval town situated on one of the highest hills of the island. Known as the "Silent City", Mdina is one of the few remaining fortified Renaissance cities in Europe. Climb to the top for magnificent views of the island.

Wied iż-Żurrieq is a small village situated on the southern coast of Malta. Here visitors can have a swim or visit the Blue Grotto and the surrounding coastline on a trip on the "dghajsa", a traditional Maltese fishing boat. The Blue Grotto is famous for the clarity of the water and the brilliant colours around the rocks and in the caves.

Across the Grand Harbour, to the south of Valletta, are the historic fortified towns of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, commonly referred to as the three cities of Cottonera. If you only have time for one of them, Vittoriosa is the one most worth a visit. Here you'll find Fort St Angelo, the Inquisitor's Palace, and the Vittoriosa waterfront, which was refurbished in the early 2000s to once again reach up to its former glory.

The sister island, Gozo, is well worth a visit on its own. Hire a car or book one-of-the-day jeep safari trips that are offered by multiple tour operators. Upon disembarking, you'll immediately notice the difference between the islands. Gozo has a more serene atmosphere and is packed with lush farms. While you're here, don't miss the Citadel in Victoria, the Saltpans, the Inland Sea, and the cliff where the Azure Window (formerly one of the most famous landmarks of Malta) once stood before its collapse in early 2017.

The Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni is a Neolithic subterranean structure, accidentally discovered in 1902. Over 500 square metres of chambers, halls, and passages date back to the period between 3600 and 2500 BC. To conserve the stone, precaution must be taken, and the number of visitors per day is therefore limited.

Just a short ride from St Julian's is the Mediterraneo Marine Park, a fun attraction for both children and adults. The park offers shows with sea lions and the chance to swim with dolphins. Snakes, turtles, frogs, and spiders — among others — also call the park home.

St John's Co-Cathedral is known as the home of knights and Grand Masters of Malta. The cathedral's golden, elaborate interior and Baroque exterior count as one of Europe's finest. The adjacent museum contains works of art, among which is "The Beheading of St John the Baptist" by Caravaggio.

Known simply as “The Manoel”, Teatru Manoel is a beautiful theatre and an important performing arts venue in Malta. It was named after António Manoel de Vilhena, Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller, who sponsored the construction, which was done in an incredibly short time span of 10 months.

Fort Rinella is a Victorian fort, built by the British to support Malta in the resistance against Italy. To make it extra safe, a 100-ton gun, designed to be the world's biggest, was placed at its entry (fortunately, never to be used). Do not miss the on-site museum to learn more about the military history of Malta.

The hidden Lascaris War Rooms were Malta's best-kept secret during World War II. British troops used the underground tunnels and chambers as their headquarters to coordinate their fight against the Axis powers. Pay a visit to this fascinating museum to gain deep historical insight into Malta's role in WWII.