10 Best Ways to Explore This Historic Mediterranean Country
Malta is a small archipelago located in the Mediterranean, between Africa and Italy, and consists of some of the most sought after attractions in the world.
The area today known as Malta was inhabited for the first time almost 8,000 years ago and throughout its history, it was inhabited by several civilizations that started from a civilization that, at its peak, built the Megalithic Temples that today are considered to be some from the oldest in the world. The subsequent civilizations that entered the Islands included Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Spanish, French and English among others.
In Malta, the first thing to notice is its unique architecture and this is, without a doubt, a product of influences from the various civilizations that have encountered it. With such a unique history, there are many things one can do in this country but travelers who want to get the best experience should start with these amazing adventures.
10 Visit The Megalithic Temples
The Megalithic Temples of Malta are among the oldest free standing structures in the world as they were built between 3600 BC and 2500 BC.
Even Stonehenge in the United Kingdom and the Great Pyramids in Egypt do not compare in age with these stunning sites.
The temples have been named UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and contain stone doors, statues, and even furniture.
9 Walk Through Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta and a great place to see the history, culture and architecture of the island country. The city has been awarded the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great way to explore it is by walking the streets as the city is quite small.
While you’re there, be sure to try some delicious dishes and drinks, enjoy views of the Baroque style architecture, and also learn about its history from the various museums around the city.
8 Go Scuba Diving
The rich marine life and the abundance of wrecks in the waters around Malta have made it one of the best diving sites in the world.
The Blue Hole, one of the best diving sites in the country, is characterized by impressive caves and arches that contain creatures such as octopuses, lobsters, and parrots.
The dives here are perfect for beginners and advanced divers and there are many diving schools ready to introduce people to the world of diving.
With so many dive sites, it can be difficult to choose a site but some interesting ones to consider are the Blue Lagoon of Kemmuna, the Caves of Santa Maria, and Cirkewwa, which has a large collection of several dive sites teeming with marine life.
7 Take a tour of Port Il Kbir and Port Marsamxett
A cruise is a must do on such an Island as it is a great way to see the islands from the waters.
One way to get this experience is by joining a large harbor and Marsamxett tour, which will take visitors out into the scenic waters and introduce them to the stunning historical sites and impressive architecture of the islands.
6 Check out the Catacombs
The Catacombs under Malta are archaeological evidence of the country’s Roman/Byzantine era and there are many of these unique creations all over the islands.
The Catacombs of St. Paul are some of the most popular catacombs worth checking out. These catacombs cover an area of more than 2,000 square meters and are characterized by passages made of rock and several Burial Chambers where Christians, Muslims, and Jews were buried together.
While these catacombs have interesting architecture, the fact that all people regardless of their religion were buried here is proof that Malta has long been a place of extraordinary diversity.
5 Relax On A Beach
There is something for all types of travelers in Malta and those wanting a beach adventure have plenty of places to choose from.
Whether one loves sandy beaches with crystal clear waters or beaches with rocky shores and turquoise waters, Malta is blessed with so much coastline to satisfy beach lovers.
Many of the beaches are even good for swimming, snorkeling, and watching the sunset. Some beaches also have ships positioned on the shores to offer visitors some exciting cruise adventures.
4 Explore Mdina
Mdina is also known as the silent city of Malta, and is worth seeing because it has many interesting attractions.
This city was the capital of the island from Classical Antiquity to the Middle Ages. An interesting feature about this city is that it is built into walls. This feature makes it one of the best examples of walled cities built in ancient times.
In the city there are several buildings depicting Medieval and Baroque architecture. When visiting this city, one can check out the impressive architecture or learn some natural history at the Natural History Museum.
Those who visit this island can also see the Cathedral of Saint Paul dedicated to Paul the Apostle whose visit to the Island of Malta is found in Acts 28:1 in the Hebrew Bible.
3 Eat The Food
Exploring the unique architecture and numerous archaeological sites can be a great way to explore this Mediterranean country, but a visit to Malta is not complete without tasting its main dishes.
Malta’s cuisine is unique and contains elements from the various cultures that have come around the islands.
Food in the country typically includes seafood and fruit, and there are many snacks that travelers can try. Meat also features a lot in Maltese cuisine, especially pork.
One can start this delicious adventure by checking out the Rabbit Stew which is considered the national dish.
Rabbit Stew is rich in tomatoes, and also rich in red wine as well as vegetables and herbs. Besides the traditional dishes, there is also a wide variety of street food worth checking out.
2 Enjoy Some Adventures In The Blue Cave
Malta is not all about historical sites and impressive architecture. It is also a great place to enjoy some exciting adventures like cliff jumping, diving, and cruising.
All these experiences and more can be enjoyed in Blue Grotto, a group of several sea caves in the south-east of Malta.
While there are many adventures to be enjoyed here, the unique blue color of the water here is enough to make this experience unforgettable.
1 Spending Time In Gozo
Gozo is one of the most popular islands in Malta that is worth visiting. The island is the second largest in the Maltese archipelago and its features include unique natural attractions, impressive cathedrals, and several beautiful beaches.
Victoria, a city on the island, is a great place to visit to see the impressive cathedrals and interesting archaeological remains.
While exploring this island, see the Giant temples, enjoy some wine and food, relax at the picturesque Ramla Beach, and end the day by exploring the island’s relaxing nightlife.