Is Malta A Country Worth Visiting? (New 2021)

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Is Malta a country worth visiting? Is it one of the most underrated countries in the world?
Today I want to introduce you to a country that will surprise you.

This is a Mediterranean country packed with ancient ruins, Medieval cities, stunning coast, crystal clear water, and epic views! And lots of cars.

Can you guess what country I talking about? Well, since you clicked on this post, I’m guessing you already know that it’s Malta!

You see I’ve bet you’ve heard about Malta, but have never thought about visiting this isolated country on the Mediterranean Sea.

Sadly, Malta often gets overlooked because of its size.

These islands make up one of the tiniest countries in the world.

You could fit Malta into the United States over 30,443 times! And the entire population is under half a million.

But just because it’s small, doesn’t mean it doesn’t offer a lot of things for travelers! This small island country packs a big punch! In this blog post, we are going to answer if Malta is a country worth visiting! 

We going to dive into the Maltese islands and what they have to offer travelers. We’ll talk about the stunning capital city, the lively st Julian area, and even some world war ii history.

Is Malta A Country?

Is Malta part of Spain or Italy? A lot of people ask the question. And it is a fair question! But the answer is simple, no. 

Malta is its own independent country since 1964. Before that it wasn’t even part of Spain or Italy, rather it was part of the British Empire. It is a just one of the fun facts about Spain. That’s right Malta was once under the rule of the United Kingdom.

So now we know that Malta is a country! But is it worth visiting? We are about to get into that but first, where is Malta?

Where is Malta?

Malta is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of the island of Sicily, from which it is separated by the narrow Malta Channel. 

An archipelago comprising six islands, it is located roughly 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of the coast of Sicily and 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of Libya. 

With a population of just over 450,000 inhabitants, Malta is the world’s 10th smallest country the fourth-smallest European Union state.

Where is Malta on A Map

Located in Southern Europe, these islands are on the Mediterranean sea – just south of Italy and above north Africa.

Three major islands form the country of Malta. 

Now that we have talked about where is Malta. Let’s talk about the Islands. The main island is named, Malta Island – go figure. While the other two major islands Maltese islands are Gozo and Comino.

There are also some uninhabited islets like Kemmunett and Filfla. But since no one lives there they are often not counted when talking about how many islands make up the country.

Getting to Malta

Because Malta is remote, you might think it is a challenge to get there! But it’s really easy. Of course, the easiest way is to fly into the Malta International Airport. A lot of airlines serve this airport like Air Malta. But also budget airlines like Ryan Air and Wizz Air.

Meaning you can get cheap flights to Malta from almost anywhere in the European Union and the United Kingdom.

For example, my flight from Copenhagen to Malta was around $50 – Round Trip. How awesome is that!

There is also a ferry from Sicily, Italy to Malta, which takes around 45 minutes. But I haven’t taken this ferry so I can’t speak to the price or quality.

So now we know where Malta is located, and we know how to get to Malta. But let’s answer the big question! Is Malta a country worth visiting?

Is Malta a Country Worth Visiting?

Malta has 10 UNESCO world heritage sites! Including the Ggantija Temples in Gozo, that one of the oldest man-made structures in the world. Even predating Stonehenge and the pyramids.

There are 365 churches spread across the islands. That one church for every day of the year if you’re counting!

The Maltese people are famous for being nice! Everyone is smiling, friendly, and happy to talk! And everyone speaks English, more people than speak English in Italy !

Mdina

The Ancient Walled City of Mdina! One of the top tourist attractions in Malta. Travelers from all over the world come to Malta to walk these stony stony streets. And from the top of the medieval walls, you get some of the best views in the entire country.

Mdina, also known as the Silent City, is a fortified city in the center of medieval Malta. It served as Malta’s capital city from the medieval period to the 18th century, when Valletta was built. The city has an impressive fortification system that includes a large number of protective walls and double gates.

This stony city hosts some of the best views in the entire country!

Valletta

Valletta is Malta’s capital, built in the 16th century.

Built by the Knights of St John this is the 2nd smallest capital in Europe. But full of so much history that the entire city is a UNESCO site.

It has a rich history of war and conquest, starting as early as the 6th century and continuing until the 17th century. It was built by the Knights of Malta and was known as Città Notabile.

This means that Valletta has been accurately preserved in its original state, which is a rarity in Europe.

Because of this, tourists and locals alike can experience Valletta as it would have been in the 16th century.

Valletta, Malta – Named for Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Vallette, this historic city is built on barely-there hills above the Mediterranean Sea at the north of the island of Malta.

Three things you should know about Valletta:

1. The medieval city was founded by the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem in 1436.

2. The city’s main street is Republic Street, running almost its entire length as it connects Fort St. Elmo at its end to Valletta’s southern limit with Floriana.

3. There’s a reason why this charming Valletta neighborhood is called “The Strand.”

In 1635 Grandmaster La Vallette ordered the construction of Santa Sofia Church which is located in a square named after it: Pjazza San Ġwann (Saint John Square)

Valletta is the crowning jewel of Malta, and 100% worth visiting!

Things to see in Valletta

St Paul’s Cathedral Valletta 

St Paul’s Cathedral, Valletta is the cathedral church of Malta, located in the city of Valletta. 

It was built between 1574 and 1633 in Gardner’s style, an early Baroque style, and is one of the oldest buildings in Valletta. The cathedral is dedicated to the Conversion of Saint Paul.

About Malta’s Unesco World Heritage Site’s

The heritage sites in Malta can be traced back to prehistoric times. The early years of this country’s history were inhabited by the natives who were known as the “Malta Pedicle” or “Malta Society” (5200 B.C) The name of these people vanished before recorded history and the word “Phoenician” was used to describe them. 

Their existence has been proven because they have left behind some remnants like the megalithic temples and the Tarxien temples. 

These two archaeological sites are two of the most important sites in Malta which were built during the Neolithic Age (4000-3000BC). The Tarxien Temples are older than Hagar Qim Temples by 1000 years.

The five Tarxien Temples were dedicated to gods and goddesses. The Temples of Ggantija and Ħaġar Qim were dedicated to the female deities. 

Other than that, the Hagar Qim Temples were dedicated to the god of fertility and procreation, whereas Ggantija was dedicated to worshiping a god who presided over war.

But Malta is more than just old cities and ancient sites. It also has the best climate in the world! 

Malta Has the Best Climate in the World

The Mediterranean island of Malta has the best climate in the world, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

Malta’s warm but pleasantly non-stick climate is due to its location in the central Mediterranean basin and it’s being surrounded by land, rather than water.

The weather is characterized by long periods of sunlight and very few clouds, averaging 300 sunny days per year. The gentle breeze of the mediterranean sea, which reminds me of Italy Amalfi Coast, is a typical component of Malta’s weather. 

Since Malta is very close to the sea, it has high humidity (80%), but this usually doesn’t compromise the pleasant feeling, because temperatures are always cool (24-34°C).

 The summers never get too hot. And the winter never gets too cold! Plus, Mata has over 300 days a year!

It’s also miles of coastline, cliffs, and clear water. You have places like the Blue Grotto, the cliffs of, the blue lagoon, and more! 

Malta’s so beautiful that it has been used in movies and tv shows like Gladiator and World War Z, and the hit TV series Game Of Thrones.

Brief History of Malta

Malta is a country with a rich history and culture. It is also one of the few countries in the world which is almost entirely made up of greenery.

What are your ideas about it? Have you ever dreamed to travel to Europe? Would you like to explore Europe but do not know where to start?

Take a look at the following article to get information about the famous and most loved European places.

Malta is a country situated in Southern Europe, above South Africa, and consisting of an archipelago consisting of three islands. It is located in the Mediterranean region to the north of Libya and directly south of Sicily, 190 km from the coast of Tunisia.

Over centuries, Malta has been held by various nations: the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, and the British. 

The islands were ruled as a colony for over 400 years. They became independent in 1964.

In 1979 Malta became a republic. In 2004 it joined the European Union, together with nine other countries. The islands of Malta are listed by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as World Heritage Sites because they meet two criteria: they have outstanding universal value and they are on the list of World Heritage in Danger because they are vulnerable to human intervention.

More Questions About Malta Answered

What languages are spoken in malta?

The country has two official languages: The first official language of Maltese. And second, the official language is the English language. Maltese evolved from Siculo-Arabic which was introduced during the Norman colonization in the twelfth century AD. Because the English Language is so widely spoken it makes it an easy place to travel! 

What is the Population of Malta

Malta has a total population of about 419,809, and the conurbation (which includes the cities of Birgu, Bormla, and Valletta, with neighboring satellite towns) has a residency of over 465,000. Malta has ways for foreigners to earn residency through investment. So if you have the means you can become a Maltese Citizen.

Size of Malta

Malta, officially the Republic of Malta in Europe, is a tiny country spread over 316 sq km. With a population of about 450,000 people, it is one of the smallest nations in the world. The nation’s topography consists of an archipelago of little islands set amid crystal-clear blue seas with some mainland areas (notably in the south).

Do I need a Visa for Entry to Malta?

Entry requirements for Malta – Malta is a member of the Schengen Area, so there are no border controls on entering or exiting the country. You do not need a visa if you are staying in Malta for less than 3 months (this is the standard period given to most visitors) or if you are a citizen of an EU country.

You will need to show your passport at the airport and fill out a customs card on arrival.

European Union (EU) citizens can travel freely to Malta, but non-EU nationals must have a valid passport and national identity card and must have been given a visa application number by the embassy or consulate of one of these countries. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United States do not require a visa for stays of up to three months.

Persons from other countries should check with Maltese diplomatic missions to see if they require a visa.

If you plan on studying in Malta, or otherwise staying longer than three months, then you must register with the appropriate authorities within 14 days of arrival in the country. Failure to do so could result in fines and eventual deportation. For more about visa’s visit the official website or the Maltese government to see if you need a visa.

What Type of Government Does Malta Have?

Malta is a parliamentary republic with a president as its head of state. The current president is Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and her role is largely ceremonial. Preca was elected as president in April 2014, making her the second woman to hold the office and the first female to be re-elected. 

The Prime Minister, who is also the head of government, is chosen by the parliament in a secret ballot. The current Prime Minister is Joseph Muscat, who was sworn in on 11 March 2013. He is also the leader of the Labour Party that won over 60% of the popular vote in last year’s election.

The parliament is elected for a five-year term and sits for a maximum of 23 sittings, which are held once every four weeks during the year except for recess periods and one week before Malta’s EU presidency every July. The parliament has 68 members: 65 MPs and 3 MEPs, who are all elected by popular vote. Members of parliament represent electoral districts, which are single-seat constituencies, each one having an average population of 13,000.

Maltese elections are relatively complex as voters have two votes; one for an individual representing their local constituency and the other for a political party to be represented in parliament.

Religion and Malta

Malta’s population is predominantly Roman Catholic and Church attendance is compulsory. The Archbishop of Malta is appointed by the Pope. While maintaining its traditional religious observances, Malta has become increasingly secularized in recent years, and manifestations of religion are less apparent among the young than among the older generation.

Malta remains very conservative in terms of sexual ethics, although homosexuality was legalized in July 2017. Abortion is illegal. However, unmarried women are allowed to have an abortion if the pregnancy constitutes a danger to their life or health, or if the pregnancy results from rape or incest. In cases where these conditions are not satisfied and the woman does not wish to keep the child, adoption is an alternative solution.

Is Malta Safe to Travel?

Malta is relatively safe for travelers and serious crime is rare. Use common sense when walking around at night though: don’t take unnecessary risks and avoid walking alone on unlit streets if possible.

With so much going for it! 

It’s easy to see why the small country of Malta is becoming one of the world’s top tourist spots.