Malta  is an island in the Mediterranean Sea that lies south of the island of Sicily, Italy.  Although small, Malta has a long and rich history, with evidence for habitation going back to the Neolithic era (4th millennium B.C.). The country boasts some of the world's most ancient standing buildings (the Neolithic temples), and its strategic location and good harbours in the middle of the Mediterannean have attracted Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Crusaders, the French and finally the British, with the colonial period lasting until 1964.

The official languages are Maltese and English. Italian is widely understood and spoken. Some people have basic French, but few people can speak fluent French in Malta. Getting around with English or Italian is very much possible.

Best places to visit

The ancient capital of Mdina, also known as the Silent City, is a tourists favourite. Surrounded by the scenic town of Rabat, this fortress is one of Malta's finest jewels, boasting architecture, history and some good restaurants with a panoramic view.   One will also find the Malta dungeons which is a fun experience and The Malta experience which is a  documentary which takes you back in time. Valletta is similar in that it boasts a rich history, only being the modern capital, it is very much alive and much more modern, serving as both a shopping area during the day and offering an array of museums and cultural sites. A must to visit is St John's Co-Cathedral, built by one of the earlier Grandmasters and contains Caravaggio paintings, tapestries and various relics of immense value to the Maltese heritage.  

Currently there are also plans to change the main entrance to the city.  The City Gate will be replaced by an eight-metre wide breach in the bastions, according to Renzo Piano's new plans.  The Opera House which was damaged during the war will become an open air theatre incorporating the old ruins, and it will also serve as a piazza.

If one wants to experience the more traditional life of the maltese citizens one must also visit the south of Malta. Some of the island's finest churches lie in the south. The many churches of Malta are testaments to the style and design of their times. Many towns in the north were stripped of their culture due to rapid urbanisation, but this has been felt less in the south of Malta. However, the south is less tourist friendly, quite more residential and highly densely populated.

Malta's megalithic temples are some of the oldest in the world such as Hagar Qim which is one of the oldest religious temples in the world.  On the other hand, Sliema and St. Julians are very tourist friendly where one will find lots of hotels, restaurants and bars.  Here one will find  a vibrant nightlife.

Other towns/villages

• St. Paul's Bay -  This town is one of tourists favourites where one will find lots of hotels especially in Bugibba and Qawra along the coastline.
  
• Mellieha - A tourist favourite full of restaurant, bars and hotels where one will find the biggest sandy beach of the island known as Ghadira Bay. This is located to the very north of Malta close to the harbour where one can travel to Gozo.
  
• Golden Bay - One of Malta's most beautiful sandy beaches, on the northwest coast of the island.
• Għajn Tuffieha -  This is situated just behind Golden Bay. Just as beautiful, but less crowded during the high season.
• Blue Grotto - A series of seven caves and inlets on the southern side of Malta famous for deep blue waters and spectacular natural rock formations. The Blue Grotto may be accessed by small traditional boats, guided by Maltese guides, which leave from a well-signposted pier just off the main road along the south coast.
• St.Thomas Bay - This is situated 1km beyond Marsascala.  There are 2 small sandy beaches ideal for swimming in summer. In the area one can find very high, white cliffs and deep caves.  This area is also very popular for fishing.
  

What to do

Nightlife

The main Maltese night life district is Paceville, just north of St.Julians.  Young Maltese come from all over the island, hence it gets very busy here, especially on weekends.  Almost all the bars and clubs have free entry so you can wander from venue to venue until you find something that suits you. The bustling atmosphere, cheap drinks and lack of cover charges makes Paceville well worth a visit.  You will only find one or 2 clubs which charge an entrace free.  The nightlife crowd becomes slightly older after about midnight, when most of the youngsters catch buses back to their respective towns. Paceville is still going strong until the early hours of the morning, especially on the weekends.  One will find lots to taxis waiting at any time of the night but the public transport system although operative is not very frequent.