Malta, Island nation in Mediterranean Sea, Malta.
Malta is an island nation in the central Mediterranean Sea composed of three inhabited islands covering 316 square kilometers, with limestone cliffs, sheltered harbors, and fortified settlements across the territory. The main island holds the capital Valletta and several historic towns, while Gozo offers rural landscapes and Comino features a protected lagoon, with terraced fields and ancient defensive walls marking much of the coastline.
Phoenician traders founded settlements in the eighth century BCE, and Roman rule followed from 218 BCE onward. Arab forces brought their language in 870 CE before Norman conquerors took control in 1091, then the Knights of St John governed from 1530 to 1798 and built Valletta, until British colonial rule began in 1800 and ended with independence in 1964.
Elaborate processions mark Good Friday each year, bringing together communities in traditional displays, while local feasts throughout summer honor patron saints with fireworks and brass bands. Traditional luzzu boats decorated with painted eyes line the harbors, and the cuisine here mixes Mediterranean ingredients with North African spices in dishes such as rabbit stew and honey rings.
The international airport sits ten kilometers south of Valletta and offers connections to European cities. Regular ferries run between the islands with the crossing to Gozo taking around 25 minutes, and summer months from June through September bring high temperatures, while spring and autumn provide milder weather for walking and exploring, with public buses linking all major towns and archaeological sites.
The local tongue evolved from North African Arabic with Sicilian, Italian, and English influences, and remains the only Semitic language written in Latin script. Around 520,000 people speak this language today, which gained European Union recognition when the country joined in 2004, with grammar preserving Arabic structures while vocabulary shows heavy borrowing from Romance languages.
Inception: September 21, 1964
Capital city: Valletta
Part of: European Union, European Economic Area
Shares border with: Italy
Website: http://gov.mt
GPS coordinates: 35.88860,14.44769
Latest update: December 4, 2025 17:20
Malta combines thousands of years of history with varied coastal landscapes across a compact island area of 122 square miles (316 square kilometers). The capital Valletta contains major structures including the Co-Cathedral of St. John with its Caravaggio paintings, the National Museum of Archaeology, and the 18th-century Manoel Theatre. The city displays baroque architecture and military installations from the Knights of Malta period. The Neolithic temple complexes rank among the world's oldest freestanding stone structures. Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra near Qrendi date from around 3600 to 3200 BC, while the Ġgantija temples on Gozo are even older. The Ħal-Saflieni Hypogeum in Paola is an underground necropolis with multiple chambers. The Tarxien temples show decorated stone blocks and reliefs. The coastline offers different formations: the Dingli Cliffs reach 830 feet (253 meters) in height, while the Blue Grotto near Qrendi features sea caves with turquoise water. The Blue Lagoon on Comino has shallow, clear water. Golden Bay near Mellieħa is a sandy beach. Fort Rinella in Kalkara preserves an 1884 Armstrong gun. The medieval town of Mdina and the Citadel in Victoria on Gozo display fortress architecture from different periods.
Malta contains numerous historical sites and natural landscapes away from the main tourist areas. The islands hold prehistoric temple complexes such as Skorba and Ta' Ħaġrat near Mġarr, Roman remains including the Roman Villa at Żejtun and ancient bath sites, and Ghar Dalam, a cave with Ice Age fossil deposits. The geological diversity appears at locations like Il-Maqluba, a natural sinkhole crater, and the Blue Grotto near Żurrieq, while coastal fortifications such as Mistra Battery and the Red Tower document the island's defensive heritage. Religious sites mark the rural areas, including the Chapel of Santa Marija Tal-Virtu in Rabat and the chapels of Qrendi. The Buskett Gardens and San Anton Gardens provide green spaces with historical significance, while Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park protects coastal habitats. Archaeological complexes like Tas-Silġ show layers of Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine settlement. The Victoria Lines near Rabat, an 18th-century defensive wall, and Fort Binġemma demonstrate military architecture from different periods. Gozo adds locations such as Mgarr ix-Xini, a sheltered inlet, and Il-Qolla l-Bajda Battery.
Malta offers a growing number of rooftop bars spread across its main island and smaller neighboring islands. These bars are located primarily atop hotels and restaurants, providing an elevated view of the Mediterranean landscape, historic towns, and sea. Options range from upscale hotel terraces to relaxed lounges, catering to different preferences. Some locations like Infinity by Hugo's and The Skyroom Cocktail Bar and Grill are situated in the island's tourist centers, while others such as Fontanella Tea Garden in Mdina or The Roof at Il-Ħaġar in Victoria, Gozo, provide a setting outside the capital area. Many of these establishments serve cocktails and international cuisine, including fusion concepts like Al Fresco Thai Fusion Restaurant or Temptasian Restaurant and Lounge 360. Most bars operate in the evening, though some offer daytime service. The elevation of terraces varies depending on the building and location. Bars like SkyBeach and Medusa Sky Bar cater to a younger crowd, while places such as The De Mondion within the fortified city of Mdina offer a quieter setting. Malta's rooftop scene continues to develop, adding another dimension to the archipelago's dining and nightlife landscape.
Megalithic Temples of Malta
24 km
Popeye Village
12.5 km
Ġgantija
23.9 km
Ħaġar Qim
6.8 km
Temple of Apollo
4 km
St. John's Co-Cathedral
6 km
Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni
5.7 km
Upper Barracca Gardens
5.9 km
Rotunda of Mosta
3.1 km
Villa Guardamangia
4.3 km
Fort Saint Elmo
6.6 km
Fort St Angelo
6.3 km
Mnajdra
7 km
Fort Ricasoli
7.1 km
Tarxien Temples
6.2 km
Grandmaster's Palace
6.1 km
Cittadella
25.7 km
Triton Fountain
5.5 km
Castellania
5.9 km
Blue Grotto
7.5 km
Fort Manoel
5.4 km
San Anton Palace
845 m
Ta' Pinu
28.5 km
St. Paul's Catacombs
4.6 km
Parliament House
5.7 km
Golden Beach
10.6 km
Auberge de Castille
5.8 km
Għar Dalam
9.3 kmReviews
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