Nine reasons why Malta should be your next holiday destination
Sun-filled getaway or action-packed family adventure? A little bit of luxury or an inspiring cultural break?
When it comes to planning the perfect holiday, the answer is closer than you might think.
Just three hours from the UK and with direct flights from 18 regional airports, Malta is the year-round Mediterranean destination that truly delivers.
And with over 300 days of sunshine a year, some of the best beaches to be found anywhere in Europe and a calendar full of world-class festivals and events, it's no wonder even those who return to this ancient archipelago say, 'There's always more to explore.'
Lying just off the coast of Sicily, Malta enjoys a location in the heart of the Mediterranean. With around 200km of dazzling coastline, it's also home to no fewer than 12 Blue Flag beaches, meaning you'll never have to travel far to find a picture-perfect place to roll out your beach towel.
The 800m-long Mellieħa Bay on Malta's northwest coast is perfect for families and watersports enthusiasts, while those looking for an inviting cove to snooze the afternoon away should head to Għajn Tuffieħa Bay. Quite simply, there's a stretch of sand for almost every type of holidaymaker.
And with Europe's warmest average temperatures, mild winter weather and over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, beach visits are always an option, whenever you visit.
Malta's fascinating history has made the archipelago something of a living museum, with ancient temples, time-stamped alleyways and Medieval fortresses waiting to be explored.
A more modern curiosity is the iconic red telephone boxes scattered around the islands, among the few reminders of British governance.
The entire capital of Valletta, built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century, has been designated a Unesco World Heritage Site. And the 'Silent City'of Mdina – car-free and home to just 240 residents – is the perfect place to discover thousands of years of history.
Head to St John's Co-Cathedral to marvel at the glittering gold interior and Caravaggio's masterpiece, The Beheading of John the Baptist. At more than 5m wide, it was the largest painting he ever produced.
And don't miss the chance to wander through the ruins of the jaw-dropping Ħal-Saflieni Hypogeum (book well in advance for this) and the Megalithic temple complex at Ġgantija in Gozo.
Malta has a reputation as one of the best diving destinations in Europe.
It has more than 120 underwater sites to explore, including shipwrecks, the remains of a WWII submarine, and breathtaking reefs.
Offering a wide choice of shore and boat dives, there's something to suit divers of all abilities, and anyone over age 10 can attain recognised diving qualifications.
Malta enjoys a packed cultural calendar full of festivals, exhibitions and local celebrations. Even international artists come to get in on the action.
The village festas season runs from May to September, and sees local communities host public feasts and lavish fireworks displays to celebrate patron saints.
Drop in for the Isle of MTV Malta Music Festival, Europe's biggest free music festival which takes place in June or July. Come in October and experience Notte Bianca, when Valletta's streets, piazzas, churches, palaces and museums are transformed into venues for free live performances and concerts.
In December, the island becomes a magical wonderland full of festive events, with children's workshops, dance performances and enchanting Christmas lights illuminating Valletta's streets.
Even if you haven't visited Malta before, it may feel familiar thanks to the starring role the islands have played in some of Hollywood's biggest movies.
Valletta doubled as ancient Rome in Ridley Scott's Gladiator, and Mdina became King's Landing in Game of Thrones. The islands also provided the backdrop for Brad Pitt blockbusters Troy and World War Z.
With no fewer than seven Michelin-starred restaurants, Malta has earned a reputation as a gastronomic capital.
The local cuisine is a delicious mix of Arabic, Mediterranean, French and British influences, with fresh seafood on almost every menu.
Traditional dishes include rustic pastizzi – flaky filo-style pastry filled with ricotta or mushy peas – and hearty stews and pies.
You can learn about traditional brewing methods at the Farsons Brewery in Birkirkara, and discover award-winning Maltese wines, rarely exported outside the islands.
Fancy swerving the sun lounger and getting the pulse racing instead? Malta is a thrill-seeker's paradise.
Locals call this place 'The Rock'' because of the steep coastal cliffs, deep-cut valleys and high ridges that delight climbers.
More than 50 hiking and cycling trails across Malta, Gozo, and Camino take you along the cliffs, down country lanes and through picturesque villages.
Or tackle the Xterra Gozo Trail Run, which follows a coast-hugging 50km path that takes you right around the island.
Perhaps a spot of stand-up paddleboard meditation, an outdoor gym session or some clifftop yoga is for you.
Malta offers some of the world's most idyllic natural beauty spots to rejuvenate in, as well as top-class spas with indoor pools, saunas, hammam baths and steam rooms.
You could easily build a trip dedicated entirely to wellness, or just pop into one of the island's luxury hotels for a pampering session between all the adventuring and outdoor activities.
Malta has a growing number of eco-certified hotels – from three to five stars – across the island.
Look for the green leaf symbol when booking your accommodation: the official mark to show that the hotel is environmentally friendly and has been certified by the Malta Tourism Authority.
It means that the hotel has committed to initiatives including energy efficiency, waste reduction and sustainable sourcing, with restaurants focusing on local produce.
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3 hours ago
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Exactly what long car journeys do to your body
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Tiredness It's common for passengers to nod off on long journeys, but obviously, it is extremely dangerous if the driver succumbs to drowsiness – between 10 and 20 per cent of all crashes are caused by fatigue. 'For the driver, tiredness will eventually kick in,' says Prof Charles Spence, an experimental psychologist at the University of Oxford, who researches car design and how it affects driving. Studies suggest that, beyond just the mental effort of driving, driving can induce sleepiness within 15 minutes due to the natural vibrations of car seats, while the white noise made by the engine, wheels and passing cars is also thought to play a role. 'Several car companies' idea of success in recent years was to design car interiors such that when commuters got home at the end of day, they would just sit in the driveway because the multisensory environment was so comfortable,' Prof Spence says. 'Ultimate comfort might not be ideal for keeping a driver on a long journey in peak state of arousal or alertness.' How to prevent it 'Opening a window to get some fresh air can help,' Prof Spence says. 'But ultimately, presumably, the thing to do is take a break.' Some cars now come with driver drowsiness detection, which makes a loud noise or causes the wheel to vibrate when it senses – by analysing speed, time of day and weather – a driver might be becoming tired. 'Cars can monitor drivers nowadays, but an urgent alert sound may be too unpleasant,' Spence says. Getting enough sleep the night before a long journey is also key. Research shows that drivers who get less than five hours of sleep are just as likely to crash as if they were over the legal limit for alcohol. Motion sickness During a long car journey, around one in three of us will experience the symptoms of motion sickness to some degree, from mild nausea to vomiting that forces us to pull over. It's thought that motion sickness is a result of a sensory mismatch between the movement the body is experiencing (sensed by the inner ear) and the movement that we're seeing (logged by our eyes), explains John Golding, professor of applied psychology at the University of Westminster, who has previously worked with RAF pilots and sailors in the navy to desensitise them to motion sickness. Experts believe the resulting unpleasant symptoms occur because the body believes that this sensory mismatch is a sign that it has been poisoned, he explains. 'In response, the brain tells the stomach to stop moving its contents further through the gut (a protective reflex called gastric stasis) because, according to this poison detector theory, that would be preventing any further poison from being absorbed,' he says. While some people never suffer from queasiness in the car, others reach for a plastic bag on every long car journey. This is a result of an accumulation of risk factors, Prof Golding says. Women are more susceptible than men, as are people who suffer from migraines, and there is a genetic element as well, with research showing that there are 35 genetic markers that contribute to motion sickness. Age is also a factor, with children between eight and 10 most likely to suffer. 'Drivers hardly ever become sick because the car becomes an extension of their body and they control the motions of the car as they steer into curves or brake or accelerate,' Prof Golding notes. 'But for the poor passenger, they're not in control.' How to prevent it 'There are three basic approaches,' Prof Golding explains. The first is to expose yourself enough times so you get used to the sensation – an approach used to desensitise RAF pilots, he says. 'However, that's time-consuming, and if you're not frequently making long car journeys, this might not be the best option for you,' he notes. Another approach is to try behaviours that limit the severity of motion sickness, such as sitting in the front passenger seat and focusing on the road ahead to anticipate the movement, which reduces sensory mismatch, he explains. 'Sitting in the back seat and looking out at flashing scenery as you drive by is no good,' he notes. Some turn to acupressure travel bands (wrist bands with a plastic button attached, which is placed over the centre of the wrist). 'Trials show that they work as well as a placebo, but the placebo effect can be wonderful, so they really do work for some people,' he says. Avoiding looking at your phone, reading a book or moving your head around too much, as this will only worsen the sensory mismatch, Prof Golding says. The third option is anti-sickness drugs. These include hyoscine hydrobromide (sold under brand names including Kwells) and cinnarizine (branded as Stugeron). These work by preventing symptoms and typically need to be taken an hour before you get in the car, Prof Golding notes. 'There's no point in taking it once you start to feel even slightly queasy, as at this point, gastric stasis has already occurred, so you won't be able to absorb it,' he notes. Some companies are developing devices that they hope will target motion sickness. One example is Apple's 'vehicle motion cues', which allows iPhone users to have six static dots on their screen, which, once a person is in a moving car, shift in the direction of travel in a bid to reduce motion sickness. 'It does not provide any anticipation of the motion – it is not a 'warning cue',' Prof Golding notes. 'I would have doubts about the usefulness of this phone software. Especially because it is making the passenger concentrate on looking at the screen. We know that reading, looking down at mobile device screens, tends to exacerbate motion sickness.' It might help some people but will likely make things worse for most, he adds. Gut discomfort Long journeys in the car disrupt our usual routines, throwing our activity levels and eating habits out of whack, which has a knock-on effect on how our gut is feeling. 'People often drink less water when travelling, snack at odd times and disrupt their normal bathroom habits,' notes Dr Emily Leeming, a microbiome scientist and dietitian. This isn't helped by the food available at petrol stations and motorway services, which is often ultra-processed convenience food. Additionally, sitting for long periods of time can slow down gut motility for some people, which are the wave-like muscle contractions that move food and waste through your gut, she notes. Each of these factors contributes to sluggishness and can lead to bloating, wind and constipation, Dr Leeming notes. 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UK abandoned wartime village frozen in time where empty terrace houses sit
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7 hours ago
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Drake fans can see the star with VIP access through one website
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