Malta: 10 reasons to fly to Europe's historic and cultural gem

Visit Malta

It's time to reacquaint yourself with Malta, the island nation in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea

It's time to reacquaint yourself with Malta, the island nation in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea – and the European destination you've been missing.

Malta is comprised of three separate islands with a land mass of 316km2. But despite its modest size Malta gives visitors a huge variety of exciting and unforgettable things to see and do.

From its gorgeous climate to its rugged, charismatic landscape; from the well-preserved architecture to perfect beaches; there are many reasons to visit Malta. Here, we look at 10 of them…

1 It never feels overcrowded

Malta's three inhabited islands are Malta, Gozo, Comino, home to just 420,000 people. To put that into perspective, that's almost 100,000 less than the UK's city of Manchester. Despite the more relaxed atmosphere, Malta still offers a wide range of entertainment and nightlife to add a slice of excitement to your holiday.

2 Valletta's architecture is otherworldly

You'll be hard pressed taking a bad photo of this fortress city's many amazing structures, such as the beautiful Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other stunning buildings include the Grand Masters' Palace (completed 1571) and the Parliament House (completed 2015).

3 Plus, its cultural clout is on the up

The country's city break credentials were underlined with the announcement that Valletta is to be the European Capital of Culture in 2018. Top museums include the Malta Aviation Museum, National Museum of Archeology and the National Museum of Fine Arts.

4 The islands' beaches are world-renowned

Malta has a variety of stunning beaches, both sandy and rocky, and all are luxuriously clean, just like the crystal clear waters that lap them. The most popular are Mellieħa Bay, Għajn Tuffieħa and Golden Bay.

5 It's a hot spot for outdoor enthusiasts…

With its rugged, rocky terrain and amazing bays, Malta has long been celebrated as an ideal location for hiking, cycling, climbing, canoeing, windsurfing and much more.

6 And it's great for diving

Malta was awarded 3rd place at the DIVER awards 2015 in the Destination of the Year category.

7 The weather is always temperate

When it comes to year-round agreeable weather, there are only a handful of European destinations you can rely on. The warmest month is July, when temperatures average 27°C; the coldest is January, with a perfectly pleasant average of 13°C.

8 The local food is fabulously unique

Maltese cuisine is arguably Mediterranean with a twist; a result of the multiple civilisations that have occupied the islands in the past. Local delicacies include Lampuki Pie (fish pie), rabbit stew, Bragioli (beef olives), and Kapunata, (a Maltese ratatouille). There are also numerous specialty restaurants and wineries.

9 Malta is very LGBTI-friendly

The country legalised civil unions in 2014 and Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this year he is in favor of gay marriage and feels it's time for a debate on the matter; last year it ranked first in ILGA-Europe's 'rainbow map' of LGBTIQ rights.

10 And the nightlife is fantastic

Head to Paceville in St. Julian's for Malta's year-round nightclubbing and bar district. The action really takes off over summer, with a host of major gigs and festivals taking place, including Malta Pride from 4-12 June.

For more information about Malta, head to visitMalta.com.

Source: Malta: 10 reasons to fly to Europe's historic and cultural gem