by Edward Penza

The Mediterranean island of Malta is one of the major tourist destinations for many West-European countries and is gaining popularity outside of Europe as well.

About Malta

Malta is a small island state, with a population of around 400,000. The country’s official languages are Maltese and also English, which is a language most Maltese speak as a result of a period of British rule that ended in 1964. The Maltese are known as friendly (but temperamental) people and are renowned for their hospitality. The vast majority of the Maltese are Catholic and the Church plays an important role in Maltese culture.

Being one of the latest additions to the European Union, Malta is quickly developing into a top tourist resort and is competing with other South-European destinations for a larger share of tourists who seek out a holiday in the Mediterranean. Tourism is one of the main pillars of the Maltese economy and the island nation depends heavily on this sector. While investments are made to promote Malta in the rest of Europe, no single advertising slogan can bring across the benefit Malta offers over other Mediterranean destinations.

Accommodations: Plenty of choices

So what benefits are we talking about here? For starters, the various types of accommodations offered in Malta are suitable for different budgets and holiday experiences. There is an abundance of 3 and 4-star hotels that are ideal for family holidays, of good quality at very reasonable package prices. For travelers who prefer luxury there are several high-class hotels available in Malta, such as The Hilton hotel and Radisson hotels in St. Julian’s and Golden Bay. Lastly, for adventure travelers there are plenty of choices for lodgings available that are ideal for overnight stays and excellent for budget travel.

Accommodation tips: For family holidays, consider Karanne Aparthotel in St. Paul’s Bay. It is a respectable hotel that has reasonable package prices and offer self-catering hotel rooms. For high quality accommodations, the Radisson Golden Sands Hotel at Golden Bay is highly recommended. It’s one of the latest additions to Malta’s high superior hotels and overlooks one of the most idyllic bays the island has to offer.

Malta’s beaches

Malta offers a myriad of sandy beaches that are clean, family friendly and easy to reach. Each one offers a unique Maltese ambiance. Forget long stretches of flat beach and dunes rather enjoy the amazing views that most beaches in Malta offer. Most bays are surrounded by hillsides, with steep towering cliffs splendor can’t even describe the beautiful sight while floating around in the summer sun.

Beach tips: Ghadira (pronounce: Adeera) is the largest sandy beach in Malta it is situated in the Northern part of the island, near the town of Mellieha. The beach is shallow and makes an ideal outing for the family. The best tip to offer is to ask the locals about the more secluded beaches. They might be a little more difficult to reach, but less popular amongst fellow tourists, therefore being more intimate. Ask for directions to be rewarded with a view of some of the most exotic beaches around.

A unique destination

Finally, one benefit that is unique to Malta is the fact that nowhere in the world is there such a high concentration of historical and culturally significant places of interest. Fascinating sites are found lying literally minutes away from each other. They offer a unique experience and impressions of ancient days gone by. Malta is soaked in history and shows various traces of different cultures. Different rulers of this little country introduced these lifelines of historic value to the Maltese over the ages.

Sightseeing tips: A visit to the capital city of Valletta should not be missed! The city literally etched into the commanding cliffs overlooking the ancient harbor will leave you breathless. As you enter through the city gates, Republic Street stretches out in front of you and its side streets are pathways to several historical sites and buildings. Look for The Malta Experience, the Upper Barrakka and Fort St. Elmo. Another must see site is Mdina, the former capital city, which is surrounded by bastions and has a unique and romantic medieval ambiance that is hard to forget. Stepping into Mdina is almost like going back into time and recent renovations have given the village back the splendour. Walking the antiquated streets offers an extraordinary experience not to be missed. The city is not just for those who are interested in cultural trips; there are fun boutique shops to explore and tantalizing restaurants to try out. Finally, the site of the Neolithic temples at Hagar Qim is another alluring place to visit. The Hagar Qim temples are the oldest freestanding structures in the world and you’ll get a unique view of how the early inhabitants of these islands lived, what their culture was like and how religion was a very important part of their life.

For more information about Malta, visit his Malta travel guide. Find out more about Malta, Maltese people, Maltese culture and various places of interest. The site also offers a selection of articles that give you a great impression of what Malta has to offer.

Use these links to find out more about:

Malta Language schools
Malta English school in malta
Malta English courses