The picturesque Maltese islands of Malta, Gozo & Comino are located in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea and are famous for their record days of sunshine, wealth of historical attractions, colourful fiestas, legendary hospitality, and fabulous churches.

The waters around Malta are widely regarded to be among the clearest in the Mediterranean, and with a breathtaking array of fish and coral, are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving; around on Malta you will find almost every imaginable water sport from windsurfing to paragliding to water-skiing.  

Malta is also known for its breathtaking scenery. The colours are striking – honey-hued stone against the deepest Mediterranean blue. The climate in Malta makes it one of the few destinations where rear-round cruising is a reality.

Currently, Malta is undergoing a significant development programme that includes new hotels, pedestrianised walkways and a new harbour bridge.

Back to top

Getting Here

Grand Harbour Marina is only 15 minutes from Malta International Airport.  There are direct flights to Malta from most major European cities. (There are also facilities for chartered and private jets.) The following airlines run scheduled flights to Malta:
Air Malta                Tuninter
Ryanair                  Emirates
British Airways        Air France
Lufthansa               KLM
Alitalia                   Libyan Arab
SN Brussels

Access by Sea

Grand Harbour is easily navigable by sea, but please check the pilotage notes on contacting Valletta Port Control and Grand Harbour Marina prior to arrival.

There are regular ferry services between Malta and Genoa, Salerno and Tunisia, as well as a high-speed ferry link with Sicily.

Back to top

Cruising

The Maltese Archipelago – comprising Malta, Gozo and Comino, offers beautiful anchorages for day excursions; Comino’s Blue Lagoon is a popular destination for visitors and makes an ideal spot for an overnight stay.

Around Malta's coastline you will find sandy beaches in the appropriately named Golden Bay, as well as at Mellieha and Gneja. St Paul's Bay offers views of the island on which the Apostle is said to have been shipwrecked. Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village and one of Malta’s most picturesque seaside locations.

The Blue Grotto is actually a number of sea caverns on the southern coast of Malta, west of the Wied iz-Zurrieq harbour. It is located right across from the small, uninhabited island of Filfla. The Grotto can only be reached by sea either on a motorboat or a rowing boat.

In the morning, the  location of the cave combined with the angle of the sunlight lead to the water acting as a mirror, showing numerous shades of blue. Several reflect the brilliant phosphorescent colours of the underwater flora; other caverns show a deep dark shade of blue.

Gozo, the legendary Calypso's Isle of the Odyssey, is steeped in myth. A peaceful island with landscape and spectacular coastline, it has some of the Mediterranean's finest dive spots. Other highlights include Gozo’s Xlendi, Dwejra and Marsalforn. The Azure Window is a natural arch featuring a table-like rock over the sea. It is situated near two other famous natural landmarks - the Inland Sea, and Dwejra Bay.

Named after the cumin seed that once flourished in the Maltese islands, Comino is noted for its tranquillity and isolation, and has a permanent population of only four residents. Today, Comino is a bird sanctuary and nature reserve.

Sicily (58NM), Sardinia and Corsica, are within easy reach while Greece’s Ionian islands and the rugged, mountainous coastline of the Peloponnese are only a few days’ passage away for most yachts (280NM).

Back to top

Activities

Malta is home to one of the oldest golf courses outside the UK – the Royal Malta Golf Club; around Valletta there are numerous tennis clubs, squash courts, cricket and rugby clubs. Many of the larger hotels have gyms and spas.

Watersports are, of course, central to Malta’s attractions, and there are countless opportunities for scuba diving, water skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing and sailing. Equipment is available to rent on most beaches, and larger boats can be chartered from several locations. Visitors to the Mediterraneo Marine Park on the north coast can even swim with dolphins and watch them perform.

Malta is a favourite destination for rock climbers - the rugged coastline has many magnificent sea cliffs that provide challenging terrain for novices and experts.

For the younger visitor, Malta’s attractions include the Popeye Village Fun Park (aka Sweethaven Village), the Splash & Fun Park at White Rocks, which boasts the highest and longest water chutes in this part of the Med, the LWS Animal Park in Marsascala, and toy-maker Playmobil’s state-of-the-art fun park at Hal Far.

For more information on activities and attractions available on the island of Malta, take a look at Visit Malta.

Back to top

Eating Out

Within Vittoriosa’s narrow streets, situated in a restored 18th century cellar is the fashionable Del Bongo Restaurant and Wine Bar.  Also, Il Forn and Trattoria Boccaccio are both within close proximity and offer Maltese food in a unique atmosphere.

For more information on dining out in Malta try the Visit Malta website.

Visitors to Grand Harbour Marina will find a fantastic selection of restaurants and bars on the waterfront catering for every taste from traditional Maltese food to international cuisine.

Overlooking the marina and Valletta, the Casino di Venezia has an open air, rooftop restaurant, offering a menu consisting mainly of fresh fish and Mediterranean delicacies.  Scamps Wine Bar is on the ground floor and offers a variety of wines and cocktails.

For those looking for a relaxed crew bar, visit dCentre ("The Blue Doors"), which hosts plenty of events to entertain throughout the year. Cafe Brazil, The Olde City Pub and other local bars within the area also provide light meals.

Back to top

Shopping

Vittoriosa’s nearby shops (close to Grand Harbour Marina) provide all the essentials required by yachtsmen and women.  There is also a growing number of international boutiques to browse.

Slightly further afield, Valletta holds Malta’s prime shopping district, centred on the 2km long Republic Street, which is particularly famous for its many jewellers. The whole area is abuzz from 8am to noon and from 4pm to 8pm, with siesta time intervening.

Elsewhere, the expansive Bay Street shopping centre in Malta’s Paceville covers three floors and houses shops, cafes and bars.  Similarly the Plaza Mall is in the centre of Sliema and the Portomaso complex is near the Portomaso Tower in Paceville.  This is a little further from Grand Harbour Marina, and requires a taxi or bus.

Gozo Glass is produced on the island of Gozo but sold in many shops throughout Malta. These silky, swirly and opaque glass creations use centuries of artistic skills passed from one artisan to another.

Filigree silver is handcrafted jewellery made of fine silver wire in the Maltese tradition, which dates back to the time of the Knights and has been passed down through generations of goldsmiths and jewellers. Filigree is the art of creating intricate jewellery pieces using precious metal threads, such as silver and gold.

Back to top

Places of Interest

The island is rich in history, having served as a maritime "crossroads" for centuries, and has been an object of desire for all major civilisations and powers, who have striven to occupy it from ancient times right up to the twentieth century, when the courage of its inhabitants won for the island the George Cross, the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom.

In Malta one is spoiled for choice when it comes to visiting museums and heritage sites. These range from art, military, maritime, crafts and folklore museums as well as churches, palaces, gardens and archaeological sites. Visiting museums and such sites is one of the best ways to better understand the islands’ history and way of life throughout the years.

St. John’s Co-Cathedral is historically and artistically one of the most important monuments of the islands. The "Beheading of St John the Baptist" by Caravaggio can be seen in the Oratory, as well as a set of 28 Flemish tapestries woven in Brussels.

The Grand Master’s Palace is half way down Republic Street. It has two lovely courtyards, and the armoury of the Knights, where arms and armour of various periods are displayed. In the Tapestry Chamber are the priceless Gobelin tapestries.

The National War museum It Is located in Fort St. Elmo, Valletta. The fort itself played a significant part in the Great Siege of 1565 as well as against an Italian E-boat attack in 1941. The museum has exhibits relating mostly to World War II, including weapons, uniforms and war vehicles.  

St Paul Shipwrecked Church Is a “hidden gem” and not to be missed. Entrance is through St Lucia Street or St Paul Street.

Bastions are the most prominent of Maltese architecture. The main ingredient used is a soft limestone. Mile upon mile of fortified curtains and bastions rise solidly from the ground and seem an integral part of the scene.

For a memorable view of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities go to the upper Barracca, or the lower Barracca Gardens with its well-known monument to Sir Alexander Ball. Hastings Gardens are set on the bastions overlooking Floriana. The Argotti Botanical Gardens are also worth a visit, as are the historical Sa Maison Gardens. Near Verdala Palace, outside Rabat, are the Buskett Gardens.

The Maritime museum was once a bakery belonging to the Royal Navy, and highlights the most important moments of Malta’s maritime history. Exhibits include two ceremonial barges several models of sailing ships and galleys of the Order, as well as a number of authentic guns and cannons.

Fort St Angelo at Vittoriosa, built around the 21st century AD, was enlarged and strengthened by the Knights who made it their headquarters. The Grand Master refashioned the residence to serve as his Magisterial Palace.
 
Mdina is the ancient capital of Malta and is a typical medieval town situated in the centre of the island. The “silent city” as it is known, commands a magnificent view of the island.

Back to top