The island state of Malta lies at the intersection of the sea routes of Europe, Africa and Asia. If Italy on the map resembles a woman's boot, then the geographical contours of Malta's closest neighbor are represented as an elegant footprint from the boot of its many guests and conquerors who have ever set foot on this blessed land. Since ancient times, several miniature islands have served as a safe haven for travelers, merchants and emigrants who roamed the sea. Even the famous pilgrim Odysseus enjoyed the hospitality of the local nymph Calypso for seven long years. By the way, in translation from the ancient language of the eternal wanderers of the Phoenicians, Malta is a refuge.
Warm waters Mediterranean Sea wash the Maltese archipelago from all sides. The territory is occupied by several rocky islands. Three of them are so densely populated that the country is now the third most densely populated country in the world, although its largest island is smaller than the area inside the Moscow ring road. The rest of the islets are uninhabited, so they attract travelers looking for unusual adventures. And even with all its guests taken together, the state is still the smallest in the European Union.
The blue Maltese lagoons attract millions of tourists from all over the world every year. Even couch potatoes the British traditionally run away from their rains and fogs on these sunny islands... The local mild climate is popular not only for amateurs beach holiday.
Over the past seven thousand years of chronicle, countless historical and cultural monuments have accumulated on the islands: from legends about Atlantis in the archipelago region and knightly symbols of the mysterious Order of Malta, to traces of the presence of Napoleon's soldiers and British colonialists during the time of Queen Victoria. A fair number of English language schools attract students from all over the world for the moderate cost and excellent quality of educational programs. The Mediterranean country was also chosen by those who prefer active rest on fresh air... Here, by nature itself, favorable conditions have been created for avid yachtsmen, scuba divers and rock climbers.
A growing number of Russians wanting to learn english language, combining serene relaxation with communication among native speakers. For more than a century and a half, the state was a colony of Great Britain, up to the 70s of the twentieth century. The Republic of Malta is still part of the British Commonwealth. Therefore, the second state language, after Maltese, is the language of the great Lord Byron. In the minds of the British, with the light hand of the English poet, the definition of the country as a "garrison greenhouse" was fixed for a long time, hinting at the hot climate and belonging to a great empire. The poem "Farewell to Malta" was written by him while visiting the island in 1809.
Scuba divers come to Malta all year round. The minimum water temperature in winter is 14 degrees and in summer 24 degrees is favorable for scuba diving. There are several dozen training schools for novice divers. The oldest Russian underwater club, Moscow State University, has been bringing its amateurs and professionals to the islands for many years, many of whom have experience in diving different parts world famous for its diving parties. The local rocky coast is famous for grottoes and beautiful sea architecture at depth. The underwater caves do not leave indifferent the most sophisticated divers.
The Maltese archipelago is surrounded by countries on two continents. There are no land borders, only sea ones. In the north, at a distance of 90 km across the strait, the islands border on Italian Sicily. Residents of the southern and western coasts continue to meet sea caravans from Africa. The ancient trade routes of modern Egypt, Libya and Tunisia intersect here. A little further to the east, neighbors live on the Greek islands. From the west, loaded caravels of merchants of the Basque country used to sail, now planes of Spanish airlines arrive.
The three miniature islands of Malta, Comino and Gozo are home to the entire population of the parliamentary Republic of about four hundred people. On the other islands, there are no cities or villages due to their tiny size. The largest of them, Malta, is 246 square kilometers, which is three and a half times smaller than Moscow. The length of its territory from north to south is 27 km.
The Maltese capital, Valletta, bears the name of its most famous knight and protector. With his submission in 1566, the construction of a new city began. This happened immediately after the successful victory of the Knights of the Order of St. John over the troops of the Ottoman Empire.
Another major tourist town with the Arabic name Mdina is known for the complete absence of car traffic, which makes it possible to save its countless baroque palaces and Moorish fortresses from destruction.
Malta is devoid of a mountainous landscape, the highest point is at an altitude of 253 meters above sea level. However, numerous low but steep rocky slopes attract novice climbers. A characteristic feature of the landscape is the absence of freshwater rivers. But the coastline is literally indented by rocky bays.
The Maltese language and its native speakers are close to the Greeks and Italians. Now the local population is growing rapidly at the expense of emigrants from North African countries. British grandparents often settle on the islands after retirement. Recently, a lot of marriages have been registered between Maltese and Russians.
Tourists come to Malta not only to swim in the warm Mediterranean waters and sunbathe on sunny beaches... The rich history of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, with its gripping stories, is fully reflected in the rich culture and luxurious architecture of the Maltese islands, which attracts curious travelers from all over the world.
Current time in Valletta:
(UTC +1)
In local museums, artifacts are kept seven thousand years old. The structures, built long before the Egyptian pyramids, still hide the history of the mysterious ancient people who lived on the territory of Malta in prehistoric times. Catholic churches cherish the testimony of missionary work on the island of the Apostle Paul, the closest companion and contemporary of Jesus Christ. The Italian palazzo, surrounded by works of landscape art, delight the discerning artists. The noble medieval knights of the famous Maltese order have left their traces everywhere, full of mystery and romance.
How to get to Malta
By plane
In addition to the obvious option to get to Malta from various cities of Russia with a docking in Moscow, there are other ways: how from the Russian capitalas well as from the regions to the capital of Catalonia, various European airlines fly with connections at their home airports. Below we list these airlines (the cities of connections are indicated in brackets).
- Lufthansa (Frankfurt am Main): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, Samara.
- Austrian Airlines (Vienna): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar.
- AlItalia (Rome): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
- Brussels Airlines (Brussels): Moscow.
- Air Berlin (Berlin): Moscow.
- Swiss (Zurich): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
- Air Baltic (Riga): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad.
From Italy and Greece
Air Malta airbuses can travel to Malta from Italian cities: Rome, Bologna, Catania, Reggio Calabria, Palermo and Milan. In addition, there are several daily flights from Italy by Alitalia and Meridiana. Cost from 130 euros.
There are air links with Athens. An economy class ticket costs 180-220 euros. Travel time 35 min. Direct flights on Fridays and Tuesdays. The same airline Air Malta has flights with one connection on Mondays and Sundays, costing from 250 to 350 euros.
Other airlines also operate flights from Greece and Italy to Malta, but with transfers. Sometimes the total flight time can be up to 9 hours. (for example, at lufthansa Airlines there are flights from Athens to Luka via Frankfurt am Main). In any case, through the above-mentioned Italian cities, getting to Malta will not be a problem.
On a ferryboat
Ferries run between the Italian island of Sicily and the Maltese capital. From the pier of the Sicilian towns of Catania and Pozzallo, ferries from Virtu Ferries leave for Valletta. There are high-speed flights, designed for 1.5 hours. There are also less high-speed floating crafts that transport passengers from one state to another in 3 hours. Ticket prices depend on the season and range from 55 to 100 euros. Children are almost twice as cheap. There is a Jean de la Valette catamaran to and from the Sicilian seaport, which can accommodate up to 800 passengers. Another ferry crossing runs from Genoa, Italy.
Having a Schengen visa allows you to travel between european cities and Malta without any border problems.
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Climate and weather in Malta
The hot breath of close Africa can be felt on the Maltese islands like no other southern European country. And only the prevailing northwestern wind in winter, bringing storm and bad weather, reduces the average number of sunny days a year to three hundred. But even the winter "cool" weather does not interfere with tourists and new year holidays take sunbathing and swim in the numerous outdoor pools heated by the southern sun. Malta is on the same latitude as Morocco and Tunisia. But the warm Mediterranean winds blowing on the islands from all sides soften the climate, impregnating the air with sea freshness.
There is no sweltering African heat in Malta, although once, many years ago, a maximum temperature of 43 degrees was recorded here. The usual summer temperature of 28-35 degrees is balanced by the intense movement of air masses over the islands, which are very modest in size. In addition, there are no mountains or skyscrapers on them, which usually hold back the refreshing winds in other southern countries.
Six months summer
For six months, from May to October, real summer lasts here. Russian tourists who are accustomed to closely monitoring temperature changes and rainfall in order to dress “according to the weather” can forget about their home habit while in Malta. Typical summer clothes - shorts, T-shirts and sunglasses are not changed even by those who brought a couple of suitcases of dresses and shirts. Those who forget to put on baseball caps and hats in the morning are in for trouble in the form of sunstrokes and sun-scorched tops. There is no fresh morning or cool evening in the middle of summer. The night temperature of twenty degrees replaces the daytime temperature of thirty degrees. Only a fresh sea breeze on the coast pleases lovers of walks under the southern stars.
Travelers arriving on a night flight are greeted by high air humidity, which is common in Mediterranean countries. But locals rarely enjoy fast and warm rain. If a rare rain cloud appears in a bright blue sky, then not for long. Ten-minute rain is replaced by heat again. Therefore, an umbrella is needed here only from the sun. By the way, one more protection against scorching rays - a thick layer of sunblock, should not be neglected even in September, when the temperature sometimes warms up above 30 degrees during the day.
Autumn: the swimming season continues
Autumn comes to Malta in mid-October. Although it is difficult for an ordinary inhabitant of central Russia to take the lush greenery of the surrounding nature and the air heated to 20-23 degrees for boring autumn weather. Our compatriot would rather call this time cool summer days, given the swimming season that lasts until mid-November and the absence of heavy rains. The sea cools down very slowly under the hot southern sun. The water temperature in November is practically the same as the air temperature. Twenty degrees does not stop Russian tourists from swimming in the sea.
When traveling to Malta, do not forget flip-flops or other open shoes with elastic soles for walking along the rocky coast at any time of the year. Sandy beaches on the islands are rare, there are only 15 of them. They are mostly man-made. Elsewhere on the coast, people sunbathe on pebbles, sun loungers and artificial pontoons.
Winter: a lot of sun and a little rain
The so-called "winter rainy season" begins in December. Eh, heat-loving southern inhabitants! They do not know the real torrential rains that lasted for several weeks under the gloomy skies of our northern side. Therefore, the Maltese call their rare rain in December and January a whole "season". And the average daily temperature plus 15-18 degrees is called winter. But still the bright sun does not let the sea cool down. The water temperature from December to February plus 14-16 allows divers at this time of the year to explore with interest the clear blue waters of underwater caves rich in marine fauna. In winter, the number of tourists in Malta is significantly reduced, but nevertheless, decent discounts in this cool, but warm season attract many people fleeing to warm countries from the Christmas cold of their northern homeland.
Spring again
In March, the mild winter gives way to the long-awaited spring. Already from the end of February, the sun begins to noticeably bake. The already rare stormy winds at sea end altogether. Nature renews its colors, wildflowers, hibiscus and bougainvillea begin to bloom. The temperature creeps up and quickly passes over the twenty-degree mark during the day. It's time to get on your bike and drive around the islands, emerald with young foliage, under the cool spring sun. 4/5 parts of the country are not occupied by cities, but are covered in spring with green fields and blooming gardens.
Cities and regions
Since 1993 Malta has been divided into 68 municipalities, which are grouped into 6 districts and 3 regions. The districts are called: Outer Harbor (No. 3) and Inner Harbor (No. 1), District of the islands of Gozo and Comino (No. 6), Western (No. 4), North (No. 2) and South-East (No. 5) districts. The centers of the districts are the cities around which they were formed.
Regions of Malta
Malta cities
Valletta, La Valletta - the capital of the Republic of Malta, named after its founder - a knight, naval commander, Master of the Order of the Johannites Jean Parisot de la Valletta, who defended the city from the Turks.
Valletta is located on the northeast coast of the island of Malta, on a peninsula between Marsamchett and Grand Harbor, at the foot of Mount Skiberras.
The first settlements in this area date back to the 9th century BC. e. In the 7th century BC. e. the area belonged to the Greeks, from the VI century BC. e. - to the Carthaginians, from 218 to the Romans, then to the Byzantines, and from 869 to the Arabs. In the XI century, Malta was annexed to Sicily by the Normans, who at the beginning of the 16th century handed it over to the Order of the John.
The history of the city of Valletta begins with the victory of the Knights of Malta, Jean de La Valletta, over the Turkish troops of Suleiman the Magnificent, after which on March 28, 1566, the Grand Master laid the foundation stone of the new city with his own hand. Construction worksled by the Italian architect Francesco Laparelli da Cortona, were funded by donations from the entire Christian world and were carried out in accordance with all the canons of urban planning. Thus, special systems were created to drain wastewater and remove garbage from the city, the streets were planned so that the sea breeze cleared and cooled the air in Valletta. The subsequent development of the city with residential buildings was supervised by the special Department of Urban Planning, which exists to this day. According to the rules, it was allowed to erect houses only along the streets, decorate their corners with statues, and arrange a well in the courtyard to collect rainwater; it was forbidden to set up gardens in front of the facades. Upon completion of the construction, Valletta was surrounded by a moat 1 km long, 20 m wide and 18 m deep.
Since 1570, the construction of the city was continued by Laparelli's student Gerolamo Cassar, who erected many significant palaces and churches in the Maltese capital. Commerce, crafts and art developed in Valletta. In 1798, Valletta was occupied by Napoleon's troops, to whom the Knights of Malta provided warm welcome, which ultimately avoided the destruction of the city. In 1800, the island of Malta came under the rule of England, where it remained until 1974. During World War II, the city was badly damaged by German bombing, but was rebuilt in peacetime. Since 1974, the city of Valletta has become the official capital of the Republic of Malta. Today the city is an open-air museum, full of interesting historical and architectural monuments and attracting a lot of tourists every year.
Mdina - ancient city in Malta, which was once its capital. The city was formed about 4000 years ago. At the turn of the II-I century c. BC e. at this place there was already a fortified Phoenician fortress. The heyday of Mdina fell on the Roman period, when its territory was actually the present city and nearby Rabat. It is known that the Apostle Paul visited Mdina, who landed here after a shipwreck in 60 AD. e.
The Arabs, having come to power, reduced the size of Mdina, but added fortresses, more powerful fortifications and a moat. The Knights of the Order of St. John occupied Mdina in 1530.
Mdina, dominated by Norman and Baroque buildings, is often referred to as the Citta Notabile.
It is also worth seeing Rabat - a picturesque suburb of Mdina, formed at the same time as it, but separated from the city by the Arabs in 870 and remained outside the fortress wall.
Car traffic is prohibited in Mdina.
Sliema is a famous resort in Malta where the holiday season continues all year round... Sliema is located on the north coast of the island, in the harbor of Marsamxett. Formed in the 19th century as a respectable metropolitan suburb, today Sliema is perhaps the most fashionable Maltese city, a center for tourism and shopping. There are also hotels of various "stars" and levels - from luxurious, like Crowne Plaza 5 * and Fortina Spa Resort 5 *, to small and democratic "starless" private boarding houses.
St. Julian's is a small resort town located between fashionable Sliema and Pachville following it to the west on the shores of Spinola Bay. St. Julian's, which grew out of a small village formed around a local cathedral, is today one of Malta's busiest resorts. Julian's is best known for its excellent restaurants, of which there are a great many in the city.
Patchville is a small town with no border with its predecessor St. Julian's. This is the area of \u200b\u200bdiscos and bars, the nightlife of which begins at about eight in the evening and ends by the next morning.
Marsascala is a resort town on the shores of the bay of the same name in the east of Malta. Marsascala - large enough locality by Maltese standards, it has a population of about 9,500. The name of the city comes from the words "marsa" and "sqalli" and translates as "Sicilian port".
Cottoner's
The Three Cities - Cottoner is a historic area near Marsascala, south of Valletta. The three cities are Vittoriosa, Cospicua, and Senglea, south of Valletta, where the Knights of the Order of St. John originally settled in 1530. The first residence of the Grand Master in Malta was located here. Later, the knights erected new fortification lines (the Cottoner lines, in honor of Grand Master Nicholas Cottoner) protecting all three cities at once. Today Cottoner is the only place in Europe protected by two rows of fortress walls. There are many interesting architectural landmarks in Cottoner.
Aura and Bugibba are two resort towns in the north of the island of Malta, forming the popular tourist area of \u200b\u200bSt. Paul's Bay. Originally small fishing villages located close to the place where in 60 AD. e. the ship of the apostle Paul was wrecked, Aura and Bugibba today are comfortable resorts with numerous hotels, shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
Victoria is the unofficial capital of the island of Gozo, which, together with the island of Comino, forms a separate administrative-territorial unit of Malta. Victoria with the suburbs of Fontana and Kerch is the most populous city on the island, located in its center. Originally called Rabat, like the suburb of Mdina, in 1887 the city was renamed Victoria in honor of the Queen of England, however, the old name can often be found among the locals and on road signs on the roads.
A distinctive feature of Victoria is that there are absolutely no hotels marked with “stars” - only private rental housing. At the same time, there are always a lot of tourists who want to visit Victoria: they are attracted by the local fortress (Citadel), the cathedral, many churches, museums, and two theaters.
Xlendi (or Xlendi) is one of the two main resorts in Gozo, located in a picturesque natural bay. Until the late 1980s, Xlendi was a small fishing village, but with the development of the tourism industry, it turned into a cozy resort town.
Marsalforn is another resort town in Gozo, located in the north of the island. Like other coastal resort towns in Malta, Marsalforn was also originally a fishing village. But the echoes of fishing can be found in the resort to this day - there are excellent fish restaurants here.
What to see
Malta, being for many centuries at the crossroads of European trade routes, has acquired many monuments of culture, architecture and history. Therefore, despite its relatively modest size, there is something to see on the island.
Below we list the main attractions of Malta. Follow the links to find more detailed information about the object (history, description), as well as find out the cost of tickets, ways to get there by public transport, opening hours, location on the map, photos and other useful nuances.
Malta landmarks
Malta museums
Costume shows
In addition to the classic sights made of stone, Malta offers tourists all kinds of costume shows and performances. The most popular ones are listed below.
Where to go in Malta
sights
Museums and galleries
Where to eat and drink
Entertainment
Parks and recreation areas
Transport
Shops and Markets
Private guides in Malta
Russian private guides will help you learn more about Malta.
Registered on the project Experts.Tourister.Ru.
What to do in Malta
Excursions
The list of excursions in small Malta is quite impressive. Here is what domestic and Maltese tour operators offer:
| Tour name | Features: | Cost, EUR |
| Valletta (½ day) | Sightseeing tour of Valletta + film "The Life Path of Malta" | 31 (adult), 15 (child) |
| Gozo Island (full day) | Sightseeing tour of the island of Gozo | 54 (adult), 21 (child) |
| Mdina (½ day or full day) | Sightseeing tour of Mdina | 23-45 (adult), 8.50-21 (child) |
| Three cities (½ days) | Excursion to Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea | 27 (adult), 14 (child) |
| Big harbor cruise (½ day) | Boat trip along the shores of the natural port of Marsamshett and the Big Harbor | 28 (adult), 12 (child) |
| Blue Grotto + Limestone History (½ day) | Visit unique caves + Show "Limestone Story" at the bottom of the former quarry in Sijivvi, introducing the traditional craft of the Maltese. | 27 (adult), 12 (child) |
| Island of Sicily (full day) | Mount Etna, Taormina | 114 (adult), 75 (child) |
Tourist train
The Melita Trains Sightseeing Tour is a red trackless train that can be used for sightseeing tours around Mdina and Rabat. It departs every hour from the Roman Villa (Domus Romana). There is an audio guide in 7 languages. The train covers the route 8 km long in half an hour. ...
Diving
Diving is a very popular pastime in Malta. The Maltese archipelago, consisting of the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino, attracts divers from all over the world with the purity of coastal waters (visibility under water is 30-50 m at a depth of 20-30 m), rich underwater flora and fauna, a variety of underwater landscape (grottoes, tunnels, caves, arches, etc.).
You can go diving in Malta all year round: even in the winter months, the water temperature does not drop below 14 ° C, while in summer the sea temperature averages 23 ° C.
The flora and fauna of the Maltese waters is extremely rich: there are many species of fish (Mediterranean grouper, parrot fish, red mullet, moray eels, sunflower fish, stingray stingray, flounder), octopuses, seahorses, squids, lobsters, starfish, crabs and cuttlefish. At the bottom there are corals, hard and soft, some varieties of which are practically not found in other parts of the Mediterranean Sea.
The most popular Maltese dive sites:
- Island of Malta: Cirkewwa (Marfa Point), L-Ahrax Point, Delimara Point, St. Paul's Islands, Ghar Lapsi, Anchor Bay, Wied iz-Zurrieq, HMS Maori.
- Gozo Island: Xlendi Cave and Xlendi Reef, Fungus Rock, Reqqa Point.
- Island of Comino: Irqieqa Point, Santa Maria Caves, Cominotto Reef.
In addition to these dive sites, there are a number of wrecks (wrecks).
Independent divers wishing to dive in Malta without an instructor must complete a specific application form, present a dive book and a valid diving certificate (minimum CMAS / 2 stars), 2 photos. All diving schools will help with paperwork.
Diving Centers in Malta, united in, offer a wide range of courses, from initial training to advanced training according to international standards to the rank of instructor. The duration of the courses is from 1 day. There are courses on the PADI, CMAS and BSAC systems with the issuance of the corresponding international certificates and dive registration books.
List of diving schools:
Casino
Casino is another entertainment in Malta. Visiting them is allowed to foreign tourists over the age of 18 and Maltese citizens - from 25 years. At the first visit, an identity document is required. All four casinos in Malta have a dress code: no swimwear is allowed, and after 20:00 shorts, sleeveless shirts and open sandals are prohibited. Some casinos rent a jacket and tie at the entrance.
List of the most famous casinos in Malta
- Oracle Casino
- Casino at Portomaso
- Casino di Venezia
Learning English in Malta
Malta is also known in Europe as a country where you can effectively learn English. AT last years Russians also began to come to the island to study English. They are attracted by the absence of problems with a visa, as well as the cost of training - 30-40% lower than in other English-speaking countries.
Language schools in Malta work all year round, training takes place according to traditional programs: preparation for the IELTS / Cambrige exams (about 3 months), simple courses of varying duration.
Malta beaches
In the waters of the Maltese Islands there are no ebb and flow, there are no strong underwater currents and dangerous sea inhabitants, so swimming on its beaches is quite comfortable. Since Malta is a small country, there are no endless beaches here, but small beaches in coves and on the shores of gulfs are also quite suitable for recreation. The beaches in Malta are sandy, rocky and pebble, and in addition are divided into "wild" and "civilized". The entrance to them is free, except for the beaches of hotels and clubs. Sun loungers and umbrellas - for a fee. Follow the links for more information.
Transport in Malta.Kitchen
Maltese cuisine is a mix of local culinary traditions and cuisines of other European countries (Italian, French), in particular - Sicilian, with some shades of Moorish cuisine.
Maltese cuisine is simple and hearty. Seasonal products (fruits, vegetables), meat and seafood are used for their preparation.
So, the meal begins with a light snack "bigilla", made from vegetables, seasoned with marinade and herbs.
Then soups are served - on meat broth, seasoned with fresh and dried vegetables and jbeinit cheese from the island of Gozo.
Maltese cuisine is famous for its stuffed dishes. So, the most famous specialties are the stuffed octopus "arnit mimli" and "brajoli" - meat stuffed with herbs and eggs. Excellent fish dishes - "lampuki" (dorada) with tomato sauce and "lampuki pai" - a pie with dorada and vegetables. Another local cult dish is stuffat tal fenech, a rabbit stew with herbs and garlic. Lovers of exoticism should love the babybush snail stew.
In addition, you should try Ross Fil forn rice casserole with meat and tomatoes, capunata vegetable stew, local ravioli and pastas with various fillings.
The traditional Maltese bread is called hobza, and the sandwiches made from it are called hobz biz zeyt.
The meal is completed with Maltese sweets, of which there is a huge amount in the local cuisine: a pie with eggplant and dates "m'aret", cakes "cannoli" with different fillings, halva with almonds "helva tat-tork", nougat "cubbyte", biscuits with figs and almonds, etc.
In addition to strong coffee and tea, the Maltese drink the national carbonated soft drink Kinnie. The drink tastes like bitter oranges, herbs and spices (anise, ginseng, licorice, rhubarb). It began to be produced by the Farsons company in Malta in 1952 as opposed to the American Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Kinney is said to be an excellent thirst quencher.
The cost of a jar or bottle of Kinney is about 1 euro.
Malta is famous for its wines; winemaking has been a traditional occupation of local residents since ancient times. The following grape varieties are grown on the archipelago: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Moscato, Syrah, Gellewza, Girghentina.
The most important wine producers are companies and.
For lunch and dinner, the Maltese usually drink inexpensive table wines: Lachryma Vitis, Special Reserve, Vigne d'Or. In restaurants you can find Dolcino, Red / Green Label, La Vallette, Verdala. Antonin, Gran Cavalier, Marnisi are considered to be expensive collectors.
Lovers of sweet desserts should try Casella Moscato.
The cost of a bottle of wine is 2-20 euros.
The main local beer producer is Farsons. The most popular beer is light Ċisk (“Chisk”). You can also try darker varieties with more textured flavors - Blue Label and Lacto. The beer and lemonade cocktail is called Shandy. It is also worth trying another local variety - 1565 from Lowenbrau Malta.
Luna di sera
Shopping in Malta
Malta, without a word, is not the shopping capital at all, like, say, Milan or Paris. However, it is quite possible to dilute the pleasure of walking in the Middle Ages with shopping.
First of all, Malta has a huge number of souvenir and jewelry stores. There are large department stores, interesting shops for household goods and interior items. There are many shoe shops and children's goods store in Valletta.
The town of Sliema is considered a paradise for shopping. The main shops there are located in St. Anne's Square, on Tower Street, on Calle Tigne and on Calle Bisazza.
You can read more about shopping in this amazing island nation in the material “ Shopping in Malta ».
Communication in Malta
In the Maltese archipelago, all domestic calls are considered local. Phone numbers are six digits. You can call from a landline phone in a hotel or apartment, from mobile phone and from a payphone on the street, most of which are cardphone, a minority are coinphone. There are two types of cards - EasyLine and Telecard, of different denominations. They can be bought at souvenir shops, gas stations, department stores, and hotels. All payphones can be used to make calls abroad.
Calls in the evening and on weekends are significantly cheaper than during business hours. You can also call from the hotel, but it will be significantly more expensive.
Malta's international code is 356.
The international access code is 00, there is no need to wait for dial tone. For example, a call to Russia will look like this: 00-7- city code - subscriber's number.
- Call to Ukraine: 00-38- city code - subscriber's number.
- To call from Russia to Malta: 8-10-356 - subscriber's number.
There are two mobile operators in Malta - and their tariffs are approximately the same. Packages of local operators are worth buying if you plan to stay in Malta for a long time or if you are traveling with a large company.
Malta has a large number of internet cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots. So, the owners of many hotels and apartments provide their guests with this service free of charge. In bars and restaurants resort areasto go online, you need to order something from the menu. McDonalds eateries also provide Wi-Fi access. The cost of an hour of work in the Internet in an Internet cafe will be about 3-5 euros.
A map of WiFi hotspots in Malta can be seen at.
Emergency phone numbers in Malta
Economy
Safety
Malta is a safe country for tourists. There is almost zero crime here, which is due to long traditions and the small size of the state. However, the old Maltese saying "Shaking hands with a Maltese, do not forget to count your fingers" did not arise from scratch, so some caution will not hurt: you should not leave valuables in the car, documents and large amounts of cash should be kept in the hotel safe, watch carefully for their belongings in crowded places.
All the same, the main feature of a beach holiday in Malta is the fact that there are really few sandy beaches on the islands. Moreover, most of them are quite small. The main part of the coastline is occupied by rocks. Accordingly, there are more rocky and pebbly beaches, and they are often difficult to access or not equipped for normal recreation. Also, for Malta, the absence of changing cabins on the beaches is typical, and sun loungers are paid almost everywhere. But all of the above is more than offset by the crystal clear sea water off the coast (according to some sources, the most transparent in the entire Mediterranean). In general, I liked the rich blue color of sea water, you can see it even if you scoop it up with your palm.
When choosing a hotel, be sure to find out exactly from numerous reviews whether the hotel has its own beach and what kind of beach it is (if it is important for your vacation). As a rule, the beaches at the hotels are kept in perfect condition. Which, by the way, can not be said about the pools: the staff does not regret chlorine, and the cleanliness leaves much to be desired. If the hotel does not have its own beach, then be prepared to get to it (not always convenient), in some cases you will have to take a bus 20-30 minutes to a public beach.
In Malta low crime rate... The usual job of cops (and even then infrequent) is to drive to a minor road collision, which happens when tipsy teenagers get behind the wheel after a disco. So don't drive your car at night. Street handbag theft and pickpocketing are rare. I read about the thefts of cars parked on the streets, but somehow it looks stupid: where then to go from the island? And as for not leaving documents and valuables in the car, this is relevant for all countries of the world.
The Maltese police officers speak English well and, in principle, can be asked for help if necessary. They will always listen carefully and politely give helpful advice... But at the same time, they clearly (and I would say biasedly) monitor the observance of traffic rules. They are especially zealous for the correct parking.
Malta is a typical Mediterranean resort. In the sense that the local population loves rest more than work... In particular, shops open at 9:00 am-10:00am and work until 1:00 pm. Then they have a siesta. After a long lunch break, they open again at 16:00 to 19:00, although if it is very hot, they may not open at all. Most shops are generally closed on weekends. In the busier tourist areas, shops may be open until 22:00 on weekdays and until 12 noon on Sundays.
And the Maltese go to bed very early, with the onset of darkness. And already at about 20:00, life in cities practically stops. The exceptions are the areas of Sliema and especially Paceville (Saint Julian's).
In Malta smoking is prohibited in public places, including on the beaches. Smoking is allowed only in those establishments where there are designated "smoking areas" for smokers. It seems that the police strictly monitor this, but there are still smokers on the beaches.
In Malta, almost all historical places can be visited almost "for free." More precisely, for a nominal fee, the guards. You just need to "catch" the moment when the guard is alone and there are no other visitors. As a rule, 1-2 euros for two people is enough. It is especially good when it is out of schedule (that is, after the closure of the facility or on a weekend). An added bonus is the almost complete absence of other tourists. You can walk everywhere (neatly, even where you usually can't), take pictures and shoot on video. The main thing is not to accidentally catch the eye of any of the representatives of the administration of the object. Then whoever is lucky.
Most hotels do not monitor visitors to their pools. Therefore, if your hotel does not have a pool, you can go “on a visit”. You put on your bathing suits and go, the main thing is confident. It's not bad if the hotel you are heading to is large. It makes it easier to get lost in the crowd and be invisible. Personally, we did not try (and there was a pool in our hotel), but we told you that it works.
I also heard that the entrances to the catacombs of St. Agatha and St. Paul are poorly controlled. Therefore, tickets do not have to be bought, since it will be difficult to find someone to show them to. On the other hand, admission seems to be officially free as it is (but voluntary donations are welcome). So payment is a matter of conscience.
In addition, it is believed that in Malta easy to learn English... After all, English, along with Maltese, is the official state language for this state. Here, in the summer months, children's language groups are organized. As a rule, training in such groups is carried out for 2 weeks or one month, in combination with active rest, it takes place without undue stress. The kids love it.
As for the tip... If the invoice is not immediately included, then 10-15% of the order value is considered normal.
It's better to negotiate with taxi drivers right away the final cost of the tripso that there are no questions later about any additional tips (although there are meters installed in the taxi, not everything is so fabulous in practice).
Just in case, I will indicate emergency numbers. Better not to be needed, but anything can happen.
Police - 191, ambulance - 196, firefighters - 199. Inquiry service - 190.
Antiquities and various artifacts found at excavations and especially in the depths of the sea cannot be taken out of the country. In the area of \u200b\u200bthe Maltese islands at all times there were many wars, many ships were sunk, etc. Therefore, this advice is more focused on divers. Moreover, even touching the detected object is prohibited - you must immediately notify the relevant authorities.
Finally, I will note interesting fact... I don't remember exactly what year, but a referendum was somehow held in the country. His only question was something like this: "Are you happy living in Malta?" Do you know the result of the referendum? Be surprised.
97% of Malta's population is happy to live in their country !!!
Malta is rightfully considered an ideal holiday destination - a favorable climate, unusual and varied nature, a huge cultural heritage, luxury resorts with a consistently high level of service and a developed entertainment industry make this archipelago extremely attractive for hundreds of thousands of tourists. This tiny state is located in the heart of the Mediterranean, and has absorbed all the best that can be in this region.
The first thing that captivates in a vacation in Malta is the unusually favorable climate. It is always warm here, there are no frosts, snow and cold rains, even the fog never touches the coast of the island. The purest water of the Mediterranean Sea warms up to + 25 ° C off the coast of Malta, and many interesting sights of the Maltese resorts will make your vacation pleasant and informative at the same time.
This is where you can spend your dream vacation. If you are interested in outdoor activities, then beach views sports, diving, rock climbing and golf will come in handy for you. Those who want to forget about the frantic pace of the modern world for a couple of weeks will certainly like clean beaches, quiet lagoons and picturesque landscapes of Malta. And lovers of bright rest and stormy fun will not be bored here either - during the day you can visit various historical sights of the island, and then plunge headlong into the noisy nightlife that takes place in numerous bars, restaurants, clubs and casinos.
In addition, the Maltese Islands are a great opportunity not only to relax, but also to restore health. Unique natural resources, a high level of medical care and a huge number of high-class SPA centers will have a beneficial effect on both your well-being and appearance.
One of the indisputable advantages of resorts in Malta can be considered their compact location - this makes it possible to see all the sights and visit all the most interesting places with a minimum expenditure of time and effort, getting pure pleasure from the rest. This is exactly the rare case when excursions are not at all exhausting, even for those who are not too interested in them.
There are no rivers or mountain ranges in Malta, and the cities are so tiny that they consist of no more than four streets. Apart from the capital, of course.
At the same time, this small country has a great history behind it, the memory of which is embodied in graceful and amazingly beautiful architecture. Here, ancient pagan religious buildings are adjacent to the very first Christian temples, and there are also such structures that were built long before the construction of the pyramid of Cheops.
Valletta is the capital of Malta.This town is home to a huge number of ancient cathedrals, architectural ensembles, which, among other things, contain ancient frescoes and canvases of great masters of past eras. This city is declared by UNESCO as a historical monument of world importance.
But in the Middle Ages, the capital of Malta was Mdina, a very ancient fortress city, on a small territory of which castles, temples and museums are concentrated. There are cells of the first Christian prophets carved into the rocks and their burials - and all this has remained completely timeless and appears before the eyes of tourists exactly the same as it was hundreds of years ago.
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Even in spite of the small territory of the country, there are places in it that have not yet been touched by civilization. All life here is concentrated only in the northeastern part of the island. The thing is that in the south and west Malta is separated from the sea by a rather steep and rocky coast, so here you will not find either luxury hotels or private villas - only stunning landscapes with unique flora. To better see all the richness and diversity of the island, you need to look at it from the outside, so do not deny yourself the pleasure of taking a boat trip around the coastline of the island, so you can appreciate all the beauty of the bays, bays and crystal clear azure sea.
Malta is famous for its unique diving locations - they say that having plunged into the sea here just once, it is already impossible to resist the temptation again and again to look at the bizarre reliefs of the Maltese archipelago at a depth of several meters and watch the life of hundreds of colorful fish, some of which appear only at sunset ... That is why night dives are also popular here, during which the underwater world appears before you in a completely different light.
1. What to see, what to do
Malta is good because here everyone will find something to their liking: many attractions, beautiful nature and a variety of entertainments will make your stay enjoyable and informative.
If you prefer active rest to beach idleness, then feel free to choose diving, rock climbing, golf and many other sports. Well, if you want to relax away from the hustle and bustle, be sure to go explore the beaches, lagoons and picturesque landscapes. There will be something to do in Malta and those who like to have fun and noisy rest: bars, restaurants, clubs and casinos - everything is at your service.
For those travelers who are not averse to learning something new, Malta is just a find: ancient fortresses, ruins of ancient buildings, temples, and all this under the sauce of an eventful history. Here one simply cannot fail to mention the island of Gozo with its ancient megalithic structures and caves.
Be sure to visit the capital of the island, Valletta, to stroll through its streets admiring the ancient cathedrals and buildings, many of which still have ancient frescoes and paintings by the great masters of the past. Worth seeing Cathedral St. John, the Palace of the Grand Master, the Armory of the Knights, Fort St. Elmo, as well as the beautiful palaces of Parisio, Castilla and Provence.
Don't forget about the walled city of Mdina (Maltese's first capital). Its palaces (Inguanets, St. Sophia, Archbishop's) and museums, temples (Hajar Im, Mnajdra and Tarshin) and cathedrals (St. Paul's Cathedral, Carmelite Church), as well as the cells of the first Christian prophets are worth staying here at least for day and touch ancient history of this place.
But if you are a hunter of beautiful landscapes and love to be alone with nature, you should go to the south or west of Malta, because this is where you will find the most impressive views on the island. You can also drop by the fishing village of Marsaxlokk to taste the seafood bought right there, on the embankment, at the Sunday bazaar. Better yet, take a boat trip along the coast to not only enjoy the view of Malta, but also appreciate the beauty of the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Diving is a very popular activity in Malta because the island's coastal waters are rich in flora and fauna and attract divers from all over the world. However, if you also want to dive into the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, it is worth considering that for diving in Malta you must obtain a local permit - card "C".
It is issued at the diving centers of the island, and for this you need to provide a medical certificate (it can be obtained on the spot), two photographs, a ship's book and a fee (1 lira).
There are schools on the island where instructors teach beginner divers, as well as take CMAS or PADI exams. It is important to remember that spearfishing and swimming are prohibited in Malta in several archaeological areas. If you find any value under water, you must not touch it - you should inform the museum or diving school about it.
3. Smoking
The Maltese are strict people in terms of compliance with the rules and regulations. On the beaches of the island, for example, it is forbidden to sunbathe topless, and you will not be allowed into the temples in beach or overly revealing clothes. The attitude towards smoking is no exception - Malta has a ban on smoking in public places. Smoking is allowed only in those establishments that have special hoods in the designated smoking area. The population of the island is quite officially allowed to inform the owners of those establishments where there is no hood and where, nevertheless, visitors smoke.
4. Security
Going to Malta, you can rest assured - this is one of the few places with the lowest crime rates. The worst thing that can happen is petty theft, and even then - "performed" by migrants from African countries. Nevertheless, tourists are advised not to leave things in a parked car and keep everything of value in the hotel safe.
5. Maltese cuisine
Not trying the local cuisine is a gastronomic crime! After all, the culinary traditions of Malta have absorbed the features of European and African national cuisines, so appreciating the resulting variegated mixture is your first duty as a tourist.
Try the seafood dishes like the traditional lampuka pie (fish like tuna) or, if you like something out of the ordinary, the spaghetti with octopus ink sauce. You should also pay attention to stuffed eggplant, bragioli (beef meat rolls stuffed with minced meat and bacon with sauce) and rabbit stewed in tomato sauce.
For desserts, look out for flaky ricotta rolls and imkaret (date-filled pastries).
Have a nice trip!
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Tourists do not visit the Mdina Catacombs that are located at the entrance to the city of Mdina Malta.
You won't see anything interesting there - old, dusty, poorly made wax dolls.
The show is low quality and not interesting. But your wallet will be stolen there.
There is a gang of pickpockets in the group, there are young girls. Administration
The catacomb covers the crooks. Thefts take place there regularly. It all happens
20 meters from the police station. But the Police will not help you
too small - quickly gets bored. Beaches with poor entry to the sea
Did not like:
- Little greenery.
- Inconvenient entrance to the sea - some kind of gangway near the cliff (we were resting at the Radisson hotel).
- Not very tasty cuisine (compared to other countries in this region).
Visited once and won't go the second time.
“The whole truth about Malta. Nobody will tell you that! Inside view. "
Place of residence in Malta - Victoria.
Never eat traditional Maltese sheep cheese. This cheese is made by private individuals. On the example of one sheep: A sheep is taken (these sheep are kept on their own shit, which is not removed for half a year - a year), a bucket for milk is taken, which is washed once a month. The sheep is milked. Manure pellets are caught from milk by a little boy. Then the milk is strained into another bucket, which is washed with the same frequency as the first. Lactic acid bacteria are added to the milk and after half an hour the milk is curdled. The degree of readiness of the mass is checked with a finger, which also no one washes. Further, this mass is laid out in tins and placed on a tray where the serum will drain. These molds stand there for a day. In winter, it is still tolerable, and in summer, the whey turns sour instantly, flies are drowning in it, of which there is simply an immeasurable amount (all bitten returned, although they took all sorts of raptor fumigators with them). Next, the cheese is laid out to dry on a wire rack outside, where it also serves as a snack for flies. The flies run like that: from sheep dung to cheese and vice versa. After drying until the time of sale, the cheese is stored in a box on the street. Before selling, dusty cheese is washed with a brush in a bowl of water. The brush is the same as for cleaning floors and carpets. Why buy a special one? It is dried again and sold. Cheese is used to make something in between pizza and cheesecake. It is also sprinkled with pec and sold in the form of cheese curds. Fresh, not yet drained cheese can be offered to you along with artichokes. In general, always ask if there is cheese in the dish. Cheese food for extreme lovers.
Well, the fact that taxi drivers charge tourists a couple or three times more than locals, I think, need not be explained. It's everywhere. Likewise, you can try to do it in shops and eateries. Therefore, it is better to always take goods with price tags, and memorize prices in the menu in eateries. If, due to some circumstances, you need to live in Malta for more than two weeks and there is a prospect that you will be sent something from abroad, keep in mind that parcels are opened at the post office, under the pretext that they need to know that they sent you. This is such a democracy.
Local short-legged, bow-legged, unshaven and smelly (in the literal sense of the word, they wash at most once a week, and the old people do not wash at all, shave once a week, brush their teeth when they shave) men consider themselves irresistible Apollo and constantly stick on the beaches. Well at least they are sent easily.
Lovers and protectors of animals shouldn't come here at all. Dogs live on rooftops. In summer, hot from the sun, in winter, icy from the rain. They love to catch migratory songbirds here. Then they keep them in cages 20x10 cm. These cages with birds are used to lure flying birds. Several birds are tied to special long sticks and periodically shaken so that the tied birds flutter and lure their relatives. None of the caught birds live longer than three years.
I will only note that those horses, which are full in Valletta and Mdina in winter, starve and turn into skeletons. There is no need to feed the cattle if there are no tourists. This applies to all horses used for riding tourists.
Sometimes our compatriots are "lucky" (like my sister) and if the Maltese does not prefer short-term relationships, then you can build a family with him. Most of the current Russian-Maltese marriages begin as resort romances. A wife or a foreign lover is a man's prestige in the eyes of his friends.
As for the appearance, tourists do not have to be complex, so against the background of the local population you will be considered a supermodel, even if before the notorious 90-60-90 you are like space.
Malta is a small island state, to which several thousand migrants have moved from hot spots over the past 2-3 years. They are no different from those that terrorize continental Europe. Therefore, there is a danger: robbery in the dark, theft, molesting women. There are no other dangers in Malta, except for sunstroke and stones throwing at your feet))).
I don't see anything attractive in Malta - stones, traumatic beaches, exorbitant prices, museums similar to each other ... and the constant divorce of tourists for money. A classic example of how to make money selling tickets to the banal Pyatigorsk failure. Looks like they learned from Ostap Ibragimovich.
Neutral reviews
My oldest daughter is studying in Malta. The baby and I took her there in October. From the beautiful: the climate, the lack of compatriots of an understandable type)), the eurozone, which means calmness and reliability, Considering that this is a small island, everything is close, and the airport and attractions. And in general, Malta itself is religious and law-abiding. Of the inconveniences, there are few hotels (we lived in apartments), there are practically no beaches (as we imagine it), entering the sea is definitely not for children! We looked for a piece of sand and entered there, but where there was sand there was a lot of algae. We ate in the school cafeteria, which was not a question of feeding the baby. My daughter goes to public catering - she says everything is fresh and tasty. Supermarkets have everything a mother and child need, including cereals and jars. Here they write that it's boring in Malta, I agree. If I went to rest myself, I would take all the time with excursions, but there really is nothing to do with the baby. We went to the playground, which after three days got tired))
Despite all the problems with migrants that have been rocking many European countries lately, Malta has been and remains a safe country. But this does not mean that you need to relax and completely forget about all the precautions, since theft and pickpocketing, although not often met, but they are. The only thing worth giving up is renting a car, since recently there has been a significant increase in theft of parked cars. Also, do not leave valuable things in cars (regardless of whether in a conspicuous place or not). It is advisable to leave money and documents in the safe (in the room or at the hotel reception).
Rest can be spoiled by jellyfish and sea \u200b\u200burchins... Even special nets are even installed to protect against jellyfish, but this does not always help. In addition to taking precautions, it is advisable not to save on insurance. Insurance must include the provision of a full range of services abroad, etc.
There are practically no sandy beaches in Malta. Swimming in the sea - from the rocks. I recommend that you take beach slippers with you (or leave them on the shore, or those models in which you can swim).
There are old fortresses, forts, bastions, it is quite interesting if you are interested in history. But, in my opinion, it is better to visit them in late spring or mid-autumn, when it is not too hot.
On hot days during the day only tourists walk along the promenades :-). Local families like to go out after ten in the evening and until late.
There are practically no problems with refugees on the island. They do not like Malta because there is no way to get to Europ from there without documents. This is not Italy with open internal Schengen borders ... And the locals are somewhat reminiscent of the Corsicans - they are not particularly tolerant :-)
There is no beach holiday in Valletta. Anyway, IMHO, Malta is not the best place for a beach holiday: there are few sandy beaches (two, it seems), and they are all far from Valletta (40-60 minutes by bus). There are beaches in Sliema (this is 5 minutes by boat from Valletta), but inconvenient - an uneven, slippery sandstone slab, from it down an iron ladder into the water (public), or a concreted area with the same descent (hotel - for a lot of money, if You do not live in this hotel).
If you decide to go to the beach - not earlier than mid-June, the beach season opens there from the 15th. Water at this time is 20-21 degrees.
If you just look - it's better in spring, March-April - it's not hot and the greens have not yet had time to burn out.
Almost all transport (with the exception of a certain number of direct routes from Sliema / St. Julian to the sandy-beach areas) runs through the bus station in Floriana (the city is the immediate neighbor of Valletta). From here you can go to any or almost any point of the island.
From Chirkevwa there is a ferry to Gozo.
Objects to visit are megaliths (in Malta and Gozo), buildings from the time of the knights (Valletta), the medieval capital (Mdina) with a suburb (Rabat), natural beauty (Blue Grotto in Malta, Blue Window in Gozo). Many things. :) Malta is a very interesting country with a completely individual flavor, a mix of Europe, Asia and Africa.
Was at the beginning of the month in Malta for work ...
somehow boring there, IMHO ... the bulk of vacationers are pensioners slowly stomping and staring at the sides))
i thought at first to take my family with me, but it's good that I changed my mind - Malta is not the best place to relax with children ...
from what I liked - the climate is very comfortable - it's hot during the day, but not the languid heat - it's cool in the evening and at night! sleeping with an open window is very comfortable .. well, well, people are friendly and positive)
but I repeat - I was there for work and, probably, I might not fully understand all the charms of Malta tourist ...
Positive reviews
Holidays in Malta - What is called a great holiday!
Advantages:Architecture Blue Lagoon Cheap
Disadvantages:Not suitable for families with small children
Malta is a stunning country, picturesque and youthful. I visited there at the end of July, the heat was unbearable, so my regime was like this, Sleep from 3 to 6 and then from 12 to 17, the rest of the time I walked and studied the surroundings. In the morning sports, the sea, the beach, attractions in the evening, parties at night. Visited all three islands of Malta, most of all I liked the island of Comino, where blue Lagoon... To travel around the country, I bought a tourist pass for 7 days for 21 euros. Prices in Malta are not high, you can eat in a cafe for 10-20 euros. Malta is a country for active recreation and culture, there are no sandy beaches at every step, there are only a few of them, and they are equipped so-so, around rocks, the whole island is a large piece of rock. I do not recommend it for families with small children, but in general it is a very cool resort.
Holidays in Malta - For architecture lovers
Advantages:It will definitely not be boring
Disadvantages:Few beaches
If you are already tired of monotonous resort towns or, on the contrary, on your first trip you want something unusual, then no doubt Malta is what you need. If you want to see the beautiful ancient cities, then for this you will not even need to purchase excursions and long hours of shaking in the bus, just leaving your hotel and going out into the city you will get everything you want. There you can walk for hours and enjoy nature and architecture. You should definitely visit the night show about the Knights of Malta, where you can enjoy a dinner made from ancient dishes, homemade Maltese wine, as well as see the performance: the Knights of Malta in costumes and the history that they will show you in color and movement. The weather in Malta is good, warm but humid. There are special beaches where you can swim in comfort, but you usually need to go to them and there are not so many of them. However, they swim there almost anywhere, only there are few sandy or pebble beaches, sometimes you have to jump into the sea from a stone embankment. So if you want to warm up, enjoy the beautiful views, learn a lot, then you should definitely go to Malta.
Malta - modern and medieval
For me, Malta was surrounded by a certain aura of mystery because of the eponymous Order of Malta. After a trip to this country, I learned that although it is a parliamentary republic, the positions of this influential order of the Johannes are still strong in the financial and public sphere. I liked Malta very much for its unusual form of recreation. There are few sandy beaches in Malta. The shores are mostly rocky. It is necessary to descend into the sea by handrails, much like into a regular swimming pool. And I, who love to swim, really liked it. Although, every coastal hotel has all the conditions for sunbathing and swimming in its own outdoor pools.
In my subjective opinion, Malta can be considered a single historical monument. There is something to see here:
Valletta - the capital and the city-fortress, along which we rode with a cab and two horses harnessed;
Mdina - the city of silence and the ancient capital of Malta;
Marsaxlokk is a fishing village where we had a couple of times the seafood cooked in the Maltese style;
St. Julian's is the area of \u200b\u200bthe island of Malta where we lived and where the nightlife is in full swing.
We also took a ferry trip to Gozo (or Gozo), which offers beautiful views and is just a pleasure to walk along. Both islands, Malta and Gozo, have retained their medieval aura and appeal, and we will definitely return here, perhaps in early autumn, when there are not so many tourists and the sea is still warm and pleasant.
Holidays in Malta reviews of tourists 2017 (Malta, Mdina) - Relatives demanded confirmation.
Advantages: In the recall.
Disadvantages: No.
My friend became a widow, but the widow did not grieve for long and married a former cosmonaut who lives in Zelenograd in a beautiful two-level apartment.
They invited me to visit, over an evening dinner, the conversation turned to rest (I was going to relax with them on the Baltic Sea when the current is warm).
The owner directly boasted that from Kaliningrad you can get to anywhere in the world, and I kept up the conversation and asked: is it too bad to go to Malta?
The next day I did not think about this conversation - which does not happen at dinner, but by lunchtime the owner (the officer's honor) gave us a lot of information about Malta and we were on fire to visit the place where the film "The Count of Monte Cristo" was filmed - said, done ...
We flew from Gdansk, I am still happy that I was so lucky in my life.
All organizational issues were solved by our man, I had no money, but then I gave my friend twenty thousand (she said that this was quite enough) for ten days of heavenly rest.
We rested and swam in the Blue Lagoon - the most beautiful place I have not seen in my life: the beach is sandy, the entrance is shallow, during our vacation one girl was severely stung by a jellyfish, a burn turned out.
The weather was sunny and pleasant, we did not lie in the room, but tried to learn as much as possible about the customs of this small state, visited Valletta - the capital of Malta, which is located on the northeastern coast of the island. There are practically no modern buildings in the city; it is located on the slope of Mount Skibarras and has a corresponding relief. Malta was granted to the Spiritual Knightly Order of Malta. The walls of buildings here and there are decorated with a wide variety of emblems.
The Palace of the Magister in Valletta made an impression, and the inquisitorial palace in Vittoriosa left an indelible mark at all - here it is interesting to see how mankind was sophisticated in torture.
The cities are very cramped, the streets are narrow, I don't feel very comfortable in cramped conditions, I don't have enough air and light, but it's very beautiful.
Quite a good thing on the beach, where the surf caresses the ear and the sun caresses the skin. I feel free here.
The country of Malta consists of three islands in the Mediterranean: Malta, Gozo and Comino. We visited Gozo - nature untouched by man. Generally a fairy tale! The color of the sea is special!
We were satisfied with the rest, returned to Kaliningrad, and then I flew home - even my relatives did not believe me that I was in Malta.
My friend and I traveled to Malta in June. At this time, the water is already warmed up, and the tan goes quickly and well? This state is small, you can see it in a few days historic cities and attractions. We liked Mdina and the ancient capital of Valletta. In cities, houses are placed at a very small distance from each other to create shadow. We lived in the most party town of the island - Saint Julian's, where there are many bars, discos, cafes and shops. For shisha lovers (as the Maltese call hookah) there is a cozy bar where you can sit on pillows in the open air. The beaches are small and rocky, the water is clear. For a change, you can get by transport to sandy beach, we went to Golden Bay (by the way, it was there that the film "Troy" was filmed), as well as to the island of Gozo: the water there is amazing and the sand is snow-white, only the places for sunbathing are inconvenient - on the slope of the cliff. But you can rent a sun lounger for 5 euros.
I remember the Maltese cats :) There are a lot of them on the island, much more than people. They are larger than our Russians and their faces are different.
As for food, I can say that the portions in the cafe are large (one is definitely enough for two girls), there are places for different budgets and tastes. We liked that there are many tourists on the island from all over the world. Here are some rules of conduct in Malta: if a passerby smiles at you, is it customary to smile back ?; when crossing the road, it is enough to reach out towards the car for the driver to slow down; in a nightclub it is considered normal if you are touched on the ass, you do not need to react aggressively; when meeting and saying goodbye do people kiss each other on both cheeks ?. There is also a not very pleasant thing - cockroaches (huge and flying!). Well, in general, I liked the rest, if possible we will go again).
Advantages:A great place to stay.
Disadvantages:A bit expensive
I rested there this summer. If I had my way or there was a lot of money, I would go there for the weekend. People, if you have enough rustling bills, you need to go to Malta and rest there for the maximum possible vacation time. You will have a lot of impressions and emotions. Have a nice rest!
Overall impression:
Beautiful place!
