If you’ve been counting down the days to a sunny getaway then magical Malta will make the wait so worthwhile. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing break discovering local culture or an active outdoor adventure in glorious winter sunshine, this dazzling Green List destination should be top of your list. Offering historical treasures, village fiestas, exquisite cuisine and a huge variety of sea and land-based fun, Malta and its sister islands Gozo and Comino give vaccinated Brits the opportunity of exciting holiday freedom after all that time staying at home.
The islands’ heritage is extraordinary. With a story that spans the neolithic, Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine eras – not to mention occupation by the French and British – it’s no surprise that Malta’s past is richly celebrated. And you don’t need to be a history buff to be wowed by fascinating sites such as Gozo’s Ggantija Temples – the world’s oldest freestanding structures, predating Stonehenge. Equally impressive is Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, an ancient tomb complex close to Malta’s capital Valletta whose origins are veiled in mystery.
Malta’s towns are also packed with historic and atmospheric sites, such as Floriana just outside Valletta where, this month, the BBC Concert Orchestra will tell the Queen story and Pete Tong will own the dancefloor with the Heritage Orchestra.
Valletta itself is so rich in historic buildings that the entire city is a Unesco World Heritage site. A stunning, ochre-hued citadel rising up from twin harbours, Valletta is a living museum of medieval, baroque and neoclassical architecture. Simply walking Valletta’s streets is an inspiring experience, but don’t miss the incredible exhibits at the National Museum of Archaeology or the sumptuously decorated St John’s Co-Cathedral – its interior is a jewel box of colour.
Malta’s other cathedral, St Paul’s, can be found inland at Mdina, a walled hilltop city that served as the capital in medieval times. Well-preserved Mdina is virtually car-free, enhancing its step-back-in-time appeal. Also worthy of a wander are the waterfront Three Cities that crown the skyline near Valletta, each brimming with age-old charm. Malta has so much intriguing history and heritage for you to delve into.
While exploring the ancient streets of the islands’ pretty towns, you’re sure to find some remarkable restaurants, many with alfresco dining so you can take in the views. Whether it’s coffee and cake in a café on Mdina’s ancient walls or sampling the five Michelin-starred restaurants across Malta (a total of 31 Maltese restaurants made this year’s Michelin list), you’ll find the ingredients are seasonal and the traditional recipes delightful. Stop at family-run cafés for sandwiches made with ftira, a uniquely Maltese flatbread, and snack-sized pastizzi – filo pastry delicacies generously filled with ricotta or mushy peas. Or linger over lunch at a laidback harbourside restaurant, where colourfully painted traditional luzzu fishing boats present the perfect backdrop. Use this gastronomy guide to find the finest dining destinations.
Head inland to discover Maltese wine. As well as familiar varietals suited to the limestone terroir, local wineries grow indigenous gellewza and girgentina grapes to produce award-winning vintages, distinct in body and flavour. And there’s a whole raft of winery tours and tastings on offer. Or come for the Qormi Cheese & Wine Festival on September 11 to sample more than 30 wines and the islands’ dairy produce.
Malta is famous for its diving, and is regularly voted one of the best dive sites in the world for its exciting range of shipwrecks, caverns and sea caves beneath marvellously clear waters teeming with marine life. A number of sites can be accessed directly from the shore, which makes the Maltese isles the perfect place to achieve PADI certification. It’s easy to find all the best spots. Other water sports on offer include snorkelling, kayaking and sailing.
Back on land, the coast and countryside are criss-crossed with trails for walking or horseriding – both are a great way to explore. For adrenaline junkies, options include jetskiing and rock climbing. Serious athletes will relish the challenge of the XTERRA Malta triathlon and sailing enthusiasts will want to be on board for the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Both events take place on October 23.
And all this winter wonder is within easy reach. Malta is just a three-hour flight from the UK, and fully vaccinated Brits can visit without quarantine or faff: you just need either your printed vaccination certificate or the digital version on the NHS app. Malta has been on the Green List for some months, and its Covid measures – along with the highest vaccination rate in Europe – should help ensure that visitors feel safe and secure, and can travel to Malta and home again without undue delay. And as the islands bask in more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Malta is your go-to escape to wonderfully warm days under peerless blue skies.
Thousands of years of human occupation – from prehistoric settlers and the Phoenicians to Normans and the British – have left Malta with a wealth of historical buildings, each one telling a chapter of the islands’ fascinating story.
Temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Classified by Unesco as “unique architectural masterpieces”, these atmospheric clifftop temples form a megalithic religious complex that early explorers believed was constructed by giants.
Hal Saflieni Hypogeum This 6,000-year-old subterranean cemetery and place of worship never ceases to fascinate. Book ahead as visitor numbers are limited to protect the burial chamber’s ancient structure.
St John’s Co-Cathedral Built by the Knights of St John, this 16th century baroque beauty gleams with marble, gold leaf and decorative reliefs beneath a brightly painted ceiling – and some exquisite paintings by Caravaggio.
Fort Rinella The Victorian-era coastal fort, a reminder of Malta’s occupation by the British, is home to the world’s largest muzzle-loading cannon – the 100-ton Armstrong gun.
For inspiration and more information see visitmalta.com. For the latest advice on Covid travel, go to visitmalta.com/en/covid-19.
Book your getaway now
Book a seven-night Malta break from £599 with Mercury Holidays – price includes a five-star hotel stay and return flights.
Terms and conditions: Based on departures from November 22 to November 30, 2021 from London Heathrow with Air Malta. Other airports and departure dates at a supplement. Based on two people sharing at the five-star Phoenicia Hotel.
Call 0333 321 3145 or visit MercuryHolidays.co.uk/malta.