Eight millennia of continuous history on three limestone islands — temples older than Stonehenge, a Grand Harbour where the Knights of St John held off the Ottomans, and English spoken everywhere with a Maltese accent.
- Capital
- Valletta
- Population
- 574,250
- Area
- 316 km²
- Languages
- English, Maltese
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- GDP
- $25,750M
Good to know
Driving side
Left
National dish
Pastizzi, Rabbit Stew (Fenkata)
Annual visitors
718,000 (2020)
Safety
Very low (0.56/100k)
Avg temp
19.6°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Coastal
Travel guide
Malta is an island country in Europe, forming an archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. Thanks to its strategic position, Malta has been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times, and conquered by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, the Sicilians, and the French, and lastly by the British in 1814. The invaders and intensive trading across the region left material and cultural heritage on the islands, but the Maltese and their language remain unique in many ways. With universal knowledge and use of English among the population and a wealth of both man-made structures from all eras of human existence and sites of exceptional natural beauty — Malta has been a very popular holiday destination for decades. There are also aquatic activities to enjoy. Northern Malta is home to the country's beach resorts and holiday areas. Gozo and Comino, the country's two smaller islands, are also popular beach spots, although these tend to be quieter, rockier and better for snorkelling. The Mediterranean Sea surrounding Malta is popular for diving, and experienced divers may be able to find historical artefacts from World War II or earlier.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Malta
Best time to visit
April–June and September–October are ideal with warm weather and fewer crowds. July–August is very hot and crowded. Carnival in February is vibrant. Winter is mild (15–18°C) and great for history sites. Gozo is less crowded than Malta year-round.
Visa
Citizens of US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and most Western countries receive 90 days Schengen visa-free in Malta.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (3)
Book your trip to Malta
We may earn a commission when you book through these links.
Major cities
Valletta
The world's smallest EU capital — packed with Baroque churches, Grand Harbour fortifications, and the Knights of St John's legacy.
Mdina
The Silent City — a walled medieval city perched on a ridge with no cars, extraordinary cathedral, and panoramic views.
Gozo
Malta's smaller, quieter sister island with the Azure Window site, Ggantija megalithic temples (older than Stonehenge), and diving.