Malta Highlights

Produced by LoneLy PLanet for Mediterranean Magic 20Malta Highlights visitmalta © 1 Jean-Pierre Wandering in Valletta Dwejra dating from 1566, malta’s capital the thrilling coastline of dwejra, in l is a remarkable city and a unesco Gozo, features some astoundingly escourret/Getty ima 1World heritage site. it’s the size of a small beautiful2 rock formations that have been town – easy to explore on foot, and laid sculpted by the wind and sea. From here out in a harmonious grid formation. the you can take a boat trip through the azure G tall, gracious houses are distinctive for Window, an arch of rock that forms a es © their wood-and-glass balconies, which doorway to the open sea. there’s also the give them a top-heavy look. the hills inland sea, which is a wonderful place to mean some of the roads are so steep they swim and snorkel when the sea is calm. have to be stepped, and the roller-coaster close to the coast, the great chunk of streetscape allows mesmerising views Fungus rock rears from the piercing blue along the straight, narrow lanes and out mediterranean. to sea. 2 a llard s cha G er/Getty ima G es © 4 Fish lunch in Marsaxlokk Mdina visitmalta © it gets busy every sunday at the malta’s tiny ex-capital is a walled small coastal town of marsaxlokk. city perched on a hilltop, filled with l3ocals and tourists throng to visit the beautiful4 honey-coloured buildings. the buzzing fish market, where you can buy views from its bastions are sensational, all manner of sea bounty, from rock fish sweeping across the island and out to sea. to baby sharks. the harbour bobs with a treasure trove of museums, artefacts colourful fishing boats painted with the and churches (including malta’s other eye of osiris – a tradition that’s thought to cathedral), mdina is also appealingly mys- hark back to the Phoenician era. the sea- terious at night, when everything’s closed front, lined with excellent fish restaurants, and the city is dimly lit and empty. Wander is a great place for a long, lazy lunch – a around after most people have left and favourite activity of locals as well as visi- you’ll understand why it’s known as the tors. ‘silent city’. 3 Jean-Pierre l escourret/Getty ima 5 visitmalta.© Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra G es© Temples a unesco World heritage site, these 5structures date from 3200 Bc and are among malta’s finest and most atmospheric, partly due to their breathtaking location – they are set high up on the edge of coastal cliffs that are carpeted by wild flowers in spring. there are magnificent views out to sea and over to the distant islet of Filfla, and marked nature trails around the surrounding countryside. 6 m Vittoriosa’s backstreets Comino ar K a vittoriosa – known locally as Birgu, this small, rocky island has a beauti- vellino/Getty ima its name before the Great siege ful coastline and an eclectic history, of6 1565 – is the most fascinating of the having7 served as a hermit’s hideaway and three cities. this small town, perched on a prison camp. it was written of by Ptol- G es© its small lip of land, has stunning views all emy, and today it attracts huge numbers around it and perfectly preserved ancient of visitors to its Blue lagoon. this serene streets within. it was the original home of sea pool is so blue that it looks like an the Knights of st John, but it’s no mu- over-saturated image – if you manage seum – this is a living, breathing city with a to see it without the crowds (try an early strong sense of community. you’re in luck morning swim), it’s breathtaking. comino if you’ve timed your visit to see Birgu by is an equally beautiful place to walk, with candlelight in october, when the streets easy paths around the island leading up to are lit by candles. the 17th-century watchtower and around the coast to the island’s sole hotel. 7 r einhard s chmid/ h u B er/4 c orners 8 xx10 visitmalta © F otosol otosol F otosol/Getty ima G es © Hal Saflieni Diving & Victoria Hypogeum snorkelling the il-Kastell of visiting these an- malta and Gozo have 10 victoria is an cient underground some of the best div- evocative place to wander burial8 chambers is a ing9 and snorkelling sites in – this tiny medina (walled unique, mysterious and the world, with underwater city) almost seems to grow out of its rocky outcrop. it 9 awe- inspiring experience. caves, cliffs, coral reefs, s cott Portelli/Getty ima amazingly preserved, the shipwrecks and plane was built after a particular- sacred spaces hollowed wrecks colonised by glim- ly devastating raid on the out from the rock are mering shoals of fish. the island, when almost every around 5000 years old, yet islands are a wonderfully Gozitan was carried off to slavery; there was a time G painted ochre patterns are accessible place to explore es © still visible, decorating the the undersea scene, with when the entire population ceilings of some sections. lots of fine diving schools of around 3000 used to this unesco World heri- catering to learners as well sleep here at night. sweep- tage site offers a window as experienced divers. ing views can be had from into a mysterious ancient its battlements. world, which leaves a beguiling and perplexing resonance. you’ll need to book several weeks ahead. 12 n ic Swimming at San Blas Bay St John’s Co-Cathedral K s Gozo has some strikingly pretty the austere exterior of valletta’s ervian/Getty ima beaches along its northeastern cathedral is no preparation for the coast,11 with the rich, red sands of the most frenzy12 of baroque gold and lavish deco- G well known, ramla Bay, attracting crowds ration in its interior. the floor alone is a es © in the summer months. For a more seclu- carpet of many-coloured marble tombs, ded swim, locals and savvy visitors head in which symbolic pictures are delicately to san Blas Bay, a little further east along rendered in stone. the chapels, each per- the coast. the beach has a very steep ap- taining to an auberge, vie to outdo each proach, which puts off the faint-hearted, other in opulence. the outstanding high- rendering it far less busy and giving it the light is caravaggio’s Beheading of John the sense of a well-kept secret. there are few Baptist in the oratory – the largest work greater treats than a picnic lunch here on produced by the artist and the only one he a warm, sunny day. is known to have signed. 11 s tuart Blac K /Getty ima G es © 14 Pa W Fine dining in St Julian’s Walking on Gozo el t st Julian’s, set around a glorious malta’s diminutive neighbouring oczyns scoop of bay, is one of malta’s culi- island has a rolling, rural feel, and K i/Getty ima nary13 and nightlife centres. it’s sandwiched is14 covered in a carpet of wild flowers in between the areas of Paceville, which at- spring. it’s dotted by villages and huge G tracts a younger party crowd (if you’re 25, churches, and has a topography of at- es © you’re old), and graceful sliema, one of the tractive hills, towering cliffs and dramatic island’s most elegant districts. st Julian’s coastal rock formations. you can glimpse is packed with restaurants, and is loved by the azure mediterranean from almost locals and visitors alike. a meal here could everywhere. the roads are quiet and the see you dining on 30-day aged beef at a landscape is criss-crossed by walking hidden-away italian restaurant, enjoying trails, making it a fantastic place to ram- asian fusion and a view out across the ble. such is the size of the island (around glittering lights of the bay or tucking into 14km long), that you could almost cover gourmet hamburgers with names like ‘the its entirety in just a few days. obama’. 15 Ken Religious & s cicluna/Getty ima traditional 13 celebrations t etra catholicism runs i ma G es © G deep in malta. es/Getty ima t15his is a land that’s pep- pered with churches, and G es © shrines on every street corner. easter and christ- mas are extraordinary times to visit, but there’s always a town festival somewhere, as well as other major celebrations, such as carnival. religious events are celebrat- ed with great splendour, when communities join to parade holy icons in vivid processions. everyone is involved, from young to old; the most elderly spectators being wheeled out of their houses to watch. such festivities not only provide a mov- ing, fantastic spectacle, but also an unforgettable insight into maltese life. 16 d orlin Eating Maltese cuisine with Fomm ir-Riħ Bay G Kindersley/Getty ima the locals in some parts of malta the towns signature maltese food includes 17 seem to almost ebb into each some of the world’s best bread – other, such is the small size of the island. ftira16 – often filled with a tantalising mix of however, there is a surprising number of G es © tuna, tomatoes, olives and pickles. Pastizzi wild places around the country where you are small filo pastry parcels wrapping mor- can veer off the beaten track, escape the sels of ricotta or mushy peas: the quintes- crowds, and feel as if you’ve stumbled on sential maltese snack.

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