Our EU Member-state island of Malta is tucked away in the Mediterranean Sea like a well-hidden treasure chest, Malta is that tiny but mighty archipelago just south of Sicily.

Think of it as Italy’s fabulous little sister who moved out and made it big on her own. We’re a proud EU member state, consisting of three islands: Malta (the showoff), Gozo (the laid-back one), and Comino (the mysterious middle child).

Fun fact: You can fly here from Sicily in about the same time it takes to watch a TikTok compilation – just 20 minutes!

Imagine a postcard-perfect island drenched in sun, history, and intrigue. We’re the EU’s smallest country, with Valletta as its tiniest capital, a Semitic language dressed in Latin letters, and a knack for getting featured in epic movies like Troy, Gladiator 1 & 2, Napoloen, Assassins’ creed and Game of Thrones (season 1…Yes we’re still bragging about it)).

History, beaches, and scandalous tales—what more could you want?

Not at all. Malta is a living museum, where daily life unfolds among execution sites, fortifications, and ancient streets.

Malta is famous for its 7,000+ years of tangible history, the Knights of St John, prehistoric temples older than the pyramids, World War II resilience, and its strategic role in Mediterranean power struggles. Despite its small size, Malta has shaped European and global history far beyond its borders.

Yes. Malta human presence through a 2025 discovery confirms there were humans on the island at least 8,500 years ago, maybe even 9,000 years ago, and  continuously inhabited for over 7,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously lived-in places on Earth. From Neolithic temple builders to modern islanders, Malta was never abandoned — even when survival was brutal.

Yes. Temples like Ġgantija in Gozo predate the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. Their purpose remains debated, adding mystery to Malta’s already ancient past.

Malta’s importance comes from location. Sitting between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, whoever controlled Malta controlled Mediterranean trade routes, naval supply lines, and military strategy. Empires didn’t want Malta they needed it.

The Knights of St John, also known as the Knights Hospitaller (and later also referred to as the Knights of Malta)  were a powerful military-religious order who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798.

They transformed the island into one of the most fortified places on Earth, fought the Ottoman Empire, regulated daily life, and turned Valletta into a fortress city built for war.

Valletta was built in just 15 years after the Great Siege of 1565. Speed wasn’t ambition … it was survival. The city was designed as a military machine to resist a second Ottoman Great Siege (which never came)

es. Valletta is widely believed to be Europe’s first planned capital city, designed from day one with straight streets to allow cannon fire, wind circulation, and crowd control.

Yes. For centuries, Maltese corsairs operated under official licences, legally attacking enemy ships. Piracy wasn’t a crime but an economic strategy that funded churches, palaces, and entire families.

Very much so. Executions were held ias warnings and entertainment. Justice was fast, violent, and designed to keep order through fear.

Malta was Britain’s key Mediterranean naval base between Gibraltar and Alexandria. It protected supply routes and played a crucial role in WWII strategy.

Malta was one of the most bombed places per square kilometre during WWII. Entire neighbourhoods were destroyed, but the island never surrendered.

In 1942, the entire population of Malta was awarded the George Cross by King George VI for collective bravery during WWII  making Malta the only country in the world to receive it.

Malta has over 359 churches, more or less one of the highest ratios in the world. Religion shaped daily life, identity, politics, and social control — guilt was practically a civic duty.

Because size never mattered but strategy did. Malta was always outnumbered, yet repeatedly survived through intelligence, alliances, and brutal realism.

Yes and in the hundreds. Phoenician, Roman, medieval, and WWII wrecks surround the islands, making Malta one of the world’s top diving destinations for “sunken” history

Because its history includes sieges, executions, piracy, slavery, betrayal, survival, and rebellion — all preserved within walkable cities. Malta Themed Tours specialise in  Dark Tourism ( excluding Ghosts)

Because laughter was often the only alternative to war, famine, invasion, and survival. You laugh… or you break. Or maybe it’s just the hot sun 🙂

Oh honey, we’re not just friendly – we’re aggressively hospitable.Whilst every country has its fair share of goblins, in Malta, most of these goblins hide under rocks and those Maltese you’ll encounter are some of the friendliest people you’ll meet, always excited to help out and make new friends. 

BEWARE – Asking for directions may result in having a long conversation and the whole life story of a town or the person Infront of you 🙂

As most Mediterranean countries, we are warm:

• Ask for directions, get a life story (free of charge!)
• We talk with our hands so much we could probably communicate underwater
• What sounds like an argument is usually just us discussing what to have for lunch
• We’re direct enough to make a New Yorker blush
• Expect random “Bonġu!” (good morning) greetings from complete strangers

Warning: Side effects of Maltese friendliness may include unexpected dinner invitations, impromptu history lessons, (especially from us) and the inability to walk down a street without starting three conversations.

Maltese and English are both official languages in Malta. Maltese is a unique Semitic language written in Latin script, influenced by Arabic, Italian, Sicilian, English, and French. Most Maltese are multilingual and switch languages effortlessly.

Maltese culture and life does come as a culture shock to countries where it’s a custom not to smile or talk to random strangers.

Here in Malta it’s the other way round, Maltese people might look at you strangely …if you don’t smile back, say hello , good morning (Bonġu) as respect or nod.

When encountering a Maltese person, making Eye contact followed by a “Bonġu”  is encouraged, and is normally returned with a hello 🙂 

Malta’s architecture can double as Rome, Troy, Jerusalem, Paris, or the Middle East. Films include Gladiator, Troy, Game of Thrones, and Assassin’s Creed.  Also a highly skilled work-force and attractive tax credits and financial rebates make it an offer film makers cannot refuse

No. Malta’s story is that of an island a a crossroads,  European, North African Mediterranean, and global  involving popes, sultans, kings, pirates, slaves, and empires.

Yes. Architecture, language, humour, food, and identity are all shaped by centuries of survival under foreign rule.

Short answer – Malta is the last bit of land that refused to drown.  Malta has no mountains because nature politely sanded them down and then drowned the rest.
Our islands are actually the exposed crest of an ancient land bridge that once connected Sicily to Africa. Made mostly of soft limestone, Malta spent millions of years being aggressively eroded by wind, waves, and the Mediterranean sun.
Any serious mountains that might have existed were politely swallowed by rising sea levels after the last Ice Age, leaving Malta as a low-lying limestone plateau with dramatic cliffs, rolling hills, and absolutely no hiking excuses.
In short: Malta didn’t lose its mountains, the sea repossessed them.

Malta has no rivers or lakes due to its limestone geology. Historically, survival depended on rainwater cisterns, wells, and later advanced engineering,  adaptation was essential.

Malta is like your favorite party guest: fun all year round. 

• Summer (June–August) is for swimming.
• Spring (March–May) is breezy and blooming.
• Autumn (September–November) is still warm enough for a dip.
• Winter (December–February) offers cozy walks with a side of green landscapes.

• St. Julian’s/Sliema: For those who think sleep is overrated – It’s close to main sites, but forget peace and quiet
• Valletta: History buffs and Instagram addicts
• Three Cities – Birgu, (Vittoriosa) Isla (Senglea) , Bormla (Cospicua) Same as Valletta but more peaceful. My Top Pick
• Mdina: Silent City (literally, we’ll shush you)
• Rabat: town outside Mdina, quiet too and a cheaper alternative to Mdina
• Mellieħa: Beach lovers and sunscreen enthusiasts and if your planning a trip to Gozo or Comino
• Gozo: For when you want Malta on decaf… Quiet and Serene, perhaps too much!

If you’re on our site, you’re mostly here for culture and history, not just sunburns, singing and dancing.

👉 Valletta
Stay here if you don’t mind a bit of noise and love being in the middle of everything like bars, history, architecture , museums,  late nights, and drama included.

👉 The Three Cities (Birgu, Isla, Bormla) – MY TOP PICK Pick
If you want real Malta: Same as Valletta…history, atmosphere, but with more peace and better value. 

These Grand Harbour cities offer Cheaper accommodation, great food, fewer crowds, more locals,  plus a quick public boat (basically a mini harbour cruise) straight to Valletta and back till late.

If you’re here for a week, most of the action is around the Grand Harbour. You only really need to leave it for Mdina , our Megalithic Temples  or Gozo.

From the same point that the harbour public boat transport will drop you at in Valletta, you can also catch a fast Ferry, (1 hour trip) to Gozo too 🙂

👉 Gozo Tip for the more adventurous  
Do a couple of nights there too. But don’t leave it for your last day. Ferries + wind + bad weather = stress. Not worth it.

Local verdict:
For culture, value, and authenticity, mixing with locals the Three Cities win. Every time in my books.

Our weather forecast is basically mostly “sunny with a chance of more sun”:

• Spring (March-May): Perfect selfie weather, around 19°C
• Summer (June-August): Hot enough to fry an egg on our UNESCO sites, 31°C (with the occasional up to 40°C)
• Autumn (September-November): Summer’s relaxed cousin, 22-24°C
• Winter (December-February): What other countries call “pleasant spring,” 14°C

Pro tip: If you see a Maltese person wearing a puffer jacket when it’s 18°C, don’t judge – we’re delicate Mediterranean flowers.

Technically yes, but it tastes like its seawater roots. I never drink tap water unless it’s filtered. For your palate and planet, go for local glass-bottled water—it’s delicious and guilt-free.

Pretty solid, and available in most public areas and accommodations. Malta’s hospitality extends to its signal strength.

Seven years running as Europe’s best for LGBTIQ+ rights. If that doesn’t scream “welcome,” nothing does.

Officially, no. Unofficially, some secluded spots might allow you to bare all without judgment—just from us and NOT the authorities..So watch out and don’t get caught with your pants down!

Shops generally follow the Maltese way of life: open when they feel like it. Most operate 9 am–1 pm and 4 pm–7 pm, but in tourist areas, you’ll find them open till late. Sundays? Good luck!

While not mandatory, tipping is a lovely way to say, “Thanks for putting up with my terrible directions.” A cheeky 10% should do the trick.

• We’re smaller than most shopping malls (316 square kilometers)
• Valletta is the EU’s tiniest capital (but with the biggest personality)
• We’re the only country that speaks a Semitic language with Latin letters (we’re special like that)
• Game of Thrones filmed here (yes, we’re still bragging about it)
• We’ve topped European LGBTIQ+ rights rankings seven years running (love is love is love)

1. Pastizzi – Like a croissant had a love child with ricotta cheese
2. Ftira – A sandwich that makes other sandwiches feel inadequate
3. Rabbit Stew – Not the Easter Bunny, we promise
4. Ħobż biż-żejt – Bread with stuff that will change your life
5. Timpana – Pasta in a pie because why not?
6. Braġioli – Beef olives that contain no actual olives
7. Qassatat – Like pastizzi’s sophisticated cousin
8. Imqaret – Date-filled pastries that are definitely worth the calories and my favourite deadly sin after a tour.
9. Ġbejniet – Cheese that makes you forget about French cheese
10. Kannoli – Yes, we borrowed it from Sicily. No, we won’t give it back.

• Money: We use Euros (those colorful papers with buildings on them)
• Power: Type G plugs (the chunky British ones), 230V
• Drinking Age: 17 (yes, really)
• Driving: Left side, like the Brits (blame colonialism)
• Tipping: 10% is nice, but we’ll love you anyway
• Wi-Fi: Available everywhere except when you really need it
• Shopping Hours: 9am-1pm, 4pm-7pm (we believe in afternoon naps, but if you like shopping don’t fret as the major outlets do not and stay open)
• Tap Water: Safe, so they say,  but tastes like you’re licking a swimming pool
• Cannabis: Legal to possess up to 7g (but no smoking in public)

Yes. Today Malta is safe, welcoming, and vibrant even if its past was anything but.

Today Malta is considered a very safe country and can proudly say it has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. Although it must be said,  typical  precautions are still recommended especially in crowded areas for pickpocketing.

At Malta Themed Tours our guides are born, bred, and baked under the Maltese sun, we’re as local as it gets. While we speak perfect English, we also speak fluent Maltese hand gestures and can translate local grandma dialects, and always with a cheeky pirate’s grin.

Our Maltese family trees have more roots here than our ancient olive trees and we’ll tell you all you won’t find on the guide books or Google, carried from one generation without wifi, to the next.

Remember: A tour with us isn’t just a tour – it’s an immersive time travelling experience and like hanging out with your most knowledgeable local friend from years ago who happens to be a history nerd with a sense of humor, (and a cheeky rogue when in character as the historical subject person from the past being portrayed)

If you want to discover what 95% of visitors miss, welcome abroad!

Still have questions? We’ve probably got answers, or at least creative ways to avoid answering them. Drop us a line!