Malta Vacations

The Maltese are fiercely proud of their cultural identity. Traditions are important, especially those attached to the Roman Catholic Church, which is the dominant and official state religion in Malta. More than 360 ornate churches are found throughout the islands and although visitors are very welcome to explore them, wearing covered shoulders and legs shows respect and will ensure your admittance.   Religious festivals (festas) often include feasts, fireworks and children decorated in local traditional costumes. Given the friendly nature of the Maltese, enthusiastic visitors are welcome to join in the celebrations.  Music festivals like the Malta music week, which is a free, outdoor, six-day annual event takes place in Sliema on the north-eastern part of the island at end of June or beginning of July and should not be missed.  The International Spring Orchestra Festival is a classy four-day affair held in the capital city of Valletta at the beginning of April featuring classical music and modern sounds; a wonderful way to mingle with locals.  Walking the narrow streets and getting lost in Malta is never a stressful experience as English is widely spoken and people are happy to help.  

Smoking cigarettes and chatting about soccer and politics over coffee on an outdoor patio is very Maltese. After a few days on the islands, the same names may seem to be popping up everywhere, from store signage to street signs; 75% of Maltese share the same 100 surnames with smaller communities being able to link a family name to specific roots in a village.

Established crafts such as intricate lace and silver filigree are specialities in Malta. Lace making has a history of design dating back to the Knights of St John in the 16th century and the influence of intricate silver work is from the Sicilians in the 17th century.  Glass blowing in Ta’Qali is an elegant art and colourful pieces from this village near Rabat are shipped all over the world.

With the Mediterranean cradling the rocky shores of the Maltese islands, the breeze from the surrounding sea helps regulate the temperatures, even on the hottest summer days.  With some careful planning, getting the most out of your adventure to Malta is possible during all four seasons. Summers are the dry and warm by the coast and can be sweltering in the cities where shade from the stone buildings is essential to spending time outside. From beach lovers to scuba divers, the months of June-September are ideal for enjoying the sea. There are more festivals happening in the summer than at any other time of year and although Malta is busy, it’s never too difficult to find a spot to sit back and enjoy a cold Cisk at one of the many coastal patios.

Taking siestas in the middle of the hot summer day is a great way to live like a local and restore one’s energy for a late dining experience. Spring and fall are the best seasons for extensive walking, hiking or exploring the cities where temperatures are warm but never hot and the streets are far less busy. Winter is low-season, cool and can be rainy with many businesses closing for a few months. Outdoor activities like rock climbing, bird watching, horseback riding and hiking can be best enjoyed when the weather is cooler and the visitors fewer.  From January to July horseracing, a local passion, can be enjoyed on Sundays across the country. Bird hunting is a traditional Maltese sport which takes place from September to January when thousands of birds migrate between Africa and Europe. Whatever your passion, with 300 sunny days a year, it’s likely the sky above Malta will be as blue as the Mediterranean to welcome you.  

Malta is one of those wonderful places in the world where you will want to stop along the way to your intended destination.  Maybe while exploring the recently restored 15th citadel of Il-Kastelli in Gozo; the arts and crafts shops will have you drooling over intricate lace or silver jewellery; and that café tucked into the ancient wall in the shade, is so serene and the Gozitan wine so quaffable, time seems to stand still there. In any case, budget more time to do everything so you can take advantage of the simple pleasures Malta has to offer. Many shops are closed on Sundays and on public holidays when locals are either at church or celebrating. Getting from one island to the next is easier than ever with boat services between Malta and Gozo running frequently. The Maltese love cars and driving on the islands is fun and affordable. Renting a compact car is the best way to go while traversing some of the narrow roads in the scenic, winding countryside and make getting to out of the way gems like the mysterious Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples in the south a breeze.  Pack good hiking shoes, a hat to protect from the sun and a scarf for visiting cathedrals churches.  People are friendly and upon meeting, a handshake and a greeting of “ghandi pjacir?” (how are you?) is a wonderful way to dive into Maltese way of life.

Sun-bathing and swimming in one of the many natural pools formed out of rocks along the coastline is a must in Malta, however, going topless or donning bathing suits past the beach or pool is a no-go in this Catholic society.  Showing respect in the form of conservative clothing and flat shoes within the golden walls of the silent city of Mdina or while taking in the baroque glitter of St. John’s Co-Cathedral where paintings by Caravaggio hang above marble floors, will make a visitor feel more comfortable and will allow them access to more areas.

The flavours of Malta are infused with centuries of outside influence from the seemingly endless array of conquerors who made their mark on the islands. Vegetables and fruits like sweet figs, white skinned peaches and wild fennel, olives and artichokes, are staples when in season. The Mediterranean is a source of fresh fish and seafood which is prepared fresh all over the country.  Rockfish soup, called Aljotta is made with tomatoes, rice and garlic and hits the spot on a damp winter afternoon. Pastizzi may be the most popular go-to food with the flaky pastry layered with ricotta cheese and egg, meat or peas. Rabbit is prepared in every conceivable way from hearty stews simmered in wine to pasta sauce. Vegetarians are not abundantly found in Malta, however pasta dishes are available everywhere and Soppa Tal-Armala or widow’s soup is a traditional vegetable soup made with sheep or goat cheese.  Too much to see, no time for a long lunch? Traditional ftira(sandwiches) are a tasty and quick way to fill up like a local and keep on exploring. Invest time for dinner and follow the labyrinthine streets of Rabat which are peppered with small foodie-driven restaurants with a focus on organic, locally produced fare prepared in increasingly modern styles.

Beer is very popular, so much so a 10-day outdoor celebration held in Ta’Qali National Park takes place in the summer. Cisk, the national beer of the country is the most popular but other craft beers such as Hopleaf Pale and Stretta are also produced locally. Wines are made on Malta and Gozo from robust varieties such as merlot, cabernet sauvignon as well as indigenous gellewza and ghirghentina grapes. Malta’s dry, hot climate lends itself well to complex, flavourful wines which should be paired with a local dish to truly appreciate them.  The drinking age in Malta is 17. Service charges are usually included in your bill, but if not, a 10-15% tip on food or drink is welcome.