Maltese Islands Travel Guide (Malta, Gozo and Comino)

The Maltese Islands are an archipelago of six islands of which, Malta, Gozo and Comino are inhabited.  They are situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, 58 miles from Sicily and 180 miles from Libya.

Malta is the largest island in the archipelago, measuring 27kms by 14.5kms.  Malta has neither rivers nor mountains, but is characterised by a series of low, flat-topped hills with terraced fields on their slopes.  Malta’s coastline is well indented with natural and man-made harbours, bays, creeks, several sandy beaches and rocky coves. 

Malta is the more urban and cosmopolitan of the islands.  It has every amenity from modern residential and commercial areas to a vibrant nightlife and numerous leisure options.  While the Grand Harbour area and a most of the central-eastern region are built up, the countryside to the North is rugged and sparsely populated. 

Gozo is smaller than its sister island Malta and has a character all its own.  The Island is more rural and quieter than Malta.  The countryside is greener and has some spectacular cliffs and inland scenery.  The flat-topped hills here are more evident than in Malta and give an idea of the way all the Islands would have looked in prehistoric times.  Gozo’s coastline has picturesque bays, coves and rugged cliffs penetrated by steep gorges hewn by rivers in the ice age.  Gozo is 14.5kms long and 7.2kms wide at its widest point.  Gozo's Capital is called Victoria and is also known by its older name, Rabat.  There is no airport on Gozo but further down this page you will find information about methods of travel to Gozo.

Comino is the smallest inhabited island in the archipelago.  The Island is a quiet escape  - there are no cars on Comino, nor any other noise to disturb the peace.  Comino has only two beach hotels, ideal for that get-away-from-it-all holiday and for water sports enthusiasts.  The Islands’ numerous bays and its crystal clear waters make it the perfect choice for most kinds of water sports, especially snorkelling and diving.   There is a regular ferry service operated by the Comino Hotel to both Malta and Gozo. 

The Maltese Islands are soaked in history covering nearly 7000 years, for example there are temples on Malta that date from 5000 BC, the Phoenicians colonised the islands around 800 BC.  The Romans made Malta part of their empire in 218 BC.  St Paul was shipwrecked on Malta in AD 60 and converted the Maltese people to Christianity.  Malta was under Arab rule in the 9th and 10th centuries which strengthened the Semitic roots of the Maltese language.

In 1530, the Emperor of Spain gave Malta to the Knights of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem.  They survived a three-month siege by the Turks in 1565 and governed until 1798 when Malta fell to Napoleon.  In 1800, the Maltese expelled the French with the assistance of the British Royal Navy.  In 1814, Malta became a British colony.  Malta was an important naval base, being strategically placed between Europe and North Africa.  During World War Two, it was subjected to a long blockade and five months of bombing raids by the Axis powers.  Malta was devastated but did not surrender.  In 1942 the island of Malta was awarded the George Cross.  During World War Two Malta became the most bombed country on the face of the planet, having the same quantity of bombs which fell on London in two years, fall on Malta in 2 months.
 

The Airport

Malta International Airport has been open for commercial traffic for over 50 years. The present air terminal building was constructed during the period 1989/91 and was officially opened on the 7th February 1992.  The building has been designed to handle 5 million passengers annually and is equipped with the facilities expected of a modern international air terminal.

The airport boasts of state-of-the-art equipment such as a "Hold Baggage Screening" system capable of processing 1,500 luggage pieces per hour. The airfield has two runways so there is rarely a delay once on board the aircraft.

The terminal complex comprises of split level Departure and Arrival Halls at either side of the main building with spacious Check-In, Baggage Reclaim and Welcomers' Halls, cafeterias, restaurants, tax free shops and other retail outlets, offices, stores and other service areas. For the business travellers, the airport has three executive lounges as well as a separate, exclusive VIP building for Heads of States and diplomats.

There is a Bank of Valletta and HSBC available inside the airport, along with rental offices for these car rental companies: Avis (  ) and Europcar ( ).

I travelled back to the UK on an evening weekend flight and I found that the departure lounge was not overcrowded like most European destinations during the summer months.  Although there is no duty free any more, the prices in the airport shop are fairly attractive and there is a good selection of spirits and tobacco.  I would however recommend shopping around the local shops in places like Valletta etc as we found the city shops to be a lot cheaper than the airport shops.

Please note that you are recommended to be at the airport with no less than 2 hours prior to the departure of your flight.  Also as with most airports only ONE piece of hand luggage is permitted per passenger.  It should not exceed the size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm.

What to See

In addition to public holidays, each parish in the Maltese Islands celebrates the feast of its patron saint.  These are known as Festas, and are held most weekends from about April to September, the Maltese like any excuse to hold a Festa.  Tour companies run trips to experience these events, or you can just grab the bus and make your own way there.

Once a week, there is a market day in practically all towns and villages.  In Valletta, the Merchants Street market is open every day except Sunday.  The biggest market is the one located at St James Ditch, just outside Valletta, while the most picturesque is the one at Marsaxlokk (a beautiful fishing village), both are held on Sunday mornings.

Weaving, pottery, blown glass, copper or brass objects are all popular with tourists.  Malta is famous for its gold and silver filigree work, as well as for its handmade lace.  There is a craft centre at Ta’ Qali in Malta (near the Aircraft Museum) and another at Ta’ Dbiegi in Gozo.  Look for the Malta Crafts Council logo (see right) on products genuinely made in Malta, as in most places quality and pricing is regulated by the government, giving tourists the best deals and helping to stop people ripping them off.

Commercial centres and shops are usually easily accessible by public or private transport.  Shops are normally open between 9.00 am. and 1.00 pm. and between 4.00 pm. and 7.00 pm.  In between these times the Maltese have there rest (a little like the Siestas in Spain).  In tourist areas, many shops remain open till 10.00 p.m.  Shops are normally closed on Sundays and Public Holidays (although the odd one or two open on a half day).

The sheer number of archaeological sites here sets Malta's history apart from that of other Mediterranean destinations.  There are megalithic monuments, Bronze Age dolmens, Punic tombs, remains of Roman Villas and traces of prehistoric man which defy explanation, such as the mysterious ‘cart’ tracks.  For three millennia, from around 5200 BC, the archipelago was home to a unique, temple-building civilisation.  Malta and Gozo’s temples are thought to be the oldest free-standing buildings known to man, predating the Pyramids in Egypt and Stonehenge in the UK.  One site above all others is special to Malta – the Hypogeum, a labyrinth of underground chambers probably used as both a burial site and a temple.  The Islands’ temples are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are open to the public.  A good place to start your tour is at the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, and the Hypogeum itself.  Please note you will need to book your place on the trip to the Hypogeum at least 10 days in advance as there is only 80 people admitted in to this underground temple each day.

Diving

The Islands offer excellent diving for beginners, experienced, technical and even cave divers.  With their natural harbours, bays, sheltered creeks, cliffs, reefs and scattering of wrecks, the Islands invite you to explore. The possibilities are endless.  With dive sites just a stone’s throw away from each other, you will be able to explore a variety of underwater worlds.  I have a list of some of the most popular and interesting dive site here. 

At just a couple of hours’ flight from major European cities, the Islands are easily accessible for long weekend diving breaks as well.  Sea temperatures average around 23ºC in summer and drop down to around 13ºC to 15ºC in December to March.  Dry suits are advisable in the winter, where as a 5mm wetsuit will be more than enough from late spring to early autumn.  Medicals are no long needed for certified divers as Malta now works on a self certification system similar to the PADI one.

The waters here are some of the most limpid and clear in the world. Visibility is excellent down to around 30 metres.  So the Maltese Islands are a dream destination for underwater photography.  There is not much in the way of large creatures to see, but the abundance of Octopus, Cuttlefish, Stonefish and other small creatures will keep most divers happy, particularly on night dives where I have seen at least one Octopus on every dive.

Weather

Malta’s climate is strongly influenced by the sea and is typical of the Mediterranean.  The Islands have a very sunny climate with a daily average of five to six hours sunshine in mid-winter to more than 12 hours in summer.

Winters are mild, with the occasional short chilly period brought about by the north and north-easterly winds from central Europe.

Summers are hot, dry and very sunny. Day-time temperatures in summer are often mitigated by cooling sea breezes, but in spring and autumn a very hot wind from Africa occasionally brings unseasonally high temperatures and humidity.  This is known as the Sirocco, or, in Maltese, the Xlokk – this wind affects Greece and Italy as well, in Malta the air is generally drier because of the short sea track from the African coast. 

Annual rainfall is low, averaging 578mm a year, and the length of the dry season in summer is longer than in neighbouring Italy. Sea bathing is quite possible well in to the ‘winter’ months, and the peak beach season can last until mid to late October. 

Period of observations is 1st January 1971 to 31st December 2000
* denotes average annual rainfall

Data collected and supplied by the Meteorological Office, Malta International Airport plc
 

Crime

Crime against tourists is rare although robberies, handbag snatching, pick-pocketing and theft from parked cars can occur.  You should safeguard passports, money and other valuables; for example by using hotel safety deposit boxes.  During my travels in the Maltese Islands I had no experience of any crime and believe that the majority of visitors to these islands will leave having a similar experience.
 

Getting Around

The public transport network of brightly coloured buses covers nearly all the Islands.  Car hire rates here are good value compared to other European destinations although the Maltese have there own unique style of driving and I would recommend not driving in Malta until you have spent a bit of time in the country observing the locals driving.  Caution should be exercised whilst driving as some roads are in a poor state of repair. Although some of the main arterial roads are in reasonable condition after being recently resurfaced.  Gozo on the other hand seems to have a more relaxed style of driving and I would say it is safe to hire a car here even on the first day on the island.  

For a slow paced romantic form of transport, why not try a horse drawn "Karrozin"?, they offer a by-gone way to visit the sites in the key historic places including Mdina and Valletta. 

For Island hopping to Gozo & Comino, you can utilise the Gozo Channel Ferry from the North West tip of Malta. A regular ro-ro ferry service carries passengers and cars between Malta and Gozo.  The trip takes about 30 minutes and for more information and time-tables click here.

An alternative and relaxing way to island hop, if you want a leisurely day on the high seas, is to take an island or harbour cruise or tour, as most of these show you areas of Malta, Gozo and Comino.

A regular helicopter service links the Malta International Airport with the heliport in Xewkija, Gozo. Travel time is around 15 minutes.  For more information and time-tables click here

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