48 hours in MALTA
Fancy a short break packed with sun, fun, culture and style? Hop over to Malta and discover why Valletta is the best-kept secret in the Med
NESTLING like a tiny, precious jewel in the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean just south of Sicily, Malta is rich with history, culture and a wealth of fabulous restaurants. Just three hours’ flight from the UK, and compact enough to explore in a few days, this beguiling island boasts the ideal ingredients for the perfect short break.
We’ve put together a few suggestions for a weekend away in and around the 2018 European City of Culture, but there’s plenty more to discover if you have a particular passion for architecture, history, art, archaeology or food. And with a strong British legacy (you’ll see red phone boxes and letter boxes), English is widely spoken, so you’ll enjoy an exciting new destination with the ease of fluent communication.
SUPPER IN THE SUN
ARRIVE in time for a relaxed Mediterranean-style evening meal on a balmy Friday evening, kicking off an idyllic sun-drenched weekend by immersing yourself in the laid-back rhythm of local life. Enjoy dinner at one of many waterfront locations, for example, the terrace of the recently opened Panorama restaurant, overlooking Valletta’s majestic Grand Harbour. A mouthwatering menu features regional produce and flavours including the likes of truffled gnocchi, local pork degustation or a freshly filleted local catch of the day.
All around you is the ancient, creamy limestone that forms so much of this island’s identity, from the Roman Domus to the medieval walled city of Mdina. Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has recently enjoyed a stylish regeneration with a number of rundown 400-year-old limestone houses and palazzi being restored and morphed into chic new boutique hotels and holiday lets around the city, while a modern open-air theatre has risen like a phoenix from the atmospheric ruins of the old Royal Opera House.
The striking new parliament buildings and City Gate have been created by The Shard architect, Renzo Caption kicker: Piano, to blend with the historic Erum doloriis cityscape but with a contemporary vision. sum nonsequae All are worth seeing as fascinating venihic tenis examples of sympathetic architectural development, and an insight into the cosmopolitan history of the city that has seen Romans, Arabs, European aristocracy and the knights of Malta create a rich, melting-pot culture.
EXPLORE THE SIGHTS
SPEND a leisurely morning meandering on foot or on a hired Segway along the ancient alleyways, making sure you allow time to visit the breathtaking St John’s Co Cathedral, hailed as one Europe’s most important examples of Baroque architecture. Wander through the streets to rest your feet in the Lower Barrakka Gardens or take a break enjoying the spectacular views across the harbour and the city from Upper Barrakka Gardens, surrounded by glorious planting and bronze statues.
Casa Rocca Piccola offers the chance to glimpse the privileged lifestyle of a Maltese noble family, and some guided tours are conducted by the current owners of this historic palazzo. It brims with priceless antiques and art, and even has a Second World War bomb shelter hand cut into solid rock.
Hugging the Grand Harbour are a trio of towns, Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Senglea, the Three Cities, which offer fascinating insight into everyday life
for the Maltese, watching the luxury yachts drop anchor and enjoying refreshments in the waterfront cafés. Book a Rolling Geek – a self-drive electric car, complete with pre-programmed GPS – to experience a tour with a difference, at your own pace, taking in the area’s famed Malta Film Studios, magnificent forts and pretty streets.
Continue the seafront theme in Valletta and book an alfresco table at the elegant Harbour Club on Barriera Wharf for dinner, for a blend of Mediterranean cuisines, with a menu of fresh fish, risotto, pasta and meats.
DISCOVER THE ISLAND
EVEN on the shortest break, Malta’s compact size and excellent bus service mean you can explore anywhere on the island without having to travel too far or for too long. A short journey will take you back centuries, offering the chance to discover the temple ruins of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, a megalithic complex featuring ancient statuettes, thought to have been built to worship the Venus of Malta, the sleeping goddess of fertility.
Book well in advance to see Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground burial complex cut into solid rock some 4,000 years ago, complete with a carved replica of the above-ground temples known as the ‘Holy of Holies’. Explore the picturesque regions of Rabat or Naxxar, or head out to one of the beautiful beaches and sheltered coves: Mellieha Bay is the island’s longest sandy beach, offering watersports facilities, while another Blue Flag destination is St George’s Bay, lined with pastel-hued vibrant restaurants, bars and clubs. The waters around the island are some of the cleanest in the Med, popular for swimming and watersports, as well as with passing sailors.
Whether you’re seeking a romantic break à deux, a great destination to explore with a group of friends, or an ideal place for a family-friendly escape, there are plenty of reasons to book Malta for your next holiday or short break. However brief your stay on this enchanting island, you’ll enjoy a big travel experience.