Southern Europe · Europe

Malta

Discover Malta - a sun-drenched archipelago with 7,000 years of history, megalithic temples older than the pyramids, and some of the clearest waters in the Mediterranean.

Where Is Malta?

Malta is a country in Southern Europe. Its capital is Valletta.

Where Malta isSouthern Europe · Capital Valletta

Capital Valletta
Population 580K
Area 316 km²

Malta is one of those places that seems too small to contain its own history, and yet here it is - a tiny archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean with megalithic temples that predate the Egyptian pyramids by a thousand years. The Phoenicians came, the Romans came, the Arabs gave the language its Semitic roots, the Normans took over, and then the Knights of St. John turned the islands into one of the most fortified places on Earth.

The result is a country roughly the size of a large city that packs in more UNESCO World Heritage sites per square kilometer than almost anywhere else. Valletta, the capital, was built by the Knights after the Great Siege of 1565 and remains a Baroque jewel. The Maltese language is the only Semitic language written in Latin script, and people here switch between Maltese and English mid-sentence without thinking twice. The water is absurdly clear, the summers are long, and the entire country feels like an open-air museum with a beach attached.

At a glance

Language

Maltese, English

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Calling Code

+356

Drives On

Left

Internet

.mt

Timezone

CET (UTC+1)

Script

Latin

Government

Parliamentary Republic

Independence

1964

By population

Largest cities in Malta

Valletta

Europe's smallest capital and a UNESCO World Heritage fortress city, built by the Knights of St. John after the Great Siege of 1565

6,444

Birkirkara

One of Malta's most populated towns, a residential hub in the central part of the island

25,000

Sliema

Coastal town known for shopping, seafront promenades, and views of Valletta across Marsamxett Harbour

23,000

Mdina

The Silent City - a walled medieval town that was Malta's capital for centuries, perched on a hill overlooking the island

300

Victoria (Rabat)

Capital of Gozo, the smaller island, centered around the ancient Citadella fortification

7,000

People

Famous people from Malta

Dun Karm Psaila
Literature
National poet of Malta, author of the Maltese national anthem and pioneer of Maltese literary language
Dom Mintoff
Politics
Prime Minister who led Malta from 1971 to 1984 and declared the republic in 1974
Joseph Calleja
Music
Internationally acclaimed operatic tenor, one of the finest Maltese-born classical singers
Edward de Bono
Science
Originated the concept of lateral thinking and authored over 80 books on creative problem-solving
Ira Losco
Music
Malta's most successful pop artist, represented Malta twice at the Eurovision Song Contest
Girolamo Cassar
Art
Chief architect who designed the city of Valletta and its major buildings including St. John's Co-Cathedral

Food

Traditional cuisine of Malta

Pastizzi: Flaky diamond-shaped pastries filled with ricotta or mushy peas, sold everywhere for pennies - the ultimate Maltese street food
Rabbit Stew (Fenkata): Slow-cooked rabbit in wine and garlic, the national dish of Malta and a Sunday tradition
Ftira: Gozo's sourdough flatbread topped with tomatoes, capers, olives, and onions - a Maltese take on pizza
Lampuki Pie: Flaky pastry pie filled with mahi-mahi fish, tomatoes, olives, and capers, a seasonal autumn favorite
Bigilla: Broad bean dip seasoned with garlic, parsley, and chili, served as a starter with crusty bread
Imqaret: Deep-fried date pastries flavored with anise and bay leaf, a popular Maltese dessert
Kapunata: Maltese ratatouille made with aubergines, tomatoes, peppers, and capers, served as a side dish

Nature

Nature and landmarks in Malta

Blue GrottoCoast: Series of sea caves on Malta's southern coast where sunlight creates stunning blue reflections on the water
Dingli CliffsCoast: Malta's highest point at 253 meters, dramatic limestone cliffs with panoramic views over the Mediterranean
Comino (Blue Lagoon)Island: Tiny island between Malta and Gozo famous for its crystal-clear turquoise lagoon
GozoIsland: Malta's quieter sister island with rolling countryside, ancient temples, and a slower pace of life
Golden BayCoast: One of Malta's few sandy beaches, a crescent of golden sand on the northwest coast
Hagar Qim TemplesLandmark: UNESCO megalithic temple complex dating to 3600 BC, among the oldest freestanding structures on Earth

Sport

Sports in Malta

Football: The most popular sport in Malta with a well-established Premier League dating back to 1909
Water Polo: One of Malta's strongest sports, regularly competitive in European championships
Sailing: The Rolex Middle Sea Race starts from Valletta, one of the Mediterranean's premier offshore races
Luzzu Rowing (Regatta): Traditional rowing races in Grand Harbour on Victory Day, using traditional Maltese boats

Facts

Did you know?

Malta's megalithic temples are older than both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by about 1,000 years
Valletta is the smallest national capital in the European Union, covering just 0.61 square kilometers
The Maltese language is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet
Malta was awarded the George Cross by King George VI in 1942 for bravery during World War II - it still appears on the national flag
Malta has no rivers, lakes, or mountains - the entire country is essentially limestone rock
The country is one of the most densely populated in the world, with over 1,600 people per square kilometer
Malta served as a filming location for Game of Thrones, Gladiator, and Troy
Every village in Malta has its own patron saint and a massive annual festa celebration with fireworks