Megaliths, medieval dungeons and Calypso's Cave – The Maltese Islands are positively mythic. The narrow
meandering streets of their towns and villages are crowded with Renaissance cathedrals and Baroque
palaces. As the countryside is dotted with the oldest known human structures in the world, the Islands have
rightly been described as an open-air museum.
The Maltese archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean, with Malta 93km south of Sicily and
288km north of Africa. The archipelago consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino with a total
population of 400,000 inhabitants over an area of 316sq km and a coastline of 196.8km (not including 56.01 km
for the island of Gozo).
Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre. Gozo is the second largest
island and is more rural, characterized by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture while Comino is largely
uninhabited.
With superbly sunny weather, expansive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history,
there is a great deal to see and do. With a little help from any guidebook, captivating places of interest are
immediately identified – the world famous Hypogeum selected as a place of World Heritage by UNESCO,
prehistoric temples and grand palaces are but a few.
The long relationship between the Islanders and the various nationalities that occupied Malta over the
centuries has created a marriage of styles and traditions, giving the Islands a fascinating eclectic culture.
meandering streets of their towns and villages are crowded with Renaissance cathedrals and Baroque
palaces. As the countryside is dotted with the oldest known human structures in the world, the Islands have
rightly been described as an open-air museum.
The Maltese archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean, with Malta 93km south of Sicily and
288km north of Africa. The archipelago consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino with a total
population of 400,000 inhabitants over an area of 316sq km and a coastline of 196.8km (not including 56.01 km
for the island of Gozo).
Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre. Gozo is the second largest
island and is more rural, characterized by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture while Comino is largely
uninhabited.
With superbly sunny weather, expansive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history,
there is a great deal to see and do. With a little help from any guidebook, captivating places of interest are
immediately identified – the world famous Hypogeum selected as a place of World Heritage by UNESCO,
prehistoric temples and grand palaces are but a few.
The long relationship between the Islanders and the various nationalities that occupied Malta over the
centuries has created a marriage of styles and traditions, giving the Islands a fascinating eclectic culture.
