Malta-one of the smallest countries

The Maltese archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily and 288 km north of Africa. The archipelago consists of 3 islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino with a total population of over 400,000 inhabitants occupying an area of 316 square kilometers. Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre. Gozo is the second largest island and is more rural, characterised by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture. Comino, the smallest of the trio, has one hotel and is largely uninhabited.

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Malta in November

As you probably could discovered already my trips are very often spontaneous and leaded by a cheap plane ticket. Again Ryanair was offering good deal for 49,99 EUR for a return ticket which I couldn’t resist. We booked 5 full days on Malta what out of the hot season is just enough to visit major attractions. This post will consist only information about the Valetta. Posts from Gozo and other parts of Malta are coming soon 🙂

One day in Valletta

After arrival in our hotel (late evening) we booked immediately a  car to be able to travel around the next coming days.

Obviously, no trip to Malta is complete without visiting the smallest capital in the European Union. What it lacks in size, it makes up for ten times in charm. We decided to spend a full day in Valetta.

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If you love architecture, Malta will make you lose your mind. Parts of Malta look like they could be in the Middle East or North Africa. Parts look like Europe or even South America. Parts of Malta are crumbling, parts are beautifully restored.

The architecture here is an absolute feast for the eyes. And just imagine  those Arabic balconies in many different colors.

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If you are in Valetta don’t forget to visit Saint John’s Co-Cathedral-which is testimony to the wealth and importance of the Knights of Malta, who created a stronghold of Christianity in the 16th century. The Knights mission was to protect Europe and the Catholic faith from attacks by the Ottoman Turks, and this cathedral was built as a symbol to their success.

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Grand Harbor-Valletta owes much of its military success to its strategic location on the harbor. The enormous harbor could dock its battleships and still keep invaders out by closing off the entrance. The entire harbor is surrounded by massive fortifications, bastions, and defensive towers.

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Upper Barracca Gardens The lovely gardens encircle part of the city’s old fortifications, built on the highest point of Valletta. The peaceful and shady gardens are beautifully laid out with fountains, flower beds, and rows of arch ways. There are multiple viewpoints from different outlooks around the garden, offering stunning views of the Grand Harbor.

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