1. What to see, what to do
Malta is a great place for everyone to enjoy: many attractions, beautiful nature and a variety of activities will make your vacation enjoyable and educational.
If you prefer an active vacation to beach lounging, then diving, rock climbing, golf and many other sports are all available. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, then explore the beaches, lagoons and picturesque landscapes. There's plenty to do in Malta for those who like to party and party hard, with bars, restaurants, clubs and casinos all at your disposal.
For travelers who want to discover something new, Malta is the place to be: ancient fortresses, ruins, temples, and the sauce of a rich history. Then there's Gozo, with its ancient megalithic structures and caves.
Make sure to visit Valletta, the island's capital, to stroll its streets, marveling at the ancient cathedrals and buildings, many of which still have ancient frescoes and paintings by the great masters of the past. It is worth seeing the Cathedral of St. John, the Palace of the Grand Master, the Knights' Armory, Fort St. Elmo and the beautiful palaces of Parisio, Castile and Provence.
Don't forget the fortress city of Mdina (Malta's first capital). Its palaces (Inguanec, St Sophia's, Archbishop's) and museums, temples (Hajar Im, Mnajdra and Tarshin) and cathedrals (St Paul's, Carmelite Church), as well as the cells of the first Christian prophets, are worth a day's stay to experience the ancient history of this place.
If you're a landscape hunter who likes to be alone with nature, head to the south or west of Malta for some of the most spectacular views on the island. You can also visit the fishing village of Marsashlokk for some seafood from the Sunday market on the waterfront. Better still, take a boat trip along the coast to not only enjoy the views of Malta but also the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
2. Diving
Diving is a very popular pastime in Malta, as the island's coastal waters are rich in flora and fauna and attract divers from all over the world. However, if you want to dive in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, it's worth noting that diving in Malta requires a local permit - a 'C' card.
This is issued by the island's dive centers and requires a medical certificate (available locally), two photographs, a ship's book and a fee of 1 lira.
There are schools on the island where instructors give lessons to novice divers and also accept CMAS or PADI level exams. It is important to remember that scuba diving and swimming in several archaeological zones is prohibited in Malta. If you find anything of value underwater, you should not touch it and should report it to a museum or scuba diving school.
3. Smoking
Maltese people are a strict people when it comes to following rules and regulations. Topless sunbathing is forbidden on the island's beaches, for example, and you won't be allowed into temples in beachwear or overly revealing clothing. The attitude to smoking is no exception - Malta has a ban on smoking in public places. You can smoke only in those establishments that have special hoods in a designated smoking area. The island's population is officially allowed to denounce the owners of establishments that do not have an extractor hood, but where visitors smoke nonetheless.
4. Safety
You can rest assured that Malta is one of the few places with the lowest crime rates in the world. The worst that can happen is petty theft, and even then it's "performed" by migrants from Africa. But tourists are advised not to leave things in a parked car and to keep anything valuable in the hotel safe.
5. Maltese cuisine
It would be a gastronomic crime not to try the local cuisine! After all, Malta's culinary traditions are a blend of European and African cuisines, so it's your first duty as a tourist to appreciate the resulting motley mix.
Try the seafood dishes, such as the traditional lampuka pie or, if you fancy something unusual, spaghetti with octopus ink sauce. Stuffed eggplant, braggioli (beef rolls filled with ground beef and bacon sauce) and rabbit stewed in tomato sauce are also worth a look.
For desserts, look out for the ricotta puff pastry and the imcaret (a pastry filled with dates).
Have a great trip!
