Malta, the sunniest country in Europe, is less than a 4 hour flight from Belfast, with direct cheap flights from Ryanair.
We spent an amazing 72 hours exploring this beautiful Mediterranean island and we were so impressed that we are planning another visit in the near future.
We stayed at the excellent Warren Collection “Eleven” in Sliema, from where Water Taxis are a regular and inexpensive way to make the short crossing to Valletta. We also enjoyed a 90 minute boat trip around the harbour, learning about Valletta’s fascinating history: with its strategic position in Europe, Malta is highly fortified and has many points of interest.
Warren Collection Malta website HERE
There’s a fabulous variety of high quality restaurants, bars and cafes to suit all budgets and tastes, and the friendly, welcoming hospitality in Malta is second to none.
Malta History
With over 7,000 years of history, Malta is the ultimate holiday destination for any history buff! Home to some of the oldest free-standing temples in the World, the Islands have also played host to the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Knights of St. John, Napoleon and the British Empire. A jaunt to its phenomenal fortifications, and an open-mouthed-gape at its truly awe-inspiring architecture is a must.
No trip to Malta is complete without going on a journey through time, from the prehistoric times to modern day.
Transport
Malta, the sunniest country in Europe, is less than a 4 hour flight from Belfast, with direct cheap flights from Ryanair. Ryanair website HERE
Bolt taxi app – website HERE
Our Ten Top Tips:
1. Explore the beauty of both the Lower and Upper Barrakka Gardens.
2. Admire the majestic Triton Fountain.
3. Witness the ceremonial gun firings at the Saluting Battery, available from Monday to Saturday at 12:00 or 16:00.
4. Fall in love with the iconic balconies of Valletta.
5. Take a relaxing harbour boat trip.
6. Use the “Hop on hop off” buses.
7. Explore the beautiful Churches, Cathedrals and Art Galleries.
8. Enjoy a cocktail or glass of local wine on one of the many Rooftop Bars.
9. Sockets are standard 3 pin UK – so no need for travel adapters!
10. The Bolt taxi app is easy to use, and incredibly reliable.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
With a vast and varied history dating back to prehistoric times, Malta is the epitome of historical richness. Boasting three UNESCO World Heritage sites that includes the glorious Cultural Capital City of Valletta, the jaw-dropping Ħal-Saflieni Hypogeum, and seven magnificent Megalithic Temples, there is always something to explore on this Mediterranean Gem!
Valletta
Fancy a stroll through the Capital?
With its age-old bastions, ornate architecture, and bustling cobbled streets, still very much in action today, Valletta is the ideal amalgamation of history and modern life. Aptly coined in 2018 as the European Capital of Culture, there are tons to see and do in this spectacular City, founded in the sixteenth Century by the Knights of St John.
Whether gazing at the Three Cities from the breathtaking Barrakka Gardens, dining at one of its outstanding eateries, or drooling over the Caravaggio in St John’s Co-cathedral, the only stressful thing about a trip to Valletta is trying to fit it all in!
Fishing Villages
Gastronomy
Looking to tantalise your tastebuds?
Being home to an abundance of outstanding produce, a sea brimming with delicious seafood, and recipes dating back centuries, food and drink are the very essence of Maltese Culture. Hence, it’s hardly surprising that the Islands have some of the most spectacular cuisine in the World. Whatever type of dining experience you’re craving, be it a quick snack, a culinary extravaganza at a Michelin-starred restaurant, or a hearty dig into some awesome local cuisine, there’s always something to sink your teeth into in Malta.
Trabuxu website HERE
Abrazo website HERE
Taste website HERE
Cocktails
Kamy, a fabulous cocktail bar in the heart of Valletta, is unlike any cocktail bar we’ve ever seen.
With a joyfully chaotic, art-influenced interior, and a spiral staircase leading to a quirky upstairs room, Kamy is eye-poppingly gorgeous.
The cocktail list features all the classics, from a Smoked Old Fashioned to a Paper Plane, and also some cleverly creative Kamy Art cocktails featuring wonderful works such as Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”, and Munch’s “The Scream”.
Kamy is the venue in Valletta where magical mixology meets iconic artworks.
Kamy website HERE
We’d a great night at Wild Honey Listening to Reel Celtic
