Malta will surprise you with a wealth of tourist attractions. What can you look forward to this year?

Easily accessible, inexpensive and offering plenty of exciting experiences. Malta has become a popular destination in recent years. No wonder, there is something for everyone in this country. Beautiful beaches, historic towns and hiking. Ideal for beach types, but also for those who don’t stay in one place. A holiday in Malta will certainly not be boring. In this article you will find out how to get to Malta, what to expect when you arrive at the airport, but you will also find links to great flights.

From where? With whom? When? Tips from Pelicaners on flights to Malta

• From where? Malta is easily accessible by air from Slovakia, but also from airports in neighbouring countries. The best alternatives for Slovak tourists are, of course, Bratislava and Košice. However, Vienna or Budapest are also easily accessible departure points. We have also written about the differences between these flights, as well as which airlines offer their services from these countries.
• With whom? You can get to Malta at perfect prices with low-cost carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air. Malta Air also flies here seven times a week from Vienna and often offers very good deals on business class tickets. If you want to pay extra for comfort and on-board service, you can also fly with Austrian Airlines.
• When? Holidays in Malta don’t have to cost much at all, even during high season. It’s worth visiting even outside of the summer months. The big plus is definitely fewer tourists and lower accommodation prices.

Accommodation in Malta: stay at a good price

If you’re looking for the perfect accommodation and would like to snap up a great price, try one of these hotels in Malta. Which part of the island, is the best place to look for accommodation? For tourism, restaurants, hotels and the harbour, Buggiba is the most ideal location. For history lovers, there’s the option of staying in the capital Valletta, but expect higher prices. Paceville is also popular with party tourists, where Malta’s nightlife is concentrated. This country can be divided into different tourist parts.

Enjoying walks in Maltese gardens during the off-season

With the transition of summer into autumn, the Maltese archipelago turns green and blossoms. This is the ideal time for those holidaymakers who are interested in active tourism. Walking tours on the islands are noticeably more pleasurable than during the hot summer, and the local gardens become even more attractive.

Bring along your partner, family or friends and explore the most famous and most beautiful gardens of Valetta, the capital city. Those are the Upper and Lower Barakka Gardens both of which offer an amasing view of the City’s Grand Harbour. The knights of the Order of St. John used to wander here in search of rest and peace, and you can follow their footsteps too.

There are more than 300 days of sunshine in a year.

Temperatures typically range between 15 – 20°C and the sun shines more than 300 days in a year. So, you don’t have to worry about the weather in Malta during your holiday. The same is true about the temperature of the sea. Even in the coldest months, the temperature remains above 15°C, so diving is possible throughout the year.

Scuba diving in Malta? One of the best destinations in the world

Malta has long held its reputation as one of the prime diving destinations, not only in Europe but across the globe. Visibility in the clear and calm sea is as much as 40 meters, and the risk of encountering dangerous sea animals is extremely low. Malta provides perfect conditions for beginners. Experienced divers have an array of more challenging options to choose from. These range from gentle 12-meter dives in Ghar Lapsi to thrilling underwater adventures like exploring the 50-meter-deep tunnel at Lantern Point.

You will find here a number of certified diving schools offering a wide range of courses and activities.
If interested, diving for 2 or more people without a guide is also available upon presenting a PADI Advanced Open Water Certificate or a similar document (CMAS, Two Star Diver, BSAC). You should check with the diving centre for the best diving site based on prevailing weather conditions.

Rock climbing, horse riding, safari driving – all is available in Malta

Rock climbing, horse riding, and jeep safari driving are all available in Malta. If you feel more comfortable on land, you have plenty of options, from various climbing trails to horseback riding adventures.

Christmas in Malta and staying warm? Why not!

Christmas is one of the most important holidays for catholic Malta. The Maltese people go to church, carols are sung, and festive decorations are literally everywhere. Particularly popular are Bethlehem and Nativity scenes, which can be found on the streets and in the houses of the inhabitants.

What you won’t found there is typical Christmas food. During Christmas dinner, whole extended families usually come together, very often in a restaurant. In local terms, it typically means about fifteen to twenty people and a sumptuous feast. Oftentimes, you will find there one of the legacy dishes of the British Empire – typical Christmas pudding with a great deal of brandy poured over it.

Family-centered Christmas is followed by a lively New Year celebration, just the way we are familiar to. A lot of events take place directly on the streets of Valletta and the neighboring Floriana, and admission is free. You don’t have to fear the cold as December temperatures fluctuate around 15°C.

A majority of the museums and monuments are open

Whether you want to visit the National War Museum in Fort St. Elmo, St. Paul’s Catacombs or marvel at one of the prehistorical cathedrals, the doors are open. Most of the Maltese museums and cultural landmarks are managed by Heritage Malta, and and you can find their current opening hours on their website.

If you are interested in monuments from the dawn of the human history, Malta is an excellent choice. We do not know much about the prehistoric inhabitants who came to the island almost 8000 years ago. Ancient builders have left here cathedrals older than the pyramids, and, today, we have more questions than answers about them.

However, one of the most extraordinary structures lies underground—the Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni in Tarxien. This three-storey complex of corridors and halls hewn into the rock, whose purpose remains the subject of ongoing debate, is undeniably worth a visit. To maintain the microclimate, the number of visitors is strictly regulated, so booking a tour in advance is advisable.

You are welcome to make use of the virtual tours created by Heritage Malta, and not only when planning your holiday. Their number is constantly growing. You may find them here.