Destination Fly4free: Malta

Eternal meeting point between East and West, Africa and Europe, this small archipelago offers huge variety of attractions. You’ll find prehistoric temples, stunning cliffs, pristine beaches, thrilling scuba diving and a history of remarkable intensity.

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Maltese boats

If you look at one of the brightly painted Maltese fishing boats, you will be sure to notice a pair of eyes carved or painted on the front. This traditional boat, called luzzu, is usually brightly decorated in shades of yellow, red, green and blue. Luzzus have existed since the ancient times. The eyes on the bow, originating from the time of the Phoenicans, are sometimes referred to as the Eye of Horus or of Osiris. They are said to protect the fishermen while at sea.

These colourful boats can be spotted at Marsaxlokk Harbour. The fishing village of Marsaxlokk is also known for one of the most popular markets in Malta, where locals buy fresh fish and seafood caught during the same morning. Originally a fish market, it has developed, and now it also sells local products like honey, fruit jams, wine, souvenirs and clothes. The biggest market is held on Sundays, from early morning until around 12:30. Arriving early is recommended.

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How to get there:
Take a look at the flight deals to Malta:

• Summer! Frankfurt, Hamburg or Dusseldorf to Malta from €44 (checked bag included) >>
• Non-stop from Hamburg or Hannover to Malta for only €40 >>
• Non-stop from Athens to Malta for only €36 >>
• Non-stop from Milan (Bergamo) to Malta for only €41 >>
• Non-stop from Rome to Malta for only €42 >>
• Non-stop from London (Gatwick) to Malta for only £44 >>
• Non-stop from Madrid to Malta for only €46 >>
• EARLY SUMMER: Cluj-Napoca, Romania to Malta from €32! >>
• 7 night stay in top-rated hotel in Malta + flights from Hamburg for €238 >>
• Summer flights from Germany to Azores, Iceland or Malta from €69 one-way >>
• Malta package holiday: Flights from Germany + 7-night bed+breakfast stay in top-rated accommodation for €181 >>

Where to stay:
In Qawra we encourage you to stay at 4* Seashells Resort at Suncrest with very good reviews. Set on St Paul’s Bay in Qawra, this seafront resort overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. It offers a swimming pool with hydromassage corner, a splash pool with slide, and a wellness centre. Seashells Resort at Suncrest offers stylish air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, private bathroom, and a flat-screen satellite TV. Most rooms feature a private balcony with views of the sea. A kids’ club and daily entertainment for adults are provided. The property’s staff can provide you with useful tourist information. The Seashells Resort is a 15-minute drive from Mdina, the former capital of Malta, and right opposite the resort there is a bus stop with services to the rest of Malta. The nearest rocky beach is 5 m from the pool.

In Mellieha we recommend you to book 4* Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa with very good reviews. This property is 12-minute walk from the beach. This 4-star hotel includes 3 pools, one of which is a heated indoor pool, and a sauna. There is also a modern gym and numerous state-of-the-art treatments available. Wi-Fi throughout is free. All spacious, elegant and air conditioned, the rooms come with satellite TV and free coffee-making facilities. Some overlook the sea, garden, or city. Offering a rooftop pool, a spa, and 3 restaurants, Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa is set in the hillside village of Mellieha, 1 km from Malta’s largest beach. It boasts panoramic sea and country views.

What to do:
Take a boat tour in the Grand Harbour or cruise the archipelago. Malta has some of the best diving in the Mediterranean. There is a good choice of dives both from the shore and reachable by short boat trips. Discover the extraordinary underwater landscapes and shipwrecks. Hop to the sister islands of Comino and Gozo – both islands offer plenty of opportunities for snorkelling. You can also explore the Um El Farud, a wreck that lies at a depth of 28 metres off the southwestern coast of Zurrieq.

Enjoy a dip in St. Peter’s Pool, the most stunning natural swimming pool in Malta. Its crystal clear waters are ideal for snorkellers and swimmers. St. Peter’s Pool is not the easiest place to find. It’s located near the Marsaxlokk Bay, at the tip of Delimara Point in the south west of Malta. The flat rocks around the pool provide the ideal opportunity for sunbathing.

Malta is known for having some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean, with some of the cleanest waters in Europe. The best beaches can be found in the Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Golden Bay, Mellieha Bay, Imgiebah Bay, Paradise Bay, Gnejna Bay, Armier Bay and Little Armier. You can also choose Ta` Fra Ben Bay, named after its watchtower that overlooks the area.

Join one of colourful traditional seasonal events such as the Carnival in Nadur (Gozo), the harvest festival of Mnarja or the Holy Week celebrations. There are also interesting cultural events such as the International Fireworks Festival, the International Arts Festival, Notte Bianca, the Jazz Festival and the World Music Festival. If you are looking for an authentic Maltese experience, then look out for the village festas, like the Feast of the Assumption in Mosta (15th of August).

Take a stroll in the Buskett Gardens, one of the few woodland areas in Malta, located in the fertile valley of Wied il-Luq in Siġġiewi.

Hike the Dingli Cliffs on the west coast of Malta. The cliffs, sheering into the sea, offer a spectacular sunset over the horizon. Go rock-climbing or take a quad tour along rugged roads.

The Maltese Islands have been described as one big open-air museum. What makes them unique is that so much of their past is visible today. Explore the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean necropolis that hides three floors of early neolithic grave caves. Catacomb complex can also be found deep under the town of Rabat.

Discover the ancient mysterious ruts carved in the bedrock near Attard. The complex pattern on the south of Malta resembles the railway tracks. Explore the Rinella Battery, a Victorian fort in Kalkara.

In Valletta you can discover the Lascaris War Rooms, from where the defence of Malta was conducted during the World War II. The underground complex of tunnels and chambers housed the War Headquarters. Take a fortifications walk and tour the most important historic sites of Valetta. Capital city of Malta is abundantly rich in sites to see and explore. St John’s co-Cathedral and museum are definitely not to be missed. Narrow streets are full of votive statues, fountains and beautiful gardens. Admire the colourful balconies in historical part of the city and join in the nightlife.

Visit the Three Cities, the first home to the Knights of St. John. Palaces, churches and forts of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua are far older than Valletta’s. The local communities celebrate holy days and festas as nowhere else in the archipelago. The three fortified cities are enclosed by the Cottonera Lines.

The Blue Grotto, that features in the film Troy (2004) starring Brad Pitt, is a popular destination for tourists. Every day from sunrise until noon numerous shades of blue can be observed in the sea caverns on the southern coast of Malta. Scuba diving, snorkelling and rock climbing are the most popular activities here. The site can get extremely busy during summer.

Drive from Zebbug to the walled city to find the Jesus Tree of Malta, located approximately half way up on the right side of the road. According to the local legend, after the tree was struck by lightning, it metamorphosed into an image of Jesus hanging from the cross.

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no place like MALTA from Malcolm Debono on Vimeo.