Small and beautiful - Malta in winter

Small and beautiful - Malta in winter

Alicja Baran
The average winter temperature here is about 16°C. Palm trees grow all around, cliffs emerge from the Mediterranean Sea, and in every town, you can taste a local delicacy – pastizzi. In addition, beautiful architecture, ubiquitous sandstone, and at the same time many megalithic temples. This is Malta, which is part of the Maltese Islands, including Gozo and Comino. They are located in the central part of the Mediterranean basin between Sicily and Africa. This guide teaches you how to survive on this small island and what places are worth seeing.
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How to survive on Malta?

1. Language

Malta has two official languages – Maltese and English. So there is no need to worry about communication. After all, when traveling around the island you can often find that the locals mostly use their native language. In the shops, you can find a lot of Italian food with labels in this language, because many food products are imported from Italy.

2. Transport

Renting a car is a very risky decision. Cities are jammed, there are too many cars and there is nowhere to park. So it is better to get around Malta yourself by bus, which runs quite often, and reach all the main tourist attractions (including the places you will read about later in the text). A good option is to use the Tallinn Explore Card, which can be purchased at the airport for 21 euros. It allows unlimited use of public transport for 7 days from the moment of ticket cancellation.

To find convenient connections, it is best to install the “Tallinja – Plan your bus trip” app, which clearly shows you how to get to your destination as easily as possible. It is worth adding that every time you enter the bus you have to “bounce” with a card. To get on or off, always do the same as for the on-demand stops, i. e. wave or press the STOP button.  

3. Malta Heritage Multisite Pass

It's a ticket that allows you to enter more than 20 seats in Malta. These are mainly museums, megalithic temples, or catacombs. The cost of such a card is 30 euros per adult (20 euros per student) and its validity is 30 days. It is a good opportunity to get to know the island from its cultural side, but it is not for everyone. If you are not attracted to the exhibition, you can let go of such a card and buy separate tickets everywhere. 

4. British remnants

Malta was a British colony until 1964 and to this day you can see some remnants of that time. On the islands, there is traffic on the left. In addition, there are English sockets here, so it is worthwhile to stock up with an adapter before leaving to avoid unpleasant surprises.

What to see?

1. Valetta

The heart of the capital is easy to reach by bus, but you can also take a ferry from Sliema. It runs from 7:00 a. m. and the time of the last cruise depends on the time of year. In winter it is around 19:00 and in summer it is at midnight.

The cost of such an attraction is 1,5 € per person one way per day and 1,75 € per night (Two-way will pay 2. 80 € or 3. 30 € respectively). Tickets can be purchased at the boarding gate. The ferry arrives in Valletta near the Procathedral of St. Louis. Paul.

Triton Fountain
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Behind the bus station and the Triton Fountain, the main street greets visitors with its characteristic green balconies.
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Upper Barrakka Gardens
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It's the perfect place to relax. The sound of water and the view of palm trees are the perfect counter to the busy center.
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Lower Barrakka Gardens
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The gardens overlook Fort Saint Angelo and the Maltese Tri-City of Birgu, Cospicua and Senglea.
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St. John's Co-Cathedral
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Inside, literally every centimeter of the wall is covered with paintings and gold ornaments. A good option will be to combine the pleasant with the useful and go here to the Holy Mass, because it is an alternative to a fairly expensive tour of the temple. However, if someone is interested in getting to know the Co-Cathedral more thoroughly, you can find all the information about tickets on the website.
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CAFFÈ BERRY VALLETTA
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Cappuccino, latte or iced mocha with pistachio cream sprinkled with peanuts, is a must-see during your stay in Malta. You can also taste a variety of cakes and vegetarian dishes.
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2. Mdina and Ir-Rabat

Two towns located literally next to each other, the first of which is called “City of Silence” in every guide.

Mdina Gate
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The best way to visit Mdina is to start with the entrance through the majestic City Gate, and then everything depends on us. The town is so small that we will probably get anywhere sooner or later.
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Pjazza Mesquita
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Quiet and lovely square in the city.
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Bastion Square
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Square with a charming souvenir shop and a lookout point overlooking the countryside.
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Brama Grecka
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Another gate to the old town.
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St Paul’s Catacombs
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To the St Paul's Catacombs, you can go with Malta Heritage Multiside Pass.
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Roman Villa
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A place where there are original mosaics from Roman times. Entrance to this attraction is included with the Malta Heritage Multisite Pass.
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Bar One cafe’
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Lovely place for a coffee break during the visit.
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Is-Serkin - Crystal Palace Bar
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If you want to try the original Maltese pastizzi, then check out “Is-Serkin”. They serve them there with peas, chicken or ricotta.
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3. Dingli Cliffs

Dingli Cliffs are steep slopes in the south of the island, washed by the waves of the Mediterranean Sea. This is definitely one of the most breathtaking places you can see here. There's bus 201. It's best to get off at the Maddalena stop. It is also home to the highest elevation on Ta’ Dmejrek, which is 253 metres above sea level. 

Dingli Cliffs
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A walk over the cliffs is the perfect way to experience Malta from its natural side.
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4. Hagar Qim and Mnajdra

These are probably the most famous megalithic temples on the island, dating from the turn of the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. They are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.  Entrance to the temples is included in the Malta Heritage Multisite Pass, and when you cancel your tickets you can scan the QR code into an audio guide that will guide you through this historic place.

Ħaġar Qim
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The buildings were built near the cliffs. Returning from there to the Qrendi – Ħaġar bus stop, it’s worth sitting on a bench and simply looking into the distance at Filfla Island, which stands out against the blue Mediterranean Sea.
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5. Blue Grotto

It is said to be the most beautiful in the morning, when the rays of the rising sun are reflected in the sea. This does not change the fact that at any time of the day it makes a big impression.

An alternative to the cruise is to approach the lookout point, which is located right next to the bus stop Iż-Żurrieq – Panorama. You can see the nearby cliffs and the Blue Grotto itself. The rocks blend beautifully with the blue of the sea and sky, so you can’t miss this place during your stay in Malta.

Blue Grotto
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The cave can be reached by motorboat, which departs from Wied Iz-Zhurrieq between 9:00 and 17:00 (in winter between 9:00 and 15:30). The cost per person is 8 euros.
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6. Ghadira Nature Reserve

Although it looks very inconspicuous, it is a small springboard from cities and cars. It is a reserve that is famous for the birds that flock to it during the breeding season. You can also find local visitors here – chameleons! Meeting with these charming creatures is possible both in winter and summer. When it is cold, they have grayish shades, but when it gets warmer, they change their coloration to green. Nearby is Mellieha Beach, where you can drink local Cisk beer and listen to the sound of the sea.

Għadira Nature Reserve
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Entrance to the reserve is free, so it is worth a walk here and relax in the bosom of nature.
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There are many other great places in Malta that I haven’t had time to discover. Nearby are also Gozo and Comino, which tempt with beautiful cliffs at sunset and sea gorges. So both nature lovers and architecture enthusiasts will find something for themselves in this archipelago. It is definitely worth coming here to get to know the Maltese culture and people who will welcome everyone with a smile on their tiny island.

Alicja Baran

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alicja Baran
Hi, my name is Alicja and I'm 22 years old traveler from Poland. I love to explore new places, take pictures from all over the world and share them with you - people who are curious about nature, people and other cultures. I have an Instagram profile _owcanawalizkach_. You can also find articles in my native language on www.polakwpodrozy.pl. Enjoy!
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