3,000 hours of sunshine a year and 7,000 years of history, there’s something for everyone in Malta

Visit Malta in any season and you can look forward to basking under blue skies and enjoying temperatures that rarely fall below 17 degrees. As an added bonus, the sea temperature is higher than anywhere else in Europe. So a dip in those turquoise waves can feel like slipping into a warm bath.

Add in the fact it’s an easy three hour flight from the UK and you can see why Malta is so attractive.

Jet2holidays (a Which? Recommended Provider) flies to Malta from eight UK airports: Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands Glasgow, Leeds, Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and London Stansted. Next summer, this grows to nine as Belfast also joins the roster of UK bases. 

You can relax knowing you get free transfers plus a hand luggage allowance of 10kg on top of a generous 22kg baggage allowance all for no extra cost. Hardly surprising then that Trip Advisor reckon Jet2holidays is the UK’s best airline.

Malta may be small – just 27km long and 14.5km wide. But it is jam packed with natural and historical wonders. It’s home to three UNESCO world heritage sites. The capital city, Valletta, alone boasts over 320 sites of historical interest.

There are hulking Megalithic temples that pre date the Pyramids and – some argue – even outclass Stonehenge. There are lavishly ornate baroque churches, quaint narrow streets, and Moorish hilltop citadels plus a wealth of top class museums. And, of course, because Malta was once part of the British Empire you will also find stunning Colonial buildings.

There are soaring limestone cliffs and stunning lagoons. And with a cornucopia of activities and attractions from scuba diving to gallery hopping, as well as those glorious golden beaches, it’s perfect for every type of holidaymaker.

Enjoy great food? 

Malta is as renowned for its delicious and pocket friendly street food as for its fine dining. 

This tiny island has 6 Michelin starred restaurants – proof of just how seriously the locals take their food. 

There is zero chance of ever going hungry. The famously hospitable Maltese pride themselves on their generous portions.

Thanks to Malta’s unique history and geography, the cuisine is an enticing mixture of Arabic, Italian, French and British flavours. You will find plenty of fresh fish – including the famous Maltese lampuki – and octopus. Tasty treats include kannoli (a tube of crispy, fried pastry filled with ricotta) and pastizzi (a flaky pastry parcel filled with ricotta or mushy peas).

Looking for adventure? 

Those honey coloured cliffs are perfect for rock climbing and abseiling. Malta has more than 200 metres of coastline and boasts a tempting 1,300 climbing routes to choose from in every season. Or hike a mountain bike and get off the beaten track. 

You will want to explore The Munxar Cliffs – towering limestone cliffs situated north of Delimara Point. They offer breathtaking views over the Mediterranean Sea and large sea caves below. For an unforgettable experience, you might be tempted to try parasailing. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the island and fresh sea air all at the same time.

Hunting for shipwrecks? 

Malta is one of the best diving spots in Europe with over 100 different dive sites, including caves, shipwrecks and reefs. In 2017 Diver magazine voted Malta the second best diving destination in the world. The balmy sea water – which stays well above 20 degrees into the Autumn – and the fact that most sites are relatively close to land makes it the perfect place for beginners too. And there are plenty of dive schools which will get you in the water in no time.

Some of the most thrilling spots feature wrecks from World War II, such as the HMS Maori 13 metres below Fort St Elmo in Valletta, a Bristol Beaufighter near St Julian’s at 33 metres and the Carolita Barge in the harbour at Valletta, which was hit by a torpedo in 1942. This rests at around 12 metres.

Thanks to those delightful bays, Malta is also the ideal place to enjoy snorkelling, jet skiing and windsurfing.

Fancy enjoying local colour? 

Maltese are famous for their fiestas. Whatever time of year you visit, you are almost bound to stumble across an event to get involved in. Fireworks light up the sky as even the smallest village competes to put on the best display or hold the most colourful street procession. 

Malta also plays host to major art, music and theatre festivals throughout the year. Not for nothing was Valletta named European Capital of Culture in 2018.

Looking for Instagrammable spots? 

You are spoilt for choice. How about sunset at the Dingli Cliffs – Malta’s highest point? Take a trip across Valletta’s Grand Harbour in a brightly coloured gondola – known locally as Dghajsa.

Or position yourself at the entrance of Malta’s Medieval fortified city, Mdina. Fans will instantly recognise this magical spot from Game of Thrones. Perched on a hill, this magical city affords a spellbinding panorama of the island. 

Visitors’ cars are banned – hence the nickname ‘Silent City.’ Wondering around the cobbled streets particularly at night when visitors have left, is like stepping back in time.

Fascinated by art and architecture? 

The Knights of St John who ruled Malta in the 1500 and 1600s have left behind a bounty of stunning Baroque palaces and churches. You will be spellbound by Valletta’s stunning St John’s co-cathedral. Built in 1577, it is awash with gold and coloured marble. 

The icing on the cake is a magnificent painting by Caravaggio of John the Baptist, and was executed while he was sheltering with the Knights from a murder charge in Italy. The largest this bad boy painter ever produced, it’s also the only one he ever signed.

Although the Maltese have their own unique language – an intriguing blend of Italian and Arabic – English is their second official language. Everything from menus to road signs is in English. You will see old fashioned red post boxes from the 1940s in Moorish alleys. It’s what makes Malta such a blend of the thrillingly exotic and the delightfully familiar.

Getting around the island is a doddle. If you hire a car, you’ll be delighted to discover the Maltese drive on the left. Local buses are cheap and plentiful. The choices are endless.

Whatever the season, whether you are travelling as a couple or with kids, this magical island has everything you could possibly want for an unforgettable holiday.