Malta City Breaks

Located at a crossroads between Europe, Africa and the Near East that has made it of huge strategic importance historically, Malta is a fusion of North African, Arabic and European influences and offers the opportunity for some fantastic cultural city breaks. Malta is actually an archipelago consisting of three large inhabited islands (Malta, Gozo and Comino) and numerous smaller uninhabited ones. Beautiful beaches, tiny, colourful fishing boats, ancient temples, rococo architecture, gorgeous sunshine, exhilarating festivals and buzzing nightlife all combine to ensure Malta remains a popular Mediterranean holiday destination. The island is steeped in history (this is where the Knights of St John defended Christendom for a start) making it a great historical city break holiday spot.

 

Most visitors on a short break holiday to Malta will want to visit stunning Valetta; the country’s de facto capital. Valetta is arguable one of the best-preserved fortified cities on the planet, and one of Europe’s most spectacular architectural wonders. Grand squares, mazy alleyways, glorious palazzi and two impressive harbours (Grand Harbour to the southeast and Marsamxett Harbour to the northwest) make this city a pleasure to walk around. Valetta is tiny, quaint and laid-back; ideal for relaxing breaks in the sun, sitting in a café, enjoying a cold drink and looking out across the Mediterranean Sea in the warm ocean breeze. Those interested in a sightseeing break here will find plenty to keep them occupied, including St John's Co-Cathedral; one of the most awe-inspiring churches in Europe, the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum; an atmospheric, prehistoric underground temple, and the Grand Master's Palace; home to the head of the Order of the Knights of St John.

 

While Valetta is not the most likely place for a shopping city break, there are nevertheless a good range of boutique stores and arty-crafty shops to be found around the city. The weekly Sunday morning market at St James Ditch is probably the most entertaining Valetta shopping experience; an eclectic mixture of items can be found here including old car parts, fake designer clothing, live birds, old books, sweets and various flea market paraphernalia. Valetta nightlife is all about the waterfront; a buzzing bar scene can be found near the cruise passenger terminal just below the city walls. Fashionable watering holes, restaurants and clubs have sprung up here in recent years, injecting some life into what would be an otherwise fairly sedate nightlife scene. For the best Valetta city break deals on the market, use directline-citybreaks online search function.