8 things you didn’t know about Malta

For its size, the tiny island of Malta (and neighbouring Gozo and Comino) packs a lot in – sunny beaches, ancient temples, historic buildings, great food and a string of vineyards. I’ve visited multiple times and it’s hugely family-friendly, with so much to do in Malta with kids

Even better, it’s only around three hours flight and the sun shines on well into the autumn. But apart from the sunshine destination’s top sights, here are a few things you didn’t know about Malta…

1. It’s been voted Europe’s top dive destination

It might surprise you to know there’s great diving in Malta, so good in fact that it has been named Europe’s top dive destination.

Home to octopus, seahorses, teeming reefs and some fascinating wrecks, the water is warm and clear, plus you’re almost guaranteed a sheltered cove if bad weather puts one coast off limits.

It’s even warm enough to dive until December.

2. It’s dominated by the church

That’s literally and figuratively. Looming over the small villages, the churches, with their traditional Baroque facades and double towers, overshadow the main square and are often visible for miles.

A standard meeting spot for locals, they’re part of the fabric of everyday life. 98% of the population are Catholic and between half and two-thirds regularly attend mass. Divorce has only been legal since 2011.

3. It’s the Hollywood of the Mediterranean

Or at least a strong contender. With its mix of cultures, including Arab influences, Malta has doubled as Troy, popped up in Gladiator (twice), stepped in for Lebanon in Syriana, been home to Popeye and seen dinosaurs running through its streets in some of the Jurassic World films…

The less said about Madonna’s flop Swept Away, shot in Comino’s stunning blue lagoon, the better…

4. Politics is taken very seriously

Voting for the two parties, Labour and the Nationalists, is split quite evenly and turn-out is high – if it drops below 90%, the Maltese begin to worry!

If your visit coincides with an election, be prepared for an unofficial holiday the next day as half the population celebrates and the other half hides in defeat.

5. Maltese women love winter

Why? It’s the only time they can really indulge their fashion sense rather than sticking to the cool option.

By October, expect to see locals sporting scarves, funky autumn styles and thick tights – while tourists wander happily past in shorts, enjoying the sunshine and temperatures of 70F+.

The start of winter is also the signal for the Maltese to ditch the beach and start picnicking en masse, to enjoy the islands’ greenery.

6. They love a celebration even more!

Summer is the best time to experience a Maltese festa, with each village marking their saint’s day.

Expect brass bands and statues carried around the towns – in the Three Cities (Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea, near capital Valletta), it’s traditional to run during the processions as the celebration was once forbidden.

If there’s not a local saint to commemorate (and with 365 churches, that’s rare) there’ll be something going on, from the huge Isle of MTV performances to the bread festival in Qorni.

7. They can’t wait to upgrade their buses

Dating from the 40s and 50s, the classic Bedford and Leyland models were an iconic sight, all in the same eye-catching yellow and white, plying the twisty and bumpy roads.

But while they’re a firm tourist favourite, the Maltese would prefer air conditioning and decent suspension to the stylish dinosaurs belching out occasional clouds of black smoke…

Since my first visit, they’ve already all but disappeared, although you can find some operating tours of the island rather than standard public transport: comfort wins out over cool!

8. Even the Maltese need to relax

The pace of life may seem ultra-laid back but when the easygoing bustle of Valletta becomes too much, the locals head for the even more child-out Gozo.

Where the Gozitans go to relax is a mystery – although it’s possible that life on Gozo is as relaxed as it gets!

Images courtesy of Depositphotos

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