Pass The Passport

Places / Europe

Malta

Visited

At a glance

Region
Southern Europe
Capital
Valletta
Population
580,000 (2025)
Area
316 km²
Languages
English, Maltese
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Drives on the
left
Calling code
+356
Visited: Malta

Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.

Before you go

Overview

The Republic of Malta is an island country at Southern Europe with an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea.

The country recorded an area of 493,559 in 2019 and covers an area of 316 km2.

Its capital city is Valleta. It is the smallest national capital by area in the European Union.

The other major cities are Victoria, Mdina and Rabat, Birgu and St. Paul’s Bay.

The Capital, Valletta

History

It was a colony of the British Empire in from 1814 to 1964 when it gained independence. It later became a republic in 1974.

It joined the European Union in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2008.

Food & culture

Its culture is influenced by the societies which have settled in the Islands throughout the years and that of the neighbouring countries.

The main crops in the country are cauliflower, wheat, barley, citrus, green peppers, potatoes and grapes.

The main dishes include fish pie, rabbit stew and beef olives.

Wildlife

Common wildlife animals are pilot whales, whale dolphins, the wall lizard, Sicilian shrew and crab.

Festivals & events

The main celebrated events include Malta Jazz Festival, Maltese Carnival, Valletta Film Festival, International Arts Festival and Malta Fireworks Festival.

Things to see

The Grand Harbor is a natural harbour on the island, which has been reformed to accommodate larger docks, wharves and fortifications.

There is also the Azure Window, which is a natural arch on the island of Gozo with a height of 28m.

Other places to visit are St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Comino Island.

People also visit the Blue Lagoon, which is a beautiful beach on Comino Island.

Interesting facts

The official languages are Maltese and English.

The major religion is the Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Run a marathon in Malta

Malta Marathon

Mdina to Sliema · usually February

A point-to-point course from the old walled city of Mdina down to the sea at Sliema.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malta

3 of 3 visited. See every site I've been to.

My photos from Malta

From 2 trips, newest first, so you can see which places each set of photos came from.

December 2025 Maltese Meander

Senglea, Cospicua, Valletta, Floriana

Whole trip gallery
  • A red-fronted bar decorated with Christmas lights and a Santa figure at night in Valletta.
  • A brightly lit Ferris wheel at a Christmas market at night with festive light decorations.
  • Marina full of white yachts beneath honey-coloured stone buildings and a church dome in Malta.
  • Wide-angle view of a golden limestone baroque church with two bell towers under a cloudy blue sky.
  • Narrow limestone alley decorated with Christmas bells, garlands and potted plants.
  • Front of a large golden-stone church with two bell towers and a columned facade under a blue sky.

July 2018 Malta, Italy, San Marino Summer Holidays

3citiesmalta, Comino

Whole trip gallery
  • The famous turquoise Blue Lagoon on Comino between Malta and Gozo
  • The stone walls of the Citadel on Gozo above the countryside.
  • A traditional painted boat in the harbour of Malta's Three Cities.
  • A honey-coloured stone church facade in Malta's Three Cities.

Plan your trip to Malta

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.

Neighbours

Malta has no land borders with other countries.

Bucket List goals in Malta

None on the list yet. Got a suggestion? Email Dan.