Sunday, December 22, 2024

Malta’s one of the sunniest places in Europe – here are 7 other reasons you’ll love it

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Mellieħa bay is just one of the stunning areas to explore in Malta

From sparkling waters to unspoilt coastline, ancient temples to mouthwatering cuisine, Malta is a mesmerising mix of cultural wonders and raw natural beauty.

And with more than 300 days of sun a year, this dazzling archipelago in the heart of the Mediterranean attracts visitors all year round with Jet2holidays. Wondering whether to make it your next holiday destination? Here are seven reasons why it should be…

Baroque beauty

Valletta boasts honey-glow façades, cobbled streets and architectural marvels
Valletta boasts honey-glow façades, cobbled streets and architectural marvels

As Europe’s smallest capital city, Valletta is a joy to explore. Built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century, it’s a beguiling blend of honey-glow façades, cobbled streets and architectural marvels, from the dazzling St John’s Co-Cathedral to the imposing Grand Master’s Palace. The whole walled city is a UNESCO-listed Baroque masterpiece.

Take a short ferry ride or hop on a colourful wooden dgħajsa boat across the harbour to the Three Cities; Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, where you’ll find a quieter side to the island. Alternatively, you can head inland to Malta’s original capital city, Mdina. At sunset, it’s breathtakingly beautiful, when the 4,000-year-old town is bathed in a lamplit glow. 

Gorgeous coastlines

Whether you want to relax on golden sands, explore coves by kayak or try deep sea swimming, Malta has a coastline for you
Whether you want to relax on golden sands, explore coves by kayak or try deep sea swimming, Malta has a coastline for you

Malta’s coastlines are delightfully diverse, peppered with golden-sand beaches, secluded coves, rugged cliffs and coastal villages. Along the northwest shores of the main island, Għajn Tuffieħa Bay is a crescent-shaped beauty, the perfect showcase of Malta’s natural splendour. 

At the northernmost tip of the island is Armier Bay and Mellieħa Bay, where shallow, crystal-clear waters await. These two are ideal for families, while the sheltered rocky beach, Qawra Point, is excellent for deep-sea swimming. 

Easy to reach

Malta's culture and beauty is easy to enjoy with Jet2holidays and just a three-and-a-half-hour flight
Malta’s culture and beauty is easy to enjoy with Jet2holidays and just a three-and-a-half-hour flight

Situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, Malta is just a three-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK. With Jet2holidays, you can fly direct from 10 UK airports this summer, including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and London Stansted.  

And when you book with the UK’s number one tour operator, you have a choice of hotels and resorts, ranging from two to five stars, all wrapped up in easy ABTA- and ATOL-protected packages, with return flights,return transfers and 22kg baggage included.  

With flexible stays, excellent flight times and expert Customer Helpers to greet you at the airport and at your accommodation, Jet2holidays will make your Maltese adventure one you’ll never forget. Plus, it all starts with a low £60pp deposit*.

Fabulous food

Malta has a thriving gastronomic scene, with seven Michelin-starred restaurants (one with 2 stars!) as well as countless local eateries serving delicious dishes like the stuffed flaky filo-styled pastry pastizzi
Malta has a thriving gastronomic scene, with seven Michelin-starred restaurants (one with 2 stars!) as well as countless local eateries serving delicious dishes like the stuffed flaky filo-styled pastry pastizzi

Malta has a medley of culinary influences, from Sicilian and Arabic to French and Spanish, with a hint of British cuisine too. Maltese cooking draws on its abundance of fresh produce for inspiration, with its rich soil, clean waters and warm climate creating the ideal conditions for wonderful produce.

The island has a thriving gastronomic scene, with 40 restaurants tipped in the country’s Michelin Guide and a total of six one-Michelin-starred restaurants, and one restaurant with two-Michelin stars.

But you don’t have to rely on upscale dining experiences for a true taste of Malta – for that, just one taste of a pastizzi will do. This flaky filo-styled pastry generally comes filled with savoury ricotta or subtly spiced mashed peas, and is beloved on the island as an on-the-go snack.   

Ancient temples

Explore the mysterious buildings of Unesco-listed Hagar Qim
Explore the mysterious and atmospheric buildings of Unesco-listed Ħaġar Qim

With a past that stretches back over 7,000 years, Malta is a treasure trove of temples, ruins and historical wonders. Here you’ll find some of the oldest free-standing temples in the world, as well as an underground Roman cemetery, atmospheric catacombs and enigmatic archaeological sites. 

Explore the incredible sites of UNESCO-listed Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park, while Għar Dalam contains the earliest evidence of human habitation in Malta, and the 6,000-year-old underground cemetery Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is a must-visit.

Outdoor adventure

Malta is consistently named among the best dive destinations in the world. 
Malta is consistently named among the best dive destinations in the world

There are so many ways to enjoy Malta’s 300 days of sunshine a year. Thrill-seekers should hire a quad bike or head out on horseback and explore the island’s rolling landscapes. For deep-sea adventures, you’ll find some amazing diving and snorkelling experiences all over the island – Malta is consistently named among the best dive destinations in the world. 

Stay above the water and explore hidden coves via kayak expeditions. Or keep to the land and take in the rugged beauty of Malta’s terrain, with a whole host of hiking and biking routes for all abilities and ages.  

Vine times

Many of Malta’s wineries are family-run, steeped in a history of wine growing that goes back generations
Many of Malta’s wineries are family-run, steeped in a history of wine growing that goes back generations

Malta is a hidden gem of a wine growing region. The island’s mix of fertile soils, abundance of sun and fresh sea breeze offers the perfect conditions for wine production, and you’ll find numerous high-quality wineries and vineyards scattered all over Malta and neighbouring Gozo. 

Many of Malta’s wineries are family-run, steeped in a history of wine growing that goes back generations. Take a tour and savour an expert tasting session to find out more about Malta’s proud viticulture.

Discover everything Malta has to offer with a Jet2holidays summer getaway. The UK’s number one tour operator will take care of all the elements of your Maltese escape, wrapping everything up into one simple package, leaving you free to focus on enjoying a memorable holiday in the sun.

Find out more and plan your Malta holiday at Jet2holidays.com

*On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. Full payment required by balance due date.

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