Blessed with superb natural beaches, sparkling blue Mediterranean waters and some of the best diving sites in Europe, Malta is, hands down, a summer destination par excellence. Nevertheless, there’s a lot more to the Maltese Islands than just fun in the sun.
This tiny island country just off the southern coast of Sicily boasts some of the world’s most amazing prehistoric sites, a wealth of lovely traditions and an incredibly rich history that dates back nearly 7000 years ago. And there’s no better time to experience them all than in winter time, when the prices drop dramatically, the weather is still delightfully mild and the summer crowds are long gone, making for a far more relaxing and authentic vacation. Here are some truly exciting things to do in Malta during winter:
Visit the Museums (Soak up the Culture)
Malta is brimming with indoor and outdoor museums, some of them devoted to art, culture and history, others smaller and quirkier. Among the most remarkable are: the National Museum of Fine Arts; the National War Museum, which tells the story of the two World Wars; the Palace Armoury in the majestic Grandmaster’s Palace; and the National Archaeological Museum. The latter is housed in the Auberge de Provence – an impressive Baroque building designed especially for the Knights of Malta in 1571, and features a remarkable display of artifacts that date back to Malta’s Neolithic period.
All of the above are situated in beautiful Valletta, the UNESCO-listed capital of Malta, but there are many other interesting museums sprinkled throughout the islands. You can get a glimpse of the country’s maritime history in the Malta Maritime Museum in the ancient city of Birgu (Città Vittoriosa), or learn about the cultural history of Gozo Island in the Gozo Museum of Archaeology.
If you’re looking for something more unusual, check out the tiny, privately owned Pomskizillious Museum of Toys in Xagħra, the largest town in Gozo, or pay a visit to the delightful Popeye Village at Anchor Bay, near Mellieħa. Also known as Sweetheaven Village, this colorful assembly of ramshackle wooden houses built as a movie set for the 1980 musical comedy Popeye, is now a lovely outdoor museum with a great variety of attractions for the entire family.
And speaking of outdoor museums, Malta’s fabulous archaeological wonders are a must for any traveler to this one-of-a-kind island country in the middle of the Med. The megalithic temple complexes of Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien are considered to be the oldest free-standing structures on Earth.
Marvel at the Architecture
Malta has everything from prehistoric sites older than the Egyptian Pyramids and lovely monuments that remind of its Roman period to monumental baroque cities, awe-inspiring military constructions, Moorish houses, Art Nouveau buildings and churches that range from Neoclassical to Gothic Revival, Romanesque and Neo-Gothic, being an excellent destination for architecture buffs.
You can start your adventure in Valletta, a city that UNESCO has declared a World Heritage Site due to its architectural excellence and amazing concentration of history. Take a stroll along its imposing sixteenth-century bastion walls; admire the striking interior of St John’s co-Cathedral; and if possible, take a cruise along the spectacular Valleta Harbor for an ideal view of its cream-colored buildings that line the waterfront, climbing meandering streets still dominated by the Knights’ palaces.
The gorgeous capital city of Malta is indeed an intriguing mix of architectural styles, but there are many other places of interest for architecture junkies, such as the walled city of Mdina – Malta’s old capital and probably its most precious architectural treasure; the Arabian villages of Xlendi, Xaghra and Xewkija on the Island of Gozo; the beautiful churches of Victoria (Rabat); and the lovely historic Three Cities of Cottonera.
Go to the Theater
One of the main advantages of visiting Malta in the winter is that this period coincides with the theater season. From October to May, the country’s vibrant calendar of events is brimming with all sorts of classical concerts, operas and theatrical productions. Moreover, Maltese people take their theater very seriously, being extremely passionate about all sorts of artistic expression. Accordingly, there are dozens of spectacle venues throughout the islands of Malta and Gozo where you can indulge in their high-quality performances. The most impressive of all, however, is the prestigious 18th century Manoel Theater in Valletta, renowned for being one of Europe’s oldest working theaters. Other high-quality settings include the St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, the Mediterranean Conference Centre, as well as Aurora Theater and Astra Theater, both located in Gozo.
The Maltese Carnival and Christmas Pantomime
Although Malta has always been famous for its vibrant summer feasts, winter is as well a wonderful time to experience the country’s rich and colorful culture, as this is the time when its greatest Carnival takes place. Each February, the streets of Valletta, Floriana and Nadur (Gozo) are alive with music, flamboyant parades, extravagantly decorated floats and cheerful people dressed up in all kinds of weird costumes.
Celebrated since the 15th century, the Maltese Carnival is also an excellent opportunity to discover some of the nation’s age-old traditions, such as the parata dance or the medieval game of kukkanja.
If you have the chance to visit Malta during Christmas, don’t miss the fascinating decorations, “presepju” displays (cribs) and local festivities organized in Malta and Gozo. A season’s highlight is the annual Christmas pantomime show held at the Manoel Theater.
Indulge in Outdoor Activities
Malta enjoys an excellent Mediterranean weather with almost 300 days of sunshine each year, which means a great variety of outdoor activities are waiting to be discovered. This time of the year is ideal to explore the picturesque countryside, coast and villages, and take in the magnificent scenery while soaking up some winter sunshine.
For the more adventurous, there’s a wide range of activities to choose from, including cycling, rock climbing, sailing and even windsurfing. Moreover, Malta is home to an excellent golf club (Royal Malta Golf Club), where you can practice your skills all year round.
With all these being said, take a few minutes to check out Thompson for the hottest late deals to beautiful Malta. Feel free to browse around and make sure you’ll find the options that best fit your needs.