{"id":5235,"date":"2023-12-01T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/?p=5235"},"modified":"2024-12-04T11:38:03","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T00:38:03","slug":"malta-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/malta-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Little Wonder: A Moment for Malta"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><em>The smallest member of the European Union, Malta is currently having a moment with savvy travellers as they discover its secret grottoes, ancient ruins and genuine hospitality.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next time you are in Europe, leave Sicily to the White Lotus crowd because Malta is the new rising star.  The European Union\u2019s smallest member is a melting pot of Arabs, Italians, Normans, Aragonese and Britons who arrived on this island on ancient sailing ships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"654\" src=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MTA_4825-1024x654.jpg\" alt=\"-\" class=\"wp-image-5241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MTA_4825-1024x654.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MTA_4825-1536x981.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MTA_4825-2048x1308.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MTA_4825-350x224.jpg 350w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MTA_4825-768x491.jpg 768w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MTA_4825-1200x767.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And it is this cumulative amalgam of diverse cultures that has now formed one of Europe\u2019s most progressive societies. Malta recently hosted the LGBTQI+ EuroPride festival, it has become a haven for digital nomads with an early embrace of flexible working visas and is home to a new influx of artists and hoteliers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But Malta has managed all this modernisation while still respecting its rich past. Malta finally achieved independence for the first time in 1964 when the British packed up and left after 150 years of rule and the<br>island is also scattered with temples that predate the Great Pyramids of Egypt. These sites are easily accessible and far more intimate than Europe\u2019s other well-trodden archaeological sites, allowing visitors to be enveloped by the history and mystery at ancient sites such as Hagar Qim and Ggantija, a temple complex more than 5000 years old. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Malta\u2019s capital of Valletta consists of honey-coloured buildings that remain in pristine condition thanks to the city\u2019s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the ornately detailed buildings feature the unique gallariji, closed, ornate wooden balconies that are hallmarks of Maltese architecture. These protected spaces allow people on the inside to observe people on the street through spyholes in the walls and floors without themselves being seen, a feature of a city that has a long history of being under siege.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"lux_UI lux_offer_carousel\">\n\t\n\t<h3>Discover Malta<\/h3>\t\n\t<section class=\"splide lux_offer_carousel_feed\" aria-label=\"Luxury Escapes: Discover Malta\">\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"splide__arrows\">\n\t\t<button class=\"splide__arrow splide__arrow--prev\"><\/button>\n\t\t<button class=\"splide__arrow splide__arrow--next\"><\/button>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t<div class=\"splide__track\">\n\t\t<div class=\"splide__list\">\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"offer_0062y000005I8ZBAA0\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_8520a340741c3461e4b8c3e95f305be6\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/ax-the-palace-malta\/0062y000005I8ZBAA0\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC carousel LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"AX The Palace Malta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/e6empblilv93kzkf9i6b.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/e6empblilv93kzkf9i6b.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/e6empblilv93kzkf9i6b.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/e6empblilv93kzkf9i6b.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/e6empblilv93kzkf9i6b.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/e6empblilv93kzkf9i6b.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"AX The Palace Malta, Sliema, Malta\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><\/div><div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Sliema, Malta<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">AX The Palace Malta<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">Five-Star Harbour-View Malta Luxury with Rooftop Infinity Pool<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">3 nights, 1 room from<\/div><div class=\"range luxplus\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$521<\/span><span class=\"type\"> total<\/span><span class=\"with_luxplus\"> with <em><\/em><\/span><\/div><div class=\"range range_small\"><span class=\"label\">Non-member<\/span><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$508<\/span><\/div><div class=\"value_box\"><span class=\"value\">Valued up to US$797<\/span><span class=\"percentage\">-32%<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_0062y000003GjPIAA0\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_8520a340741c3461e4b8c3e95f305be6\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/cugo-gran-macina-grand-harbour-malta\/0062y000003GjPIAA0\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC carousel LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"Cug\u00f3 Gran Macina Grand Harbour\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/wx9lpdhswrym2umj6anv.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/wx9lpdhswrym2umj6anv.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/wx9lpdhswrym2umj6anv.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/wx9lpdhswrym2umj6anv.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/wx9lpdhswrym2umj6anv.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/wx9lpdhswrym2umj6anv.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"Cug\u00f3 Gran Macina Grand Harbour, Senglea, Malta\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><\/div><div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Senglea, Malta<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">Cug\u00f3 Gran Macina Grand Harbour<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">Malta Harbourside Suite Escape in Luxe Historic Fortress<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">3 nights, 1 suite from<\/div><div class=\"range luxplus\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$2,135<\/span><span class=\"type\"> total<\/span><span class=\"with_luxplus\"> with <em><\/em><\/span><\/div><div class=\"range range_small\"><span class=\"label\">Non-member<\/span><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$2,189<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_0062y000005I0SrAAK\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_8520a340741c3461e4b8c3e95f305be6\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/ax-the-saint-john-valletta-malta\/0062y000005I0SrAAK\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC carousel LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"AX The Saint John\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/jca13axphcbq4lbvbtm.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/jca13axphcbq4lbvbtm.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/jca13axphcbq4lbvbtm.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/jca13axphcbq4lbvbtm.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/jca13axphcbq4lbvbtm.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/jca13axphcbq4lbvbtm.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"AX The Saint John, Valletta, Malta\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><\/div><div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Valletta, Malta<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">AX The Saint John<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">Boutique Malta Luxury within a 17th-Centuary Merchant&#8217;s Residence in the Heart of Valletta<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">2 nights, 1 room from<\/div><div class=\"range luxplus\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$386<\/span><span class=\"type\"> total<\/span><span class=\"with_luxplus\"> with <em><\/em><\/span><\/div><div class=\"range range_small\"><span class=\"label\">Non-member<\/span><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$376<\/span><\/div><div class=\"value_box\"><span class=\"value\">Valued up to US$438<\/span><span class=\"percentage\">-8%<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_0062y000005I8dwAAC\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_8520a340741c3461e4b8c3e95f305be6\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/rosselli-ax-privilege-valletta-malta-europe\/0062y000005I8dwAAC\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC carousel LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"Rosselli AX Privilege\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/92y0unzqydwmbcm7q38l.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/92y0unzqydwmbcm7q38l.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/92y0unzqydwmbcm7q38l.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/92y0unzqydwmbcm7q38l.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/92y0unzqydwmbcm7q38l.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/92y0unzqydwmbcm7q38l.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"Rosselli AX Privilege, Valletta, Malta\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><\/div><div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Valletta, Malta<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">Rosselli AX Privilege<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">Five-Star Heritage Valletta Escape with Michelin-Starred Restaurant<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">3 nights, 1 room from<\/div><div class=\"range luxplus\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$897<\/span><span class=\"type\"> total<\/span><span class=\"with_luxplus\"> with <em><\/em><\/span><\/div><div class=\"range range_small\"><span class=\"label\">Non-member<\/span><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$872<\/span><\/div><div class=\"value_box\"><span class=\"value\">Valued up to US$1,174<\/span><span class=\"percentage\">-21%<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_0062y00000Bdt6BAAR\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_8520a340741c3461e4b8c3e95f305be6\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/intercontinental-malta\/0062y00000Bdt6BAAR\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC carousel    \" data-name=\"InterContinental Malta, an IHG Hotel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/sfkc7httoakge93pc9s.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/sfkc7httoakge93pc9s.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/sfkc7httoakge93pc9s.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/sfkc7httoakge93pc9s.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/sfkc7httoakge93pc9s.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/sfkc7httoakge93pc9s.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"InterContinental Malta, an IHG Hotel, Saint Julian&#039;s, Malta\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Saint Julian&#8217;s, Malta<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">InterContinental Malta, an IHG Hotel<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">Five-Star Malta Seaside Escape with Rooftop Infinity Pool Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">1 night, 1 room from<\/div><div class=\"range\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$117<\/span><span class=\"type\">total<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_0062y000005IQFaAAO\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_8520a340741c3461e4b8c3e95f305be6\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/offer\/ax-the-victoria-hotel-sliema-malta\/0062y000005IQFaAAO\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer LPC carousel LuxPlus   \" data-name=\"AX The Victoria Hotel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/t7j30f962iskqvrl9y2i.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/t7j30f962iskqvrl9y2i.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/t7j30f962iskqvrl9y2i.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/t7j30f962iskqvrl9y2i.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/t7j30f962iskqvrl9y2i.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/t7j30f962iskqvrl9y2i.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"AX The Victoria Hotel, Sliema, Malta\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"tags\"><\/div><div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Sliema, Malta<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">AX The Victoria Hotel<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">Heritage-Luxe Malta Stay in the Heart of Sliema with Rooftop Pool<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">3 nights, 1 room from<\/div><div class=\"range luxplus\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$307<\/span><span class=\"type\"> total<\/span><span class=\"with_luxplus\"> with <em><\/em><\/span><\/div><div class=\"range range_small\"><span class=\"label\">Non-member<\/span><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$300<\/span><\/div><div class=\"value_box\"><span class=\"value\">Valued up to US$585<\/span><span class=\"percentage\">-45%<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\n<div id=\"offer_9030102d-2249-4bd0-83d3-da1a67dc5a74\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_hotel cacheid_8520a340741c3461e4b8c3e95f305be6\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/us\/partner\/village-knights-accommodation\/9030102d-2249-4bd0-83d3-da1a67dc5a74\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"offer partner LPP carousel  \" data-name=\"Village Knights Accommodation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"offer_link_wrap\">\t<div class=\"offer_preview\">\n\t\t<figure><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/xakmw0vboq4ighyy2612.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_250\/xakmw0vboq4ighyy2612.webp 250w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_400\/xakmw0vboq4ighyy2612.webp 400w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_600\/xakmw0vboq4ighyy2612.webp 600w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_800\/xakmw0vboq4ighyy2612.webp 800w, https:\/\/images.luxuryescapes.com\/q_auto:eco,c_fill,g_auto,ar_16:9,w_1200\/xakmw0vboq4ighyy2612.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 250px, 250px\" alt=\"Village Knights Accommodation, Zebbug, Malta\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"offer_details\">\n\t\t<div class=\"location\"><i><\/i><span>Zebbug, Malta<\/span><\/div><div class=\"name\">Village Knights Accommodation<\/div><div class=\"tagline\">Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a terrace and a garden. Additional amenities at this bed &#038; breakfast include complimentary wireless internet access, a fireplace in the lobby, and barbecue grills.<\/div><div class=\"deal_info\"><div class=\"nights\">Total of 5 nights, 2 adults from<\/div><div class=\"range\"><span class=\"currency\">US<\/span><span class=\"price\">$441<\/span><\/div><\/div>\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a><\/div>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"offer_x\" class=\"splide__slide offer_item type_cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/au\/hotels\/country\/malta\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"carousel\" data-name=\"See all Malta deals\">\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"slide_cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta_tag\">Looking for something else?<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"btn_view_offer\">View all<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"cta\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/au\/hotels\/country\/malta\" data-le=\"promo\" data-type=\"carousel\" data-name=\"See all Malta deals\">See all Malta deals<\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maltese hospitality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gastronomy-Malta-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"-\" class=\"wp-image-5239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gastronomy-Malta-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gastronomy-Malta-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gastronomy-Malta-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gastronomy-Malta-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gastronomy-Malta-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Gastronomy-Malta.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Feast on classic Maltese cuisine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Visitors now come not to conquer but to indulge in the island\u2019s isolation, its culture and in authentic Maltese cuisine at traditional hotspots like Rubino, a modestly appointed restaurant in Old Bakery Street in Valletta that has been in operation for more than 100 years. Rubino caters to clientele favouring the freshest local fare prepared to exacting standards and served in an unpretentious dining room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Malta produces some excellent wine but exports hardly any of it; in addition to grapes typically used in wine production elsewhere in the world, the local gellewza and girgentina varietals native to the islands remain the country\u2019s oenological secret shared only with visitors in the know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a more rustic meal, grab a quick lunch at the fishing harbour of Marsaxlokk, where colourful luzzu, boats famed for the eyes painted at the bow, bring the day\u2019s catch right to the waterside restaurants. These nautical peepers represent the Eye of Horus, a symbol of protection that goes back even beyond the ancient Egyptians to the seafaring Phoenicians who once occupied much of the Mediterranean region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">See the sights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Valletta-Old-Mint-street-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"-\" class=\"wp-image-5240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Valletta-Old-Mint-street-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Valletta-Old-Mint-street-350x234.jpg 350w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Valletta-Old-Mint-street-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Valletta-Old-Mint-street-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Valletta-Old-Mint-street-2048x1368.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Valletta-Old-Mint-street-1200x801.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Views of the honey-coloured buildings of Valletta&#8217;s Old Town.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The main city sights are all within easy walking distance, so compact is the smallest of EU capitals. Most visitors first head to St John\u2019s Co-Cathedral, so named because a cathedral already existed in the archdiocese in Mdina before St John\u2019s was built. An enormous edifice, the co-cathedral houses an astonishing interior where every surface is a work of art. Tombs with colourful stone inlays on the floor<br>grab as much attention as the intricately decorated walls and ceiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the oratory are two paintings by Caravaggio, the gifted Italian scoundrel who sought refuge in Malta after committing multiple crimes in Rome. Ever the tumultuous soul, Caravaggio was eventually expelled from Malta but not before creating the two masterpieces on display here. The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (1608) is his largest work and the only one to bear his signature, which in dramatic fashion is seen in the blood streaming from Saint John\u2019s wounded neck. The expressive Saint Jerome Writing (1607) was stolen from the co-cathedral in 1984 but was recovered two years later. It now sits to the front of the oratory\u2019s altar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the major sights on Malta beyond Valletta is the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground necropolis revealed by accident in 1902 when renovations were being done on a home above it. In the town of Paola, the Hypogeum strictly limits the number of visitors to a maximum of 10. Be aware that tickets sell out weeks in advance. Other ancient sites around the island worthy of a visit include the megalithic temples in Tarxien, Mnajdra, and the aforementioned Hagar Qim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Past Mdina on Malta\u2019s southern coast is the Blue Grotto, where boat rides take visitors into the rock hollows at the base of the cliffs to appreciate the extraordinary blues of the sea and play of shadows and sunlight on the water. For the ultimate waterborne experience, a private yacht charter for a day in the Blue Lagoon off the coast of tiny Comino, the third of Malta\u2019s islands, makes an unforgettable memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This is an abridged version of the original article.<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Read the rest of this article on page 73 in the second issue of Dream by Luxury Escapes magazine. Get your copy\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.isubscribe.com.au\/dream-by-luxury-escapes-magazine-subscription.cfm?pub=1&amp;id=41358\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.isubscribe.com.au\/dream-by-luxury-escapes-magazine-subscription.cfm?pub=1&amp;id=41358\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"238\" src=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/LEM-3393-1140x265-Desktop-Web-Banner-1024x238.png\" alt=\"-\" class=\"wp-image-8893\" srcset=\"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/LEM-3393-1140x265-Desktop-Web-Banner-1024x238.png 1024w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/LEM-3393-1140x265-Desktop-Web-Banner-350x81.png 350w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/LEM-3393-1140x265-Desktop-Web-Banner-768x179.png 768w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/LEM-3393-1140x265-Desktop-Web-Banner-1536x357.png 1536w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/LEM-3393-1140x265-Desktop-Web-Banner-2048x476.png 2048w, https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/LEM-3393-1140x265-Desktop-Web-Banner-1200x279.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The smallest member of the European Union, Malta is currently having a moment with savvy travellers as they discover its secret grottoes, ancient ruins and genuine hospitality. Next time you are in Europe, leave Sicily to the White Lotus crowd because Malta is the new rising star. The European Union\u2019s smallest member is a melting [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":5238,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[55,373,75],"tags":[6,293],"location":[],"customertype":[],"class_list":["post-5235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-dream-magazine","category-malta","tag-city-break","tag-print-magazine"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/City-of-Valletta-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"lux_id":5235,"lux_link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/malta-guide\/","lux_title":"Little Wonder: A Moment for Malta","lux_excerpt":"The smallest member of the European Union, Malta is currently having a moment with savvy travellers as they discover its secret grottoes, ancient ruins and genuine hospitality. Next time you are in Europe, leave Sicily to the White Lotus crowd because Malta is the new rising star. The European Union\u2019s smallest member is a melting [\u2026]","lux_excerpt_trimmed":"The smallest member of the European Union, Malta is currently having a moment with savvy travellers as they discover its secret grottoes, ancient ruins and genuine hospitality. Next time you","lux_image_url":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/City-of-Valletta-scaled.jpg","lux_image_url_medium":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/City-of-Valletta-350x197.jpg","lux_image_url_large":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/City-of-Valletta-1024x575.jpg","lux_image_url_square":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/City-of-Valletta-500x500.jpg","lux_categories":[{"label":"Europe","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/destinations\/europe\/"},{"label":"Dream Magazine","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/dream-magazine\/"},{"label":"Malta","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/destinations\/europe\/malta\/"}],"lux_tags":[{"label":"City Break","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/city-break\/"},{"label":"Print magazine","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/tag\/print-magazine\/"}],"lux_locations":[],"lux_customer_types":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5235","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5235"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5235\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5235"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5235"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5235"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=5235"},{"taxonomy":"customertype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/customertype?post=5235"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}