About Malta

Malta, Gozo and Comino lie at the heart of the Mediterranean, blessed with near year-round sun, crystal clear sea, stunning scenery and a rich history that has seen many of the glorious civilisations stamp their identity on these small islands.

Malta is holidaying as the mood takes you, you will be amazed as to what these small beautiful islands have to offer. In just 48 hours and a kilometer or two, you can try a new sport, laze on an island cruise, tour the most important historic sites, visit picturesque villages and still have time to join in the nightlife. That’s the real advantage of a stay here.

Through the Years
As a stepping-stone in the long history of man on earth, the Maltese Islands went through a golden Neolithic period, the remains of which are the mysterious megalithic temples. Later on, the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Carthaginians and the Romans all left their traces on the Islands before yielding them to the Arabs and then the Normans.

But it was the Knights of St. John who, in restoring the links with Christianity, a faith first brought to the Islands by St. Paul, took Malta through a new golden age by making it a key player in the cultural arena of 17th and 18th century Europe.

Key Dates

5000BC: First known inhabitants come from Sicily

4000 - 3000BC: The megalithic temples are built

700 - 218BC: Phoenician and Carthaginian periods

218BC: Malta forms part of the Roman Republic

60AD: St. Paul is shipwrecked on the island and preaches Christianity

395 - 870: Byzantine rule

870: The Arab invasion

1090 - 1530: Norman, Swabian, Angevin and Aragonese rule

1530: Charles V cedes the island of Malta to the Order of Jerusalem

1565: The Great Seige: The Knights of St. John defeat The Ottoman Turks

1566 - 1571: The building of Valletta, the new capital

17th Century: Malta under the Order of St. John prosper

1798: Napoleon Bonaparte stops here on his way to Egypt and the Order capitulates

1800: The British come to Malta's aid to defeat the French

1800 - 1964: Malta becomes a British colony. 164 years of British rule

1940 - 1942: Malta plays a key role in World War II and is constantly attacked

1947: Self-government restored, administration back in the hands of Govenor General

1964: Malta gains independence

1974: Malta becomes a  Republic. The first Maltese President takes office

2004: Malta becomes a full member state of the European Union

2008: Malta adopts the EURO currency