ARE YOU LONGING FOR THE PERFECT BEACH AND DIVING HOLIDAY? THEN MALTA IS THE ANSWER. HERE YOU WILL FIND CRYSTAL-CLEAR WATERS WITH GOLDEN BEACHES, TURQUOISE LAGOONS, HIGH CLIFFS AND DEEP SEA CAVES TO EXPLORE. THE DELICACIES OF THE SEA ARE A BONUS, AND PERHAPS YOU WILL CATCH THE FISH YOURSELF…

Malta is a diver's dream. It's easy to understand why. The water is clear and here you'll find spectacular underwater topography. There are shallow reefs for the beginner to snorkel in, while advanced divers will find caves and historical shipwrecks to explore. Expect to be joined by colourful parrotfish as well as octopuses.

An absolute must for the more experienced diver is the world-famous Blue Hole on Malta's sister island, Gozo. It is a spectacular underwater cave that leads out to the open sea. The light that falls in and down through the hole makes diving here a majestic and magical experience. In the same area is the Inland Sea, which offers an exciting journey along an 80-metre-long tunnel.

Malta is consistently voted as one of the world's best diving destinations – but the small island nation is also a paradise for those seeking more relaxing water experiences. The islands offer charming coves, high cliffs, and a few fine sandy beaches. Many of the swimming spots are also Blue Flag certified, which means the water quality is exceptionally good.

Malta is a diver's dream. It's easy to see why. The water is clear and here you'll find spectacular underwater topography.

The Blue Lagoon on the island of Comino is a must-see: a turquoise oasis considered the most beautiful of all bathing spots in Malta. If you like sand between your toes, Mellieha Bay is a safe bet. Ramla Bay, with its beautiful orange-red sand, is another. If you prefer rocks to dive from, head to St. Peter’s Pool, nature’s own swimming pool where the sea is enclosed by cliffs. If you can’t decide: Take a boat trip that will take you around to different bathing spots.

Seeing Malta from the sea is in itself a magnificent experience, so take the opportunity to rent a kayak or why not a SUP board. And a sailing holiday around the small archipelago is a real dream holiday. The weather is stable, the wind conditions are good, and there are plenty of sights to discover. Malta may be a small country, but nowhere else will you find so many cultural gems in one place. Malta has a dramatic history and has been ruled by countless masters: Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, French, English… All of them have left their mark.

A visit to the charming fishing village of Marsaxlokk in the southern part of Malta offers a fine insight into the country's fishing tradition. In the harbour lie the now world-famous Luzzu, the colourful fishing boats with their painted eyes on the bow, a relic from Phoenician tradition, said to protect fishermen out at sea from evil forces. Some of the boats have been converted to take visitors, but the majority are still used as fishing vessels and supply Malta with fresh fish daily. Therefore, take the opportunity to finish your visit with dinner at one of the restaurants along the harbour promenade – here, fantastic fish and seafood dishes are served. A tip is ”Stuffat tal-qarnit”, a stew with freshly caught octopus.

Perhaps you have your own fish to prepare… The Maltese Islands offer world-class sport fishing, both for those happiest with a fishing rod in their hand and for those who want to fish out at sea. If you're lucky, you'll be grilling a swordfish by evening.

MALTA IN BRIEF
Malta consists of several islands, the three largest being Malta, Gozo and Comino.
Currency: Euro.
Visa för svenska resenärer: Nej.
No time difference.
Languages: Maltese and English (almost everyone speaks English).
Electricity: The sockets are British type with three pins, so an adapter is needed.
Best time to go: You can travel to Malta all year round and the high season is long, with summer temperatures typically lasting from April to November.
Number of selling days per year: 300.

TIP!
• The buses to the beaches are cheap. There are ferries to Gozo and Comino.
There are plenty of diving schools in Malta.
In Valletta's harbour, you can hire a sailing boat.
• No permit is required to fish from the shore.