Holidays to historic Malta

History lovers will be in their element on one of our Malta holidays. A lovely year-round climate, 7,000 years of history and an affection for the British means plenty to explore in welcoming surroundings.

Discover man-made structures older than the Egyptian pyramids and explore medieval dungeons or visit some of the 300+ monuments in Valletta, Malta's historic 17th century capital. Take a dip in the shimmering Blue Lagoon on the tiny island of Comino, walk in the footsteps of the Knights of St John or wander the ornate grounds of the San Anton and Verdala Palaces.

The sparkling isle of Gozo is just a short boat hop away too, where you'll find excellent wreck diving. If you'd rather stay above water then we recommend the fish platter and a glass of chilled Chenin Blanc, nicely rounded off with a sea view from the terrace and another superlative sunset. You can experience all of this and more on our all-inclusive holidays to Malta.

Renowned for its sparkling blue water, Malta’s Blue Lagoon is so clear that when the sunlight hits the waves, the boats look as though they’re hovering above the sandy seabed. Here you can either take a boat trip to explore, or take a dip yourself – especially if you enjoy snorkelling. If you’d rather admire the waves of this enchanting bay from above and stay dry, you might prefer to visit in autumn or spring; it may be too cold to swim, but the crowds will be less and you’ll have a more private experience.

Designed by military engineer Francesco Laparelli da Cortona in 1565 as a home for the Order of the Knights of St John, Valletta’s buildings were excellent architectural examples of their time, and also sturdy enough to withstand any kind of attack. Despite intense bombing during World War II – which saw Malta awarded the George Cross in 1942 – the buildings still stand to this day. Unsurprisingly, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and well worth exploring.

For such a small island, Malta is jam-packed with intriguing glimpses into the past. If your interest is piqued by the history of Valletta, you’ll find the centuries-old grooves that criss-cross various sections of land even more fascinating. Disappearing off cliffs and appearing again under the sea, the generally accepted explanation for the tracks is that they are the ruts left by carts carrying goods around 2000BC.

Malta also has its fair share of Roman influences from its time under Roman rule after the Punic Wars of 264-146BC; perhaps most well-known are St Paul’s Catacombs, labyrinthine burial chambers are located just outside of Mdina, the former capital of Malta. It was here that the apostle is thought to have spent three months after he was shipwrecked on the island, and if you wish you can visit St Paul’s Grotto, a peaceful shrine where you can collect your thoughts.

Malta is an island county located in the Mediterranean Sea, 60 miles north of Sicily and around 180 miles from Africa.

Malta’s currency is the Euro.

Tipping in Malta is much as it is in the UK, with tipping to show appreciation for good service, and you would be welcome to nip in hotels and taxis as well as restaurants and cafes.

Malta is one hour ahead of the UK.

Malta’s official languages are Maltese and English.

With the widest choice of holidays and travel experiences than ever before, you can now personalise your trip so you are in complete control. All this is backed up by the high-standards and service you’d expect from Saga.

70 years’ experience

Experienced travellers have been enjoying great value Saga holidays for over 70 years.

Peace of mind

You’re in safe hands with Saga. We’re an ABTA member and your holiday is ATOL protected.

Great value

We’re constantly monitoring prices and negotiating the best deals with our travel partners.

SIGN UP FOR TRAVEL INSPIRATION & OFFERS

Sign up to our emails for the latest from Saga Holidays.

By providing your details you will receive emails with related content and offers from Saga.  You can unsubscribe from this at any time.

For more information click here for our privacy policy.