Malta is a tiny, tranquil and unique island in the Mediterranean Sea that’s full of wonderful surprises. With a wealth of history and culture, great food and stunning scenery, there’s no wonder it’s oen of Europe’s hottest holiday destinations.
Did you know that the Maltese islands have been ruled by nearly every major Empire of the last two millennia? Or that Malta is in fact not one, not two, not even three, but SEVEN islands?
Below I’ve compiled a list of the most interesting, fun, amazing and historical facts about this small European nation, and reasons why you need to add Malta to your bucket list!
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Table of Contents
General Facts About Malta:
1. One of The World’s Smallest Countries
Out of 236 countries Malta ranks 204th in size, and the smallest in the European Union. It is the world’s tenth smallest and fifth most densely populated country.
(Source: Wikipedia)
2. The First Planned Capital City in Europe
Malta’s capital Valletta, was the first ever planned city in Europe. During the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, the city was sketched out, in 1565.
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If you have a lack of time during your trip to Valletta or it's your first visit to this wonderful city or you just want to immerse yourself completely into the atmosphere of the city, then The Original Valletta Walking Tour is an ideal variant for you! Be sure: you will discover the city and its highlights completely.
Book the tour HERE3. Malta was Awarded The George Cross
King George VI of England awarded Malta the George Cross for its bravery during the Axis Siege in the Second World War. To this day, the George Cross appears on the national flag.
4. More Tourists than Residents
Yep, there are 3 times more tourists than there are residents on the Maltese islands!
Where is Malta on the map?
If you look at a map or a globe, the Maltese islands seem invisible (unless you have a really large map). That’s because of it’s tiny size. You can see how big Malta is compared to other islands, cities and countries, here:
5. Left Hand Drive in Malta
Malta is one of those countries in the world where people drive on the left side of the road – one of the legacies of former British rule.
6. Three Official Languages in Malta
They are English, Maltese, and Maltese Sign Language. However, Italian is widely spoken by the Maltese locals. Maltese has been described as sounding like a cross between Italian and Arabic.
7. Historically a Christian Country
Malta has a long Christian legacy, with Catholicism the official religion.
8. Once Controlled by The Knights of St. John
Also known as the Knights Templars, the famous elite warriors were given control of the islands in 1530 by Charles V of Spain. They are best known for successfully defending the island against the Ottomans.
9. Malta Was Ruled by Many Empires
Malta was ruled by several empires throughout history, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights Templars, French, and finally the British.
Related post: 71 Interesting Facts about England
10. An Independent State Since 1964
Malta gained independence from the UK in 1964, after 160 years of British rule. You’ll find many relics of the British Empire still scattered around Malta today.
Related Post >> 71 Fun Facts About England
10 Facts that make Malta a worthwhile trip:
11. Submerged WW2 Ships
There are several sunken World War Two ships, submarines and fighter planes scattered around the coastline of Malta.
12. The Capital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Capital, Valletta, is one of the most concentrated historical areas in the world, according to UNESCO.
13. Pan-Fried Rabbit: Exclusive to these Islands
There’s food and drink that’s exclusive to Malta – Pan-fried Rabbit is a delicious dish, and Kinnie is the national soda made from bitter oranges.
14. One Of The World’s Top Emerging Tourist Spots
With its warm climate, numerous adventure areas, architectural and historical monuments – including 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 7 megalithic temples, Malta is fast becoming one of the hottest tourist spots on earth.
15. Popular Filming Spot for Big Movies
Malta is a popular filming location for big budget productions – including blockbusters like Gladiator and World War Z, and the hit TV series Game Of Thrones. Check out this overview of film productions in Malta.
16. An Island Surrounded by Crystal Clear Waters
The waters surrounding Malta and Gozo are an incredible blend of crystal-clear blue and green. The Blue Lagoon, on Malta’s Comino Island, is the most popular attraction on the Maltese islands.
Read my post on finding all the Best Instagram Spots in Malta
17. Easy to Explore Within Minutes
At just 17 miles wide, the tiny island of Malta is easy to explore and you get from one end of the island to the other within minutes!
18. The World’s Best Climate
Malta has also been described as the country with the best climate in the world by International Living. It was also voted the best place to retire too!
(Source: Azure.com)
19. Outstanding Ancient Architecture
There’s World-Class architecture all over Malta – spanning dozens of centuries, from Greek Byzantine temples to Baroque cathedrals.
20. The World’s Oldest Structures
The Maltese islands are home to some of the Oldest Man-made Structures in the world, with some thought to be dating back 3,600 BC, some 5,000 years ago. Its megalithic temples are older than the Pyramids of Egypt, The Great Wall of China, and even Stonehenge in England.
Malta Fact File:
General Information
More information, statistics and general facts about Malta and Gozo, updated as of 2023:
- Land area: 316 km2
- Capital city: Valletta
- Total Population: 443,329 people.
- Life expectancy: 82.9 years.
- Currency: Euro
- Official languages: Maltese, English, Maltese Sign Language
- Religion: Catholicism
- National Holiday: 31st March (Freedom Day), 7th June (Sette Giugno), 8th September (Feast of Our Lady of Victories), 21st September (Independence Day), 13th December (Republic Day)
- Government: Unitary Parlimentary Constitutional Republic
- President: George Vella
- Prime Minister: Robert Abela
- Highest Point: Ta’ Dmejrek (253 meters above sea-level)
- Official Website: visitmalta.com
- Member of Nato: No
- National anthem: “L-Innu Malti” (The Maltese Hymn)
- Time zone: UTC+1, UTC+2 (Summer Time)
- Driving side: left
- Country Number/Prefix: +356
- Country Code: MT
10 Largest Cities in Malta
Here’s the ten largest cities in Malta. Interestingly, the capital, Valletta, is not in this list, nor are several major tourist attraction cities (Mdina, St. Julians, Victoria, Mellieha). Moreover, the largest city has a population of less than 22,000. Source: Population Hub
Rank | City | Population |
1 | Birkirkara | 21,775 |
2 | Bridge | 18,676 |
3 | Feed | 16,576 |
4 | Zabbar | 14,694 |
5 | San Paul Il-Bahar | 13,619 |
6 | Sliema | 12,993 |
7 | San Juan | 12,630 |
8 | Naxxar | 11,947 |
9 | Discount | 11,462 |
10 | Zeytun | 11,425 |
Famous People from Malta
Here’s a list of famous Maltese people and celebrities who trace their ancestry to Malta:
- Meghan Markle – her great-great grandmother came from Malta
- Miriam Gauci – operatic soprano from Malta
- Kerry Ingram – Game of Thrones actress who’s grandfather is Maltese
- Joseph Calleja – tenor from Malta
- Joseph Calleia – actor from Malta, known for playing Hollywood villains
- Edwige Fenech – actress from Malta
- Britney Spears – her grandfather comes from Malta
- Bryan Adams – has a Maltese grandmother
Commonly asked Questions:
Despite its small size, Malta has a long history, having being first inhabited around 5900 BC. The first settlers were farmers, and their agricultural methods degraded the soil until the islands became uninhabitable.
As well as being well-known for its stunning diving spots, prehistoric sites, and festivals, Malta is a popular movie location in its own right. The picturesque landscapes, dramatic cliffs and ancient buildings provide the perfect backdrop for many feature films and hit TV shows, especially those aiming for an antiquated vibe.
Malta is unique in that you can visit practically every spot and corner of the island within an hour’s drive, due to its small size. Add to that the combination of gorgeous weather, aqua-blue seas and stunning scenery, monolithic temples and buzzing nightlife, Malta is also famous for its local traditional cuisine, and old character houses with brightly-coloured balconies.
Why is Malta named Malta? It’s widely believed the word ‘Malta’ derived from the Greek word μέλι, (meli), meaning ‘honey’. The ancient Greeks called the island Μελίτη (Melitē), which means ‘honey-sweet’, which may be due to Malta’s unique production of honey, as an endemic subspecies of bees live on the island.
The island state of Malta is situated in the Mediterranean Sea just below Sicily (Italy). It consists of three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino, with Malta being the largest island. As Malta is a sovereign state, it is not part of either Spain or Italy.
Malta is considered a safe place to visit and among the safest destinations in Europe, although there was a gruesome unsolved incident involving a young German tourist who’s body was found with all his major organs removed. There has not been any terrorist incidents on the islands in the past several years, and the crime rate is low.
Malta has been dominated by 11 foreign rulers in the last two millennia. Malta has been a sovereign state since gaining independence from the British Empire in 1964. The country is still part of the British Commonwealth.
Book Your Trip to Malta: Budget Tips & Tricks
Flights: As always, I source the cheapest flights on the web from Skyscanner and Kiwi.com. They are considered the top flight search engines for the best deals.
Accommodation: I use Booking for the best hotel deals and HostelWorld for the cheapest stays. If you’re considering Airbnb, be sure to check Vrbo to find cheaper vacation stays.
SIM cards: DrimSim is a universal SIM card that isn’t tied to an operator and works in any country/region.
Travel Insurance: Stay protected from theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. A safety net in case anything goes wrong, I never leave without it. World Nomads is my favourite agent for total peace of mind.
Tours & Excursions: I book all my fave activities and guided tours on Get Your Guide & Viator – they do superb deals whilst offering excellent customer support.
Renting a car? I always use DiscoverCars, make sure you book your car hire in advance. For airport transfers, I use KiwiTaxi for the best deals.
Need to store your luggage in a locker? Use Radical Storage to store your stuff in a locker in any city for just $5 per day.
Head over to my Travel Tools page for all my best travel tips & advice and everything you need for your trip.
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