Malta has long been known as a destination for sun and sea. This is reflected in the flocks of students and tourists who visit the island during the summer months in an attempt to sit back, relax and get as red as a lobster.

However, there are surely plenty of activities one can partake in during the mild winter months. A visit to the Maltese islands during the winter can prove to be a quieter, calmer and perhaps more rewarding holiday that allows one to enjoy and appreciate Malta’s vast culture.

Historic Sites in Malta

Fortunately, Malta’s winter is quite mild, allowing the option of walking through the ancient towns and spectacular monuments. The oldest and most impressive structures are the prehistoric temples; the largest are at Qrendi (Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples), Tarxien (Tarxien temple) and Gozo (Ggantija temple). Dating back to c.5000 -2500 BC, making them older than the Egyptian pyramids, the Maltese temples consist of a series of apses and altars, surrounded by a massive megalithic wall and filled with careful artistic decoration and ritual features. that show the fascinating prehistoric religion. of Malta, dedicated to the famous mother goddess called ‘Fat Lady’. A definite must see!

What’s on in Malta – Island attractions

Valletta, Mdina and Rabat are three spectacular towns that are worth a visit. Just by walking, one can appreciate the historical buildings and the distinctive character of each city.

Having been built by the Knights of St John, Malta’s capital city of Valletta teems with life and activity and contains within its walls the Palace of the Grand Master, the Auberge de Castille, St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Museum National Archeology. , the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Theater of Malta (Manoel Theatre) and a host of other historic buildings, not to mention one of Malta’s main shopping streets. St. John’s Co-Cathedral is located in the heart of Valletta and is an exceptional building dating back to 1578. The Knights donated many gifts of high artistic value and employed artists such as Mattia Preti for its beautification. But perhaps the most incredible feature within the building is the large ‘Beheading of Saint John’ altarpiece by Caravaggio, located beyond the oratory.

A visit to the ancient capital of Malta, Mdina, is a must. It is known as the ‘silent city’ and contains a series of winding and narrow roads where cars are not allowed to pass. Walking through the old capital allows you to appreciate the historic buildings, the possibility of dining in some of the highest restaurants and cafes in the city, as well as the spectacular views of the island from the bastions. Both Mdina and Valletta are surrounded by strongholds built by the Knights to protect the cities during the siege, and these have survived and remain intact to this day. The Mdina Experience and the Mdina Dungeons are also fun and interesting stops designed especially for tourists to understand the history of the city and its creators.

Just outside of Mdina is Rabat, which is full of archaeological remains. In fact, a five-minute walk from the historic gateway to Mdina is the Domus Roman. This includes the remains of an original Roman house that has been covered by a neoclassical building and transformed into a spectacular museum. Nearby, in the heart of Rabat, is Malta’s largest group of catacombs, known as the St Paul’s Catacombs, shedding light on the island’s slightly later early Christian period.

Wine and dine in Malta

When it comes to dining, restaurants in Malta range from Oriental to European. However, a cozy and romantic winter night calls for a visit to one of the many wine bars, also popular with the Maltese population itself. Housed in old buildings and cellars with low lighting and exceptional art exhibits, these bars present an extremely cozy, warm and welcoming atmosphere. Apart from the endless varieties of wines from around the world, most Maltese wine bars offer interesting menus of Maltese dishes and dishes, cheeses and cold cuts.

Theater and Entertainment in Malta

Malta’s theater season is incredibly active, especially from October to May, ranging from contemporary plays to opera. Any theater lover (or not!) will find something exciting to watch. For example, every two weeks, one can catch a short one-hour concert at lunchtime when visiting Valletta, which occasionally involves the work of new musicians or singers. This provides a perfect opportunity to listen to some great classical music and visit the theater once you are in Valletta. The Christmas season brings with it Malta’s most popular show of the year, running over 20 nights: Christmas Panto.

Being Mediterranean, the celebratory attitude of the Maltese lends itself to the island’s nightlife entertainment, including local jazz nights and frequent performances by popular local bands, often accompanied by wine festivals or local music awards. . These local concerts also serve as weekend entertainment at popular restaurants and bars in Malta. Discos are also popular, due to the various clubs and parties frequently hosted by popular foreign DJs. The night life also includes excellent restaurants, casinos and cinemas.

Children can also be entertained. Popeye Village in Mellieha is an exciting and fun place for all children to play and enjoy the Popeye style set that was purpose built in 1980 for the filming of the movie ‘Popeye’. Children can also watch entertainers, play games or get their faces painted and much more. Finally, a relatively new museum, suitable for both children and adults, is the Patrimonio de la Caliza which explains, in a very visual way, the importance of limestone in the history and heritage of the islands.