DK Travel : Malta & Gozo

The tiny Maltese archipelago, floating on the cusp of Europe and Africa, has been coveted and invaded throughout its history. The Knights of St John (later of Malta) bequeathed palaces, fortresses and the glorious golden capital Valletta, while the British left red telephone boxes, iced buns and a predilection for tea. It was the islands’ earliest settlers who left the most spectacular legacy: the extraordinary megalithic temples, unparalleled elsewhere in the world. Malta, the largest island, has the most cosmopolitan resorts and the edge in cultural treasures, while sleepy Gozo and tiny Comino offer unspoilt countryside and a gentler pace.

Note that Malta and Gozo both have towns named Rabat.

Qammieh Point, Marfa Ridge

From here the massive cliffs of the beautiful, wild coastline stretch in both directions.
qawra palce hotel

aplush but very down to earth hotel with loveley sea views.
QEII

A friendly and unpretentious little pub, the QEII has a tiny terrace offering great views of the Grand Harbour. Perfect for an early evening drink as the sun sets.
Qormi

An otherwise humdrum town, Qormi has two claims to fame: it makes the best bread in the islands, and it has one of the largest and most flamboyant Baroque churches, the Church of St George.
Qubbajt

This nougat-style sweet is made with almonds and honey, and is traditionally eaten at festivals and special events. There are always several stalls selling qubbajt at village festas, but it is also available year-round from stalls and local shops. It is said to date back to the Arab occupation of the islands.
Rabat

Rabat and Mdina were once a single entity, before the Arabs walled and fortified Mdina almost a thousand years ago. Rabat retains the islands’ most evocative Roman remains in its Domus Romanus. The remnants of this once opulent Roman villa are beside a small museum containing fine mosaics and frescoes from the Roman era. Many of Malta’s most deeply resonant religious sites are concentrated in Rabat. They include the grotto where St Paul is said to have lived after he was shipwrecked, extensive catacombs dating back to the very early years of Christianity and a cave painted with 14th-century murals where St Agatha is said to have hidden.
Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, St Julian’s

This vast resort hotel has it all: elegant boutiques, diving and watersports centres, business facilities and a whole range of restaurants and bars.
Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa, Golden Bay

Huge and glossy, this newly built resort hotel overlooks one of Malta’s best beaches and offers every five-star luxury. It has extensive sports facilities, a large spa, and a private sandy beach. It is also secluded, the only hotel in the bay.
Ramla Bay

Ramla has Gozo’s best beach, backed by gentle hills with tumbling terraces. It’s also the only truly sandy beach on the island. Out of season, it feels like a corner of paradise, but at the height of the summer it can get unbearably crowded. Almost 2,000 years ago, a Roman villa was built on this idyllic spot. You can see the sparse remains close to the beach.
Ramla Bay Resort, Marfa

A newly refurbished hotel on a small bay, this is good for families who want a quiet break. There are indoor and outdoor pools, a safe sandy beach, and good watersports facilities, but the nearest towns are a bus-ride away.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night with breakfast if included, taxes and extra charges.
- under 15 Lm/€35
- 15–30 Lm/€35–70
- 30–45 Lm/€70–105
- 45–60 Lm/€105–140
- over 60 Lm/€140