Your complete guide to travel and entertainment in Malta, Gozo & Comino

The legacy of a long list of rulers ranging from the Phoenicians to the British has bequeathed Malta with more historical sites per square kilometre than anywhere else on earth.

Lavish baroque has dominated Malta’s architectural style since the seventeenth century. Equally unique is military architecture, with fortifications designed for defense also displaying sumptuous baroque frills.

The range of museums covers all of Malta’s main historical epochs, and museums are concentrated in Valletta, Mdina, and the Citadel in Gozo.

More than 350 grand churches dominate every vista in the islands, and here we present a selection of the most outstanding in guidebook-style entries as well as some articles that expand on the background.

Malta’s Neolithic people were the most artistically advanced in the world for their time, and five of the temples they built in Malta are the oldest buildings in the world – all World Heritage Sites and major attractions.

Although partly drawing influences from both southern Europe and north Africa, Malta’s culture is the fusion of its history – a group of small insular islands that occasionally found themselves in the midst of great events.

Great underwater scenery, a dramatic coastline, lots of cliffs, sandy beaches, and rural landscapes provide plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and do something active – especially in Gozo.

Hearty Mediterranean food, and a clutch of restaurants that do a creative array of dishes – ranging from traditional dishes to modern Med fusion – make eating one of the rewarding experiences in Malta.