There’s more to Malta than meets this eye

This island archipelago between Sicily and North Africa has history, civility and stunning seafront scenery – as well as real seafaring tradition - at every turn. Inland, it’s ancient, rugged and rather spartan, yet look a little closer and you’ll find surprises (like catacombs) hidden not far from the surface, besides the modern-day attractions of its beaches.

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Must see:
Take a rickety old bus from Valetta inland to Rabat and the ancient church and grotto of St Paul (where the saint apparently lived having been shipwrecked en route to Rome), not to mention the ancient and fascinating early Christian catacombs.

Must eat at:
Rubino at 53 Bakery Street is a local institution for good reason. With delicious mezze and specialities like pasta and rabbit sauce, its vaulted cellars are always busy.

Must be there for:
A whole host of public holidays celebrate Malta’s journey from imperial outcrop to full EU member. Dates to look out for include Freedom Day on 31 March, Independence Day on 21 September and Republic Day on 13 December.

Well-travelled tips:
Malta is a devout little country, and most churches will remind you to dress with some decorum when wandering around inside.
Some of Malta can be rocky – for a fine example of a sandy beach, head to Golden Bay in the north of the island.

Visa:
British citizens do not need a visa to visit Malta.