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Imagine a small chain of islands in the warm southern Mediterranean between Italy and North Africa with a unique, ancient culture UNESCO sitesincredible cuisine and friendly locals who speak English.
Luckily, this place exists, and now it’s time to add it to your travel bucket list.
Malta is a beautiful European archipelago that is easy to get to, easy to explore and full of incredible sights and experiences.
Whether you enjoy cultural experiences, outdoor adventures or exciting cuisine, Malta is truly special.
It’s no wonder this gem of a destination is becoming so popular with American travelers and is part of National Geographic Cool list 2024.
It is the filming location for blockbusters
Malta has been the filming location for many major films and TV shows, including World War Z, Gladiator, The Count of Monte Cristo and Game of Thrones.
The new movie Napoleon was also filmed here in the Grand Harbor area.
Sir Ridley Scott and his team are back in Malta this year filming the anticipated sequel to the hit film Gladiator.
This is a good time to visit the island before the hordes of movie fans arrive.
It is safe and perfect for solo travelers
Malta is a safe country to visit, with a low crime rate and a high safety rating for solo travelers. The islands have a relaxed atmosphere, with friendly people and a welcoming atmosphere for tourists and foreigners.
Even the capital is safe. With just under 7,000 inhabitants, Valletta is a capital with a homely atmosphere, many helpful residents and easy-to-navigate streets that are great for walking day and night.
Solo travelers love Malta for its sense of community, lower costs and great tourism infrastructure. Plus, the country feels like you’re a world away from anywhere else on earth.
Perfect weather all year round
If you are looking for sun and warmth, Malta is the place for you.
This European archipelago enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine per year, with 5 hours of sunshine or more, even in December.
Due to its location hidden between the southern Italian island of Sicily and Tunisia, Malta enjoys the perfect Mediterranean climate without freezing temperatures or snow.
It’s not just the temperatures on land that attract visitors. Sea temperatures rarely drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit and are above 70 degrees more than half the year.
English speaking
Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English. Maltese evolved from Arabic when the region was part of the Fatimid Caliphate more than 1,000 years ago.
Due to centuries of British rule, more than 90% of Malta’s population speaks English, and all road signs are also written in English.
This means you won’t have any problems getting around or asking for directions.
Malta doesn’t quite feel like Europe
When you walk through the narrow streets of Valletta or through ancient sites such as the burial chambers of Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, you feel like you are stepping into history.
Sandwiched between North Africa and Southern Europe, Malta has long been a mix of cultures.
Yet all these cultures have made the country truly unique. The world-famous food culture combines influences from both sides of the Mediterranean, and the stunning architecture and UNESCO World Heritage sites make exploring the islands seem like a dream.
For anyone looking for a warm island destination with endless natural beauty, unique culture, ancient history and divine cuisine, Malta is the place to go.
It’s easy to get around
With its English signs, great taxis and buses, and walkability, Malta is one of the easiest countries in Europe to navigate.
There are also ferries that will take you cheaply from one island to another and even from the walled capital Valletta to the city of Sliema across the bay.
Of course, it’s the pleasure and ease of walking that most visitors love. The capital Valletta is built on a narrow peninsula. It takes less than 30 minutes to walk from the old city gates to historic Fort Elmo on the rugged tip of the peninsula.
Thanks to the layout of the island, you can walk in any direction in less than an hour and find yourself in new towns with romantic views of the landscape and the sea.
Malta is growing in popularity
The news is out and more and more people are choosing to travel to Malta. The country’s tourism figures are up about 7% from before the pandemic in 2019.
Easy connections to other cities in Europe and cheap fares make getting there easier than ever. Plus, it doesn’t look like this trend is going to end anytime soon, so now is the best time to go before it becomes even more popular.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
