Malta

With a civilization that dates back thousands of years, Malta boasts some of the oldest megalithic sites in the world. Situated in the center of the Mediterranean, Malta’s islands have long served as a strategic military asset, with the islands at various times having come under control of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, and the French. Most recently a British colony (since 1814), Malta gained its independence in 1964 and declared itself a republic ten years later. While under British rule, the island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination while its key industries moved toward more service-oriented activities. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.

Here is a list of some of the most interesting and visited places. Cities or areas listed will always have more than just one thing see and do. With the popular cities or areas we list some of the best known, which should go on everyone’s, must see list when they visit.

Comino Island The Blue Lagoon  Gozo Ġgantija Temples Kalkara Fort Rinella  Mdina Old City  Mġarr Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples  Paola Ħal-Safliene Hypogeum Tarxien Temples Qrendi Ħagar Qim Temples Mnajdra Temples Rabat Valletta Lascaris War Rooms St. John’s Co-Cathedral Upper Barrakka Gardens Valletta Waterfront Wied iz-Zurrieq The Blue Grotto Żebbiegħ Skorba Temples

Date		Name	Type
Jan 1	Friday	New Year’s Day	Public holiday
Feb 10	Wednesday	Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck	Public holiday
Mar 19	Friday	Feast of Saint Joseph	Public holiday
Mar 31	Wednesday	Freedom Day	National holiday
Apr 2	Friday	Good Friday	Public holiday
Apr 4	Sunday	Easter Sunday	Observance
Apr 5	Monday	Easter Monday	Observance
Apr 5	Monday	Bank Holiday	Bank holiday
May 1	Saturday	Labour Day/May Day	Public holiday
Jun 7	Monday	Sette Giugno	National holiday
Jun 29	Tuesday	Feast of Saints Peter and Paul	Public holiday
Aug 15	Sunday	The Feast of Mary’s Assumption	Public holiday
Sep 8	Wednesday	The Feast of Our Lady of Victories	National holiday
Sep 21	Tuesday	Independence Day	National holiday
Dec 8	Wednesday	Feast of the Immaculate Conception	Public holiday
Dec 13	Monday	Republic Day	National holiday
Dec 24	Friday	Christmas Eve	Observance
Dec 25	Saturday	Christmas Day	Public holiday
Dec 26	Sunday	Boxing Day	Observance
Dec 31	Friday	New Year’s Eve	Observance