Discover why Malta needs to be your next holiday destination
With year-round warm weather, over 300 days of sunshine, and a stunning Mediterranean coastline, Malta ticks all the boxes for winter sun seekers. But it offers so much more too... Made up of the islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino, the archipelago boasts a remarkable collection of historical sites - from grand Renaissance palaces and mysterious ancient temples to top-secret WWII bunkers. This extraordinary heritage reflects the incredible variety of peoples and cultures who have called the islands home over more than 7,000 years of history. Malta's diversity also shines through in its cuisine, which draws on a rich mix of regional influences to create flavours you won't find anywhere else - all served up by some of the friendliest locals you'll ever meet. Getting to Malta is quick and easy - with three-hour flights from airports around the UK. Even better, flights from Gatwick and Heathrow with flag carrier KM Malta Airlines are now 15% off flights* when you use our exclusive discount code!Here's what you'll find when you land - Alongside year-round warm weather and a stunning Mediterranean coastline, Malta boasts a remarkable collection of historical sitesMore stories to explore The first humans settled in Malta around 5200 BC. Since then, the islands have seen a succession of different rulers, from the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and Normans to the Knights Hospitaller, Napoleon Bonaparte, and the British Crown. Each has left a mark on Malta's architecture and culture, creating the astonishingly diverse and endlessly fascinating destination it is today. You'll find more to explore - and more stories to uncover - than you ever imagined. World-class heritage The jewel in Malta's crown is its trio of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including its gorgeous capital, Valletta. This is a city so steeped in history that, unlike many of its European counterparts, it doesn't have one specific quarter called the 'Old Town' - because the entire city qualifies as such, with modern structures like Parliament House sitting beside the older buildings.The legacy and treasures of the Knights of St John, who ruled Malta between the 16th and 18th centuries, are everywhere you look. Chief among them is the Grand Master's Palace, with its sumptuous state rooms and impressive armoury. The Grand Master's Palace is known for its sumptuous state rooms and impressive armouryMalta's two other World Heritage Sites are ancient archaeological wonders that predate Stonehenge. They include the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a 6,000-year-old underground temple and labyrinth of burial chambers.Equally impressive are the seven Megalithic Temples, considered among the earliest free-standing stone buildings in the world. In fact, a recent discovery at Ghar Tuta shows that humans lived on Malta 1000 years earlier than previously thought as hunter-gatherers, over 8,500 years ago, making Maltese history even richer. The Ġgantija Temples on Gozo are the oldest buildings, constructed around 3600 BC, while on Malta itself you'll find the Mnajdra complex and nearby Haġar Qim.A history of heroism Due to its strategic position in the Mediterranean, Malta has long been an important military stronghold.Never was that truer than during the Second World War, when the islands endured relentless aerial bombardment from Axis forces intent on starving the Maltese into submission.You can learn more about this period at Fort St Elmo. Overlooking Valletta's Grand Harbour, the fort houses the National War Museum, which displays the George Cross awarded by King George VI to honour the Maltese people's extraordinary bravery. Malta is rich in military history. Pictured is the Saluting Battery, where canon once fired salutes to vessels arriving in Valletta's Grand Harbour But to get to the heart of Malta's WWII experience, you'll need to go underground... Where can I stay? When it comes to accommodation, Malta offers a wide range of options to suit all budgets, from luxury hotels and cosy boutique properties to self-catering villas, apartments, and farmhouses. Hotels in Valletta and the coastal resorts of Sliema and St Julian's put you close to the action, while the Three Cities - Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua - offer plenty of characterful places for a more historic or local experience. Malta has a welcoming approach to LGBTQ+ travellers, ranking number one on the IGLA rainbow Index. As the nerve centre of the Allied war effort, the Lascaris War Rooms remained top secret until they were finally opened to the public in the late 1970s. Walking through the corridors and operations rooms that make up the complex today, you can almost hear the clatter of typewriters, and the low murmur of military commanders dictating orders that would shape the course of the war. Even more evocative is the network of WWII-era tunnels beneath Casa Rocca Piccola, a 16th-century palace still home to the descendants of the noble family who built it.Although these tunnels were originally excavated centuries earlier to extract the rock used in the palace's construction, they were later repurposed as air raid shelters as bombs rained down from the skies above.Coast and country Surrounded on all sides by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, you're never far from the sea in Malta. Its coastline is dotted with picturesque beaches, as well as hidden coves, lagoons, caves, and dramatic limestone cliffs that regularly appear as backdrops in Hollywood blockbusters. Malta's coastline is dotted with picturesque beaches, as well as hidden coves, lagoons, caves, and dramatic limestone cliffs that regularly appear as backdrops in Hollywood blockbustersThe islands are also famous for their world-class diving sites. Beginners are well catered for, with children able to earn a PADI scuba-diving qualification from the age of 10. For experts, there are more than a dozen shipwrecks to explore, all within a few miles of each other.Malta's warm climate keeps the landscape green and lush in winter, making walking a joy. Alternatively, why not rent a bike and meander along country lanes flanked by drystone walls, stopping along the way for a bite in a local café?Flavours to savour Speaking of food, Malta offers plenty of delicious flavours to explore. Incorporating Arabic, Mediterranean, and North African influences, Maltese cuisine is utterly unique - not to say delicious! The archipelago's abundance of fresh local produce and exquisite seafood makes the experience all the more unforgettable - especially when you visit one of its seven Michelin-starred restaurants. Malta is also blessed with authentic family-run restaurants serving local classics like Pastizzi - small puff pastry snacks filled with savoury ricotta or pea fillings. Malta is also growing in importance as a wine producer, with several of its wineries receiving international awardsIf you'd like to bring some of these tastes back to the UK, why not opt for a private home cooking class? Malta is also growing in importance as a wine producer, with several of its wineries receiving international awards. While you could simply buy a bottle, joining a vineyard tour offers the chance to gain a deeper appreciation for the ancient craft of winemaking.And that, in many ways, sums up Malta itself - a place where there's always more to explore, and more to enjoy.So, what will you discover on your trip?Get 15% off* flights to Malta from Gatwick and Heathrow by visiting the KM Malta Airlines website and using the code MAILMETRO25*T&Cs apply. Valid until 30NOV25. Travel Dates 03NOV25 - 31MAR26 (Christmas Blackout excluded 19DEC25-05JAN26). Discount code is only valid on the fare and not the taxes, fees or cancellation charges. Valid on flights only and can only be used on https://kmmaltairlines.com/en . Applicable to return or single trip flights departing from London Heathrow and London Gatwick, UK only. Not valid on code share or connecting flights. Subject to availability.
