Malta

A Knights' island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean: Valletta is an entire fortress city inscribed as World Heritage, the megalithic temples are older than the pyramids, and the Blue Lagoon and the fishing village's colourful boats are its two most photogenic faces.

History: Malta's megalithic temple complex (Ġgantija and others) was built around 3600 BC, earlier than the Egyptian pyramids, and is World Heritage; after the Great Siege of 1565 the Knights Hospitaller built Valletta (Valletta) as a fortress capital, and St John's Co-Cathedral (St John's Co-Cathedral) houses Caravaggio's famous painting “The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist”. After 1798 it belonged successively to France and Britain, became independent in 1964 and a republic in 1974; the official languages are Maltese and English, with English extremely widely used. In the fishing village of Marsaxlokk (Marsaxlokk), the colourful luzzu fishing boats bear the Eye of Horus on their prows, from a Mediterranean protective tradition. Legend: A legend is told about the megalithic temples: Ġgantija was built by a giantess in a single night — this is a folk legend; the archaeological history is phased construction by Neolithic communities. Another legend says the apostle Paul was shipwrecked on Malta and preached there; the relationship between the biblical account and archaeological evidence is to be verified, and legend and history must be kept apart.

• Valletta old town and St John's Co-Cathedral (Valletta / St John's Co-Cathedral) — World Heritage, Caravaggio's famous painting.
• Mdina, the Silent City (Mdina) — a medieval hilltop old town, most serene at dusk.
• The Ġgantija Temples (Ġgantija Temples) — Neolithic temples on Gozo, World Heritage.
• Marsaxlokk fishing village and Sunday fish market (Marsaxlokk) — colourful boats, fish market and seafood restaurants.
• The Blue Lagoon, Comino (Blue Lagoon / Comino) — reached by boat in summer; mind sun protection and crowds.

There is no fixed land link between Malta's main island and Gozo; ferries are required: the Ċirkewwa (Ċirkewwa)–Mġarr (Mġarr) ferry takes about 25 minutes, and there is also a Valletta–Gozo fast ferry of about 45 minutes (passengers only), with ferry fares charged separately and not included in bus cards. On both the main island and Gozo, buses predominate, with Valletta terminus as the hub; many routes transfer via Valletta, and even neighbouring towns may route via Valletta, so allow generous journey times. Ticketing: Tallinja cards are the main method; a single bought on board with cash or contactless bank card costs about 2 euros (winter) to 2.5 euros (summer), with transfers within 2 hours on a single ticket; the visitor Explore card is about 25 euros for 7 days unlimited and about 19 euros for a 12-trip card (subject to official announcements), with night services and Tallinja Direct express routes charged separately at about 3–3.5 euros; residents travel free on personal Tallinja cards — this does not apply to visitors. Ferries and the Barrakka Lift run between Valletta–Sliema and the Three Cities, at separate charges. Malta drives on the left; roads are narrow and hilly, car rental requires adapting to roundabouts and difficult parking, and summer Comino boats are tight — book in advance.

• Red Line: Do not make a noise or use flash photography during Mass in churches; do not touch megalithic temple stones or climb ruins; do not fish without permission or damage coral in protected sea areas.
• Taboo: Dress modestly in churches, covering shoulders and knees, and keep quiet inside churches; do not call Maltese Arabic or Italian; do not boss fishermen around in fishing villages or board their boats without permission.
• Good Manners: Greet on meeting — English suffices for communication; restaurant tips about 5%–10% or rounding up; queue for buses and give up seats to elders.
• Pitfalls for visitors: ① Assuming residents' free-travel policy applies to visitors and boarding without a ticket; ② Assuming a bus to a neighbouring town is direct, when it routes via Valletta and you miss your boat.

The currency is the euro, card payment is common, with cash for small stalls; the best seasons are April–June and September–October, summers are scorching and crowded, and the Blue Lagoon is best early; churches and temples mostly have opening-time limits, popular sights are best booked in advance; island UV is strong — bring sun protection, a sun hat and plenty of drinking water.