A Guide to Malta's Islands

Holidaymakers thinking about heading to Malta this year will find their destination an intriguing choice, if only because Malta is in fact an archipelago, comprised of 3 large islands and many smaller, uninhabited ones. If this initially seems a little baffling when you’re trying to plan your trip, here’s a quick guide to the country’s islands to get you started.

There are numerous Malta holidays, available through companies like mercury-direct.co.uk, offering great deals that will leave you plenty of money left over to spend on activities which explore this curious geographical area. Indeed, there is more to see than sun, sea and sand, from ancient history to stunning nature reserves.

Amidst these beautiful islets dotted in the ocean, “Malta” the island is the largest in “Malta” the archipelago and country. It has a population of around 400,000, and is home to the capital city – Valletta.

A well-known fact about Valletta is that it was originally constructed by an Order of Knights, and is therefore steeped in Baroque history and architecture. This island is home to many of the country’s bigger cities, and offers perhaps the most varied holiday experiences, with life in the capital city differing greatly from that in the smaller towns.

The second-largest island in the archipelago is Gozo. Gozo is generally more rural than Malta, and is often visited for its scenic landscape of rolling hills and picturesque coastlines. It is also home to the Megalithic Temples of Malta, which predate Egypt’s pyramids and England’s Stonehenge, and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Perched between Malta and Gozo, and covering a mere 3.5km² in area, is Comino. It has very few permanent residents, and instead serves as a bird sanctuary and nature reserve: a big draw for visitors who are after a bit of peace and tranquillity. Its picturesque nature has made it a popular choice for filmmakers: it can be seen in Troy, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Swept Away.

There are numerous small, uninhabited islands that make up the rest of Malta. St Paul’s Islands, for example, are famous largely for their history: according to the Bible, St Paul was shipwrecked there in 60AD and stayed on to minister. Other small islands include Filfla – another nature reserve for three species of sea birds – and Fungus Rock, which is home to the Malta Fungus and is surrounded by seas that are ideal for snorkelling.