See our Malta Map for a much larger map with cities and attractions marked.

Malta

Malta is an island nation located on the southernmost tip of Europe, about 60 miles from Sicily and 180 miles from North Africa. Malta has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is home to over 40 prehistoric temples — one of which, at Ggantija, is reckoned to be the oldest freestanding stone structure in the world. The country consists of three islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) and has a total population of 400,000. 98 percent of the population is Roman Catholic.

Over its 7,000-year history, Malta has been conquered by most of its Mediterranean neighbors at one time or another: the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Swabians, Angevin, and Aragonese. The great fortified cities of Malta, including the capital Valetta, were founded by the Knights of St. John, a Crusader order that arrived in 1530. A variety of grand historic cathedrals, churches and castles date from this time. The knights made Malta their home until they were driven off the island by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798.

Two years later, Malta became part of the British Empire and it remained under British rule until it was granted independence as a Commonwealth nation in 1964. It strongly supported the UK during both World Wars and successively resisted German and Italian attempts to take the island in WWII. British influence (including the iconic red phone booths) can still be spotted in the island's cities and English remains one of the island's two official languages (Maltese being the other). Malta became an independent republic in 1974.

In addition to prehistoric temples built in honor of the Earth Goddess, Crusader castles, soaring cathedrals, and sun-kissed village churches, Malta offers visitors sandy beaches with clear waters, excellent diving, and fine museums. Begin a virtual journey of Malta or make plans to visit this fascinating island nation with our resources below.

Malta Country Guide

English Name:	Malta
Local Name:	Repubblika ta' Malta
Time Zone:	CET (UTC+1) Summer: CEST (UTC+2)
Calling Code:	356
Currency:	Euro (€)
Area:	316 sq km
Population:	405,165 (July 2009 est.)
Languages:	Maltese (official) 90.2%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.8% (2005 census)
Religions:	Roman Catholic 98%

	Malta Sacred Sites Index Browse our illustrated index of sacred sites and religious places
	Malta Map A detailed interactive map of Malta with major cities and religious sites marked, plus links to travel maps and more
	Malta Books A hand-selected gallery of books on Malta specially chosen for Sacred Destinations readers
	Malta Hotels Search availability, view photos, read reviews, and get a great deal on a hotel room in Malta
	Malta Flights Enter dates to compare prices from multiple travel sites

Featured Destinations in Malta (List All Destinations)

St. Paul's Church and Grotto

Rabat

The beautiful St. Paul's Church in Rabat stands above a grotto where the Apostle Paul is said to have taken refuge after his shipwreck on Malta.

Mnajdra Temples

Qrendi

The Mnajdra Temples are three conjoined Neolithic temples on the southern coast of Malta, ranging in dates from 3600 to 2000 BC. The southern temple is aligned with the solstices and equinoxes.

Tarxien Temples

Malta Island

The Tarxien temples are four megalithic temples constructed in southern Malta between 3600 and 2500 BC. They are notable for their complexity, fine construction and variety of figural carvings.