Malta is more than just a (very) pretty face. This sun-drenched, culture-rich island in the heart of the Mediterranean between Italy and North Africa is one of the most inclusive countries on Earth, having recently topped the ILGA-Europe Rainbow index for the ninth year running.
This inclusivity comes most vibrantly to life each September when the streets of the UNESCO-listed capital Valletta are the setting for the exuberant revelry of Malta Pride – a week-long affair culminating in a weekend embracing the Pride March, a concert, an After-Pride party, and even a Pride Regatta, when charming local wooden taxi boats are dressed up with unicorns, balloons, and tinsel to do a tour of the spectacular harbour.
Malta Pride began in 2004 with just 100 or so participants – a number that grew to thousands in 2023, when the island played host, for the first time, to EuroPride – a pan-European event hosted each year by a different European city - the event was headlined by the amazing Christina Aguilera.
Malta is just a three-hour flight from the UK but really is another world, with a huge amount to see and do. There are several historic cities to explore, from the current capital Valletta to the ancient capital and ‘Silent City’ of Mdina (especially lovely at night, when it’s lit by lanterns). Also unmissable is the UNESCO-listed ancient Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, a mysterious underground burial chamber, and, on neighbouring Gozo, the enigmatic, UNESCO-listed Ggantija Temples – one of the world’s oldest free-standing structures, pre-dating Egypt’s Pyramids.
Private boat tours of the coast of Malta and those of sister islands Gozo and Comino reveal hidden caves and delightful snorkelling spots, as well as offering you the chance to watch the sun set from the deck. The islands also have an array of gorgeous beaches. Malta’s largest sandy beach, Mellieha Bay, is in a peaceful spot in the north of the island, but even more tranquil are remote Għajn Tuffieħa Bay with its reddish-golden sand and St Peter’s natural rock pool in Delimara – superb for secluded swimming and sunbathing.
On Gozo, Ramla il-Ħamra (‘Red Sandy Beach’) has great swimming and snorkelling, plus protected dunes believed to conceal Roman ruins. From Dwejra Bay, you can take boat trips to the Blue Hole and Fungus Rock, while at the bottom of the cliffs at Daħlet Qorrot, a small bay in the north, you can see unique boathouses converted from natural caves and ledges.
To book your Malta holiday, call your Travel Counsellor today.
Planning your dream escape to Türkiye just got easier, thanks to SunExpress' new low deposits and direct flights from the UK. Whether you're dreaming of romantic sunsets over turquoise waters, family fun on golden beaches, or adrenaline-pumping adventures through ancient landscapes, there's never been a better time to experience Türkiye's incredible diversity on your next holiday.
Less than 3.5 hours from UK airports in the heart of the shimmering Med, Malta and its sister islands Gozo and Comino are blessed with gorgeous beaches and bays to discover, some with an array of different water sports to suit all tastes, ages, and moods, from tots to thrill seekers.
One of the many things that sets Travel Counsellors apart is our ability to craft truly special and unique holidays that are filled with unforgettable moments. A classic example of this comes from one of our Travel Counsellors, Andy, who recently returned from an incredible family holiday that encompassed three different continents. Over two incredible weeks, his family journeyed from the heart of Africa to the Indian Ocean and finished with a touch of Middle Eastern extravagance.
