UNDER 30 EDITION
DISCOVER MALTA
TAKE A LO OK INSIDE... 03. 04. 06. 08. 10. 14.
Map of the Maltese Islands Where to stay Top 5 music festivals Adventure activities Hottest spots for tipple Bucket-list sites
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M A LTA : T H R I L L S E E K E R S & PA R T Y G O E R S W E L C O M E The Maltese Islands are set in the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and boast over 300 days of sunshine a year. Eclectic music festivals, adventure activities and thriving nightlife await, just a three-hour flight from the UK. Malta has become a popular destination for the clubbing scene; allowing travellers to party all night and spend the following day relaxing on picturesque beaches in the warm Maltese sun. Party until dawn in Paceville – located in St.Julians – where the club scene is buzzing, and enjoy an abundance of bars and restaurants in Birgu, Mdina, Valletta and Sliema. Malta attracts a number of music festivals featuring high profile acts to its picturesque shores each year. With accommodation and flight packages to suit all budgets, music enthusiasts have every reason to check out this Mediterranean hotspot.
The crystal-clear Mediterranean-Sea offers a tranquil environment for snorkelling, windsurfing and swimming; whilst the topographical island landscape encourages rock-climbing, mountain-biking and quadbiking. The Maltese Islands have consistently been awarded second place in the ‘Destination of the Year’ category at the Diver Awards. Malta, Gozo and Comino offer an array of unique diving experiences with an abundance of stunning reefs, natural caves and WW2 wrecks to explore. Browse the pages of this brochure for the top music festivals, adrenaline infused activities, a bar crawl to remember and more. You’ll have every reason to visit the Mediterranean archipelago with your friends or partner this year!
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W H E R E T O S TAY Whether it’s a beach getaway, clubbing holiday or adventure break you’re looking for; the Mediterranean archipelago has it all. ST. PAUL’S BAY Bugibba and Qawra, located in St. Paul’s Bay, are lively resorts bustling with cafés, restaurants and bars. Café Del Mar is the hub of Annie Mac’s annual Lost and Found Festival and can be found in Qawra. There are a number of three and fourstar hotels in St. Paul’s Bay to suit all budgets.
VALLETTA With its rich heritage and bustling centre, Valletta is ideal for friends or couples wanting to spend their time in Malta’s thriving cultural capital. The UNESCO listed city boasts eclectic wine bars and spectacular waterfront dining options not to be missed.
ST. JULIAN’S Built around the beautiful Spinola Bay, St Julian’s is the perfect place to stay if you want to be close to the action. Paceville, Malta’s entertainment hub, is located in St. Julian’s and boasts an abundance of nightclubs and bars open until the early hours of the morning. After a night on the town, spend the next day relaxing on the popular sandy beach St. George’s Bay.
MELLIEHA Home to Malta’s longest white sandy beach with great views over the Mediterranean Sea, Mellieha is one of the most picturesque areas on the island. Experience an abundance of land and water based activities here, from jeep safaris and quadbiking to flyboarding and windsurfing.
SLIEMA Sliema, a small resort town, neighbours St. Julian’s and boasts a long promenade full of restaurants, cafes and bars. Calling all shopaholics, Sliema is home to two of the largest shopping malls in Malta.
GOZO Gozo is just a 25-minute ferry crossing from its sister island Malta, and boasts an idyllic landscape teamed with tranquil sea views. If it’s your own space you’re after, why not stay in a Gozitan Villa? There is an abundance of adventure activities to experience here; Gozo is a diver’s paradise and boasts incredible dive sites to be discovered.
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TOP 5 MUSIC F E S T I VA L S
With over 300 days of sunshine, high profile acts and affordable accommodation; there’s every reason to visit the Mediterranean archipelago for your next festival. ANNIE MAC’S LOST AND FOUND Annie Mac’s Lost and Found festival returns to Malta each spring with a huge line-up of DJ’s in fantastical locations. It’s not every day you can say you’ve been to a rave in an ancient castle, enjoyed a boat party on the Mediterranean Sea and partied next to picturesque pools until dawn. ISLE OF MTV The annual Isle of MTV is a free one day music festival that returns every year to il-Fosos Square in Floriana each summer, welcoming an audience of approximately 50,000. The Isle of MTV Malta is unique in offering young people across Europe an exclusive opportunity to experience a world class line-up of artists for free. GLITCH FESTIVAL Soak up the summer sunshine on the Maltese Islands listening to house, disco, techno, acid house and electro music which will take you through the night. Glitch Festival brings music industry favourites to multiple stages each year.
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EARTH GARDEN Earth Garden is an art, music and culture festival calling to the free spirit in everyone. Presenting a number of stages, a musical playground, food court, enchanted forest, ethnic market, jamming area and fun park; the festival appeals to a group of friends, couples and the individual. The festival showcases both local and international performers, electro-swing and more conventional house and techno artists. ROCK THE SOUTH Rock the South is an alternative music festival in Malta that has become a staple in the local music scene. Listen to genres including rock, punk, indie, folk and hip-hop surrounded by a community of music enthusiasts. Enjoy local Maltese and international talent throughout the eclectic festival. For details on all the music festivals hosted on the Maltese Islands visit www.maltauk.com.
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A DV E N T U R E E N T H U SIA ST S
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1 // SCUBA-DIVING The Maltese Islands consistently rank as one of the top three in the ‘Destination of the Year’ category at the Diver Magazine Awards, offering an array of unique dive experiences with an abundance of reefs, caves and wrecks to explore. The Mediterranean waters are known for their transparancy.
2 // QUAD BIKING Explore Malta’s sister island, Gozo, as you wish by quad bike. Travel through off-road trails to discover picturesque villages where time has stood still, stunning beaches and beautiful flora and fauna. Whether you take a trip with friends or your partner the experience isn’t one you’ll forget.
3 // BOAT TRIP Charter a sailing boat and take in the breath-taking views of the Mediterranean Sea. Sail round Malta and visit the islands of Gozo, Comino and Cominotto, renowned for their pristine beaches and caves. Peaceful, unspoilt Gozo boasts lots of quiet anchorages where you can swim in turquoise waters.
4 // ROCK CLIMBING The Mediterranean archipelago is a climber’s paradise; there are over 1,300 excellent climbing routes in Malta, Gozo and Comino. The topographical terrain and sheer cliffs that characterise much of the Maltese Islands are ideal for practicing this thrill-seeking sport.
5 // SWIMMING The Mediterranean Sea boasting warm water and excellent visibility all year round - calls to swimmers. Malta’s most popular sandy beaches, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay and Mellieha Bay, can be found in the north of the island and are perfect for a day of sunbathing and swimming.
6 // WALKING The Maltese Islands have an array of minor roads, country footpaths and off-road trails to explore magnificent valleys, scenic routes and distinct topography. Take in the breathtaking scenery and discover rugged countryside, spectacular cliffs, jagged coastline and hidden inland valleys.
7 // SNORKELLING Picturesque coves and caves enable snorkelers to explore the ocean’s surface. Witness natural magical light-shows in the transparent azure-coloured waters. Be on the lookout for marine life including jellyfish, octopus, parrotfish and the blue damselfish in the warm Mediterranean Sea.
8 // HORSE RIDING Choose to explore the Maltese Islands on horseback to experience the unspoilt peaceful countryside and picturesque views at your own pace. End your day horse riding at Golden Bay, a sandy beach in the north of the island, watching the sun set on the azure-blue Mediterranean waters.
9 // KAYAKING The Maltese Islands boast an abundance of water-based activities for adventure seekers. There are plenty of idyllic bays to encourage kayaking, windsurfing, paragliding and kite surfing away from the tourist trail; perfect for visitors who want to reconnect with nature.
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VA L L E T TA
BRIDGE BAR Take in spectacular views of the Grand Harbour whilst drinking Maltese wine and listening to atmospheric jazz music throughout the evening. KINGSWAY Discover this chic cocktail bar and café, situated in Republic Street, to enjoy delightful beverages and a delicious menu. YARD 32 Experience the largest gin selection in Malta; Yard 32 boasts over 180 different gins and home-made tapas.
HOTTEST SPOTS FOR TIPPLE Malta boasts an array of watering holes including bars and pubs, hangout spots with live music, nightclubs and much more. Check out our top picks for a drink or two...
CITY LOUNGE Enjoy drinks and nibbles with a picturesque view of the Old Parliament Building at City Lounge, located in Old Theatre Street. CHARLES GRECH CAFE & COCKTAIL BAR Dedicated to excellence, Charles Grech offers a variety of sumptuous cocktails and fine spirits to choose from. ĠUGAR Chill out in the quirky yet homey bar or soak up the sunshine on the Republic Street steps; this bar is the perfect place to hangout. TRABUXU WINE BAR Nestled below street level in a 400-year-old stone vaulted cellar, Trabuxu Wine Bar has been serving its visitors for over 15 years.
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HUGO’S TERRACE, ST. JULIAN’S Situated opposite the clear blue waters and golden sands of St. Georges Bay, Hugo’s Terrace is one of Malta’s most vibrant venues where the chic and trendy mingle. NATIVE BAR, ST. JULIAN’S Dance to Latino music until the early hours of the morning at Native Bar and enjoy their extensive drink and food menu. THE DUBLINER, ST. JULIAN’S Enjoy a cold pint of Guinness in the Mediterranean sunshine. BLACK GOLD SALOON, SLIEMA Located on Sliema’s promonade, Black Gold Saloon is a popular bar with a relaxed atmosphere. Listen to live music during the week on selected evenings. SISTINA WINE & C0, SLIEMA Offering more than 400 different wines from around the world including Malta and Gozo, this is a must for wine lovers. HOLE IN THE WALL, SLIEMA This bar boasts a wealth of history, dating back over 90 years, and offers a quirky and memorable experience.
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DEL BORGO, BIRGU Previously a century-old palace; wine, dine and discover a piece of history.
M O R E I N M A LTA A N D G O Z O
S T. J U L I A N ’ S & S L I E M A
PACEVILLE, ST. JULIAN’S Enjoy Paceville, an area boasting bars and nightclubs open until the early hours of the morning, found in the heart of St. Julian’s.
IL-GAZIN, FLORIANA Music enthusiasts, head to this bar to experience a Mediterannean twist on jazz and blues. VINUM WINE BAR, MDINA Wind down after visiting medieval Mdina and enjoy a glass of wine and tantalising Mediterannean food. CHEEKY MONKEY, QAWRA Head to this Gastropub in Qawra to indulge in an array of top quality cocktails. O’REILLY’S GASTRO PUB, BUGIBBA Does a litre of a sumptuous cocktail tickle your fancy? Head to Bugibba with a few friends for this indulgence. BONGO NYAH, MARSASKALA Enjoy a tantalising selection of cocktails and foodie platters in this vibrant hangout spot. THE GLENEAGLES BAR, GOZO Enjoy a drink or two and watch the sun set on the ink blue Mediterannean Sea. GEBUBA WINE BAR, GOZO Experience a great atmosphere, a varied selection of wines and beers and listen to a range of pop, rock, soul and funk music.
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VALLETTA Valletta’s beautiful baroque architecture and rich heritage earned Malta’s capital city the accolade of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ‘The Sunniest City in Europe’ is home to elegant winding streets, over 320 stunning historical monuments and picturesque waterfront dining options.
BUCKET-LIST SITES The Maltese Islands boast over 7,000 years of history and a number of spectacular sites to tick off your bucket-list.
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RAMLA BAY Known in Maltese as Ramla il-Hamra (Red Sands), Ramla Bay is the biggest sandy beach on Malta’s sister island, Gozo. Often ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it boasts rich-coloured sand surrounded by crystal-clear azure blue waters.
ĠGANTIJA TEMPLES The Ġgantija Temples are the oldest, free-standing structures in the world, created 1,000 years before the famous Egyptian pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge. The temples are a unique architectural masterpiece and witness to an exceptional prehistoric culture.
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THE THREE CITIES The Three Cities is the collective name of the three fortified cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua in Malta. Take a Rolling Geek - a self-drive electric car complete with a pre-programmed GPS - that not only takes you on the perfect tour of the cities but explains what you’re looking at too.
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ST JOHN’S CO-CATHEDRAL The jaw dropping interior elaborately adorned by Mattia Preti is widely considered to be the best example of baroque style anywhere in Europe. The magnificent Cathedral is also home to the only signed work and largest painting by Caravaggio.
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BLUE LAGOON The Blue Lagoon is one of the most picturesque locations on the Maltese archipelago. The small cove between the western end of the island and the uninhabited islet of Cominotto, boasts turquoise shallow waters perfect for snorkelling and exploring by boat.
MDINA The origins of Mdina, Malta’s medieval capital, can be traced back more than 4,000 years. Mdina is still home to Malta’s noble families and impressive palaces line its narrow, honey-coloured streets. Mdina is often referred to as the ‘Silent City’ as no cars are allowed to pass through its gates.
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To learn more visit www.maltauk.com for further information and travel offers
