Malta: Recreation and attractions

Malta is an island nation of incredible beauty. It has everything for an unbeatable holiday, including access to the sea, a comfortable climate, beautiful scenery and a host of quaint buildings and structures. Besides getting to know the island, you can also explore the seabed. Diving is one of the most popular pastimes in Malta. As for iconic spots, there are plenty of them on the island.

Palace of the Grandmasters of the Order of Malta

The sumptuous Baroque building is today the official residence of the President and Parliament. It is the largest secular building in Malta. It is characterized by its incredible decoration.

Although the building is centuries old, its stuccoes, murals, mosaics and other decorations are still in excellent condition. Tourists are only allowed to visit part of the premises. The Arms Museum is of particular interest as it exhibits over 6,000 pieces.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

The Catholic cathedral acts as one of the island’s landmarks. It was built at the end of the 17th century. It is noted for its majestic appearance which is created by a perfect combination of stone and plants.

The cathedral is famous for being the site of many legends. It is also the site of various seminal events. An earthquake in 1693 damaged the structure and it had to be repaired. In the course of the work a treasure in the form of gold coins was discovered. They were spent on the further restoration of the cathedral.

Khal Saflieni sanctuary

The only megalithic sanctuary located under the ground, which remained almost entirely intact, is a special feature of the site. It was created about 4-5 thousand years ago. Its area is about 480 squares. Archaeologists have counted between 6,000 and 4,000 burials in the sanctuary.

The tour leads visitors through an impressive underground labyrinth with narrow corridors and small chambers. However, visitors have to book an appointment in advance, as there is a maximum of 80 people allowed to visit the sanctuary each day.

Mdina

Mdina is an ancient Maltese town, dating back some 4,000 years. It once had certain privileges due to its special status. This was reflected in the appearance of the city. It was home to the country’s wealthy citizens.

The aristocratic town is well preserved till nowadays. Once functioning palaces, churches and other landmark sites can be seen within its territory. Mdina is also known for its tranquillity and relative quietness. Vehicles are allowed in this area only on a limited basis.

Tarshien

Tarshien is a megalithic temple complex. Its creation dates back to 2800 BC. You can find the Maltese attraction in a town called Tarshien.

The complex consists of 6 temples made of stone. Their grounds were once used for various rituals, including sacrifice. There are also ancient graves here. The complex is famous for its original bas-reliefs in the form of animals, altars and screens. Interesting ornaments are additional decorations.