Malta may be small in size – it covers just 122 square miles, with a population of just over half a million – but it packs a mighty punch when it comes to culture. Whether you’re a history buff, film geek, foodie or festival-lover, these islands have something for you.
The compact yet handsome capital, Valletta, is a great place to start; head for the imposing St John’s Co-Cathedral, an ornate, baroque cathedral built by the Order of St John, a Catholic medieval military organisation which used to rule Malta. The lavish gilt decoration showcases the wealth and power of the Knights of St John, who also constructed the nearby Grand Master’s Palace; it’s where the Maltese nation was officially established, and, during the period of British rule, was known as the Governor’s Palace.
