1. Hit the shops
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that 99.9% of stores on the island ramp up their air-conditioning systems on scorching summer days. This results in wafts of cool air calling prospective shoppers, luring them inside the store with the promise of a better time. And, reader, we must admit: we’re constantly fooled. But, hey, there's no harm in spoiling yourself just a bit, right?
2. Watch a film – indoors
The cinema is probably the best place to be when a heat wave slams into the island and makes itself felt. Comfy seats? Check. A cool, dark interior? Double check. Air-conditioning set up so high you need something to cover yourself with? Yes, please! And, you get to escape to a foreign land and have some adventures to boot. Now, how much are those tickets again?
3. Read a book at the library
The National Library in Valletta may not stay open very long (from 8:15am – 1:15pm in summer), but its long, wide halls and high ceilings makes for a welcome change from the hot air blazing through the capital. It’s mainly frequented by historians or students digging into the past for their research, but the building is a stunning reminder of the jewels of yesteryear. The peace stored within also means you can take your book and settle down for a little time out of the twenty-first century.
4. Go for a picnic
All cards on the table: Malta is not exactly known for its bucolic countryside or rolling hills (to put it mildly). The scrub which forms part of this rocky island has been one obstacle, as has been the incessant drive towards ‘modernisation’. Regardless, there are spots where you can roll your picnic mat out, eat some flan and pour yourself a glass of wine under the shade of stretching trees. Buskett Gardens, near Rabat and on the grounds of the President’s Verdala Palace, is one of these places and it boasts some of the greenest spots on the island. You can also try one of the many gardens in Valletta or Floriana, whose walkways and verdant displays makes them very easy on the eye.
5. Visit a museum
Malta has often been called an open-air museum, but there are many indoor ones which display the relics of the country’s eclectic past. The Grandmaster’s Palace is a highlight, as is the Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu. The Roman Villa up in Rabat also gives some insight on these ancient times on the island. Watch out though: many are only open for a few hours in the summer, so double check the timings before you head out. You don’t want to be caught outside as the sun reaches its highest point in the sky.
6. Take a long lunch
But, if you do get stuck outside, with ne’er an idea of what to do, a leisurely meal might be the answer – though make sure it’s taken inside, or under an umbrella. Go for the whole shebang, with starter, main course and dessert, as well as some white wine to help you shoot the breeze afterwards, as the sun begins to sting less.