Things To Do

What started as a personal challenge in 1999 has grown to be one of the most gruelling endurance events in Europe – and this incredible team will be setting off again in a few weeks.

Jo Caruana

Culture

What does Malta’s Independence Day signify? Here's a brief history lesson

September 21 is one of Malta’s five national holidays and celebrates the day Malta gained independence after 150 years of British rule.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

Colourful cartography: a look at maps of Malta’s past

Charting the landscape.

Rebecca Anastasi

Culture

Parades, performances and boat races: but what does Malta’s Victory Day actually signify?

The 8th September aims to recount stories of triumph.

Rebecca Anastasi

Culture

Here it is: your must-see September theatre round-up in Malta!

From concerts in theatres to award-winning dramas, September is the month when Malta’s theatre scene really kicks up a notch.

Jo Caruana

Culture

Did you know? Gharghur’s mini-festa for its mini-church

A labour of love and thanksgiving has turned a niche into a miniature copy of the local parish church, complete with its own little feast on 14th September.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

Did you know? Gozo’s unique tradition to protect your home from thunderstorms

As the first post-summer rains hit, get your hands on some “ghazziela” made by the residents of Zebbug in Gozo, and don’t miss the festa of the Madonna of the Ghazziela.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

This once-banned play is FINALLY coming to Malta

Anthony Neilson’s Stitching will be staged at Teatru Manoel’s Studio Theatre – 10 years after it was banned on the island

Jo Caruana

Culture

13 pre-1950s photos of Malta showing what life was like back then

See to believe how Malta was a hundred years ago or so!

Melanie Drury

Culture

7 classic Maltese songs that warm every local's heart

Songs touch the heart, especially those old classics that invoke nostalgia. Such as these Maltese classic songs, for example.

Melanie Drury

Culture

Memories of the Santa Marija Convoy: “The Ohio was our salvation”

Cecil Bartoli, 92, recalls the run up to that fateful day and remembers watching the stricken convoy enter the Grand Harbour.

Rebecca Anastasi

Culture

Keeping the Services together: the Royal British Legion in Malta

The British Forces may have left Malta almost 40 years ago but ex-servicemen and their families living in Malta still have a community looking after them.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

Quench your thirst for reading: here’s where to satisfy your biblio-thirst in Malta

Ode to bookish pursuits!

Rebecca Anastasi

Culture

Bongu, merhba! Where does the Maltese language come from?

Reflecting the island’s long and chequered past, “Malti” is peppered with words derived from its neighbours and former colonisers, making it as colourful as its native speakers.

Adriana Bishop

CULTURE

Life made easy with these 24 Maltese proverbs

These Maltese proverbs provide a complete instruction manual for life - you're welcome!

Melanie Drury

Culture

Limestone country: the story behind Malta’s iconic golden hue

Malta & Gozo's soft golden limestone is the single most defining feature of the Maltese Islands’ landscape.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

6 Tips to plan the perfect cultural day out on the Maltese islands!

Planning makes perfect

Rebecca Anastasi

Culture

Local quirks: a focus on Maltese tiles

Watch your step - there might be a colourful beauty beneath you!

Kristina Cassar Dowling

Culture

Verdi’s ‘greatest opera’ is coming to Valletta

Flying in from the Netherlands as part of Valletta 2018, this is a story that’s more relevant than ever.

Jo Caruana

Culture

Malta's Megalithic temple trail is a must for history buffs: here's what to look out for

The Maltese islands are home to the oldest free-standing temples on earth. Here's the difference between them.

Lisa Borain

Culture

These poignant photos taken by CHILDREN will break your heart

The Malta International Arts Festival kicks off this weekend with Exile Voices: a powerful exhibition of photos taken by refugee children and humanitarian photojournalists.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

Maltese history for dummies: the dates you need to know, at a glance

Need a quick reference before hitting the sites? Look no further... here's a few thousand years of history at a glance.

Lisa Borain

Events

Ritual: a musical experience celebrating the summer solstice

Contemporary music meets ancient history in a unique event in an extraordinary setting, which will make it worth your while waking up before the crack of dawn.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

A look back in time: Malta is awarded the George Cross in 1942

Experience a first hand account by a local who witnessed the momentous ceremony in Valletta.

Adriana Bishop

CULTURE

Discover these traditional Maltese street games of old

How did Maltese children play before the era of technology? Discover the traditional Maltese street games of bygone times.

Melanie Drury

Culture

Singing our hearts out: traditional Maltese folk singing

Unscripted and spontaneous, ghana is a reflection of the island’s history, recounting the day-to-day life of the working classes.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

Music to old ears: traditional Maltese musical instruments

Crudely constructed out of the simplest of raw materials, traditional Maltese musical instruments are a testament to local peasant-folk’s creativity and ingenuity.

Adriana Bishop

Attractions

A journey into Maltese street art with James Micallef Grimaud

Large outdoor galleries of street art have brought colour and expression to our towns. We ask artist James Micallef Grimaud – what’s the writing on the wall?

Rebecca Anastasi

Culture

The visitor's guide to Maltese festi

Junk food, fireworks, statue carrying, blaring band music, a total lack of personal space... this is how it's done!

Lisa Borain

Culture

5 sites for culture vultures to visit in the hot months

Too hot for sightseeing? Think again. These historic attractions are cool in every sense of the word.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

Celebrate International Museum Day with special museum openings & free admissions

Steeped in history and brimming with culture, Malta is an open-air museum waiting to be explored. And this is the best weekend to do it without spending a single Euro.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

What was Malta like, in the beginning?

Malta is considered old in terms of its 7,000 years of history, yet when considered on the geological timeline, it's actually quite new!

Lisa Borain

CULTURE

6 reasons the old carob tree is part of Maltese culture

These are just some of the reasons behind why the carob tree - il-Harruba - is an integral part of Maltese culture.

Melanie Drury

Culture

The island and the sea: Malta’s maritime tradition

The history of Malta, the very identity of the island, is intrinsically linked to the Mediterranean Sea that surrounds it.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

Reviving the ancient art of ganutell

It had almost been lost to the mist of time but this uniquely Maltese art form is now back and enjoying a colourful revival.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

Mgarr farmer reveals the beauty and perils behind the art of farming

Maltese fruit and vegetables are renowned for their flavour and goodness, but farming in Malta is a specialised skill that’s increasingly under threat.

Marie-Claire Grima

Culture

Workers’ Day in Malta: what to expect

Workers down their tools on 1st May and celebrate their day of rest in a very typical Maltese manner: with a festa and fireworks!

Adriana Bishop

Culture

Anthropology professor answers the unanswerable: who are the Maltese?

Professor Mark Anthony Falzon offers insight into a few Maltese characteristics after 7,000 years of habitation.

Lisa Borain

Culture

Maltese architectural icons: wooden balconies

A defining characteristic of local facades, enclosed wooden balconies are as useful as they are pretty.

Adriana Bishop

New & Now

Artist Karen Caruana on Malta’s changing landscape ahead of exhibition next month

Karen Caruana's nostalgic walk through the current evidence of Malta's state of building development flux, expressed through oil painting.

Lisa Borain

Culture

Secret history of: Malta's coastal watchtowers

Dotted around the entire coastline of the Maltese archipelago, the 17th century watchtowers were Malta’s first line of defence and still stand a silent guard today.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

Uwejja! These are the Maltese phrases you must learn, marelli!

Talk like a local in no time with these nifty words and phrases.

Rebecca Anastasi

new & now

All you need to know about the public holidays in Malta

Malta has no less than 14 public holidays and national holidays. Find out which, when they are and what they’re all about!

Melanie Drury

Culture

Maltese crafts: 7 real souvenirs worth buying

If you’re spending money on a memento of your holiday, make sure you invest in quality local traditional crafts.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

Behind the scenes of Malta’s impressive fireworks tradition

Creativity, ingenuity, passion and a long-standing tradition are the secret ingredients behind Malta’s "artists of the sky".

Adriana Bishop

Culture

5 must-visit places for the history fiend

Malta is so drenched in history that simply walking around is like taking a trip back in time. But if we had to choose, these are five absolutely must-visit places for those who love their history.

Lisa Borain

Culture

The way we wore it: traditional Maltese costume

Once a standard feature of every Maltese women’s wardrobe, the ghonnella is now an icon of Malta’s folklore relegated to vintage postcards.

Adriana Bishop

culture

Freedom Day in Malta: What’s it all about?

Freedom Day in Malta is significant - here's why and what to expect.

Melanie Drury

Culture

Malta quoted in literature throughout the ages

Drawn to the Maltese Islands' particular idiosyncrasies and the drama inherent in its history, authors have used Malta as a backdrop in literature for centuries.

Lisa Borain

culture

Holy Week in Malta: What to expect in the run-up to Easter

Easter in Malta is a big affair. Here's what you can expect during Holy Week in Malta.

Melanie Drury

Attractions

Secret history of: Valletta's underground

Edward Said is an architect who is fascinated with subterranean Valletta, encouraging visitors' captivation with who or what lay beneath the 451-year-old city.

Lisa Borain

Culture

8 terrifying local ghost stories that will freak you out

Drama is inherent in Malta's history, which is why it's no surprise that apparitions are abound, rooted in the island’s steep historical past.

Lisa Borain

Culture

A local tradition rooted in the past: the Maltese Band Club

The band club is an essential and unique part of local culture, but what does it really consist of and what is its role in modern Maltese society?

Marie-Claire Grima

Culture

"I'll be back"... and other things famous past visitors have said about Malta

Don’t take our word for it. These VIPs know a good spot when they see one and they’ve had lots to say about Malta.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

Malta’s Feast of St Joseph: Here's what to expect

March 19th brings special masses, colourful marching processions, and of course, fireworks.

Lisa Borain

Events

Theatre Review: An Enemy of the People

Thoughts on Unifaun Theatre’s latest play En Folkefiende: An Enemy of the People, and a few words with actor Philip Leone Ganado.

Jo Caruana

culture

5 fun ways to discover Malta's amazing history and culture

Explore the Islands' diverse history and and have fun while doing it!

Melanie Drury

Culture

Walk the Floriana Heritage Trail

Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbour Valletta, the historic garden city of Floriana is a gem to discover.

Adriana Bishop

Culture

The Maltese Cross: everything you need to know

The iconic eight-pointed cross is everywhere on the Maltese Islands, but what’s the story behind the legend?

Adriana Bishop

culture

8 Maltese idiosyncrasies only a local can understand

Some of the traits and quirks unique to the Maltese people explained!

Melanie Drury

Culture

March: music month in Malta

This month brings an explosion of Malta's music and opera scene, with a number of musical productions taking place around the islands.

Lisa Borain

culture

8 things to do in Mdina in a day

Try these delightful ways to experience the best of Malta's old capital.

Melanie Drury

Attractions

Heritage Malta CEO reveals top 10 must-visit historical sites

Heritage Malta’s dynamic CEO Noel Zammit shares his favourite sites for history lovers.

Jo Caruana

Culture

Coming up at the theatre: 23 Feb - 1 Mar

Don't miss out on these theatrical highlights hitting Malta in the coming weeks.

Lisa Borain

culture

7 impressive Auberges that will leave you in awe

We explore the Auberges that bear testimony to the legacy left by the Knights of Malta - these guys did not hold back on luxury!

Melanie Drury

Culture

A brief history of Malta like you've never heard it before!

This small island in the middle of the Mediterranean has a big colourful past.

Adriana Bishop

culture

What makes the Malta carnival a local tradition not to be missed

If you’re in Malta during February, get ready to be swept up in the local carnival celebrations, this year taking place between the 9th and 13th.

Melanie Drury

Culture

7 must visit museums for culture vultures

With so much to see and so little time, here’s our pick of the best museums in Malta.

Rebecca Anastasi

culture

7 best-selling novels set in Malta that will grip you

Check out these best-selling novels set in Malta that portray island life and the character of its people during different periods in gripping narratives.

Melanie Drury

Valletta

Valletta’s Baroque roots give drama around every corner

With its dramatic forms and ornate street corners, Valletta’s soul is intimately tied to its Baroque past.

Rebecca Anastasi

Gozo

10 Ways to be a culture vulture in Gozo in 2018

Don’t let Gozo’s size fool you – there’s lots to see and do in 2018 if you love the arts!

Rebecca Anastasi

Culture

Mdina’s medieval details you shouldn’t miss

Local experts point out remnants of Malta’s medieval past in its former capital city.

Martina Said

Culture

What makes Malta such an in-demand movie location?

Former Film Commissioner explains what makes Malta appealing as a setting for the silver screen.

Marie-Claire Grima

Culture

The farming brothers making a living the old-fashioned way

Joe and Nicholas Schembri have been working their family fields in Siggiewi for 40 years.

Sarah Micallef

Culture

Gozo’s restored crown jewel making history buffs swoon

It’s expected to be nominated as a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status – and it’s easy to see why.

Martina Said

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