Hostels in Malta

Malta is a tiny nation composed of two main islands located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. With its mild winters, warm summers, and hundreds of miles of coastline, it is a very popular destination for tourists. The main airport in the country operates daily flights to numerous cities across Europe and North Africa. Tourists can also travel to Malta via ferry from Italy and Tunisia. Malta is also part of the EU, Schengen area and Eurozone, so there is very little hassle involved in traveling to and from the islands.

Maltese and English are the two official languages of the country, so English-speaking tourists should encounter no communication problems. In fact, Malta is a former colony of the British Empire and there are many influences -- such as British pubs -- still seen to this day.

Water sports are very popular among tourists in Malta. There are many places around the country that offer different activities such as sailing, canoeing, kayaking, jet-skiing, water-skiing, kite surfing, scuba diving, and parasailing, to name but a few. Malta has many different beaches around the country -- some that are very busy and others that are more secluded. However, please note that the vast majority of beaches are rocky and do not have sand. There are also many different land-based activities on offer, such as golfing, hiking, quad-biking, cycling and horse riding.

The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Malta. It is a shallow lagoon with crystal-clear, blue water located off the island of Comino. These warm waters are ideal for snorkeling, bathing, and general relaxation. In fact, Malta is so small that it is possible to do one-day sailing tours around the entire islands. These tours stop at various locations along the coastline and give tourists the opportunity to swim and snorkel. There are several tour companies available that offer these tours and also provide pick-up services from Malta hostels.

The capital city of Malta is Valetta. It is also the largest city and has many Malta hostels available, which offer modern, private, and dorm-style accommodation at reasonable prices. This bustling little city offers many sites and activities for tourists to chose from. The city itself is officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are many historical buildings located in the city, such as the Saluting Battery, Lower Barrakka Gardens, St. John's Cathedral, and the city walls. There are also many beaches located in and around the city. Indeed, Malta has a long and complicated history, having been controlled by various different countries over different time periods. There are free daily walking tours available in Valetta that take tourists to the main areas of interest and give an account of the interesting history of the country.

There are also several other cities outside of Malta that are ideal for tourists and offer backpacker-style Malta hostels at reasonable rates. St. Paul's Bay located in the north of the main island is a very pretty town which has a harbour and many historic buildings and churches. There are lots of restaurants and cafes that offer both local and international dishes. St. Julian's is another popular city, especially among younger tourists. There is an area of the city called Paceville, which has a large selection of bars and nightclubs that remain open until the early hours of the morning.

Handwritten by local expert for Malta hostels Shannon Neuber