Malta and Gozo

by Juliet Rix

Overview

This new, thoroughly updated fourth edition of Bradt’s Malta – written by an expert who has been visiting for more than a decade – remains the most comprehensive guide available and has built a reputation for being the essential guide for getting beneath the surface of this island nation and discovering what lies beyond the beaches. Sun, sand and sea there may be, but Malta boasts so much more, and this new edition is packed with historical and archaeological insights, from the Stone Age to the Romans, the Knights Hospitaller to World War II. It also showcases the islands' wildlife and bird-watching opportunities, summer festas, and the less commercialised islands of Gozo and Comino.Malta has been changing at the rate of knots, with Valletta’s year as European Capital of Culture accelerating restoration and renovation, and this new edition reflects all the most recent developments. Copious openings – of historic sights, key fortresses, a new national gallery and boutique accommodation, particularly in Valletta – are covered, while the culinary scene continues to thrive, with notably greater choice for vegetarians and vegans. Malta has recently become much more socially accepting and is now considered one of the top places for LGBTQ travellers, while the offering for younger travellers has expanded, too. The Isle of MTV festival is going strong, there is a new spring festival, and a host of bars and clubs has sprung up.There is also lots of on offer culturally, with festivals, concerts, exhibitions, theatre and opera all contributing to a full programme. Events such as the Baroque Music Festival continue to draw crowds while World War II sites covered include the Lascaris War Rooms deep beneath Valletta from where General Eisenhower (whose jeep is still in the National War Museum) commanded the invasion of Sicily, and the Aviation Museum, home to key planes flown by American pilots.Bradt’s Malta is the ideal companion for everyone from culture aficionados to archaeology and history buffs, foodies, war veterans, families and couples escaping for a romantic break.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781804692479
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/01/2025
Edition description:	Fifth Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

An award-winning travel writer, journalist, author and broadcaster, Juliet Rix has been writing extensively about Malta for a decade. She wrote the first Bradt Guide to Malta and Gozo and has updated it ever since, while also being the Telegraph’s Malta destination expert and writing on the country for countless other publications from The Times to BBC Radio 4. She is the tour lecturer for cultural tour operator Martin Randall travel leading specialist tours to Malta and visits both the islands regularly – still discovering something new every time!

Table of Contents

PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATIONChapter 1 HistoryOverview, The earliest settlers: 5000–4100BC, Temple period: 4100–2500BC, Bronze Age: 2500–8th century BC, Phoenicians and Carthaginians: 8th century BC–218BC, Romans and Byzantines: 218BC–ad870, The Arabs: 870–1090, Medieval Malta: 1090–1530, The Knights of Malta: 1530–1798, The French: 1798–1800, The British: 1800–1964, Independent Malta: 1964–ongoingChapter 2 Background InformationGeography and geology, Climate, Natural history and conservation, Government and politics, Economy, People and migration, Language, Religion, Education, Arts and crafts, Festa, Sports and activities, National/public holidays and other eventsChapter 3 Practical InformationWhen to visit, Highlights and itineraries, Choosing a base, Tourist information, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health and safety, Malta for families, Travellers with a disability, Gay Malta, What to take, Money and budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Museums and historic sites, Sports and activities, Photography, Media and communications, Business, Buying property, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positivelyChapter 4 Planning Your InterestsPrehistoric Malta and the temples, Roman/Byzantine Malta, Fortifications, World War II, Churches, Swimming, snorkelling and diving, Birdwatching, Spas PART 2 THE GUIDE Chapter 5 ValettaHistory, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Floriana Chapter 6 The Three CitiesGetting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Birgu/Vittoriosa, L-Isla/Senglea, Bormla/Cospicua, Around the Three CitiesChapter 7 Sliema, St Julian’s and PacevillePracticalities, Sliema, St Julian’s (San Ġiljan) and PacevilleChapter 8 Southeast MaltaŻabbar, Tarxien Temples, Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Kordin III Temples, Żejtun, Marsaskala/Marsascala, Marsaxlokk, Delimara Peninsula and swimming, Birżebbuġa Chapter 9 South MaltaGetting there and away, Żebbuġ, Siġġiewi, Għar Lapsi, Żurrieq and the Blue Grotto, Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim, Buskett Gardens (Il-Buskett) and Verdala Palace, Girgenti, The Dingli Cliffs and Clapham Junction Chapter 10 Mdina and RabatMdina, RabatChapter 11 Central MaltaBirkirkara and the Three Villages, Naxxar, Mosta, Ta’ Qali, Mġarr, The west coast Chapter 12 North MaltaMellieħa, The Marfa Peninsula, St Paul’s Bay area, Buġibba, Qawra and Salina Bay, The North Coast Road Chapter 13 CominoHistory, Getting there and away, Where to stay and eat, What to see and do Chapter 14 GozoHistory, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat, Shopping, Other practicalities, Outdoor activities, Cultural activities, Mġarr, Għajnsielem, Victoria/Rabat, Kerċem and Santa Luċija, San Lawrenz/St Lawrence, Dwejra, Għarb, Għasri, Żebbuġ, Marsalforn, Xagħra, Ramla Bay, Nadur, San Blas, Daħlet Qorrot Bay, Qala, Ħondoq Ir-Rummien Bay, Xewkija, Munxar, Sannat, Ta’ Ċenċ, Mġarr ix-Xini, Xlendi AppendicesLanguage Glossary Further info Index

Editorial Reviews

Juliet Rix makes a compelling case for the idea that Malta, which has languished under the lucrative, if unappealing, blanket of mass tourism, should be recognised as an important destination for the traveller seeking a solid sense of history, and even prehistory, and the cultural artefacts and fascinating sites history bequeaths.

The Daily Telegraph