Tourism

Malta has been hailed as a safe tourist destination for a number of years, as it offers visitors a mixture of history, architecture, culture, tradition and a beautiful climate. Several local and international businesses depend on the Maltese tourism industry, which is one of the important economic pillars for Malta.

History, culture and traditions

Malta’s rich historical, cultural and traditional scene are some of the island’s distinctive features, with majestic bastion walls and imposing architecture in the baroque capital city of Valletta being the central point where one can find baroque palaces and cathedrals dating back to the time of the Knights. One can also enjoy the steep cliffs, rocky bays, sandy beaches, spectacular natural harbours and typical old Mediterranean and fishing villages, which showcase the Maltese traditional character.

One cannot forget Malta’s well-renowned fireworks which form a major part of local traditions. Fireworks feature all year round across the Maltese islands, particularly during commemorative events, celebrations, at local village festi – village festivals that celebrate their respective patron saints. The colour, of course, is best provided by the fireworks that impeccably light the Maltese skies. The Malta International Fireworks Festival is organised by the Ministry for Tourism and the Malta Tourism Authority serving as a platform for firework aficionados around the world to show off their skills with more gusto than ever.

Sea, sun and climate

Situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, the island of Malta enjoys the best weather one can ever hope for, allowing for over 300 days of sunshine per year. Malta has been voted as one of the nicest, cleanest and safest places to live in year after year, not to mention that it has the best and most desirable climate in the world.

The Maltese isles are surrounded by the warm, clear, rich blue of the Mediterranean Sea, which is home to nearly 100 diving sites. Thousands of tourists travel to Malta specifically for diving on the spectacular underwater landscapes, ranging from ship wrecks, strange rock formations, dramatic caves, mysterious tunnels and beautiful reefs and boulders.

Hospitality Industry

Hospitality is one of the leading industries in Malta, hosting thousands of tourists all year round, for a multitude of purposes, ranging from business meetings, summits and conferences, to festivals and pure laid-back holidays.

Malta is also known for its agritourism industry, which offers a wonderful and unique infused-cuisine reminiscent of its diverse heritage and history. Home to a rich and fertile ground, Malta also boasts a well-established wine industry, offering a delicious and refreshing selection of wine.

Film Industry

Malta has established itself as a major player in the filming industry, setting up a government entity in charge of the promotion of Malta as a shooting location, which is also in charge of administering incentive schemes associated with the filming industry. Producers shooting in Malta can obtain cash rebates of up to 25% of eligible spend in Malta.

Malta is mostly renowned for its equipped water tanks within the Mediterranean Film Studios, which are amongst the largest in the world and operate with a natural ocean horizon as a backdrop and which have served as a shooting location for a number of feature film, documentary, TV series and commercials. Household names include Midnight Express, Black Eagle, The Count of Monte Cristo, Gladiator, Troy, Munich, Game of Thrones, By the Sea, World War Z, Captain Phillips, Agora, The Da Vinci Code, Never Say Never Again, The Spy Who Loved Me, The Devil’s Double, Assassins Creed, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi and The Maltese Falcon.

Malta Public Holidays

Date
Holiday
1st January New Year’s Day
10th February Feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck
19th March Feast of St. Joseph
31st March * Freedom Day
19th April Good Friday
1st May Worker’s Day
7th June * Sette Giugno
29th June Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul
15th August Feast of the Assumption
8th September * Feast of Our Lady of Victories
21st September * Independence Day
8th December Feast of the Immaculate Conception
13th December * Republic Day
25th December Christmas Day

* National Holidays