1 Valetta is the European Capital of Culture 2018
Its capital, Valletta, is European Capital of Culture for 2018, a title it will share with Leeuwarden in the Netherlands.
The title has previously been held by Pilsen in Czech Republic (2015), Wroclaw in Poland (2016) and Aarhus in Denmark (2017).
The city will hold an opening ceremony on the 20 January 2018 where it will officially receive the title.
2 The weather
Malta’s average year-round temperature is 20 degrees Celsius, rising up to 27 degrees Celsius in July and August.
Due to its proximity to the North African cost, it is hot and dry throughout the year.
3 The Mnajdra Temples
This temple complex on the southern coast of Malta has been described by the World Heritage Sites committee as a “unique architectural masterpiece”.
It was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992, along with four other stone structures in the country.
4 Film fans will love it
Films such as Gladiator, The DaVinci Code, World War Z and part of the first series of Game of Thrones was filmed in Malta.
5 Maltese cuisine
Maltese cuisine is influenced by Sicilian food, and tends to include pasta, risotto and antipasti.
Bread with fresh tomatoes, capers and olive oil is a Maltese special, while the national fish is lampuka (also known as dorado).
The national meat, rabbit, is eaten in a red wine stew or fried in garlic.
6 The waterfront
Valletta has a world famous waterfront know for its the Baroque design of its buildings, such as grade 1 national monument The Pinto Stores.
Events such as the Malta Jazz Festival and the Malta Fireworks Festivals are held here throughout the year.
7 There’s a great nightlife scene
The open-air MTV shows in Malta bring teens of thousands of party-goers to Malta every summer, along with Lady Gaga and Enrique Iglesias in the past.
