Malta, a haven for both beachgoers and history buffs, boasts a rugged coastline peppered with sandy stretches adjacent to its captivating towns and cities. This distinctive island nation lies in the heart of the Mediterranean, merely 50 miles beneath Sicily and 176 miles eastward from Tunisia. Despite its compact size of just 316km squared, Malta’s small scale facilitates swift and thorough exploration.

While it shines as a quintessential summer retreat, Malta also offers an exceptionally mild winter climate, seldom dipping below 15C, positioning its capital, Valletta, as an ideal destination for strolling holidays throughout the year. Valletta, a city steeped in history associated with the Knights of St John, was honoured with a World Heritage Listing in 1980. A Baroque jewel, this European Art City can be effortlessly navigated within a two-day visit, with key sights conveniently accessible on foot.

A local expert in Malta advised Go Ask a Local that those eager to “spend their time exploring the island’s long history and delving into its heritage” should aim for a spring or autumnal trip.

They recommended: “March to June and September to November would be the best time to visit.”

With airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, and KM Malta Airlines providing direct flights to Malta, tourists can dive into their Maltese adventure shortly after touchdown.

Crafted by military architects, Old Valletta is encased within formidable defensive walls and bastions. Its steep streets and numerous steps make it a challenging terrain for motor vehicles, thus favouring pedestrians.

For those exploring the capital, a visit to St John’s Co-Cathedral should be at the top of your list. Here, you can marvel at Caravaggio’s ‘The Beheading of St John the Baptist’, the only painting bearing the artist’s signature, and the cathedral’s awe-inspiring interior.

Make your way to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for sweeping views of the Grand Harbour. However, ensure you arrive before noon or 4pm to witness and hear the daily saluting battery from the cannons.

A short stroll away are the Lower Barrakka Gardens, often considered more picturesque than their counterpart, offering equally stunning sea vistas.

For a unique experience, visit the Mysterium Fidei Monastery. Once home to nuns for centuries, the monastery now welcomes the public for an immersive journey into its history.

In between sightseeing, there are ample bars and restaurants in the vicinity to replenish your energy. Top-rated establishments include Papannis Restaurant (4.8 out of five stars on Google Reviews), Noni (4.8 stars), and Beati Paoli Restaurant (4.8 stars).

One traveller praised Valletta as “a walkable and small city” on TripAdvisor, highlighting the waterfront as particularly worth exploring.

“Although the steep streets to the centre look daunting there are lifts to help the weary traveller. The city is compact and very attractive”, they remarked.

Another visitor enthused: “We spent many hours and numerous visits to the capital of Malta. So many eateries to choose from, just as many stores and boutiques to visit. You can spend hours walking around and seeing history! The refurbished Triton fountain at the main entrance is glorious! I highly recommend everyone to go to this beautiful city! If you’re porting during a cruise… get off and tour..”

Guided walking tours prove exceptionally popular amongst visitors to Valletta, with many receiving excellent reviews – even from those who’ve braved the sweltering summer heat when Malta becomes almost unbearably hot.

TripAdvisor identifies the premier guided exploration options as the Valletta City Walking Tour, The Original Valletta Walking Tour and The Valletta Street Food and Culture Walking Tour.

Regarding weather conditions, Malta remains considerably drier than surrounding European destinations.

Even during November, the wettest month, the island enjoys 161 hours of sunshine – more than double that of most European cities.

September brings average temperatures of 28C highs and 20C lows with three rainy days, whilst October sees highs of 25C and lows of 18C with five days of precipitation.