Malta has it all; 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, delicious food, a rich history & a vibrant culture. Discover the top 10 reasons to move to Malta now!
Malta has it all; great weather, delicious food, a rich history and a vibrant culture! Having chosen to move to Malta from Germany a few years ago, I have fallen in love with the Maltese, and all that the Maltese islands have to offer!
1. The food
The Maltese are very passionate about their unique and flavoursome food. What makes Maltese food so truly unique is its European and North African influences, together with its adaptations using readily available local ingredients. Food such as pastizzi (a savoury pastry filled with ricotta cheese or spinach), timpana (baked macaroni pie) and ħobż biż-żejt (Maltese bread with a filling of olive oil, tomatoes, tuna, and capers) are very popular with both locals and foreigners, and living here means you can get your hands on them whenever you want!
2. The Maltese are multilingual
Although Maltese is the national language of the Maltese islands, the majority of the Maltese population is multilingual. Maltese and English are both official languages of Malta, and many Maltese are also fluent in Italian. In fact, 88% of the population can speak fluent English and 66% can speak Italian. This eliminates most language and communication barriers for foreigners visiting or moving to Malta!
3. It's sunny all year round!
Being surrounded by the sea, Malta experiences a climate of very mild winters and hot, dry summers. Malta enjoys 3,000 hours of sunshine per year - one of the highest in Europe - and the summer season is said to last around 8 months, from mid-April up until November, with temperatures ranging from 17-23 degrees Celsius during the day and 11-20 degrees Celsius at night. This means that you can enjoy warm, sunny days most of the year round!
4. You're never too far from the sea!
Being an island surrounded by the sea, if you are not right by the sea to start with, then you are no further than a 10 to 15 minute drive away from it. So if you fancy a spontaneous swim or dive in the clear blue Mediterranean sea during the day, or want to watch the glorious sun set over the sea in the evening, then you are never too far!
5. You're never too far from anywhere on the island!
Malta is one of the smallest countries in the world and is in fact the smallest member state of the European Union. However, with a total area of 316 km2, the Maltese islands are still packed with things to do, and its small size means you can get to wherever you want to be in no time at all! In fact,being at the centre of the Mediterranean, makes catching a quick flight to Malta easy and convenient!
6. A rich history and culture
Due to its strategic position in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta has a very rich and interesting history due to a succession of powers throughout the years, including the Pheonicians, Romans, Normans, Arabs, the Knights of St John, the French and the British. Besides this having contributed to a very unique culture, you can experience a bit of Malta’s history on every corner. This includes the fortifications in the three cities, the Neolithic temples – including some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world, and 359 churches scattered around the islands – one for almost every day of the year!
7. The Maltese are renowned for their hospitality
The Maltese people are known for their friendliness and for being particularly welcoming towards their visitors. Their friendly nature and warmth of character means that Maltese people are always eager to help and like to make visitors feel at home in their country.
8. Festas!
The Maltese know how to celebrate, and this is made evident with the many festas that take place throughout the year! Most festas are held between May and September, where each village celebrates their patron saint by putting on a spectacular fireworks show, while marching bands play music and a statue of the patron saint is carried around the colourful, decorated village streets. Of course, no Maltese celebration is complete without food, and so several food stalls line the streets serving traditional food such as honey rings and nougat. It’s a truly unforgettable experience, and with so many feasts taking place throughout the year, you will never be bored at the weekend!
9. Weekend breaks in Gozo
Being the quieter sister island, Gozo is a popular weekend break destination among many locals. Gozo is a short 15-20 minute ferry ride away from Malta, from which you can enjoy some amazing views of Comino and the Mġarr Harbour. Once in Gozo, you can enjoy a quiet weekend in a charming, renovated farmhouse, or an activity such as horse riding, cycling or hiking through the hills. You can also choose to visit the Ä gantija Temples, the stunning Azure Window in Dwejra, or you could enjoy several weekend breaks throughout the year to enjoy all that Gozo truly has to offer!
10. Good links to the rest of Europe
Air Malta flies to over 35 different countries around Europe, with 25 weekly flights to the UK, over 20 weekly flights to Italy, over 15 weekly flights to Germany, and several other flights daily to other places on the continent. This makes it perfect for quick trips back home to visit family and friends, or for them to fly to Malta and enjoy the sunny, warm weather and relaxed lifestyle with you!
Author: Sabine Jung
