Must See

Comino

The small island of Comino is inhabited by probably no more than a dozen farmers. With the exception of the residents of the one hotel, all visitors and day-trippers depart before sunset, and so the island is ideal for anyone seeking a very quiet holiday. A few small bays and sandy coves are the main attractions. This include the Blue Lagoon - one of the most beautiful swimming and snorkelling spots in the entire Mediterranean. This stretch of water between the leaf-sized beach on Comino and Cominotto has a South Pacific quality, with limpid crystal turquoise water over a white-sand seabed. The St Marija Caves offer interesting cave diving.

Gozo

Malta's little sister, a charming island offering fine coastal walking, great swimming in its pretty bays, and plenty to keep history buffs occupied too. The island is separated from Malta by a channel some 5 km (3 mi) wide, divided into two by the little island of Comino.

II-Kastel, the citadel of Gozo, is in many ways like Mdina in miniature, complete with cathedral, museums and folklore. Inland - and stepping further back in time - are the Ggantija temples, the oldest freestanding stone structures anywhere on Earth. They pre-date Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by a thousand years.

Mdina

Known as the Citta Notabile, or Noble City, this former Maltese capital exudes an air of elegance and seclusion. Set on a hill in the southwest of Malta Island, it's one of the best surviving examples of a medieval walled city, entered via a stone drawbridge which leads through to a maze of narrow lanes, churches, palaces and pretty piazzas. From Bastion Square, visitors can catch a breathtaking view of the surrounding fields and villages, and also of St Paul's Bay. The Norman-style Palazzo Falzon has a collection of antique pottery and weapons, a cathedral, and a museum that houses a magnificent collection of art treasure.

Rabat

In Rabat, visitors can see the catacombs of St Paul Catacombs and Ste Agatha; a Roman villa discovered in 1881, with a beautiful mosaic pavement; and St Paul's Church, built over the prison in which the Apostle was confined after his shipwreck off Malta in AD 60.

On the southwest shore is the Blue Grotto where, legend reports, sirens bewitched seafarers with their songs. Four caves reflect the brilliant colours of the corals and minerals in the limestone. The most spectacular is the Blue Grotto itself, which is best viewed in the early morning with a calm sea.

Tarxien

This small village in the southern part of Malta is home to a Neolithic temple (said to date back to about 2800 BC) and Hypogeum, a complex of ancient underground burial chambers on three levels dating back 3,000 years.

In addition, there's the Cave of Darkness (Ghar Dalam) where the remains of long-extinct fauna, such as dwarf elephants, bears and hippopotamuses, which date back approximately 180,000 years were found. The animals were stranded on Malta at the end of the ice age.

Valletta

Wander through the historic fortified city, built by the Knights of St John in the sixteenth century and commanding an impregnable position over the peninsula. The island's capital, Valletta is home to the Grand Master's Palace and its impressive armoury, as well as the ornate Co-Cathedral of St John, inside of which is housed a painting by Caravaggio and some exquisite marble mosaics on the floor. Also worth a visit is the Church of Our Lady of Victories; the National Museum of Fine Art (housed in an 18th-century palace), and the National Museum of Archaeology.

Beaches

The best beaches on the main island of Malta are in the northern part of the Valletta area, in St Paul's Bay, scene of the Apostle's shipwreck, and in Mellieha Bay and the neighbouring Slug Bay. Less well known are the beaches in Anchor Bay on the northwest coast, Golden Bay and around Marfa at the northwest tip of the island. These areas are also excellent for diving, with the many caves and steep drop-offs (such as Cirkewwa and Qawra Point) being a particular attraction. Wied Iz-Zurrieq is good for night dives.

On Gozo island, Marsalforn is a fishing village on the north coast that has become one of the island's most popular seaside resorts. Other important beaches are il-Qawra (better known as the inland sea, with a secluded pebbly bathing pool, crystal clear water and sheer cliffs), an unspoilt sandy beach known as Ir-Ramla il-Wamra and Xlendi Bay. One of the most spectacular diving sites is Dwejra Point, which features a 35m (115ft) tunnel.