Maltese Holiday Resorts For 2011

The small Republic of Malta consists of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta is one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries with around 420,000 people in an area less than 200 square miles.

The two official spoken and written languages are Maltese and English. Catholicism is the official and dominant religion.

Mellieha, St. Paul's Bay, St. Julian's and Valletta are historically four of the most popular Maltese holiday destinations. Projections for 2011 look very promising for these areas. Each of these towns brings a unique appeal to Malta as a whole. Nearly every resort on Malta has a reputation of excellence.

Mellieha

The large village of Mellieha is located in the northwestern part of Malta; it is home to about 7,500 people. It is a very popular holiday destination during the summer months. Mellieha received the 2009 European Destination of Excellence title.

The 1980 film Popeye was filmed in Mellieha and the fictional town of Sweethaven still stands today. The original town was built using several thousand wooden planks, 8 tons of nails, and 2,000 gallons of brightly colored paint. Daily shows are performed by local performers for the entertainment of holidayers from around the world.

St. Paul's Bay

St. Paul's Bay is abuzz with both land and sea traffic. The bay is an incredible site to behold.

June and September are the busiest months in St. Paul's Bay due in part to tourism and summer residents moving back to their island summer homes. Many of St. Paul's Bay's holiday accommodations are overlooking the bay and offer fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea.

St. Julian's

St. Julian's, or San Giljan, is located on the northeast coast, north of Valletta. It is one of the most popular malta holiday destinations and home to several nice hotels, restaurants and hopping nightclubs. The Old Parish Church was built in 1580 and dedicated to Saint Julian. It is one of the most prominent buildings in the area.

Valletta

Valletta is the capital of Malta, though it is not the largest city. The largest city is Birkirkara, home to about 22,000 residents and four autonomous parishes: St. Helen, St. Joseph, Our Lady of the Carmel and St. Mary. It is also home to Malta's most famous college, St. Aloysius' College.

Valletta is centrally located on the eastern side of the island and has a population of around 6,000. Valletta is home to several Neolithic temples, elaborate churches, and museums. Europe's third oldest working theatre, the Manoel Theatre, is located in Valletta.

Many Towns, One Metro Area

According to data collected by Eurostat in 2008, Malta could be considered a city-state. Many small towns comprise the large metropolitan area we call Malta. Each of the towns plays an integral part in the growth and contributes to the success of Malta.

Something for Everyone

Malta's history dates back to 5200 BC when Stone Age hunters and farmers settled and created a home. The extinction of small animals such as dwarf elephants and dwarf hippos is attributed to the arrival of humans. It is widely believed that the earliest humans made homes in caves then later learned to build wooden or stone homes.

The entire island is teaming with historic sites and stories. Malta is an incredible lesson in history that the entire family is sure to enjoy. Tour museums, churches and any number of ruins left behind from centuries past to enjoy today.