Less than 100 km from the Sicilian coast, the island of Malta, with its golden beaches, art, and fun, attracts tourists from all over the world every year. It’s a real gem located in the middle of the Mediterranean: you can’t miss it!
Don’t miss
La Valletta
The capital of Malta, it is certainly the first stop on your journey. It’s small, but in its old town you can discover some of the island’s greatest artistic treasures. For example, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, where you can admire two paintings by Caravaggio, or the Grand Master’s Palace, the seat of Parliament, with the great armour of the knights and wonderful halls.
Mdina
A medieval-era fortress city that branches out into a multitude of narrow alleys with indisputable charm. Once in Medina, you can’t help but visit nearby Rabat, where you’ll find the Catacombs of Saint Paul, where the saint is said to have fled after a shipwreck.
The Blue Lagoon
If you want to go to the sea and you don’t mind the crowds, you should definitely visit the Blue Lagoon on the island of Comino. It is a small, but terribly busy bay, characterized by white beaches and clear water. Ideal especially if you like snorkelling.
Popeye Village
A real treat for those travelling with children is the Popeye Village, a town created entirely to shoot the 1980 film of the same name starring Robin Williams as Popeye, and which, forty years later, is still operating as an amusement park.
Calypso Cave
Finally, if you’re looking for a romantic place, you must visit Calypso Cave in Gozo, with its echoes of the Odyssey and Ulysses’ stay there.
Travel Documents
Identity Card
An identity card valid for leaving the country allows entry into European Union countries. However, please note that there have been reports of difficulties in some countries with the recognition of renewed and stamped paper identity cards, as well as the refusal of electronic ID cards renewed with a certificate issued by the municipality.
Passport
An ordinary passport is valid for all countries whose governments are recognized by the Italian one, except for any legal restrictions, and can be obtained by all citizens of the Republic. A passport is issued (and renewed) by the police and abroad, by diplomatic and consular representatives. It is valid for 10 years, but in some cases provided for by current legislation, this validity may be shortened.
For more information, see www.poliziadistato.it