Whether you’re a fan of ancient history or a family looking for sea-based fun travelling to Malta, attractions that are sure to make your visit special await you. Malta played a central part in the Roman and medieval history of the Mediterranean region, and therefore Malta has some of the area’s best historical attractions.

Valletta
The capital city of Malta , a UNESCO World Heritage site, is enclosed within the walls of a 16 th century citadel that was founded on high ground following the successful defence of Malta against Turkish invasion by the Templer Knights of St John. The Porta Reale, or Royal Gate, allows visitors to cross the wide defensive ditch which still contains a tunnel that was the starting point of Malta's short-lived rail network at the end of the 19 th century. Doorways cut into the thick walls signify the entrances to bomb shelters used in WWII.

Valletta , named after one of its founders Jean de la Valette, was one of the first European cities to be built in a grid system, Republic Street, formerly known as Kingsway, is the main thoroughfare and most of the city's tourist sites form part of, or lead off from here. Republic Street, with many of its low-rise buildings adorned with the glass-fronted wooden verandas that are so typical of Maltese homes, is largely pedestrianised nowadays but local traffic is allowed below Palace Square , where there is a taxi rank and passenger collection point for the horse-drawn carriages or carozzin. Be warned, a ride in a carozzin is expensive and it will cost you between 40 and 60 Euros for a half-hour sightseeing trip. You can walk around Valletta 's city walls in around 2 hours, though there are some steep climbs that may not be suitable for the less mobile.

On entering Valletta , you will immediately see the ruins of the Opera House. Built in 1866 by Edward Middleton Barry, who also designed the Covent Garden Theatre in London , the Opera House was the focal point of Maltese high society until destroyed by bombing during WWII. The site has been left untouched since as a monument to Malta 's wartime resistance.

The nearby Auberge de Provence, once the HQ of the Order Of St John in Malta, now houses the National Museum of Archaeology which has a collection of artefacts from prehistoric times including pottery, tools, sculptures, clothing and jewellery and the famous ‘Sleeping Lady' figure unearthed at the ancient Hypogeum at Paola.

The National Library holds ancient city records and valuable archive material and is next door to the Grand Master's Palace in Palace Square . Art works, frescos and tapestries feature in the latter as well as an extensive display of armoury.

The Co-Cathedral of St John is one of the most visually stunning pieces of architecture on Malta . The original place of worship when Valletta was built, it contains the tombs of several European dignitaries and its lavishly decorated walls and ceilings, which include one of Caraveggio's best-known works, The Beheading of John The Baptist, make it a must-see for travelers.

A multilingual 3-D presentation, The Great Siege of Malta, is a 45-minute walk-through show in the Café Premier Complex on Republic Street. A ticket costs around 7 Euros. On an evening, a visit to the Manoel Theatre in Old Theatre Street should prove an unforgettable experience. One of the oldest theatres in Europe , this 18 th century building was restored in 1960 and now hosts a season of varied productions in Maltese and English which runs from October to May.

On Mediterranean Road (Triq Il-Mediterran), where it meets Republic Street (Triq Ir-Repubblika), is Fort St Elmo. Built to guard the north shore at the entrance to Grand Harbour , the fortress now houses the National War Museum which has artefacts from WWII including the jeep used by Franklin D Roosevelt on a visit to deliver a citation of bravery to the people of Malta in 1943. Armaments (including an anti-aircraft gun and one of the biplanes used in Malta 's WWII defence), uniforms, photographs and medals are also on display, including the George Cross awarded to Malta by Britain 's King George VI.

The upper floors of Fort St Elmo are now used as a training base by Malta 's armed forces and police. In 1978 it was used as the location for Alan Parker's haunting movie about life in a Turkish prison, Midnight Express.

There are plenty of cafes and restaurants in Valletta , including a McDonalds in Freedom Square where the main Tourist Information office is situated. Eddies Cafe, outside the National Library, has one of the best locations and offers some of the best value for money.

Outside the city walls is the township of Floriana . Situated high on a rocky outcrop, Upper Baracca Gardens offers a spectacular view of Grand Harbour 's fortresses and dockyards and is the site of the Saluting Battery, where the noon-day gun is still fired. It also overlooks the Lascaris War Rooms. The hub of Allied intelligence gathering in the Mediterranean during WWII, this underground maze of caverns is now a museum and open to the public almost all-year round.

For cruise passengers, Valletta 's main tourist spots can all be visited in one day as they are all within relative walking distance of each other. But two days will allow a more relaxed tour as well as time to shop and soak up the relaxed cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city.

The Malta at War Musem
There are three fortified towns across Grand Harbour from Valletta comprising Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua (The Three Cities). The Malta At War Museum (Tel:21896617) in Couvre Port, Vittoriosa offers guided tours around an underground wartime bomb shelter that covers hundreds of yards of tunnels and galleries, all hewn out of the rock by hand. The tour, which lasts about an hour, is in English but handouts in other languages are available - don't worry, free hard hats are supplied! Tickets, costing around 7 Euros, can be bought to incorporate a tour of Fort Rinella in nearby Kalkara, including free transport to the site of the world's largest cannon that was regarded as a technological marvel in the 19 th century.

Sliema
Sliema is one of Malta 's busiest shopping districts and also features plenty of low-cost accommodation. A small passenger ferry runs from Sliema bus terminal on The Strand to Valletta and several pleasure boats operate island tours and tours of Grand Harbour from here. A guided cruise is the perfect way to view Grand Harbour from sea-level and the history of the 10 creeks is explained in full. Popular operators include Luzzu Cruises and Captain Morgan but don't forget to take a sweater as a cool breeze often blows in from the open sea.

Marsaskala
Marsascala is a picturesque fishing village and marina in a sheltered bay, which is popular with some of the island's wealthier residents. St Thomas ' Bay, just to the south, attracts surfers and windsurfers.

Ghar Dalam
Ghar Dalam (21657419) in the southern town of Birzebugga is a prehistoric cave on the main approach road from Zetjun. Exhibits of fossils and animal bones dating back to the Ice Age feature in a museum built at the entrance to the cave itself, which is open daily for tours. Nearby Marsaxlokk is the home of Malta 's largest fishing fleet and the harbour front hosts a fish market every Sunday morning, where a variety of locally-caught produce can be bought.

The Blue Grotto
A system of vast sea caves on the western coast near Zurrieq in which the clear water reflects the minerals in the rock into an array of colours on the white sandy ocean floor. Boats leave the harbour at Wied iz-Zurrieq at regular intervals in the summer but winter sailings are restricted by sea conditions as the entrance to both the harbour and the caves can be treacherous in rough weather.

Hagar Qim and Mnajdra|
Copper Age temple sites featuring remarkable megalithic buildings, some of the oldest in the world. The standing stones and rock chambers stretch down towards the sea and it is thought their alignment with the islet of Filfla is significant, though research continues into the civilisation that worshipped here more than 5,000 years ago. Similar fertility symbols have also been discovered in the Greek islands, however Guided tours can be arranged (21424231), but an excellent guidebook is available at the ticket office if you wish to wander around on your own. A ticket for both sites costs around 7 Euros and a full tour, which includes a stiff climb and some walking on uneven ground.

Tarxien
The temples at Tarxien in Neolithic Temple Street (21695578) weren't uncovered until 1914 when a local farmer began ploughing up artefacts and stones in one of his fields. The site, dating from more than 3500 BC is the most complex on Malta , with the ruins of four temples decorated with carvings of animals. Stone rollers, thought to have been used to transport the massive slabs and pillars from nearby quarries, remain on the site, which was probably used, in the ritual sacrifice of animals. The remains of a Bronze Age cremation site have also been found.

Hypogeum
A series of halls, chambers and passages hewn out of the rock around 6,000 years ago at Hal Saflieni in Paola (21805018/9). On three levels, the caverns are impressive in that the civilisation responsible had nothing more than flint axes and chisels as tools. The site, on the UNESCO World Heritage list, has to be constantly monitored for erosion and therefore allows only a few visitors each day.

Palazzo Parisio
Situated in Naxxar (21412461), opposite the Parish Church in Victory Square , the Palazzo Parisio is one of Malta 's best-kept secrets. The ordinary appearance of Maltese homes often disguise the riches within and the Palazzo Parisio is an exaggerated version of this theory. The stately home has been described as a miniature Versailles by some visitors and its chandeliers, painted ceilings, marble staircases and gilt-edged corridors certainly lend itself to that comparison. Guided tours, available in English and Italian, are conducted between 9.00am and 3.00pm weekdays and include a chance to walk around the walled gardens, which boast an orangerie and an impressive collection of Mediterranean flora as well as the obligatory ornate fountains.

Verdala Palace
The Verdala Palace is a 16 th century fortified villa built on a hilltop in the remote Boschetto area in the west of Malta . Overlooking Buskett Gardens , a tree-lined valley with several pleasant walks, the Palace is now the summer home of Malta 's President but is still open to the public when the President is not in residence. State banquets and concerts, as well as Malta 's traditional August Moon ball, are held in its grounds.

Mdina/Rabat
Mdina , Malta 's ancient capital and still home to much of the island's former nobility, is known as the ‘ Silent City ' as, apart from vehicles owned by residents, motorised transport is banned in its narrow streets. The high-walled buildings give the impression you've stepped back through the centuries as you walk, or take a ride on a carozzin, through the Main Gate and toward the Cathedral said to be the spot at which St Paul began his conversion of the Maltese people to Christianity. A museum, featuring many Roman relics as well as art works and a set of woodcarvings by Albrech Durer, is attached.

The Palazzo Falzon is the best preserved medieval building on the island, dating back to the 15 th century, while Bastion Square offers one of the best views on Malta . Mdina Dungeons, sited below the Magisterial Vilhena Palace , has an exhibition detailing Malta 's history and is open daily.

The suburb of Rabat was cast adrift from the walled defences of Mdina in 870 and has therefore endured a more turbulent past. St Paul 's Grotto, said to be where the apostle took shelter after he was shipwrecked on Malta , survives however, as do St Paul 's Catacombs, an underground burial chamber dating from Roman times. Locals used the catacombs as bomb shelters during WWII.

Rabat is mainly a commercial and residential town nowadays but it does contain a Museum of Roman Antiquities (Domus Romana) built over the remains of a Roman town house, which has preserved many of the original mosaic floors from the 5 th century. The museum is open Monday to Saturday until 5.00pm during high season and an adult ticket will cost 6 Euros.

San Anton Gardens
Situated in the central town of Attard , San Anton Gardens is the favourite weekend escape of many Maltese. The gardens feature shaded walkways, an aviary and a wide variety of native and imported trees, plants and shrubs laid out in formal design. The ornamental fishponds and fountains have attracted a live-in colony of cats, which get plenty of food from visitors! Entrance to the gardens is free.

Ta'Qali
Utilising the disused huts of a former military air base, a craft village and artisans centre has sprung up on the central plain at Ta'Qali. Displays of glass-blowing, lace-making and pottery take place throughout the day and there's an opportunity to buy anything from a filigree necklace to a suit of armour in the factory shops.

Malta Aviation Museum (21416095) situated between the craft village and the National Stadium complex, houses a collection of military aircraft from the 1940s and 1950s including a Spitfire and a DC3 Dakota. Open from 9.00am to 5.00pm all year round, restoration work on future exhibits can also be viewed.

Mosta Dome
The parish church of Mosta features one of the largest unsupported domes in the world and is a well-known Maltese landmark. It's main claim to fame, however, is that many Maltese regard it as the site of a modern-day miracle. During WWII, a German aircraft dropped bombs on the dome while a service was underway. One of the bombs was deflected and landed in the square outside without exploding. Another crashed through the roof and landed in the aisle of the church. It slid across the floor, bisecting the congregation, and came to rest near the doors but also failed to detonate. The gold-inlaid dome has been fully restored and the church is open to the public when there is no service taking place. A replica bomb remains in the apse as a reminder.

Ta'Hagrat
The ruins of a smaller prehistoric temple complex near the village of Mgarr . Ta'Hagrat can be difficult find from the main road but can be combined with a visit to Skorba Temple (21580590). Situated in fields, outside the village of Zebbiegh , due to its remote location the Skorba complex is only open between 11.30am and 1.00pm on Tuesdays. The Roman Baths (21239545), above Ghajn Tuffieha, is also nearby. This site is currently undergoing renovation, however, and its walls and mosaics will remain under wraps until a new visitor centre is built.

Gozo
The Gozo Channel Company operates a car and passenger ferry from both Cirkewwa and Sa Maison to Mgarr on Gozo throughout the year. The Cirkewwa service, which runs around the clock, takes approximately 25 minutes to cross the channel to Malta's sister island, while the Sa Maison service, which departs close to Valletta, takes around 1 hour 15 minutes. Fares depend on the season and time of the crossing but an average cost of a ticket for a car with two people should be between 12 and 16 Euros. Helicopter flights also depart Malta International Airport for Xewkija on Gozo when weather permits. This takes around 15 minutes.

Gozo is where, according to Homeric legend, the nymph Calypso took Greek hero Odysseus captive. It has a microclimate of its own and is generally greener and less crowded than Malta .

Its capital Victoria , or Rabat , is centred around an impressive citadel built at roughly the same time as Valletta was under construction. Victoria has a culture of its own and a decent selection of shops selling everything from wine to fishing gear and knitwear.

Popular sights to visit include the Azure Window (a unique rock formation) and the Inland Sea at Dwejra. Ta'Pinu Basilica is revered among Gozitan and Maltese pilgrims alike, while Xlendi Bay is surely one of the most picturesque spots in the Mediterranean . A largely land-locked inlet, its calm, crystal-clear waters are the perfect place to cool off after a day's sightseeing.

Splash and Fun Park
Located at White Rocks on the coast road at Bahar ic-Caghaq, a swim and slide complex featuring a river float, large wave pool and separate children's pool. Admission costs 17 Euros for adults and the park is open daily high season from 9.00am . This park is in a very exposed part of the island so make sure you take plenty of sun block.

Mediterraneo Marine Park
Also at White Rocks, this aquatic zoo houses sea lions, snakes, iguanas and parrots and offers the opportunity to swim with the resident dolphins. There is a restaurant onsite and the park is open from April to December with adult admission prices starting at 15 Euros, though it will cost you an extra 120 Euros if you want to take the plunge with Flipper and his friends!

Popeye Village
The set of the 1980 musical Popeye starring Robin Williams ‘Sweethaven', at Anchor Bay near Mellieha, has been turned into a tourist attraction with rides, a splash pool, a 15 minute boat trip, a restaurant, a bar and a shop selling movie merchandise. There is also free wine tasting and craft demonstrations for the adults. A ticket in summer costs 11 Euros and in winter 8 Euros.

LWS Animal Park
Essentially a city farm with extras in the Park of Friendship in Marsascala. For an entrance fee of 3 Euros, children can mingle with rabbits and mountain goats and look at emus, llamas, deer and monkeys. There is also a small go-kart track, a small-gauge railway and pony rides on Sundays, when the park is open all day. Open weekday mornings only.

Beaches
Much of Malta 's coastline is rocky and, as the island is on a shelf in a deep-water trough in the Mediterranean , swimmers should be experienced if entering the water in certain areas. There are, however, several sandy beaches where the depth only increases gradually. Golden Bay , in the north, is popular with locals and tourists so the public part of the beach (one end is owned by the Radisson) can become crowded on a weekend.

The Apple Eye café above the beach is also where the local bikers congregate on a Sunday morning. Ghajn Tuffieha, around the headland, is less developed and not as accessible but still attracts its fair share of visitors. Gnejna Bay , nearby, is only accessible by road via Mgarr and the seas are usually a little more untamed. Mellieha Bay 's beach is the largest on the island but the eastern shore is less protected than the west and it can be a little breezy at times.