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Small, picturesque and full of sailing opportunities, Malta and the surrounding islands are an up-and-coming boating destination. Many holidaymakers, particularly families, also book a yacht charter in Malta for the educational opportunities it offers. You see, history is everywhere on the island, from its magnificent forts that protected the Maltese from dozens of invaders through the centuries, to the famous Mdina dungeons.
Travel back to the era of knights and castles
Sailing trips in Malta usually start from the main port of the island, known as Port of Valletta, or Grand Harbour, a natural harbour of outstanding beauty and popular yachting hotspot. The harbour was the base for the Order of Saint John, an order of knights that ruled Malta for many centuries. Its long history, which overlaps with the history of Malta and its resistance to a series of invaders including pirates and the Ottomans, is evident everywhere on the harbour. Take a walk on the long promenade by the sea from Ricasoli to Senglea to explore this famous landmark.
Don’t miss a visit to Birgu, a fortified city close to the Grand Harbour. Lovers of the nautical trade will enjoy its maritime museum, full of artefacts from Malta’s long maritime tradition. As for those looking for thrills, the Inquisitor’s Palace hosts a collection of gory torture tools, testifying the brutal methods used by the local nobles when hosting their enemies. Not for the faint-hearted…But you will also enjoy a walk in the cobbled street of the old walled town, taking you back to an era of knights and ladies.
Another local landmark is the gracious Fort St. Angelo, built by knights in the 16th century. The fort was the Order’s headquarters during the siege of the island by the Ottomas in 1565. Its upper pat is still run by the Order of Saint John, although they do not rule the island anymore. If you visit at night, you may meet the fabled Grey Lady, the ghost of a victim of a tragic love story who was killed in the castle and has allegedly returned back to haunt it.
Kalkara will take your breath away
Your next stop could be the town of Kalkara in Kalkara Creek, another natural harbour and popular yachting marina. The town is famous for its fortification, particularly Fort Ricasoli, built by knights and Rinella Battery, built by the British rulers of the island in the 19th century. The latter hosts the world’s largest cannon, a giant of 100-tonnes that is occasionally used as part of re-enactments of events from the island’s long history.
From Kalkara or the Grand Harbour you can sail to St Julian’s Harbour, north of Valetta. It is a popular tourist destination with a vibrant nightlife and a grand marina to dock your boat. If you are looking for something more tranquil, pay a visit to Marsaxlokk, a fishing port on the south of the island. Archaeology buffs shouldn’t miss the world-renowned Megalithic Temples of Malta, prehistoric temples of unknown origin, built between 3600 BC and 700 BC. They are scattered on the north and southern tips of the island and are among the oldest human-made constructions on our planet.
Explore the Maltese archipelago
Malta is not the only island in the region. You see, there is an archipelago of small islands and islets to explore if you book a yacht charter in Malta. You can start from the picturesque island of Comino, between Malta and Gozo. Its most famous landmark is the Blue Lagoon, a small bay of crystal clear waters on the western part of the island. It’s only accessible by boat, but with a yacht charter in Malta you will be able to visit without any hassle. The waters are shallow, so you will have to anchor your boat a bit far from the beach. You can also explore the island’s copious caves, once used for shelter by pirates.
Your next stop could be St Paul’s island on the north-east of Malta, the islet where Paul the Apostle was allegedly shipwrecked on his way to Rome. Today it is uninhabited, but the statue of St Paul towers over the island.
Perhaps the most famous island of the archipelago is Gozo. The island has lots of small marinas to dock your boat, starting from Mgarr, a picturesque fishing village on the southeast that is also the island’s main port. Sailing lovers who have booked a yacht charter in Malta and Gonzo often pay a visit to the Azure Window, known in the local lingo as it-Tieqa Żerqa or Dwejra Window.This giant natural arch of limestone was until recently the landmark of Gonzo. It even made an appearance in the TV series Game of Thrones (more specifically, the Dothraki wedding scene). Unfortunately the arch collapsed in March 2017, but the background scenery of rugged cliffs is still sublime enough to be worth a visit.
