This small Mediterranean island just broke its all-time tourism record in 2023.
Travelers have been flocking to Malta in record numbers, with more than 3 million tourists arriving on this sunny island last year, even more than the previous record in 2019.
Why is Malta so hot right now?
Here’s why travelers are loving this trendy English-speaking Mediterranean destination:
1. Amazing Beaches
One of the top reasons tourists keep flocking to Malta in record numbers is because of the country’s incredible beaches.
Malta is located right in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. This small gem of a country is packed with some truly fabulous beaches and swimming spots like the Blue Lagoon, and this is one of the top reasons why travelers visit Malta.
2. Historic Sites
Malta is more than just its beaches, though. It’s also jam-packed with historical sites, and the country has a long, fascinating history stretching back thousands of years.
The capital, Valletta, boasts some absolutely stunning architecture. Some must-visit sites include St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the Barrakka Gardens. Malta’s ancient capital Mdina is also worth a visit.
3. More Americans Are Discovering It
One of the reasons Malta is growing in popularity is because more American tourists are finally discovering this European gem and adding it to their travel bucket list.
Malta has always been a holiday hotspot for Brits and Italians, but more and more American travelers have been visiting Malta, contributing to its all-time high in tourism numbers.
Although there are no direct flights from the U.S. to Malta, you can fly into any major European city, and from there Valletta is just a short flight away. London and Rome in particular have an abundance of flights to Malta.
4. Great Scuba Diving
If you’re interested in scuba diving, you’re in luck — Malta is regularly rated the best destination in Europe for diving.
There are tons of great dive sites around Malta, and scuba diving here tends to be quite affordable, with a single-tank dive running about €40.
5. Warm Weather
Another reason Malta has been surging in popularity is because of its year-round warm weather. Being located in the Mediterranean, Malta experiences a very sunny and warm climate.
While it can get a little too hot in the summer months, Malta is amazing to visit in the spring or fall for warm, enjoyable weather.
It’s also becoming increasingly popular as a winter destination for escaping the cold and enjoying mild weather and sunshine instead.
6. Compact Size
While some destinations are so vast you could spend months exploring and still not see everything, a perk to Malta is that it’s very compact.
The entire country has a surface area of just 122 square miles, which is smaller than many cities. So while you still might not be able to see everything in a week, you can cover quite a bit of ground in Malta in a fairly short amount of time.
7. Something For Everyone
Malta is a great destination for every type of traveler. Whether you’re interested in beaches, nightlife, history, scuba diving, or something else, you can find it in Malta.
It’s a great destination for solo female travelers because it’s very safe and easy to get around, and there are plenty of things to do where you can meet others. Malta is also an ideal destination for groups of friends traveling together, with lots of fun nightlife options and daytime activities.
It’s also the perfect vacation spot for families, with plenty of family-friendly beach resorts. Basically, this is a crowd-pleasing destination with something for everyone.
Credit: Source link
