Golden Bay
Golden Bay is another of Malta’s most popular sandy beaches and is the second largest beach. Located in a countryside setting it is comparatively undeveloped to other resorts. It is ideal for a day visit, the facilities include a café, sun loungers and parasols are available for hire. There is an assortment of water sports available, like jet skiing and paragliding or the very popular banana boat rides. The bay is located on the Western coast of the Island and does have some exclusive hotels on offer. The beach here is regularly voted one of the best in the Med and considering that it is Malta’s only real sandy stretch that’s quite a feat.
The walled City of Mdina’s history is as old and interesting as the history of Malta itself. Mdina, set a little inland from the West coast, was the medieval Capital of Malta and is able to trace its history back over four thousand years. Mdina is home to Malta’s Noble families, as it has been from the 12th Century onwards and some are descendants of the Norman, Sicilian and Spanish Overlords. It has an extraordinary blend of medieval and baroque architecture. The ‘Palazzo Falzon’ houses collections of historic weapons and pottery, a Cathedral, and a museum that has a fantastic set of art treasures.
Today Mdina has a quiet, reserved atmosphere in keeping with its noble past. It is situated 200m above sea level and there are some stunning views of the surrounding countryside and coast. Lamp lit by night, Mdina transforms itself into the ‘Silent City’.
Rabat is a suburb of Mdina and has its own attractions, Baroque Churches, Catacombs and the Roman villa. Not far from Rabat, relaxing walks can be taken by Chadwick Lake, or Dingli cliffs. Verdala Palace is situated at the edge of Buskett Gardens is located south of Rabat, immediately east of Dingli. The garden has a variety of trees and shrubs and is considered as one of the greenest areas in Malta. The Blue Grotto is located on the southwest shore; where caves reflect the brilliant colours of the corals and minerals in the limestone. The Blue Grotto itself is best seen in the early morning with a calm sea.
On the Southern coast near to the small village of Qrendi are the evocative remains of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra which were both built around 3600 and 3000BC in the Copper Age. The two megalithic temples are strangely similar to Stonehenge in England and are a wonderful sight indeed. Trips to the temples can easily be arranged with hotels or travel agents in Valletta.
Marsascala in the southeast of Malta, is an old fishing Village and has a pretty bay. It boasts a long U shaped coastline with a sandy beach, it is very popular with the locals and many have holiday homes there. There are many various leisure facilities, restaurants, coffee shops and bars. Marsascala Bay is next to St Thomas Bay which is wider and the massive St Thomas Fortress which was built by the Knights of St John is located. Live evening entertainment is to be found mainly at the Hotels.
There are many dive sites around Malta, wrecks such as HMS Maori located at Marsamxett Harbour in Valletta, or the submarine wreck HMS Stubborn two miles off Qawra point, Bugibba. In Gozo, west of Mgarr, there is the wreck of the ‘MV Xlendi’. Explore the crystal lagoon southwest of Comino, or the Santa Maria caves on the eastern side.
