ISLAND OF HISTORY AND ADVENTURES (Part 2)

In the Game of Thrones

Malta is famous for its vibrant cultural events. Every year, numerous carnivals, music festivals, and religious celebrations take place here. The Maltese Carnival, held in February, is especially popular. It features colourful parades, traditional costumes, and street performances, offering a great opportunity to see how locals honour their traditions and culture.

The island has always attracted many film-makers due to its picturesque landscapes and historical sites. For example, in 2003, the epic drama "Troy" was filmed here, with Malta used to recreate ancient Greek landscapes. Some scenes from "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (2007) were also shot here, including the magic school and other locations that added the necessary atmosphere to the film.

The island was also the filming location for the famous movie "Gladiator" starring Russell Crowe. Scenes were shot in the ancient capital Mdina and other scenic spots to reflect that era. Malta became one of the key locations for this epic film. The island also hosted scenes for the James Bond adventure "Casino Royale," particularly those related to Venetian scenes. In addition, well-known TV series such as the British sci-fi show "Doctor Who" were filmed here. The most famous of them, which sharply increased interest in Malta over the past decade, was the American series "Game of Thrones" (2011-2019). It featured the fortress and the Palace of the Grand Master (Inner Palace) in Valletta. The ancient city of Mdina was used to recreate locations such as King's Landing and Dorne. The narrow streets and historic architecture of Mdina perfectly suited the medieval setting.

These places today attract not only film-makers but also tourists who want to see their favourite movie scenes in real life.

Mdina, the Ancient Capital

Mdina, also known as the "silent capital," is an ancient city founded by the Phoenicians in 700 BC. It became an important administrative and cultural centre, and during the Middle Ages, it was the capital of Malta. The city is surrounded by fortified walls and is a magnificent example of medieval architecture. In the 13th century, Mdina was the residence of the Knights of St. John, and its appearance has not changed significantly since then, making it a true open-air museum.

Interestingly, the main gates to Mdina greet visitors with the Museum of Torture (Dungeons Museum). This establishment is located right under the fortress gates in the dungeon, which indeed functioned as a real prison where prisoners were tortured and executed in the chambers. For 5 euros, visitors can see torture instruments from different eras of the Middle Ages and witness terrifying scenes thanks to realistic wax figures.

Some palaces of local aristocrats in Mdina now operate as museums. For instance, the Vilhena Palace houses the National Museum of Natural History (5 euros). The historical residence of the Governors of Malta is the Knights of Malta Museum (6.50 euros), dedicated to the history of the Order of Hospitallers. Other palaces host exhibitions and shows. The Falcon Palace (10 euros) itself acts as a museum. Near the Constanzo Palace is a cafe, through which you can enter the "Medieval Times" panopticon (5 euros) to watch a film and view a small wax figure exhibit introducing life in medieval Malta. Mdina even has a Toy Museum with a unique and antique collection of toys and games.

Among the city's significant attractions are St. Paul's Cathedral and its museum (5 euros). This splendid Baroque cathedral was built in the 17th century. Its interiors are rich in gold, and the ceiling is adorned with luxurious frescoes.

The architectural style of Mdina is diverse, with prominent Baroque elements mixed with Arabic, Norman, and Mediterranean influences. Narrow streets, ancient buildings made of light stone, and beautiful squares create a unique atmosphere. A visit to Mdina is a journey into the past where every corner breathes history. You can tour the main attractions in a carriage, and a walk along the fortress walls offers stunning views of the surroundings and the coast. The city is especially beautiful in the evening when its streets are softly lit by lanterns. Sometimes, you might even feel like you're strolling through the streets of Baku in Icherisheher.

Mdina has many cosy cafes and restaurants with reasonable prices.

From the capital Valletta and Sliema, you can reach Mdina by buses (2.5 euros) #51, 52, 53, and 56. The interval between them is 10-15 minutes, and the journey takes about 50 minutes. A faster option is a taxi, which will take you to your destination in 20-25 minutes (15-25 euros).

Mdina is a place where time seems to have stopped, and every corner of the city tells its own story. It is a must-visit for anyone travelling to Malta!

Culinary Delights

Maltese cuisine is an amazing blend of Mediterranean and North African influences. Being at the crossroads of cultures and civilizations, Malta offers a unique cuisine that has absorbed Mediterranean, Arabic, and Italian traditions. Maltese gastronomy attracts tourists with its variety of dishes, fresh ingredients, and rich flavours.

One of the most famous dishes offered to all tourists is Fenkata. This rabbit stew is usually served with potatoes and vegetables, somewhat reminiscent of Azerbaijani sauce with meat, potatoes, and vegetables.

Malta's culinary hallmark is considered to be pastizzi. These are pastries made from crisp and fresh puff pastry filled with ricotta cheese or peas. Nowadays, pastizzi with other fillings, such as cheese, potatoes, and meat, are sold everywhere. They are available (from 0.5 euros per piece) in pastizzerias—small shops with fresh pastries found in every town or village, attracting not only tourists but also locals with their aromas. At our hotel in Sliema, tourists were even given leaflets indicating the prices and locations of the best pastizzerias. Locals enjoy pastizzi with hot sweet tea with milk on cool days, and on hot summer days, they drink traditional Maltese lemonade Kinny, made from bitter oranges and sold only in Malta.

The island is famous for its variety of seafood. Fish, oysters, squid, and shrimp are often the main dishes. One popular dish is Italian frittata: an omelet with vegetables, fish, and seafood, generously sprinkled with grated cheese and baked in the oven. Italian influence is evident in the use of pasta and risotto. Tortiglioni (pasta) or paccheri (large pasta tubes) are often served with seafood or vegetable sauces. Restaurants often feature bragioli—meat rolls: stuffed meat, rice, and spices cooked in tomato sauce.

It is recommended to try the fish pie lampuki pie, widow's soup with a small amount of sheep or goat cheese gbejna, and bigilla—a broad bean pate with garlic. A traditional lunch appetizer is the local bread "hobz biz-zejt." This bread, soaked in olive oil, rubbed with ripe tomatoes, and topped with tuna, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and capers.

Unlike neighbouring Italy, Malta has many Turkish restaurants. However, prices are not as budget-friendly as in other Turkish restaurants in Europe. For example, lentil soup costs 7.50 euros, doner kebab on a plate is 11 euros, rice with chicken is 10 euros, sutlac with tea is 6 euros, and shish kebab is 13-14 euros.

Desserts here also deserve attention. One of the most popular, cannoli, is also Italian (or rather Sicilian)—pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta and often decorated with nuts or chocolate.

Hot Prices of the Hot Season

Every year, Malta attracts 2-3 million tourists, which is quite a significant number for such a compact island country. The choice of accommodation for guests here is accordingly diverse—from luxurious hotels to cosy apartments and hostels.

Promotional brochures usually state that Malta offers a wide range of hotels to meet various needs and budgets. However, comparing prices with neighbouring Mediterranean countries, you'll find that hotel bookings are quite expensive. This is especially noticeable during the summer season, which lasts from May to September-October. The weather during this period is quite warm, if not hot, attracting resort and beach lovers.

Many luxury hotels are concentrated in major resort areas such as Sliema and Valletta. Here you'll find numerous five-star hotels with high-class service, spas, restaurants, and pools. Prices typically range from 250 to 500 euros per night, depending on the season and level of service, but can be even higher.

Four-star hotels and boutiques catering to the middle class offer more affordable options—ranging from 140 to 350 euros per night. Here you can find comfortable rooms with good amenities, often with breakfast included.

Budget hotels and apartments (without breakfast) often offer summer options in the range of 90-150 euros, while hostels range from 40-80 euros. This is an excellent choice for young people and solo travellers.

Renting accommodation in Malta is also very popular among tourists. It allows you to experience the island's atmosphere and enjoy greater freedom. In the capital Valletta, renting an apartment can cost between 100 and 200 euros per night. Depending on the location and conditions, the price may vary. Many apartments offer beautiful sea views and easy access to historical attractions. Apartments in Sliema and Senglea will cost around 150 euros per night. Sliema is particularly popular with tourists due to its shops, restaurants, and proximity to the capital and airport."

Apartments in Mdina and Rabat are cheaper—in these historic towns, prices range from 60 to 120 euros per night. Here, you can enjoy the atmosphere of ancient streets and a less touristy setting. Meanwhile, in resort areas like Mellieha or Golden Bay, rental prices range from 70 to 200 euros, depending on proximity to the beach and level of amenities.

The main thing for tourists to remember is that accommodation prices in Malta are tied to the season. During the peak season, it's better to book accommodation in advance to avoid high prices and lack of availability. If you want to avoid spending the lion’s share of your trip budget on hotels, plan your visit for the autumn-winter or spring seasons.

Malta is a unique travel destination where everyone can find something for themselves. Whether it's rich historical heritage, stunning natural landscapes, culinary delights, or active adventures, this island has plenty of opportunities for an unforgettable vacation. A trip to Malta will leave you with many vivid impressions and memories that will warm your soul for years to come. Don’t miss the chance to discover this amazing corner of the Mediterranean!