Malta

Destination

An archipelago full of ancient wonders and idyllic beaches, Malta truly does have something for everyone. This Mediterranean island is halfway between North Africa and Italy, and as a result has always been a busy set of islands for trade reasons, and in recent times, holidays. This means that the attractions that dot the island derive from a unique combination of different nations and cultures, with six-thousand-year-old burial chambers, impressive Moor fortresses, and classic English pubs just a few of the things that show off Malta’s storied history.
Despite this impressive history, Malta is far from living in the past. The blend of Arabic, Italian, and British influences mean it’s a multilingual melting pot, with the national language – Maltese – being a latinised version of Sicilian Arabic. The islands are also home to some phenomenal coastline, with glittering, azure seas and long, golden stretches of soft sand to laze on.

fluffy moth endemic to malta

Top 7 facts about Malta you probably didn’t know 

Guides & Tips

With millennia of recorded history, a unique ecosystem, and the fact it’s always been a melting pot of cultures, it’s no surprise that Malta has some interesting quirks you won’t find in other places. While we could bore you with Malta facts about castles of forts that you could look up on Wikipedia, we’d rather let you in on the fun stuff, so when you get chatting to locals you’ll be able to get past raving about the gorgeous weather and delicious food.

exploring the underground chambers of Hal Saflieni Hypogeum in malta

Things to do in Malta

See & Do

For such a tiny country, figuring out what to do in Malta can feel like a multiple-choice question with a thousand choices. The sheer amount of Malta attractions means that all kinds of interests are catered for, but if you’re the a la carte kind of tourist – wanting to try a bit of everything – it can be daunting to figure out an itinerary. Luckily, we’ve sunbathed on beaches and wandered around ancient burial sites all over the archipelago nation and have collated our favourite things to do in Malta. If you’re looking for inspiration, read ahead…

red sand beach at Ghajn Tuffieha bay in malta

The secrets of Malta’s beaches and bays

See & Do

Although it’s home to just under 200km of shoreline and surrounded by the sparkling blue oasis of the Mediterranean, not all the beaches in Malta are equal. A lot of the places where locals lounge and listen to the lapping of the shore are rocky outcrops, away from the bustle of more popular, sandy beaches. With that said, whether you’re looking for a lively beach with plenty of others around to give it some atmosphere, or a secluded spot where you can slip in and out of the cooling sea without stepping on someone else, we have you covered. Read ahead for Orbzii’s guide to the best beaches in Malta.

view of crowd dancing from dj booth at malta club

After dark: A guide to nightlife in Malta

See & Do

Whether you’re more of a top-40 kind of clubber or you love filthy drops and minimalist beats, there’s a Malta club for you – if anything, there’s almost too much choice packed into the archipelago. Luckily for you, we at Orbzii have partied from dusk-til-dawn all over the archipelago, so if you’re keen to make your trip a partying one, read ahead for our guide to Malta nightlife.

people watching live band at Isle of MTV concert in malta

A festival-goer’s guide to Malta

See & Do

For a tiny island in the middle of the Med, Malta packs a punch when it comes to music festivals. The near-perfect summer weather makes it the ideal place to put on a big, outdoor show without fear of everything getting rained off (UK festivals, are you listening?). It’s not just pop and rock that get their showing on the island nation: Malta festivals showcase a diverse range of music, from traditional folk music to world-class Jazz and Blues artists. If you want to sing your heart out in the sun, then read ahead for Orbzii’s festival-goer’s guide to Malta.

Lanzarote

Destination

It’s beyond baffling that Lanzarote paints itself into a fly and flop corner. Yes, there are resorts across the island just waiting to pamper you into a fortnight of sun-soaked bliss. But really, where’s the fun in that? Especially when you find out what’s going on just beyond the hotel boundary. Food is being thermo-dynamically grilled by volcanic heat, surfers are tackling championship level waves and Europe’s largest underwater museum lies temptingly near on the coast. On some beaches, there’s a devil-may-care attitude to clothing – on others, divers are clad head to toe in dive gear in search of critically-endangered angel sharks. Luckily for them, Lanzarote is the shark’s favoured stomping grounds. Luckily for us, angel sharks don’t see us as anything more than a passerby in their underwater world. Which, in Lanzarote, is full of wrecks, walls and tunnels full of mesmerising sea creatures.

On land, the natural – and stunning, volcanic architecture has been masterfully made the most of by César Manrique. You’ll hear a lot about him during your stay – and it pays to track down some, if not all, of his work here. Whatever you do, explore. In Lanzarote you’ll find far more than you ever expected.

dinner in lanzarote with a sea view

Breakfast, lunch & dinner in Lanzarote

Food & Drink

It’s a little too simple to say that the best restaurants in Lanzarote are the ones who cater to anything other than the steak n chips crowd. But there’s a lot to be said for tracking down the passionate chefs creating menus that are a little bit, well … different. In certain streets, the fryers are always in full swing. So, finding a granola bowl or chia pudding feels like more of a triumph than it should. Whatever your stance on chia seeds – we’re still on the fence – there’s a breakfast, lunch and dinner for every diner in Lanzarote. Here’s the pick of the bunch.

divers exploring underwater sculptures in lanzarote

Diving and snorkelling in Lanzarote

See & Do

Sure, scuba diving in Lanzarote opens up a world of undersea adventures. But here, they do things just a little differently. Europe’s largest underwater museum has been ageing nicely. 300 eco-friendly sculptures have become a living reef that’s accessible to anyone game enough to slip into a wetsuit. Dive sites range from wrecks and lava tubes to walls, caves, reefs and more. Diving in Lanzarote is diverse, chock full of marine life and, happily, the waters are pretty warm too. Oh and if you can’t scuba, but want more than a snorkel, there’s some new tech on the island worth checking out that’s accessible to everyone.

people dancing in night club in lanzarote

After dark: a guide to Lanzarote’s nightlife

See & Do

Stroll among the island’s Irish pubs, British boozers and neon lit beach front bars for too long and you may wonder if there’s a Lanzarote nightlife spot to suit you. Fear not. This island holds more than a few well kept secrets to woo you out after dark. Bathe in the dreamy sunset hues over cocktails, perch marina-side with seafood and fine wines or take a peek into a film star’s former home. Lanzarote bars are for more than just happy hours and a bit of the craic. The beauty in this island? Nights can be as eclectic and fun-filled as you like.