Why go
Geography explains practical choices across the archipelago. Malta, Gozo and Comino are the inhabited islands; bays create harbour cities while the outer coast is open to sun and wind. Pair urban days with the Grand Harbour or Mdina, and keep separate time for cliff, beach and temple landscapes.
The full story
Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean, south of Sicily. Malta, Gozo and Comino are its inhabited islands; smaller rocks and islets punctuate the surrounding sea. The islands sit on a shallow plateau between Sicily and North Africa, with low hills, terraced fields and an indented shoreline. Those bays created the natural harbours that later shaped Valletta and other port settlements. The terrain also changes the rhythm of a visit. Malta has no permanent rivers or lakes, and its Mediterranean climate brings dry summers and most rain in autumn and winter. Inland walks cross limestone slopes and terraces; coastal sites such as Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra and Dingli are more exposed to sun and wind. Gozo offers a useful island contrast, while Comino’s small scale makes it a separate excursion. Check conditions before committing to long coastal walks or sea crossings, then use the landscape to decide how much ground to cover.