About Malta

The advantage of choosing Malta as your destination is that you will be able to visit almost all of the most important spots of the island in few days. VIU57 is situated in the northern part of the island, which will allow you not only to easily visit the best spots close to the hotel (Ghadira Bay, Popeye Village, the Red Tower, amongst others) but also many other attractions which can be found in the Northern part of the island. Golden Bay and Riviera Bay, with their orange-gold sand and astonishing panoramas, represent, together with Ghadira, the most beautiful beaches on the island. The acclaimed islands of Comino and Gozo, which can be easily reached with frequent boat trips available. Blue Lagoon in Comino will leave you breathless, with its unique crystal waters.

The beauty of Malta relies on the fact that it can be visited all year around. If visiting during the summer months, hikes and walks can be quite tough to do due to high temperatures but the beaches make it all worthwhile! On the contrary, autumn and winter prove to be a great time for long walks exploring the island. Visiting the historical city of Mdina will take you back to the medieval times with its narrow streets and stunning architecture. The capital, Valletta, also represents a gem, offering some of the best bars and restaurants and museums where you will be able to learn more about the country’s history. Furthermore, it is now also possible to visit Valletta’s underground, a very special and interesting experience.

Malta always has something to offer wherever you go and surprises await you on each corner. Starting your day on a serene note at VIU57, will give you the perfect boost to begin your day eager to visit every corner of this Mediterranean paradise, or just chill on your sunbed with a book and a nice drink. Whatever you choose, VIU57 will be there to support and accommodate you.

Things to do in Malta – Feasts

Like every country, Malta has its own traditions. These include the traditional Maltese ‘festas’ (feasts) which play an important role in the culture of this island and its people. Some interesting facts about ‘festas’:

  • Every year, around 95 ‘festas’ are held around Malta and 10 in Gozo
  • Most of these celebrations take place between May and September
  • This Maltese tradition started between the years 1775-1797 when the island was under the rule of the Knights of St John
  • Some villages, which have multiple parishes, celebrate two patron saints while other towns only one
  • There are times when different villages celebrate the same ‘festa’ at the same time
  • The main events happening during a ‘festa’ are religious processions, gatherings, fireworks, food stalls and band marches

A typical ‘festa’ would include lots of sounds and groups of locals gathering around the village, typically in the square or where the church is located.. Visiting Malta during one of these celebrations is something special, with the squares filled with festoons and religious images. The ‘festa’ preparations come together thanks to the voluntary help of passioned locals who sometimes also fund these outdoor activities. All this culminates in spectacular displays of fireworks which illuminate the night skies.

Some of the most important feasts are the following:

  • From September 1 to 8, the town of Mellieha, where Hotel VIU57 is located, celebrates its feast
  • On the 10th of February, Malta celebrates the Feast of Saint Paul in honour of Saint Paul’s shipwreck
  • On the 19th of March, main celebrations for Saint Joseph are held in Mdina and Rabat

These are just three of the several feasts which take place in Malta throughout the year.‘Festas’ give visitors a unique insight into Malta’s rich culture and long standing traditions.