Malta is the largest island in the archipelago. The longest distance on the island, from the south-east to the north-west is some 27kms; its widest point, east to west, is 14.5kms. Malta has neither rivers nor mountains, but is characterized by a series of low, flat-topped hills with terraced fields on their slopes. Malta’s coastline is well indented with harbours, bays, creeks, several sandy beaches and rocky coves.

Malta is the more urban and cosmopolitan of the islands. It has every amenity from modern residential and commercial areas to a vibrant nightlife and numerous leisure options. While the Grand Harbour area and a most of the central-eastern region are built up, the countryside to the North is rugged and sparsely populated. For more info on the regions of Malta, see our map above.

The Maltese Bus is the main type of public transport in Malta which runs on a schedule is the bus service. The bus is locally called a 'Xarabank'. The first bus, called the motor omnibus started operating in 1904. Most of the buses used in Malta and Gozo are very old, however they are full of character.

Gozo or GHAWDEX [Awdesch] as it is locally known is connected to Malta by ferry and it is more thickly vegetated, with many flat-topped hills and craggy cliffs.
It lies about 20 minutes away by ferry. Measuring about one third the size of Malta it has a character quite distinct from Malta. It is primarily fishing and farming community and the countryside is greener and more spectacular.

Mdina is called "the silent city". Maybe the name comes from the fact that cars have restricted access. Maybe it is because the island's gentry and nobility have adopted Mdina as their "capital" and their closed and silent doors are a defense against the constant and regular change of ownership and customs that Malta has witnessed over the thousands of years of its history.