Malta has a wealth of history and natural beauty just waiting to explore and while some areas have become very touristy, there are still opportunities to get away from it all.

How to get there
In the past cheap holidays in Malta tended to be solely of the package variety and to a certain extent that is still the case, however, there are plenty of options now for independent holidays to Malta if that's what you prefer. If you are interested in package holidays in Malta then the usual operators such as First Choice, Thomas Cook, Thomson and My Travel will be able to cater for your needs from a variety of airports around the UK including Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast, Newcastle and Bristol plus, of course, London. If you prefer to travel independently British Airways offers good value scheduled flights to Malta Valetta airport along with a range of options from low cost providers such as Thomsonfly and Fly Thomas Cook. Put those flights together with a great hotel deal and you could be on the way to bagging yourself the king of cheap holidays. Malta can certainly be one of the best value destinations in the Med if you shop around.

When to go
As with many Med destinations the best time of year to take holidays to Malta is either side of the peak of summer. April, May, June and September are great options if you want to avoid the intense heat and crowds of July and August. Throughout the off season from late October to March you can certainly find some incredibly cheap holidays in Malta, however, be prepared for some changeable weather.

What to do
Malta is actually made up of 3 islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino. Malta is home to Valetta, a fabulous walled city, which is now a UNESCO world heritage site. It's easy to explore on foot and take in the delights of the narrow 16th century streets. The island is also littered with a number of good sandy beaches. Most people on a sun holiday in Malta are unlikely to stray far from the pleasures of Valetta and the beach resorts of St Julian's and Sliema. In stark contrast Gozo only has one decent beach, however, it does boast some fantastic coastal scenery with some awe inspiring cliffs and beautiful coves, even, if you choose not to stay there it's an easy day trip by ferry from Malta. Holidays in this region do also have a significant attraction for those with a historical interest. Malta is home to some of the oldest human built structures in the world, namely the temple complex of Hagar Qim, dating back as far as 3000 BC, certainly not a feature of many holidays. Malta really does have the lot! To get the most out of it hire a car from the airport to reach the more secluded beaches.