Malta may be small, but it has plenty of hidden stories. Beyond its beaches and sunshine, the islands are full of history, culture, and surprises. You probably didn’t know these five interesting things about Malta.
1. People think that the name “Malta” comes from the Greek word for honey
People think that the name “Malta” comes from the Greek word meli, which means “honey.” This goes back to the island’s long history of beekeeping, which has been around for thousands of years.
Maltese honey was so valuable in the past that it was sent all over the Mediterranean. People still buy local honey at markets today because it has a robust, rich taste.
Malta’s sweet connection to honey gives it a unique quality. For tourists, tasting local honey is an easy way to learn about the island’s past.
2. There are more tourists than locals on the island.
Malta is still seeing more visitors than ever before. More than 1.4 million tourists came in the first five months of 2025 alone. This suggests that there were already around 2.5 tourists for every inhabitant during that short time, when the population was about 563,000.
There are several characteristics that make Malta attractive, and they all work together to make it so appealing:
- History and culture: Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the islands include a lot of churches and fortresses. This makes Malta a great place for people who enjoy culture.
- Beaches and beautiful waters: Sandy bays, rocky coves, and some of the best diving places in the Mediterranean make it easy to relax and have fun.
- Festivals & Events: There are always fun things to do, such summer music festivals, colorful village feasts, and international sports events.
- Food and hospitality: Maltese food is a mix of Mediterranean and local flavors, and you may enjoy it in both fancy restaurants and basic seaside cafés.
- Easy access: Malta is easy to get to from Europe’s main cities because there are regular flights there.
This makes it easy to take short trips as well as longer ones.
3. Game of Thrones Season 1 Showed Gozo Island
Many movies and TV shows have featured Malta’s beautiful environment, but HBO’s Game of Thrones is one of the most renowned times it was used. Gozo’s Azure Window was in Season 1 during Daenerys and Khal Drogo’s wedding, however it has since fallen down.
The islands have also been used in a lot of movies and TV shows from other countries:
- Gladiator II: The long-awaited sequel filmed major scenes in Malta, with Fort Ricasoli once again standing in for ancient Rome.
- Troy: This hit movie based on a Greek myth was filmed along Malta’s seashore.
- Assassin’s Creed: The big buildings in Valletta were a big part of the action-packed movie Assassin’s Creed.
- Jurassic World Dominion: The tiny streets and harbours of Malta were employed for exciting chase scenes.
- Napoleon: Ridley Scott went back to Malta to film aspects of European history using the island’s scenery.
Film tourism is becoming a bigger part of Malta’s attractiveness, giving a fresh and exciting element to its character. When people visit these venues, they can step into scenes from their favorite movies.
4. Malta Was One of the Most Heavily Bombed Places in WWII
Because Malta was in the midst of the Mediterranean during World War II, it was a target. This meant that the Axis countries attacked the islands heavily from 1940 to 1942. Life was hard because of restrictions, fear, and a lot of strength.
Key details help explain Malta’s experience:
- The George Cross: King George VI gave this medal of bravery to the people of Malta in 1942.
- National Flag: The George Cross is still in the corner of Malta’s flag today as a sign of bravery.
- Historical sites: Visitors can see underground shelters, museums, and memorials that keep the memories of the war years alive.
Travelers who explore this section of Malta get a strong sense of how the island’s spirit of resilience molded its current identity. The Maltese people are proud of those years, and they remember them not only in history books.
5. The Ġgantija Temples in Gozo are older than the Egyptian pyramids
The Ġgantija Temples on Gozo are among the oldest buildings in the world that don’t have any walls. They were built circa 3600 BC, which shows how deep Malta’s prehistoric roots are.
- Older than Stonehenge: The temples were built more than 1,000 years before Stonehenge, which is famous in England.
- Before the pyramids: Ġgantija is around 1,500 years older than the pyramids in Egypt.
- Huge stones: Blocks that weighed several tons were transported and hauled without contemporary tools.
- Skillful design: The layout reveals that the person who made it knows a lot about building and living in a community.
- World recognition: Today, UNESCO protects the property as a World Heritage asset.
Visitors to Ġgantija have a rare chance to engage with a time before written history. There aren’t many places in the world where you can stand inside buildings that are older than many of the most famous monuments in the world.
In conclusion
These five facts indicate that Malta is a place with a lot of history, culture, and intriguing stories. The island’s unique character comes from its ancient temples that are older than the pyramids, its World War II history, its film sites, and even its name, which is inspired by honey.
Stay close to it all with ST Hotels. With hotels in Sliema and Gżira, you’ll be right by the sea, close to ferries, cafés, and promenades, and only a short ride from Valletta and Gozo. Modern comfort, central locations, and a warm Maltese welcome make ST Hotels the perfect base to explore Malta’s past and present.
Check out ST Hotels accommodation in Sliema and Gżira.
