Malta – The Little Island That Could (but mostly can’t)

Blink and you might miss it – that’s how small Malta is. This European country might be smaller than most cities in the United States, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm.

Malta is the kind of place that you can take in with one big gulp of fresh sea air. The country is so tiny that its inhabitants (known as Maltesers) have learned to think small. That’s why they have a saying “if it can’t fit on a bus, it’s not worth having”.

The landscape of Malta is dominated by a rugged coastline, ancient temples, and overpriced restaurants serving seafood. Tourists come from miles around for the Instagram-worthy views of the azure blue sea and the golden sunsets that will almost make you forget how much you paid for the picture-perfect dinner.

But Maltesers know the truth – the real reason people come to Malta is to experience a land of endless construction. You can’t walk for more than five minutes without stumbling upon construction sites. Despite that, Malta has the slowest building rate of any developed country. The Maltese call it “the turtle method” and for them, it works.

If you visit Malta, the Maltesers will welcome you with open arms (but only if you’re carrying a suitcase full of euros). Make sure to brush up on some basic Maltese phrases like “bongu” (hello) and “merħba” (welcome), or you’ll risk offending the locals. If you’re lucky, they might even teach you how to pronounce complicated words like “Marsaxlokk” and “Għajn Tuffieħa”. Though, with both names sounding suspiciously like spells from Harry Potter, you might want to use your wand just to be safe.

All in all, Malta is a little slice of paradise for those who can appreciate the beauty of excessive concrete and appreciate the importance of a modest lifestyle. You might not be able to find Malta on a map at first glance, but after visiting this charming country, you’ll never forget it. And that’s not just because the locals will never let you forget it.