Thanks to its location right in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta enjoys a climate that makes walking possible all year round, but early spring and late autumn are best. Thanks to the hot sirocco wind, summers do get really hot and walking is only practical early in the morning. Winters can occasionally be chilly and wet, but always stay mild. Typical for Malta island are a rather bare and dry landscape, limestone slabs and outcrops along the coast, and the island as a whole tilting slightly towards the northeast. The many bays and inlets are all rocky, except for some sandy beaches in the northwest.

The main island of Malta offers some interesting walks: the Victoria and Dwejra Lines (fortifications dating back to the Victorian age), the South coast, the western peninsula. The northern part is almost completely urbanised and the beach settlements tend towards the cheap side. With a total rather flat area adding up to only 316 km², and nowhere higher than 240m,  there are many possibilities for day hikes and you will find some trails which are marked in red, particularly along the rocky coastline.

More interesting are the two smaller islands. Comino, to start with, is empty, apart from one hotel, and can be circumvented in a few hours. Very rewarding. Gozo, the other island, is the “Malta of the past”: quiet, green, and a touch of Mediterranean traditions (not the bird hunting and trapping of course).

Two long distance hikes have been set out for you. The Malta Coastal Walk and the Gozo Coastal Walk. These hikes are partly marked (red dots and arrows). You may find a guidebook in local shops. Otherwise, find descriptions and maps on the internet. The Gozo Coastal walk – about 50 km, 3 days - with some lovely coastal paths along majestic cliffs - can be recommended.

Do not forget to visit some of the mesmerising Neolithic temples and make up your own phantasy on what they were used for.

Busses (modern ones!) run hourly between all villages of Malta and Gozo. Best to buy a cheap weekly bus pass.