Why a trip to this European island should be on every history fan's bucket list

How to explore Malta's military past

There’s more to Malta than sand, sea, and year-round summers. This Mediterranean island, which received the George Cross in 1942 and was a British colony until 1964, has been shaped by its military past – from battling a 16th-century siege to becoming the world's most bombed nation in World War II. 

Read on to find out why Malta is the must-visit destination for anyone interested in military history, and discover the top ways you can explore its fascinating story...

1. Discover the miracle of Mosta Dome

Located in the northern city of Mosta, the Mosta Dome (or Rotunda of Mosta) is a Roman Catholic church with a surprising artifact inside. On April 9, 1942, the Dome was hit by a German bomb – but the shell didn’t explode, saving the lives of 300 worshippers who were attending Mass at the time. It’s said two other aerial bombs fell on the church during the war, both of which rebounded off the roof.

The survival of the Dome is considered a miracle by many locals, and today, you can see a faithful replica of the unexploded bomb in the sacristy.

2. Toast Malta's Grand Masters at Ta' Betta Wine Estates

Comprising four hectares of land in Siġġiewi, Ta’ Betta Wine Estates brings Maltese history to life – via your taste buds. Its boutique selection of fine wines, ranging from a "tenacious" Chardonnay to an "opulent" Merlot blend, have been named after some of the island’s most influential people: the Grand Masters (leaders) of the Knights of St. John, a military order that ruled Malta between 1530 and 1798.

Book a tasting to find out how each wine embodies its namesake. Will Jean Parisot, Antonio Manoel, or Philippe Villiers be your favorite? 

3. Go underground in Valletta

Valletta, the capital of Malta, is a city of two halves. Below ground, a network of tunnels and rooms tells the story of an island that’s always had to fight for survival. These tunnels originally allowed people to store grain and gather water. But in World War II, they were repurposed – and expanded – to provide shelter as bombs were dropped over Malta. (Shockingly, Malta received more shells in one month than London received during the entire Blitz).

Underground Valletta takes you beneath the streets to explore these incredible shelters for yourself. Keep your eyes peeled for abandoned treasures, not to mention 1940s graffiti hiding on the walls...

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4. See iconic military aircraft at Malta Aviation Museum

From Underground Valletta to a museum of the skies. Built on a former RAF site in Ta' Quali, the Malta Aviation Museum chronicles the country's rich aerial history, with three exhibition hangars displaying aircraft from Malta and beyond. At the back of the museum, an active workshop is bringing history into the present day by restoring iconic planes – with the intention of making them airworthy once again.

Easily accessible by bus or car, the museum offers the chance to get up close and personal with 1940s fighter jets and airliners, and there's even the chance to climb inside a cockpit. A café, gift shop, and memorial chapel complete the amenities. 

5. Explore the "Three Cities" by boat

With a coastline that's approximately 122 miles long, Malta has much to offer beach bums and history buffs alike. In Valletta, catch a water taxi – often compared to the gondolas of Venice – for a Grand Harbour tour. This will take you around the island's "Three Cities:" Vittoriosa (also known as Birgu), Senglea (Isla), and Cospicua (Bormla).

Famous for their fortifications, these cities played a pivotal role in defending Malta during the Great Siege in 1565, a four-month assault by the Ottoman Empire. Travelling by boat is a great way to see the fortifications up close and appreciate just how formidable the defenses really are. 

6. Visit the Saluting Battery

For another breathtaking view of the Grand Harbour, head to the Saluting Battery: a tiered artillery platform that was built by the Knights of St. John after the Great Siege. Not only is this one of Valletta's most beautiful vantage points, it's also a spectacular attraction in its own right.

One of the eight replica cannons is fired daily at 12pm and 4pm, commemorating the site's long history of gun salutes to welcome ships or mark the time. Thankfully, there are no cannon balls fired anymore – just gunpowder (and, according to insider knowledge, a little bit of flour to create that impressive explosion!)

7. Walk in the Knights' footsteps at Fort St. Angelo

As you might expect, there's no shortage of forts in Malta. While they all boast rich history and incredible views, Fort St. Angelo in Birgu (or Vittoriosa) bears the distinction of being the headquarters of the Knights of St. John during the Great Siege.

Originally a medieval castle, it was first modeled as a fort in the 1530s and remodeled in the 1690s. Conflict returned to Fort St. Angelo during World War II when it was heavily bombed. But today, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ever-popular attraction, not least because its infamous underground prison once held none other than the artist Caravaggio, who somehow managed to escape...

8. Visit Malta's largest watchtower

Malta's largest watchtower is St Thomas Tower in Marsaskala, a seaside town in the southeast of the island. It might not be one of the tourist hotspots, but Marsaskala's coastal location meant it was of huge strategic importance during times of conflict.

St Thomas Tower was built in 1614 (incredibly, its original drawbridge is still partially intact) and is now home to the newly opened Pirates and Corsairs Museum, which chronicles Malta's swashbuckling past. Climb to the very top to peer through the ramparts; the view might have changed, but you'll be standing in the same spot as Maltese sentries who once watched for enemies approaching on the waves.

9. Uncover the secrets of the Lascaris War Rooms

Want to explore the rooms that helped the Allies win the war? A once top-secret network of operations rooms, the Lascaris War Rooms in Valletta served as Britain's headquarters during the 1940s. In July 1943, it was here that the Allies planned Operation Husky: the successful invasion of Sicily, Italy, dubbed "the soft underbelly" of German-occupied Europe.

The complex was later taken over by NATO to intercept Soviet submarines in the Mediterranean before being restored by the Malta Heritage Trust. Guided tours are available twice daily at 10:30am and 1pm.

Getting there

Malta is served by Malta International Airport (MIA) in the town of Luqa. Developed on the former RAF Luqa site, the airport is less than six miles (10km) from Valletta and is served by several bus routes.

Alice Cattley visited in November 2025 and was a guest of VisitMalta.

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