It has been said that the Maltese islands are the 'open air museum of the Mediterranean', offering 7,000 years or more of history to explore with numerous cultural, historical and megalithic sites unique in the world. The islands boast prehistoric ruins older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Egypt, and are steeped in the legacy of the medieval order of the Knights of St John, who used the island as their stronghold for defending Christendom.

The main island of Malta, covering just 95 square miles (246 sq km), is also a popular holiday destination because of its secluded bays and sandy beaches, washed by unpolluted clear blue waters. Set against the backdrop of the island's scenery and its honey-coloured stone buildings, Malta is alluring and fascinating.

Malta and its little sister island, Gozo, are not stuck in a time warp, however. The islanders enjoy life to the full, and the calendar is filled with summertime 'festas' with fireworks and revelry in every little parish in honour of the village patron saints, as well as the major carnival in early spring every year. The capital, Valletta, besides offering some awesome Baroque buildings and fortifications as its main sightseeing attractions, is bustling and bursting with restaurants and cafes. The island's compact size is also a plus for visitors; it takes no more than an hour to drive between any two points on the main island, and there is very little open space. The dense population means that the island is virtually one large urban area, with buildings occupying every inch.

Malta lies about 60 miles (97km) south of Sicily and 160 miles (257km) north of Libya, a strategic position in the Mediterranean that has made the islands a crossroads of history. The last occupiers were the British, who granted Malta independence in 1964, but the biggest and most unique influence was left by the Knights of St John, to whom the island was donated in 1530; the Knights reigned supreme over the island for 270 years, building magnificent churches and monuments to themselves.

Malta has its mysteries too, in the form of 30 prehistoric sites boasting massive Neolithic temples, considered to be the oldest freestanding stone buildings known to man.

St John's Co-Cathedral

Address: Republic Street Valletta

Admission: EUR6 (adults), free for children under 12. Other concessions available. Monday to Friday 9:30am-4:30pm; Saturdays 9:30am-12:30pm.

Telephone: 2122 0536

Palace of the Grandmaster

Address: Palace Square, Republic Street Valletta

Admission: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

Telephone: 56 221 221

National Museum of Archaeology

Address: Charles Borg, Auberge de Provence, Republic Street, Valletta Valletta

Admission: EUR5 (adults), EUR2.50 (children 6-11). Other concessions available. Daily 9am-7pm.

Telephone: 21 239 375

Lascaris War Rooms

Address: Lascaris Ditch, Valletta Valletta

Admission: EUR10 adults, EUR5 children under 16. Other concessions available. Daily 10am-5pm.

Telephone: 2123 4936

Malta Experience

Address: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Mediterranean Street, Valletta Valletta

Admission: EUR10 adults, EUR5 children under 14. Other concessions available. Show times: Monday to Friday every hour from 11am to 4pm, Saturdays and Sundays 11am to 1pm (until 2pm from October to June)

Telephone: 2124 3776 or 2125 1284

Mdina

Address: Valletta

Three Cities

Address: Valletta

Hal Saflieni Hypogeum

Address: Burial Street, Paola Valletta

Admission: EUR20 (adults), EUR12 (children 6 - 11). Advance booking required, other concessions available. Daily 9am-11am and 1pm-4pm (only 10 visitors per hour).

Telephone: 2180 5018/9

St Mary's Church

Address: Rotunda Square, Mosta Valletta

Telephone: 2143 3826

Hagar Qim

Address: West of the village of Qrendi Valletta

Admission: EUR9 (adults), EUR4 (children 6-11). Other concessions available. Daily 9am-5pm.

Telephone: 2142 4231

Museum of Archaeology

Address: Triq Bieb l-Imdina, the Citadel Gozo

Admission: EUR8 (adults), EUR5 (children 6-11). Other concessions available. Daily 9am-5pm.

Telephone: 2155 6144

Ggantija Temples

Address: Temples Street, Xaghra Gozo

Admission: EUR5 (adults), EUR2.50 (children 6-11). Other concessions available. Daily 9am-5pm.

Telephone: 2155 3194

Caves of Xaghra

Address: Gozo

Admission: Calypso Cave is free, but there is a fee of EUR2.50 for Xerri's Grotto. Xerri: Monday to Saturday 9am-6pm; Ninu: daily 8:30am-6pm.

Telephone: 2156 0572

Dwejra

Address: Gozo

Marsalforn

Address: Gozo

Toy Museum

Address: 222 Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta Valletta

Admission: EUR2.33 Open Monday to Friday 10am–3pm; Saturday and Sunday f10:30am–1:30pm.

Telephone: 2125 1652

Playmobil Funpark

Address: HF80, Industrial Estate, Har Far

Admission: EUR2.33 (adults); EUR1.20 (children). Winter: October to June open daily 10am–6pm. Summer: July to September open Monday to Saturday 10am–6pm; Sunday 10am–1pm.

Telephone: 2224 2445

Splash & Fun Park

Address: Coast Road, Bahar ic-Cahaq

Admission: Full day pass: EUR18 (adults); EUR10 (children). Half day pass: EUR10 (adults); EUR6 (children) 4 April to 28 June and 14 September to 1 November 9:30am–5:30pm; 29 June to 13 September 9am–9pm.

Telephone: 2137 5021

Popeye Village

Address: Anchor Bay, Mellieha

Admission: Free. Tokens can be bought for rides. Open daily. August and 1-20 December 9:30am–7pm; 21 December to 6 January 9:30am–8:30pm; March to July and September to October 9:30am–5pm; November and January to February 9:30am–4:30pm.

Telephone: 2152 4782/3/4

Mediterraneo Marine Park

Admission: EUR16 (adults); EUR10 (children) for a full-day block show ticket. Daily 10am–5pm April through October; closed in winter.

Telephone: 2137 8781

Azure Window

Address: Gozo