Coasting in Malta and Gozo

Lucie Grace explores where the best swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling can be found. Plus cliff-diving Jack Russells

Malta and its surrounding islands make up one of the smallest countries in Europe - but what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in personality.

The Mediterranean archipelago is chock full of natural beauty and is rightly proud of its 8,000 years of fascinating history. Home to megalithic temples, medieval Arabic fortresses, ornate Baroque cathedrals and British red telephone boxes (Malta was

colonised by the British empire from 1800 to 1964), the multitudinous influences left by invading civilisations give Malta its unique, sedimentary language and culture.

But aside from its diverse architecture and history-steeped capital, Valletta, Malta is also known for its sun, sea and sand options. Bang in the middle of the Med, with its nearest neighbours being Sicily and Tunisia, Malta is famously sundrenched for more than 300 days of the year and is home to a wide variety of beaches that’ll satisfy any visitor, whether you love sandy or rocky shores, busy bays or secluded spots. Here’s our pick of the best beaches in Malta and Gozo to get you started.