Did you know there’s a small European island nation in the Mediterranean Sea that is just a couple hundred miles from Africa?

This country is Malta.

Malta is a country made up of seven islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and it has been conquered by nearly every major empire of ancient and modern times. Due to its positioning between Europe and Africa, Malta has been a strategic interest to just about any Mediterranean band of conquerors ever. While the country is a part of the European Union, it feels like a whole different world than most of continental Europe.

Its capital city of Valetta is where most visitors head first, and for good reason. St. John’s Co-Cathedral is epic, and it alone is a good reason to visit the city. One of our personal favorite places in Malta is the Blue Lagoon, located between the islands of Comino and Cominotto. Another popular spot is Gozo, and the best nightlife in the country can be found in St. Julians. If you are looking for some of the nicest beaches in all of Europe and are bored with the Greek Isles, pack your bags for Malta.