Flight Time From London: 3 Hours 15 Minutes

The Lowdown: Winter temperatures remain in the teens on this small Mediterranean island and, due to its position close to Africa, the sea tends to be fairly warm too. But there is so much more to Malta than sunshine. Over the centuries, it has been ruled by the Romans, Moors, French and British which has resulted in numerous historic sites and a wealth of influences. Here, you won’t be short of churches, museums and ancient ruins to visit, as well as stunning scenery and great food.

What To Do: Valetta, Malta’s capital and Europe’s smallest, is steeped in history. Built by the Knights of St John, the city is a Unesco heritage site described as ‘one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world’. Be sure to spend a few days exploring the narrow streets and visiting the museums and galleries. Must-sees include St John’s Co-Cathedral with its ornate marble floors, Baroque frescoes and two Caravaggio paintings, the National Museum of Archaeology, the Parliament Building, Renzo Piano’s striking City Gate and the beautiful opera house. Foodies should make a beeline for the Victorian market on Merchant Street which has a food hall serving traditional Maltese cuisine, as well as a butcher, fishmonger, delicatessen counter and bakery. For fine dining, book a table at Michelin-starred Noni which serves modern Maltese and Mediterranean cuisine alongside an excellent wine list. There are plenty of contemporary restaurants and cool bars in the city, including Legligin, a cellar bar which serves local wine and tapas, and Tal-Kaptan along Valletta’s Baroque wharf.

Away from the capital, two other places to visit are the former capital, Mdina, and the island of Gozo. Mdina is a beautiful ancient walled city in the north of the island. Its history traces back more than 4,000 years and you’ll see a mix of Norman and Baroque architecture here. A lovely afternoon can be spent visiting the Natural History Museum, St Paul’s Cathedral and the beautiful, honey-coloured churches. Malta is made up of three islands (Malta being the largest and Comino the smallest). The second largest, Gozo, is lined with beautiful beaches, rugged landscape and lush greenery. Quieter and more rural than the main island, you can venture here on a day trip via boat to explore the waters and the two temples of Ggantija, notable for their gigantic Bronze Age structures. Also, plan a visit to the famous Azure Window, a huge natural arch along the coastline for one of the best viewpoints on the island.