Where Is Malta? Location, Map and What It's Near

Malta is a small island country in the central Mediterranean Sea, about 80 km south of Sicily (Italy) and roughly 290 km north of the North African coast. It lies in Europe and is a full EU member, even though it sits closer to Africa than much of mainland Europe.

The country is an archipelago of three inhabited islands – Malta, Gozo and Comino – with Valletta as its capital. Here's exactly where it is, what's around it, and how to picture it on the map.

Where exactly is Malta?

Malta lies in the central Mediterranean, almost exactly in the middle of the sea between southern Europe and North Africa. Its coordinates are roughly 35.9°N, 14.4°E, which puts it south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya – a position that made it a strategic crossroads for every power that ever sailed the Mediterranean.

That central spot is the key to understanding Malta. For thousands of years it sat on the trade and military routes between Europe, Africa and the Levant, which is why its history runs through the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, the Knights of St John, the French and the British.

It's also small. The whole country covers just over 300 square kilometres, so the islands are a dot on a map of the Mediterranean – easy to miss, but right in the centre of it.

Is Malta in Europe or Africa?

Malta is in Europe, both geographically and politically. It's counted as part of the European continent, it's a member state of the European Union, and culturally it leans firmly towards southern Europe and Italy in particular.

The confusion is understandable, because Malta sits closer to the North African coast than it does to much of mainland Europe, and at times feels Mediterranean-African in its light and landscape. But by every standard definition – continental, political and cultural – Malta is a European country.

It joined the EU in 2004, adopted the euro in 2008 and is part of the Schengen Area, so for travellers it follows the same rules as the rest of EU Europe.

Is Malta part of Italy?

No. Malta is an independent country – the Republic of Malta – and has been since gaining independence from Britain in 1964. It is not part of Italy, despite being a short hop from Sicily and sharing strong Italian cultural ties.

Malta was a British colony for over 150 years, which is why English is an official language, cars drive on the left and British influences run through everyday life. Its own language, Maltese, is a Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet – unique in Europe – heavily flavoured with Italian and English.

So while Italy is its nearest neighbour and a big cultural influence, Malta governs itself, issues its own affairs and sits as its own member state within the EU.

How far is Malta from Sicily, Italy and beyond?

Sicily is the closest land, around 80 km to the north – close enough that there's a fast catamaran ferry between Malta and the Sicilian port of Pozzallo, and only a short flight to Catania. Mainland Italy and Rome are about a 1.5–2 hour flight away.

Further afield, Malta is roughly a 3-hour flight from London and the UK, around 2.5–3 hours from much of central and northern Europe, and about 290 km from the nearest North African coast near Tunisia. Tunis itself is a short flight to the southwest.

That accessibility is part of Malta's appeal: it's genuinely in the middle of things, an easy add-on to an Italian trip or a standalone short-haul break from across Europe.

The Maltese islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino

Malta isn't a single island but a small archipelago. Three are inhabited: Malta itself (much the largest, home to the capital Valletta and most of the population), Gozo (greener, quieter and more rural), and tiny Comino, famous for the turquoise Blue Lagoon.

The main island holds the cities, the airport, the historic sites and the bulk of the resorts. Gozo, a short ferry ride north, is the slower, more laid-back escape, while Comino sits between the two and is barely populated. Our Malta vs Gozo comparison weighs up the two main islands, and the Comino guide covers the smallest.

A few uninhabited islets, like Filfla and Cominotto, round out the group. Together they make a compact country you can drive across in about an hour.

How to get to Malta

For almost all visitors, the answer is to fly. Malta International Airport (Luqa) is the country's only airport, well connected to the UK and across Europe, with flights from Britain taking around three hours. Low-cost and full-service airlines both serve it year-round.

The main alternative is the sea: a fast ferry links Malta with Pozzallo in Sicily in around 1.5–2 hours, handy if you're combining the two, and cruise ships call at the Grand Harbour. Once you land, the airport is close to the main resort areas – our Malta airport transfers guide covers the options, and getting around Malta explains the buses, ferries and car hire.

There are no road or rail links, of course – it's an island – so air is the practical route for most trips.

Time zone, language and money

Malta runs on Central European Time (CET/CEST), the same as Italy, Spain and most of mainland Europe – one hour ahead of the UK. The currency is the euro, and cards are accepted almost everywhere.

The two official languages are Maltese and English, and English is spoken almost universally, which removes the language barrier that can come with a Mediterranean trip. Road signs, menus and services are routinely in English.

If you're weighing up a visit, our things to do in Malta guide covers what's actually there, best time to visit Malta handles the seasons, and is Malta expensive breaks down the costs.