How Big Is Malta? Size Comparison to Other Countries (2024)

Is Malta Bigger Than You Thought?

Many people ask, "How big is Malta?" Here is the answer to the question.

The archipelago lies in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, barely visible on the world map. You have to zoom in Google Maps to actually see the islands. It is also one of the most popular destinations in Europe.

Oneof the significant advantages is that everything is so close to each other, anythingfrom historical sites, villages, schools, hotels, museums, shops, all are reachable within minutes or a couple of hours drive or less.

Although the islands are small, travelling from one location to another takes time because of its increasing population, number of cars and the many roads network.

Sohow big is Malta? Keep on reading as we have gathered simple information tomake your curiosity.

How Big Is Malta?

• Thelengthof the whole archipelago is45kilometers(27 miles).
• Thedistancefrom theNorth West to South Westis about28 kilometers(17 miles).
• Thewidthof Maltain an east-west direction is14.5kilometers(9 miles).
• Maltais the largest island of the archipelago, with a total area of245.7square kilometers,barely visible on the Mediterranean map.
• ThetotalshorelineforMaltais196.8 kilometers(122 miles).

How Big Is The Island Of Gozo?

• It is calledGhawdexin the Maltese language.
• It is just8 kilometres to the north-west of Maltawith a surface area of about67.1 square kilometres.
• The island is as big asNew York City's Manhattan island.
• Gozo is14.5 kilometres(9 miles)longand7.2 kilometres(4.47 miles)wide.
• It is good to mentionCominothethird smallest islandwith 3.5 square kilometres or 1.4 square miles.
• Population of approximately 31,000.
  
• The total shoreline is56 kilometers(35 miles).

how to get to the island of gozo

One has to drive from the airport to Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal to board the ferry for a 25 minutes crossing. Gozo is much smaller and traveling time is short. All roads converge to the capital Victoria which is at the centre of the island. Driving is easier and much less inhabited.

Average Distances From Popular Locations

The following distances and times will vary depending on the traffic and diversions (if available).

from airport

• To Bugibba: 20km (35 mins)
  
• To St. Julian’s / Sliema: 12km (19 mins)
• Malta Airport to Rabat/Mdina: 13.4km (22 mins)
• To Mgarr Gozo: 1 hour 22 mins (includes 30 min ferry ride from Cirkewwa) (37.1km)
• To Valletta: 10.3km (17 mins)
• Malta Airport to Marsaxlokk: 8km (15 min)
• Malta Airport to Comino: First you must go to Sliema, Mellieha then grab a boat.

from capital city valletta

• To Malta International Airport (MIA): 10.3km (20 mins)
• To Bugibba: 18.2km (30 min)
• To St. Julian’s / Sliema: 7.5km (15 min)
• To Mdina: 13.6km (20 min)

from st. julian's/sliema/gzira

These towns and villages are all along the coast one after the other without any distinction from one to the other until you will know the areas.

• To Malta International Airport (MIA): 12km (19 min)
• To Bugibba: 12.8km (23 min)
• To Mdina: 14km (25 min)
• To Valletta: 9.2km (15 min)

fromSt. Paul’s Bay, Bugibba and Qawra

These villages lie along the northern coast and are mostly residential and plenty of accommodation for foreign works and tourist accommodation.

• To Malta International Airport (MIA): 20km (35 mins)
• To St. Julian’s / Sliema: 12.8km (23 min)
• To Valletta: 18.2km (30 min)
• To Mdina: 9.6km (20 min)

from mdina & rabat

Mdinathe old capital with its medieval charm and the town of Rabatliterally translated to “suberb” is often viewed by tourists as not important but the opposite.It has its own appeal and is very attractive for visiting and to live within.

• To Malta International Airport (MIA): 13.4km (22 mins)
• To Bugibba: 9.6km (20 min)
• To St. Julian’s / Sliema: 14km (25 min)
• To Valletta: 13.6 km (20 min)

How Big Is Malta Compared To Other Places?

The area of Malta is around 316 sq km. Here are some comparisons with other islands around the globe.

Ibiza (Spain)

• Ibiza island is around 1.8 timesbiggerthan Malta, with around 570 sq km.

cyprus

• Cyprus is around 9,251 sq km, which is around 29.3 times bigger than our islands.

antigua

• Antigua is around 281 sq km, which is around 1.1 times smaller than the Maltese islands.

maldives

• Maldives is approximately 300 sq km which is around 1.05 times smaller than Malta island.

mallorca

• Mallorca is approximately 3,640 sq km, which is around 11.5 times larger than Malta.

new york city

• New York City is approximately3,640 sq km,which isaround 11.5 times largerthan Malta.

the city of paris

• Paris is approximately 105sq km,which isaround 3 times smallerthan Malta.

rome, capital of italy

• Rome is approximately1,285 sq km,which isaround 4 times largerthan the Maltese islands.

london, capital of united kingdom

• London is approximately1,572 sq km,which isaround 4.9 times largerthan the Maltese islands.

More Information About Malta

Is Gozo In Malta?

• No, Gozo is a separate island that you can reach by a 20-minuteferry crossingfrom Cirkewwa Malta to Mgarr Gozo.

How long would it take to drive around Malta?

• Inabout an hour you should drive across all the length of the island although youwill meet traffic mostly during peak times in the morning and afternoon.
• Themain road to cross the island starts from the south the seaside village ofBirżebbuġa to the farthest point Cirkewwa the ferry terminal to catch theferry boat to the sister island Gozo.

Can you walk around Malta in a day?

• AlthoughMalta is relatively small, it depends on your hiking skills and also if youintend walking around the edges or taking shorter cuts along passageways, whichwill make a difference in the length you will travel in a day. The coastline is122.4 miles (197 kilometres) long.
• Youhave to do it on foot as the cover all the coastline by car is not possible asthere are no roads in certain areas, though part of the road network passesalong the seashore.

How many miles long is Malta?

• Maltaisland is 16.8 miles (27 kilometres) long and 9 miles (14.5 kilometres) wide.

Can you drive around Malta in a day?

• Yes, you can but youwill have to know a bit the road network. It will be best to have a good map ofthe island and know.
• Do not image thatyou will have one road to drive. You will have many roads to take totry and keep as close to the shore line although certain road will still be farfrom the shore line.

Is Malta easy to get around?

• Theroad network allows you for an easy way to get around. On our small island witha population of very close to half a million people, the number of vehicles hasincreased dramatically to around 400,000.