Travellers often turn to the European Best Destinations awards to steer them towards the most captivating parts of the continent, seeing as the winner is determined by a public vote. This year’s edition saw an unprecedented increase in participants, with more than 172 countries contributing over a million votes. 

Despite the strong competition, Malta managed to secure a high spot on the list! Among the top 20 destinations, Malta claimed third place with an astounding 131,049 votes. This accomplishment places it just behind Marbella and Monaco and ahead of famous cities like Geneva, Florence, and London. Check out the complete list for yourself here.

Calling it “Sunny Malta”, the European Best Destinations awards said the country “seems to be the ideal destination for getaways with friends, family, or romance.” Malta is the epitome of a vacation, with its picture-perfect beaches, vibrant culture, delectable food, and energetic atmosphere. Furthermore, the island was accredited for having architecture that tells stories of its past, as well as being a top diving site and a legislatively safe place for LGBTQ people.