Malta, the ‘Heart of the Mediterranean’, is just a short, three-hour flight away from the UK and is perfect for a number of different holiday types, especially barrier-free beach holidays and wheelchair-friendly city breaks.

The island provides stunning scenery from every angle, with rugged coves and fossil-studded cliffs, as well as elegant architecture, making it no surprise that it is a favourite filming location amongst the Hollywood elite.

Malta’s captivating history is one of violent warfare, with fortresses and fortifications lining the hills and cities hiding behind great walls. Many of the island’s towns now have a laid-back café culture and the capital of Valetta bustles with variety and excitement. The island’s 7000-year history remains evident in its megalithic temples but if you’re looking to be completely immersed in history and culture on your accessible holiday in Malta, then the medieval town of Medina would be ideal for you.

However, there is more to Malta that just history. Many bays in Malta and Gozo are accessible and the best of them offer floating beach wheelchairs, ramps, hoists and platforms with ramps leading to the sea. Accessible diving is available in Gozo, no matter what your ability or experience.

The north of the region gives visitors with limited mobility the chance to enjoy a range of shops and places to eat and drink, as well as offering some of Malta’s most awe-inspiring surroundings. In contrast, the south is the place to go if you are looking for some soothing respite on your wheelchair-friendly holiday. It boasts traditional fishing villages, delicious seafood and calm beaches.

The cuisine in Malta is seafood-based and likely to have been fished from the Mediterranean on the very day you eat it. Local dishes to try include ‘bigilla’ (a delicious broad bean pate) and hot ‘pastizzi’ (a savoury ricotta-filled pastry).

With warm weather lasting almost the whole year round, a stunning landscape and a variety of historical and cultural riches, it should be no surprise that the number of tourists Malta annually draws in is three times the island’s population.