Did you know? Some tourists come to Malta not only to appreciate its beautiful natural scenery and profound historical relics, but also to have a special "cat-sucking" trip!

Malta can be said to be a "cat country". In Valletta, a city with a permanent population of about 450,000, it is said that the number of cats even exceeds that of humans. For locals, cats are not only friends, but also neighbors that can be seen everywhere in life. Today, we will summarize several must-go places for cat lovers to help you successfully get these furry little cuties.

St. Julian's Cat Valley

The Maltese have established a "cat village" on the corner of the street in the St. Julian's district, which the locals call "Cat Valley". Various colorful small houses have been built into a paradise for stray cats, and many cute dolls are also placed. St. Julian's is a popular resort in Malta, which successfully combines the fishing village style with sightseeing tourism. There are many hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops here, and it is very lively.

Manoel Island

Manoel Castle, located on Manoel Island, is one of the military fortresses built by the Knights. In addition to its military defense role, this fortress full of Baroque architectural style is designed with perfect functionality and aesthetics. There is also a long-abandoned hospital on the island, which has now been transformed into a paradise for cats. Every day, volunteers and rescue groups come to feed the cats. As long as you gently shake the snack packaging, countless cats will come from all directions.

Marsaxlokk

The fish market opened every Sunday in Marsaxlokk, a traditional fishing village on the east coast of Malta, not only attracts tourists, but also attracts greedy cats. Every fully loaded fishing boat returning home is like a cat paradise, with countless delicious seafood. Fishermen fishing in the port are also generous in sharing their spoils with cats. There is even a sculpture depicting a cat waiting for the fisherman to return, which shows that the local cat-loving atmosphere is strong.

It is said that the relationship between Malta and cats began when the Phoenicians landed on the island. The Phoenicians were good at sailing and business. At that time, they lived on the island of Malta and needed to go out to sea frequently. Cats were brought to Malta by the Phoenicians as a good partner to prevent rat infestation, and since then, the fate of Malta and cats has begun.

To this day, the Maltese people love to live next to cats. People will share the spoils of sea fishing with them, transform abandoned furniture into homes for cats, and set up various cat rescue clubs. These rescue clubs regularly feed food, organize health checks, and scientifically sterilize stray cats to control the number of breeding so as not to destroy the ecological balance of Malta. After unremitting efforts, the current situation of friendly coexistence between humans and cats has been achieved.

Written by：Luna

2025.07.02