.01
Valletta
It’s hard to imagine any place in the world with more to offer in such a diminutive size as Valletta, Malta. It may be small, but it’s packed full of sights; when UNESCO named Valletta a World Heritage Site it described it as ‘one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world’. With construction beginning in 1565, Valletta was completed in the remarkably short span of 15 years. Its magnificent bastions and forts, St. John’s Co-Cathedral and many palaces all built by hand, making it one of the greatest feats of construction in history. Succeeding Mdina in 1565, Valletta is now the Capital of Malta and a piece of living history.
.01
Valletta
It’s hard to imagine any place in the world with more to offer in such a diminutive size as Valletta, Malta. It may be small, but it’s packed full of sights; when UNESCO named Valletta a World Heritage Site it described it as ‘one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world’. With construction beginning in 1565, Valletta was completed in the remarkably short span of 15 years. Its magnificent bastions and forts, St. John’s Co-Cathedral and many palaces all built by hand, making it one of the greatest feats of construction in history. Succeeding Mdina in 1565, Valletta is now the Capital of Malta and a piece of living history.
.02
Mdina
Few expletives will do the small fortified, medieval city of Mdina, Malta its deserved justice. A living historical gem, Mdina dates back to Roman times but the site in which the current city stands has been inhabited right back to pre-history. The compact city stands upon a plateaued hill in the north of Malta offering stunning views of much of Malta and the surrounding countryside. Mdina has hardly changed since medieval times and it is this as well as its gentle grandeur and the silence which gives the city much of its charm. Visitors truly feel like they are stepping back in time. No wonder Mdina is known as the ‘Silent City’ and ‘Citta Notabile’ (the noble city).
.02
Mdina
Few expletives will do the small fortified, medieval city of Mdina, Malta its deserved justice. A living historical gem, Mdina dates back to Roman times but the site in which the current city stands has been inhabited right back to pre-history. The compact city stands upon a plateaued hill in the north of Malta offering stunning views of much of Malta and the surrounding countryside. Mdina has hardly changed since medieval times and it is this as well as its gentle grandeur and the silence which gives the city much of its charm. Visitors truly feel like they are stepping back in time. No wonder Mdina is known as the ‘Silent City’ and ‘Citta Notabile’ (the noble city). This sensation is particularly acute at dusk and in the evenings. So, if you’re thinking about what to do in Malta at night, Mdina is an obvious choice.
.03
Gozo
Gozo is a tranquil haven, providing a change of pace and scenery to all those who visit its shores. The charm of Malta’s sister island is immediately apparent; it’s greener, more rural and smaller, with life’s rhythms dictated by the seasons, fishing and agriculture. Steeped in myth, Gozo is thought to be the legendary Calypso isle of Homer’s Odyssey – a peaceful, mystical backwater. Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses dot the countryside. Gozo’s rugged landscape and spectacular coastline await exploration with some of the Mediterranean’s best dive sites. The island also comes complete with historical sites, forts and amazing panoramas.
.03
Gozo
Gozo is a tranquil haven, providing a change of pace and scenery to all those who visit its shores. The charm of Malta’s sister island is immediately apparent; it’s greener, more rural and smaller, with life’s rhythms dictated by the seasons, fishing and agriculture. Steeped in myth, Gozo is thought to be the legendary Calypso isle of Homer’s Odyssey – a peaceful, mystical backwater. Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses dot the countryside. Gozo’s rugged landscape and spectacular coastline await exploration with some of the Mediterranean’s best dive sites. The island also comes complete with historical sites, forts and amazing panoramas.
.04
Comino
Most people only have and need one reason to visit Comino and a great reason it certainly is – to enjoy the amazing Blue Lagoon, one of the many wondrous places to enjoy the sea around the Maltese Islands and perhaps the most famous. It is well deserved. The narrow strip of cyan coloured water is astonishingly clear and during most of the year so calm it’s like a gigantic swimming pool. With a combination of sand and astounding rock formations there is suitable swimming, snorkeling and diving for all tastes whether you seek some excitement or just relaxation. In fact, Comino and its Blue Lagoon are so beautiful that film makers used this location in scenes for such productions as the mini-series Helen of Troy or the films Swept Away (featuring Madonna) and The Count of Monte Cristo.
.04
Comino
Most people only have and need one reason to visit Comino and a great reason it certainly is – to enjoy the amazing Blue Lagoon, one of the many wondrous places to enjoy the sea around the Maltese Islands and perhaps the most famous. It is well deserved. The narrow strip of cyan coloured water is astonishingly clear and during most of the year so calm it’s like a gigantic swimming pool. With a combination of sand and astounding rock formations there is suitable swimming, snorkeling and diving for all tastes whether you seek some excitement or just relaxation. In fact, Comino and its Blue Lagoon are so beautiful that film makers used this location in scenes for such productions as the mini-series Helen of Troy or the films Swept Away (featuring Madonna) and The Count of Monte Cristo.
.05
Three Cities
Predating even Valletta, the Three Cities together are an historical marvel. If only the streets could talk, you can only imagine the stories they would tell. The Three Cities have fringed the Grand Harbour since Phoenician times. Predominantly maritime cities Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua were doorways to commerce and migration and through the vibrancy of the ports they brought about a high level of cultural exchange. Today the cities’ offer a compelling insight into the long and sometimes barbarous history that formed the diminutive cities.
.05
Three Cities
Predating even Valletta, the Three Cities together are an historical marvel. If only the streets could talk, you can only imagine the stories they would tell. The Three Cities have fringed the Grand Harbour since Phoenician times. Predominantly maritime cities Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua were doorways to commerce and migration and through the vibrancy of the ports they brought about a high level of cultural exchange. Today the cities’ offer a compelling insight into the long and sometimes barbarous history that formed the diminutive cities.
.06
Hagar Qim
No list of highlights of Malta would be complete without including the chronologically unequalled megalithic temples. The six temples listed as UNESCO world heritage sites are Ġgantija (Gozo), Ħaġar Qim (near Qrendi), Mnajdra (near Qrendi), Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples (in Mġarr), Skorba Temples (in Żebbiegħ) and the Tarxien Temples (in Tarxien). The temples are considered the oldest man-made free-standing structures in the world, predating both the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge England. The Haġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples dating from the Ġgantija phase (3,600 to 3,200 BC) on the south-east coast are perhaps the most strikingly located temples on the islands, with the blue Mediterranean as their backdrop and facing the setting sun in the west they provide a hauntingly timeless mood as dusk draws near.
.06
Hagar Qim
No list of highlights of Malta would be complete without including the chronologically unequalled megalithic temples. The six temples listed as UNESCO world heritage sites are Ġgantija (Gozo), Ħaġar Qim (near Qrendi), Mnajdra (near Qrendi), Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples (in Mġarr), Skorba Temples (in Żebbiegħ) and the Tarxien Temples (in Tarxien). The temples are considered the oldest man-made free-standing structures in the world, predating both the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge England. The Haġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples dating from the Ġgantija phase (3,600 to 3,200 BC) on the south-east coast are perhaps the most strikingly located temples on the islands, with the blue Mediterranean as their backdrop and facing the setting sun in the west they provide a hauntingly timeless mood as dusk draws near.
.07
Marsaxlokk
The south-eastern part of Malta has much to offer the visitor, both scenically and historically. Marsaxlokk, Malta’s largest fishing village, retains much of the charm it had in days gone by and while tourism has discovered this typical Maltese village, there has been few changes because of it, no large hotels or apartment blocks, only quaint fish restaurants and sea front bars which had the slight feeling of ‘holiday’ to the atmosphere. Apart from the overall attractiveness of the village, Marsaxlokk has three main drawcards for the traveller, the traditional markets (particularly the Sunday market), the traditional Maltese fishing boat (the ‘luzzu’ and the excellent fish restaurants which line the promenade.
.07
Marsaxlokk
The south-eastern part of Malta has much to offer the visitor, both scenically and historically. Marsaxlokk, Malta’s largest fishing village, retains much of the charm it had in days gone by and while tourism has discovered this typical Maltese village, there has been few changes because of it, no large hotels or apartment blocks, only quaint fish restaurants and sea front bars which had the slight feeling of ‘holiday’ to the atmosphere. Apart from the overall attractiveness of the village, Marsaxlokk has three main drawcards for the traveller, the traditional markets (particularly the Sunday market), the traditional Maltese fishing boat (the ‘luzzu’ and the excellent fish restaurants which line the promenade.
.08
Blue Grotto
From the typical Mediterranean inlet of Wied Iz-Zurrieq, visitors can catch small fishing boats to the Blue Grotto and the other small caves along the way. The Blue Grotto itself is an enormous arch which covers the inlet to a deep cave system. The water here is so clear that despite the depth, the sea floor appears to be only under a few metres of water. The best time to visit is before mid-morning when the sun shines directly into Grotto. At this time of the day, if you put your hands into the water they will turn florescent blue. The trip also visits several other caves depending on the weather including Honeymoon Cave, Reflection Cave and Cat’s cave. The Blue Grotto is definitely a Top 10 Malta site.
.08
Blue Grotto
From the typical Mediterranean inlet of Wied Iz-Zurrieq, visitors can catch small fishing boats to the Blue Grotto and the other small caves along the way. The Blue Grotto itself is an enormous arch which covers the inlet to a deep cave system. The water here is so clear that despite the depth, the sea floor appears to be only under a few metres of water. The best time to visit is before mid-morning when the sun shines directly into Grotto. At this time of the day, if you put your hands into the water they will turn florescent blue. The trip also visits several other caves depending on the weather including Honeymoon Cave, Reflection Cave and Cat’s cave. The Blue Grotto is definitely a Top 10 Malta site.
.09
Ghajn Tuffieha Sandy Beach
If a poll was made as to which beach on Malta is the most visually impressive, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, often known locally as Riviera Bay due to the abandoned Riviera Hotel perched on the ridge above the bay, is sure to top the list of responses. It’s spectacular setting is created through a combination of all-natural features: the steeply sloping hillside at the head of the bay which rises to a great height so that when one is entering the bay they are offered a visual feast of the entire bay, the magnificent limestone formation known as the Karraba promontory and of course the deep blue of its water contrasting with the crimson colour sand.
.09
Ghajn Tuffieha Sandy Beach
If a poll was made as to which beach on Malta is the most visually impressive, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, often known locally as Riviera Bay due to the abandoned Riviera Hotel perched on the ridge above the bay, is sure to top the list of responses. It’s spectacular setting is created through a combination of all-natural features: the steeply sloping hillside at the head of the bay which rises to a great height so that when one is entering the bay they are offered a visual feast of the entire bay, the magnificent limestone formation known as the Karraba promontory and of course the deep blue of its water contrasting with the crimson colour sand.
.10
Dingli Cliffs
The Dingli Cliffs, with their sheer drops, are the highest point of Malta at around 250 metres above sea level. The views are breath-taking, overlooking the small terraced fields below, the open sea, and Filfla, the small uninhabited island just a short distance from the coast. The area is popular for country walks and picnics and offers not only views of the cliffs, but also views of inland Malta and nearby Buskett Gardens and Verdala Palace. The chapel of St Magdalena (1646) is located on the cliffs and the small Dingli village is about a kilometre away. The cliffs extend for several kilometres from Bahrija in the north to the Blue Grotto in the south. The views are particularly attractive at sunset.
.10
Dingli Cliffs
The Dingli Cliffs, with their sheer drops, are the highest point of Malta at around 250 metres above sea level. The views are breath-taking, overlooking the small terraced fields below, the open sea, and Filfla, the small uninhabited island just a short distance from the coast. The area is popular for country walks and picnics and offers not only views of the cliffs, but also views of inland Malta and nearby Buskett Gardens and Verdala Palace. The chapel of St Magdalena (1646) is located on the cliffs and the small Dingli village is about a kilometre away. The cliffs extend for several kilometres from Bahrija in the north to the Blue Grotto in the south. The views are particularly attractive at sunset.