Day 1 in Malta
Welcome to Malta, one of Europe`s smallest countries! Upon arrival, you
will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer
to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit
immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag!
There is so much for you to see and do!
Start your day with a visit to the old
town of Birgu, one of the oldest
inhabited areas in Malta, with tons of history to back it up. It is the most
famous of what is referred to as `The
Three Cities,` which also includes Senglea
and Cospicua. All three villages are built very close to each other around the
Grand Harbor and are marked with traditional Maltese architecture, such as the
famously brightly-painted wooden balconies.
Birgu`s population is almost 3,000,
making it a lovely part of Malta to visit. While visiting, be sure to stop in
for lunch at one of the hole-in-the-wall restaurants that line the streets and
alleyways of the city, some offering a stunning view of the mega-yachts in the
harbor.
A few points of interest in Birgu
include the excellent Maritime Museum and the Inquisitor`s Palace. Both museums
are definitely worth spending an hour or so in. Before leaving, be sure to
visit the the impressive Fort St. Angelo, a must on any Malta itinerary. This
fortification on the edge of the city of Bigu was built by the Knights,
strategically built over the ruins of a castle which dated back hundreds of
years. Fort St. Angelo may also be of interest because it is where some of the
scenes from season 1 of Game of Thrones were shot. Diehard fans of the show can
even take a private tour of all the locations in Malta where it was filmed.
There is no better way to experience
the Grand Harbor than by experiencing it by boat. Take a boat tour around some
of Malta`s majestic natural harbor. You can take a lovely gondola ride in one
of the colorful traditional Maltese fishing boats. This will take you over to Valletta to continue your sightseeing.
Valetta is one of Malta`s three UNESCO
World Heritage Sites and the capital city, a fortress with a rich and valiant
past. It has an artistic culture and is one of the essential places of
Malta. The steep and charming streets can be explored on foot. While the city
has survived many historical events, it has undergone no significant
modifications since 1798. There are some great free walking tours in the area that
we recommend if you want to delve a bit into the history here.
The main site that you shouldn`t miss
in Valletta is the St. John`s Co-Cathedral, where an exiled Caraveggio`s
masterpiece `The Beheading of Saint John` is displayed. The baroque church is
unique for its tombstone-covered floor, where 400 knights and officers of the
Order of Saint John were buried after having fallen during the Great Siege
protecting Malta.
For sunset, head to the Upper Barakka Gardens that overlook the Grand
Harbor (just opposite from Fort St. Angelo, where you started your day). From
here, you can take in the most beautiful panormanic views in all the city. If you
make it here around 4pm, you can witness the Saluting Battery, a theatrical
ceremonial cannon firing that takes place daily.
Finish your day at any of the
delicious restaurants in Valletta. The restaurant scene is a an eclectic mix
offering a variety of cuisines to satisfy all tastes. If you are up for trying
the local fare, there are a growing number of restaurants that can be found
around the city offering their own versions of traditional specialties. And
make sure to have a glass of Maltese wine that features the local indigenous
grape Girgentina. Malta only exports about 3% of its wine to the world, making
trying the Maltese wines a priority when you`re here.
After a full stomach and a busy day of
sightseeing, head back to your hotel for a restful night sleep.
Day 2 in Malta
Start your day with some pastizzi and
tea. Malta`s traditional snacks called pastizzi, a kind of local dumpling
stuffed with a delicious ricotta cheese or peas amidst several flaky layers of
dough. Served with coffee, tea or a local juice made of fresh fruits, you can`t
ask for a better breakfast in Malta.
After breakfast, start your day with a
boat ride through the Blue Grotto, a must-do during your visit! This picturesque
grotto (a fancy word for a series of caves) is located near Wied Iz-Zurrieq,
south of the town of Qrendi. A boat ride will take you through six caves
through natural formations that are stunningly beautiful. While it is
possible to swim at the Blue Grotto, it is not always ideal due to the busy
boat traffic. If you want to take a dip, we recommend swimming nearby at Ghar
Lapsi (Ascension Cave), a quieter location.
While nearby, stop at ¨¤aġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from 3200
B.C. This is a great stop for you history buffs!
Make your next stop at the Dingli Cliffs. The Maltese
Islands are known for their beautiful sheer cliffs, which are made of layer upon
layer of sedimentary rock. The Dingli Cliffs on the west coast of Malta are an particularly
remarkable sight. These cliffs are island`s natural fortress, and because of
this, the Knights did not have to worry about protecting themselves from
invaders the same way they did in the natural harbor of Valletta. The cliffs
here proteted this coast of Malta from all sorts of enemies over the years. The
view from here is breathtaking as well!
Spend the rest of the day enjoying the
fabulously ancient Mdina,
the walled Silent City. Malta`s former capital sits in the center of the
island, and within its walls just across the little bridge, time has literally
stood still. This time capsule of a city was and still is to this day, the home
to Malta`s nobility, many of them direct descendants from Norman and Sicilian
lords who made their homes here. Its history goes back over 4,000 years. With traffic
extremely limited (only to residents), it is a great area to wander the narrow
winding streets without interruption and marvel at the ornate palaces, many of
them still private homes. Make a stop at the 11th-century Mdina
Cathedral and then The Bastion for fabulous views of the island.
Mdina is even more beautiful in the
evening, as Mdina`s iron lamps cast many a golden glow across the cobbled
streets of this ancient city. It is quite magical to ride through the city on a
karozzin (traditional horse and carriage). Stop in one of the restaurants to
wind down your day over a declicious meal.
Day 3 in Malta
Rise and shine! Start by fueling
your day with a traditional local breakfast. Afterward, grab a short ferry ride
to spend your day on the tranquil green island of Gozo, the smaller sister island of Malta. This is the
second largest island and has lots of beautiful rural views to take in, along
with some of the country`s most famous coastline sites. You can opt for Gozo
tour with one of the sightseeing companies which is a great way to explore the
area, or take the hop-on hop-off bus, which makes it easier than waiting for
buses and figuring out routes.
Once in Gozo, we recommend to visit Victoria, the capital city
formely known as Rabat. Make your first stop at the Cittadel to take in the sights.
Outside and in, you`ll find beautiful architecture. Make sure to stop in the
cathedral, the museums of archaeology or folkore as well as the Cathedral Museum.
If you climb to the citadel`s highest point, you`ll be rewarded with panoramic
views that stretch out far over Gozo.
Next stop, the Ggantija Temples to take a
trip back to 3000 BC. This is one of the most fascinating (and oldest) archaeological
sites found near the village of Xaghra. Dating from 3600 BC, there`s still much
that`s unknown about the two Ggantija Temples. What is clear, is that these
temples are the oldest free standing monuments in the world. As you explore
you`ll notice each temple contains a series of `niches` or chambers, in which
rituals or sacrifices could be performed. Although it is not entirely known
what the exact function of these temples were, it is likely that these may have
been the site of a fertility cult.
Make a short stop at the Ta` Pinu Sanctuary, an
imposing church renowned for its miraculous healing powers, the walls in the
back being filled with letters from people all over the world expressing their
gratitude and devotion.
An optional stop, you may, or may
not want to visit, is the location of the former Azure Window.
Sadly, the iconic Maltese natural rock arch collapsed into the sea on March 8th,
2017 during a storm. It was featured in movies and TV shows, including HBO`s Game
of Thrones. You need to use your imagination now, as the Azure Window
is no longer, but the location is gorgeous and well worth a visit. It is a
great area to take photographs, admire the views, swim in a natural pool or go
diving. You can also visit the Azure Window Restaurant (still goes by this same
name today) for lunch while in the area.
Spend the remaining part of yur day
at what is considered to be the island`s very best sand beach: Ramla Bay. This beautiful reddish
sand beach is a perfect place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing and a
great spot to catch the sunset.
End the day with a tasty dinner at
one of the beachside cafes before hading back to catch the ferry.
Additional Days in Malta
Should you be able to spend additional days in Malta, continue discover more of Malta. Visit a winery at San Niklaw, that is family owned and has delicious whites. See the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples. Take a trip to Comino in the crystal clear waters of the Blue or Crystal Lagoon. See where they filmed the original Popey movie, and take a dip in Anchor Bay. Checkout the small fishing village of Marsaxlokk Bay. Or, just laze on one of the amazing beaches all day long and relax!
Last Day in Malta
Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.