MALTA
Just south of Sicily lies the island of Malta, along with its sister islands of Gozo and Comino. This Mediterranean Sea jewel may be small but it certainly offers a wealth of historic attractions, and enough beauty spots and beaches to keep any visitor happy.
Discover 6000 years of living history!
Let us be your guides through a journey of sights sounds and tastes:
- discovering this unique culture which has evolved through the myriad of civilization that have called Malta home over the centuries.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Megalithic Temples
The oldest of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malta and its islands are the Megalithic Temples, believed to be the oldest free-standing structures on Earth.
There are more and smaller temples, but there are six listed under the World Heritage Status:
Ġgantija, Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra,
Ta’ Hagrat, Skorba, Tarxien and Ġgantija in Gozo
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Much older than Valetta, but not as old as the other of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Malta the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum near Paola is an underground chamber that dates back to 2500 BC. Thanks to extensive excavation a wealth of archaeological ethnography has been uncovered and collected including human skeletons, pottery, figurines, carved animals, and personal ornaments such as beads and amulets.
Mdina- The Silent City
Mdina is quite a hub of history in Malta. It was the nation’s first citadel capital. The place has been present since the Bronze Age when it was the Roman centre. Due to its importance to Malta, the city was fortified.
Arabs were the first to express the significance to Mdina. It continued all the way to the medieval Christian era. The importance began declining as the Knights arrived in the 16th century. Although it is perceived as a museum, the place is still inhabited.
Noble families in Malta have their roots in Mdina. The streets are small but interesting to explore.
For example, you can start from the main gate. Use the Villegaignon Street towards the cathedral and head to Bastion Square. In Bastion Square, you can view the beautiful scenery of the island. During the day is the most appropriate time to view Mdina.
The evening may also feel convenient when groups of visitors have left. The sunset is beautiful and later a nice meal at one of the restaurants that have a theme of Malta’s culture.
Blue Grotto
Located in the south west of Malta, you can find the Blue Grotto. Here you can find several caves in the area, with the largest being the Blue Grotto. This can be reached by boat from the near village, Wied iz-Zurrieq.
This area offers breath-taking scenery and a very lively underwater marine life. Opposite blue grotto, you can also find Filfla, a small island which is home to many unique species. In the past, Filfla was used as target practice, however, nowadays it is prohibited to go on the island.
Dingli Cliffs
One of the best and most romantic places to watch spectacular sunsets in Malta.
The highest point of the cliffs is believed to be an average of 250 metres above the sea level. The Dingli cliffs extend far beyond the small city of Dingli and stretches down to Fawwara and Ghar Lapsi.
You can either go for a hike on the cliffs, cruise with a motorbike or simply relax on one of the benches situated on the coast with endless unobstructed sea views.
Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk village is located in the south-eastern part of Malta which is famous for its big Sunday fish market and its many decorative “eyed” painted boats called Luzzus. The village has around 3200 inhabitants and in the past, most of the inhabitants worked as fishermen. The name Marsaxlokk comes from the word “marsa” which means port and the word “xlokk” which means south in Maltese.
Marsaxlokk has an old history dating back to the ninth century BC. It was in this bay that the first Phoenicians arriving in Malta landed and set up their businesses. It was here that the Turkish fleet anchored during the Great Siege in Malta. Marsaxlokk’s hill of Tas-Silg was used as a religious site and still contains remains of megalithic temples of the Tarxien phase. There were also Bronze Age tools found on the hill.
Even though Marsaxlokk is a charming village with its traditional, brightly painted Luzzus, tasty fish restaurants and its green water, tourists at times don’t visit the town due to its shipyards and power station. Malta’s main power station is located here and Oiltanking Malta Ltd. also operates from Marsaxlokk. The Malta Freeport in Marsaxlokk terminal has developed over the years and is now one of the largest container terminals in the Mediterranean.
Marsaxlokk has a small sandy beach on the east side, and stunning St. Peter’s Pool at Delimara is 20 min away by foot. St. Paul’s bay is excellent for diving, snorkelling and cliff jumping down into the natural pool. The smooth, weathered limestone ledges make good sunbathing spots at St. Peters Pool. Don’t miss the saltpans that can be seen at this location either.
