So, as many of you may already know I am Maltese and lot of people have been telling me, that they are visiting Malta for a vacation and if I could share some nice locations to visit. This is exactly how this blog was inspired. Buckle up, as the list is quite long - lets start!
Valletta
Obviously, when visiting such a small Island in the Mediterranean Sea, it is a must to visit the Capital City. Valletta is named after its founder, the respected Grand Master of the Order of St. John, Jean Parisot de la Valette. It's construction started in 1566 and was ready in just 15 years. Considering that back then they did not have the machinery, which we have today, it is quite impressive. A fun fact about Valletta is that, it is one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world (visitmalta.com). In Main street Valletta, on can find a lot of international branded shops for fashion, while in the side street you can find some quaint cafes and shops.
The following are some places and things you should see when going to Valletta:
- Tritoni Fountain - upon entrance
- Parliament - on the right hand side of walking into Valletta
- Royal Opera House - which had bee destroyed in World War II and has been rebuilt and in function since 2013, redesigned by an Italian architect Renzo Piano. (found a few meters away from the Parliament).
- Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens - where you can see the Grand Harbour and in the Upper Barrakka Garden you can even make use of the lift which goes down to the Valletta Waterfront, while seeing a lovely view. At Valletta waterfront you can find a variety of restaurants and also cafes - including Starbucks which has been open earlier this year.
- Strada Stretta - Back in the days this street was very popular with foreign sailors and soldiers stationed on these shores. It was not just Malta’s most famous red light district. It was a veritable entertainment hub, a bohemian centre where artistic freedom reigned supreme, and where some of the island’s finest musicians of the classical age honed their talent and found fame. (https://www.guidememalta.com/en/strait-street-how-valletta-s-most-iconic-street-is-once-again-the-beating-heart-of-the-capital).
Floriana Ghost Tour
Whoever is interested in the paranormal, I suggest you look up the various ghost tours, most important ones being the Floriana and the Mdina ghost tours.
For more information visit the following link: https://www.guidememalta.com/en/event/floriana-ghost-tour-xii
Mdina
This has served Malta as its capital city before Valletta - previously called Medina. It is one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city and extraordinary in its mix of medieval and baroque architecture (visitmalta.com).
Mosta Church
This is known as Rotunda of Mosta or Mosta Dome. It is a Roman Catholic church in the heart of Mosta. The main reason to visit this church is that back in world war II it was hit by a German aerial bomb on the 9th of April 1942 during a Mass, which has failed to explode. It is known to be a miracle.
Temples and caves
- Ghar Dalam cave in Birzebbugia ~ "The Cave is a highly important site for its Palaeontology, archaeology and ecology. "Here we have found fossil bones of dwarf elephants, hippopotami, micro-mammals and birds among other species. One can also see stalactites and stalagmites.
Address: Ghar Dalam Road, B'Bugia, BBG 9014
For information about opening hours and entrance fee please click on the following link: http://heritagemalta.org/museums-sites/ghar-dalam/
- Ħaġar Qim – The temple structures at Ħaġar Qim are amongst the most well-known. The temples are the site of some impressive discoveries, including statues and carvings representing a Maltese version of a fertility goddess – a rather well-proportioned woman known as the Venus of Malta.
- Mnajdra – The temple complex at Mnajdra is less than a kilometre away from Ħaġar Qim. Like many other temples, its outline follows a clover-leaf shape. This shape, together with its position would have had astronomical significance, possibly acting as a cue to commence preparations for the harvest, or to perform sacrifices (bones and sacrificial tools were excavated from the site).
- The Tarxien Temples – Some of the most interesting and beautiful stone-work can be found at these temples. While the structures are as imposing and impressive as other temples, it is the reliefs and stone carvings that set this site apart. Here, you’ll find spiralling patterns chiselled into the stone, as well as pictures of goats, rams, bulls and sows in relief.
- Skorba Temples – Located in the outskirts of Żebbiegħ, the site is not necessarily the best preserved of the Maltese temples. However, its construction represents an incredible feat – the nearest source of globigerina limestone is over a mile away from the site. Considering the stones used in the construction of this temple weigh upwards of a tonne, its construction well over 3000 BC can only be described as proof of early man’s ingenuity.
- Ġgantija Temples – Literally ‘Gigantic’, the temples of Ġgantija are situated on the Island of Gozo. These fascinating Neolithic structures predate the Egyptian pyramids. The site consists of two temples surrounded by a boundary wall. Their impressive size is made all the more impressive by the fact that the temples predate the invention of the wheel. It appears that most of the massive stones were moved into place using spherical stones as rollers. Archaeologists have found evidence of animal sacrifice and altars for worship.
- Megalithic Temples - built during three distinct periods approximately between 3600 BC and 700 BC on the island country of Malta. They had been claimed as the oldest free-standing structures on Earth until the discovery of Göbekli Tepe.
All of the above information is taken from the following site: https://www.airmalta.com/destinations/malta/best-of-malta/malta-heritage/temples-of-malta-and-gozo
3 Cities
These are 3 cities which are fortified and located in the south of Malta. They are called: Bormla, Seglea and Cospicua, founded by the knights of St. John in the 16th and 17th Century. In the following link you would be able to see what you can do at these cities: https://www.travelsewhere.net/three-cities/
Fort Rinella
Fort Rinella is one of a series of four coastal batteries built by the British in Malta and in Gibraltar between the years 1878 and 1886. The purpose for building these forts was for each of them to house an Armstrong 100-ton gun. The building of these forts was necessitated by Britain’s fear of losing her naval superiority in the Mediterranean to Italy, who was at the time rebuilding her navy to an unprecedented strength.
Fort Rinella harvest the largest World War II cannon.
For more information click on the following link: https://www.fortrinella.com/visit
Wied iz-Zurrieq
If you are planning to have a swim, then I suggest you go to Wied iz-Zurrieq. It is also located in the South of Malta. Here you can enjoy the beach between two cliffs and you are able to see Blue Grotto from viewpoint area on the hill, located by the road, before the very entrance to the village. Also you can see Fifla (the 4th island) from here. It is a restricted zone though, due to it's special flora and fauna.
Cruise around Malta
You are also able to have a look at Malta from the sea. Basically there are cruises which leave from Sliema Ferries, take you around Malta, up to Gozo, Comino and back to Malta. This will take around a day. In addition, do not settle for the first Cruise available, as you are able to haggle the prices. It will be a day's programme though, usually starts at 10 am, goes up all the way to Gozo, here you can dismebark for some sightseeing if you wish - or continue to Comino for a 2-3 hour swim, then back to Sliema. Ask about it though as some cruises go back to sliema on the other side of Malta, thus you can make a full circle.
Blue Lagoon
In case you do not have in mind to go on the cruise trip, then we still suggest to go to Comino. There you can find Blue Lagoon - the sea is simply crystal clear, feels like you are in a post card, unless you are coming in the main season, where you will struggle to find enough space to put your backpack down :/
St. Peter's Pool
Another amazing place with crystal clear water which gives the opportunity for snorkelling is St. Peter's Pool. Basically this is a natural pool located in the South of Malta (Marsaxlokk - Dellimara). It is surrounded by flat rocks which can serves as sunbathing area while the high rocks offer some shade.
Some of you may have heard about this place because of the world famous diving dog Titti who unfortunately passed away last January a the age of 10. This dog used to go swimming here with her owner everyday and people (both locals and tourists) used to adore her. Some also used to visit this place with the hope of seeing Titti and taking a photo with her.
Victoria Lines
For those who like hiking then this is the best spot for you. The Victoria lines is a line of fortifications at the span of 12km along the width of Malta dividing the north of Malta from the south. It goes from Madliena - Mosta - Bingemma - Rabat. The Victoria Lines was built in the late 19th Century by the British Military.
Dingli Cliffs
The village lies on a plateau some 250 metres above sea level, which is one of the highest points of Malta. The area provides not only open sea views over the tiny, uninhabited isle of Filfla, but is also a good vantage point over Malta. From the cliffs there are also views of the nearby Buskett Gardens and Verdala Palace.
Underwater Statue
If interested in doing some snorkelling when in Malta, this might be of an interest. One can find a statue of Jesus 2km off the coast of Malta. This is known as Christ of Sailors, sculptured by Alfred Camilleri Cauchi from concrete covered fiberglass and originally it has sunk near S. Paul's Islands in 1990. It lies in 35 metres of water and is close to the wreck of the MV Imperial Eagle, one of the ferryboats connecting Malta and Gozo, is also a diving attraction.
Aquarium
The Malta National Aquarium has 41 tanks including reptiles, insects and amphibians, amongst others, Mediterranean fish, including fish commonly found in Maltese waters together with replicas of historical artefacts that one can find in the seas around the Maltese islands.
For more information visit: https://www.aquarium.com.mt/about-us/
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- If you are coming in hot season then prepare a lot of sunblock and water - as you will get badly sunburn easily.
- When going swimming make sure that there are no jellyfish and that the sea is not too rough. Normally there would be signs/ flag which says if it is safe to swim on a specific day.
- If you Visit Golden Bay or Ghajn Tuffieha, you might encounter riptides, if so., swim sideways and not towards the shore.
Traditional Food: https://coupletravelblog.wixsite.com/mysite/post/malta-transport
Comments