Attractions
Valletta
The capital of Malta, Valletta, is one of the main attractions on the island and a must see if you spend your holidays here. The city is very charming and a UNESCO World Heritage site, rich in history. The architecture is very impressive and the many cafes and bars welcoming to spend a relaxed time.
Mdina
Nowadays Mdina is known as the Silent City since only a few cars are allowed to enter the city. Mdina is the old capital city of Malta and has changed its name many times. It is built on a hill, 200m above sea level and, therefore, it has a beautiful view of the Maltese islands. The city has some of the best Norman and Baroque architecture and is a fine example of an ancient city with impressive houses along its narrow streets.
The Three Cities
The so called Three Cities are Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua where the Knights of St. John started their first settlement in preparation to defend the island from a looming Turkish attack in the mid 16thcentury. Apart from the long lasting and rich history those cities also offer very colourful religious festas.
Gozo & Comino
Gozo and Comino are the sister islands of Malta and, in about 25 minutes by boat, very easy to reach. Gozo differs from Malta because it is more rural, has a slightly different culture and lifestyle and it is just a third the size of Malta, with 30000 inhabitants. The villages are very peaceful and sometimes it seems as if time stands still. The capital Victoria, also known as Rabat, boasts an impressive citadel. Also it is more lively than the surrounding villages. In Victoria the weekly market It-Tokk is held.
Comino is the smaller island and a well known place for activities such as diving, snorkeling and wind surfing. There are no cars and apart from one hotel no inhabitants. The Blue Lagoon is the main attraction on Comino and visited by many tourists because of its mesmerising blue colours.
The Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto is one of the most spectacular caves and a popular tourist attraction in the south of Malta. The Blue Grotto should be visited preferably in the morning since the angle of incidence of the sun's radiation gives the water a stunning turquoise blue colour. It is located near Wied iz-Zurrieq, south of Iz-Zurrieq, where also other caves can be visited. Moreover, from here you can see the small uninhabited island of Filfla.
Popeye Village
Popeye Village was built as a film set for the film “Popeye” in the 1960’s. Now it is one of the main tourist attractions in Malta. It offers different activities for children and adults young at heart. In Popeye Village you will meet many famous cartoon characters and experience different attractions such as Santa’s Toy Town. While offering different educational and creative games for children, the village also has a beach lido, food outlets and a winery offering wine tasting for adults. The Popeye Village is definitely a place to spend a relaxing day with the whole family.
The Megalithic Temples
The oldest freestanding temple in the whole world is located on the island of Gozo and is called Ggantija. This temple dates back to 5,000 BC. Maltas Megalithic Temples also form part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Hagar Qim temple is a temple where many items where found dating back to its builders allowing to rebuild certain styles of living during those days.
Mnajdra is a complex site consisting of three temples that are built on a cliff overlooking the isle of Filfla. The oldest temple dates back to 3600-3200BC. These temples show excellent knowledge of building techniques and workmanship.
The Tarxien Temples are known for their detailed carvings of animals. These temples have been used for different rituals, including animal sacrifices.
Finally, the Hal-Saflieni Hypogeum is an ancient worship and burial place which is located underground, to preserve its internal climate the visits to this site have to be pre-booked as places are limited
The Mosta Church
The Rotunda (Church of St. Mary) in Mosta is connected with a miracle when back in World War II a bomb hit the church during a mass without exploding. Further, this church is claimed to be the third-largest church dome in Europe.
St Paul’s Catacombs
The St. Paul’s Catacombs are located in the outskirts of Mdina, in Rabat. These catacombs are the earliest and largest evidence of Christianity in Malta and are an example of typical Roman underground cemeteries.
Fort St Angelo and Fort Rinella (home to the world’s largest canon)
Fort St. Angelo is located on the tip of Birgu and has played an important part in the Maltese history. The fort was owned by two families, De Guevara and De Nava, but they were forced to hand over the castle to the Knights of St. John in 1530. The castle then was restored and turned into a fortress. The fort served in many wars against Muslim invaders during the Great Siege and as a headquarters of Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette.
Fort Rinella is the home to the world’s largest canon, a massive 100-ton gun. The fort served as a coastal watching point for the British during the Second World War. Nowadays the fort functions as a museum, telling stories about the lifes of British garrisons and how the huge canon was operated.
The Dingli Cliffs
Those spectacular cliffs offer exciting views because they are about 220m high. This makes a day outside to a special experience.