Places of interest

Valletta, the capital city of Malta, was built by Grand Master Jean de la Vallette after the Great Siege of 1565. It is the “modern” city built by the Knights of St John; a masterpiece of the Baroque, a European art centre and a World Heritage City. Valletta is also a living, working city and the administrative, commercial heart of the Islands. Here is where you will find some of Europe’s finest art works, churches and palaces.

The city dominates the island’s Grand Harbour, one of the finest deep water natural ports in Europe. Within its boundaries one can appreciate some of Malta’s rich heritage: fine examples of archaeology, history, architecture, art and culture are everywhere. Make sure to visit St John’s Cathedral, the Grand Master’s Palace and Fort St Elmo.

The Malta Experience is located next to fort St. Elmo and across the road from the Mediterranean Conference Centre (formerly the Sacra Infermeria). The Malta Experience is an ideal introduction to the Maltese Islands. Sit back and enjoy a 45-minute multi-vision show which depicts Malta’s history through the ages.

Mdina, the old capital city of Malta, is a typical medieval town in the centre of the island. It’s cathedral dome and bastion walls are visible from almost everywhere in the region. It was home then, as now, to Malta’s noble families – some are descendants of the Norman, Sicilian and Spanish overlords who made Mdina their home from the 12th Century onwards. Impressive palaces line its narrow, shady streets.

Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city, and unusual in it’s mix of medieval and Baroque architecture. Beyond the walls lies Rabat, a large town of Roman origin. It houses fascinating grottos, monasteries and churches. St Paul is said to have stayed in a cave here in A.D.60. Both Mdina and Rabat are characterised by their timeless atmosphere and cultural and religious treasures.

The Maltese Islands are rich in late Roman and Byzantine burial sites. St Paul’s Catacombs are a typical complex of interconnected, underground Roman cemeteries that were in use up to the 4th century AD. They are located on the outskirts of the old Roman capital of Mdina. St Paul’s Catacombs represent the earliest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta.

They have been called after St Paul because of their vicinity to St Paul’s church and grotto.

The Neolithic Temples of Hagar Qim were originally built around 2700 BC, although they underwent several modifications during the same period. These Megalithic temples are adorned with sacrificial altars and oracular chambers.

Just past Wied iz- Zurrieq one can take a ride in a typical Maltese fishing boat and enjoy the picturesque Blue Grotto with its underwater flora and neighbouring sea caves.

The Three Cities consist of Senglea, Vittoriosa and Cospicua.  All offer an intriguing insight into Malta’s past and its fascinating history. Vittoriosa and Senglea are located on rocky promontories jutting into Grand Harbour and Cospicua is at the end of the creek in-between.

The sister Island of Gozo is just a half hour’s ferry ride from the northernmost tip of Malta and is the perfect place if you want to get away from it all. The charm of Gozo is apparent from the moment you arrive. Greener, more rural and smaller than Malta, life in Gozo moves at a leisurely pace. Gozo comes complete with historical sites, forts and amazing panoramas, plus one of the archipelago’s best-preserved prehistoric temples Ggantija.