Malta | optimiza tu viaje

Guide of places to travel

maltese island

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean that lies between Sicily and the North African coast. It is a nation known for its historical sites related to a succession of regimes including Roman, Moorish, Knights of St. John, French, and British. It has several fortresses, megalithic temples, and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground complex of burial halls and chambers dating from around 4,000 BC. C. It is made up of three islands: Malta, the largest, Comino, the smallest, and Gozo.

On the largest island, also called Malta, there is the capital Valletta, Mdina, a medieval walled city, Rabat and both lively and quiet beaches. The other is the island of Gozo that has iconic natural sites, such as the Azure Window. Between Malta and Gozo is the small Comino (Kemmuna) that has the Blue Lagoon, popular for diving.

Isla de Malta

Isla de Gozo

Isla de Comino

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Isla de Malta

Es la isla más grande donde se encuentran la capital La Valeta, Mdina, una ciudad medieval amurallada, Rabat y playas tanto animadas como tranquilas.

How to get to Malta

Plane: The cheapest, most comfortable and fastest way to get to Malta from Spain, Italy is by plane. Several low-cost companies offer direct flights from Madrid or Barcelona practically all year round. The journey to Valletta from these cities takes about two and a half hours. There are several lines that connect the capital Valletta with the airport. The distance of only 6 kilometers can be covered in a few minutes.

Cruises and Ferries: they are the other means of transport to get to Malta. By ferry you can get there from southern Italy, from Sicily and even Genoa or Marseille. Connections vary depending on the seasons.

How to get around the Island of Malta

Bus: It is the best system to move around the island in a network of modern buses, teal and white. The price is cheap and they also run at night, but the hours are a bit random. The travel time is also variable. The most popular places to visit are not all directly connected by public transport. Depending on your itinerary, there is a possibility that you will need to change buses and take a longer route to travel between two places that are quite close to each other. The main bus station is located next to the Triton Fountain next to the walls and the entrance to La Valletta . Most of the routes start and end there after crossing the island of Malta from north to south and from east to west.

Vans: they are some red vans that are located in strategic places on the island and that work throughout the night.

Taxis: they are relatively easy to get. There are several stops around the island, although sometimes it is better to call a taxi driver directly with the app eCabs, which works efficiently and is very similar to the well-known apps.

Valletta

Is a beautiful baroque city, capital of Malta, with important fortifications and gigantic stone walls where only about 7 thousand people live. It is a city with squares, patios, gardens and a large number of cafes; In its streets you will find great works of art: churches, palaces, statues, fountains and historical coats of arms on a lot of buildings. UNESCO World Heritage Site for the large number of historic buildings in a small area is called "one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world". The fortress city was built on the small peninsula in the 16th century in just 15 years by the Knights of Saint John.

Fort St Elmofort

Located in St. Elmo's Square, it is one of the fortifications that survived the 1965 siege. It was built in 1552 by the Knights of the Order of Saint John to guard the port of Malta and has been preserved in magnificent condition. This spectacular fortification, which today is the police academy, is a must-see for lovers of the history and culture of the places that are visited. If you cannot visit its interior because you are traveling at a time when it is closed to tourism, I recommend you make an exterior visit; It is worth it and it will be a unique experience to observe from the outside the impressive structure of this iconic Maltese building.

St. John's Co-Cathedral

this cathedral designed in 1578, of a splendid architecture of the baroque period, it was formerly the church of the knights of the order of Saint John. It is made up of the temple itself and a secluded part where the museum is located. Among the most impressive things you can see are the marble floors and the collection of Caravaggio paintings, such as the life-size painting "Decapitation of Saint John".

St. Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral

This church, rebuilt in 1839, is also a beautiful place to visit, not only because of the fantastic construction of the building, but also because you will be able to observe the majesty of its enormous dome and the views it offers of Malta from the top of its towers. Furthermore, this was the first Protestant church to be built on the island after the British conquest.

Castille Hostel

This castle is located in the Castille Place of Valletta and was the place where the knights of Castile, León and Portugal, one of the most powerful of the order of Saint John, stayed. These knights were the ones who were in charge of guarding the fortification of the capital of Malta, for this reason it is located at the highest point of the city. this castle it was damaged during the French siege and also during World War II. Currently this building can only be seen from the outside as it is the residence of the Prime Minister of Malta, but it is worth visiting to observe its careful architecture.

National Museum of Archeology

It is undoubtedly a place where every visitor passionate about history has to go when visiting this city where there are countless archaeological works found on the island: all the objects and sculptures discovered in the many archaeological sites of Malta are in this small museum. This museum is not well preserved and it is not such an attractive place to visit either. above all in summer due to high temperatures.

Grand Master's Palace

Located in the heart of the Maltese city, it is one of the most important buildings of the Hospitaller Knights of the Order of Saint John. It was built around 1565 and offers, among many other gems, a large collection of the armory of that time. As far as its architecture is concerned, it is a grand baroque palace endowed with period furnishings and impressive artistic appeal.

Upper Barrakka Gardens

The entrance to these gardens is located in Castille Place. They were built by the Knights of Saint John in the 17th century as a place from recreation of the italian knights of the Order of Saint John . A century later they were transformed into these elegant gardens from where you can enjoy the impressive views of the Grand Harbor and The Three Cities. At noon, guns from the British Saluting Battery are fired and you can watch 19th-century weaponry being loaded and fired.

Mdina

Known as the Silent City, it is located in the center-west of Malta. on one of its highest hills. It is surrounded by high bastion fortifications and was the capital of Malta until 1530 conserving much of its original architecture from medieval times where it is known as the "noble city" of that time. Here you will be able to enter through streets with beautiful palaces and religious buildings of the XV century where you will be able to see spectacular views of the Island of Malta from the walls of this ancient medieval city. It is tentatively listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its beauty has made it a location in the Game of Thrones series.

Cathedral of Mdina

Located in the main square of the city It was built in the 11th century and rebuilt in 1693.

It offers fabulous architectural features that are combined with the impressive paintings that adorn its walls and the many sculptures through which the life of Saint Paul is recounted.

Palazzo Falson

This medieval-era palace, built in 1495, is located on rue Villegaignon. We recommend you visit this palace as this way you will be able to learn more about what life was like in Mdina for the noble class. It is worth mentioning that this palace is an inescapable symbol of how life was lived during medieval times in Malta and has an impressive collection of paintings, ceramic objects, lithographs and other types of antiques that will leave you amazed and that really deserve your time and admiration.

Vilhena Palace

Located in St. Publius square we find another palace of the Maltese aristocracy to visit in Mdina. The main door of this palace is very interesting where the sculptures that decorate it offer incredible detail and precision. Today, this palace has been transformed into the Natural History Museum of Malta, which contains a large collection of fossils and information on the island's wildlife.

Carmelite Convent

In Mdina most of the buildings to see are religious because the Christian culture has always permeated the history of this town. Another of the buildings that I recommend you visit is the Carmelite Convent. Before Margarita de Aragón died, she offered the chapel and the surrounding fields to any religious order that accepted the clauses of her will. The year was 1418 and the Discalced Carmelites accepted the deal and settled in Malta.

Rabat

Adjacent to Mdina is the city of Rabat, also built by the Arabs in medieval times. The city of Rabat, like Mdina It has been built by the Arabs, and although it is not as beautiful as Mdina, it is home to quite interesting tourist attractions. The Arabs called it Rabat because it was the suburb of Mdina. Rabat has one of the few forested areas in Malta and is a good place to explore the countryside. For quiet, romantic nights after the day-trippers leave, this is one of the best places to stay in Malta.

Catacombs of St. Paul and St.Agatha

They are really impressive and allow us to learn a little more about the historical period in which Rome prohibited Christianity. Although these catacombs are not as big as those in Rome, they are interesting to see, as they are kept in very good condition and you can walk around in the middle of this underground graveyard. The catacombs of Saint Agatha They are made up of 500 underground galleries, which contain a basilica painted in Byzantine and Greco-Roman styles.

Roman House

When you visit the Domus Romana you can find the Roman remains that have been found on the island of Malta and are preserved in the museum. In Roman times the place was a residence of a wealthy and aristocratic family. This house was accidentally discovered in 1881 and the first "museum" was built on top of the ruins to preserve the discoveries of the site. The current building of the museum allows the visitor to understand the daily life of a Roman family and admire the archaeological remains discovered from that time.

St. Paul Curch and St.Paul's Grotto

The church of St. Paul, built on top of the grotto, dates back to the 17th century and offers a Baroque style that has managed to survive the passage of time. If you are going to visit Rabat with time, we recommend that you visit this church because you will find interesting things to see there. The most recommendable monuments to see on this visit are the statue of Saint Paul, given by the Great Master Pinto, and the silver galley offered by the Knights of the Order of Saint John to the church in 1960.

Wignacourt Museum

This museum is one of the most interesting things to visit in Rabat. It is a building that was built in 1749 and was recently remodeled maintaining the original style. Without a doubt, visiting it just to observe its architecture is an excellent idea; however, the impressive works that it houses inside are even more so. It is divided into three levels and in the basement you can see a labyrinth of underground galleries that It contains a basilica painted in Byzantine and Greco-Roman style of an architectural value worth knowing.

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Beaches of the Island of Malta

Golden Bay

This is undoubtedly one of the most popular sandy beaches on the entire island of Malta, not only because of its size but also because it is fully equipped for tourists.

In addition, you can enjoy a nice walk along the beach and go to Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, another beautiful beach that is 5 minutes from Golden Bay.

Ghajn Tuffieha Bay

This beautiful beach is also sandy and is ideal for those who like tranquility; It is usually a very quiet place and has a beautiful surface on which you will enjoy fantastic walks.

It is connected to Golden Bay and both have beautiful views that you should not miss on your visit to Malta.

Ghadira Bay

This is a large beach that is located next to Mellieha and is enabled with all services, offering visitors everything they need for enjoyment. You can rent umbrellas and lounge chairs.

It is not the most recommended place for an afternoon at the beach if you are looking for a quiet place, since it is usually very crowded

Paradise Bay

This small and beautiful sandy beach is located in the north of the island and is an ideal place for those travelers who want to sunbathe and enjoy a day at the beach in Malta.

It is also a fantastic place to practice snorkeling and to enjoy wonderful views of the sea.

Gnejna Bay

This beach, located to the west of the island, is a place lonely in the middle of the Mediterranean. Although the area is somewhat rocky, there are spaces of sand and crystal clear water where you can swim and enjoy the sun. Due to its location, near the pier, it is not usually very crowded, which makes it a suitable place to rest and be calm.

Birzebbugia

This is the most important sandy beach in the south of the island and it is prepared with the necessary services.

One of the most remarkable things about this beach is its views: it is located in an area of incomparable landscapes.

St. Georges Bay Beach

Located in the city of St Julian, it is a small beach near the most important commercial area of Malta. Even so, the charm of this beach is indisputable. It is very popular especially among college students. English in Malta , as it is very close to the English academies and Paceville, the most popular party area in Malta .

The Blue Grotto

On the outskirts of Zurrieq, in the southern part of Malta (about 13km from Valletta ), are the natural caves of Blue Grotto. What you will see in Blue Grotto are a series of sea caves, excavated by nature, between rock cliffs. It is recommended to visit the Blue Cave in Malta early in the morning until midday as it is during these times of the day that you can see the light show on the rock. The lights that the sun projects on the rock are very powerful blue tones, hence the place is called Blue Grotto or Blue Grotto.

Location of the beaches on the map

Maltese gastronomy

Pastizzi: small puff pastry with ricotta which is undoubtedly one of the most popular on the island. The Maltese eat it very often for breakfast or snack.

Gbejniet: is one of the typical cheeses from the small island of Gozo. It is traditionally produced with goat or sheep milk and is one of the most popular cheeses.

Hobza: this appetizer is tomato bread coated with a little olive oil and is usually also accompanied by a slice of cheese typical of artisanal production.

Bigilla: This is the Maltese version of hummus. It consists of a pate of purple peas that is combined with garlic, parsley and hot pepper crushed and olive oil is added to everything.

Timpana: it is a plate of macaroni stuffed with minced meat and hard-boiled egg covered with a layer of puff pastry and baked.

Minestra: this is the typical vegetable stew that accompanies the main dishes.

Stuffa tal Fenek/Rabbit: This is undoubtedly the best known dish in Maltese cuisine. The preparation takes a lot of time since the meat has to be marinated first and then simmered for several hours. This way you get an absolutely tender dish.

Lampuki: It is the most typical malt fish and it is a good dish to taste.

Imqaret: It is a pastry filled with dates and fried. You can buy it not only in restaurants (as a dessert), but also in bakeries and street shops.

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Island of Gozo

Gozo is smaller than Malta, located 6 km to the northwest, quiet, with much more vegetation and It has not yet suffered from the tourist invasion. Is a paradise for diving, with transparent waters, cliffs, caves and spectacular seascapes. To visit it, it is necessary to take a ferry from the Island of Malta to the Port of Mgarr. The island is very walkable and is one of the best places to stay in Malta where you will also enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, the rural hills and the amazing coastline.

How to get around the Island of Gozo

From the Cirkewwa Harbour , at the northernmost point of the island of Malta you can take the comfortable and cheap ferry in which you can take your car to Gozo and after a picturesque 25 minute journey you will arrive at Mġarr Harbour, the welcome gate to Gozo.

Already in Joy the tourist bus is the best option. It starts from Mgarr and goes stopping exclusively at the most touristic places on the island. Thanks to it you can move quickly throughout the island and you get off at the stops that you consider appropriate. If you only go one day and you don't have a car, I recommend it. There are buses every 30 minutes and the price of the tourist bus is around 20 euros. It is valid throughout the day. So you can visit one place or another on the island whenever you want.

Mġarr Harbor

It is the busiest port on this island, where passengers coming from Malta by ferry disembark. Its name in Maltese means market or place where ships unload their goods. Here you can appreciate an impressive fort called Sambre whose construction dates back to 1749.

Victory

It is the capital of Gozo. Formerly it was called Rabat, but in 1887, while the island belonged to the British Empire, its name was changed to honor Queen Victoria of England. Among the sites that you should not miss in this city, it is worth mentioning the fascinating ancient city that receives the name of La Ciudadela (built in the Middle Ages) and that offers a great historical, architectural and cultural content whose middle ages buildings have been preserved intact. From its walls you can contemplate the entire island and enjoy wonderful views. To visit it you must go to the center and climb a hill.

BlueWindow

Azure Window Bay is a hollow surrounded by cliffs and slopes very beaten by the sea, very eroded and It is due to the collapse of part of the limestone promontory thousands of years ago. The entire archipelago is made up of relatively soft limestone. The force of the storm that hit Malta on the morning of March 8, 2017 caused the arch to collapse. The collapse occurred after the gigantic stone column that supported the arch collapsed. Although it was already very deteriorated, the experts gave it about 10-20 more years to live. The Game of Thrones series held the first episode of the “Winter is Coming” saga there.

The Stone Salt Flats

It is a small corner of the world that exudes an exceptional magic. Formerly They were large salt pans that provided salt to the island of Gozo, but today these salt pans are abandoned. Despite this, they have an impressive charm for both tourists and local artists.

Ggantija Temple

They were built more or less between 3600-2500 BC The importance of the place lies in the fact that it is one of the oldest religious buildings in Malta, being declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and it is one of the few that have survived looting and fury of the nature. The name of these temples in Maltese means giant towers and legend has it that they were built by great creatures in order to better worship the mother goddess.

Xlendi

This small fishing village is located next to the bay with the same name, where you can take a delicious swim in its calm and warm waters. It is an ideal place to practice diving or snorkeling since it has a beautiful coral bottom. From Xlendi you can follow one of the paths that surround the mountain to appreciate the impressive views that you can have of any landscape on the island.

Calypso's Cave

To the north of the island is the cave of Calypso, where legend has it that Ulysses would have been a prisoner of the nymph Calypso. From its vantage point you can see one of Gozo's popular beaches, Ramla-l-Hamra. You can get there by taking a bus from the little town of Xaghra or by taking a walk of about half an hour from Ramla Bay. On the coast below the cave are the ruins of a fortress built by the Order of Malta in the 18th century as a defense against invaders.

Gozo Island Beaches

Rambla Bay

This is the most famous beach, and perhaps the most beautiful. It has a characteristic that makes it special: bright yellow sand but super soft, crystal clear waters but with quite wild waves and very popular with tourists. The beach has a cafeteria, a bar and an ice cream truck located right on the beach access. As with most places in Gozo while it is difficult to get to without a car there is a fairly regular bus that stops nearby.

Blaise Bay

Located in the northeast of the island, San Blas Bay is at the end of one of the most beautiful fertile valleys on the island, with no buildings in sight. The access to the beach is at the foot of a hill and this makes it not as crowded a beach as Ramla Bay and being hidden makes it very charming.

On the other hand, on the beach itself you will find a place where you can eat, drink and enjoy an unforgettable day at the beach.

Dwejra Bay

This beach is located very close to the disappeared Azure Window of Gozo and it is a beautiful little bay with natural pools created by the erosion of the rocks.

There are also some amazing cave diving sites in the area, perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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Comino Island

Known in Maltese as Kemmuna . It is an island of 3.5 km² in area located between the island of Malta and Gozo . The name derives from the abundance of the herbaceous plant Cuminum cyminum used since ancient times as a spice . It was once a hiding place for pirates and smugglers and it sits right in the middle of the channel between Malta and Gozo. This unspoilt island where there are no cars, no noise, and no urban areas is a haven for lovers of swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, and any other water sport. The Blue Lagoon, with crystal clear sea waters surrounded by impressive caves, is one of the most spectacular sights in the Maltese archipelago.

How to get to the island Cumin

To get to Comino you can do it from Gozo (Mgarr port) and from Malta (Cirkewwa ferry stop). From both ports you can take a ferry and the journey that takes approximately 20 minutes, will leave you at the port of the Blue Lagoon.

Santa Maria Bay

Located north of Comino, it is considered the second most interesting place to take a bath after seeing the Blue Lagoon, especially for the tranquility of the place.

In the Bay of Santa María we can enjoy a beautiful sandy beach with transparent waters for snorkeling.

Cave of Santa Maria / Santa Marija

It is another of the most interesting tourist spots in Comino, especially for many divers, who come in search of the beauty of the waters of this cave. It is located in the northwest of the island, it extends horizontally for about 30 meters under a cliff and communicates with another cave. It is at -15 meters and the rays of light that penetrate it make it a very photogenic place. The cave is not accessible by land, but tours are regularly organized to access the site. Abroad you will see the tower of Santa María, one of the few heritage buildings on the small island.

Crystal Cave (Crystal Caves)

They are found on the north coast just a few minutes by boat from the Blue Lagoon.

The boat will take you near a huge cliff and into the dark caves.

The famous rock formation that looks like an elephant near the Crystal Cave stands out.

The Tower of Santa Maria

Built at the beginning of the 15th century, it is part of the system of defense and communication towers that are located at strategic points along the coast of Malta and Gozo. It is located south of Comino, 2 kilometers away from the Blue Lagoon. It is a 12 meter square tower with four turrets at the top, which stands on a platform about 8 meters high. It was restored at the beginning of the 21st century and is one of the most interesting constructions of Comino's heritage.

The Battery of Santa Maria

Located near the tower of the same name, on the south coast of the island, it was built in 1716 and recently restored. With a semicircular cut and located on the south channel of Comino, it offers us spectacular views of the north coast of Malta. In the battery we will find the cannons that formed part of its defense.

The chapel of the Holy Family

It is located in the bay of Santa María and is a very small chapel first mentioned on a map dating from 1296. However, the location of this original chapel is not known as it must have been devastated numerous times by pirates who attacked the island. In fact there was no defense in Cumin before 1618. As a result, the population of the island abandoned it and went to live in the Island of Joy . In 1618, the knights built a defense tower, Tower of Santa Maria . This encouraged some people to return to Comino , the chapel being rebuilt on its current site.

Comino Island Beaches

Blue Lagoon

It is a beautiful beach with transparent and crystalline waters, really very pleasant to bathe. Although the beach is of coarse sand and in some rocky areas, that does not detract from visitors who come there to spend a day of enjoyment by the transparent water. It is located between Comino and the islet of Cominotto and the beautiful lagoon with transparent turquoise blue waters. leave the visitor in awe. Many people visit the Blue Lagoon to practice scuba diving or diving, precisely because of the transparency of its waters and great marine wealth.

Of Saint Mary and Saint Nicholas

Beaches just as beautiful as the Blue Lagoon although less spectacular. They are the only sandy beaches in Comino. Although there are not many services because it is an environment where hardly any buildings have been built, there are showers on the beaches. On the beach of San Nicolás find the Hotel Comino, the only hotel on the island from where There is a path that takes you to Sta. Maria bay in less than 10 minutes walking.

Where to eat in Comino

On the island there are not too many dining options. If you decide to do a hiking route, you can bring your own food and sit down to eat in any corner to enjoy the wonderful views of this paradise, such as the Blue Lagoon or one of the beaches in the bays of Santa María or San Nicolás. If not, you have fast food bars in the Blue Lagoon in high season or the Santa Marija Bay Eatery restaurant .

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