Malta Gozo
3
Day Itinerary •
Malta
Three days across Malta and Gozo delivers the most extraordinary concentration of prehistoric, medieval and Baroque heritage in the Mediterranean, from the remarkable St John's Co-Cathedral Caravaggio and the extraordinary Grand Harbour in Valletta to the finest prehistoric temples in the world at Hagar Qim and Ggantija, the remarkable Blue Grotto sea caves and the extraordinary Ramla Bay orange-red beach unique in the Mediterranean. This focused route covers the essential Malta and Gozo experience. The extraordinary Valletta UNESCO capital with Caravaggio's masterpiece and the remarkable Grand Harbour panorama, the fine Mdina Silent City, the remarkable Hagar Qim prehistoric temples and Blue Grotto on Day 2, and the extraordinary Gozo ferry crossing, the world's oldest freestanding stone structures at Ggantija, Victoria Citadel and the remarkable Ramla Bay red beach on Day 3.
Best Time To Visit
April to June and September to October for finest weather
Getting There
Fly into Malta International Airport (MLA), 10 km from Valletta
Getting Around
Bus network covers Malta, hire car or taxi for temples and Gozo
Budget Per Day
Approx 60 to 140 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat island walking
DAY 1
VALLETTA
MORNING
VALLETTA UNESCO WORLD CAPITAL AND ST JOHN'S CO-CATHEDRAL
The extraordinary Valletta, the smallest capital city in the European Union and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built entirely by the Knights of St John in a single grid plan between 1566 and 1571 on a bare limestone peninsula. The remarkable St John's Co-Cathedral, the finest Baroque interior in the Mediterranean, houses the extraordinary Caravaggio masterpiece The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist from 1608, the only signed work by Caravaggio and the largest painting the artist ever created. Entry approx 15 EUR. 20 min walk
MIDDAY
GRAND HARBOUR AND UPPER BARRAKKA GARDENS
The extraordinary Grand Harbour of Valletta, the finest natural deep-water harbour in the Mediterranean and the most historically significant harbour in European history, where the remarkable 16th-century fortifications of Valletta, the extraordinary Fort St Angelo on the Birgu headland and the fine Three Cities across the water create the most extraordinary harbour panorama in the Mediterranean. The remarkable Upper Barrakka Gardens give the finest elevated view over the extraordinary harbour. The fine saluting battery fires at noon daily. 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
MDINA, THE SILENT CITY
The extraordinary Mdina, the finest walled medieval city in Malta and one of the most remarkable small fortified cities in Europe, perched on the highest point of Malta with extraordinary views across the entire island. The remarkable car-free streets of Mdina, the fine limestone palaces and the outstanding Cathedral of St Peter and Paul, built over the site where St Paul reputedly converted the Roman governor after his shipwreck on Malta in 60 AD, are the finest medieval ensemble in Malta. Entry to cathedral approx 5 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hal Saflieni Hypogeum in Paola, a remarkable underground prehistoric temple complex carved entirely by hand from the limestone at around 3,600 BCE, is the only prehistoric underground temple in the world and the finest single archaeological site in Malta. Entry strictly limited to 10 visitors per slot. Book online at heritagemalta.org months ahead. Entry approx 35 EUR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Cordina, Valletta The finest and most historic cafe in Malta, in operation since 1837 on Republic Street. Extraordinary pastizzi and fine Maltese coffee. | Lunch: Upper Barrakka Gardens cafe Outstanding lunch with the most extraordinary harbour view in the Mediterranean. | Dinner: Rubino, Valletta The finest traditional Maltese restaurant in Valletta. Extraordinary stuffed squid, fine bragioli and remarkable kapunata.
DAY 2
SOUTH MALTA
MORNING
HAGAR QIM AND MNAJDRA NEOLITHIC TEMPLES
The most extraordinary prehistoric temples in the world, the remarkable Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temple complexes on the southern cliffs of Malta, predating Stonehenge by 1,000 years and the Egyptian Pyramids by 500 years. The extraordinary South Temple at Mnajdra is precisely aligned with the equinox sunrise and the remarkable solstice sunrise and sunset, making it the finest astronomical observatory in prehistoric Europe. Entry approx 10 EUR. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
BLUE GROTTO BOAT TOUR
The extraordinary Blue Grotto on the south coast of Malta, a remarkable series of interconnected sea caves with the most extraordinary azure and turquoise light created by the fine reflection of sunlight off the white sandy seabed through the cave water. The remarkable boat tour through the extraordinary cave system gives the finest colour display in the Mediterranean. Tours approx 8 EUR from Wied iz-Zurrieq. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE THREE CITIES AND FORT ST ANGELO
The extraordinary Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, the finest medieval harbour towns in Malta and older than Valletta itself. The remarkable Fort St Angelo in Vittoriosa, the most significant medieval fort in Malta from where the Knights defended against the Great Siege of 1565, and the extraordinary Inquisitor's Palace, the only surviving Inquisitor's residence in the world, are the finest historic sites in the Three Cities. Fort entry approx 10 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Tarxien Temples complex in Paola, a remarkable group of four interconnected Neolithic temple structures from around 3,150 BCE, contains the extraordinary fragmentary remains of the largest prehistoric statue ever found in Malta, a remarkable female figure estimated at 2.7 metres when complete. Entry approx 5 EUR. The finest ancient sculpture in Malta and far less visited than Hagar Qim.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pastizzeria near hotel Outstanding traditional Maltese pastizzi breakfast. The fine ricotta and remarkable pea-filled pastries are the finest fast food in Malta. | Lunch: Wied iz-Zurrieq harbour Outstanding fresh grilled lampuki dolphin fish at a fine Blue Grotto harbour restaurant. | Dinner: Vittoriosa waterfront Outstanding traditional Maltese dinner in the extraordinary Three Cities. Fine rabbit stew and remarkable Maltese wine.
DAY 3
GOZO
MORNING
GOZO FERRY AND GGANTIJA TEMPLES
The extraordinary ferry from Cirkewwa to Mgarr on Gozo, the finest inter-island crossing in the Mediterranean with the remarkable limestone cliffs of Gozo rising from the extraordinary blue channel. The remarkable Ggantija Temples at the top of the Gozo plateau, the oldest freestanding stone structures in the world at approximately 3,600 BCE, predate Stonehenge by 1,000 years. The extraordinary scale of the massive limestone blocks, some weighing over 50 tonnes, is the most remarkable prehistoric construction in Europe. Entry approx 10 EUR. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
VICTORIA CITADEL AND GOZO COUNTRYSIDE
The extraordinary Victoria Citadel, the finest fortified hilltop town in the Maltese islands, rising dramatically from the flat Gozo countryside on a remarkable rocky outcrop. The remarkable views from the extraordinary Citadel walls across the entire island of Gozo are the finest elevated panorama in the archipelago. The fine Victoria market town below the Citadel is the finest traditional Maltese market. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
RAMLA BAY RED BEACH AND CALYPSO CAVE
The extraordinary Ramla Bay, the finest beach in the Maltese islands, where the remarkable orange-red sand is unique in the Mediterranean and the extraordinary clear turquoise water over the fine sandy seabed creates the most beautiful natural beach in Malta. The remarkable Calypso Cave above the bay, traditionally identified as the extraordinary cave of the nymph Calypso in Homer's Odyssey who held Odysseus for seven years, gives the finest elevated view over the remarkable beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Azure Window in Gozo collapsed into the sea in 2017, but the remarkable Fungus Rock at Dwejra Bay where it stood is still the finest coastal landscape on Gozo, with extraordinary sea caves, the fine Blue Hole dive site and the remarkable inland sea of Dwejra. The extraordinary diving at the Blue Hole is the finest in the entire Mediterranean. Dive with a local operator for the most extraordinary underwater experience in Malta.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gozo hotel or ferry cafe Good breakfast before the Cirkewwa ferry. Fine traditional Gozitan ftira bread and remarkable gbejniet cheese. | Lunch: Victoria Citadel restaurant Outstanding traditional Gozitan lunch. Extraordinary bragioli beef olives and fine Gozitan widow's soup. | Dinner: Ta Frenc, Gozo The finest restaurant on Gozo in a remarkable old farmhouse. Extraordinary Gozitan cuisine and fine Maltese wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Valletta Ursulino Design Hotel or Palazzo Ignazio. Historic centre. Approx 80 to 200 EUR per night. Sliema Preluna Hotel or Hotel Juliani. Seafront location. Approx 70 to 180 EUR per night. Budget Rosselli or Hostel Malta. Approx 20 to 60 EUR per night.
Top Tips
1. Book the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum months ahead online. Entry is strictly limited to 80 visitors per day.
2. Visit Hagar Qim at opening time (9am) before the extraordinary heat and tour groups arrive.
3. The Blue Grotto boat tours are weather dependent. Morning gives the finest light in the sea caves.
4. Book Ta Frenc restaurant on Gozo in advance. The finest table in the Maltese islands.
5. The Ramla Bay beach on Gozo is finest on weekdays. Weekends attract Maltese day-trippers.
6. Pastizzi from a traditional pastizzeria are the finest Maltese food. Order both ricotta and mushy pea.
Total Budget
55 to 315 EUR/day