Magnificent Malta

Visit Malta's finest, an ideal mix between historical sights, scenic nature, lovely beaches as well as more active pastimes. Explore Malta's capital, Valletta. Take a pleasant stroll through the old town, which also happens to be a Unesco World Heritage Site. Visit the 3 Cities, consisting of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. These cities paint a wonderful picture of authentic Maltese life and the island's maritime past.

Another absolute highlight of this trip is the Blue Grotto and if you are a fan of smaller towns with a rich history, Siġġiewi is also well worth a visit. In addition, you'll visit Mosta, Rabat and Mdina, the Silent City and Malta's former capital. Pass historical sites, underground cemeteries, temples, dazzling fishing villages with characteristically coloured boats, cosy fish markets, baroque gems, ancient fortress walls and bastions.

Dive from cliffs, go into caves and shipwrecks or into a lagoon filled with seawater. Take a ferry ride past islets teeming with beautiful nature and birds and visit the Blue Lagoon, a sandy bay with crystal-clear waters.

Day 1: Departure to Valletta

The first day you will explore Malta's capital, Valletta. This city is relatively small, so it's easy to explore on foot. Take a pleasant walk through the old town, which happens to be a Unesco World Heritage Site, full of 16th-century Baroque buildings. Spend the night in Valletta itself or in nearby Senglea.

Day 2: The three fortified settlements

These fortified settlements are also known as the Three Cities. They are made up of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. Vittoriosa has existed since the Middle Ages, while the other two were founded by the Order of St. John only in the 16th and 17th centuries. Less crowded than the capital, these towns paint a wonderful picture of authentic Maltese life and the island's maritime past.

Day 3: The southern part of Malta

Today you'll be passing historical sites such as the Hypogeum, an underground cemetery, and the Tarxien temples. Marsaxlokk, a dazzling fishing village with typically coloured boats is also a must. Be sure to visit the local fish market here. Another absolute highlight of Malta that you will drop by is the Blue Grotto. If you're a fan of smaller towns with a rich history, then end your day with a visit to Siġġiewi.

Day 4: Mosta, Rabat and Mdina

First you will head towards Mosta, one of Malta's busier cities. Nevertheless, this city, known among other things for its cathedral, is also well worth a visit. Next, on to Rabat and Mdina. Rabat is best known for its catacombs, while Mdina, the Silent City, is the former capital of Malta and is bursting with Baroque gems, ancient ramparts and bastions.

Day 5: Northern Malta

You will pass megalithic temples such as Skorba and Ta' Ħaġrat, and the Victoria Lines, sometimes called the Great Wall of Malta. At Ġnejna Bay, you can relax by the water. Continue your journey to Popeye Village, a collection of wooden houses originally built as a film set for the musical Popeye. Nowadays it is a popular attraction and a kind of theme park with shows, museums and rides that are great fun to do with children. Finish the day in Ċirkewwa, the northernmost point of the island. Here you can dive off cliffs or swim in caves and shipwrecks. If you prefer to relax, visit Paradise Bay beach, one of Malta's only sandy beaches.

Day 6-7: Gozo

You will take the ferry from Ċirkewwa in Malta towards Gozo where you will arrive in Mġarr. This is Gozo's largest fishing port and has a popular marina. Continue towards Gozo's capital, Victoria. Don't forget to visit Dwejra Bay with its beautiful rock formations and the Blue Hole that is very popular with divers. Also worth a visit is the Inland Sea, a lagoon filled with seawater where you can enjoy diving. Other highlights include Gozo's salt pans, which are still used in the same way they were over 300 years ago, and Ramla beach.

Day 8: Comino

Take the ferry from Mġarr to the island of Comino. This island has only three permanent residents and is a protected nature reserve. You are not allowed to drive a car there and instead will visit everything on foot. You can easily explore it in one day. One of the main attractions is the Blue Lagoon, a sandy bay with crystal clear water. If you are adventurous, you can also swim from here to the nearby uninhabited island of Cominotto. In the evening, return to Malta where you will spend the night in Senglea or Valletta.

Day 9: Mellieha and the Bay of Saint Paul

In Mellieha, in addition to the parish church, you will find the former watchtowers Ghajn Hadid, the Redin Towers and Fort Campbell. The latter being a fort built by the British. The Bay of Saint Paul in the north of the island includes a historic watchtower that has graced the bay since 1610.