St Paul’s Catacombs

Embark on a guided trip from Valletta to the San Anton Palace to explore the lush gardens before visiting some of the highlights of Rabat and Mdina, also known as the Silent City. Step into the unique underground galleries and tombs of St. Paul’s Catacombs, entry tickets included. San Anton Palace and GardensFor your first stop, visit the San Anton Palace in Attard, the official residence of the president of Malta since the office was created in 1974. Originally built in the early 17th century as a country villa for Antoine de Paule, it was later expanded into a palace in 1623. The palace was used as a residence by subsequent grand masters, being enlarged several times in the process. It was once the headquarters of the rebel National Assembly, and it later became a residence for the civil commissioners, governors, and governors-general of Malta. The palace is surrounded by the extensive San Anton Gardens, parts of which have been open to the public since 1882. During your tour, you’ll get to explore the garden before continuing to the next stop which is Rabat. RabatRabat is a town in the Northern Region of Malta and is home to the famous St. Paul’s Catacombs. These catacombs were used in Roman times to bury the dead. The catacombs are now looked after by Heritage Malta. Part of St. Paul's Catacombs, the part accessible from the Parish church, was where, according to tradition and as recorded in the bible, St. Paul stayed for three months when he was shipwrecked on the island in 60 A.D. After getting to know the unique underground galleries and tombs of St. Paul’s Catacombs, you’ll head to the next and final stop of the tour: Mdina. MdinaMdina, also known by its other titles Città Vecchia or Città Notabile, is a fortified city in the Northern Region of Malta, which served as the island's capital from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls and has a population of just under 300. Follow your guide around this quaint yet historic city, and marvel at its several Baroque features as well as its longstanding medieval character. Discover what gave rise to the city’s popular nickname “Silent City," used by both locals and visitors. Mdina is on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and it is now one of the main tourist attractions in Malta.

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After the pick up from your Hotel or Cruise Ship, Our tour will take you to the shipwreck's location in St. Paul's Bay and follow the St. Paul's path. According to legend, St. Paul built a bonfire on the spot where the Church of the Bonfire is now. We will stop at different places along the road, including the place where it is supposed that Publius, the Roman Governor, welcomed St. Paul to his country residence in Burmarrad. The location is known as San Pawl Milqi (meaning "St. Paul Welcomed"). We continue the tour in direction of Rabat.. We'll visit the grotto where Paul lived for three months in Rabat town, now known as St.Paul's Grotto. What you can see in the grotto is a statue of St Paul which was donated by Grandmaster Pinto in 1748. In the grotto you can also see a silver vessel which was executed in 1960 for the 1900 year anniversary from the shipwreck of St Paul in Malta. Following a short break for a coffee and a taste of the local maltese pastries Pastizzi, we'll tour the historic city of Mdina. On a plateau in the middle of the island, Mdina was constructed. The majestic bastion walls, cathedral, and historic baroque structures of the city dominate the rural skyline. We'll take a comprehensive city tour that includes a visit to the stunning Mdina Cathedral. The site of the church is believed to have been the home of Roman governor Publius. Our tour comes to an end at this point, and we travel either to your cruise or hotel.

The tour starts with the visit of Mdina, after a 20-minute trip by car from your place. Mdina, located on top of a hill in the center of Malta, was the ancient capital before the arrival of the Knights of St. John's from Rodos. The old capital of Malta, that has now been turned into the silent city with 400 residents living inside its wall, the guide will describe the tiny little streets leading to the Belvedere one of the best viewpoints of the island, from where you can enjoy a stunning panorama of all of Malta.  After that, you will enjoy a short walking tour of the nearby town of Rabat, before reaching the famous St. Paul's Catacombs. You will have a visit to the latter and then free time for lunch. On the way back to Valletta, you stop in Mosta to visit the famous church with one of the biggest domes in Europe built according to the example of the Pantheon in Rome. Return back to Valletta and go on a walking tour of the tiny Maltese capital, the historical center is a Unesco Heritage Site. The tour starts with the visit of the Barrakka Gardens, an ideal point from which to enjoy breathtaking views of the Grand Harbor. You stop to admire the 'Auberge de Castille”, the old building that housed the knights coming from Spain which is now the residence of the prime minister. The guide will lead you to the front of St. John's Cathedral, the “home” of the Knights of St. John's where there are situated masterpieces of Caravaggio. Enjoy some free time to shop afterwards before returning to your hotel or cruise ship.