Valletta

Day Trips

Spend the day on Gozo and compare its green landscape and historical monuments to Malta. Benefit from pick-up at your hotel, and then cross by ferry to visit the megalithic Ggantija Temples, built more than 5,550 years ago. Drive to Marsalforn to board a trackless train for a 40-minute ride past Marsalforn Bay, Qbajjar Bay and Xwejni Bay. Get panoramic views of the salt pans. Next, visit the Crafts Center to taste some of the traditional food of Malta and purchase traditional crafts. Continue to Dwejra Bay to discover the Inland Sea and mushroom-like rock formation of Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral. Take a short boat trip, weather permitting. Explore the capital city of Victoria and see landmarks such as the Bronze Age fortifications of the Cittadella – formerly Il Castello – developed by the Phoenicians and converted to an Acropolis in Roman times. Enjoy dinner at a restaurant in Rabat before taking the ferry back to Malta.

This tour is both a visit of Valletta, which is a stunning city during the night and a tour through the most spectral and mysterious side, as you discover the ghosts which populate the city. You will visit the streets of Malta's capital, forgetting the current population and discover past times - although some of them are not so distant. Explore the buildings and get to know some of the stories which have laid the foundation of the city, such as the Order of Saint John and the British Occupation and the haunted house of Saint Ursula,  among others. You will also have free time to enjoy this charmed city with its more physic and palpable inhabitants and commodities.

Benefit from pickup at your hotel in Valletta, and then take a bus tour of the city to see the monuments illuminated after dark. Admire the floodlit fortifications and stop on the waterfront to take souvenir photos. Proceed to Barrakka Gardens to get a breathtaking view of the Grand Harbor. Then, stroll over to the Malta 5D show and watch in awe as the history of the island is brought to life from a fresh perspective. Next, travel to the 3rd largest unsupported dome in the world at the 18th-century Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady in Mosta. Hear the story of the World War II bomb that failed to explode and spared the lives of around 300 people. End with a visit to the silent city of Mdina and explore the former capital on foot. Walk down the quaint alleys and narrow streets, and admire the illuminations of St. Paul's Cathedral. Get a breathtaking view of the island from the bastion walls, and enjoy some free time for a coffee.

Start your tour with a visit to Mosta, a central town famous for its Rotunda church. Also known as the Mosta Dome, is the third largest unsupported dome in the whole world. Marvel at its amazing diameter, and learn about its incredible history. Next, stop in the town of Ta'Qali, once a British WWII outpost and now a village for local handicrafts. Here, watch local artisans at work blowing elaborate glass art pieces, intricately assembling silver jewelry and much more. Take the chance to pick up treasures to remind you of your Malta visit. Then, visit Mdina, built on a plateau in the center of the island. Take in the city's old Baroque buildings, cathedral and magnificent bastion walls. Learn about the many names of Mdina, today also known as the Silent City due to its constant tranquility. Explore the quaint alleys, narrow streets, ancient buildings and magnificent far reaching views from the high bastion walls. Finally, visit Valletta, Malta's capital city and World Heritage Site. See buildings from the 16th century onwards, built during the rule of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as Knights Hospitaller. Walk through the bustling streets and to Barracca Gardens for a breathtaking panorama of the Grand Harbor. Visit St. John's Co-Cathedral to see The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist by Caravaggio.

Join a walking tour to explore historical landmarks such as St. John's Cathedral, Auberge de Castille, Grandmaster's Palace, and more. Admire breathtaking views and taste local street food before ending with a Maltese lunch in an atmospheric restaurant in the center of Valletta. Start the tour in the historic center of Valletta, with a visit to the Barrakka Gardens. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Grand Harbor. Then, stop at the Auberge de Castille, the old building that housed the knights coming from Spain which is now the residence of the Prime Minister. Be led by your guide through the center’s most characteristic streets like Republic and Merchant Street before arriving in front of St. John's Cathedral. Discover Caravaggio's masterpieces such as The Beheading of St. John the Baptist. Enter the Co-Cathedral to marvel at exuberant Maltese Baroque style. Next, make a stop at an ancient cafe in the city center for a tasting of the local street food, qassata and the famous pastizzi (puff pastry stuffed with cheese or a curried pea mash.) Try a typical food that is simply called "Malta", accompanied by Malta's national drink, Kinnie. Then, head towards the Grandmaster's Palace, a majestic complex that now houses the Maltese Parliament. See its rooms adorned with Baroque decorations and ancient tapestries. In case of Parliament reunion, the tour is carried out externally and replaced with Casa Rocca Piccola, a noble palace from the 16th century. At the end of the walking tour, treat yourself to a traditional Maltese lunch. Visit a restaurant located in a typical bakery, combining traditional Maltese cuisine, history, memorabilia in a relaxed environment right in the center of Valletta. Savor a 3-course tasting menu to try traditional Maltese cuisine, including dishes like Gozo Cheeselets and Bigilla, Stew Rabbit, Bragjoli, and Imqaret. Learn how Maltese cuisine has been influenced by the dominations on the island over the centuries but has maintained a unique character in its approach to fresh ingredients.

Let your guide escort you on a private 5-hour tour of Valletta and Mdina, Malta's most iconic and important historical cities. Enjoy the comfort and exclusivity of a private tour. Discover why Valletta, Malta's current capital city, is an architectural and historical gem. Founded by the Knights of St John following the victory of the Great Siege of 1565, the town is a monument in itself. Your private tour guide will lead you through this World Heritage Site and highlight the history behind the imposing facades. Embark on a journey of cultural discovery around this fortress city – a living testimony to Malta's rich heritage. Then, proceed by private transportation to Mdina, the former capital which stands on a hilltop in the center of the island. Mdina is one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city, characterized by medieval and baroque architecture. Here, you will discover the "Citta Notabile", the Nobel City, home to Malta's noble families for centuries. Impressive palaces, churches and convents line its narrow winding streets. Together with your tour guide you will stroll at a leisurely pace through the town and enjoy fantastic views of Malta from its walls.

Benefit from pick-up outside the cruise terminal at Valletta and see the city's UNESCO World Heritage monuments. Visit Barracca Gardens to get panoramic views of the Grand Harbour. Admire the colored balconies of Merchant Street and look inside St. John's Co-Cathedral. Walk down to the waterfront to take a private water taxi to Vittoriosa on the opposite side of the harbor. Explore the historical "3 Cities" of the Cottonera area to get a feel for the spirit of Malta and its culture. Go to the Gardjola Gardens to get a magnificent view from the old watch tower. Walk along the imposing city walls and venture down tiny streets to explore the old city and the Inquisitor's Palace. Cruise around the Grand Harbour by traditional dghajsa boat and get stunning views of the ancient fortifications. Return to the waterfront in Valletta, where a guide will accompany you back to the cruise terminal.

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. The tour includes a visit to the St. Paul's Basilica in Mdina. 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.

Meet your private guide outside the cruise terminal in Valletta or in the lobby of your hotel or apartment in Malta and head to Barraca Gardens for unique views of the Grand Harbour. Proceed to St. John's Cathedral, where masterpieces by Caravaggio can be found. Next, go to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk to admire its traditional market and typical colored boats. Get an amazing view from the Blue Grotto before going to the Megalithic Temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajidra. Continue to the ancient capital of Mdina and explore one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city. Stroll down the tiny streets and discover one of the best viewpoints on the island.

During this tour, you will travel onboard a traditional Maltese Bus known by the locals as ‘Xarabank’. These buses were built by Maltese Bus Builders during the 1950s to the 1970s and came in all kinds of colours, to overcome illiteracy - red, purple, blue...all depending on the locality they served. This tradition persisted until eventually bus numbers came into place. Traditional Maltese bus decoration consisted of different designs and typography. This included designs in paint; passenger messages on the interior and exterior of the bus, names of patron saints, song lyrics, slogans and many more. There were also plenty of chrome and accessories, such as flags and good luck symbols. Nowadays, these colourful buses are rarely seen, used only on special occasions such as weddings & tourist events. During this tour you will first visit The Aviation Museum, an aircraft museum situated on the site of the former Royal Air Force airfield in the village of Ta'Qali. The museum, based in three hangars, covers the history of aviation on the island with exhibits, particularly from the Second World War and post-war periods. The museum is involved in the preservation and restoration of aircraft, some of which are in airworthy condition. You will then visit the Mosta Rotunda, a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady. The design is based on the Pantheon in Rome, has the third largest unsupported dome in the world and is Malta's largest and most famous church. The church narrowly avoided destruction during World War II when on 9 April 1942 a German aerial bomb pierced the dome and fell into the church during Mass, but failed to explode. This event was interpreted by the Maltese as a miracle, although many bombs failed to explode. During your visit you will admire the sacristies, the various objects of prestige, a large-scale model of the church and a replica of the bomb. You will also go up to the portico, to the bell tower & enter in the inner gallery of the the church. Your last stop will be the World War II Shelter that skirts the Mosta Church parvis. The Shelter which was opened recently, was dug by hand in 1940 by 15 highly-skilled workmen. Families used this shelter during World War II to protect themselves from the many and continuous air raids. The complex also boasts an exhibition of tools and implements related to old trades. At the end of the tour, you will also enjoy some local savouries.