Malta Tourist Guide The four Must s when visiting Malta World Heritage Sites Museum of Archaeology - Valletta Municipality Facts Sweethaven Village Mediterraneo Marine Park 01 Population 410,290 (2007 estimate) Area 316 km² Regional Center Republic of Malta More Information 02 Internet Newspapers Times of Malta (English) www.timesofmalta.com 03 Notes Emergency Police Country Code 112 112 +356 Fort St. Angelo, Malta. Photo: Shutterstock Welcome to Malta! The island of Malta offers you sunny weather, fantastic beaches, a thriving nightlife and has an intriguing 7000 year history. The Maltese Islands consist of Malta, Gozo and Comino and all are mythically captivating. The towns and villages have narrow streets and many Renaissance Cathedrals and Baroque Palaces. The islands have been described as an open air museum. www.cityofvalletta.org 1
World Heritage Sites There are three sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List for the Maltese Islands. They are the City of Valletta, the Megalithic Temples and the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. There are seven megalithic temples on the islands of Malta and Gozo. On Gozo, you can see the two temples of Ggantja and are known for their huge Bronze Age structures. (For more information, see the Gozo Guide) On Malta, there are the temples of Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien. The Ta Hagrat and Skorba complexes exhibit how the traditional temple construction has been handed down throughout the centuries. The temples are listed as a group on the World Heritage List for the unique architectural traditions on the islands between 3600 and 2500 BC. City City of Valletta - The Fortress City The capital of Malta and World Heritage Site, is a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen. This magnificent city built on the Mount Sceberras peninsula and is surrounded by the Marsamxett and Grand Harbors. The Knights of St. John, under the Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Vallette, began construction in 1566 to build this magnificent city and was completed only 15 years after construction began. Take a stroll around the city and see the intriguing historical developments around every corner. There are narrow side streets filled with tiny shops and cafés. The main street is lined with international branded shops and much more. Traditional horse Photo: Shutterstock 2 drawn carriage in Malta. View over Valletta. Photo: Shutterstock The Blue Lagoon on Comino Island, Malta. Photo: Shutterstock
Beautiful beaches in Malta. Photo: Shutterstock Mdina - The Silent City Mdina s history can be traced back more than 4000 years. It is said that back in 60 AD, the Apostle St. Paul lived here after being shipwrecked. It is also said, he lived inside the grotto named Fuori le Mura (outside the city walls) and now known as St. Paul s Grotto in Rabat. Historically, Malta s noble families have lived here throughout the centuries and still do today. Here you can see impressive palaces lining the narrow streets. Mdina has a wonderful mix of medieval and Baroque architecture, and is one of Europe s finest examples. The Three Cities The Three Cities is a collective description for the fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Senglea. They are enclosed by a large line of fortification which was created by the Knights of St. John and an intriguing insight into the history of Malta. As the first home for the Knights of St. John, its palaces, churches, forts and bastions are much older than Valletta s. The Rotunda of St Marija Assunta The Rotunda of St Marija Assunta, also known as Mosta Dome is a beautiful church located in Mosta and built during the 19th Century over the site of a previous church and designed by Giorgio Grognet. It is among the largest in the world, 37 meters in diameter or 122 ft, which makes it the third largest church dome in Europe, and 9th largest in the world. Swimming Beaches There is a type of beach for everyone on Malta, from wind surfers to sunbathers. Different types to choose from such as; golden sand, red sand, rocks, blue lagoons and inland seas. Enjoy many of the fine and beautiful beaches of Malta! Valletta harbor. Photo: Shutterstock 3
Fishing in Malta. Photo: Shutterstock Family Activities Bay Street Complex The Bay Street Complex is a leisure complex offering a variety of services for the shoppers and diners. Bay Street has something for everyone. There is also a popular Family Entertainment Center. www.baystreet.com.mt/ Jokers Family Entertainment Center Here you can ride the carrousel, enjoy the carnival rides and the fair games. Ball toss games, video games, prizes, gifts, gaming machines, pool tables and so much more, all under one roof. There is even a separate adult area where the parents can relax. +356 21 333653 www.jokersfamily.com Mediterraneo Marine Park Experience the magic of the sea and those enchanting dolphins, sea lions and more at the Mediterraneo Marine Park. Open all year round and offers plenty of activities. www.mediterraneo.com.mt Playmobil Fun Park Come and see the toys actually being made! The second largest factory worldwide producing this brand. Guided tours are available. www.playmobilmalta.com Splash & Fun Water Park Splash & Fun Water Park is located at White Rocks and offers one large swimming pool and deck for your enjoyment by the sea. The second pool is equipped with chutes and slides. There is also a dinosaur park for the children. www.splashandfun.com.mt Sport Activities Malta s climate makes it perfect for sports and a lot are offered all over the islands, such as paragliding, windsurfing, wake boarding, water skiing, scuba diving, horse back riding, just to name a few. Sweethaven Village A wonderful family attraction that grew from the set for the musical film Popeye and also known as Popeye Village. Meet the famous cartoon characters, be a part of a film experience, boat rides, water trampolines, sun bathing decks, food outlets, mini golf and much more! www.popeyemalta.com Ta Qali Craft Center Located in the former WWII military aerodrome, and is a local handcrafts center. It is a perfect place to shop ceramics, jewelry, knitwear, pottery and to see glass blowing. Inside the craft center, you can also find the Aviation Museum which exhibits various types of aircraft. The Limestone Heritage The Limestone Heritage is the latest attraction designed to provide insight into the past and present island treasures. Located just outside of Siggiewi, it provides a glimpse of over 5000 years of ingenuity and how inhabitants coped with very limited resources the islands offered. www.limestoneheritage.com The LWS Animal Park Enjoy a wide variety of animals at the LWS Animal Park! Here the rabbits and mountain goats roam free. See the emus, deer, llama and a few monkeys too. Take the train around the gardens, ride the gocarts or take a walk to the stables and enjoy the horses. Designed for easy access and handicap friendly. www.razzett.org Carnival Float of a Jester. Photo: Shutterstock 4
Museum Casa Rocca Piccola - Valletta The Casa Rocca Piccola provides an insight into the traditions and customs of the Maltese nobility from the last 400 years. Collections include; furniture, silver, and paintings. The displays are shown in about 50 rooms throughout the house. www.casaroccapiccola.com Inquisitor s Palace - Vittoriosa The Inquisitor s Palace is located in the heart of Vittoriosa and is one of the few surviving examples of a palace which could be found all over Europe and South America during the early modern period. The palace achieved its transformation to a typical Roman palace by the mid 18th Century. Maritime Museum - Vittoriosa The Maritime Museum is located within the old Naval bakery. The museum shows Malta s maritime history in a Mediterranean context and illustrates its impact on society. It also hosts numerous artifacts relating to the different epochs. Museum of Archaeology Valletta The National Museum of Archaeology has many significant artifacts from prehistoric periods ranging from 5200 BC to 2500 BC. The museum displays man s early settlement on the Islands up to the temple building periods. It also includes temple carvings, collections pertaining to animals, models and remarkable human figures. Especially figures of the Sleeping Lady St Julians Bay in Malta Photo: Shutterstock Maltese fishing village. Photo: Shutterstock from the Hypogeum, and Venus of Hagar Qim. National War Museum - Valletta The National War Museum represents the important role Malta played under British rule, especially during WWII. The photographic panels depict the harsh conditions experienced by the people and the extent of the damage caused during 1940-1943. Here you can see an Italian E-Boat, A Bofors anti-aircraft gun, old uniforms and various equipment. It is definitely worthwhile to see the prestigious awards and decorations received by the Maltese servicemen and civilians during WWII for bravery and sacrifice. Palace Armory - Valletta The Palace Armory is one of the world s greatest armory collections. The arsenal was transferred to the palace by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt in 1604. It held enough arms to supply thousands of soldiers with equipment. The armory still contains an abundant of material of German, French, Italian and Spanish origin. Garden in Valletta. Photo: Shutterstock 5
St John s Cathedral & Museum Valletta Considered as the first complete example of the high Boroque, it epitomizes the role of it s original patrons, the Knights of St. John. It was a shrine to the Knights and many of the noble are buried here. It is also a resting place for the founder of Valletta, Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Vallette. The masterpiece, The Beheading of John the Baptist (1573-1610) is the only surviving signed work of Caravaggio, and is on display here. Teatru Manoel (Manoel Theater) Malta s National Theater and is the oldest working theater in the Commonwealth of Nations. It is located on Old Theater Street in Valletta and is home to Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. www.teatrumanoel.com.mt The National Museum of Fine Arts - Valletta The National Museum of Fine Arts is located in a historic building and presents an overview of art and artistic expression in Malta from the late medieval times to contemporary art. Nature Blue Grotto Blue Grotto is the largest cave and located south of the town of Zurrieq. It can be reached by boat from Wied iz-zurrieq. The scenery is breathtaking as the cliffs rise up from the deep blue Mediterranean and mirrors the brilliant underwater flora. Popeye Village, Anchor Bay, Malta. Photo: Shutterstock Natural Attractions The islands are surrounded with natural wonders and beauty. There are an abundance of caves, holes, grottos and crevices just waiting for you to discover in this marvelous landscape. Some of the most popular are; Blue Grotto, Calypso s Cave, The Inland Sea, The Azure Window, Xerri s Grotto, Ninu s Cave and Dingli Cliffs. Worth Seeing Archaeology There are wonderful reefs for diving and snorkeling. Photo: Shutterstock 6 There are many ancient archaeological sites on the islands which set Malta apart from other Mediterranean countries. There are monuments, Bronze Age dolmens, Punic tombs, Roman remains and the mysterious Cart Tracks. The Hypogeum is a labyrinth underground and was probably used as a burial site and temple. For more information on all Archaeological sites, see the website below. Fortifications and Towers Malta is also known as the Fortress Island due to the many defense structures around the island. They can be divided into two periods, one of the Knights and one of the British era. Wherever you go around the island, you are sure to see remnants of war, from the 17th Century forts to the Watch Towers from WWII. For a complete list see the website.
Megalithic Temples of Hagar Qim, a UNESCO site in Malta. Photo: Shutterstock The Hypogeum, Paola The Marsa Sports Club They Hypogeum, has an individual listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and consists of halls, chambers and passages. A vast, three level underground limestone necropolis used from about 3600 BC. The deepest room is 10.6 meters under the road surface. It was accidentally discovered by a stone mason in 1902. www.heritagemala.org This is Malta s largest sports center and is located about 4 km south of Valletta. It features an 18 hole golf course, mini golf, tennis courts, squash courts, cricket grounds and a swimming pool. Tourists are welcome to join the club on a weekly basis. www.marsasportsclub.com Other Diving The crystal blue Mediterranean sea is ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. All three islands offer many unique diving experiences from snorkeling around the reefs to examining underwater wrecks. You will find a wide variety of choices for diving courses and dive centers to choose from. Marija tower on Comino Island. Photo: Shutterstock SOURCES www.eurotourism.com Malta food display Photo: Shutterstock at old town on Gozo. Subject to change 7
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