Malta – The Bridge Between Africa and Europe
The principal island of the Maltese chain, the populous Malta is considered to be one of most visited tourism centers in the world. The island nation is surrounded by the azure waters of the Mediterranean and is home to many attractions both natural and historical in nature. Dominating the island from its perch on a central hill overlooking the island is the citadel-city of M’Dina “The Silent City” and its suburb of Rabat. This old center of Maltese culture has been surpassed by the much younger and dynamic capital of Valletta – founded by the Knights of St John. To learn more about this island nation continue reading below
- For more information on the smallest island in the nation of Malta, that of Comino, check out the link to my article here.
- For more information on the particular culture found on the island of Gozo and its capital Victoria (Rabat), the second city of Malta then click this link.
- For an in depth analysis of the Maltese capital Valletta, click here.
This post will focus on attractions found outside of Valletta, yet one cannot talk about the history of the island without mentioning its famous capital.
Table of Contents
- Geography and Religion
- A Brief History of Malta
- Getting Around
- Maltese Culture and Beer
- What to do In Malta?
- Capital Region
- Central Malta
- Northern Malta
- Southern Malta
- Conclusion
Geography and Religion
Malta is located at the center of the Mediterranean, half way between Spain and the Levantine Coast (Eastern Mediterranean), Sicily and present day Tunisia. A prized location indeed! Yet with little potable water and an inhospitable terrain, the island has only been able to support a small number of people until fairly recently in its history.
Religious Festivals (Fest Days)
Like its sister island of Gozo, Malta has a strong Roman Catholic tradition, this can be reflected by the religious architecture found in the beautiful stone churches that can be found throughout the island. As you do in the catholic tradition, festivals are held to honor different saints. These are feast days, called festas, where churches are adorned with lights and a statue of the Saint in question is paraded and displayed outside the church. By the side of the church a Maltese display of fireworks is presented (they are known for this). The atmosphere is lively and the town squares packed. This an essential part of life on the islands. There are several towns that put out a display for the Assumption (August 15th), but only seven have made it a holiday, they are: Hal Għaxaq, Gudja, Attard, Mosta, Mqabba, Qrendi and Victoria (Gozo).
A Brief History of Malta
Malta, it was a place I had found myself interested in ever since I had read up about the Great Siege of Malta, Rhodes and the Knights of St. John from a novel by the historian Roger Crowley called Empires of the Sea. This rich work of narrative history details the the epic battle for the Mediterranean between Christendom and the Ottoman Empire and from that time on I was hooked. Without further ado, here is a quick history of one of the most interesting islands in the history of the world.
I do say quick, but Malta has been conquered so many times that it is hard to keep it concise, bear with me!
Prehistory
Occupied since 5900 BC, it should be no surprise that Malta has a rich collection of stone age temples. It is thought that the settlers came from nearby Sicily and due to the complexity of their temples and the bone tools found here it can be safely assumed that the civilization would have been quite advanced. These people disappeared in 2500 BC and it is still unclear why. They were replaced by a Bronze Age people after a period of abandonment.
Antiquity
1000 BC, that is the date that Phoenicians arrived in Malta. These seafaring people would signal an age of the great civilization occupying the islands. From their homeland in present day Lebanon, Malta made for an ideal stop off for colonies/trade outposts as far as Cornwall (UK). Their primary settlement was at M’Dina and the village of Rabat, which they called Maleth. Evidence of concurrent Greek settlement from 700 BC exists; as well, they referred to the island as Melite. In 332, the Phoenician homeland was conquered by the Persian empire and their colonies passed to the most important oversea city-state, that of Carthage.
Carthage and a young Rome engaged in a deadly series of conflicts called the Punic Wars. The island was captured in the first of these wars but was quickly regained by Carthage. In 218 BC, during the Second Punic War, the island was finally conquered by Rome, they called the island Melita. Punic and Greek life did not end with Rome and the discovery of the Cippi of Melqart, produced after Roman conquest has allowed archeologists to decipher the Punic language furthermore Greek minted coins continued to be used long after local coinage was issued by Rome. Malta was fairly important during roman times and this can be attested to the size of the temple of Juno as mentioned by the Roman statesman Cicero.
The importance of the Roman Catholic religion can be traced to Roman times. In 58B.C Paul the Apostle and Luke the Evangelist washed up on shore and for three months preached the religion. In 395A.D Rome was split in half and Malta became part of the Byzantine Empire. The island suffered from barbarian incursions during the fall of Rome and the island was occupied by both the Vandals and later the Ostrogoths . In 533 Belisarius, the great Byzantine Hero, reunited the island to the Eastern Roman Crown.
Medieval Ages
In 870A.D, the island along with Sicily fell to the Arabs due to a betrayal by a Byzantine admiral. The Arabs (Aghlabids Dynasty) were so brutal in Malta that the island was virtually inhabitable until the 11th century when it was recolonized by Arabs from Sicily. The Arabic language was imported to the islands, which would lead to the eventual creation of the Maltese – a latinized Arabic. Christians were permitted to practice their language but were subject to the Jizya, a special tax.
In 1091, the islands were liberated from the Arabs by the Normans (yes like Normandy!), a seafaring bastard mix of Viking and French! Malta would subsequently be incorporated in the Kingdom of Sicily. The Normans prized the islands for their strategic value and militarized the islands, turning it into a fortified camp with little in the way of civilian population. The kingdom then passed to the Hohenstaufen dynasty, and it was added to the domains of the Holy Roman Empire. Muslims were deported from the island and the entire Christian male population of Celano in Italy was moved to the island to take their place.
The Holy Roman Empire for a time was ruled by a French king who proved to be quite unpopular in Malta. The inhabitants of Malta and Sicily rebelled with Aragonese support (Aragon being one of the Kingdom’s that would later form Spain). The Kingdom of Sicily (and Malta) were incorporated into the Aragonese Crown.
The Knights of Malta
In 1530, Charles V the Holy Roman Emperor made a fateful decision. He gifted the islands, as well as the city of Tripoli in Libya, to the Knights Hospitaller, recently exiled from their home in Rhodes (1522) by a surging Ottoman Empire (and before that from their home in Acre). In return he asked for a Maltese falcon to be sent to him every year. The order is often known as the Knights of St. John or the Knight of Malta.
From Malta, the Knights plotted their revenge against the Ottomans by buildings a small navy and using piracy to attack Ottoman shipping lanes throughout the Mediterranean. The Ottomans continued their raids on the Maltese islands, enslaving 5000 in nearby Gozo. In 1565, the Turks returned with a vengeance, instigating the Great Siege of Malta. A close contest pitting a massive Ottoman army against a rag-tag team of Knights, Maltese and Spanish Soldiers. The result of this siege saw the construction of massive fortifications, watchtowers and the creation of a new capital Valletta, the history of this city will be explored in greater detail in my Valleta post.
French, British and the Modern Era
In 1798, in an act of unscrupulous treachery, Napoleon captured the island on his way to Egypt. Asking for a safe harbor to restock his ships, Napoleon turned his guns on the islanders once docked safely in Valletta. The Knights were prohibited from fighting fellow Christians by their own charter and as such there was little resistance to the French. Napoleon left a garrison on the island when he departed but French rule was deeply unpopular and the Maltese rebelled. The French may have reformed the Maltese feudal system but their tax and religious policies were unpopular, as well as the looting of Churches and the possession of the knights to fund the war effort. You see while unable to become part of the Knights organization, they left the Maltese untaxed and relatively free, the bureaucratic and Secular French had other plans for the islands administration and as they oppressed the parishes and lined their ships with loot, the locals seethed (violence would erupt only 82 days into French rule).
The British supported the local Maltese and along with their allies the kingdom of Naples and Sicily, were able to retake the island for themselves. The French forces surrendered to Sir Alexander Ball. In a stunning turn about it was the Maltese themselves who asked to be nominated as a British Dominion. This was not a total abdication of sovereignty but one of partnership, Malta would become a protectorate with a Declaration of Rights. It stated that:
“His Majesty has no right to cede these Islands to any power…if he chooses to withdraw his protection, and abandon his sovereignty, the right of electing another sovereign, or of the governing of these Islands, belongs to us, the inhabitants and aborigines alone, and without control.”
Maltese Declaration of Rights
and so Malta would become an integral part of the British Empire by its own doing. Its geographic location proved to be paramount as the Suez canal opened in Egypt, a future British protectorate and the key to servicing British interests in the Indian Continent. The strategic importance of the islands was proven during both World Wars. During the First World War the island was known as the Nurse of the Mediterranean as it housed a large number of wounded soldiers and it was at one point the command center for the British Mediterranean fleet, before its move to Alexandria. During the Second World War, things were different. Mussolini had joined Italy to Germany’s cause (the opposite of the First World War) and the island stood in the way of Axis shipping lanes and was the key to the British Suez Canal shipping routes (the alternative being to go around the Horn of Africa and around the Cape). As such the island was a giant target for massive Italian and German bombing campaigns. Cut off from the world, the British would have to organize a miraculous naval convoy to keep the island fed, incurring many losses in the process. Malta was also an essential base for code decoders to intercept German and Italian messages and helped crack the Enigma message. For the heroic sacrifices borne by the islanders, they were awarded the George Cross collectively as an island. The cross can now be seen on the nation’s flag.
Malta achieved independence as part of the commonwealth in 1964 and subsequently became a republic. In 1989, Malta was selected for a meeting between US President George H.W. Bush and USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev, ending the cold war.
Getting Around
General Information and Car Travel
Although the island of Malta has many cities, very few of them can justify the capital investment in large scale infrastructure projects. As such Malta is connected by a patchwork of roads, many in poor physical condition. This ensures that getting from point A to point B, even just a few kilometers away, can take forever.
Bus Transit
The backbone of Malta’s transportation system, 500+ buses operate on the island of Malta and the island of Gozo. As a tourist I will give you the advice to show up early. The system is often overcrowded and you may have to wait for a few buses to run before you can catch one. The system is concentrated in the capital and the main station is located at the plaza outside the main gates, near the massive fountain. Stops outside Vallatta are little more than signposts on the outskirts of the town so bring a map of the system. It will surely come in handy. Despite its flaws the buses run frequently and reliably even in rural areas. You will be able to find bus stops in every town and outside of Valletta the system is much less crowded.
Ferry
International destinations offered from Valletta include the cities of Pozzallo and Catania on the island of Sicily in Italy. The former has several daily departures and is both fast and reliable. Alternatively you can get around the island using the Ferry Service. From Valletta ferries will take you to both sides of the harbor. From the north of Malta one can access the ferry terminals by bus or car that will take you to the islands of Comino or Gozo.
Train, Tram and Metro
A rail line once existed from Valletta to Mdina, but is no longer operational. Closing up shop in 1931, it was called “Il-vapur tal-art” in Maltese that can be roughly translated to “the land ship”. Urban Tramways existed in Valletta but were closed down in 1929.
Airport
In the center of the island, just west of Valletta, is the international airport. Although small, the facility is modern and well served by infrastructure.
Maltese Culture and Beer
The people of Malta can be described as many things, but one thing they are not known is for their friendliness. This can be put up to the fact that the island is overrun with tourists, among other things. Once they get to know you islander will warm up to you. These hard headed people can have a bit of a cynical side to them but there is much to admire, especially from the tough older generation. Many discussions about how great their island is will turn into a conversation about the undercurrents of corruption found on the island, especially when it comes to the Eurozone and foreign banking money (Malta is a large center for money laundering and corruption). At the end of the day the Maltese are a proud people with a lifetimes worth of stories among the barren landscape of the island. Considering the turbulent history of the place, these enduring citizens will have great stories for those willing to listen.
One last note on Maltese culture. Much of the drinking water on the island comes from the desalinization plants. As such Cisk, the national beer is made from that water. In theory this should not be a problem but for some reason the beer has a strange and unlikable aftertaste. At least the cans, with the Maltese cross look pretty cool. After a few Cisk, I stuck with drinking Heineken, and I really don’t like Heineken all that much.
What to do In Malta?
Malta has a surprisingly varied list of activities to do and due to the relatively small area of the island one could be deceived into thinking that you can do everything in a few days. This is decidedly not so.
Capital Region
Tour the Capital of Valletta by Day and Party is St. Julians By Night
Although this post is not about the Maltese capital you can find my write up on this stunning fortified city here. The capital region includes many of the top cultural and historical attractions on the island, including the historic towns of Senglea and Birgu as well as the party suburb of Sleima-St. Julian’s.
Central Malta
Experience the “Silent City” of Mdina
On a bluff, overlooking the island, stands M’Dina. Called the “Silent City” for a reason, the walled citadel is completely silent with the exception of the occasional church bell. The old Carthaginian capital called Maleth has witnessed the slow turn of the centuries and the destruction it has borne, yet the old inland capital, tucked away looks on down below at the new one by the sea accessible to the outside world. Mdina, derived from Arabic, was the capital of Malta until 1530 when it was transferred to Birgu (Vittoriosa), on the Valletta harbor by the Knights of St John.
The star-shaped citadel is composed of thick bastions walls and a deep ditch. You will enter the city from the south side, facing Rabat, though a footbridge leading to an ornate passageway.
The first thing you will notice inside is that the “Silent City” really is silent. There are almost no cars (with the occasional exception) and very little noise is generated inside the walls. For the sake of the experience, try not to be too loud. It’s quite refreshing.
Mdina is known for its strange mix of two architectural styles, both imported from former conquerors and not often found in the same vicinity, that is Norman and Baroque. As soon as you turn into the city you will find the Vilhena Palace, built in the 18th century and it now houses the National Museum of Natural History. In the pavement in front of the building you will find the Maltese cross and inside an intimate courtyard. This is also near the access point for the Dungeons.
A visit to the complex will surely culminate at St. Paul’s Cathedral. This baroque structure sits amid a stunning square, surrounded by buildings equally as gorgeous. The red cupola roof of this church is the tallest point in town and the distict building can help you spot Mdina from miles away. The original was destroyed in the Sicily earthquake of 1693 and as such the baroque styled rebuilding began. This is considered to be one of Malta’s oldest churches. It was designed by Lorenzo Gafà, a famous Maltese architect known for his work on the island. Beside the cathedral you will find the Cathedral Museum, housed in the old archbishop’s house.
A good example of the Norman architecture mentioned above can be found at Palazzo Falson (also known as “the Norman house”).
On the northside of downtown, before you reach the lookout bastion, you will come across a pretty plaza with a well.
From the northern bastion you will get a commanding view of the island. Hard to imagine a foreign army taking this stronghold! Hence why it was the capital for so long. Below you will see three pillars of Maltese life, the agricultural heartland, modern urban Malta centered around Valletta and the Mediterranean sea, the lifeblood of the island.
Nearby you will find Fontanella Tea Garden. This terrace and dining area offers the best view of the island and I recommend having a seat here just to enjoy the view.
Chart the History of Roman Elite at the Domvs Roman Museum
Just outside the city gates, on the Border with the urban boundaries of Rabat, you will find a colonnaded stone neoclassical building dating from 1882, during the British occupation. The building houses mosaics and artifacts from a Roman villa, while the backyard is host to the ruins themselves as well as an 11th century Muslim graveyard. The structure was constructed during the 1st century BC. The Muslim cemetery was constructed in the ruins of the house.
Explore Mdina at night
Although I did not get to witness it, a night in the silent city is supposed to be an unforgettable experience. Significant investment has been put into uplighting and I will try to get some pictures next time I return to Malta.
Pay a Visit to the Suburb of Rabat
Just outside of the walls to the silent city you will find the sleepy suburb of Rabat. Occupied for as long as Mdina, it is rumored that St. Paul spent a few months here preaching the gospel. Rabat is considerably busier than Mdina, although it is still nothing compared to the chaos of most Maltese cities.
The two main sights are the St. Paul’s Church and the Roman Catacombs of Rabat. Additionally, you can visit the 16th century palace of Casa Bernard if you aren’t already tired of palaces.
The church was built above a grotto where it is believed that St. Paul spent three months in and dates from the 17th century. It is now a museum displaying religious artifacts and visits to the grotto itself!
Behind the church, to the south you will find a cemetery. These are the Roman Catacombs, one of my favorite attractions in Malta.
Dating from the third century A.D, these catacombs chart the early courses of christian occupation on the island, specifically for the Roman city of Melite (Mdina) .
There are 20 rectangular shafts that can be visited in the St. Paul cluster, many interlinked as the shafts grew deeper and larger. The use of these structures stopped in the 8th century, when the island was depopulated. The catacombs are mostly christian but pagan and Jewish tombs can be found in the complex indicating that the Maltese society of this period was quite cosmopolitan. Some of the tombs were used again in the 13th century, when the island was depopulated with Christian’s but for the most part remained untouched until the Second World War when they were used as a bomb shelter.
I am tall, as such crouching down to visit the tombs was difficult but worth the effort and I was surprised at the extent of the burials.
Visit the Mosta Rotunda (as seen from Mdina)
Next on the list is a visit to Mosta’s famous Rotunda church. This building is very prominent from the Maltese skyline, especially from Mdina. Also known as the Basilica of Our Lady, it was constructed in neoclassical style and completed during the 1860’s. The large rotunda has a stunning painted ceiling and is quite pretty on the inside. It was meant to look like a roman temple like the pantheon in Rome and as such attracted quite a bit of negative press during its construction. During the Second World War it was scored by a direct hit, but the bomb failed to explode! A replica of this explosive unit is on display inside the church today.
This is but one of many stunning Maltese churches (trust me there are so many for such a small island!). I am specifically including this one due to its beauty.
Malta Falconry Center
Malta’s favorite bird of prey has a long and proud history on the island. If you remember from the history section the bird was the rent paid to Charles V on All Saints Day every year by the knights of Malta. These birds of prey are majestic and can dive at speeds of 200km/h. The center seeks to educate the public about the bird made famous by the 1941 movie the Maltese Falcon with Humphrey Bogart. It is also involved in the reintroduction of the birds onto the island of Malta itself.
Visit Stunning Towns Such as Żebbuġ, Mqabba and Qormi
Malta has a large number of historic towns that are well worth visiting, here are just a few of the ones in Central Malta.
Żebbuġ
One of the Oldest towns on the island, the name can be translated to Olives in the Maltese language. This is by far the best town to visit outside of Mdina and Valletta. In its center stands a church dedicated to Philip of Agira, the main square that the church is built on is where the olive trees that the idyllic town is named after were once located. As you can deduct, the festa celebrated here is dedicated to St. Philip and there are three band clubs with their own respective firework factories. The town sports a coat of arms similar to that of Rohan, harkening back to the island’s Norman occupation (Rohan is a Bretton family) and has always been a popular retreat for Maltese writers and cultural figures. The town gained importance during the reign of the Knights of St. John, as it was here that much of their Corsair raiding force was recruited from. Later it was a center for cotton production and the Knights made it a city in 1777. This is celebrated by the De Rohan arch, a stone gateway at the entrance of the city.
Known for their quick wit, it is said that the villagers of Zebug hid the parish riches before the French arrived. When a party of them came to loot they saw the open door to the church, understanding what the villagers had done they gave up and moved to the next.
Mqabba
Located on the south side of the airport, this is a beefed up version of the typical Maltese town. The buildings are more ornate and imposing than in Qormi and well maintained at that. You will find several sports bars but the real attraction is the fireworks display put on for the august feast – the festa of Assumption of Our Lady to Heaven celebrating Santa Maria. The St. Mary Fireworks Factory, a word renowned company puts on quite the show. it is said that Mqabba has the best assumption festival out of all of Malta’s towns.
Additionally you can visit the Ta Mintna Catacombs. Although much smaller than those in Mdina, they are more ornate. The complex holds both Punic and Christian tombs. Nearby, a village over you will The Matrix Parish Church of St Catherine of Alexandria that also looks pretty with lights.
Qormi
Qormi is quaint town, but there is not much to do here. It is off the beaten track and its appeal lies mostly in this fact. In many ways it is an oasis of calm among the bustling Maltese islands. Although town has many churches, it is mostly known for its association with St. Sebastian, the patron saint of the plague stricken. Of course this association began in 1813 after a particularly bad epidemic that killed 740 people. I recommend a visit to the St. Sebastian Parish Church, the center of life for the community it is a modern(ish) basilica started over a century earlier; it was completed in 2019. The previous church of St. Sebastian can be found in town and it is small but more intimate.
Visit the Turkish Military Cemetery at Marsa
Commissioned by the Ottoman Sultan, during the British period (late 19th century), this pretty cemetery was completed to honor the Muslim dead in the Great Siege of Malta. It was constructed in Moorish/Orientalist revival style. Worth a look if you have the chance.
Northern Malta
The north of the island is sometimes passed over in order to get to the ferries quicker. That is a shame as there is just as much to do in this part of the island. Furthermore, this can be a great staging spot to explore Comino and Gozo as the ferry terminals are located in this part of Malta.
Scale the Victoria Lines
The Northern Half of the island is sliced off from the rest by a massive defensive structure called the Victoria Lines, but also referred to as the North West or the Great Wall of Malta. This series of fortifications measures a full 12km’s, the whole width of the island. Built in 1899, the giant wall was meant to link a series of fortifications in order to seal off the south of the island from the north in case of a landing in the less populous northern part of Malta, keeping the southern harbors safe. Later analysis revealed that the liens were not an effective defense, yet with the imminent treat of a Nazi or Italian landing on the island during the Second World War, the fortification were reinforced to meet the threat. Today you can visit the walls itself or the ruined forts, things may be in ruins but it is a pretty cool installation. Fort Mosta and Fort Madalena are still used by the Maltese army. One particular section, the Bingemma Valley, is particularly nice.
Spend a Rainy Day at the National Aquarium in Bugibba
This is an attraction that I did not visit, as aquariums exist everywhere. Yet wanted to include it on this list for those with kids. The town itself is mostly a resort but you can find a museum hosting a vintage car collection nearby.
Venture out to Rdum il-Qammieh Point and Mellieha Bay
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa
Just before you get to Rdum, the road will take you uphill through a rather forgettable town. At the top of that hill, before the road abruptly slopes down a series of sharp hairpin turns, you will find a red roofed church called the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha. From this prominent ridge you will get a panoramic view of the northernmost point of the island and Gozo.
Popeye Village
Almost like something out of a movie… oh wait it is from a film! The Popeye Village located on the north-west coast of Malta is a set used to shoot the 1980 movie Popeye starring Robin Williams. The multicolored huts are now a popular theme park.
Gaze at the Red Tower
On the road to Rdum il-Qammieh, you will come across a square tower, not that much different than many on the island with one difference. It was a faded pink at the time of my visit (2018), but as of 2020 it has had a new bright red coat of paint. I don’t know how I feel about that, I feel like the faded pink gave it its charm. Anyway, the building dates from 1649 and was constructed by the knights of St John, one of many watchtowers found around the island. Last I checked admission to the site is 2.50euro and will give you access to sweeping view of the bay
Explore an Abandoned Radar Station at Rdum il-Qammieh
At the end of the road to the Cape of Rdum il-Qammieh, you will find an abandoned radar station dating from the Second World War. This is a great spot to climb down to the spongy rocks below and enjoy a view of the sunset!
Get Your Rocks Off Gazing on at the Megaliths of Mgarr
Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples/Ta’ Skorba Temples
Not far from the Village of Mgarr (not to be confused with the Mgarr in nearby Gozo), you will find two stone age megalithic temples. Like many of the ruins on the island these stone beauties are UNESCO recognized and protected. To buy tickets for a visit, make sure to stop by the local council building in Mgarr to purchase tickets. I recommend Hagrat as it is closer to town but either is worth a visit. In the
Southern Malta
The southern part of Malta, away from most of the action, happens to be one of my favorite parts of the island. With little urban centers to contend with, you will be forced to explore more intimate locations, not a bad thing if you ask me!
Stop off in Cute Marsaxlokk, a Fishing Village for Lunch and Explore the Nearby Sites!
An underrated attraction on the island. A visit to this town will allow you to understand the historic importance that the fishing industry has to islanders.
Marsaxlokk
The port of Mashalokk has a wonder to behold. Emerald blue waters give way to a flotilla of brightly painted (but mostly blue colored) boats. A staggering seventy percent of the Maltese fishing fleet is based here!
On Sundays, there is a massive fish market in town. Just try to enjoy the atmosphere of the town down by the waterfront. This is a great place to grab a drink and the pace of life here is relaxed. Make sure to take a peek at the beautiful central church before you leave.
Visit the Roman Ruins at Tas-Silġ (Sort of?)
From the fishing village make your way east to see the nearby roman ruins of Tas-Slig named after the nearby Church of Our Lady of the Snows. The ruins themselves are those of the famous temple of Juno mentioned by Cicero himself in the first century A.D. The site is substantial and its history and remains go back much further, containing Megalithic stone age, Bronze age and Punic ruins in addition to the previously mentioned Roman ones. Most of the sire has been leveled but foundations remains. In addition remnants of a Byzantine basilica and Pagan Egyptian artifacts can be found on site! This place has a long history with lots to see! Unfortunately, this is an active archeological site and I was not able to visit it.
As I understand it group tours arrangement can be made to visit it!
Explore the Coastline and Peninsula
On the east side of the Masaxlokk bay, guarding it, you will find St. Lucian’s Tower a massive 17th century tower and artillery bastion that looks more like a castle than anything. Further out you will find the Għar Dalam Cave a Paleolithic cave with ice age exibits.
On the west side you will find St. Peter’s Pool, a popular swimming location and a favorite of many tourists. You will also find a Lighthouse (Il-Kalanka) and the ruined Fort Delimara Il-Kalanka. Unfortunatly you cannot make it inside either of these as they are closed to the public. Finally you could go see Tal-Gidien (salt pans).
Complete Your Journey at the the South-West Shore to see the Blue Grotto
I love this part of the coastline. You can walk for miles without encountering any tourists. Popular attractions include the Blue Grotto, the stone age Ħaġar Qim temple and the Tal-Ħamrija Coastal Tower.
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The blue grotto in particular is a very popular cave comes but the watchtower and temple are within walking distance of each other. This rugged part of the coastline, on rocky rugged cliffs with little organic growth and reddish dirt is my favorite part of the island. The tower in the distance looks menacing out at the sea.
Conclusion
Although Malta is a popular holiday destination, it offers such a wide variety of attractions that it is impossible to find yourself bored or with nothing to do. You could easily waste a week exploring the archipelago without scratching the surface of the gamut of historic artifacts and commercial activities littered around Malta. During my stay I met a Dutch tourist that had visited the island over twenty times and he told me he planned on coming back again in a few weeks! I immediately thought of two things, the first being “lucky bastard!” and the second “thank god Ryanair is cheap”!
