Attractions You Have To See In Malta

The island of Malta is a dream destination for anyone in need of Vitamin D and access to warm Mediterranean waters. Just 80km of the coast of Italy, it is a sun worshipper’s paradise. More than that, however, Malta has a rich history that appeals to intrepid travellers and historians alike. There’s a lot to do if you want a vacation destination that not only offers sun, sea and sand but has plenty of awe-inspiring attractions. Here’s a quick guide to what you have to see.

Hal Saflieni Hypogeum

Hal Saflieni Hypogeum

The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is a unique burial complex carved out of rock. Accidentally discovered by a stone mason in 1902, there are three levels to this Neolithic site:
1. upper level (3600-3300 BC)
2. middle level (3300-3000 BC)
3. lower level (3150 -2500 BC).

Make sure you buy your tickets in advance; this popular UNESCO World Heritage site only admits 80 people per day and tends to be booked for months in advance. You may still be able to buy tickets for two hours per day (noon and 4pm) at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta. Hal Saflieni Hypogeum does not admit children under six years old.

At a glance:

Visit https://booking.heritagemalta.org/ to book your visit to Hal Saflieni Hypogeum.
Admission: €20 per adult. €15 per student or OAP and €12 per child.
Address: Burial Street, Rahal Gdid – Paola
Phone: +356 21 805 018

Image Source: http://heritagemalta.org/

Ġgantija Temples

Temples de Ggantija

Ggantija-Temples

The Ġgantija Temples in Gozo need to be on your list of things to do in Malta. Why? Because they are the oldest Megalithic tombs in the world at approximately 5,500 years old. That puts them 1,000 years older than Stonehenge and 2,000 years older than the Pyramids at Giza. This UNESCO heritage site is the second-oldest religious structure in the world after Göbekli Tepe in Turkey.

At a glance:

Admission: Adults (18 – 59 years): €9.00 / Youths (12 – 17 years), Senior Citizens (60
years and over), and Students: €7.00 / Children (6 – 11 years): €5.00
Infants (1 – 5 years): Free
Address: John Otto Bayer Street, Xagħra, Gozo
Tel: +356 21 553 194

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

St John’s Co-Cathedral

In Guardia re-enactment portraying the inspection of the fort and its garrison by the Grand Bailiff of the Order of the Knights of St. John.

St Johns Cathedral

If you’re staying around Malta’s capital city, Valetta, you simply must visit St John’s Co-Cathedral, the main church of the Knights of Malta. From the outside, it looks forbidding and austere, having been designed by military architects in the 1570s. But once inside, you’re swathed in stunning displays of gold and marble. Caravaggio’s only signed (and largest) masterpiece, Beheading of St John, hangs in the oratory.

At a glance:

Admission: €6.Entry for services is free (but you can’t wander around or take photos)
Contact: 00356 21220536; stjohnscocathedral.com

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

Mdina

Aerial view Mdina Malta

Once the Roman centre of Malta, Mdina has been inhabited since the Bronze Age although the Arabs are responsible for the city as we see it today. The city declined somewhat following the arrival of the Knights of St John in the 16th century but sits like a living museum with its ancestral homes of Maltese nobility scattered along a labyrinth of streets and passageways. Take in spectacular views of Malta from Bastion Square and return later to dine in some of its exquisite restaurants.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

Diving

Malta Diving

Malta attracts some 50,000 divers every year and it is not hard to see why. Dazzling underwater landscapes are perfect for exploring wrecks and communing with colourful sea creatures. The island is host to numerous dive centres, which cater for beginners as well as more serious divers. However, always check that you are signing up to a reputable centre. Visit www.visitmalta.com and www.bsac.com to make sure.

Have you visited this beautiful island? If so what were your highlights? Discuss in the comments box below and inspire other’s too visit Malta also.