Popeye Village

Popeye Village


This fantastical Film Set found at the shores of one of Malta’s most picturesque locations, has just turned 30, and there seems to be no way it ever loses its appeal. Anchor Bay hosts this pristinely kept ramshackle sea-side village which housed the 6 month shoot of the musical Popeye in 1980. The late Robert Altman helmed the entire location shoot directing amongst others, Paul L. Smith as Cpt. Bluto, Shelley Duvall of The Shining as Olive Oyl, and introducing on the Silver Screen, Robin Williams as the one-eyed sailor himself.

The story follows Popeye in his search for his lost father, Poopdeck Pappy. He stumbles upon Sweet Haven village, befriends an eccentric Hamburger eater, Mr. Wellington Wimpy and rents a room from Olive Oyl’s, his soon to be love of his life. Enter the brute pirate Bluto and things get somewhat complicated. To cut a long story short, without detracting from this entertaining effort from the Eighties, Popeye manages to find his father and also a little surprise along the way.

Popeye’s motto has always been ‘I Yam what I Yam’, and this rings true to this very day. After all these years this ‘way of thinking’ has swept the entire village and all those who visit the Film Set are transported back in time, when the simple things were those which matter most.

All the buildings are kept in their original state, save some for added safety since they were only constructed to offer a backdrop for the shoot. Detailed attention is undertaken on a daily basis and the maintenance team is on the go 24/7. All this coupled with the ever-innovative management and you have a Village that lives and gains more and more popularity as time goes by.

Popeye Village, as it is widely known amongst the islanders, has been offering Amusement Park services for many years, hosting ‘Private Functions’, ‘Dance Parties’, ‘Weddings’ and even ‘Corporate Events’. Amongst today’s activities on offer one can find free Boat rides around Anchor Bay, Silver Smith demonstrations, Wine tasting, open-air beach Lido with shower and Baywatch attendant, little kids areas where you can rest assured the little ones will be amused with hours of fun and much more. All the animators will make sure you have a fantastic time whilst back to back animation shows pack the Village with colorful characters roaming around, transporting you back in time.

Join the thousands of repeat visitors and experience for yourselves the magic to be had at Malta’s only Family Fun Park, Popeye Village.
Limestone Heritage

Limestone Heritage



One of Malta’s greatest natural resources is the distinctive limestone out of which the vast majority of its buildings are constructed.  The honeycomb colour of the stones tint Maltese structures with their unique shades of yellow that change subtly according to the time of day and the force of the sunlight.  Malta’s very first Megalithic temples, the imposing fortresses built by the Knights of St John, the towering village churches, and the modern-day five-star resorts are all built from limestone extracted from Maltese quarries.

If you would like to learn more about Maltese limestone and Malta’s architectural history, there is no better place to start than at the Limestone Heritage.  This place is particularly useful if you’re feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer volume of noteworthy buildings and don’t know where to start, as the Limestone Heritage provides a comprehensive background for many of Malta’s finest structural attractions, such as the Silent City of Mdina, the Mosta Dome, or the many prehistoric temples that dot the archipelago.

Situated on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Siggiewi, the Limestone Heritage is an impressive exhibition built within a disused quarry.  There you’ll glimpse into 5,000 years of history, starting with Malta’s earliest freestanding structures that predate the pyramids of Giza as well as Stonehenge.  A walk-through tour on what used to be the seabed 20 million years ago will display fossils still embedded within the rock and antique quarrying methods, including vintage vehicles and machinery as well as rare and original artefacts.  Apart from the open-air displays, visitors can also witness exquisite stonework being created in the adjoining indoor complex.  The permanent exhibition is accompanied by an ongoing programme of temporary exhibits.

The Limestone Heritage has easy access for people with special needs and also features a cafeteria and a gift shop
Marsa Racetrack

Marsa Racetrack





If you’re a horse lover or simply like to play the odds, then you’d be pleased to know that Malta also boasts a healthy horse-racing culture.  Every Sunday equine enthusiasts gather at the Marsa Racing Course to cheer on their favourite horse or put their money where their mouths are and place the occasional wager on the results.

The racecourse was founded in the 19th Century by British Military and Naval officers along with some of the local gentry.  By 1929, the Marsa Racing Course was seeing regular races taking place thanks to the importation of expertly trained racehorses from North Africa.  However this hit a snag when most of these same horses had to be slaughtered during the Second World War. 

Race meetings recommenced in December 1945 although when the British Armed Forces left the island, there was a sudden depletion of both horses as well as jockeys.  Rather than put a halt to their newfound hobby, the Marsa Racing Club substituted the traditional horseback races for the new sulky races which saw drivers racing ponies while sitting on a lightweight two-wheeled cart reminiscent of the Roman chariot races.

The racetrack was reconstructed in 1981 and a grandstand for 2000 spectators was included as well as bars and shops to accommodate them.  Apart from the local races, the Marsa Racing Course is also occasionally called upon to host international events such as the European Championship for Professional Drivers in 1998.

When visiting the Marsa Racing Course, you’re sure to succumb to the sheer enthusiasm that permeates the air.  As you loudly cheer on your favourite horse amidst a crowd of screaming onlookers, you’ll be sampling a pure taste of raw Mediterranean passion.
Ggantija temple

Ggantija temple


If you think Hagar Qim and Mnajdra in Malta were the ultimate, wait until you cross over to Gozo where the oldest standing structure in the world – the Ggantija temples – awaits you. You are bound to wonder how busy and enterprising these Neolithics must have been.


Were they giants? The very Maltese name for the temples, Ggantija (derived from the word Ggant, meaning giant), says it all. Huge rocks cut and hewn into elaborate stone make up the temples, a feat difficult to do even with today’s technology. A civilisation that we may consider as too early for monumental thinking, let alone building, had nonetheless come out of the caves to create these wondrous constructions well before the Egyptians eventually gave us the pyramids.


How did they do it? What means did they use to carry those gigantic stones from the nearby quarries of the village of Xaghra? You will probably have more questions than answers, but it is this enormous gap in our knowledge of that early period in human life and civilisation that fascinates both the visitor and the researcher.


The Ggantija temples stir your senses and provoke awe and wonder, yet they testify to a humanity of early genius and, possibly, a greater material and spiritual awareness than we have hitherto dared attribute to it.


Take your time as you walk from one chamber to another, stop and ponder in front of the sacrificial stone, try and guess how the oracle worked and how these, your own ancestors, lived and loved. It means putting fun into archaeology, finding a sense of being in the very stone that seems to want to tell you a story, but somehow cannot.


In our opinion the Ggantija Temples rank up there with the other marvels of the planet like Stonehenge, the Pyramids, the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. They just don’t enjoy the same marketing…


Obviously for this one you will need to be in Gozo first of all so a quick ferry trip will be in order if you are not going to be based on Malta’s sister island. Once there, you can either follow the signs to Xaghra, if you are in a car, or catch a bus to Victoria and then another – the number 64 or 65 – to Xaghra. Well worth the effort.
The Three Cities

The Three Cities



“Visit Naples and die” is the famous travel dictum. One hopes not, however, as there are many other beautiful places to visit all over the world. A visit to Malta’s historic “Three Cities”, also known as The Cottonera, would easily make you think back of Naples. It is the character of the people of Bormla, Birgu and Isla that triggers this assimilation. They tend to be jovial and helpful, outgoing and proud of the historical and cultural heritage that they live with everyday of their lives.

Imagine waking up and taking your first coffee of the day opposite the views of the palaces and auberges of the Knights, with the domineering skylines of churches and robust fortifications all around you. There is history at every step you take in Birgu, Bormla and Isla, known officially and in tribute as Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea.

For too many years the cities had been left to sadly rot away in their history as the early tourism drive chose to concentrate on the northern sandy beaches, the new hotels and holiday complexes and the shopping areas of Valletta, Sliema and Mdina. The Three Cities very rarely got a mention on the colourful brochures until recent years when the area finally got its chance….and grasped it.

Today, the Cottonera can be safely said to be the fastest-growing tourist area in Malta, following a major rehabilitation exercise that has seen the creation of new, specialised tours, the opening of numerous new restaurants and museums, a splendid yacht marina and a full calendar of events that vary from re-enactment shows to candlelight evenings that emphasise the beauty of those narrow, winding streets.

Waiting to be picked like the idiomatic cherry on the cake, there is the charming village of Kalkara, a suburb of the Three Cities, from where you can get breath-taking views of the bastioned cities and Valletta from across the water. Happily, you don’t have to die after.

Getting to the Three Cities is relatively easy by car but do consult a map to be sure. By bus you will need to get yourself to Valletta first and then catch the appropriate bus from there. Buses 1, 2, 4, and 6 take you to Bormla and Birgu while bus 3 takes you to Isla.
Fort Rinella

Fort Rinella



Sitting like a tired dinosaur on top of Fort Rinella, limits of Kalkara, is the world’s largest cannon – a 100-ton Armstrong gun – originally built by the British in Malta to safeguard that part of the coast and to protect naval shipping in the area from the newest generation of Italian battleships of the time.

Luckily, it was never fired in anger, but an amusing legend about its first test still does the rounds much to the chagrin of military experts and local conservationists who have done a wonderful job restoring and up-keeping both the cannon and the fort.

The persistent legend says that when the gun was first fired, the 2000-pound shell fell just a few metres down into the nearby sea. If told, Queen Victoria cannot have been amused. Because a single shell cost, in those days, as much as the daily wage of 2,600 soldiers. In fact, so costly was it that the gun was only fired twice a year for practice.

The cannon and the fort that has housed it for so many decades are certainly worth a visit. When installed, the massive cannon was state-of-the-art, equipped with a steam powered hydraulic system that traversed, elevated and depressed the gun. Fort Rinella, sometimes also referred to as Rinella Battery, was built between 1878 and 1886, standing above the shore east of the mouth of Grand Harbour, between Fort Ricasoli and Fort St Rocco, in the same region of the island.

Today you can visit the museum and even attend, on the 5th of May of every year, the firing of the gun by volunteers. They use black powder only, of course, so you can’t really prove or disprove the legend.

Every afternoon the same dedicated volunteers, dressed as 19th Century British soldiers, provide a tour of the fort that combines lectures, demonstrations and live re-enactments. A Victorian-era muzzle-loading fieldpiece is fired, again without shot, but sorry, there is no legend about that……

Fort Rinella is one of the most fascinating things you will see in Malta with its authentic re-enactments and quite spectacular cannon. To get there by car you need to head in the general direction of the three cities and then follow the signs to Rinella. By bus you need to be catching the bus in the direction of Kalkara – the number 4. 
Mosta Dome

Mosta Dome



In Malta you’ll find a different church for every day of the year.  These range from windswept cliff-top chapels to lofty city-centre cathedrals, and from gothic fortress-churches with an adjoining graveyard, to ultra-modern structures that wouldn’t be out of place in the Starship Enterprise.  In Malta you’ll also find an underwater chapel although admittedly it started out as one of the aforementioned cliff-top chapels that got a little too windswept. 

In short, the Maltese like their churches and one of the examples that gives them the most pride is the magnificent Mosta Dome.  This architectural masterpiece is distinguished by the grandeur of its 67 metre high cupola and neo-classic façade embellished by iconic columns, closely based on Rome’s Pantheon. 

The Mosta Dome is the third largest unsupported dome in Europe.  Also known as the Rotunda of Santa Marija Assunta, it is dedicated to the Assumption.  It was built between 1830’s and 1860’s around Mosta’s previous parish church.  When the Mosta Dome was completed, the old church, which was now inside the new church, was demolished.  This ingenious method was established so that the pious villagers would never be bereft of a church to attend.  The diameter of the dome measures 37 metres across and the structure was designed by the Maltese architect Giorgio Grongnet.

The church escaped destruction in the Second World War when an afternoon air-raid on the 9th of April 1942 saw a 200kg bomb piercing the dome and landing squarely in the middle of the church where 300 people were gathered in prayer.  The bomb failed to explode and everyone escaped harm.  A replica of the bomb is now on display in the church.

The church also has the largest mechanical organ ever installed in Malta.  It was built in Italy by the famous organ builder Pacifico Inzoli.  It was installed in 1885 and contains around 2000 pipes.
The Inland Sea

The Inland Sea



The most exciting thing ever to happen in what is known as the Inland Sea in the limits of the dormant village of San Lawrenz, Gozo, occurred some years ago when a lone Mediterranean dolphin got lost, found itself inside this cute little patch of water and was unable to find a way out of the small, restricted cavern carved out by Mother Nature.

The rest is complete quiet and an ambience of serenity broken only by the odd fisherman, like the poor dolphin, trying to paddle his way out into the open sea. Created out of almost nothing and surrounded by sheer high cliffs all around, the Inland Sea, known in Maltese as Id-Dwejra, is like a time warp on the Gozo tourist map.

 It will capture you at daytime as you stroll on the pebble beach to watch the next school of young divers eagerly listening to their instructor’s last-minute strict rules and regulations. They know what awaits them – just off the Inland Sea, once you’ve managed to navigate a way out of it, is perhaps one of the most beautiful diving zones anywhere in the Mediterranean.

Then, by sunset, as darkness falls and the last tourist coaches have left, an eerie atmosphere grips the area. You hardly want to talk as the pebbles under your feet now sound more like gunfire, and the lights on the ancient boat-houses flicker wildly around you.

Suddenly, there is a bit of music, muffled and controlled. It is almost sacrilegious. A small group of young men and women are enjoying a quiet barbeque. The sound of the wine being poured into ample glasses synchronizes well with the sound of the lapping water.

You almost wish the dolphin is back, having been joyously helped to find its way out by the well-wishers of yesteryear. Then, a sound. Is it back? No, it is only the amorous couple trying to cool down their body temperatures. Dolphins certainly know better…

The best way to get to the Inland Sea is by bus which leaves regularly from the main terminus in Victoria. If you have a car then driving there is pretty uncomplicated as the area is well signposted. 
The Azur Window

The Azur Window



The Azure Window is another spectacular natural landmark in Dwejra, along with The Inland Sea and Fungus Rock. The Azure Window at the end of the cliff, is a giant doorway, through which one can admire the blue expanse beyond the cliff. It must be one of the most photographed vistas of the Islands, and is particularly spectacular during the winter, when waves crash high inside the arch. The sea around is very deep and of a dark blue hue, which explains why it is called the Azure Window. The rocks in this area are encrusted with fossilized crustaceans, evidence that most of the island was once covered by water. In front of the Azure Window is the Blue Hole, and The Chimney, two of the most popular dive sites in Gozo. 
St. Julian Bay

St. Julian Bay


Taking in Spinola Bay, Paceville and St George's Bay, the district of St Julian's is Malta's playground. This entire 3km stretch is Malta's pulsing heart and contains the highest concentration of bars, clubs and pubs to be found anywhere on the island. Step out of your hotel on a summers evening and you might be forgiven for thinking someone forgot to tell you about the street party, but you'd be wrong. St Julian's promenade is the ritualistic meeting place for the locals to get together and parade up and down, catching up on news and gossip, seeing and being seen.


If it weren't for the recently erected ugly high-rise apartment blocks, Spinola Bay would be the picture of a Mediterranean fishing village. Many wooden 'luzzuz', the brightly painted traditional fishing boats, complete with the Eyes of Osiris to ward off evil whilst the men are at sea, clutter the bay and lend a distinctly local flavour to an increasingly tourist-orientated spot. However, although much fishing does still go on, many of the boathouses have been turned into restaurants to accommodate the ever-increasing tourist numbers.


Paceville is Malta's nightlife capital and the buzzing centre of St Julian's. During the day, Paceville looks shabby and run down, only to come alive after dark, when the streets pack with cars and throngs of young people hit the bars and clubs. High-rise apartment blocks rise out of what becomes a mass of alcohol and testosterone; great to roll home to at the end of a late night but not so great if you want to hit the sack at a decent hour.


If you want to be close to the action without partying every night away, you might want to choose accommodation in the quieter part of town. St George's Bay is just a stroll away from the main drag, but the scene is far more bowling and cinema than DJs and heavy drinking.
Hypogeum Malta

Hypogeum Malta


The Hypogeum is by far Malta's most impressive and finest temple. This world-class archaeological site was discovered by chance in 1902 as a stonemason prepared to lay the foundations of a house. What he uncovered was a rather macabre collection of the bones of over 7000 people. The earliest bones date back as far as 3600 BC, when its thought bodies of the dead were thrown into natural crevices. When these began to fill, new chambers were cut into the rock in a style that mirrored above ground temple architecture, and century after century, more bones were added.

This vast underground necropolis consists of passageways, rooms and halls, covering 500m2, cut into the rock to a varying degree of craftsmanship. The system is clearly cut in three different levels the oldest of which is the upper level, dating from 3600-3300BC. This consists of a central hall and a passageway with burial chambers cut in the side, one of which displays its original contents. The middle level, dating 3300-3000BC, is much more smoothly finished with some burial chambers still displaying red ochre paintings and carved facades. The newest, lower level dates from 3000-2400BC. 10.6m below ground, this level was empty. It is thought that the 'temple age' ended just as it was completed thus rendering it useless.

Unsurprisingly, this incredible archaeological find has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now closely monitored and controlled to ensure its preservation. The Hypogeum was closed for a number of years after the carbon dioxide breathed out by the huge visitor numbers did serious damage to the delicate limestone walls. 

Consequently, visitor numbers are restricted to 80 people per day, which get booked up well in advance. Turn up expecting to get on the next tour is likely to get you laughed at so book early to ensure a place. Any tour of the site begins with a small exhibition and a film introducing the Hypogeum, its supposed creators and its relation to the temples above ground. This serves a dual purpose of not only informing visitors but also giving time for the air conditioning to cool their bodies prior to entering the temple proper. The surreal and sacred atmosphere leaves its mark on every visitor; the Hypogeum is undoubtedly one of the most impressive ancient monuments in the world.
Gozo

Gozo


Set 8km off Malta's northwest point, Gozo is a tiny place, only a third of the size of the main island. Its capital, Victoria (or Rabat as the locals still call it) is pretty much central and nowhere on the island is more than a 15 minute drive from here. Roads radiate out from Victoria like spokes on a wheel so places separated only by a couple of kilometres may take a bit of to-ing and fro-ing to get to.

Gozo has long been described as Malta without the package-holidaymakers and whilst in reality this is true, Gozo's atmosphere is totally different above and beyond that. Due to the lack of tourist development on the island, for a long while, the people of Gozo were thought of as the poor relations to their Maltese counterparts. These days however, most agree that with fewer tourists, less concrete and less pollution the Gozitans have a far superior quality of life. Indeed many of the well-to-do Maltese now have holiday homes and villas in Gozo.

Most people see Gozo as a day-trip destination, and whilst it's great in this capacity, just one day won't do the island justice. With secluded beaches, temples oozing history, fishing villages continuing Maltese traditions, there's far more than can be crammed into one day.

However long you plan to stay on the island, no trip is complete without visiting the Ggantija Temples. Gozo's most famous attraction, these impressive Neolithic temples date back to 3600BC and as such are the oldest man-made structures in the world. Also worth a look is the picturesque Citadel in Victoria, home to all who've invaded the island.

Aside from these, you're likely to spend most of the time on Gozo appreciating its beauty. The underwater world is more highly acclaimed than that off Malta and some of the best dive sites in Europe can be found here. Gozo's coastline has remained remarkably untouched and the beaches have retained their natural beauty. Swathes of sand disappearing into rocky coves, plateaus stretching out to sea are just asking you to linger and soak up its relaxed atmosphere. See it while you can; it can only a matter of time before its alluring romanticism is buried forever by the overflow of tourists from Malta.
Zurrieq

Zurrieq


Zurrieq is the largest village in the southern part of the island and although only 10km from the capital, feels cut off from the rest of Malta. The landscape around Zurrieq is barren and windswept; travel here from the more prosperous north and you get an overwhelming feeling of the south being the poor relation. Unfortunately, the lack of tourist investment hasn't spared the south from development. All Malta's industry is based in the south and they have the power stations and machinery to prove it.

However, as Zurrieq was one of Malta's original medieval parishes, dating from before the arrival of the Knights, the village and the surrounding areas boast a number of archaeological and historical sites that are worth a look. Built in the 1630s The Parish Church of St Catherine contains an altarpiece painted by one of Malta's famous artists Mattia Preti when he took shelter there from a plague epidemic. The town's main calendar event is The Feast of St Catherine on 7th September. A Roman tower, some tombs dating from the Phoenician period, and even what is though to be part of the Temple of Melqart mentioned by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy can also be seen. The village itself mainly consists of houses and buildings dating to the 15th and 16th century, some of which are very beautiful.

On the fringe of Zurrieq lies the deserted medieval settlement of Hal-Millieri where a number of chapels dating from the 14th century can be found. One of these, The Chapel of the Annunciation still displays its original medieval frescoes. Not far from Zurrieq can be found some of Malta's most spectacular and dramatic coastline. Set at the end of a rugged valley, the nearby tiny harbour of Weir iz-Zurrieq draws tourists flocking to see The Blue Grotto and other sea-level caves that can be reached by boat from here.

Not many tourists stay in Zurrieq but it does have a number of holiday properties should you choose to do so. It also has some restaurants but for better food, eat at the seaside harbour Weir iz-Zurrieq or nearby Hagar Qim, both of which are better prepared for cooking for visitors.
Dingli Cliff

Dingli Cliff



You may already have done your homework, so the fact that Malta is a small, hilly island slanting south-eastwards may not come as a surprise. Thank goodness for that slant, though, as it means most of the western coast has high cliffs and the panoramic views that go with them.

Dingli Cliffs, the sheerest and undoubtedly the most popular, are a must for people intent on walking, jogging and abseiling. They offer other opportunities, like the less hectic pastime of discovering and cataloguing wild flowers, butterflies and even snails, at least those that have not already been plucked away for tomorrow’s traditional Maltese dish of aljoli or stuffat.

The cliffs are named after the nearby village of Had Dingli where it is no cliché to say time has stubbornly stood still. A walkabout in the whole area will also be rewarding in the sense that you are just half an hour away from the town of Rabat, with its public gardens, early-Christian catacombs and Roman remains, and the old Capital, Mdina, the Silent City.

Nature-lovers may find more time for the Island’s largest wooded area, between Dingli Cliffs and Rabat, known as Buskett, originally a hunting ground for the Knights who had also made it a point to let loose a number of exotic animals they could eventually hunt amongst the trees. Have no fear, the animals are long gone, but this beautiful green spot offers peace and serenity as well as some lovely surprises like natural springs, orange groves, castles - one of them with its resident ghost - and grandmasters’ lodges.

Back up on the edge of Dingli Cliffs, one can watch the farmers extracting fruit from impossible earth as the lone isle of Filfa, a bird sanctuary, shows up almost clumsily across the horizon, a mere five kilometres off the coast.

You will need to do a bit of walking if you are heading to Dingli Cliffs by bus as the route stops in the town of Dingli and you will have to get to the cliffs themselves by foot. Then again, you shouldn’t let that stop you taking in this magnificent sight. The bus you are looking for is the number 81.
Comino

Comino


The tiny island of Comino, only 2km by 1.7km, is wedged between Malta and Gozo. From the sea, it looks like nothing more than a rocky outcrop but the plateaux harbours enough flora and fauna to earn it the status of a nature reserve and a bird sanctuary. The best time to visit is in the spring when the flora is blooming and it's teaming with animal life.

Little is known about Comino's history before 13th century when it became a parish centred at the little Chapel of Our Lady's Return from Egypt. Remarkably, this tiny church is still standing and, with St Mary's Tower built by the Knights of Malta in 1618, makes up the only two man-made structures on the island. Erecting St Mary's Tower fortified the island and swept away the bands of pirates using the island's many caves and inlets to hideout and wait for unsuspecting ships to pass between Malta and Gozo.

Few visitors come to Comino for its history however. During the high season, boatloads of bikini-clad tourists invade the island to take advantage of its hide-away beaches and clear water. The archipelago's main holiday attraction, the Blue Lagoon is a sheltered cove on the western side of the island, sandwiched on the other side by the tiny uninhabited islet Cominotto. One of the most photogenic natural attractions in the Mediterranean; the perfect white sand and still turquoise water is desert-islandesque, only the throngs of tourists detract slightly from this image.

There is only one hotel on Comino, open from April to October. The hotel is situated at San Niklaw Bay, the pick-up and drop-off point for visitors from Malta and Gozo, and a convenient stroll away from the Blue Lagoon. This four star place has a surprising number of bright, simple rooms and good facilities including a private beach and tennis courts. In fact, the hotel owns virtually all the facilities on the island and its not too keen to share with non-residents, reflected in the fairly stiff price day-trippers must pay to use them.
The Blue Grotto

The Blue Grotto


The Blue Grotto, known as Il-Hnejja (meaning 'The Arch') in Maltese, was given its English name by a British soldier who thought it similar enough to Grotta Azzuzza (The Blue grotto) in Capri to deserve the same name. A trip to the Blue Grotto is high on the list of most people's itineraries, and with good reason. Located near Zurrieq in southwest Malta, an area famous for its rocky coastline, the natural sea caves are very appealing.

The boats leave from between 9am and 5pm, weather permitting, from the tiny harbour of Weid iz-Zurrieq and cruise for about 30 minutes before reaching the caves. The water on the west of the island can be quite rough but the captains are adept at handling the boats in choppy seas. During the winter months however, when the weather and water is more unpredictable, less boats run and they are very weather dependent.

All the boats travelling to The Blue Grotto enter under an immense arch into a 140ft high cave cut into the rock face. The system consists of six caves carved by years of relentless pounding by the sea, of which the Blue Grotto is the largest and most impressive. The water seems an impossible cobalt colour as the sky reflects off the white sand bottom. The caves sparkle both with blue reflections of the sea and orange, purple and green of the various minerals present in the rocks.

The Blue Grotto gets almost unbearably busy at various times during the day in the high season so pick your visit carefully. To see the caves at their best, come early in the morning when the water is calmest and the crowds not yet arrived. As they face the rising sun, get there before the sun gets too high in the sky and you'll really see them dazzle with colour. By the end of a busy day the waters can reflect more engine oil than colourful minerals thanks to the volume of boats passing through.

If the sea is too choppy for the boat trip or you're pushed for time, you can still get a decent though less impressive view of the caves from a viewing platform on the side road winding from the harbour to join the main road.
Mdina by Day

Mdina by Day



Time travel, as we are all too well aware, remains the stuff of science fiction. One day, maybe, but not for now. Sadly that means we will never be able to flick a switch and appear in the middle of a medieval joust armed with a six pack and digital camera. However, in Malta we do have one of the closest things you will ever find to time travel – the ancient city of Mdina.

From the second you step through its imposing gates it will truly feel like you have turned back the clock several hundred years. The narrow streets, fascinating architecture and overall ambience of this stunning place make it one of Malta’s most visited sites.

As you walk in, try to block out the image of the tourists clicking their way down the cobbled lanes and, instead, imagine knights in armour marching up and down looking important and generally acting as if they owned the place – which they pretty much did. And, to top it all off, if you walk to the end of the city – not that far, so non-walkers need not panic – you will be rewarded with the most magnificent view of the island imaginable.

For the more cultural amongst you there are plenty of attractions within the wall of Mdina like numerous musems and historical sites as well as the city’s imposing Cathedral. Getting there is easy whether by car, bus or taxi and there are plenty of officially organised tours which visit the former capital city every day. Visiting Malta without visiting Mdina is not a criminal offence. But it certainly should be.  So go.

Getting to this must-see location is easy with buses leaving regularly throughout the day from Sliema. You need to look for the number 65. Just be careful you don’t miss the last bus back. Alternatively, if you have a car then take a quick look at your map before setting off although, due to its touristic importance, Mdina is very well signposted on all major roads.

 
Top Things to Do in Rabat

Top Things to Do in Rabat

There are plenty of things to do in and around Rabat when you travel to Malta. 5 star luxury in your hotel is one thing, but try to get out to see Rabat if you can and you'll discover why it is one of the most popular places to visit in Malta. Here are a few of the highlights that you should try to experience when you are next in Rabat.




The Roman Museum
The Roman Museum in Rabat is well worth a few hours of your time when you visit during your Malta 5 star holiday. It houses an ancient Roman villa which was excavated in 1881, and the museum was built around it in the 1920s. It contains a range of fascinating artefacts such as tombstones, flourmills, masks, lamps, ornaments and sculptures. But perhaps the reason that most people visit is to take a look at the incredible mosaics, which are truly impressive. The artefacts date all the way back to the 3rd century BC, and there are also marble statues on display. It will make a fascinating journey for anyone interested in the history of Malta.


Dingli Cliffs
Dingli Cliffs are located about a kilometre from Dingli, which is a small village half an hour away from Rabat. This makes it an ideal place to visit during your time in Rabat on your Malta 5 star luxury holiday. The cliffs themselves are about 220 metres high, making them the highest point in the whole of Malta. You'll be treated to some beautiful panoramic views, and the area is fantastic for walking around. Of special note is the isolated Chapel of St Mary Magdalene which dates back to the 17th century and is well worth a look. The best way to reach the cliffs is to travel by car from Rabat, but you can also take a bus to Dingli and then walk to the cliffs, which makes for an interesting activity on its own.


St. Paul's Catacombs
These ancient underground cemeteries are named because they are located very near to St. Paul's Church and Grotto. Dating back to the 3rd century AD, you will love walking around these fascinating underground tombs where over 1,000 bodies were buried, as an interesting diversion during your Malta 5 star holiday. There are 2,200 square metres of tombs in all so you will have plenty to explore - and don't miss the murals either.

Buskett Gardens
If you're looking for some peace and quiet on your Malta 5 star luxury break, Buskett Gardens, the only extensively wooded area in Malta, is the place to go. Dominated by the impressive Verdala Palace on a hill overlooking the gardens, which is an official residence of the president, the gardens are located south of Rabat near Dingli. This is a great place for relaxing and walking, and if you can visit in the spring then make sure you do so, as this is the most beautiful time of year. If you are in Malta during June then you should try to visit the gardens on June 29th when the feast of Imnarja is held here. This involves lots of rabbit stew, a traditional dish in the area, as well as plenty of folk music to provide you with a real cultural experience.