Ian’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Fortress in Marsaskala
This small 17th-century fortress lies at the northern point of St Thomas Bay. The Knights of St John built it after a Turkish raiding party landed in Marsaskala Bay in 1614 and plundered the nearby village of Żejtun. Surrounded by the rocky beaches and the abandoned Jerma Palace Hotel, the tower is in need of restoration and the interior can't be accessed.
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
St. Thomas Tower
TorriFortress in Marsaskala
This small 17th-century fortress lies at the northern point of St Thomas Bay. The Knights of St John built it after a Turkish raiding party landed in Marsaskala Bay in 1614 and plundered the nearby village of Żejtun. Surrounded by the rocky beaches and the abandoned Jerma Palace Hotel, the tower is in need of restoration and the interior can't be accessed.
Zurrieq is the largest village in the southern area of the Maltese islands, and probably one of the oldest hosting one of the original medieval Parish Churches. Most of the village survives from way back in the time before the arrival of the Knights and provides an insight into pre-baroque Malta. The village is near some spectacular coastline - the picturesque, tiny harbour of Wied iz-Zurrieq at the end of a rugged valley. From the harbour, you can take a short boat trip to the Blue Grotto, a series of natural, sea-level caves, and a local beauty spot. From here you have a beautiful direct view point of the Island of Filfla. Zurrieq and the surrounding area are rich in archaeological and historic sites, including several ancient chapels, a Roman tower, Punic tombs and a strange, free-standing room with an Egyptian cornice - possibly part of a temple of Melqart mentioned by Ptolemy, the 2nd century Greek geographer and astronomer. The chapels at Hal-Millieri, on the fringes of Zurrieq, were built between the 14th and 16th centuries; in one you can still see the original medieval frescoes. Like most other villages the locals take much pride in organizing the Village Festa which is usually held on July 16 and on 3rd September.
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Zurrieq Valley Sea Inlet
Zurrieq is the largest village in the southern area of the Maltese islands, and probably one of the oldest hosting one of the original medieval Parish Churches. Most of the village survives from way back in the time before the arrival of the Knights and provides an insight into pre-baroque Malta. The village is near some spectacular coastline - the picturesque, tiny harbour of Wied iz-Zurrieq at the end of a rugged valley. From the harbour, you can take a short boat trip to the Blue Grotto, a series of natural, sea-level caves, and a local beauty spot. From here you have a beautiful direct view point of the Island of Filfla. Zurrieq and the surrounding area are rich in archaeological and historic sites, including several ancient chapels, a Roman tower, Punic tombs and a strange, free-standing room with an Egyptian cornice - possibly part of a temple of Melqart mentioned by Ptolemy, the 2nd century Greek geographer and astronomer. The chapels at Hal-Millieri, on the fringes of Zurrieq, were built between the 14th and 16th centuries; in one you can still see the original medieval frescoes. Like most other villages the locals take much pride in organizing the Village Festa which is usually held on July 16 and on 3rd September.
Valletta is Malta's Lilliputian capital, built by the Knights of St John on a peninsula that's only 1km by 600m. Its founder decreed that it should be 'a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen', and it retains its 16th-century elegance. It may be small, but it's packed full of sights; when Unesco named Valletta a World Heritage site, it described it as 'one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world'.
The Renzo Piano–designed City Gate, Parliament Building and Opera House have changed the cityscape and galvanized it into life. These sights, along with Valletta's status as European Capital of Culture for 2018, have seen the city reborn, with new museums, restored golden-stone fortresses, and new hotels, bars and restaurants in 16th-century mansions. Valletta's outskirts are also worth a visit. Take the beautiful ferry trip to the Three Cities or visit the astounding prehistoric Hal Saflieni Hypogeum.
594 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Valletta
Valletta is Malta's Lilliputian capital, built by the Knights of St John on a peninsula that's only 1km by 600m. Its founder decreed that it should be 'a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen', and it retains its 16th-century elegance. It may be small, but it's packed full of sights; when Unesco named Valletta a World Heritage site, it described it as 'one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world'.
The Renzo Piano–designed City Gate, Parliament Building and Opera House have changed the cityscape and galvanized it into life. These sights, along with Valletta's status as European Capital of Culture for 2018, have seen the city reborn, with new museums, restored golden-stone fortresses, and new hotels, bars and restaurants in 16th-century mansions. Valletta's outskirts are also worth a visit. Take the beautiful ferry trip to the Three Cities or visit the astounding prehistoric Hal Saflieni Hypogeum.
The mysterious golden-stone Arabic walled city of Mdina crowns a hilltop, and is a world apart from modern Malta. Its hidden lanes offer exquisite architectural detail and respite from the day-tripping crowds, who largely stick to the main street. Today, with its massive walls and peaceful, shady streets, it is often referred to as the Silent City, a nickname that becomes appropriate after dark.
Throughout the year, the Mdina area hosts excellent festivals and events ranging from food and art through to classic cars.
472 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Mdina
The mysterious golden-stone Arabic walled city of Mdina crowns a hilltop, and is a world apart from modern Malta. Its hidden lanes offer exquisite architectural detail and respite from the day-tripping crowds, who largely stick to the main street. Today, with its massive walls and peaceful, shady streets, it is often referred to as the Silent City, a nickname that becomes appropriate after dark.
Throughout the year, the Mdina area hosts excellent festivals and events ranging from food and art through to classic cars.
Gozo, called Għawdex (aow-desh) in Malti, is a gloriously pretty island, with what the 19th-century nonsense poet Edward Lear called a 'pomskizillious and gromphibberous' landscape. He coined the words to describe the island's fairy-tale hillocks topped by enormous churches, its hidden, glittering coves, and its sculptured coastal cliffs.
Gozo moves at a much slower pace than its bigger, busier neighbour. Although it is more than one-third the size of Malta, it has less than one-tenth of the population – only about 30,000 Gozitans live here (and they are Gozitans first, Maltese second). This is a lovely place to kick back, with sandy beaches, rocky coves, excellent scuba diving and snorkelling, plus history in the form of megalithic temples and medieval citadels.
For foodies, there's the appeal of vineyard visits and great oceanfront dining on fresh seafood, and just a short boat ride away is the glorious Blue Lagoon on tiny Comino.
240 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Gozo
Gozo, called Għawdex (aow-desh) in Malti, is a gloriously pretty island, with what the 19th-century nonsense poet Edward Lear called a 'pomskizillious and gromphibberous' landscape. He coined the words to describe the island's fairy-tale hillocks topped by enormous churches, its hidden, glittering coves, and its sculptured coastal cliffs.
Gozo moves at a much slower pace than its bigger, busier neighbour. Although it is more than one-third the size of Malta, it has less than one-tenth of the population – only about 30,000 Gozitans live here (and they are Gozitans first, Maltese second). This is a lovely place to kick back, with sandy beaches, rocky coves, excellent scuba diving and snorkelling, plus history in the form of megalithic temples and medieval citadels.
For foodies, there's the appeal of vineyard visits and great oceanfront dining on fresh seafood, and just a short boat ride away is the glorious Blue Lagoon on tiny Comino.
Beaches
St. Thomas Bay is a large bay in the South of Malta, mostly popular with the locals and with windsurfers. St. Thomas Bay, known as ‘Ir-Ramla’ to the locals, is a large bay with smaller sandy banks and is located in the south of Malta, in the village of Marsascala. Marsascala is continuously being developed and is already a popular seaside resort for the locals who come to their summerhouses in the area during the summer months. St. Thomas Bay is popular because it is quiet and peaceful, and offers variety of small and shallow sandy beaches, flat rocks and concrete platforms all next to each other perfect for bathing. St. Thomas Bay is situated around 1 km (10 minute walk) from the centre of Marsascala.
St. Thomas Bay - Sandy beach
St. Thomas Bay is a large bay in the South of Malta, mostly popular with the locals and with windsurfers. St. Thomas Bay, known as ‘Ir-Ramla’ to the locals, is a large bay with smaller sandy banks and is located in the south of Malta, in the village of Marsascala. Marsascala is continuously being developed and is already a popular seaside resort for the locals who come to their summerhouses in the area during the summer months. St. Thomas Bay is popular because it is quiet and peaceful, and offers variety of small and shallow sandy beaches, flat rocks and concrete platforms all next to each other perfect for bathing. St. Thomas Bay is situated around 1 km (10 minute walk) from the centre of Marsascala.
Comino
Spend a day over on Comino and enjoy the pristine blue seas
Food scene
Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours all mingle on Bongo Nyah's eclectic menu. A quirky cocktail list, Gozo's Lord Chambray craft beers on tap, and regular music and comedy events conspire to make the bar-eatery one of southern Malta's most fun places to relax. The shared Ottoman, Mumbai and Al-Magħreb platters travel from North Africa to India via Istanbul.
19 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Bongo Nyah
Triq Tal GardielAsian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours all mingle on Bongo Nyah's eclectic menu. A quirky cocktail list, Gozo's Lord Chambray craft beers on tap, and regular music and comedy events conspire to make the bar-eatery one of southern Malta's most fun places to relax. The shared Ottoman, Mumbai and Al-Magħreb platters travel from North Africa to India via Istanbul.
A local favourite, with a huge menu and daily specials, at the heart of which are fresh seafood and classic Maltese cuisine. There's a set menu of four courses (€30), which should set you back most of the afternoon. Bookings recommended for evenings and weekend lunches.
34 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Tal-Familja Restaurant
Triq Tal GardielA local favourite, with a huge menu and daily specials, at the heart of which are fresh seafood and classic Maltese cuisine. There's a set menu of four courses (€30), which should set you back most of the afternoon. Bookings recommended for evenings and weekend lunches.
The ancient fishing village of Marsaxlokk (marsa-shlock; from marsa sirocco, meaning 'southeasterly harbour') at the head of Marsaxlokk Bay resolutely remains a slice of real Maltese life, despite the encroachment of industry and the descent of hundreds of tourists every Sunday for its weekly fish and souvenir market.
Old low-rise houses ring the waterfront, and a photogenic fleet of brightly coloured luzzu (fishing boats) dance in the harbour attended by their weatherworn owners. The town is home to around 70% of the Maltese fishing fleet, and is renowned for its top-notch seafood restaurants, making it a magnet for long-lunching locals and busloads of day-trippers.
It makes for a relaxed base once the Sunday hordes have left. If you're after nightlife into the wee small hours, you'll be disappointed. But if you're looking to chill out (and regularly tuck into all manner of fishy morsels), you'll be happy.
62 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Marsaxlokk Open Market
79 Xatt is-SajjiedaThe ancient fishing village of Marsaxlokk (marsa-shlock; from marsa sirocco, meaning 'southeasterly harbour') at the head of Marsaxlokk Bay resolutely remains a slice of real Maltese life, despite the encroachment of industry and the descent of hundreds of tourists every Sunday for its weekly fish and souvenir market.
Old low-rise houses ring the waterfront, and a photogenic fleet of brightly coloured luzzu (fishing boats) dance in the harbour attended by their weatherworn owners. The town is home to around 70% of the Maltese fishing fleet, and is renowned for its top-notch seafood restaurants, making it a magnet for long-lunching locals and busloads of day-trippers.
It makes for a relaxed base once the Sunday hordes have left. If you're after nightlife into the wee small hours, you'll be disappointed. But if you're looking to chill out (and regularly tuck into all manner of fishy morsels), you'll be happy.