Day 1: Arrival in Malta, Airport Pick-up
Welcome to the beautiful Mediterranean country of Malta! Our driver will warmly pick you up at Malta International Airport and send you to the hotel in St. Julian’s in 20 minutes. After check-in, the rest of the day is for you to freely schedule your own activities. You can have a good rest in the hotel room or wander around the surroundings.
► Recommended Restaurant for Dinner (at your own expense)
The Avenue Restaurant (Vjal Portomaso, St. Julian’s) serves authentic Mediterranean food, as well as a variety of pasta and pizza. If you want to try some Maltese specialties, rabbit stew could be the top pick. The restaurant is a 5-minue walk from your hotel, and the cost per person is about EUR 20 (USD 23). After dinner, you could take a stroll along the promenade and soak up the serene atmosphere of St. Julian’s in the smell of sea.
► SIM Card
If you need to purchase a SIM card, avoid buying it at the airport as it is probably overpriced. Cards with suitable prepaid packages can be easily found in mobile provider stores or convenience stores in Malta. Packages that are popular among tourists are: EUR 9.99 (USD 12) with 8GB of data valid for 28 days from Epic Malta, and EUR 9.99 (USD 12) with 10GB of data valid for 30 days from GO Malta.
► Best Time to Visit Malta
The best season is from June to August, during which the weather is pleasant and the sea is relatively warm and calm, perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing. However, it might be crowded as well. The shoulder seasons are April to May and September to October. During these months, the average temperature is approximately 25°C (77°F) with milder climate. In addition, festivals such as the Malta Fireworks Festival are held in late April or early May, and you can indulge in the delightful atmosphere.
Accommodation: Mercure St. Julian’s Malta (4 stars) or similar
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Day 2: Upper Barraka Gardens & St. John’s Co-Cathedral; Boat Ride through Blue Grotto; Mdina Exploration
After having breakfast, your private guide will pick you up from your hotel to start today’s Valletta highlight tour. Our first stop is Upper Barraka Gardens, which was built in 1661, soon after The Order of St. John established the city of Valletta. It once provided a space for relaxation and exercise for the knights. Statues and monuments are scattered in the garden area, from which you could get knowledge of some historical figures and events of Malta. Standing at the city’s highest point, the garden offers the best views of the Grand Harbor and the Three Cities. Next, we’ll walk to one of Valletta’s most popular attractions, St. John’s Co-Cathedral. As you approach this magnificent building, its smooth limestone walls, fortress-like façade and ancient carvings could momentarily take you back to the 16th century. And when you step inside, resplendent golden decorations and overwhelming gorgeous paintings could let you get lost in the sea of Baroque art. Among all the precious old paintings on the walls and vault, “The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist” by the revolutionary Baroque artist Caravaggio (1571-1610) is the most renowned one. Built between 1573 and 1578, the cathedral is also the final resting place of many revered knights. The floor of the nave is made up of over 400 colored marble tombstones, each of which is to commemorate a great knight of the Order who fought bravely for Valletta. Then, we’ll spend some time at Malta 5D, a modern cinema located in the heart of Valletta, where you’ll further learn about Malta’s brilliant history through an audio-visual feast. If your first impression of Malta is nothing more than a beautiful small Mediterranean island, this stunning experience could offer you a clearer understanding of local history from the prehistoric times to World War II, especially all the splendor of the Order of St. John.
After that, let’s head to the Blue Grotto to indulge in the natural beauty. The maze of sea caves are formed by the erosion of water. You could even admire one of Malta’s most intriguing natural wonders from the rugged cliffs - a 30-meter-high (100 ft.) colossal arch. Be fascinated by the incomparable color contrast of the white limestone and the azure sea. Explore the intoxicating views through the caves by a small boat and admire the wonderful textures of the cave walls.
Thereafter, we’ll continue our journey through the picturesque Girgenti Valley with a long history of farming. The mild Mediterranean climate and fertile soil make the land lush and green all year round. Some of the trees were even planted by knights in the 16th century. Go along the winding paths and prehistoric ruts through the woods and the ancient Roman quarries, and enjoy the rural scenery and the citrus and lemon orchards. Just let the driver make a stop if you want to take photos or enjoy a light hike.
The last stop today will be the medieval city of Mdina, also the capital city before Valletta. As one of the oldest human settlements on Malta Island, it was home to the Phoenicians as early as 1000 BC. Time seems to slow in Mdina. If it weren’t the cars on the street and tourists passing through, you might feel like being in a kingdom in the late Middle Ages. Old-fashioned street lamps, colorful wood doors and characterful door knockers decorate the historic buildings. Admire the old baroque cathedrals and the magnificent Bastion walls. Finally, you’ll be sent back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure St. Julian’s Malta (4 stars) or similar
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Day 3: Ferry to Comino Island & Gozo Island; Gozo Jeep Tour with Dwejra Bay, Xlendi Bay & Victoria City
This morning, you’ll be transferred to board the ferry to Gozo Island. On the way, we’ll stop at Comino Island, the third largest island of Malta, and see the best-known attraction on the island - Blue Lagoon. It boasts the bluest sea of Malta, if not the Mediterranean, connecting with the Crystal Lagoon in the south. We’ll also explore the hidden caves on Comino Island, which are popular spots for snorkeling and diving.
Upon arrival on Gozo Island, let’s hop on a jeep and start an island tour, during which you could enjoy the most breathtaking scenery and splendid cultural heritage of Gozo Island. From the viewing point of Qala Belvedere, you can see the Gozo coastline as well as Calypso’s Cave and the beautiful Ramla Bay, and overlook the boundless Mediterranean Sea. Admire the only inland sea of Gozo and the Blue Hole at Dwejra Bay, seeing Fungus Rock which gets its name for the abundant Maltese fungus known for the medicinal value growing on it. Xlendi Bay and Sannap Cliffs are embraced by steep limestone formations. Find your inner peace amid the crashing of waves and the distant sound of seabirds at the clifftop. If weather permits, you may experience swimming or snorkeling at Mgarrix-sini or Hondoq Bay. We’ll also visit Marsalforn, a bustling and vibrant town located on the northern coastline of Gozo Island. Relax yourself in the laid-back vibe of Marsalforn Bay and Marsalforn Beach, enjoying the sea view or savoring local food. Ghasri Valley is a hidden treasure on Gozo Island, not far away from the limestone quarries and salt pans. It’s twisting and narrow, captivating for its purest turquoise water of Malta.
While enjoying the natural scenery, we won’t miss the precious heritage on this small island. Witness Kercem Heights, which has a human habitation history of over 7,000 years. Ancient ruins of Roman Baths and Christian cemetery are evidence of human activities. Besides, let’s delve into the medieval atmosphere of Victoria City, the largest city on Gozo which houses a number of old alleys and buildings, similar to Mdina. The Citadel, overlooking the entire city and the surrounding sea, is the most striking structure in Victoria, with several historic churches and museums inside. At the end of the day, we’ll take a speedboat back and then you’ll be escorted back to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mercure St. Julian’s Malta (4 stars) or similar
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Day 4: Departure from Malta, Airport See-off
This is the last day of your Malta diving tour. We’ll offer you the private airport transfer service according to your flight time. Wish you’ve had a great time. Have a pleasant trip home!
► If you intend to stay in Valletta for a few more days to wander along the Old Mint Street or unwind at the seaside, please tell us to extend your stay. And if you want to discover more hidden gems of the Mediterranean Sea, our travel consultants are ready to make a personalized itinerary for you.
Meals: Breakfast
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