Mediterranean island crossroads! Malta archipelago Mediterranean between Sicily North Africa strategic location millennia history Phoenicians Carthaginians Romans Byzantines Arabs Normans Knights of St John Hospitaller Order 1530-1798 stronghold Crusades Napoleon French briefly British colony 1800-1964 independence layers civilizations visible architecture fortifications culture fascinating complexity small islands. Valletta capital UNESCO Baroque entire city fortress Grand Harbor stunning viewpoint Upper Barracca Gardens cannon salute noon daily tradition British legacy panoramic Three Cities Vittoriosa Senglea Cospicua historic across harbor ferry connection, St John Co-Cathedral 1577 Knights built plain facade Mannerist interior Baroque opulent gold gilded carvings ceiling Mattia Preti frescoes floor marble tombstones inlaid 400 knights buried ornate heraldic designs stunning Caravaggio paintings Beheading St John masterpiece dark dramatic chiaroscuro museum adjacent, Grand Master Palace State Rooms Armory Hall massive collection armor weapons knights medieval impressive historical. Mdina Silent City former capital Arab medieval walled hilltop car-free narrow streets Baroque palaces cathedral St Paul shipwrecked Malta 60 AD Christianity introduced apostle grotto cave shrine Rabat adjacent catacombs underground burial early Christians atmospheric tunnels, evening Mdina quiet romantic lanterns restaurants terraces Fontanella Tea Garden famous chocolate cake views sunset panoramic island Mediterranean visible North Africa clear exceptional days Tunisia coast barely. Gozo island ferry 25min Cirkewwa slower pace rural authentic Azure Window collapsed 2017 sadly iconic rock arch filmed Game Thrones Daenerys Khal Drogo wedding scene no longer exists storm destroyed natural erosion tragic loss tourism impact significant, Dwejra inland sea Blue Hole diving snorkeling underwater tunnels caves excellent visibility marine life, Ggantija Temples UNESCO megalithic 3600 BC older Stonehenge Pyramids oldest free-standing structures world Neolithic UNESCO five temples Malta Gozo incredible prehistoric enormous stones engineering mystery ancient civilization Malta Temple Culture matriarchal theory goddess worship fertility archaeological significance worldwide recognized, Victoria Rabat capital Gozo Citadel fortified hilltop cathedral museum panoramic 360 views Gozo island countryside terraced fields pastoral, Xlendi fishing village cliff bay swimming restaurants seafood fresh. Blue Lagoon Comino tiny island between Malta Gozo turquoise waters crystal clear shallow white sand beach Caribbean-like Mediterranean paradise summer crowded tourists day trip boats ferry from Malta Gozo snorkeling swimming relaxing sunbathing stunning blue colors vivid unreal beautiful photos Instagram famous must-visit Malta highlight. Hypogeum Hal Saflieni UNESCO underground Neolithic temple burial site 4000 BC three levels carved rock 7000 human remains discovered acoustic properties Oracle Room voice resonates frequency healing theories mysterious atmospheric guided tours limited numbers advance booking essential months ahead sold out quickly preservation restricted humidity breath visitors damage conservation strict timed entry UNESCO World Heritage incredible prehistoric unique worldwide. Marsaxlokk fishing village traditional colorful boats luzzu painted eyes Phoenician tradition protection Osiris Eye of Horus symbol ward evil spirits superstition fishermen Maltese culture preserved Sunday fish market fresh catch seafood restaurants authentic local Maltese lifestyle tourism balanced. Maltese language Semitic Arabic origin closest living Arabic dialect unique European Union only Semitic official EU language Latin alphabet written Knights period Italian influence vocabulary English widespread British colonial legacy bilingual population tri-lingual including Italian TV media neighboring Sicily Sicilian influence. Maltese cuisine pastizzi ricotta pea filling pastry diamond-shaped flaky savory breakfast snack cheap delicious national food beloved, rabbit fenkata stewed fried traditional Maltese specialty national dish marinated wine garlic herbs slow-cooked tender, ftira Maltese bread flat round pizza-like toppings olives capers tuna tomatoes anchovies traditional, Kinnie bitter orange soft drink acquired taste unique Malta non-alcoholic national beverage beloved locals visitors divided love-hate
Day 1:
Arrive Malta airport, bus X4 Valletta 30min capital, settle hotel within bastions walking old town compact, afternoon walk Baroque streets Republic Street main pedestrian shops cafes Auberges Knights buildings impressive architecture Grand Harbor views stunning, Upper Barracca Gardens panoramic Three Cities opposite saluting battery cannon noon daily tradition British colonial watch crowds gather free, evening Strait Street nightlife bars restaurants traditional Maltese ftira bread pizza toppings pastizzi ricotta pea pastry cheap delicious snack|
Day 2:
Valletta UNESCO full day (morning St John Co-Cathedral 1577 Knights interior Baroque opulent gold incredible plain facade contrast surprising Mattia Preti ceiling frescoes floor marble tombstones 400 knights inlaid heraldic ornate stunning Caravaggio Beheading masterpiece adjacent museum audio guide essential understand history Knights Hospitaller Crusades Rhodes Malta Napoleon surrender 1798 end era, Grand Master Palace State Rooms Armory Hall massive weapons collection medieval impressive when parliament not session check schedule guided tours, afternoon National Museum Archaeology prehistoric temples artifacts Sleeping Lady goddess figure iconic Maltese museums or Casa Rocca Piccola noble family palace lived-in museum guided family member sometimes personal stories fascinating aristocratic life Malta, evening waterfront Vittoriosa ferry Three Cities walk Fort St Angelo Knights stronghold Great Siege 1565 Ottoman defeated crucial European history Christianity Islam clash turning point Malta Knights heroic defense legendary), walk Birgu Vittoriosa narrow streets maritime museum Inquisitor Palace dungeons torture instruments dark history|
Day 3:
Morning bus Mdina Rabat (30min west, Silent City medieval walled car-free narrow Baroque palaces cathedral St Paul shipwrecked 60 AD apostle Christianity Malta grotto shrine catacombs underground Rabat early Christian burial atmospheric tunnels, walk Mdina main gate bastions panoramic views Malta island Mediterranean stunning Fontanella Tea Garden chocolate cake famous enormous delicious terrace views sunset golden hour magical), afternoon optional Dingli Cliffs highest point Malta 253m coastal views dramatic walks rural countryside terraced fields pastoral authentic quiet or return Valletta evening|
Day 4:
Morning Hypogeum Hal Saflieni if booked months advance UNESCO underground temple 4000 BC Neolithic three levels rock carved 7000 remains burial site Oracle Room acoustic properties mysterious atmospheric 45min timed tour limited numbers strict preservation humidity restricted incredible prehistoric unique (or alternative Tarxien Temples megalithic complex UNESCO above ground free accessible alternative if Hypogeum unavailable sold out common), afternoon Marsaxlokk fishing village (bus 30min southeast, traditional luzzu boats colorful eyes painted Phoenician protection Osiris ward evil Sunday fish market fresh catch seafood restaurants authentic grilled lampuki dolphin fish amberjack local specialties octopus aljotta fish soup Maltese traditional lunch harbourside), evening return Valletta or Sliema nightlife shopping modern Malta contrast medieval Valletta|
Day 5:
Ferry Gozo Cirkewwa northern Malta 25min Mgarr harbor Gozo (frequent ferries tickets bought onboard easy, bus/rent car Gozo explore efficiently rural slower pace authentic, morning Ggantija Temples Xaghra UNESCO megalithic 3600 BC older Stonehenge Pyramids oldest free-standing structures world enormous stones engineering mystery prehistoric Malta Temple Culture incredible archaeological significance explained museum context essential visit fascinating, Victoria Rabat Gozo capital Citadel fortified hilltop cathedral museum 360 panoramic views Gozo island terraced countryside pastoral small charming walk narrow streets, afternoon Dwejra Azure Window gone collapsed 2017 sad iconic loss Game Thrones filmed wedding Daenerys inland sea Blue Hole remaining diving snorkeling excellent marine life underwater caves tunnels visibility clear, Xlendi fishing village bay swimming sunset cliffs restaurants seafood fresh grilled catch), overnight Gozo farmhouse Victoria hotel or return Malta evening ferry|
Day 6:
Morning Comino Blue Lagoon boat trip (Malta or Gozo departure various operators, tiny island between turquoise crystal clear Caribbean Mediterranean stunning blue lagoon shallow white sand summer crowded arrive early 9am best avoid peak midday hordes tourists snorkeling swimming sunbathing relaxing paradise photos Instagram famous unreal blue colors vivid beautiful highlight Malta must-see spectacular, optional caves St Mary Tower walk island small 2 hours sufficient explore), return afternoon Malta|
Day 7:
Morning leisure Valletta shopping souvenirs Maltese lace filigree silver Knights memorabilia Republic Street markets or Sliema Tigne Point modern malls shopping contrast or Three Cities walk fortifications quiet authentic alternative tourists fewer locals more, departure airport afternoon end Malta Knights temples Blue Lagoon Mediterranean history layers civilizations complex fascinating small islands packed incredible UNESCO sites prehistoric medieval Baroque British colonial unique culture language Semitic EU only official Maltese identity strong