The island of Gozo and the most beautiful sights of Malta in 4 days - The report of a magical trip
We arrived in Malta on the night of March 30 with our Ryanair flight. After the tiring journey, we were happy to get out into the warm spring air. Our accommodation was 9 km from the airport in the Gzira district, so we got there quickly. You can view our accommodation by clicking here. For the best offers in Trivágó, enter: Azur Hotel by ST Hotels in the search engine
We bought the Tallinna Card at the airport, which gave us unlimited use of public transport for 7 days. It cost 25 euros, but it paid for itself on the first day. You can find more information here.
First day:
The next day, full of energy, we set off to explore the island. First, we visited the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra churches.
The Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples in Malta are UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are fascinating reminders of the ancient history of the archipelago on the eastern Mediterranean. Built between 3800 and 3200 BC, the temples are masterpieces of megalithic architecture, built of huge blocks of stone that were lifted into place by human hands.
Hagar Qim Temple is the oldest of the two and is located on the highest point of the island. The impressive entrance to the temple consists of two massive stone blocks topped by a horizontal stone block. Inside the church are five apses, each housing a separate sanctuary. The walls of the temple have many carved decorations depicting geometric patterns and stylized animals.
The Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples are must-sees when visiting Malta. These impressive structures offer an insight into the island’s ancient history and culture.
After marveling at the ancient charm of the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples, we returned to Valletta, the capital of Malta. Passing through the city walls, we soon found ourselves in the bustling city center of the capital.
Walking on Republic Street:
Our walk began on the main street, Republic Street. This busy street is full of shops, cafes and restaurants. We enjoyed the local atmosphere and popped into a cafe to have a delicious coffee.
A beautiful view of Barrakka Gardens:
Afterwards, we headed to Barrakka Gardens, which offers a stunning view of the Grand Harbor and the Three Cities (Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua). In the garden, we enjoyed the blooming vegetation and watched the ships as they sailed in the harbor.
The impressive interior of St. John’s Cathedral:
After Barrakka Gardens, we visited St. John’s Cathedral. This baroque cathedral is one of the most impressive buildings in Malta. Inside, we were impressed by the ornate furnishings, the glittering gilding and the frescoes painted by the master Caravaggio.
During our walk in Valletta, we also visited many other sights, such as the Grand Master’s Palace, St. Paul’s Church of the Shipwreck and Triton Fountain. The city impressed us at every turn with its historic charm, bubbly atmosphere and beautiful buildings.
The second day:
Popeye Village: Fun and adventure beyond the screen
On our second day, we went to the town of Mellieħa to visit Popeye Village, the village featured in the legendary movie Popeye the Sailor Man. The village captivated us from afar with its bright colors, strange buildings and fun atmosphere.
As we entered the village, we felt as if we had stepped into a cartoon. Colorful houses, strange statues and fun decorations everywhere evoked the adventures of Popeye. We walked the cobbled streets, peeked into Popeye’s hut.
There were many programs waiting for the visitors in the village. We had the opportunity to pose with Popeye in front of the camera, sail in the Spinnach boat and see the Popeye Show. The water park was particularly exciting for the children, where they could slide down slides and splash in the pool.
Popeye Village was the perfect place to spend a morning relaxing. The cheerful atmosphere of the village and the fun programs are guaranteed to cheer up children and adults alike.
The Malta National Aquarium was a great place to learn about the marine life of the Mediterranean. There was a lot to see in the aquariums, and the programs were exciting and informative.
We then returned to the Silema region, where we went down to the beach. Due to Easter Monday, the traditional sprinkling was not left behind. In accordance with the situation, with sea water 🙂 The water was still particularly cold, so it was really refreshing.
Third day:
Mdina: A trip to the past in Malta
On our third day, we set off to explore the city of Mdina, the former capital of Malta. This historic town is located in the interior of the island and completely enchanted us with its medieval atmosphere. We booked the program through Get Your Guide, so an experienced tour guide accompanied us during the city tour.
As we entered the walls of Mdina, we felt as if we had fallen into a time capsule. The narrow, stone-built streets, medieval buildings and cozy squares took us back to the past. The guide told us about the rich history of Mdina, the reign of the Crusaders, the siege of the city and the victory against the Turks.
We walked in the Villaguardin Gardens, which offer a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. We visited St. Paul’s Cathedral, which is one of the most famous buildings in Mdina.
We also climbed the city walls, from which we had a stunning panoramic view of the city of Mdina and the surrounding landscape. We saw the highest point of the island, the Dingli cliffs, and in the distance the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Discovering Mdina was a real time travel. The historical atmosphere of the city, the narrow streets and the impressive buildings made a deep impression on us.
Fourth day:
On the fourth day we decided to leave the mainland and take a private boat to explore the island of Gozo. We booked a program through Get Your Guide, so an experienced boat captain and a professional jeep tour guide accompanied us in exploring the island.
We boarded the boat first and enjoyed the scenery as we made our way to the island. The sea was crystal clear, the sun was shining and the air was fresh.
First, we sailed to the Blue Lagoon, where we enjoyed the turquoise water and the rocky coastline. The water of the lagoon was crystal clear and glistened in the sun. Then we headed to the Kristály Lagoon, where we once again enjoyed the fabulous scenery.
After the boat trip, we docked and boarded a jeep. Our tour guide told us about the island’s geography, flora and fauna, and local traditions. We drove our jeep through the most beautiful landscapes of the island and visited many fascinating sights.
Dahlet Qorrot valley: We first headed to the Dahlet Qorrot valley. In the rocky valley, we admired the ancient caves carved into the rocks, the traditional Maltese houses and the lush vegetation. Our tour guide told us the legend of the valley, according to which a giant once lived here who could move rocks.
Nadur village: Next, we visited the village of Nadur, where we could admire the colorful houses, the cozy streets and the peaceful atmosphere of the village. In the village church, we rested for a moment and prayed for the inhabitants of the island.
Ramla Valley: Ramla Valley dazzled us with its stunning sandy beach and crystal clear water. Our tour guide told us that the beach was also liked by the Romans and that they built their bathing place here. During the walk in the valley, we could also observe the local flora and fauna.
Calypso Cave: We flew back in time by venturing into the Calypso Cave. The cave is also mentioned in Homer’s epic Odyssey as the abode of the nymph Calypso. From the cave there was a wonderful view of the sea and the surrounding landscape.
Ggantija Temples: The Ggantija Temples are the oldest open-air structures in Malta and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples built from huge stone blocks offer a fascinating insight into the ancient history of the island. Our tour guide told us the mystery of the construction of the churches and also talked about the beliefs of the Maltese aborigines.
Citadel: Victoria, the capital of the island of Gozo, stands proudly on top of a hill. The Citadel, the city’s fortress, dazzled us with its impressive architecture and history. Walking in the citadel, we discovered the narrow streets, cozy cafes and impressive viewpoints.
Dwejra Bay: Dwejra Bay is one of the most famous attractions on the island of Gozo. Here is the Dwejra Window, a huge rock arch that juts out into the sea. The rock arch unfortunately collapsed in 2017, but the place is still impressive. Our tour guide told us the legend of the rock arch and we were able to observe the sea birds and waves during the walk in Dwejra Bay.
Mġarr ix-Xini Quarry: The Mġarr ix-Xini Quarry is a fascinating place where we could observe how the locals have mined stone for centuries. In the quarry, we could admire the huge stone walls and the tools of the miners. Our tour guide told us the history of the quarry and the importance of local quarrying.
The four days we spent in Malta were full of fascinating adventures. Malta is a beautiful country full of history, culture and stunning landscapes.
The islands of Malta had a fascinating adventure in store for us. We saw and learned a lot during the four days, and we are sure that this country has many more surprises in store for the future. We left Malta full of wonderful memories and can’t wait to return!
