Upper Barrakka Gardens

Garden terrace above the Grand Harbour overlooking the Three Cities’ fortifications.

The gardens sit beside sixteenth-century fortifications. A modern lift designed by AP Valletta in 2009–2013 restored the harbour link to the upper city on the former lift site.

Reveal the fortified capital’s terrain and the towns across the harbour.

The walk uses the upper public terrace. The battery below and the lift are separate services: check tickets, operation and events. Do not confuse these with Lower Barrakka Gardens.

St John’s Co-Cathedral

An austere Knights’ façade conceals a richly decorated church interior.

The Order’s church, designed by Girolamo Cassar, was completed in 1577 and dedicated to John the Baptist. Grand masters’ and knights’ gifts gradually transformed the original interior.

An important centre of Knights’ art and Valletta religious life.

The walk includes the exterior; the interior is ticketed separately. Sightseeing is closed on Sundays and public holidays; changes are announced for 7 and 15 October 2026, so check the operator’s notice. Cover shoulders and knees; stilettos and narrow heels are banned.

Grand Master’s Palace

Palace on St George’s Square with state rooms and an armoury collection.

The expanding Knights’ palace became the British governor’s residence and seat of the first constitutional parliament in 1921. It now houses the Office of Malta’s President.

Illustrates changing island governments and the Order’s arms collection.

The Throne Room is closed until further notice. On 26 October 2026 State Rooms are closed all day, with only the Armoury available; other dates have timed restrictions. Check Heritage Malta and state functions. The walk includes the façade, not an interior tour.

Fort St Elmo

Seaward fort at Valletta’s tip housing the National War Museum.

Built in 1552, the fort resisted the 1565 siege until 23 June. Later expansion incorporated it into the wider defences; in 1940 it was hit during Malta’s first air raid.

Explores harbour and island military history beyond the Knights’ period.

The museum needs a ticket and extra time. Section 4 on World War I is closed until further notice. On In Guardia show days ordinary entry begins at noon; check the calendar. Some upper areas and rooms are reached only by stairs; the walk ends at the exterior approach.

Mdina Main Gate

Baroque entrance to the former fortified capital.

The entrance was rebuilt in the 1720s: the old gate was blocked and a new one built nearby by French military engineer Charles François de Mondion. The façade bears Grand Master Vilhena’s arms.

Introduces Mdina’s Baroque remodelling over its medieval fabric.

Cross the bridge and gate watching for authorised traffic. Parking and ordinary bus stops are outside the walls; ticketed nearby museums are not included in the walk.

St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina

Baroque metropolitan cathedral on Mdina’s main square.

After the 1693 earthquake the old church was replaced by Lorenzo Gafà’s building. The new cathedral was consecrated on 8 October 1703 and its dome completed on 24 October 1705: these are different events.

Connects island Baroque architecture with a living church tradition.

A combined cathedral-and-museum ticket is sold at the nearby museum. The current page closes sightseeing on Sundays and public holidays; do not use the old Sunday schedule. Early wedding closures are announced for 3, 17 and 24 October 2026. The walk includes only the square and façade.

Mdina Bastion Square

Square beside the old town’s northern walls with views across the surrounding island.

Mdina retains the fortified outline of the former capital. The square belongs to its street-and-bastion ensemble; the city walls have repeatedly been strengthened and restored.

Shows Mdina’s elevated position above Malta’s interior.

Remain on the public square and do not sit on the parapet. Cafés and neighbouring houses have their own access rules; narrow streets do not guarantee a fully step-free route.

Ħaġar Qim Temple

Prehistoric stone temple on a coastal ridge.

The sanctuary belongs to Malta’s fourth–third-millennium BC temple culture. Massive stones and complex planning testify to a sophisticated building tradition.

Part of a serial World Heritage property, not a Knights’ fortress.

The archaeological park requires a ticket. Do not touch stones or bypass barriers; the protective shelter is modern. The operator recommends assistance for visitors with reduced mobility.

Mnajdra Temples

Neighbouring stone sanctuary complex downhill from Ħaġar Qim.

The complex shows different prehistoric temple-building phases. Maltese builders used local limestone and arrangements of stone passageways and semicircular chambers.

Allows comparison of several temples rather than treating them as one building.

The path descends from Ħaġar Qim; plan the uphill return separately. The operator states Mnajdra is not accessible to mobility-impaired visitors. Check special sunrise events separately.

Marsaxlokk Fishing Harbour

Working harbour with colourful luzzu boats and a waterfront village.

The south-eastern port has long been associated with fishing. The village grew after World War II and its waterfront became a trading place; an infrastructure regeneration project covers Il-Magħluq.

Offers a view of maritime work beyond tourist restaurants.

Use open public approaches, allowing for works and fishing activity. Do not board boats or enter industrial port areas. Ask about fish origin, portion or weight pricing and seasonal availability; a market does not guarantee the same catch each day.

Blue Grotto — boats from Wied iż-Żurrieq

Coastal caves and arches usually viewed by boat. The map pin is the departure harbour, not a cave reachable on foot.

Trips grew from fishermen’s boat rides in the 1950s; licensing began in 1958 and the Blue Grotto Boat Service group formed in 1968.

Shows the coastal landscape and the transformation of a fishing activity into a visitor service.

The boat trip is a separate paid service, not a walk. The operator does not sail in southern winds and rough seas; check operation in advance. Follow boarding and lifejacket instructions. Do not attempt cliff access to caves; swimming and diving are not included.

Valletta: gardens, cathedral and Knights’ capital

Local one-way walk from Upper Barrakka through central streets to the cathedral square, then along Republic Street to the palace and onwards to the fort’s exterior approach. Use pavements and permitted squares. Churches and museums are viewed from outside; add tickets, queues and tours separately. Transfers to Mdina or the island’s south are not included.

1.8 km · 110 min

1. Upper Barrakka Gardens · 20 min at stop
2. St John’s Co-Cathedral · 15 min at stop
3. Grand Master’s Palace · 15 min at stop
4. Fort St Elmo · 20 min at stop

Mdina: gate to Bastion Square

From the Main Gate through St Publius Square, then along Villegaignon Street towards the cathedral square and public streets to Bastion Square. This is a short walk within the walls, without museum or private-house visits. Give way to residents and authorised vehicles; add the return to the bus separately.

1 km · 80 min

1. Mdina Main Gate · 15 min at stop
2. St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina · 20 min at stop
3. Mdina Bastion Square · 20 min at stop

Ħaġar Qim to Mnajdra on the park path

One-way walk downhill between two ticketed archaeological sites on the official path. It links temples roughly 500 m apart; the estimate includes on-site approaches. Add the uphill return, visitor centre and transport separately. Mnajdra is not step-free; do not bypass barriers if the path is closed. A valid park ticket is required.

0.65 km · 90 min

1. Ħaġar Qim Temple · 25 min at stop
2. Mnajdra Temples · 35 min at stop

Pastizzi

Flaky pastries with ricotta or a pea filling, a familiar Maltese snack.

Ask about both filling and pastry ingredients: peas do not guarantee absence of animal fat or allergens. Fillings can be very hot.

Maltese bread ftira

Flattened sourdough bread; its bread-making tradition was inscribed by UNESCO in 2020. This is a bread tradition, not automatically the Gozitan open ftira pie.

Choose fillings and size at a bakery or café. Ask about wheat and filling allergens; the bread’s name does not define every sandwich ingredient.

Rabbit stew

Maltese rabbit dish braised in sauce; recipes vary and can include wine and vegetables.

Ask about sauce ingredients, sides and bones. If avoiding alcohol, do not assume braising guarantees its absence.

Bigilla

Thick broad-bean dip with garlic, oil and seasoning, served with bread or galletti crackers.

Pepper and acidity vary by recipe. Check additions and bread ingredients for dietary needs; broad beans are not chickpea paste.

Imqaret

Sweet pastries with a date filling, often served warm after frying.

Ask about dough ingredients, frying fat and toppings. Honey and ice cream are not compulsory; check the actual serving for allergies.

Money and payments

Currency is euro, EUR; old Maltese lira are not used. Carry a card and a small cash reserve. Buses support contactless payment; have the exact amount when paying cash. Check ATM exchange rates and fees before confirming.

Bill and tipping

Before paying, check whether service is included and which extras are stated on the menu. If you wish to thank staff with a tip, choose the amount yourself and ask how to leave it; do not automatically add a percentage on top of a service charge.

Transport

Malta Public Transport buses serve the island. Buy singles from the driver with cash or contactless payment; they last two hours with transfers. Explore Adult 7 Day is individual, non-shareable and excludes tallinja Direct; particular Explore Flex offers include Airport Direct. Check the product you actually buy, not another card’s conditions. Free travel requires a personalised tallinja, not an ordinary tourist ticket. Check ferries and boat excursions separately. Valletta, Mdina and southern sights need transfers: they are not one walking route.

Emergency help

112 connects police, fire and medical help for immediate danger, free of charge around the clock. For non-emergency police contact use +356 2122 4001. State the location, address or coordinates and the incident. Source: Malta Police Force; an offline map cannot provide phone connectivity.

Electricity

230 V, 50 Hz, with British three-pin Type G plugs. Other plugs need a suitable adapter preserving earthing. Check the appliance voltage rating: a plug adapter is not a converter.

Connectivity and offline use

Ask your operator about Malta charges; European roaming does not mean free data for every foreign SIM. Ship and aircraft networks can have different tariffs. Save maps, tickets and accommodation details and charge your phone in advance; timetable updates and bookings need connectivity.