Malta In 4 Days

Post author:bengalinomad
Post published:March 14, 2024
Post category:Europe 🌍 / Malta 🇲🇹 / travel

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Malta is the tenth smallest country by area and seventh mostly densely populated country. It is also having smallest capital amongst the countries in European union. Temeperature in January was quite mild compared to continental Europe.

Day 1 – 5th Jan, Valetta

I landed in Valetta , capital of Malta. My stay was booked at Hotel Carlton for 4 nights at Sliema area. Reaching to my hotel from airport is pretty straight forward by public transport. I bought a 4 day Malta card which gave unlimited access to public transport and also a return ferry trip to Gozo. My room had a nice view over the water. Later in the afternoon I walked along the sea facing path towards Valetta for sometime and later took a bus to the old center of Valetta. Founded in 1566, Valletta is Malta’s capital city and is one of Europe’s smallest (and southern-most) capital cities, with many buildings having a strong Baroque character. The city of Valletta as a whole is recognised by UNESCO for its historical and cultural value and is designated as having “outstanding universal value”.

There are many popular point of interest in the tiny city center both from historical and cultural aspects . The Upper Barrakka Gardens is a popular yet quiet location on the southern side of Valletta, with magnificent views over Grand Harbour. You can also enter Valletta from down at the harbour using the Upper Barrakka Lift, and it’s a good place to be at noon and 4 pm sharp daily for the firing of the guns at the Saluting Battery down below.

City Gate, the main entry point to Valletta, is located on the city’s southern side and leads you straight into the city’s main street (Republic Street). After you cross the footbridge overlooking the ditch and the impressive bastions on both sides of City Gate, the city’s entrance provides an instant glimpse of Valletta.

Merchants Street is one of Valletta’s longest streets and a good starting point to get lost and explore some of its narrow side streets with churches and quirky little shops and cafes. Similarly, St. Paul’s Street and Triq Lvant offer a lot of nice walks

Church of Our Lady of Victories (located at the southern end of Merchants Street). This small 16th-century church was the first building to be erected in Valletta and still stands proudly today.

Day 2 – 6th Jan, 3 Cities, Tarxien temples

I left in the morning from the hotel and took the bus to Valetta center. In central bus station I had pastizzi / qassatat, a traditional crispy pastry and pretty much available everywhere. From Valetta I bought a Ferry ticket (Sliema-Valletta ferry) to the 3 cites of Malta – Vittorisa, Senglea and Cospicua. These forified cities are at the heart of Malta`s historical heritage , preserving thousands tof years of history. I visited Fort of St Angelo and Inquisitor’s Palace (joint ticket). Had a local delicacy of Stuffat tal-Fenek (Rabbit stew) with local beer named Cisk.

Senglea, like Valletta, is formed in a grid pattern, so it’s easily navigated on foot. The city was pretty much destroyed during WWII, so there are very little historic elements left, but one famous thing Senglea does have is located at the very tip of the peninsula and is one of the classic sights of Malta; the little vedette (watchtower). The watchtower is located in the Gardjola Gardens in Senglea.

After visiting cities and I took a bus from Cospicua back to Valetta bus terminus . I then took another local bus to Tarxien temple. The temples are dated back tp 3150 BC and is an UNESCO world heritage site.

Later I took a bus back to my hotel.

Day 3 – 7th Jan Gozo , Victoria Bay , Ggantija temples

Gozo is the sister island of Malta, Today I took a fast ferry to Gozo. Gozo has bus services but they are infrequent . Fast ferry takes about 45 minutes and one return ticket was included in my 4 day “Visis Malta” card. The ferry dropped me at Mgarr and from there I took the bus to Gozo capital Victoria. Victoria is a beautiful town . I spent some time at ancient Citadella , had my lunch in Citi center and then walked all the way to Victoria Bay Aquaduct. Weather was beautiful , I walked to Ggantija temples which is about 3 KM. The ticket to the complex also give access to Ta’ Kola Windmill which is nearby.

Day 4 – 8th Jan Gozo, Marsalfornm, Ramla

Today again I visited Gozo but this is was long way . Regular ferry operates from Cirkewwa ferry terminal wihich is the other side of Malta. The bus from my hotel to ferry terminal took about 50 min and then the ferry to Gozo took another 30 mins. Today my original plan was to explore part of Gozo by foot along the coast line. I took a bus to Marsalfornm and the walked upto the Salt Pane near Xwejni Bay . From there I traced my steps back and then walked all the way Ramla beach. Goal was to reach to ferry terminal by foot but it seemed the path eroded to sea futher down. I had no option but to come back to Ramla again and then took a bus to Ferry terminal. Finally came back to the hotel in late evening.