The capital city resort of Valletta has a fantastic city atmosphere and is home to the largest signed work of famous artist Caravaggio at St John's Co-Cathedral.
Description
The city of Valletta was previously named the European Capital of Culture, and has a rich history and culture that can be seen in the architecture of its streets, elegant squares and beautiful churches. While offering a great spot from which to explore other parts of the country, there is much within the city to entertain you on your Valletta holiday. As well as the wealth of sights to visit, Valletta also offers lively nightlife with a variety of bars and restaurants around the two famous harbours. Wander the bustling streets, dine out at waterfront restaurants and get your fill of countless cafes and restaurants throughout the city.
Holidays to Valletta are perfect for exploring the rich history and culture by day and enjoying the cosmopolitan nightlife by night. Just three hours from the UK, Valletta offers the perfect city break, with year-round sunshine and a warm and friendly welcome from the English speaking locals.
Things To Do
Popular activities for those on Valletta holidays include:-
- Diving and Snorkelling
- Windsurfing and other watersports
Valletta Holidays Excursions
Make your holidays to Valletta extra special and book one of our wonderful excursions, we have a range of excursions that have been carefully selected to cater for everyones interests. Some of our most popular excursions are:-
Valletta - City of Knights: We drive to the Capital Valletta and walk to the Barrakka Gardens for a panoramic view of the Grand Harbour. Then on to St. John's co-Cathedral, Malta's greatest treasure that includes the famous painting by Caravaggio. Our tour proceeds to the Grand Master's Palace, which houses the Parliament, the offices of the President of Malta and the Armoury.
Highlights of Malta: We drive towards Mosta to visit the famous Dome considered to be 3rd largest in Europe. We then visit Ta' Qali Crafts Village to watch local artisans at work producing typical Maltese ware which includes glass, silver and filigree. Free time is allowed for shopping of local products at bargain prices. We then proceed to the Silent City Mdina with its defence bastions dating back to the 9th Century. We walk through the town visiting St. Paul's Cathedral and then to the Bastions for a panoramic view of the Island. We then walk to Rabat to visit St. Paul's Grotto. A typical Maltese lunch will be served in one of the village restaurants. Finally we proceed to Dingli Cliffs for a panoramic view of the open sea where we will also stop to see some Cart Ruts.
Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk: We drive to Wied iz-Zurrieq to the picturesque Blue Grotto where weather permitting we shall take a boat to the Grotto to view the magnificent underwater flora (Boat fare not included). We will then proceed to the southern part of the island to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk where free time to stroll around the market will be allowed. One can also admire the typical traditional brightly painted coloured fishing boats 'luzzu'.
Prehistoric Temples: We drive to the southern part of the island and start with a visit to the three Megalithic Temples of Tarxien, which date back to 3000 BC. The temples are Malta's most important antiquities and are considered to be unique in the world. We then visit Ghar Dalam, 'The Cave of Darkness' and its fossilised remains of prehistoric animals of the glacial period. Finally we visit the Prehistoric Temple of Hagar Qim, which was built, between 3500 and 3000 BC. This temple, which is constructed solely of globigerina limestone, is standing high overlooking the islet of Filfla.
Fernandes Cruise: A full day cruise departing from Sliema Marina and cruises North westwards towards Gozo on a beautiful 38 metre long two masted gaff rigged vessel. Drop anchor in a secluded bay in Gozo and after lunch we sail towards Comino where we drop anchor in the beautiful Blue Lagoon. (Summer Only)
Gozo: Gozo is the legendary abode of Calypso daughter of Atlas. Our tour starts with a visit to the Ggantija Prehistoric Temples in Xaghra and then proceeds to Dwejra to see the 'Azure Window', Fungus Rock and the Inland Sea. We will also stop to see the local lace and knitwear for which the island of Gozo is renowned. Lunch will be served in a Typical Gozitan Village. After lunch we visit the Citadel including Gozo's Cathedral in the capital Victoria and we will experience a sound and vision show of the island of Gozo. Finally we embark the ferryboat at Mgarr Harbour to return to Malta.
Sicily Tour: A full day Sicily excursion visiting Taormina Sicily's prime tourist resort which is facing Etna and the Blue Mediterranean. This peaceful panoramic resort 206 metres above sea level was colonised by the Greeks who built a theatre in the Hellenic period. We will also visit Mount Etna which is the largest active volcano in Europe. The climb to the crater takes us through picturesque villages and an ever changing landscape. (Summer Only)
For further information and to secure your place on all the above exciting days and nights out, see your Olympic representative in the resort. The best time to book would be at the Welcome Get Together on the day after arrival.
Things To See
Valletta: Malta's capital city has some fantastic example of traditional Maltese style baroque architecture. During you Malta holidays be sure to visit St John's Cathedral and the Grand Master Palace which houses an interesting armoury collection as well as detailed tapestries design for Louis XIV. Valletta has a number of fascinating museums including the National Museum of Fine Art and the National Museum of Archaeology . Valletta's Manoel Theatre is the second oldest theatre in Europe to see opera, music and ballet performances.
Mdina: Visit the citadel a fine example of a walled medieval city, from the Bastion Square witness the wonderful views of the St Pauls Bay and the surrounding areas.
Archaeological Sites: A highlight of nay holiday to Malta is to see the archaeological sites located near Paola. Tarxien has neolithic temple, Hypogeum has a three-level complex of ancient underground burial chambers dating back 3,000 years and Ghar Dalam where the remains of extinct birds and animals have been found.
Gozo Festival: During the summer Gozo has a festival with fireworks and horse racing in the street.
Comino Island: Relax on the remote island of Comino with its unusual rock formations, small bays and lagoons.