Small Group Experiential Travel
Tour Code
ML1 Max Group Size
18 Start
Valleta (ML1) End
Valleta (ML1) Overnight In
Gozo, St Julian's When To Go
Apr, Sep, Oct Activity Level
1 - Light? Tour Type
Cultural? - Overview
- Info & Inclusions
- Itinerary
- Map & Hotels
- Photos
- Dates & Prices
Highlights
- Guided Valletta harbour cruise
- Pre-historic temples of Hagar Qim and Ggantija, beautiful Gozo
- Colourful fishing village of Marsaxlokk
- Singles friendly (view options for single travellers)
Description
Discover Malta's Timeless Charm: A 6-Day Cultural and Historical Journey
Immerse yourself in the captivating tapestry of Malta, an island nation steeped in history and natural beauty. This 6-day cultural and historical tour will take you on a journey through time, exploring ancient temples, medieval fortifications, and vibrant cities. From the prehistoric wonders of Ġgantija to the baroque grandeur of Valletta, Malta offers a diverse and unforgettable experience for history enthusiasts and culture seekers alike.
Immerse yourself in the captivating tapestry of Malta, an island nation steeped in history and natural beauty. This 6-day cultural and historical tour will take you on a journey through time, exploring ancient temples, medieval fortifications, and vibrant cities. From the prehistoric wonders of Ġgantija to the baroque grandeur of Valletta, Malta offers a diverse and unforgettable experience for history enthusiasts and culture seekers alike.
Price Includes
- Full-time Tour Leader services plus local guide,
- Breakfast and dinner (mostly local restaurants) daily.
- All sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary.
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters.
- Airport transfers for land & air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
Exclusions
- International airfare to/from the tour.
- Tour Leader gratuities, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), international (if applicable), and excursions referenced as 'optional'.
- Airport transfers for Land Only customers.
- Optional trip cancellation insurance.
- Malta's Hal Saflieni Hypogeum site and tour is a popular option should you choose to extend your stay outside of our tour. We do not include it in our program as the number of visitors per day is very limited and spaces tend to sell out well before many/most of our travellers commit to our tour
- As such, promising the visit in our itinerary is problematic. We suggest booking your own visit once our tour is 'guaranteed' to operate.
Trip Info
- Seasonality and Weather:
The weather in Malta in May might just be some of the best weather the island experiences all year round. Malta in May is the perfect balance between lovely sunshine that’s not too hot and refreshing breezes that aren’t too cold. Rainfall is also uncommon, making this one of the best months in which to visit. May falls slightly before peak tourist season in Malta starts, so a bigger crowd of both locals and visitors can be expected at all the popular spots.
Visiting Malta in October can be a great choice for travellers looking to enjoy the mild Mediterranean climate at this time of the year. The average temperature during this month typically ranges around 17-24o C (63-75o F) during the day. Although October weather in Malta can still have some cloudy, rainy days, normally, it’s still a great balance with mostly summery weather without the stifling heat. So deciding on an October trip to Malta can still be a good idea as you get to enjoy the best of both worlds. - Transport and Travel Conditions:
Transport throughout by private air-conditioned motor coach, 24-36 seats depending on ultimate group size (see 'group size'). Road travel is not particularly arduous as distances are not great. Short ferry crossings; small boat excursion to Blue Grotto.
This trip is typical of most of our European tours, which are ambitious and involve full days of travel and sightseeing. While we don't have any actual strenuous activity (ie hiking) built into the program, you will do a lot of walking on this trip. These walks will mostly be in the form of walking tours of towns and cities and short walks to dinner. Being Europe, and a hilly/mountainous area, cobbles, uneven surfaces, and slopes/stairs are common. If you are accustomed to typical "bus tours," which rely heavily on vehicular transport for all sightseeing activities, you should be aware that this tour is considerably more active.
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form - Accommodation:
Well-located, air-conditioned, mid-range hotel well-located for our sightseeing program. Porter service is available (see 'inclusions') though you should be independent with your luggage. Single rooms are limited and likely smaller than twins. - Activity Level: 1
No particular physical activity is involved other than town/city walks and short walks to dinners and sites of interest, some of which are large.
To learn more about the Activity levels, please visit our tour styles page. - Staff and Support:
Tour Leader throughout, driver (s), local step-on guides in various locales. - Group Size:
Maximum 18 (plus Tour Leader)
View / Print Itinerary
- Day 1:Arrive in MaltaWelcome to Malta!
Malta has a greater density of historic sights than any other country. Starting with its unique prehistoric temples, some of the oldest stone buildings in the world, it also has Roman catacombs, medieval towns, and the extraordinary architectural and artistic legacy of the Knights of St John (the Knights of Malta). The British left behind red letter boxes and phone booths, as well as the language, in spite of which Malta (independent since 1964) remains thoroughly Maltese. The country has thankfully shaken off the British culinary legacy and is home to some excellent restaurants specialising in Mediterranean food.
Overnight in Malta. 
Included Meal(s): Dinner - Day 2:Valetta: City Tour & Dingli CliffsToday we explore Valletta—Europe's smallest capital at just 1000 by 600 metres—from a vessel showcasing why this location became the Mediterranean's greatest fortress. The city commands two natural harbours whose strategic value shaped 4,000 years of history. Our harbour cruise reveals the defensive genius that saved Christian Europe from Ottoman expansion. In 1565, Jean Parisot de la Valette led 600 Knights of St. John against 40,000 Ottoman invaders in the "Great Siege of Malta." Their miraculous victory prompted Felipe II of Spain to found a new capital worthy of these heroes—Valletta, built on Renaissance military engineering principles.
From Upper Barakka Gardens, we survey Grand Harbour's fortified peninsulas—Senglea and Vittoriosa—their bastions creating interlocking fields of fire that made Ottoman conquest impossible. The Grand Master's Palace, now housing Malta's presidency and parliament, preserves the Knights' aristocratic legacy. Walking through State Apartments where European diplomacy once unfolded, we examine 17th-century Gobelin tapestries depicting scenes from the Americas—reminders that Malta's Knights wielded continental influence. The Palace Armoury houses the world's finest medieval and Renaissance weaponry collection, with thousands of armor suits testifying to the military brotherhood that dominated Mediterranean warfare for three centuries.
"The Malta Experience," screened in the Knights' former hospital, provides us the perfect historical context through a 45-minute audiovisual presentation tracing Malta's story from prehistory to modern independence.
PLEASE NOTE: Malta's Hal Saflieni Hypogeum site and tour is a popular option should you choose to extend your stay outside of our tour. We do not include it in our program as the number of visitors per day is very limited and spaces tend to sell out before many/most of our travellers commit to our tour; as such, promising the visit in our itinerary is problematic. We suggest booking your own visit once our tour is 'guaranteed' to operate.
Most of our tours are accommodated in St Julian's, a smaller seaside district located just to the north of Valletta.
Overnight on Malta 
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 3:Valletta & Prehistoric MaltaOur Valetta sightseeing continues to St. John's Co-Cathedral, transforming our understanding of Baroque religious art. Built in the 1570s by Maltese architect Gerolamo Cassar, this masterpiece served as the Knights' spiritual heart. The interior's symphony of gold leaf, marble, and masterful painting demonstrates how military monks expressed devotion through artistic magnificence. Over 300 Knights lie entombed beneath elaborate marble floor slabs, each a decorative masterwork depicting heraldry and achievements. The Cathedral Museum houses Caravaggio's largest painting—"The Beheading of St. John the Baptist"—the only work the master ever signed, created during his turbulent Malta period (1607-1608).
The National Museum of Archaeology introduces Malta's prehistoric temple builders who created the world's oldest freestanding stone structures. These artifacts, dating to the 4th millennium BCE, represent civilizations flourishing 500-1,000 years before Egypt's first pyramids.
At Hagar Qim, spectacularly positioned on cliffs overlooking Fifla islet, we encounter architecture challenging assumptions about prehistoric capabilities. Built between 3600-3200 BCE, these temples demonstrate sophisticated understanding of astronomy and monumental construction. Massive limestone blocks—some weighing over 20 tonnes—were quarried, transported, and positioned using technologies lost to history.
Nearby Mnajdra Temple complex reveals how prehistoric Maltese developed increasingly sophisticated architectural forms. Careful alignment with solstices and equinoxes suggests these weren't merely religious centres but astronomical observatories connecting earthly worship to celestial cycles.
In Marsaxlokk village, brightly painted luzzu boats preserve Mediterranean maritime traditions, their distinctive eye symbols connecting contemporary fishermen to Phoenician customs over 2,500 years old.
Overnight on Malta 
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 4:Day Trip to GozoThe brief ferry crossing to Gozo transports us to an island that feels like Malta's rural cousin. Gozo maintains a distinct cultural identity and dialect, with landscapes and traditions that modern Malta has largely abandoned. The prehistoric temples of Ggantija rank among humanity's oldest religious monuments, dating back to 3600-3200 BCE. Local folklore attributes their construction to giants, and the megaliths' sheer size is awe-inspiring. Victoria, Gozo's capital, clusters around the fortified citadel of Il-Kastell, which has been continuously fortified for over 4,000 years.
Within the citadel, the Cathedral of the Assumption showcases trompe-l'oeil ceiling paintings that create illusory domes. The Archaeological Museum reveals how successive civilizations adapted the same strategic location to serve their defensive needs. The Folklore Museum provides intimate insights into traditional Gozo life, illustrating how island communities maintained self-sufficiency through ingenious adaptation to limited resources.
At Dwejra, we witness geological forces at their most dramatic. Two enormous limestone caverns collapsed to create today's Inland Sea, a lagoon connected to the Mediterranean through a 100-metre tunnel. Local fishermen guide us through this natural wonder, past the Blue Hole and Fungus Rock, where Knights of St. John once harvested rare medicinal plants. The cynomorium coccineus growing on Fungus Rock was highly valued for its medicinal properties, reminding us how biological diversity creates economic value across cultures. Overnight on Malta.
Overnight on Malta 
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 5:Mosta, Mdina & RabatThis morning, we visit the Rotunda Church of Mosta, a remarkable architectural achievement that dominates the island's central plateau. Based on Rome's Pantheon, its dome ranks as Europe's third-largest unsupported span. The church's most famous story emerged during World War II, when a German bomb penetrated the dome but failed to explode during evening mass. The unexploded bomb remains displayed as testament to faith surviving warfare's brutal realities.
We then proceed to Mdina, Malta's ancient capital, which preserves the medieval Arab city within massive fortifications. As we walk through the narrow streets, we experience urban planning designed for shade, privacy, and defensive strength. The Cathedral of St. Paul occupies the site where tradition claims the Roman governor Publius welcomed the shipwrecked apostle.
From Mdina's bastions, we take in panoramic views of Malta's landscape, understanding why successive conquerors established strongholds here. Next, we visit the nearby Rabat, where the Domus Romana reveals how wealthy Romans lived beyond official Mdina. The excavated villa's mosaic floors and columned courtyards demonstrate provincial luxury. Finally, we explore the Catacombs of St. Paul and St. Agatha, which preserve early Christian burial practices and feature characteristic agape tables.
Overnight on Malta. 
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner - Day 6:DepartureOur Mediterranean odyssey concludes as we prepare for departure from Malta's international airport.
BON VOYAGE! 
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Regions Visited: Western Europe
Countries Visited: Malta
Countries Visited: Malta
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.







Excellent
Overall Rating
4.7
Extend Your Trip
This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip.

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Book your unforgettable adventure today! For any questions or advice, don't hesitate to contact us.
Have questions?
1-800-665-3998
- Final payment: Due 90 days prior to departure.
- Deposit: A non-refundable $500 USD Deposit is required at booking, covering the 'Land Only' cost, including all internal flights (taxes listed separately)
- Optional Single Supplement: $500 USD (number of singles limited).
(View options forsingle travellers) - Transfering Tour or Date: Transferring to another tour or tour date is only permissible outside of 120 days prior to departure and is subject to a $100 USD change fee.
(Read our cancellation policy)
Choose your departure date:
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes.
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the maximum number of participants on a trip?Most of our tours carry a maximum of 18 participants; some tours (ie hiking tours) top out at 16. In the event that we do not achieve our minimum complement by our 90-day deadline, we may offer group members the option of paying a "small-group surcharge" as an alternative to cancellation. If all group members agree, we will confirm the trip at existing numbers; this surcharge is refundable in the event that we ultimately achieve our regular minimum. If the small group surcharge is not accepted, we will offer a refund of your deposit or a different trip of your choice.
- Can I extend my tour either at the beginning or end? What about stopovers?Yes, you can extend your tour either at the beginning or the end and we can book accommodation in our tour hotel. Stopovers are often permitted, depending on air routing. Stopovers usually carry a "stopover" fee levied by the airline.
- How do I make a reservation? How and when do I pay?The easiest way to make a reservation is via our website; during office hours, you are also more than welcome to contact us by telephone.
A non-refundable deposit is payable at the time of booking; if a reservation is made within 90 days, full payment is required. Some trips require a larger deposit. If international airline bookings require a non-refundable payment in order to secure space or the lowest available fare, we will require an increase in deposit equal to the cost of the ticket(s).
Early enrolment is always encouraged as group size is limited and some trips require greater preparation time.
Once we have received your deposit, we will confirm your space and send you a confirmation package containing your trip itinerary, any visa/travel permit related documents, invoice, clothing and equipment recommendations, general information on your destination(s), and forms for you to complete, sign and return to us. Your air e-tickets (if applicable), final hotel list, final trip itinerary, and instructions on how to join your tour, will be sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure. - What about cancellations, refunds, and transfers?Please review our cancellation policy page for details.
- I am a single who prefers my own room. What is a single supplement?All of our tours have a single supplement for those who want to be guaranteed their own room at each location.
This supplement is a reflection of the fact that most hotels around the world do not discount the regular twin-share rate for a room by 50% for only one person occupying a room. Most hotels will give a break on the price, but usually in the range of 25-30% of the twin-share rate. This difference, multiplied by each night, amounts to the single supplement.
The conventional amount can also vary from country to country and some destinations are more expensive than others for single occupancy. In order to be "single friendly," the supplements we apply are not a profit centre for us and we do our best to keep them as reasonable as possible.
On most tours we limit the number of singles available, not to be punitive, but rather because many hotels allow for only a limited number of singles; some smaller hotels at remote locations also have a limited number of single rooms available.
Please note that most single rooms around the world are smaller than twin-share rooms and will likely have only one bed. - Do you have a shared accommodation program?Yes! If you are single traveller and are willing to share, we will do our best to pair you with a same-gender roommate. On most of our tours, if we fail to pair you, we will absorb the single supplement fee and you will default to a single room at no extra charge. At some destinations, however, where single rooms are not significantly discounted, or not at all, we may apply a "mandatory" single in the event that we cannot find you a share partner. This is usually 50% of the usual supplement, but can be as much as 100%. If applicable, this proviso will be noted on each tour page on this website, on your invoice, and in our tour date/price book (available for download under "Resources").