At a Glance
Explore the hidden beauty of the Maltese Islands as you unearth two unspoilt Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo on an 8-day self-guided walking adventure. Uncover jaw-dropping sea views and a slew of iconic havens. Learn about Malta's fascinating past and explore its beautiful, varied landscapes, all while finding inner peace among its wild splendour as you gain the perspective on two different Maltese Islands at your own pace.
Your adventure begins in Malta, the largest of the two islands, at the bustling town of St Julians. Explore the "fish tail" area of Malta and marvel at its picture-perfect landscape and abundance of attractive beaches. Continue on to Valletta, the smallest capital city in all of Europe and also a UNESCO World Heritage Sit. Be astounded by the collection of fascinating ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 7 nights accommodation in a hotel on a twin share basis
- All buffet breakfasts
- Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
- Route directions and maps
- 7 day bus ticket for walking transfers in Malta and Gozo
Itinerary
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Making your own way from Malta Luqa Airport, your adventure begins at your hotel in the bustling town of St Julian’s just metres away from the front at the serene Balluta Bay. Tucked away in a quiet narrow alley unwind at the rooftop infinity pool overlooking the valley and the sea, the luxury spa or the indoor heated pool. Your stay here is on a B&B basis as there are so many excellent restaurants nearby for you to find the best spot for dinner. Valletta is also just a short taxi ride away should you wish to spend an evening in the capital. |
Holm Boutique and Spa, St Julians 
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Approx. 15 km (9.3 miles), 2-3 hours walking After a truly satisfying breakfast, the morning transcends into an eventful excursion to explore the bewildering "fish tail" of Malta. Marvel at the intricate sceneries, imposing cliffs, vibrant beaches and coasts that are sure to leave you whirling in amazement. The views are lined up to your delight and there's no better way to see them all than from high points. Located just along the beaches, watchtowers provide the ground distance and leverage to see the surrounding expanse from their colossal heights. From here, the fish tail of Malta comes to life with its surrounding vistas and spectacular landmarks that lie within eye's sight. Not to forget the stunning views of Gozo and Comino which can be seen in range. |
Holm Boutique and Spa, St Julians Breakfast |
Approx. 11 km (6.8 miles), 2-3 hours walking Settle in for breakfast to start the day and get ready to explore the Valletta coastline on an explosive discovery amidst some of the most astonishing harbour sceneries. Today's walk takes you through the lovely city of Valletta and its significant attraction to people who wish to view the outstanding architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city has a vast number of ancient monuments packed into a very compact space. In addition to the breathtaking panoramas of the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour, this city boasts a rich cultural diversity thanks to its North African, Italian, Middle Eastern, and British influences. The Lower Barrakka Gardens are a great place to start your scenic walk on the south side of the peninsula. Wonderful vistas of the Grand Harbour and Vittoriosa may be seen from here. Heading northeast on Lvant from the gardens' entrance, you'll reach the striking Siege Bell War Memorial, dedicated in 1992 to the remembrance of the 7,000 people who sacrificed their lives during the Siege of Malta (1940-1943). For their efforts in this battle, the Maltese people were honoured by the King of England with the George Cross, a decoration that is still prominent on the flag of Malta today. Taking Xatt Il-Barriera from here, witness how the inhabitants enjoy their wonderful city by following it downwards to the beach. Alongside the breathtaking views, you can eat and shop in one of the many establishments on the recently renovated Valletta Waterfront. |
Holm Boutique and Spa, St JuliansBreakfast |
Approx. 15 km (9.3 miles), 2-3 hours walking A trek across the countryside of moderate difficulty is scheduled for today. Walking between two ports on the eastern side of the island, from Marsascala to Marsaxlokk Bay, is an excellent opportunity to take in the beautiful and varied scenery that Malta has to offer. Your exhilarating walk starts in Marsascala, an old fishing hamlet that has preserved certain aspects of its character. This stroll takes you past old salt pans, lovely farms, spectacular cliff hangings, and distinctive landscapes that still boast a portion of Maltese leisure life in between these two beautiful bays. You will come across seductive coves that can only be accessed by boat, fortifications generic to the Maltese, troglodyte cottages that are still partly in use, as well as enchanting long-distance vistas from the strategically significant cliffs of Delimara point. This walk provides an insider's look at Malta and leaves you in awe of the resiliency of its people, who have managed to maintain their own culture despite the difficulties of residing on a desert rock and weathering successive waves of invasion. And finally, your exciting walk leads to Marsaxlokk, a little fishing village that is most known for the weekly Sunday market that it hosts. Marsaxlokk is home to a sizable tourist population, many of whom visit the town's market to partake in the large selection of fresh fish specialties and handmade arts and crafts. A shorter optional walk is also available. |
Holm Boutique and Spa, St JuliansBreakfast |
Approx. 14 km (8.7 miles), 2-3 hours walking Today, a taxi transfer will be given to the ferry port in the morning so that you may board the ferry (ticket included) to Gozo. Once you arrive in Victoria, the capital of Gozo, a taxi transfer will be ready to take you to the hotel where you will be staying for the following three nights. On arrival, there's an option to unwind and relax at your accommodation, venture and explore the charming city of Victoria, or for those with energy an optional trek to the Ta Pinu Sanctuary which will take you through scenic trails, iconic landmarks, postcard perfect cliffs, invigorating coastlines and finally ends in Gharb. This remote island's northwestern corner can only be reached by foot, following awe-inspiring trails that are pretty straightforward to navigate. |
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While here, there's quite the number of places that are not to be missed. The basilica Ta' Pinu is one place that comes highly recommended! Located in Gozo, Malta's sister island, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu is both a minor basilica and a national shrine located about 700 metres from the town of Gharb. Moving ahead, you'll make your way down a gorge carved out by seductive streams to reach Gharb, the island's westernmost point and home to a stunning Baroque church constructed in 1699 as well as traditional stone houses. The final leg of the voyage winds along the stunning cliffs on Gozo's north coast, from where you'll be able to take in panoramic views of the island's famous salt pans. Your home for the next three nights is the quaint Duke Boutique Hotel, poised right in the heart of Victoria, the perfect location to discover the wonders of Gozo as it is just 200 m from the main bus terminal. Recline in comfort in your luxury rooms. Slip right into the soothing waters of the jacuzzi or simply absorb the views from the rooftop terrace. |
Duke Hotel, Victoria Breakfast  |
Level 2, Approx. 15 km (9.3 miles), 2-3 hours walking Today's expedition takes a different twist, this time going west, with Gozo's west coast in mind. The morning starts with a hearty breakfast in readiness for the scenic extravaganza ahead. Walking along the western shore of Gozo is one of the best ways to experience it. You may take a leisurely walk along the cliff that runs between Ras il-Wardija in the south-western corner of Gozo and Qawra, which is more often referred to as the Inland Sea of Dwejra. You may follow the rocky route that branches off to the left and go in the direction of Ras il-Wardija. The puzzling remnants of the Punic era are available for your amazement; It's almost as if you're standing on the edge of the earth here, which lends this place a mystic air! Further ahead, narrow stone-walled pathways lead down to bamboo gardens as well as landmarks such as the Fungus Rock (named after the magic plant which grew there), the Dwejra Tower, the Azure Window, and the towering limestone cliffs. |
Duke Hotel, VictoriaBreakfast
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Level 2, Approx. 13 km (8.1 miles), 2-3 hours walking Starting from Qala, the walk to Dahlet Qorrot, which is situated between Qala and Nadur in the northern part of Gozo, Malta, is a simple one. This is a teeny-tiny harbour with brightly painted boat houses that were excavated into the soft limestone. When you stand here and take in the magnificent architecture that went into the construction of these boathouses, you get a different sense than when you do it elsewhere. After that, continue on through lemon fields, vineyards, and fig and peach trees until you reach San Blas Bay, a secluded beach with lovely ochre-coloured sand that is situated on the north coast of the island of Gozo and is accessible via Nadur. As a result of its location at the mouth of one of Gozo's most beautiful valleys, the beach is both private and encircled by verdant terrain. The sand at San Blas Bay is not just gorgeous, but very similar to the sand in Ramla Bay, and the crystal-clear waters in San Blas Bay boast a turquoise hue, making it a perfect place to go swimming or snorkeling among the rocks and boulders that are located on each side of the bay. Your journey comes to a close at Nadur, which is a fitting place to do so given the breathtaking vistas that await you at the end of the day. |
Duke Hotel, VictoriaBreakfast |
Savour a relaxing breakfast, a perfect time to reflect on your incredible journey before you bid farewell and make your own arrangements for your onward travel. Alternatively, airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost, please contact us. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
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Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.
- Single supplement available on request from AUD 893
More Info
- The departure point is St Julians, Malta
- The finish point is Victoria, Gozo
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to St Julians. Malta International Airport, which is also known as Luqa Airport, is the international airport which is closest to St Julians, 7.7 km away
- Airport transfers are not included. Joining location starts in your accommodation in St Julians making your own arrangements there. Alternatively, airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost, please contact us.
The walking level on this trip is rated Level 2 Leisurely/Moderate.
Level 1 Leisurely: Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk will thrive. Walks are often optional. Trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable number of ascents and descents. You normally walk for two to five hours per day; daily ascents will likely be around 985ft to 1,640ft (300m to 500m), perhaps with the odd day around 1,970ft (600m).
Level 3 Moderate: Expect easy, medium-length walks or harder, shorter walks. Some experience is useful, but not essential. Good health and reasonable fitness are important. There will be walks at higher altitudes and some longer, harder days. Generally, though, the underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours; daily ascents will likely be around 1,640ft to 2,625ft (500m to 800m), perhaps with the odd day around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m).
Level 5 Challenging: Fitness is vital with extended walking in mountainous terrain. You might also experience high altitude, challenging climates and remote locations. Trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident in your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Daily ascents can be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).
Level 7 Tough: Trekking experience is essential and preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. You may encounter extreme altitude and weather conditions and may need to use ice axes and crampons. Stamina is essential as walking days last six to nine hours (sometimes more on occasions). Daily ascents will likely be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).
Split and optional grades: Where a trip falls between two grades, an intermediate or ‘split’ grade is used. For example, Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Occasionally there are optional ascents available; in this case, the grade will be highlighted.
Malta and Gozo are blessed with a subtropical Mediterranean climate; summers are generally hot and dry, winters mild, and autumns warm and sporadically wet. Malta’s average annual temperature of 18-19°C is amongst the highest in Europe, and significant temperature fluctuations are rare. Being islands however, they can face strong winds coming off the sea, particularly in the springtime, which can make it feel a little chilly.
The walking is suitable for anyone who is reasonably fit and healthy, enjoys the occasional weekend walk and can walk 2-5 hrs per day.
The terrain is moderate with some small hills and the walking is often along ancient roads and old farm tracks. There are some steep descents to the coast and the occasional rough, stony section.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. You are provided with route notes for each day, which begin with an overview of the walk and advice on lunch, followed by detailed instructions. The route notes contain a 24 hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotel is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
