Secrets of Malta Walk 8D7N, Self Guided

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.

Approx. 15 km (9.3 miles), 2-3 hours walking

After a delicious breakfast, the "fish tail" of Malta is waiting to be explored as part of an exciting adventure. This location is surrounded by a region that has expansive panoramic views, as well as spectacular cliffs, coasts, and beaches. The beaches in this region are vibrant and picturesque.

You may obtain a better perspective of the surrounding landscape by climbing one of the watchtowers that are located along the beaches. These vantage points offer a breath-taking glimpse of the expansive Maltese fish tail, in addition to the spellbinding views of Gozo and Comino.

Level 1, Approx. 8.5 km (5.3 miles), 1-2 hours walking

Following a hearty breakfast, the day will unfold into an exciting exploration of Xemxija Heritage Trail. Your exciting self-guided journey ups the ante, leaving you with nothing but your wits and a map to get you through these electrifying paths.

Your first stop is the Cave of the Galley. The entryway prominently displays a pilgrim's cross and a galley. While the cave's primary purpose was presumably that of a burial, it also functioned as a place of residence. Further on, you'll find a network of caves. The Roman Apiary stands out due to its enormous scale and well-preserved clay jars used to collect honey. One of the best things about this place is the breathtaking side views of Xemxija bay. Next up is the "Burial cave," and to the left of it is the famed carob tree that has survived for a millennia, much to the amazement of visitors. There are placards here that explain what a magnificent tree this is.

The way forward is clearly marked with comprehensible markers. Within a hundred metres, you may find one such marker, namely, the wooden signpost built by the St. Paul's Bay historical organisation. There are multiple Neolithic burial sites and what could have been a grain silo along the way. There's also a World War II-era fortification there. You'll reach a residential street with attractive landscaping towards the end of the trail. Over a long dirt road beyond the end of the street, the Heritage Trail offers breathtaking views of the valley between Xemxija and Mellieha. From this vantage point, you can view the Roman baths, which are split into many rooms by rock columns and rubble walls. The Xemxija Heritage Trail ends with a group of well visible cart ruts.

The Majjistral History and Nature Park, the biggest natural park in Malta, lies beyond the trail's terminus in Xemxija and is the next stop on your excursion. Explore the area's unique ecosystem, flora and fauna through this window into the vastness of its seductive panoramas and majestic terrain.

Approx. 8.5 km (5.3 miles), 1-2 hours walking

You will be greeted with a wonderful morning as you get ready to go on with your tour of the intriguing areas of Malta. The daily schedule always begins with a scrumptious breakfast to get one in the mood for the day.

Your travel today will follow a more scenic route, during which you will find stunning sites and settings that are picture-postcard perfect. You are going to explore the enormous cynosure and all of its jaw-dropping vistas in St. Paul's Bay today. Other highlights are Mistra Bay and Xemxija Bay, both of which are located before the picturesque coastline that leads to Selmun.

The Xemxija Bay, which is located in the western part of Malta, is encircled by the Maltese countryside and some of the most fertile valleys in the nation. In addition, whether you want to take a stroll or get a bite to eat, Xemxija has several fantastic restaurants and a wine bar with a terrace that overlooks the bay. Moving further, you will come to Mistra sea, which is located in the northern western part of Malta, close to Mellieha. From here, you will get a view of the surrounding cliffs, which are rounded off by an entrance to St. Paul's sea.

As your last hit point, St. Paul's Bay offers breathtaking views of the beaches that surround it, and it is home to a variety of small fishing vessels. While here, take in the mesmerising vista, and if you have the opportunity, go on a trip to see the other attractions that the area has to offer. Before proceeding along the picturesque beach to Selmun, a countryside hamlet in the village of Mellieha.

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

After a hearty breakfast, you continue on your quest to explore the secrets of Malta. Start your walk admiring the beautiful Baroque-style Vilhena gate. Through the winding streets, you'll find that there's a lot to see in this stunning metropolis. Take note of the magnificent Aragonese structures, the Maltese doorways, and the colourful balconies dangling over the golden limestone. The narrow streets are sometimes brightened up with flowers or a dolphin doorbell.

Moving ahead, Mdina offers a wide variety of wonders. Marvel at the baroque design of the Mdina cathedral museum. The highlights include visits to the St. Paul's Cathedral, Palazzo Falson and Vilhena Palace as well as a walk through the ditch gadens, a once flooded ditch that has been transformed into a garden with plenty of open areas.

Where Mdina ends, the city of Rabat, a suburb, starts. Just as in Malta, you may discover colourful doors and lovely balconies in Rabat. Rabat also has several cafes and restaurants with outside seating where you may relax and enjoy a meal or snack. Just beyond the Mdina gate is the Domus Romana, a little museum housing Roman artefact. Admire a wonderful assortment of products to purchase. There is still a great deal more to discover, such as the catacombs below Rabat, a highly dreaded location with lots of history buried in its expanse.

Your walk culminates as you take a final stroll towards the coasts, where you can see the dramatic cliffs in all its splendour.

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.

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.