voco Malta Local area

These harbour cities are where the Knights of St John were based when they first arrived on the islands from 1530 until 1570. Visit the old naval bakery now housing the Maritime Museum, Fort St Angelo where the Knights made their headquarters during the Great Siege, and the Inquisitor's Palace.

The island is one of the Mediterranean’s most popular destinations for divers. Few places have the abundance of natural harbours, bays, sheltered creeks, reefs and wrecks in such a small and readily accessible area. Beginners will experience open water and cave divers will be able to explore a variety of underwater worlds suitable to their individual skills.

A harbour cruise is certainly the most relaxing way to see some very impressive parts of Malta. Cruises start from the Sliema ferry terminal and travel through the Grand Harbour while enjoying the architectural majesty of Valletta and The Three Cities.

Marsaxlokk is Malta's prettiest fishing village full of traditional, colourful, Luzzu fishing boats that have become a symbol of the island. Not surprisingly, it is one of the best and most enjoyable, places to eat fish and shellfish on the islands.

Ħaġar Qim is one of Malta’s UNESCO-listed megalithic temples. The temple stands on a hilltop overlooking the sea and the island of Fifla. With the remarkable temple of Mnajdra found a mere 500 metres away. The surrounding landscape is typical Mediterranean garigue and spectacular in its starkness and isolation. First excavated in 1839, the remains suggest dates between 3600 – 3200 BC, a period known as the Ġgantija phase in Maltese prehistory.

The Blue Grotto is located on the southern coast of Malta, west of Wied iz-Zurrieq facing the deserted island of Filfla. The site name was given by a British soldier who thought that since the area looks like the Grotta Azzurra in Capri, it deserves the same English name, the Blue Grotto. The magnificent island site is reached by boat, so if you intend to visit the Blue Grotto do ask the concierge to check if the boats are running as bad weather often disrupts cruises.

Organised guided tours and cruises are available at the concierge. Gozo, more rural and greener than Malta, is known as 'the island of love and honey'. If possible, plan your trip during the week as the weekends are usually much busier. If you are not going to book an organised tour, renting a car or a scooter is the best plan. The much smaller island of Comino, lying between Malta and Gozo, is often crowded with private yachts and organised cruises filling up the bays and the tiny harbour.

The Hypogeum is a labyrinthine complex of manmade chambers, hewn out of limestone, some 11 metres underground. They appear to have been used both as a burial site and as a temple. Booking early is a must, if possible even prior to your arrival in Malta, as very limited numbers are allowed to visit the site each day and tours are often full.

Casa Rocca Piccola is the 16th century palace of a Maltese noble family. On display are over 50 rooms, including the Second World War Air Raid Shelters and the house’s state rooms. The value of Casa Rocca Piccola lies in its ability to provide unique historical evidence into the customs and traditions of the Maltese nobility over the last 400 years. You can also see a collection of furniture, silver and paintings that add to the aesthetic riches of the Maltese islands.

A stay in Malta‘s capital is not complete without visiting St John’s Co-Cathedral. This tourist attraction is a gem of Baroque art and architecture. It was built as the conventual church for the Knights of St John. The Grand Masters and several knights donated gifts of high artistic value and made enormous contributions to enrich it with only the best works of art. This church is till this very day an important sacred place of worship. It is also a venue for cultural events.

The history of Mdina traces back more than 4000 years. It served as the island's capital from antiquity until 1530, when the capital was moved to Birgu. The Punic remains uncovered beyond the city’s walls suggest the importance of the general region to Malta’s Phoenician settlers. Mdina is commonly called the "Silent City" by locals and visitors, the town is still confined within its walls and has a population of just under 300.

The Upper Barrakka Gardens are a public garden in Valletta and offers a panoramic view of the Grand Harbour. One of Valletta's most beautiful parks, it was created in 1775 on the bastion of St. Peter and Paul. The garden was the gift of an eighteenth-century Italian knight. It was originally intended to offer recreation to the knights of the Italian langue. It is the highest point of the city walls, and thus its bordering terrace offers a clear view over the Grand Harbour.

The San Anton Palace and its Gardens owe their origin to the Knight Antoine de Paule, a French knight from the Langue de Provence, who was elected 54th Grand Master, today the palace is the official winter residence of Malta’s President. The gardens of San Anton are laid out in a formal manner, with graceful walkways, sculptures and ornamental ponds.