Malta tour holidays

Valletta

Although it's less than a square kilometre in size, Malta's walled capital squeezes a lot into its compact space. The old town was built by the Knights of St John, both as a fortress and a spectacular architectural celebration of their defeat of the besieging Ottoman Turks in 1565. Spending time here is a highlight of trips to Malta - wander the narrow streets to see bustling shops and markets, historic buildings and fountain-studded squares.

Top attractions include St John's Cathedral, completed in 1578 as the headquarters for the Order of the Knights Hospitaller. Its lavish interior features beautiful paintings, sculptures and woodwork, as well as ornate tiling and sweeping arched ceilings.

If you travel south-east from Valletta, you'll find the remains of the Tarxien Temples. This complex of four megalithic structures was built around 3000 BC and provides a glimpse into what Bronze Age life was like on the islands.

Mdina

Across the island from Valletta, you’ll find Mdina, a medieval hilltop town and settlement that has been inhabited since 700 BC. Today, this walled city is a delight to visit, especially for those with an interest in historic architecture.

The Vilhena Palace, for example, is an exquisite structure dating from around 1730 and it is now home to the Museum of Natural History. There's also the stunning St Paul's Cathedral, Palazzo Falzon and Mdina Gate. We usually visit Mdina on the last full day of our tour holidays to Malta.

Gozo

This small island, floating to the north of the main Maltese island, is a rural gem, full of stunning coastlines, unspoilt countryside and quaint villages. There’s a medieval citadel and baroque cathedral to discover, plus temples that pre-date the Egyptian pyramids.

It's easy to get to from Malta - travel takes around 25 minutes by boat. On our Malta tour, we spend one day exploring Gozo, taking in the citadel in Victoria, the Bay of Xlendi, and the Ggantija Temples - the earliest Megalithic temples in Malta that date back earlier than the pyramids of Egypt.

Our tours to Malta are part of our Stay & Explore collection – holidays designed to combine sightseeing with relaxation. The itinerary has been carefully planned to help you discover the best of Malta. Excursions include guided tours of Valletta and UNESCO-listed Hagar Qim, and a Gozo day trip; you’ll also have a couple of free days to relax. If you wanted to explore further, optional excursions include a Valletta harbour cruise.

As with all our holidays, our escorted tours of Malta begin the moment you leave home, thanks to our award-winning VIP door-to-door travel service. You’ll also enjoy the peace of mind that your holiday is safe – we’re ABTA bonded and ATOL protected, and our Protection Promise means you can book with complete confidence.