Top 10 Malta and Gozo

322 Pages·2018·150.49 MB·English

by  DK Travel

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Welcome to Malta and Gozo
2. Exploring Malta and Gozo
3. Top 10 Malta and Gozo Highlights
1. Grand Master’s Palace, Valletta
2. St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta
3. Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim Temples
4. Mdina and Rabat
5. Birgu (Vittoriosa)
6. Marsaxlokk
7. Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Paola
8. The Citadel, Victoria, Gozo
9. Dwejra, Gozo
10. Comino
4. The Top 10 of Everything
1. Moments in History
2. Museums
3. Temples and Ancient Sites
4. Churches and Cathedrals
5. Grand Masters
6. Areas of Natural Beauty
7. Walks and Drives
8. Outdoor Activities
9. Children’s Attractions
10. Culinary Highlights
11. Malta for Free
12. Festivals and Events
5. Malta and Gozo Area by Area
1. Valletta
2. Sliema, St Julian’s and the Three
Cities
3. Northern Malta
4. Central Malta
5. Southern Malta
6. Gozo and Comino
6. Streetsmart
1. Getting To and Around Malta and
Gozo
2. Practical Information
3. Places to Stay
7. Maps
8. Acknowledgements
9. Phrase Book
10. Copyright

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Clockwise from top: Blue Lagoon in Comino; Popeye Village in
Anchor Bay; Valletta skyline with the dome of Carmelite Church;
Mnajdra temple; decorative detail at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta;
Għadira Nature Reserve; Mdina Citadel
WELCOME TO MALTA AND GOZO
Enclosed by the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean, the
tiny nation of Malta packs an extraordinary amount into three
compact, easily visited, islands – sight-rich Malta, restful Gozo
and tiny Comino. The sun shines 300 days of the year and the
sea is warm from early summer to well into autumn. But it isn’t
just about sun and sea: Malta boasts 7,000 years of history,
culture and world-class architecture. With Eyewitness Top 10
Malta and Gozo, they are yours to explore.
Maltese sights range from unique, ancient stone temples, like Mnajdra
and Ħaġar Qim, to iconic 21st-century structures at Valletta’s City Gate.
The nation’s position at the heart of the Mediterranean and its vast
natural harbours have attracted every power in the region. The
Phoenicians came first, leaving their legacy in the form of Malta’s
traditional boats, seen in glorious technicolour in Marsaxlokk Harbour.
The Romans, Arabs, medieval Christians, Ottoman Turks, French and
British all left their mark, as did World War II and above all the Knights of
Malta.
The Knights built Malta’s delightful little capital, Valletta, its 16th-century
bastion walls towering dramatically over the Grand Harbour and its
narrow streets of honeyed limestone glowing in the Mediterranean sun.
Many of the Knights’ buildings have survived along with their art,
including St John’s Co-Cathedral, which features perhaps Europe’s
most dazzling Baroque interior.
Whether you’re coming for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide
brings together the best of everything Malta and Gozo have to offer, from
castles and catacombs to culinary delectations. The guide gives you tips
throughout, from seeking out what’s free to avoiding the crowds, plus
eight easy-to-follow itineraries, designed to help you visit a clutch of
sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography and detailed
maps, and you’ve got the essential pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy
the book, and enjoy Malta and Gozo.
EXPLORING MALTA AND GOZO
Malta’s reputation may be for sun and sea, but the islands are
packed with historic and cultural sights. The distances to travel
are short and there’s good transport so you can fit a lot into a
few days. Here are some ideas for two-and seven-day trips,
focusing on the places that no one should miss.
Two Days in Malta
DAY 1
Morning
Enter Valletta through City Gate and walk down Republic Street to St
John’s Co-Cathedral, one of Europe’s most extravagant Baroque
churches. Visit the Grand Master’s Palace then grab some food before
dropping into the National Museum of Archaeology.
St John’s Co-Cathedral has a dazzling interior and
holds many treasures.
Afternoon
Hop on a bus (or drive) to Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim, the best examples
of Malta’s unique Neolithic temples. Head on to Rabat to see the
Roman catacombs and Mdina – a perfect place to stroll as afternoon
turns to evening and dinner time.
DAY 2