Malta and Gozo: Valletta, Mdina and the Three Cities

Arrive in Valletta

Malta International Airport (MLA) to your hotel in Valletta

• Repas du soir
• Nuit : Valletta
• Environ 18 min de route

Soir

We then sit down to a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where the first plates of Maltese cooking are shared across the table.

Compris

• Pick-up at Malta International Airport (MLA)
• Welcome briefing with your guide
• Welcome dinner in Valletta

Valletta and the Three Cities

Valletta on foot, then by traditional boat across the Grand Harbour to Birgu and Senglea

• Petit-déjeuner et repas du midi
• Nuit : Valletta
• En bateau

Matin

Our proposed morning visit is St John's Co-Cathedral and its oratory, which holds Caravaggio's Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. Tourist visits are not available on Sundays and public holidays, so departure dates and this visit must be checked together before booking. The plain limestone front hides a gilded interior; we allow time to explore rather than promise a crowd-free visit. Then we walk down through the Upper Barrakka Gardens for the view over the Grand Harbour and let your guide explain how the Knights of St John built the city after the Great Siege of 1565.

Après-midi

Lunch is a sit-down meal in the old town. In the afternoon we cross the harbour by dghajsa, the traditional Maltese water taxi, to Birgu and Senglea, two of the Three Cities, and walk their quiet waterfront lanes and fortifications.

Soir

We plan to return to Valletta by harbour boat before the free evening; the operator, passenger capacity and both crossings must be confirmed before booking.

Compris

• St John's Co-Cathedral and the Caravaggio oratory (opening dates to be confirmed)
• Upper Barrakka Gardens
• Valletta walking tour with your guide
• Harbour boat travel to the Three Cities and back to Valletta (operator and capacity to be confirmed)
• Walk through the Three Cities

Activités en option

• Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum in Paola: a separately quoted itinerary change, not an add-on assumed to fit this day. Limited entry may require separate tour slots; tickets, transfers, timing and any displaced visits must be agreed before booking.

Mdina, Rabat and the ferry to Gozo

Valletta to Mdina and Rabat, then Ċirkewwa by road and the ferry to Gozo

• Petit-déjeuner et repas du midi
• Nuit : Gozo
• Environ 1.5 h de route

Matin

We leave Valletta by van after breakfast, about 14 km west, so we reach Mdina close to opening, when its lanes are quiet and the golden light is low on the walls. Mdina is the old capital on its hill, known as the silent city because most of it is closed to cars. We walk the bastions and lanes with your guide and visit the cathedral museum. Rabat, the town just outside the gate, is next: we go down into the St Paul's Catacombs, early Christian underground burial chambers.

Après-midi

Lunch is a sit-down meal in Rabat or Mdina. In the afternoon we drive to Ċirkewwa on the north-west tip of Malta and take the ferry to Mġarr in Gozo, a crossing of about 25 minutes, then continue to our base for the next three nights, with the afternoon free.

Compris

• Mdina walking tour with your guide
• Mdina Cathedral Museum
• St Paul's Catacombs in Rabat
• Ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr, Gozo

Gozo: temples and the Citadel

Ġgantija temples, a village lunch and the Citadel in Victoria

• Petit-déjeuner et repas du midi
• Nuit : Gozo
• Environ 1 h de route

Matin

The morning belongs to prehistory. We plan a morning visit to the Ġgantija temples in Xagħra, built from enormous limestone blocks. Your guide walks the two temples and the visitor centre with us; the visit time depends on confirmed seasonal opening hours.

Après-midi

Next comes a village lunch of Gozitan dishes, cooked simply with local cheese, tomatoes and bread. In the afternoon we drive to Victoria, Gozo's main town, and climb to the Citadel, the fortified hill above it, walking the ramparts for views across the island to the sea.

Soir

Free time in Victoria's market streets follows before we return to the hotel, and the evening is yours. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can assess the uneven surfaces and steps with you.

Compris

• Ġgantija temples with your guide
• Village lunch
• The Citadel in Victoria and its ramparts
• Free time in Victoria

Activités en option

• Dinner on the waterfront at Marsalforn or Mġarr, chosen by you (not included)

Dwejra coast and a slow afternoon

Dwejra Bay and the western cliffs, then a free afternoon and farewell dinner

• Petit-déjeuner, repas du midi et repas du soir
• Nuit : Gozo
• Environ 48 min de route

Matin

After breakfast we drive west to Dwejra on Gozo's wild western shore, where tall limestone cliffs fall to the sea and Fungus Rock stands at the mouth of the bay. The famous Azure Window arch collapsed in a storm in March 2017, so we come for the cliffs and the rock instead, and your guide explains how it fell.

Après-midi

We walk a coastal path above the water with a choice of lengths, then have lunch at a family restaurant in a nearby village. The afternoon is free: swim at a small beach if the sea allows, wander the hotel's town or rest.

Soir

In the evening we meet for a farewell dinner together; drinks are paid separately.

Compris

• Dwejra coast with your guide
• Coastal walk above Dwejra Bay
• Lunch at a family restaurant
• Farewell dinner

Activités en option

• Boat trip along the Gozo coast on a calm day, booked locally (not included)

Ferry back and departure

Gozo to Malta International Airport (MLA) via the ferry

• Petit-déjeuner
• Environ 1.5 h de route

Matin

After breakfast we take the road from the hotel to the Mġarr ferry terminal, about 6 km, and cross to Ċirkewwa on a short sailing of about 25 minutes. Our vehicle meets us on the Malta side and drives about 30 km to Malta International Airport (MLA), roughly 40 minutes without traffic. Do not book flights until we confirm a suitable departure time against the hotel location, ferry timetable, check-in requirements and disruption plan.

Soir

An earlier flight may require a separately quoted change or an additional mainland night; neither is included in these five nights. The trip ends at the airport. Keep your passport, medication and other essentials accessible during the crossing.

Compris

• Ferry from Mġarr to Ċirkewwa
• Transfer to Malta International Airport (MLA)