Malta is among countries that start with M listed on Countryaah.com. From 1530 to 1798 Malta was under the administration of the Order of Malta. Among other things, the Maltese founded today’s capital Valletta and expanded it into a fortress against the Ottomans. Valletta still only has around 6,000 residents and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. Valletta was nominated for the European Capital of Culture for 2018.
- Day 1: Arrival in Malta and transfer to the hotel
- Day 2: Dingli Cliffs – Rabat and Mdina
- Day 3: Valletta
- Day 4: From Golden Bay to Selmun
- Day 5: From Xlendi to Mgarr: the south of Gozo
- Day 6: The north coast of Gozo
- Day 7: From Xlendi to Dwerja Bay: the west of Gozo
- Day 8: Farewell to Malta and Gozo
Gharb is one of the oldest villages on the island of Gozo, where Maria is said to have spoken to a believer in 1883. The tomb of Our Lady of Ta’Pinu reminds of this. From here our guide Anna leads us along the cliffs to the Wied il-Mielah rock gate. With Reqqa Point we reach the northernmost tip of Gozo, with its abundance of fish, the overhangs and small caves, it is a paradise for divers. We pass Tas-Salvatur Hill, from which a statue of Jesus looks down on us with outspread arms. We end the day on an olive and winery in Ta Mena.
Rest in small rocky bays, look down from windswept cliffs and feast on fish in the evening – and all of this at the beginning of March or in late autumn, when the days are short or already short and we can use some sun. The Maltese-born Anna, a nature lover who loves to camp, hike and swim, awaits us. For 30 years it has been leading visitors to popular and some undiscovered spots on their island. In addition to Malta with its capital Valletta, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it also shows us the neighboring island of Gozo.
The Dingli Cliffs are located at the highest point of the Maltese archipelago, rising up to 253 meters from the Mediterranean Sea. From here Anna takes us along the coast through a valley to the twin cities Rabat and Mdina. Between narrow streets there are palaces and churches, built from the sand-colored limestone typical of Malta. The former capital and fortress city of Mdina is known today as the “silent city”.
Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner
1st day:
Arrival in Malta and transfer to the hotel
We arrive in Malta and are expected at the airport and taken by car to our hotel in the north of the island. There, in the coastal town of Mellieha on the northern tip of the island, is our ideal base for the hikes of the coming days. You can go for a walk alone at the harbor and the sea. It is only a short taxi ride to the nearby town and you can choose between several good bars, shops and cafes. This ensures a little exercise and relaxation in the afternoons after the hikes.
We move into our rooms in our hotel in Mellieha and use the afternoon / evening for individual walks to the sea or to the town.
Overnight at the hotel in Mellieha (Malta)
(- / – / -)
2nd day:
Dingli Cliffs – Rabat and Mdina
Today we start our hike from Buskett towards Dingli Cliffs. These up to 250 m high cliffs offer spectacular views of the south coast and the island. Different birds can also be observed here very well! The cliffs are also a habitat for rare endemic plants. With wonderful views we hike along the coast and then through a valley towards Rabat and Mdina.
The history of the former capital Mdina goes back to the Bronze Age. The entire medieval old town of Mdina – now a pedestrian zone – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We stroll through the streets and squares and marvel at the old palaces, the baroque churches and the fortified city wall. Romantic horse-drawn carriages bring back memories of old eras. We will have lunch in neighboring Rabat. In the afternoon it goes back to the coast to our hotel in Mellieha.
Hike: approx. 3-4 hours (12 km, +/- 50 m)
Overnight at the hotel in Mellieha (Malta)
(B / L / -)
3rd day:
Valletta
Today we dedicate ourselves to the capital of Malta: Valletta. The European Capital of Culture 2018, with an area of less than 1 km² and only 5,700 residents, is also the smallest capital of the EU. Due to its cultural wealth, Valetta was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980 as an urban ensemble. Our walking tour of Valletta allows us a breathtaking view of the harbor from the upper Barracca Gardens. We walk through Republic Street, pass St. John’s Cathedral to the Grand Masters Palace. We will take our lunch in a typical bakery and then have time to explore the city on our own before we meet for the harbor tour. From the water we get a completely different view of Valletta.
Ferry ride: approx. 20 min.
Overnight at the hotel in Mellieha (Malta)
(B / L / -)
4th day:
From Golden Bay to Selmun
We leave our hotel in Malta. Today’s hike takes us from Golden Bay along the coast through the Majjistral Nature Park to the small village of Manikata. We enjoy wonderful views of the northwest coast of Malta on the way. From there we take our bus to the “Popeye Village” – the location was the location of the 1980 musical production of “Popeye”.
Then it goes to Mellieha-Bay where there may be the opportunity to visit the Bird Sanctuary. A nice hike then leads us to one of the most hidden bays in Malta, the “Imgiebah Bay” and further towards Selmun Palace with a view of St. Pauls Bay and Fort Campbell. In the small settlement of Selmun we will then eat typical Maltese food, after which we will take the ferry to the neighboring island of Gozo in about 20 minutes and move into the rooms in our hotel. (Our luggage has already been brought to the hotel).
Hike: approx. 4 hours (15 km, +/- 100 m)
Overnight at the hotel in Xaghra (Gozo)
(B / – / -)
5th day:
From Xlendi to Mgarr: the south of Gozo
Today’s coastal hike takes us along the south coast of Gozo. A lot of sea views, wonderful views from cliffs, seagulls soaring through the air, fragrant herbs and flowers are our companions all day. We leave the small port and holiday resort of Xlendi behind and hike to the Xlendi watchtower. The mighty tower from 1650 is the island’s oldest coastal watchtower and has protected the harbor from smugglers, pirates and other looters. On a beautiful coastal path we slowly climb to the approx. 130 m high cliffs. Here we have great views of the sea and the rugged coastline.
We turn a little inland, it goes past fields and through small villages before we reach the seashore again. We spend our lunch break in the wild and romantic little bay Mgarr ix-Xini. This beautiful place was the location of the film “By the Sea” with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. With its crystal clear water, the small pier and a very nice restaurant with tables by the sea, we are in this place far away from the rest of the world and all the hustle and bustle! (However, on some weekends it can get quite lively here because the locals also know this “insider tip” and like to visit…)
Well strengthened and possibly also refreshed from a swim in the beautiful water of the bay, we continue hiking. The path leads up a bit and we enjoy the beautiful overview of the “pirate bay” Mgarr ix-Xini. A little later we come to another watchtower, which dates from 1661 and has protected the bay from raids from the sea. Along stone walls and small fields lined with flowers and cacti, we walk further and further along the coast to the port of Mgarr. A boat is waiting for us there that will take us back to Xlendi. From the water we can look again at the beautiful coastal landscape of today’s hike. From Xlendi we take the bus back to our hotel in Xaghra.
Hike: approx. 3.5 hours (14 km, +/- 120 m)
Overnight at the hotel in Xaghra (Gozo)
(B / – / -)
6th day:
The north coast of Gozo
Today’s hike takes us to the lonely northeast coast of Gozo. We started in the beautiful village of Gharb and walk along the coast to the Wied il-Mielah (rock gate). From there we continue via Wied il-Ghasri to Reqqa Point with its salt pans to Qbajjar Bay. In water basins artificially created in the flat rocks, sea salt is obtained naturally by evaporation of the water. The sea spray splashes up in fountains behind the salt pans. Together with the various shapes of the water basins, this results in wonderful views and great photo opportunities!
We leave the coast and walk inland across meadows, past fields and farmhouses. At the top of the Tas Salvatur Hill (Redeemer Hill) there is a statue of Christ like in Rio de Janeiro! Today’s worthwhile destination for the day is a winery in Ta Mena, which is also known for its olives. Here we have a culinary stop before we return to our hotel in Xaghra by car.
Hike: approx. 3.5 hours (14 km, +/- 100 m)
Overnight at the hotel in Xaghra (Gozo)
(B / – / -)
7th day:
From Xlendi to Dwerja Bay: the west of Gozo
After breakfast we start our last hike on Gozo. We start again (as on the 5th day) in the small port town of Xlendi, but this time we walk in the other direction along the west coast to Dwejra Bay. This hike is one of the favorite hikes of Weltweitwandern boss Christian Hlade on Gozo: “I still have wonderful memories of the beautiful flowers and green meadows in spring, cliffs and the deep blue sea and the views along the way!”
After lunch in a typical restaurant in Xaghra we will visit the Ġgantija Temple. It is around 5,800 years old, so it dates from the Neolithic Age, making it one of the oldest surviving structures in the world. Since 1980 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site; In 1992 this award was extended to other megalithic temples on Gozo.
Hike: approx. 1.5 hours (6 km, +/- 200 m)
Overnight at the hotel in Xaghra (Gozo)
(B / L / -)
8th day:
Farewell to Malta and Gozo
Today it’s time to say goodbye. We will be taken to the port and on to the airport. Go home by plane… unless you have booked extra days.
(F / – / -)
