Soller Bay on Mallorca

Malta Travel Guide – Tarxien Temples & Mdina

Marsaxlokk Bay, Tarxien Temples and Mdina

Monday, January 5th

Pretty Bay in Marsaxlokk Bay

The sandy Pretty Bay beach in Marsaxlokk Bay on Malta.

Pretty Bay in Marsaxlokk Bay has one of the most beautiful sandy beaches on Malta.

Marsaxlokk is a charming fishing village with many colourful boats and excellent fish restaurants.

Tarxien Temples

Massive limestone entrance gate of the prehistoric Tarxien Temples on Malta.
Ancient stone sculpture on spherical feet in the neolithic Tarxien Temples on Malta, circa 2500 BC.
Aligned megalithic limestone blocks and chambers of the prehistoric Tarxien Temples near Valletta, Malta.
Large stone offering bowl and limestone apse chamber in the neolithic Tarxien Temples on Malta.

The Tarxien Temples date back to the Stone Age, between 3600 and 2400 BC. The complex consisted of four temples with separate entrances. More information can be found at heritagemalta.org/tarxien-temples/.

Afterwards, we head to Sliema for some shopping.

The Silent City

Illuminated medieval city gate of Mdina at night – the Silent City on Malta.
Baroque cathedral of Mdina festively lit at night in the Silent City Malta.
Magnificent church interior in Mdina with gilded vault and red curtains.
Ornate marble tombstones with coats of arms in the cathedral floor of Mdina.
Nave paved with coat of arms stones in the silence of Mdina's historic cathedral.
View over nocturnal Mdina with the lights of the Maltese plain in the background.
Old red wooden portal in a sandstone wall in the old town of Mdina at night.
Arcaded courtyard with Maltese flag illuminated at night in the Silent City Mdina.
Medieval city gate of Mdina at night, spotlit with warm floodlights.
Baroque palace facade with red portal, palm tree and lanterns in Mdina at night.

On the way to Valletta, we get off at Mdina. The city is also called The Silent City. Anyone walking around here in the evening will quickly understand why. We stroll through beautiful old and almost deserted alleyways. There is the occasional bar or restaurant in this picturesque setting, but it is extremely quiet.

Valletta Harbour Tour, Popeye Village and Mellieha Bay

Tuesday, January 6th:

Harbour Tour of Valletta, Malta

Historic fortifications at the Grand Harbour of Valletta, Malta.
Baroque church domes and watchtowers entering Valletta harbour.
View from the water of Valletta's silhouette with golden church dome during harbour tour.
Harbour tour in Valletta, Malta – view of the fortress walls.
Medieval fortress wall with arches at the harbour entrance of Valletta, Malta.
Golden baroque facades and bastions of Valletta's old town seen from Grand Harbour.
Fort with Maltese and Order flag at the entrance of Valletta's Grand Harbour.
Sailboat masts in Birgu yacht marina with baroque parish church in background.
Historic arsenal buildings of Maltese limestone along the Grand Harbour in Valletta.
Stone watchtower with dome at the fortress wall of Grand Harbour Valletta.
Industrial shipyard area in Grand Harbour Valletta with cranes and red ship in dry dock.
Neoclassical government buildings and arcaded galleries at the harbour quay of Valletta.
Panoramic view of Valletta old town with bastions and golden townhouses from Grand Harbour.
Harbour tour in Valletta, Malta.
Fort St. Angelo in Valletta – view from the water of the mighty bulwark.
Harbour tour in Valletta, Malta.
Old city wall of Valletta with vaulted tunnel passage and car park.
Harbour tour in Valletta, Malta.
Baroque church towers and dome of Senglea in Valletta's Grand Harbour.
Harbour tour in Valletta – colourful fishing boat.
Traditional three-master in Sliema harbour during the harbour tour.
Historic sandstone palace on the coastal promenade near Valletta.
Small harbour with moored sailing boats and church facade in Malta.
Sailing ship in the harbour of Valletta.

A harbour tour from Sliema around Valletta is a must. 

Popeye Village in Malta

Houses in Popeye Village on Malta.
Popeye Village auf Malta
Fish Monger Restaurant and souvenir shop in the Popeye Village film set on Malta.
Popeye and Olive in Popeye Village on Malta.
Full view of Popeye Village with colourful wooden houses, bay and limestone cliffs.
Blue Post Office building and colourful wooden houses in Popeye Village against Malta's rock face.
Main square of Popeye Village Malta with wooden houses, lantern and red steps.
Close-up of the blue Post Office building in the Popeye Village film set on Malta.
Bird's-eye view of Popeye Village with Seafarers Hotel and Maltese coast.

 

By bus we head north to Popeye Village – this is where the 1980 movie Popeye, a musical comedy, was filmed. The film sets, which were reconstructed after a fire, are now a kind of amusement park and a popular excursion destination. There are a few rides for children and plenty of entertainment.

Mellieha Bay in Northern Malta

Mellieha Bay
Mellieha (Parish Church of St Mary) Cave Chapel from the year 409 Grotto St Maria

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