City Break - VisitMalta UK

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Map of the Maltese Islands Where to stay Top events Histor y of Malta’s cities Valletta’s restaurants Valletta’s eclectic bars 3-day itinerar y More to see and do

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M A LTA : FA I R Y TA L E C I T I E S & HISTORICAL DELIGHTS The Maltese Islands are home to a number of fascinating cities; Valletta, Mdina, The Three Cities and Victoria. The towns are positively fairy tale like, with winding honey-coloured streets leading to palaces, cathedrals and other breath-taking historic monuments.

Valletta is a masterpiece of the Baroque, a European Art City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Malta’s capital is one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world; just 80 hectares in size, the city’s 320 historic monuments can be discovered completely on foot.

The origins of Mdina, Malta’s medieval capital, can be traced back more than 4,000 years. The history of Mdina and its suburb Rabat is as old and as chequered as the history of Malta itself. It’s still home to Malta’s noble families and impressive palaces

line its winding streets. Mdina is often referred to as the ‘Silent City’ as no cars are allowed to pass through its gates.

The Three Cities is the collective name of the three fortified cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua in Malta. The picturesque narrow streets are perfect for absorbing some of the local atmosphere and traditions.

Victoria, known to the Maltese as Rabat, is Gozo’s capital city. The city was named in 1887 to honour Queen Victoria during her Jubilee year. The walled city sits in the centre of the island and boasts interesting museums, cathedrals and most famously; the Citadella.

Just a three hour flight away from the UK and boasting over 300 days of sunshine, the Mediterranean archipelago calls to city breakers of all ages.

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W H E R E T O S TAY The cities found on the Maltese Islands boast an array of stunning boutique hotels, alfresco dining and eclectic wine bars; which location will be the base of your next city-break?

VALLETTA With its rich heritage and bustling centre, Valletta is ideal for visitors wanting to spend their time in Malta’s thriving cultural capital. The UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts an abundance of luxurious boutique hotels and private properties inside the city walls. Larger hotels are found just outside of the City Gate.

MDINA Malta’s medieval capital, Mdina, is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city and extraordinary in its mix of medieval and baroque architecture. The honey-coloured city is home to a spectacular boutique hotel and numerous private properties, perfect for a relaxing and romantic getaway for two.

THE THREE CITIES The Three Cities, Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua, boast a stunning view of Valletta and its magnificent Grand Harbour. The historically rich fortified cities are home to luxurious boutique hotels, restaurants and eclectic wine bars. With frequent buses and water taxis to Valletta, there’s every reason to stay in one of The Three Cities and experience city culture off the beaten track.

VICTORIA, GOZO Ir-Rabat, Victoria, is the capital of Malta’s sister island, Gozo. The small capital city is home to quaint boutique hotels, which give you an insight into traditional Gozitan culture. Republic Street, the main street in Victoria, boasts a number of shopping outlets, the Astra and Aurora opera theatres and the picturesque Villa Rundle Public Gardens.

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TOP EVENTS

The cities found on the Maltese Islands boast hundreds of events each year.

From arts and culture, theatre and performance to music festivals and carnivals; there’s something for everyone.

WINTER CARNIVAL | VALLETTA The Malta Carnival is a five-day celebration featuring colourful floats, extravagant costumes and parties into the early hours. The heart of the action takes place in Valletta, where hundreds of people gather during the parade wearing flamboyant costumes, masks and heavy make-up.

MALTA FIREWORKS FESTIVAL | VALLETTA The annual Malta International Fireworks Festival, held in Valletta’s Grand Harbour and various other locations, takes place at the end of April to commemorate Malta’s accession into the European Union on 1st May 2004. Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy each evening free of charge.

NOTTE BIANCA | VALLETTA Notte Bianca is an annual event that takes place in October and lights up the cityscape of Valletta.

State palaces and museums open their doors to delight patrons with visual art exhibitions and theatre performances, while the open-air streets and piazzas showcase some of the finest local and international musicians and dancers.

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BIRGUFEST | THE THREE CITIES Birgufest is a celebration of culture and art.

Visitors can enjoy historical re-enactments and dinner by candlelight in the quaint town square.

All the surrounding streets and houses are lit up with candles, chandeliers hang in the streets, and music ruminates throughout the winding pathways.

MALTA CLASSIC | MDINA Malta Classic welcomes car enthusiasts, visitors and families to historic island to discover some of the world’s most elegant and sought-after classic cars.

INTERNATIONAL ART FESTIVAL | VICTORIA The five-week festival on Malta’s sister island, Gozo, boasts a spectacular sequence of musical and cultural events. Victoria International Arts Festival includes orchestral chamber ensembles of various formations, soloists, choirs, a baroque week and big bands.

Visit www.maltauk.com for more event details.

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O HI F S M T C A OR IT L Y I E TA S ’S

VALLETTA Before the Great Siege of 1565, the Sciberras Peninsula was uninhabited and unfortified, except for Fort St Elmo, which stands at its furthest point. Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette commissioned the ambitious building of Valletta, ‘a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen’, and Pope Pius IV sent his foremost engineer, Francesco Laparelli, to build the city. Malta’s capital is a fine example of modern city planning, and was the first city to be designed on a grid system. Laparelli’s assistant, Maltese architect Gerolamo Cassar, contributed heavily to the design of the spectacular baroque buildings that still stand today. Cassar designed the magnificent St. John’s Co-Cathedral, built between 1573 and 1578, which was later adorned in gold-leaf by artist Matti Preti and home to the only signed Caravaggio painting in the world.

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THE THREE CITIES The Three Cities is a collective name for three fortified medieval cities, Vittorosia, Senglea and Conspicua, which were the first home to the Knights of St. John in the 16th century. Vittorosia lies in the shadow of Fort St Angelo, the stronghold which defended the Grand Harbour in the days of the Order. The crucial role it played during the Great Seige 1565 was formally recognised when the name, which means ‘victorious’, was bestowed on the town, replacing its previous name Birgu.

MDINA Malta’s old capital is one of the world’s finest examples of a medieval walled city still inhabited.

Its history is as old as that of the island itself and can be traced back more than 4,000 years. Mdina was a fortified settlement, even during the Bronze Age. When the Knights arrived in the 16th century,

it was the refuge of Maltese nobility and played an important role during the Great Seige. Tradition holds that the Apostle St. Paul resided in the city ‘s suburb Rabat, after his historical shipwreck on the Maltese Islands in 60 AD. VICTORIA, GOZO Gozo’s capital Rabat was renamed in honour of Britain’s Queen Victoria in her Golden Jubilee year, 1887. The city is the suburb of the medieval walled Citadel and has been fortified since the Bronze Age. The enormous defensive stone walls, built by the Knights to protect the villagers, of the fortification rise above the small town. In 1551, the entire population of Gozo was captured to work as slaves by the Ottoman Empire.

Visit www.maltauk.com for more information on the history of the islands’ cities.

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VA L L E T TA’ S R E S TAU R A N T S

The flavour of Maltese cuisine is the result of a 7,000-year relationship with the many civilisations who have occupied the Maltese Islands. A tantalising melting-pot of cultures including the Arabs, Sicilians, Romans, Spanish and French have influenced the unique blend of Maltese cooking.

PANORAMA Panorama offers full flavoured Mediterranean cuisine with a spectacular view of Valletta’s majestic Grand Harbour. Nestled inside the British Hotel, Panorama is an exclusive venue that can be appreciated, day and night.

NENU THE ARTISAN BAKER Located on one of Valletta’s quieter streets, Nenu the Artisan Baker boasts deliciously authentic traditional Maltese gastronomy. The restaurant aims to ‘capture the past in the present’ and showcases the art of bread-making –Maltese ftira is an absolute must on the menu.

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NONI Noni is located at 211, Republic Street, an address that has been synonymous with food, hospitality and entertainment in Valletta for more than 250 years. Continuing with the rich history of this venue, Noni offers a fine dining experience that is set in a warm and informal atmosphere.

THE HARBOUR CLUB The Harbour Club sits in a carefully converted warehouse, built by the 64th Grand Master of the Order of Malta in 1712, provides a unique dining experience with a spectacular view of the Grand Harbour. Enjoy Mediterranean cuisine with a French influence made with seasonal and local ingredients.

Visit www.maltauk.com/gastronomytrail for more restaurants located in Valletta and throughout the Maltese Islands.

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Malta is gaining international attention as an emerging wine region. Despite the islands’ small size there’s a broad selection of white, red and rosé wines to choose from. The Maltese Islands don’t produce enough wine to export so enjoying a glass is an essential experience during your visit.

BRIDGE BAR Take in spectacular views of the Grand Harbour whilst drinking Maltese wine and listening to atmospheric jazz music throughout the evening.

KINGSWAY Discover this chic cocktail bar and café, situated in Republic Street, to enjoy delightful beverages and a delicious menu.

YARD 32 Experience the largest gin selection in Malta; Yard 32 boasts over 180 different gins and home-made tapas.

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CITY LOUNGE STEAK HOUSE Enjoy drinks and nibbles with a picturesque view of the Grandmaster’s Palace at City Lounge Steak House, located in Old Theatre Street.

CAFÉ SOCIETY Enjoy a cocktail or two and take in the fantastic ambience at Café Society.

ECLECTIC BARS

VA L L E T TA’ S

ĠUGAR Chill out in the quirky bar or soak up the sunshine on the Republic Street steps; this bar is the perfect place to hangout.

TRABUXU WINE BAR Nestled below street level in a 400-year-old stone vaulted cellar, Trabuxu Wine Bar has been serving visitors for over 15 years.

Visit www.maltauk.com/bartrail for more bars throughout the islands.

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3 - DAY I T I N E R A RY With so much to see and do it’s hard to know where to start; check out our weekend long itinerary for a helping hand.

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VA L L E T TA

DAY ONE:

MORNING Pass through CITY GATE; the entrance to the city of Valletta. The impressive gate marks the beginning of REPUBLIC STREET and was designed by architect Renzo Piano. Wander through the streets of Valletta and marvel at the NEW PARLIAMENT BUILDING and the ROYAL OPERA HOUSE also designed by the Italian architect.

The exterior of the contemporary New Parliament Building resembles the limestone that the Maltese Islands are recognised for; the holes in the structure replicate the erosion of limestone over time. The ruins of the Royal Opera House, destroyed during an air raid in 1942, have been converted into an open-air theatre for all to enjoy.

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Visit the UPPER BARRAKKA GARDENS; a beautiful public garden in Valletta. The gardens offer a stunning panoramic view of the Grand Harbour and date back to 1661, when it was a private garden for the Italian Knights.

AFTERNOON Enjoy lunch at ST JOHN’S SQUARE and try traditional Maltese pastizzi; a delicious savoury filo pastry pasty filled with either rich ricotta cheese or mushy peas.

EVENING Visit BRIDGE BAR to take in spectacular views of the Grand Harbour, whilst drinking Maltese wine and listening to atmospheric jazz music throughout the evening.

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Explore the LOWER BARRAKKA GARDENS, which offer a picturesque view of the Grand Harbour and the breakwater. The gardens include the Monument to Sir Alexander Ball, which is a prominent feature in the form of a neoclassical temple located at the centre of the garden. The terrace area features a number of commemorative plaques dedicated to the Hungarian revolution of 1956, the Prague spring, Giuseppe Garibaldi and the 50th anniversary of the European Union, amongst others.

Discover CASA ROCCA PICCOLA, a 16th century palace, providing a unique insight into the customs and traditions of the Maltese nobility over the last 400 years. The house is furnished by a historical collection of furniture, silver and paintings.

Casa Rocca Piccola houses Malta’s largest private collection of antique costumes from the 18th to the 20th century.

Visit GRAND MASTER’S PALACE, once the residence of the Grand Masters of the Knights of St John. From Malta’s independence in 1964 until 2015, the palace was the seat of Malta’s parliament, before moving to the New Parliament Building.The Armoury is housed in what was once the Grand Master’s stables.

AFTERNOON Visit THE HARBOUR CLUB to enjoy a delicious Mediterranean dish, which aims to remind diners of the renowned Grand Harbour and its rich history.

The view from the terrace is not to be missed.

Visit VALLETTA’S WATERFRONT before taking a traditional Maltese Dghajsa boat trip to THE THREE CITIES. The beautifully restored waterfront is of great historical value and heritage, dating back more than 250 years. Today, the waterfront boasts a number of upmarket bars, retail outlets and restaurants.

Enjoy a ROLLING GEEKS TOUR of The Three Cities; a collective description of the three fortified cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua in Malta. The oldest of the Three Cities is Birgu, which has existed since the Middle Ages. The other two cities, Senglea and Cospicua, were both founded by the Knights of Saint John in the 16th and 17th centuries. Please note that a driving license will be needed to operate the five-seater self-drive electric cars, complete with pre-programme GPS. Contact Rolling Geeks directly to book a tour of The Three Cities.

EVENING Spend the evening taking in the spectacular view of the The Three Cities’ marina from Birgu’s waterfront.

If you’d like to enjoy another traditional Maltese meal, try Malta’s national dish Fenek; rabbit stew or delicious ravioli packages filled with cheese made from sheeps milk.

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DAY T WO:

VA L L E T TA & T H R E E C I T I E S

MORNING Discover ST JOHN’S CO-CATHEDRAL. The jaw dropping interior elaborately adorned by Mattia Preti is widely considered to be the best example of baroque style anywhere in Europe. The magnificent Cathedral is also home to the only signed work and largest painting by Caravaggio.

MORNING Visit MOSTA, a town in the Northern region of Malta. The most famous building in Mosta is the Rotunda, a large church with the third largest unsupported dome in the world.

EVENING The Medieval capital, home to Malta’s noble families and honey-coloured monuments, transforms itself into the ‘Silent City’ at night.

During WWII, the Luftwaffe dropped three bombs on the Rotunda; two of them deflected without exploding and one pierced the dome, entered the church and did not explode. More than 300 people were awaiting early evening mass, which was interpreted as a miracle by the Maltese.

AFTERNOON Enjoy lunch at the Fontanella Tea Gardens where you can take in the breath-taking views surrounding Mdina.

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Experience a traditional horse drawn carriage ride or wander through the lamp-lit streets. The whimsical architecture and spectacular views provide the perfect romantic setting for couples.

Enjoy an evening meal at Trattoria AD 1530, a charming restaurant serving delicious traditional Maltese cuisine. Situated in the old square, between the beautiful Vilhena Palace and the magnificent 17th Century Palazzo of The Xara Palace; Trattoria is the perfect restaurant for al fresco dining.

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M D I N A & M O S TA

DAY THREE:

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MORE TO SEE AND D O

1 // RAMLA BAY Known in Maltese as Ramla il-Hamra (Red Sands), Ramla Bay is the biggest sandy beach on Malta’s sister island, Gozo.

Often ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it boasts rich-coloured sand surrounded by the crystal-clear azure blue waters of the Maltese Islands.

2 // ĠGANTIJA TEMPLES The Ġgantija Temples are the oldest, free-standing structures in the world, created 1,000 years before the famous Egyptian pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge. The megalithic temples are a unique architectural masterpiece and witness to an exceptional prehistoric culture.

3 // BLUE LAGOON The Blue Lagoon is one of the most picturesque locations on the Maltese archipelago.

The small cove between the western end of Gozo and the uninhabited islet of Cominotto, boasts turquoise shallow waters perfect for snorkelling, swimming and exploring by boat.

4 // COMINO CAVES The caves surrounding Comino, the smallest island of the Mediterranean archipelago, are perfect to visit by boat. Enjoy a day swimming or snorkelling in the crystal-clear water that surrounds the Maltese Islands.

Keep your eyes peeled for the beautiful Mediterranean rainbow wrasse fish.

5 // BLUE GROTTO Take a trip to the picturesque Blue Grotto and its neighbouring system of caverns that mirror the stunning phosphorescent colours of the underwater flora. The Blue Grotto is a also a popular site for scuba divers because of the crystal-clear azure waters it boasts.

6 // DINGLI CLIFFS For a spectacular morning view, visit the Dingli Cliffs located on Malta’s Western coast; they are the highest point of the Maltese Islands and stand at around 253 metres above sealevel. Early birds should check out this location at sunrise for a panoramic view of the Mediterranean Ocean.

7 // MARSAXLOKK Take a trip to Marsaxlokk; the foremost fishing village and one of the most picturesque locations on the island. The small fishing boat known as the Luzzu, painted in vivid colours of red, yellow, green and blue float gracefully on the calm waters of the bay. Visit on Sunday to enjoy the fish market.

8 // COUNTRYSIDE The Maltese Islands have an array of minor roads, country footpaths and off-road trails to explore magnificent valleys, scenic routes and distinct topography. Take in the breathtaking scenery and discover rugged countryside, spectacular cliffs, jagged coastline and hidden inland valleys.

9 // SCUBA-DIVING The Maltese Islands consistently rank as one of the top three in the ‘Destination of the Year’ category at the Diver Magazine Awards, offering an array of unique dive experiences with an abundance of reefs, caves and wrecks to explore. The waters surrounding Malta are known for their transparency.

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To learn more visit www.maltauk.com for further information and travel offers