Location: Valletta
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Top 10 Historical & Heritage Tours in Valletta, Island of Malta
Founded in 1565 by the Order of St John as a refuge for soldiers returning from the Crusades, Valletta is now the capital of Malta and a piece of living history. With an unsurpassed collection of original Baroque architecture, fortified city walls overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and the spectacular Co-Cathedral of St John, which features intricately carved stone vaults and a famed painting by Caravaggio, it is no wonder that this smallest of European capital cities is a world heritage site.
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1. Private Highlights of Malta Full-Day Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
The island’s size works in your favour in this postcard-perfect full day tour of Malta. You’ll walk along the same narrow streets as the Knights of St John, take in the sights and smells of Malta’s most famous fishing village ‘Marsaxlokk’ and gaze in awe as you step into the island’s most ancient temples, dating back over 5,000 years. Enjoy the stunning views from Dingli Cliffs, tuck into a feast for your taste-buds with local ‘pastizzi’, before quietly wandering through the silent city of Mdina, with its jaw-dropping views of Malta. You’ll end your day the way the locals do, with delicate sand playing between your toes and the stresses of the day ebbing away. We cover the best of Malta in this full day tour, however if you’d like a more customised or specific themed experience of the country, just let us know. We’re happy to help.
Inclusions: Private tour., Professional guide., Hotel or Port pick up and drop off., Transport by air-conditioned private vehicle.
Exclusions: Entrance fees., Lunch., Gifts/Souvenirs., Gratuities
Reviewed By omarfX955LQ
I was looking for a tour to visit the most relevant Jewish historical spots in Malta. The team was very fast to respond and propose a customized half day tour. My guide, Dennis has a lot of knowledge of history, art, religion, and of course Malta. Therefore, the experience was above my expectations!!! Thank you!
2. Private Tour Valletta Shore Excursion
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Much of Malta's grandeur is owed to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem now universally known as the Knights of Malta, who made Malta their home for close to three centuries. Valletta, Malta's capital was founded by the Frenchman Jean de Vallette after the epic siege of 1565. In the words of Sir Walter Scott Valletta is "a splendid town quite like a dream" rising perpendicular from the water's edge. It dominates the island's historic Grand Harbour - the finest natural port in Europe. The grid planned city is representative of the island as a whole. It is rich in history, architecture, art and culture. Your private tour guide will ensure that you won't miss out on anything worth seeing in Valletta.
Inclusions: Fully licensed tour Guide by the Malta Tourism Authority., Elevator fee to reach the city center., A 3 hour guide tour starting from the agreed meeting time.
Exclusions: Entrance fees to any museum or church., St John's Co - Cathedral €15 Adult / €7.50 Senior., Gratuities
Reviewed By CheshtaH
Walking through the streets of Valleta and realising the city has such a rich history. My tour guide was great and provided a lot of context as we passed each street. I've been on many walking tours and have realised the tour is just as good as your tour guide - luckily for me, my tour guide was amazing making it such a rich experience. Highly recommend the Valetta city tour!
3. Malta Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Enjoy a full-day private tour of Malta and visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Take advantage of a private driver and local guide at your disposal to show you up the main attractions on the island Explore the capital city Valletta and the fisherman's village of Marsaxlokk. Visit the ancient capital of Mdina and more in a blend of historical and natural sites.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Lunch in Marsaxlokk
Exclusions: Gratuities, Entrance Tickets
Reviewed By ultraaaaaas
a wonderful holiday with excellent food and wine and incredible places to visit, all very well organized
4. Valletta Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
This tour will take you through the most beautiful parts of Valletta to admire its architecture, learn about its history and get a better idea of what makes Malta so unique. Being guided through a city by a professional and passionate tourist guide will give a better perspective of all you will be seeing.
Inclusions: Fully Licensed Tourist Guide
Exclusions: Gratuites
Reviewed By janinem583
Chris made our first visit to Mdina and Rabat an excellent one! We learned far more than we expected to (relative to the average walking tour) and finished with a great list of ideas and recommendations about what else to see/do/eat in the area. Thanks to Chris for providing such an informative and engaging morning; highly recommend for anyone looking to experience Mdina's amazing beauty and history firsthand.
5. Wonderful Valletta, gastronomy, art, and history in the Mediterranean
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
Immerse yourself with our tour in the history of this ancient city and take advantage of your stay in Malta learning history in the best way with a local guide
Inclusions: official tour guide (licensed)
Exclusions:
Reviewed By rodrigolopez7
Moise is so good guide. He showed us everything around la valletta, telling us many interesting things. Totally recommended ????????????????
6. The Original Valletta Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 490 reviews
On this tour you will visit the main highlights of Valletta, while also visiting an often ignored but equally fascinating part of the city. The tour starts at the modernized entrance of Valletta, and while walking along the majestic streets of the city, your guide will point out all the main landmarks, while keeping you entertained with fascinating and little-known true stories. What was it like to be a patient at the Holy Infirmatory? Or a galley slave on the ships of the Order? Were all Knights behaving in accordance to their vows?
Inclusions: Professional guide
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Gratuities
Reviewed By zimrathon
I had the privilege of having Matthew as a guide when I visited Mdina yesterday, and it was an amazing experience. Matthew's deep expertise in the subject of history in general and Malta in particular, made it an unforgettable experience. In addition to telling everything worth knowing about Mdina, Matthew also excitedly answered all questions I had and revealed his deep knowledge on anything from ~2800 BC until more recent times, as well as even explaining the traces of mini elephants and their origins and how they may have ended up on Malta in pre-historic times.
7. Valletta City Walking Tour with St. John's Co-Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 15 reviews
Any visit to Malta must include a walk through the historic centre of Valletta and a visit to St. John’s Co-Cathedral is a must. At a comfortable pace your guide will unfold the history of this World Heritage Site. You will learn how Valletta began, how it evolved over the centuries, and about the events which shaped it into the city that it is today. As you walk past Auberges, palaces and churches your guide will explain about the Knights of Malta and the city’s connections with the British period. You will also visit gardens, which offer stunning views of Malta's Grand Harbour. The walk ends with a guided tour of St. John's Co-Cathedral, including the oratory which houses Caravaggio's masterpiece "The Beheading of St. John the Baptist".
Inclusions: A 3 hour guided tour of Valletta by a licensed tour guide.
Exclusions: Entrance fee to St. John's Co-Cathedral. (Adults €15, Seniors / Students €7.50)
Reviewed By CheshtaH
Walking through the streets of Valleta and realising the city has such a rich history. My tour guide was great and provided a lot of context as we passed each street. I've been on many walking tours and have realised the tour is just as good as your tour guide - luckily for me, my tour guide was amazing making it such a rich experience. Highly recommend the Valetta city tour!
8. Archaeological Sites & Fishing Villages
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 55 reviews
Walk through time (3500BC) when visiting these ancient prehistoric temples. Many people know about the Pyramids and Stonehenge but little do they know when it comes to these Maltese temples outdating them both. We have around twenty three megalithic sites scattered all over the islands of Malta & Gozo. In this private tour we will be visiting two fishing villages, Tarxien, Hagar Qim & Mnajdra temples. Two of these temples spread apart by a few meters very close to our cliffside, on the first day of each season the sun rises in a particular alignment with these prehistoric buildings marking the grow or harvest periods. We do not call this a guided tour but there is no need for one to be since on every site there will be its own guidance and audio visuals. All entry fees are included in price with free flowing cold water. Only the boat ride is optional and tickets need to be bought upon arriving at the site.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, All Fees and Taxes, Price includes Entry Fees to All sites., Free Flowing Cold Water
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Kay_Mac_Can
My wife scheduled a tour for 2 of us to Hypogeum,Tarxien,Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Temples. Christopher picked us up at our hotel in St. Julian and immediately checked with us if we wanted to cancel the tour due to bad weather. We confirmed we still wanted to go, got into his car and left. On the way he played an informative video for us. Our first sop was Hypogeum. The place was very empty due to the bad weather, but it was perfect. We almost had the site to ourselves. From there he stopped off at a nice look out point before visiting Hagar Qim & Mnajdra (both were also very empty due to bad weather). Christopher answered many of our questions along the way and did offer options for lunch to make the most of the bad weather. It was a really informative and relaxing trip. Christopher made us feel very relaxed. We would definitely call him again for future tours.
9. Valletta Segway Tour and The Malta Experience
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 199 reviews
Discover Valletta on a 1.5 hour Segway tour plus an amazing 45 min audiovisual show at The Malta Experience and get a totally different view of Malta’s capital city. Hop on a Segway and absorb the capital city first hand with your guide and experience Valletta while gliding on the coolest ride of the 21st century. Then view an audio-visual spectacular at the The Malta Experience that discusses the dramatic story 7000 year history of a nation that has overcome almost unimaginable odds to survive and prosper.
Inclusions: Segway Orientation and Training, Viewing of the Malta Experience Show, Tour escort/host, Use of helmet
Exclusions: Tour Exclusivity, Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By sc11884
This was my first excursion post-covid. I wanted to do this so badly back in March but it closed down but I’ve finally made it. I did the afternoon tour in Dingli as the Valletta tour is not available on Sundays. Damian was the guide. Apart from a small accident (not me), everything went great. The tour takes you inside country lanes, with a lot of hills that require good control of the segway. Then, towards the end, you’ll go over the cliffs with some spectacular views. The segway is very easy to ride and they teach you anyway. Damian was excellent. Definitely worth doing it, especially outside of Valletta.
10. Mdina Private Walking Tour
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 6 reviews
Take a journey back in time with this private Mdina Tour, admiring the magnificent palazzos and churches in the city’s unique mix of medieval and baroque styles, as well as the spectacular panoramas from the high bastion walls. You will learn about the colourful history of Mdina and the many sieges it endured, offering shelter and protection to the Maltese population against the frequent pirate attacks; and hear the story of how the Maltese uprising against the French in 1798 started.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Private tour
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Gratuities, Food and drinks
Reviewed By zimrathon
Regardless who you are, if you're going to Malta, you have not experienced fully without this guided tour of Valletta. In one day I did first the Valletta tour and then the Mdina tour with Matthew as a guide and I could not have been more satisfied. The way Matthew tells the stories of the city, reflecting on the leadership of the various knights of S:t Johns order and the strategic location of the city up until more recent times, makes you want to start studying history yourself. Even more, a real historian true to his form, Matthew skilfully relates the more contentious topics of the history and politics of the region's last millennium or so, but with objectivity, so that you yourself learn the different points of view and get a deeper understanding of what has formed Malta as she is today. To summarize - don't come to Malta without taking this tour.
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