The 5 Best Historical Tours in Malta

1.Prehistoric Temples, Limestone Heritage & Blue Grotto

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 412 reviews · 4 hours · from $41Our pick

Travel by air-conditioned coach from mainland Malta to the Limestone Heritage Park, Ħaġar Qim Temples, and the Blue Grotto. A local guide explains Malta’s stone, archaeology, and coastal scenery. The optional Blue Grotto boat ride costs about €10 for adults and depends on calm weather.

“Unfortunately missed out on the Blue Grotto due to windy weather. The bus smelled of stale cigarettes.”

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2.Maltese Islands History Audio-Visual Show and La Sacra Infermeria Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 344 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Begin at The Malta Experience in Valletta with an audio-visual presentation covering Malta’s first settlers, the Great Siege, and World War II. Then join a professional guide inside La Sacra Infermeria, the hospital built by the Knights of St. John. The full visit lasts about 75 minutes and is offered in English.

“The whole thing was great, we all really enjoyed it. We would recommend everyone coming to Malta experienced it.”

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3.Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour (Audio Guide)

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 251 reviews · 1 - 7 days · from $8Best value

Use your smartphone and headphones to follow a 3 to 4 hour audio route through Valletta, from Tritons’ Fountain to Victoria Gate. Hear commentary in English, French, German, Italian, or Polish, download maps for offline use, and receive a second audio tour of Mdina at no extra charge.

“les mails envoyés sont systématiquement en Anglais donc si tu ne parles pas là langue c'est compliqué. j'ai réussi à avoir quelqu'un au téléphone au bout d'une heure et la dame m'a envoyé balader en me disant que je n'avais qu'à parler Anglais. Évidemment elle ne parlait aucune autre langue que la sienne et elle a finit par m'envoyer un lien tout prêt en Français.Ce qui aurait été simple à faire dès le début plutôt que de me faire perdre une heure au téléphone. Bref, je déconseille vivement...”

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4.Wonderful Valletta, gastronomy, art, and history in the Mediterranean

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 72 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54

Walk from Victoria Gate to St. John’s Co-Cathedral with a local guide and explore Valletta’s history, art, politics, and food culture. You’ll hear about the Knights, Napoleon, the British period, and Caravaggio, with tips for pastizzi, pizza, cocktails, and jazz. Guides have included Luis, Moises, and Julia.

“Something has to be said about getting a locals point of view from such a wonderful place. Our guide Luis was fantastic, brought us to the "must see attractions" but also gave us a glimpse of the normal life Valletta. The views were just amazing and the history is so fascinating. Easy to find Luis and a great time with him. Fantastic young man with a great passion for his adopted city.”

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5.The Dark History of Valletta – Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24Top rated

Walk from Tritons’ Fountain into Valletta with an English-speaking guide such as Mario, hearing stories of ghostly parties, murder, vanished boys, Jean de Valette, and a grotesque statue above the city streets. The two-hour route ends at the Grand Master’s Palace and includes hills, stairs, and a walk downhill before climbing back up.

“Mario our guide was very knowledgeable and the tour was very interesting. As frequent visitors to Malta we learnt some new information doing this tour. While I would recommend this tour you do need to be mobile and fit as Valletta is very hilly and you do walk right down to the bottom and back up. It was a great night.”

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