When you arrive in Malta by plane, you will land at our Malta International Airport which is located in Luqa, in the south of Malta. Most probably your hotel will be in the central or northern part of the island and it won’t take you so long to arrive and settle in your accomodation. From one end to the other of the island, it is a short trip by car or taxi .
Most tourists mainly visit the northern areas but the south is full of locations worth visiting whilst on holiday in Malta.
Today we shall be exploring the southern part of this lovely island, an area which was not so popular with the tourists in the past. Nowadays one can find various landmarks which should not be missed.
As already described in one of the previous blogs (7000 years of History ), the oldest form of ‘buildings’ in the world, Hagar Qim and Imnajdra, have been standing here for thousands of years. Other historical sites one can visit are ‘Ghar Dalam’ and admire the view from close to the cave called ‘Ghar Hasan’.
This is a place surrounded in mystery, as the legend states that it was a hideaway for a saracen man who captured a young woman. When the locals came to get her back he flung her in the sea below and rather than get captured he jumped after her.
Along the same stretch of cliffs out at sea one can also observe a tiny island. It is called ‘Filfla’. This is a protected natural reserve. Boat trips can arrive close to it but no one can disembark on this island.
There is also the Blue Grotto and Wied iz- Zurrieq which are worth a visit. Boat trips are organised here in summer and one can even enjoy a scuba diving excursion in this area. Once ready, anyone can enjoy the majestic views and have a delicious lunch or a dinner at sunset at the restaurants nearby. Close-by is another natural bay, that of ‘Ghar Lapsi’ in Siggiewi.
Another place worth visiting in the same locality is the Limestone Heritage which is full of remains of ancient quarrying with an agriturismo touch. Also in Siggiewi there is a family run zoo which is of high standards and hosts various animals. The main attraction are the tiger cubs, sometimes they even had rare tigers like a white tiger cub.
If one wants to relax by taking a walk, it is easy to do so both in Marsascala where there are a number of cafeterias or restauarnts along the promenade that one can choose from. Another locality of interest is the quaint fishing village of Marsaxlokk. Here one can observe fishermen bringing in their fresh catch of the day and selling it at the fish market. Tourists and locals alike can speak with these fishermen to learn more about their work and their experiences at sea. Most restaurants in this area specialise in authentic local and mediterreanean fish dishes.
Another place where one can taste some fresh fish or local dishes is the Birgu Waterfront. This place has recently been restored and transformed into a high class Yacht Marina.
Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa, forms part of the Cottonera, the 3 cities overlooking the Grand Harbour. Vittoriosa is also renowned for the Inquisitor’s palace, the Victory square and its church dedicated to St Lawrence, the Fort st. Angelo and the Maritime Museum.
Walking along the Marina, one can easily access the promenade in Cospicua, also known as Bormla. In Bormla there is the docks that are still being used to repair ships and boats.
Senglea which also forms part of the three cities that surround the Grand Harbour,is a natural peninsula. Its narrow streets which are a characteristic of Cottonera take you back to the times of the Knights where one can enjoy unobstructed views of the harbour and Valletta. There is a beautiul gardiola (a lookout point in the bastions) from where one can view the whole port beneath .
Close by, in Kalkara one must visit the Rinella water tanks used for a number of films which were shot in Malta. There is also the Royal Navy Hospital which is now. ‘Esplora’, an interactive Science Centre.
Once your experience of the southern part of Malta is fulfilled, you can easily catch the ferry from Cottonera that will take you back towards the Capital city of Valletta.
