Ghar Dalam - Cave and Museum and other Malta Things to Do Tips

Ghar Dalam

A unique experience which one musn't miss. The cave is over 7,200 years old and is some 144 metres deep but only the first fifty metres are open to visitors for safety reasons. Here ice-age fossils of bears, elephants, the hippopotamus and other prehistoric animals were found, which evidence that Malta was at one time joined to the rest of Europe.

Ghar Dalam is open every day from 09.00 to 17.00hrs but the best day to go is on a Tuesday morning, because a fully-guided tour is offered free of charge at 11.00am. You can go by public transport, bus number 11, 12 or 13.

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Directions: On the Main Road to B'Bugia, look out for the sign a few metres after you pass the traffic lights.

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Things To Do: Mosta Church ... Ir-Rotunda

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Written by dowdow

on Mar 19, 2005

Mosta Church

I've been to this church several times and each time I go I still marvel at it's massive dome. In fact it is the third largest in the world and perhaps that is why it is visited by hundreds of tourists each day. The Mosta Church was built by volontaries in 1860 and the village feast, of "Santa Marija, one of the most popular village feasts in Malta, is celebrated on the 15th August.

It also has a true miracle story which takes us back to the World War II..... it is said that an enemy's bomb which fell in the church did not explode and thus none of the 500 people in the churc was hurt. You can see the photos of this incident in the church and a replica of the bomb as well.

There are lots of shops in Mosta and the open-air market on a Monday morning. Buses are frequent here ! All these pass from there ... 41 44 45 47 49 50 52 53 56 57 65 86 427 452

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Address: Mosta Square, Mosta

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Things To Do: Dingli Cliffs

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Updated by dowdow

on Feb 24, 2005

Dingli Cliffs

The spectacular Dingli Cliffs are at the south coast of Malta and from here you can enjoy open sea views of the tiny, uninhabited isle of Fifla and also inland view of nearby Buskett Gardens and Verdala Palace.

Within the limits of Dingli are also several prehistoric sites: the so-called 'cart ruts', unexplained parallel tracks hewn in the rock; and several megalithic structures.

To get to Dingli Cliffs you can take the bus no. 81 from Valletta, which trip takes about 1/2 hour. The bus stops you in Dingli Centre and then you have a 15 minute walk to reach Dingli Cliffs.

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Directions: From Dingli Centre, follow the signs that take you to Dingli Cliffs.

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Things To Do: The Hypogeum

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Written by dowdow

on Mar 6, 2005

The Hypogeum

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Malta which you musn't miss seeing. The hypogeum was re-opened five years ago, in 2000, after extensive restoration works. It is a 5000 year old prehistoric burial site and the only well-preserved site of its kind in the world. There is also a permanent exhibition, but of course, the highlight is the 40-min guided tour of the underground burial site itself, which consists of several halls, chambers and passages on three levels; the upper level being the oldest (3600-3300 BC).

The hypogeum is open Mon-Sun and there is a tour every hour, starting at 9.00am. You have to pre-book the tickets since only a maximum of 80 visitors are allowed in each day. Tickets can be bought from the Hypogeum itself or from the National Museum of Archeology in Valletta. Call the number below to reserve your tickets.

* Children under 5 years are not admitted.

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Phone: 21805019, 21825579
Address: The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Paola
Directions: Drive up the Addolorata Cemetery hill, turn left to Paola and follow the signs from the roundabout.

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Things To Do: Hagar Qim

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Written by dowdow

on Mar 20, 2005

Hagar Qim

I visited this temple a long time ago but I have to go sometime again and take my kids now. This prehistoric temple dates back to circa 3200 BC and lies about 2km away from the village of Qrendi. It stands on a hilltop overlooking the sea and the islet of Fifla so you would enjoy a nice walk here as well. There are other temple ruins a few metres away and a bit further down from it, there is another important prehistoric temple, the Mnajdra. Altars discovered in this temple show that the temple's priests held sacrifices of animals here and the `fat lady' statues, that are on display in the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta were found in this temple.

The temple is open from Monday to Sunday from 9.00-17.00 (last admission at 16.30), and it is closed on the 24, 25 & 31 December, 1 January and Good Friday.

You can go there by bus no 94 but perhaps it would be better if you go with a car so that while here you would go to the Blue Grotto as well, it's not far from the temples.

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Website: www.heritagemalta.org

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Things To Do: Mnajdra Temples

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Updated by dowdow

on Apr 7, 2005

Mnajdra Temples

If you go to Hagar Qim you will automatically go to these temples as well, because they are within walking distance from Hagar Qim temples. They are perhaps the finest of the temples on the Maltese Islands and are as old as 3600 BC. Stone, clay, shell statuettes and ornaments were found here.

A fascinating aspect of Mnajdra Temples is its relationship to seasonal astronomical phenomena. In fact, sunrise on the first day of the four seasons enters the southern temple of Mnajdra and lights up its interior and on the equinox days its beam also lights up the temple's main axis. Malta Heritage organizes special tours at sunrise on equinox days. Go to the website below or call 22954307 to check if this will coincide with the time that you will be here. It's a fascinating event that if possible must not be missed.

The temples are open Mon to Sunday: 9.00-17.00 (Last admission: 16.30) and are closed: 24, 25 & 31 December, 1 January and Good Friday.

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Website: www.heritagemalta.org

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Things To Do: Slides and Pool

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Updated by dowdow

on Jul 2, 2005

Splash & Fun Park

My kids love going here, of course who wouldn't! The Splash & Fun Park is the only one of its kind in Malta and is located in the coast road of Bahar ic-Caghaq at White Rocks. It is not large... but there is a large swimming pool with waves, chutes and slides in another pool, a smaller pool for the kids with slides, a lazy river river and of course sunbeds and umbrellas all over. Animation is held daily as well, so you will really enjoy yourself there. Parking is no problem as there is a large parking area in front but if you wish to go by bus there is a bus stop right in front of the park.

It costs Lm7.00 for adults and Lm4.00 for the kids and you can also buy a combined ticket (Adults Lm12, Kids Lm5) to go to the Mediterraneo Park for dolphin, seal and parrot shows as well. We went there last week, the kids had never seen such show so they enjoyed it, but otherwise, if you've been to such shows you wouldn't miss anything if you don't go.

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Phone: 21372218, 21372249
Address: Splash and Fun Park, Bahar ic-Caghaq, Malta
Website: www.mediterraneo.com.mt

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Things To Do: Malta at War Museum

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Updated by dowdow

on Mar 15, 2005

Air raid shelters

Last Sunday I went on a cultural tour and this museum in Birgu was one of the places I visited. It is housed in a British 19th Century military barracks and here you can see an impressive collection of original memorabilia from that time. We also had a very interesting guided tour and explored the underlying air raid shelters. There are guided tours daily at 11.30 and 14.30 hrs and the entrance fees are Adults Lm1.50, Children 0.50c, Family Lm3.00 and Pensioners & students Lm1.00.

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Phone: 21809713, 21800992
Address: Malta at War Museum, Couvre Porte, Vittoriosa
Directions: Bus No 1, 4 or 6 from Valletta then 5 minutes walk across to the old gated entrance into the walled city of Vittoriosa. Journey takes approx. 35minutes.
Website: www.wirtartna.org

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Things To Do: Fort Rinella

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Written by dowdow

on Mar 30, 2005

Fort Rinella

After the War Museum we went to Fort Rinella in Kalkara, the first machanical fort to be built in history, where you can see the world's largest cannon - the Armstrong 100-ton gun. This fort was built in 1878 by the British and has only recently been restored by the Malta Heritage Trust. They will be restoring also the bridge to get it to work how it used to be and have ambition to get even this moster cannon work with its steam driven hydraulics!

The entrance fees are Lm2 adults and Lm4 for a family. Opening times are 10.00 to 16.00 all year round except of course Christmas, New Year, Good Friday and Easter but the best times to go is during the week, in the afternoon, in time for the animated tour (see my next tip).

In this photo here you can see the cannon. If you come here and look to the right you'll be able to see the Mediterranean Film Studios, where parts of film like Troy and Gladiator were shot!

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Phone: 21800992
Address: Fort Rinella, St Rocco Road, Kalkara
Directions: By bus no 4 which stops you outside the fort.
Website: www.wirtartna.org

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Things To Do: Fort Rinella Animated Tour

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Updated by dowdow

on Apr 3, 2005

Animated tour