Tour Guide, Malta, Malta
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Valletta
Valletta is the Capital City of Malta and recently the Capital of European Culture 2018. Us locals we call it “il-Belt”. Named after the Grand Master Jean De Vallette, it's founder, although ironically he didn’t live long enough to see it.
The Grand Harbour was named originally as Marsa el Kabira, meaning the large harbor. It is indeed one of the most beautiful natural deep-water harbors in the world.
Ornated with local glimmering yellow limestone, the Franka, it is profusely fortified. Bustling with life and activity it is filled with museums, art galleries, monumental churches, restaurants to fill that hungry that belly, and shops to splurge for your heart’s desire.
It is hard to imagine Valletta was once occupied with Ottoman entrenchments and Artillery used to pound and batter the knights on the opposite side of the Grand Harbour in 1565.
A bit of shameless promotion while visiting, make sure you check out our Corsairs of Malta tours and you’ll never see Valletta in the same light again.
Sliema
Sliema is a resort town a long promenade with the views of Manuel Island and Valletta. If you are visiting in summer, you must check out the rocky beaches. Lastly, if not the most important, Attention shopaholics! You’ll find high street brands and designer brands. It's also a good place if you are coming to Malta in the summer to go for walks on the promenade and enjoy refreshing cocktails in kiosks.
Marsaxlokk
This is the traditional fishing village located in the southern area of the island and it is another popular place to see in Malta. It is most commonly known as the main fishing village on the island. Like the above or even Marseilles, Marsa means port Xlokk or Scirocco in Italian and it is the name of the wind that faces this port.
Fish lovers beware! Do visit one of the many excellent seafood restaurants in this village. We ourselves make it a point to dine there, whenever we can!
The Three Cities
The three cities are Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Couspica. The oldest of them is Vittoriosa which dates way back many centuries. Locals state even 3000 years as it is claimed that there was a Phoenician temple in the area. The famous knights of St John founded the other two in the 16th/17th century.
For history buffs, you'll find museums, and stories we highly recommend you spend at least a whole day here. Both the intertwined streets of the town center and the promenade are not to be missed.
For those looking for a typical Mediterranean meal fit for a king with a heavenly view, just choose one of the many restaurants along the Senglea and Birgu waterfronts.
Mdina
Leaving the best for the last in our list of places to see in Malta is Mdina. Mdina was the old capital city before Valletta. Guess what?! Evidence shows that there was a settlement here already four thousand years ago. It's one of the most stunning places on the island with different milieu buildings ranging from the medieval style, baroque and British colonial interpolations.
Known as “Citta Vecchia” Or “Citta Notabile” it still has descendants of the nobility living within its walls. It has also welcomed great personalities amongst them, St Paul, Nelson, and Spanish kings within its walls. All with their intricate stories, not to mention, legends, miracles intrigues and above all Mdina is also to be considered a phantom citadel at night!
Make sure you plan up your romantic walk up there for a bottle of wine or two;)
For more visit https://realmaltatours.com