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Malta, a stunning but often overlooked nation in the Mediterranean Sea portrays a unique blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. This tiny island nation boasts a wealth of diverse landscapes, from its sparkling blue seas and sandy beaches to its rugged coastline and dramatic cliffs, making it an idyllic destination for adventurers and nature lovers alike.
In this article, we will talk about the six most highly rated / best Malta tours that will help you discover the best of Malta without the hassle and spill some secret sauce to unlocking the best of this Island nation.
One question is whether Malta is part of Spain or Italy because of its relatively smaller size and Island nature. To not make that confusion, here is a little detail: Malta was under British rule and became independent in September of 1964. Even though they gained their independence, Malta was still under the watch of the British Monarch for another 10 years, only to be declared a republic in 1974. We hope that helps.
One side note about Malta and the Maltese people, which you can consider a fun fact, is that the Maltese people are natural defenders of what they believe and support. Whether in sports, religion or anything that one can take a side, you will find the Maltese people holding strong to what they believe and defending it with their everything.
This is one of the best things we can learn from this tiny Island nation in today’s world, where everyone wants to change everyone’s beliefs to what they believe, which creates a lot of disagreement and conflict in the world.
Back to our discussion. It is no doubt that Malta is a country with a long and fascinating history, which is why it is home to some of the world’s most impressive historical sites and cultural treasures.
From the ancient Megalithic temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra to the medieval walled city of Mdina and the awe-inspiring St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, you will agree that Malta is indeed a living museum of history and architecture.
One of the greatest features of a country’s culture is undoubtedly its cuisine; Malta is renowned for its delectable cuisine, which showcases a unique touch and blend of Mediterranean, North African, and European influences.
You can imagine how rich and flavourful a plate of pastizzi can be. Malta’s cuisine is dotted with freshly caught seafood (What do you expect from an Island nation?) and locally grown produce, making its culinary scene a feast for the senses.
So far, we have seen that regardless of what you are looking for, whether it is a relaxing beach holiday or an action-packed adventure, Malta has something that can be tailored to your adventure needs and on a budget. You can enjoy its warm, sunny climate and crystal-clear waters through swimming, snorkeling, diving, and other water sports.
If you want to get the most out of your trip to Malta, we believe joining a group tour will be a great way to fully unlock the best of your journey. Group tours offer a safe and secure environment for exploring the island and are often more affordable than traveling alone.
They also provide a great opportunity to meet like-minded travelers and make new friends or, by extremes, make friends that become family in the long run. So if you’re ready for an unforgettable adventure in one of Europe’s most enchanting destinations, consider joining a group tour and discovering all that Malta has to offer with industry experts leading your way.
If you are set for a deep convo, let’s dive in and talk about the six best tours to discover Malta easily. Each of the tours was carefully filtered from a long list of Maltese tours, and we hope that you will find one that, in one way or the other, will suit your taste and budget.
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Highlights of Malta & Gozo
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel was founded in 1989 by two Melbourne-based men who set out on an unusual tourist path to Africa in their converted truck, which they stocked with items including beers and loaves of bread. As they uncovered a new way of vacationing that is very different from traditional travel, they concluded to start something comparable to help other people take on trips like theirs and reveal the secrets to authentic experiences – consequently, Intrepid Travel was born.
Intrepid has done an incredible job in building its company to what it is now, offering more than 100,000 visitors each year the option of experiencing small group travel in the most enjoyable manner to places all over the world.
They are community-minded travelers who care deeply about their impact on these at-risk neighborhoods that provide so much to their visitors. This is why, where necessary, Intrepid uses local services such as lodging and local guides.
This journey will take you to Valletta, Malta’s lovely capital city. This small city competes with big cities to provide guests with the best experiences possible. Valletta, as we like to call it, is modest but mighty. A guided tour will take you on foot through the city’s historical landmarks, where you will discover local secrets and fascinating information about why this magnificent city has recently gained so much attention.
The tour begins with a visit to St. John’s Co-Cathedral, where you will learn about the city’s link to the Order of the Knights of St. John, a monastic community that operated a pilgrim hospital before becoming a religious order. This majestic church is a wonderful work of art, with ornate gold ornaments and intricate sculptures that will entice you to learn more about its past.
Following your history lesson, it’s time to sweetly disturb your taste buds with some traditional Maltese pour-over coffee at a quaint café. This is not your typical cup of coffee; believe us. This coffee is produced uniquely, resulting in a rich and wonderful flavor you will only discover in Malta.
After some epic coffee has fully energized you, you’ll proceed to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, a beautiful public space that dates back to the 16th century. You’ll take a massive lift down to the Grand Harbour from here, taking in stunning vistas as you descend into this medieval tower.
This vacation takes a party of 12 persons from 15 to 99 years old and costs $2,151 per person for 7 days of lodging, food, and transportation. It is suitable for families and is fully guided.
Malta Highlights
Blue-Roads Touring
Blue Roads Touring attempts to get you off the motorways and engage yourself in the destination while avoiding the well-worn tourist trails and tracks and ensuring that you visit all of the important sights and attractions.
You will be escorted to see Malta’s lesser-known towns, cities, and villages. Traveling through these regions on back roads allows you to view breathtaking scenery and encounter cultures that those on the typical tourist trail will never have the opportunity to witness.
Blue-Roads has a penchant for leading small group tours that delve deeper into a country’s well-preserved assets, such as cultures, traditions, and history. As a result, you can expect an incredible journey as you travel through gorgeous routes in luxurious mini-coaches.
Their tour guides are locals who live in your travel destination. They understand that the ideal journey exposes you to unique experiences, unforgettable views, and hand-picked getaways bursting with local charm.
This tour will take you on a journey to discover the best of the capital city of Valletta, the historically rich towns of Birgu and Mdina, and the picturesque villages of Gozo.
The adventure begins with a visit to the Hagar Qim temples, where a local guide will take you on a remarkable journey through this ancient site while telling you the 5000-year-old story buried in its past. You will then journey to the Blue Grotto, a mesmerizing complex of limestone caves with phosphorescent-colored bays. You cannot miss the journey to this epic masterpiece of natural wonder, where the body of water mimics the beautiful color of the blue sky.
As you make your way to the ferry point at Cirkewwa, you will stop at Popeye’s Village and snap a few photos of the iconic location for your souvenirs. Once you arrive at Gozo, you will take a speedboat transfer to Xaghra, where you can explore the village on your own in the evening, meeting locals or strolling about the town’s charming streets in any other way you find soothing.
On another day on this itinerary, you will go to the island’s old capital, Mdina, also known as the ‘silent city’ because of its serene nature. This
the beautiful location is a true gem of Malta, with stunning architecture, rich history and a good blend of peaceful settlements, making it a must-see place for travelers.
This vacation takes a party of 18 persons from 13 to 80 years old and costs $2,840 per person for 8 days, including lodging, food, and transportation. It is suitable for families and is fully guided.
Malta and Gozo Discovery
Explore!
Explore! has been bringing small group visitors on amazing adventures, with a staggering 500 well-vetted trips to over 120 countries spanning every nook and cranny of the globe. They are passionate about travel and have created a variety of one-of-a-kind and tailor-made activities that provide their consumers with an outstanding experience.
With small groups of mostly 12 people, you can be sure to trust Explore! For your journey, they will be in a better position to answer your needs than if they were to take a larger group. This is an added advantage because your desires can be treated in a holistic approach, thereby giving you the best of experiences.
You will be equipped with specialist information that will lead you through Malta on a fascinating schedule to visit the country’s most hidden treasures.
Your adventure begins with a walking tour of the fortified Old City of Valletta with a local guide showing you how to get the best experiences you will ever have in Malta. You can take the time and admire the impressive fortifications, imposing churches and bustling Grand Harbour, which has played a vital role in the island’s history as a strategic port.
From Valletta, you’ll make your way to the historic town of Birgu, where you will take an epic stroll down the winding streets and alleys of the ancient city, taking in the grand buildings and historic landmarks that tell the story of Malta’s long and fascinating history.
And what is a visit to Malta without the taste of its magical coffee and unbelievable cuisine, which in itself blends the influences of the island’s many conquerors? Take the time to learn about why Malta’s coffee tastes so much
different from other coffees, you will be shocked to know the little tweaks and tricks that make such a huge difference in taste.
From a worthy yummy cuisine session, your journey will lead you to the all-beautifully made Gozo at the Hagar Qim Temples. We cannot speak enough of these impressive megalithic structures that are among the oldest freestanding structures in the world and have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
And would you visit Malta without at least a glimpse of the Blue Grotto? We doubt it. This is why, on this tour, you will be taken to have an epic experience at this natural wonder that has to be seen to be believed. We will leave it at that so you can find out independently.
This vacation takes a party of 18 persons from 16 to 85 years old and costs $1216 per person for 8 days, including lodging, food, and transportation. It is suitable for families and is fully guided.
Easy Pace Malta (Classic, 6 Days)
Insight Vacations
Insight Vacations is one of the few small group tour companies that will make an extraordinary effort to find one of the best accommodations for their guests, from hotels to luxury homestays. They believe that no matter how well their trips are planned and executed, a bad hotel room can outweigh all the experience for the day.
They believe that traveling is way more than just visiting and seeing sights; it can be a way to connect with people in the very places they call home – and build memories garnered from top-notch hassle-free travel experiences that will be worth every dollar spent on the cause.
They will take you to the heart of Malta, where you will discover the best treats of the country with their experienced local guides willing to take your experience to a different level.
This journey will begin in Valletta, where you’ll be met by a Local Expert who will lead you through the city’s impressive Fortress City. Take some time and effortlessly admire the golden-hued buildings surrounding you as you make your way to the famous St. John’s Cathedral. Listen to the Local Expert’s tales
of the cathedral’s history and learn from the past that has gained so much world attention while you marvel at the sheer beauty of the architecture.
Next, you’ll venture to the fortified Silent City of Mdina with another Local Expert who will spill the tea about how Mdina earned its nickname for its peaceful atmosphere. Take a stroll through the city’s narrow streets, past stunning palaces and imposing walls that date back centuries telling the stories buried in them.
At the National War Museum, you’ll be able to learn about Malta’s pivotal role in WWII as a historian lectures your group, providing a fascinating insight into Malta’s struggles and triumphs during the war. You’ll depart with a greater understanding of the island’s history and the bravery of its inhabitants.
After a day of exploration, it’s time to celebrate your incredible journey with fellow travelers. Why not? You can enjoy a final celebration dinner where you’ll raise a toast to the unforgettable experiences you’ve shared and forge new friendships that might turn into family. As you sit back, reflecting on your adventure, you’ll realize that you’ve made memories that will last a lifetime with these people who will remember you also.
This vacation takes a party of 40 persons from 5 to 99 years old and costs $2006 per person for 6 days, including lodging, food, and transportation. It is suitable for families and is fully guided.
Malta & Gozo Highlights
SKR Reisen
With 405 various tours in 82 countries, SKR has firmly established itself in the travel sector, delivering tailor-made vacation ideas for individual consumers and unique groups.
They distinguish themselves with their inspired travel content, personal contacts with locals, and exclusive tour guides. They provide a blend of group activities and personal independence, making them ideal for guests aged 35 to 75 looking for high-quality and meaningful vacations.
Small groups allow guests to interact with one another more quickly and receive more personalized instruction from the tour guide. SKR Reisen
focuses on authentic experiences that immerse tourists in the local culture and the people they encounter.
SKR Reisen’s worldwide tours are available at any time of year, providing the ideal offer for all interests, whether it’s an adventurous vacation via Malta or any other place with magnificent attractions that their clients find appealing.
On this tour, you will visit Valletta, the smallest capital in the European Union, a hidden gem that deserves to be explored by all and sundry. Its UNESCO World Heritage Sites status, cultural richness, and stunning natural wonders make it a must-visit destination for every traveler, especially if history is your good go.
You might have visited Malta before, but this journey will be nothing like the ordinary. Your adventure will begin by walking through the city and discovering the Upper Baracca Garden, a 15th-century masterpiece still showing its magnificence in all facets.
After getting a soothing feel and experience of the huge Garden, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the natural harbor and the “Three Cities” – a living history that has been preserved for centuries thanks to the unwavering conservation effort of the Maltese people. This trip is a visit you wouldn’t want to ever miss.
The Knights of Malta’s Baroque architecture will encourage you to delve deeper into this long-standing history as you make your way to St. John’s Cathedral, which also houses Caravaggio’s iconic artwork, “The Beheading of John the Baptist.”
This tour has so much to offer, but there are places that SKR would want you to visit but will not be able to break certain rules put in place by the law. Although you cannot see the inside of the Grand Master’s Palace, which is the official residence of the Maltese President, you can still admire its impressive architecture from the outside.
But do not worry; an audio-visual show will provide interesting facts about the Mediterranean island and its over 7,000-year-old culture. It’s a great way to learn more about Malta’s rich history and unique traditions that you will love to explore deeper after this.
This vacation takes a party of 12 persons from 18 to 85 years old and costs $2082 per person for 10 days, including lodging, food, and transportation. It is suitable for families and is fully guided.
Conclusion
From history-oriented tours to cultural fitting tours to leisure tours, you are good to go when you choose any of the tours listed above. Some of them are budget-friendly, with so many places to visit and uncountable things to experience. These are the six best tours to discover Malta with ease.
If none of these tours work for you in Malta, please do not worry. There is a wide variety of tour options in the country, and we are confident that there will be something that fits your needs and interests.
Take a look at all the group tours in Malta now, which you can sort by private or group, maximum sizing, budget, dates, and much (much more). The team at TourRadar is always more than happy to answer any questions, provide further information or assist in finding the perfect tour for you.
