In association with: Malta Tourism Authority
Find More to Explore in the Three Cities
A city break in Malta doesn’t start and end with Valletta. It’s packed with some of the island’s most-coveted attractions, including cathedrals, archaeology museums, art and panoramic gardens, but venture beyond the capital and you can visit three cities at once.
The Three Cities are Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, a cluster of fortified towns in the Grand Harbour area. Founded in the 16th century, these historical destinations are just a short ferry trip or traditional dgħajsa boat crossing away from Valletta, which can be reached by a flight of just over three hours from the UK.
The cities have many boutique hotels, while the quiet and traditional nature of the area gives visitors the chance to see a lesser-visited side of Malta. History buffs can take a trip to the stunning Inquisitor’s Palace in Vittoriosa, the centre of the Maltese Inquisition between 1574 and 1798, while Fort St Angelo offers panoramic views of the Grand Harbour. After sightseeing, head to the waterfront to relax in one of the cafes overlooking the harbour.
Harbours and heritage
The adjacent harbour is home to Senglea, and its Gardjola Gardens are a must visit for some peace and tranquillity, before weaving through the streets to find some hidden gems frequented by locals. Cospicua is home to some impressive churches within its fortified walls, as well as the Bir Mula Heritage Museum, showcasing Maltese houses across different eras.
Those visiting the Three Cities between October 7-9 this year can enjoy ‘Birgu Fest’, a city-wide celebration of history and culture. This annual event includes the magical ‘Birgu by candlelight’ where its medieval streets are lit up with thousands of candles.
To see all the highlights of the Three Cities, recommend a guided tour by Rolling Geeks, on self-drive electric cars that have pre-programmed GPS to offer a tour of the region. The environmentally friendly cars have in-built speakers to give those taking part nuggets of history throughout their journey.
Learn and win
Take the City Breaks course on the Malta Training Programme to be entered into a monthly draw to win a foodie goodie bag. Visit malta-training.com (T&Cs apply)
PICTURES: Malta Tourism Authority
To find out more about Malta, take the agent training course at malta-training.com