Malta 7-Day In-Depth Guide: Knights of Malta History · Valletta + Mdina + Gozo Island
Focuses entirely on the golden age of the Order of St. John (Knights of Malta), connecting 3 World Heritage Sites, medieval fortresses, prehistoric megaliths, and the Mediterranean blue, with a relaxed pace and rich historical atmosphere.
Itinerary Overview
· Route: Valletta (3 days) → Mdina + Rabat (1 day) → Gozo Island (2 days) → Return to Valletta (1 day)
· Transportation: Main island bus (7-day pass €21); Gozo ferry (round trip €15) + local car rental/bus
· Best Season: April-June, September-November (clear skies, less rain, avoid the heat)
· Core Heritage: Valletta Old City, Mdina, Ġgantija Temples, Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
1. Brief History of the Knights of Malta (Understand before visiting)
· 1530: Holy Roman Emperor Charles V granted Malta/Gozo to the Order of St. John, with an annual tribute of one falcon.
· 1565: Great Siege: Grandmaster La Valette led thousands of knights to repel 40,000 Ottoman troops, establishing Mediterranean dominance.
· 1566: Valletta was built (named after La Valette), the entire island fortified and baroque-styled, becoming the "City of the Knights."
· 1798: Napoleon occupied Malta, knights went into exile; British rule began in 1800, independence in 1964.
· Symbol: Maltese Cross (eight-pointed cross), representing eight virtues.
Day 1-3: Valletta — Capital of the Knights (World Heritage)
Day 1: Arrival · First Impressions of the Old City
· Afternoon: Upper Barrakka Gardens → Overlook the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities; cannon firing at 11:00/16:00
· Evening: Old Mint Street (Triq Il-Merkanti) → Golden limestone slopes, popular light and shadow spots
· Night: Republic Street + St. George’s Square → Dinner: rabbit stew, pastizzi pastries, Kambino coffee
Day 2: Knights’ Core Attractions (Must-See)
· Morning: St. John’s Co-Cathedral (UNESCO)
◦ Baroque extravagance, Caravaggio’s original "The Beheading of Saint John" (Europe’s only signed work)
◦ Eight chapels of the knights’ langues, walls covered in gold mosaics
· Afternoon: Grandmaster’s Palace
◦ Knights’ council chamber, armory (armor/muskets), mural gallery
· Evening: Valletta city walls walkway → Overlook Mediterranean sunset
Day 3: The Three Cities + Archaeological Depth
· Morning: The Three Cities (Vittoriosa/Senglea/Cospicua)
◦ Original headquarters of the Knights, Fort St. Angelo (frontline of the Great Siege)
· Afternoon: National Museum of Archaeology → Prehistoric "Sleeping Lady," Phoenician artifacts
· Night: Marsaxlokk fishing village → Colorful luzzu boats, seafood dinner
Day 4: Mdina + Rabat — Silent City (Medieval Old Capital)
· Morning: Mdina Old City (World Heritage)
◦ Layers of Phoenician/Roman/Medieval history, no motor vehicles, filming location for King’s Landing in "Game of Thrones"
◦ St. Paul’s Cathedral, city walls viewpoint, noble palaces
· Afternoon: Rabat
◦ St. Paul’s Catacombs (early knights’ cemetery)
◦ Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum (UNESCO, prehistoric underground chamber, reservation required)
· Evening: Watch sunset from Mdina city walls, stunning honey-colored walls
· Accommodation: Return to Valletta
Day 5-6: Gozo Island — Prehistoric Wonders + Pastoral Fortresses
Day 5: Victoria + Ġgantija Temples
· Morning: Ferry (Cirkewwa → Mġarr, 30 min)
· Victoria city (Rabat) → Citadel (Cittadella), cathedral, panoramic terrace
· Afternoon: Ġgantija Megalithic Temples (UNESCO)
◦ Built around 3600 BC, older than the pyramids, the world’s oldest free-standing structures
· Evening: Dinner in Victoria old town, Gozo cheese, wine
· Accommodation: Gozo guesthouse (€50-80)
Day 6: Blue Window Site + Coastal Secrets
· Morning: Dwejra Bay
◦ Blue Window site (collapsed in 2017), Inland Sea, sea caves, cliff hiking
· Afternoon: Ramla Bay → Red sandy beach, ancient Roman ruins
· Evening: Return to main island
Day 7: Valletta Free Time · Departure
· Morning: Fort St. Elmo → War Museum, Knights’ artillery battery
· Afternoon: Shopping: Maltese Cross silver jewelry, honey, limoncello
· Evening: Airport (Valletta → airport 20 min)
Must-Try Foods (Knightly Flavors)
· Fenek (rabbit stew): traditional knights’ dish
· Pastizzi: cheese/pea-filled pastries (national street food)
· Lampuki: Mediterranean fish, grilled or stewed
· Imqaret: date-filled dessert
· Maltese honey wine, Gozo red wine
Practical Tips
1. Visa: Schengen visa (Italy/Malta)
2. Tickets: St. John’s €15, Grandmaster’s Palace €10, Ġgantija €10, Hypogeum requires online reservation
3. Transportation: Main island buses cover the whole island; car rental (€30/day) recommended for Gozo for flexibility
4. Clothing: Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, light jacket (sea breeze can be strong)
Victoria Anderson28 Serene