Malta Shore Excursion: Valletta, Mdina & Ta Qali (Review)

Landing in Malta as part of a cruise? Maybe you’re thinking, “How can I get the most out of just one day?” The ‘Malta Valletta, Mdina, and Ta Qali Full Day Shore Excursion’ just might be the ticket. It suggests seeing several key spots in a single trip, but let’s examine what that looks like in action.

First Stop: Valletta, A City Forged by Knights

The adventure often starts in Valletta, which, incidentally, is the Maltese capital. Imagine stepping through the City Gate and finding yourself in a living history book. You will find architecture built by the Knights of St. John, actually. I mean, it’s everywhere! From super ornate cathedrals, like, say, St. John’s Co-Cathedral (gilded details abound!), to just slightly formidable fortresses, this spot feels like stepping back centuries.

Things you can expect? A guided walk tends to show off the Barrakkara Gardens, which provide just about unbelievable views of the Grand Harbour. St. John’s Co-Cathedral will usually impress; honestly, its opulent interior just has to be seen to be believed. Also, note that exploring on foot will be very helpful for capturing the core essence of Valletta. However, there can be plenty of other tourists too, especially during peak cruise season, as you can probably guess.

Mdina: The Silent City Speaks Volumes

Next, it’s off to Mdina, more or less known as the “Silent City.” Driving through the narrow roads might make you wonder where you are, yet reaching Mdina can almost feel like being in a different place entirely. The place seems like it’s a world away from Valletta, that’s right! This old city rests on a hill, that gives what looks like incredible views of the island, is also home to very amazing architecture.

Once inside Mdina’s walls, the hustle sort of fades away. You’ll find these slender, winding streets only open to residents’ cars as a matter of fact, adding to the tranquil setting. Historical homes, also noble palaces, will line the way, seemingly telling tales of generations gone by. It seems that some tours take you to places such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, too, so you’re able to see just slightly outstanding pieces of art and architecture.

Ta Qali Crafts Village: A Taste of Maltese Art

To round out the excursion, you go to the Ta Qali Crafts Village. After soaking up history, maybe you’ll see some Maltese craftsmanship; Ta Qali hopes to be just that location. This village grew out of old World War II airfields actually, and has since converted into an area of local artisans.

Now you’re able to wander through the different workshops and find a wide array of local goods. Consider, for example, delicate glassblown ornaments, hand-crafted lace, or possibly also a bit of pottery. Ta Qali looks like it hopes to give you a better understanding of Malta’s artistic talents. Furthermore, I’d say the chance to watch artisans making things by hand is one thing you’ll probably appreciate here. If you are after some souvenirs that show Malta’s artistic side, it’s quite worth stopping at.