Malta's Ancient World: Hypogeum, Megalithic Temples & Mdina
Journey 5,000 years into Malta's past—descend into the Hypogeum underground burial complex, visit the world's oldest freestanding stone temples, walk the silent streets of hilltop Mdina, explore early Christian catacombs in Rabat, and cross by ferry to the quieter island of Gozo.
- 1
Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni – 5,000-Year-Old Underground Temple
The Hypogeum is one of the most extraordinary prehistoric monuments in the world—a subterranean complex of halls, chambers, and burial niches carved from limestone over three phases from 3600 to 2500 BC. Over 7,000 human remains were found here. Strictly limited to 80 visitors per day (book months ahead), the Hypogeum requires advance reservation through Heritage Malta.
- 2
Megalithic Temples of Malta – Ġgantija, Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra
Malta's megalithic temples—built between 3600 and 2500 BC—are the world's oldest freestanding stone structures, predating Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by a thousand years. Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra on the southern cliffs are the most atmospherically sited; Ġgantija on Gozo ('giant's tower') is the largest. All are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- 3
Mdina – The Silent City
The ancient walled capital of Malta before Valletta, Mdina sits on a hilltop in the island's centre and is home to just 300 permanent residents. Its medieval and Baroque palaces, the Cathedral of St Paul, and the absence of motor traffic (except residents) earn it the name 'The Silent City'. The bastions offer panoramic views across Malta to the sea on both sides.
- 4
Rabat & Early Christian Catacombs
Immediately outside Mdina's walls, the town of Rabat contains some of Malta's most important early Christian monuments—the Catacombs of St Paul and St Agatha, cut from the soft coralline limestone, served as burial grounds from the 3rd century AD. The Domus Romana museum displays a Roman townhouse mosaic floor of exceptional quality discovered beneath the town.
- 5
The Three Cities – Vittoriosa, Senglea & Cospicua
Across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, the Three Cities—collectively known as Cottonera—predate Valletta as the Knights' first base in Malta. Vittoriosa (Birgu) contains the Knights' original Auberge de Castille and the Malta at War Museum in its WWII air raid shelters. The views back across the harbour to Valletta's walls from Senglea's safe-haven garden are among Malta's finest.
- 6
Gozo – Malta's Sister Island
The island of Gozo (accessible by 25-minute ferry from Ċirkewwa in northern Malta) is calmer, greener, and more rural than Malta. Its Victoria citadel—a walled hilltop city—dominates the island; the Ġgantija megalithic temples are the oldest; the Azure Window (now collapsed) made Gozo famous; and Ramla Bay's red-sand beach is the finest in the Maltese archipelago.