/
Malta
/
Valletta
/
Tours & Activities
/
Malta Prehistoric Temples Tour
4 h
Instant confirmation
About this activity
A Malta temples tour is a must for anyone who travels to this beautiful Mediterranean island. Malta and Gozo are home to seven megalithic temples, all of which are designated as world heritage sites by UNESCO. These megalithic temples date back 5500 years ago and are the oldest free-standing stone structures in the world, even older than the Stonehenge and the Pyramids. It is also home to more than thirty other temples, all of which reflect Malta’s rich past.
You will first drive to Ghar Dalam. Għar Dalam’s relevance as a prehistoric site was discovered in the latter half of the 19th Century with a series of excavations unearthing animal bones as well as human remains and artifacts. The Cave is a highly important site for its Palaeontology, archaeology and ecology.The history of the cave and that of the Islands can be decoded from Għar Dalam’s stratigraphy. The lowermost layers, more than 500,000 years old, contained the fossil bones of dwarf elephants, hippopotami, micro-mammals and birds among other species. This layer is topped by a pebble layer, and on top of it there is the so-called ‘deer’ layer, dated to around 18,000 years ago. The top layer, or ‘cultural layer’, dates less than 10,000 years and holds evidence of the first humans on the Island. It was here that the earliest evidence of human settlement on Malta, some 7,400 years ago, was discovered. The site consists of a cave, a Victorian style exhibition and a didactic display as well as a garden planted with indigenous plants and trees.
You will then visit Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples. The megalithic complex of Hagar Qim is located atop a hill on the southern edge of the Island, on a ridge capped in soft globigerina limestone. All exposed rock on the island was deposited during the Oligocene and Miocene periods of geological time. 500 metres from Hagar Qim stands the Mnajdra megalithic temple. The surrounding area is typical of Mediterranean garrigue in its starkness and isolation; it is designated as a Heritage park. A few hundred meters from the temple is one of the thirteen watchtowers built by Grand Master Martin de Redin, called Hamrija Tower.
Transport back to all hotels will be provided.
Read more
Show less
You will first drive to Ghar Dalam. Għar Dalam’s relevance as a prehistoric site was discovered in the latter half of the 19th Century with a series of excavations unearthing animal bones as well as human remains and artifacts. The Cave is a highly important site for its Palaeontology, archaeology and ecology.The history of the cave and that of the Islands can be decoded from Għar Dalam’s stratigraphy. The lowermost layers, more than 500,000 years old, contained the fossil bones of dwarf elephants, hippopotami, micro-mammals and birds among other species. This layer is topped by a pebble layer, and on top of it there is the so-called ‘deer’ layer, dated to around 18,000 years ago. The top layer, or ‘cultural layer’, dates less than 10,000 years and holds evidence of the first humans on the Island. It was here that the earliest evidence of human settlement on Malta, some 7,400 years ago, was discovered. The site consists of a cave, a Victorian style exhibition and a didactic display as well as a garden planted with indigenous plants and trees.
You will then visit Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples. The megalithic complex of Hagar Qim is located atop a hill on the southern edge of the Island, on a ridge capped in soft globigerina limestone. All exposed rock on the island was deposited during the Oligocene and Miocene periods of geological time. 500 metres from Hagar Qim stands the Mnajdra megalithic temple. The surrounding area is typical of Mediterranean garrigue in its starkness and isolation; it is designated as a Heritage park. A few hundred meters from the temple is one of the thirteen watchtowers built by Grand Master Martin de Redin, called Hamrija Tower.
Transport back to all hotels will be provided.
Included
- Local taxes
- Live commentary on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Entry/Admission - Hagar Qim Temples
- Entry/Admission - Ghar Dalam Cave and Museum
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Features
Tourism
90%
Cultural
85%
Reviews
Good value. Great for those who haven't planned months in advance to see the Hypogeum. Would be even better if it could include the Hypogeum.
Very interesting and a real mind opening experience to the early settlement of the island.
I travel to Malta FOUR times a year and love everything about the island. Booking this trip was the worst ever experience I have ever had in a quarter century of visiting the island. They didnt show up and I was unable to contact anyone. Eventually spoke with a local contact in Malta who really just couldnt be bothered. All they did was take my money. I never leave bad reviews, understand we all have jobs and a living to make. However, avoid this company like the plague.
This was a very interesting tour and the sites are fabulous. Our tour guide, Mario, was the best! He was so knowledgeable about the temples and the historical periods as well as sharing so much information just about Malta and the areas we traveled through to get to the temples. I think the tour could be expanded to include Tarxien Temple as well. Overall, it was a great experience and I highly recommend it for history buffs.
I really enjoyed this tour. Its amazing to think that these temples were built 800 years before the pyramids.