Malta By Night Guided Tour Visiting The Valletta Waterfront, Rabat & Mdina

Description

Visit some beautiful locations during the night and experience the splendour of Malta under the stars. During this guided night tour, you will have the opportunity to appreciate Malta under a different lens in an entirely different setting, away from the hustle and bustle of daytime, when the nocturnal charm settles in and all streets and landmarks are beautifully illuminated to give a more captivating appeal to all your surroundings.

We start by driving around Valletta, where we can admire the majestic 16th-century fortifications and bastions as they are beautifully lit up during the night, a truly captivating and unique sight.

After our drive around Valletta’s bastions and fortifications, we will stop at the Valletta Waterfront. This gorgeous promenade located in the Grand Harbour area features nineteen beautifully restored 18th-century warehouses, stretching along the water’s edge with a backdrop of historic bastions and fortifications. These gemstone buildings were originally constructed by Grandmaster Manuel Pinto da Fonseca during the late baroque period to be used as stores by the Knights of St. John. Today, ushering in a modern era, the iconic doors have been revived with an artistic impression of colour, representing the storage of goods from the past, with blue for fish, green for produce, yellow for wheat, and red for wine. The area comes alive at night, attracting locals and tourists alike to its heritage buildings, which have been transformed into a variety of lively bars and restaurants. Some free time will be given during our visit to the Valletta Waterfront.

From here, we will proceed to the west-central part of Malta to discover the village of Rabat and the mediaeval city of Mdina, the old capital city of Malta.

Rabat (a semitic word meaning “suburb”) was at one point a part of Mdina before it evolved as a separate village. In Roman times, the site of Mdina and Rabat was collectively known as Melita. During the Arab occupation of Malta, Melita was renamed Mdina, and its area was reduced by moving the southern wall of the township; as a result, parts of Mdina became known as Rabat.

Today, this charming village still retains its own identity and is well established on the tourist map due to its archaeological and historical sites, such as the Roman Villa (Domvs Romana), St. Paul’s Catacombs, St. Paul’s Grotto, and its fine churches and monasteries.

Here we will enjoy a walk in the older part of the village, along its narrow and winding streets, appreciating the charm and beauty of this unique village during the night, before we proceed towards Mdina.

Renowned for its opulent palaces and fortifications, its mediaeval and baroque architecture, and its ancient heritage, Mdina, also known as “The Silent City," “Città Vecchia” (the Old City), or “Città Notabile” (the Noble City), remains one of the island's most evocative destinations.

Serving as the island's capital city from antiquity until the mediaeval period, Mdina is truly an enchanting city! A stroll through its narrow streets, which have not changed much in the last 1,000 years, is a must for any visitor to Malta. It is undoubtedly one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled/fortified city.

Explore this historic city of timeless beauty during the night, when all the city’s landmarks, fortifications, and bastions are beautifully illuminated and all the quaint alleys and narrow streets are gracefully lit up by the old lanterns found at every twist and turn, giving the whole city an enchanting and captivating aura.

Delve into the rich past of the city as you explore its mediaeval streets. Take a journey back in time, admiring the magnificent palazzos and churches in the city’s unique mix of mediaeval and baroque styles, as well as the spectacular panoramas from the high bastion walls, from which you will be able to see almost half of the island sparkling beneath you, wrapped up in a dazzling and stunning nocturnal setting.

During the whole tour, our knowledgeable and experienced guides will provide you with riveting information and enhance your experience through narration and engaging storytelling.

Experience the splendour of Malta under the stars and appreciate the island in a different setting, away from the hustle and bustle of the daytime crowds.

What should you know before you go?

• The time shown on the website or on your ticket is the approximate start time of the activity and not the time when you will be picked up from your hotel (or closest meeting point). At least a few days before the date of your activity, you need to make sure to contact the tour operator to confirm your pick-up location and pick-up time. Your pick-up time can be any time between 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM, depending on where you are staying.

• To confirm your pick-up location (meeting point) and your pick-up time, please send an e-mail to internal-tours@robertarrigo.com at least a few days before the date of your activity. Make sure to include your booking reference number in the e-mail.

• The tour will be guided in the language that you have booked; however, please note that occasionally, due to operational circumstances, a multilingual guide (limited to a maximum of two languages) might provide the commentary in two languages.

• The provider reserves the right to change the order of the visits without prior notice.

• No particular dress code is required; we suggest wearing comfortable clothes according to the forecasted weather.

• The tour is not wheelchair-accessible.

• Foldable strollers are allowed during the tour.

• Pets, large luggage, and large suitcases are not allowed during the tour.

• Any personal belongings, including backpacks or rucksacks, must be carried with you at all times and may not be left unattended on the coach or bus.

• The tour is not recommended for travellers with mobility impairments.

• The tour will operate as scheduled, rain or shine.

• Both electronic and paper vouchers are accepted.

What to bring?

• Comfortable shoes

• An umbrella (if it's expected to rain)

• Some cash

Included on booking:

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off (from your Hotel or a close meeting point)

• A licenced tour guide

• All transportation in air-conditioned vehicles

Not included on booking:

• Food and drinks

• Tips (optional)