Home > Mediterranean > Malta > Valletta >

Prehistoric Sites and Three Historic Cities
Valletta Malta Shore Trips - Prehistoric Sites and Three Historic Cities
 



Full day private Valletta shore excursion off the beaten path, visiting the 5,000 year old Tarxien Temples, the fossil filled Ghar Dalam cave, and the Three Cities of Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa across the Grand Harbor from Valletta. See Fort St. Angelo, the Inquisitor's Palace, and the Malta Maritime Museum. Private licensed guide. 8 hours.

8 hours (private)
private excursion
licensed guide
english speaking expert
all group sizes
sedan to full size coach
››
port or hotel
pick up either location
  • Pick up from your Hotel or the Port in Valletta
  • Private English Speaking Licensed Guide
  • Round Trip Transportation in Private Vehicle
  • Included Visits - Tarxien and Ghar Dalam
Read Full Tour Description





Tour Number:
MVALL-08


Group Size (Prices in USD)*:
2 People - $696 Per Person
3 People - $474 Per Person
4 People - $358 Per Person
5 People - $290 Per Person
6 People - $246 Per Person
7 People - $214 Per Person
8 People - $192 Per Person



Port / City*:


Month*:


Day*:


Year*:


Pick Up Time*:


Pick Up Location*:


Name of Ship or Hotel*:


TOUR DESCRIPTION
 

Prehistoric Sites and Three Historic Cities

This full day Valletta shore excursion is a great option for guests who prefer off the beaten path sites. It covers Malta's prehistoric temples and caves, plus the Three Cities along the Grand Harbor.

After meeting your private licensed guide at the pier, you drive to Tarxien, a few miles south of Valletta. The megalithic remains here predate Stonehenge: three temples built in stages starting around 3150 BC provide evidence of human settlement and fertility worship in prehistoric Malta. The largest stone fertility statue ever found on the islands was unearthed at this site.

Next you drive to Birzebbuga on Malta's south coast to visit Ghar Dalam, a natural cave stretching about 472 feet (144m) into the limestone, lined with stalactites and stalagmites. The cave once held the fossilized remains of dwarf elephants and other animals that lived on the island during the Ice Age, when Malta was still connected to mainland Europe.

In the afternoon you drive back toward Valletta to explore the Three Cities, Senglea, Cospicua, and Vittoriosa, which sit across the Grand Harbor from the capital. These were the original settlements of the Knights of St. John before Valletta was built, and your guide will tailor your time here to your interests. Highlights include Fort St. Angelo, the Knights' original headquarters and later a British Royal Navy base, the Malta Maritime Museum, and the judgment rooms and dungeons of the Inquisitor's Palace. Some guests prefer simply to walk the quiet streets and enjoy a leisurely lunch (not included) in one of the harborside towns.

What's Included

Included

  • Pick up from your Hotel or the Port in Valletta
  • Private English Speaking Licensed Guide
  • Round Trip Transportation in Private Vehicle
  • Included Visits - Tarxien and Ghar Dalam

Not Included

  • Meals and beverages
  • Gratuities (optional, at your discretion)
  • Personal shopping

Tour Timing

All times are approximate and will vary based on your group's pace and interests.

  • 1
    30 Minutes
    Drive to Tarxien
  • 2
    1 Hour
    Visit Tarxien Temples
  • 3
    30 Minutes
    Drive to Birzebbuga
  • 4
    1 Hour
    Visit Ghar Dalam Cave
  • 5
    30 Minutes
    Drive to Three Cities
  • 6
    1 Hour
    Free time for Lunch
  • 7
    3 Hours
    Visit Senglea, Cospicua and Vittori
  • 8
    20 Minutes
    Return to pier

Resources

Valletta Cruise Port - Official Site. Departure point for this shore excursion, Grand Harbour, Valletta. Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lunch included on this tour?
No, lunch is not included, but you'll have free time in the Three Cities to eat at a restaurant of your choice.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
No. Ghar Dalam's cave floor and the Three Cities' fortified streets involve uneven surfaces and steps that make this itinerary unsuitable for wheelchair users. Contact us to discuss alternative options.
How old are the Tarxien Temples?
The temple complex was built in phases starting around 3150 BC, making parts of it more than 5,000 years old and older than Stonehenge's main stone circle. It's part of the Megalithic Temples of Malta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Why did the Knights of St. John first settle in the Three Cities instead of Valletta?
When the Knights arrived in Malta in 1530, they based themselves in Birgu (Vittoriosa) around Fort St. Angelo, since it already had a defensible harbor position. Valletta wasn't built until after the Great Siege of 1565, when the Knights decided they needed a stronger, purpose built capital.

Also Available:

›Mdina, Rabat and Mosta - You'll take short walking tours of each, plus an interior visit to St. Paul's Catacombs.
›Marsaxlokk Fishing Village and the Blue Grotto - Private Blue Grotto boat ride and Marsaxlokk fishing village on this 4-hour private shore excursion

Our Back-to-Ship Guarantee

Every excursion returning 1.5 hours before departure is covered. If we are late, we cover your costs to reach the next port. More info ›

Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
  • Drive to Tarxien - 30 Minutes
  • Visit Tarxien Temples - 1 Hour
  • Drive to Birzebbuga - 30 Minutes
  • Visit Ghar Dalam Cave - 1 Hour
  • Drive to Three Cities - 30 Minutes
  • Free time for Lunch - 1 Hour
  • Visit Senglea, Cospicua and Vittori - 3 Hours
  • Return to pier - 20 Minutes

Average Rating: Average Rating: 5 of 5 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 22 Write a review »

  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Valletta Sunday, June 14, 2026
Reviewer: Mei Ying L from Tampa, FL  
We were 2 and a half hours late in arriving at the airport where we were to be picked up for a 4 hour excursion which was scheduled to end by 2pm but the tour operator allowed for an extension of the tour till 3pm without extra charge. We had good guides clean and fairly new vehicles. Itineraries were interesting and flexible.

Was this review helpful to you?

  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Valletta Thursday, March 12, 2026
Reviewer: Nancy K from San Antonio TX  
We enjoyed our excursions with your company very much. The drivers and guides were professional, punctual, friendly and well-informed. The vehicles were comfortable, clean and generally of a superior quality. You and your staff were very helpful and responsive to our inquiries and requests and your reservation information was complete, professional, and helpful. We will be sure to work with you in our future trips to Europe and abroad.

Was this review helpful to you?

  2 of 2 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Valletta Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Reviewer: Travel Agent - Kathy P from Denham Springs LA  
Everything went perfectly throughout the entire trip. I could not have asked for anything better with regard to price, quality, guides and buses. Ill make sure and add a good recommend to your facebook blog when I return. Please feel free to use me for references. As someone who has traveled for years, been a travel agent for over 18, and have used many tour companies, I can be quite critical and jaded. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about my experience with PST or with the companies you booked. Thanks again for everything.

Was this review helpful to you?

  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Valletta Monday, August 4, 2025
Reviewer: Travel Agent - Janeene F from Jetset, North Melbourne  
Mr Robinson had a wonderful holiday and services you booked were much appreciated and enhanced his overall experience.. We shall certainly use you for future bookings. Many thanks.

Was this review helpful to you?

  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Valletta Friday, July 11, 2025
Reviewer: Susan R from Birdwood, South Australia - Australia  
Everything went very well on our Malta tour. Our guide was very helpful. We certainly found private tours more enjoyable than bus tours. I would certainly recommend your tours to people I know. We have arrived back. Our Ashdod tour was also brilliant. Every thing went well and I certainly would recommend it to other travelers.

Was this review helpful to you?

View All Customer Reviews