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Cultural & heritage · Rabat

Top 9 cultural & heritage things to do in Rabat

Heritage walks, museum days, temple complexes, and the kind of guides who explain why a place matters rather than reciting dates. The cultural side of Rabat, paced for actual seeing.

  1. Valletta, Mdina and Three Cities 3-Day Guided Tour, Rabat1

    1. Valletta, Mdina and Three Cities 3-Day Guided Tour

    · 3 days

    Discover Malta’s rich history on this 3-day guided tour to Valletta, Mdina and the Three Cities. Day 1: Valletta Explore Malta’s capital, built by the Knights of St. John in 1566. Enjoy panoramic views of the Grand Harbour from Upper Barrakka Gardens, visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral with its Caravaggio masterpieces, and stroll through Republic Street and St. George’s Square. Complete your visit with the Malta Experience or Malta 5D audiovisual show. Day 2: Mdina Visit Malta’s former capital, the “Silent City”, renowned for its medieval streets and stunning views. Continue to Rabat, Dingli Cliffs, San Anton Gardens, Ta’ Qali Crafts Village, and Mosta, home to one of Europe’s largest domes. Day 3: Three Cities Discover Vittoriosa and Senglea, where the Knights first settled in Malta. Walk through historic streets, enjoy a traditional harbour boat tour through the creeks of Grand Harbour, and admire spectacular views of the Grand Harbour and Fort St. Angelo.

  2. Afternoon Harbours Cruise and Free Time in Sliema incl. Transfers, Rabat2

    2. Afternoon Harbours Cruise and Free Time in Sliema incl. Transfers

    · 3.3 hours

    Join us on this boat trip to relive Malta’s valiant history as we cruise along the stunning natural harbours flanking Valletta: the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour, as well as the three fortified cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua. Both harbours have played a key role in Malta’s rich past. During the cruise, you’ll take in magnificent forts, battlements, and creeks surrounding Valletta, enjoying unique views of the city and the beautiful Maltese coastline while gliding through the clear Mediterranean waters. It’s the perfect chance to admire Valletta from a new perspective and capture memorable photos of its breath-taking scenery. At the end of the cruise, you will disembark at Sliema Ferries, where you’ll have about 1½ hours of free time to stroll along Sliema’s bustling shopping area and promenade. You can browse the many outlets, relax in one of the cafés or restaurants, or simply enjoy the lively seaside atmosphere.

  3. Vittoriosa and Senglea Tour including Boat Tour and Transport, Rabat3

    3. Vittoriosa and Senglea Tour including Boat Tour and Transport

    · 4 hours

    Discover the rich heritage of Malta’s fortified gems—Vittoriosa and Senglea—on a captivating journey through centuries of history. Walk through Vittoriosa’s medieval streets, once the headquarters of the Knights of St. John and a key stronghold during the Great Siege of 1565. Enjoy a traditional Frejgatina boat cruise through the colourful harbour creeks before exploring Senglea, the “Unconquered City.” At the iconic Gardjola Gardens, take in breathtaking panoramic views of the Grand Harbour and Fort St. Angelo Throughout the tour, your knowledgeable guides bring the rich history of Vittoriosa and Senglea to life with engaging storytelling, fascinating insights, and memorable anecdotes, making your journey through these living historical gems truly unforgettable.

  1. Brewery Experience with Beer Tasting and Transport, Rabat4

    4. Brewery Experience with Beer Tasting and Transport

    · 2.5 hours

    This former brewing complex, which once housed the production of some of Malta's most beloved brands, has been transformed into a vibrant and dynamic hub, offering a wide range of functional and recreational spaces. Visitors are invited to explore the newly revitalised 1950 Farsons Brewery in Birkirkara, where they can embark on a self-guided tour to gain a deeper understanding of the history and brewing process of Malta's premier brewery. This unique experience goes beyond the brand itself, revealing the captivating story of three entrepreneurial families who collaborated to become the islands' leading brewers. Through this tour, visitors will uncover the fascinating tale of how these families came together to create a legacy that has endured for generations. As part of the experience, guests will have the opportunity to sample a range of freshly brewed beers at The Cisk Tap, located on the rooftop of the brewery, offering stunning views of the surrounding area.

  2. Valletta (UNESCO) guided tour, Malta Experience (included), Cathedral (optional), Rabat5

    5. Valletta (UNESCO) guided tour, Malta Experience (included), Cathedral (optional)

    4.3· 11 reviews· 4 hours

    Our guided walking tour through the vibrant streets of Valletta will allow you to discover the beauty and charm of the fortified city built by the Knights in 1566. The Order of St. John ruled over the islands for 268 years and left a unique cultural legacy of which Valletta is the prime example and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We first enjoy a breathtaking view of the Grand Harbour from the Upper Barracca Gardens. Then we visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral (optional or free time), including the Caravaggio masterpieces in the Oratory, the Flemish tapestries and the church museum. The Co-Cathedral houses one of the most beautiful marble inlaid floors in the world. Going down Republic Street you will walk past the Grand Master’s Palace and the recently restored St. George’s Square before watching the Malta Experience (Mondays) or Malta 5D (Wednesdays), an audiovisual show where Malta’s history throughout the centuries is brought back to life.

  3. Hagar Qim temple (UNESCO), Limestone Heritage & Marsaxlokk Market guided tour, Rabat6

    6. Hagar Qim temple (UNESCO), Limestone Heritage & Marsaxlokk Market guided tour

    4.0· 10 reviews· 8 hours

    The guided tour starts with a visit to one of Malta’s oldest quarries which has been transformed into an attraction for tourists and locals alike and which provides a vivid account of one of Malta’s leading skills – the use of limestone for building purposes, a skill that goes back thousands of years. The magic of Malta’s antiquity will be explained at Hagar Qim, Malta’s main pre-historic UNESCO site, overlooking the wide expanse of the blue Mediterranean and the islet of Filfa. From Hagar Qim you will proceed to Wied iz-Zurrieq where (weather permitting – boat price not included) you can take a boat trip to the Blue Grotto, renowned for its crystal clear waters. After lunch, we drive through local vineyards right up to the idyllic fishing village of Marsaxlokk. You will have time to stroll through the local market set out on its waterfront. Later we proceed to the cave at Ghar Dalam where archaeologists have unearthed ample proof that Malta once formed part of the European landmass.

  4. Hagar Qim temple (UNESCO) and Limestone Heritage guided tour, Rabat7

    7. Hagar Qim temple (UNESCO) and Limestone Heritage guided tour

    3.6· 16 reviews· 4 hours

    The guided tour starts with a visit to one of Malta’s oldest quarries which has been transformed into an attraction for tourists and locals alike and which provides a vivid account of one of Malta’s leading skills – the use of limestone for building purposes, a skill that goes back thousands of years. The magic of Malta’s antiquity will be explained at Hagar Qim, Malta’s main pre-historic site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (one of the seven Megalithic Temples of Malta), overlooking the wide expanse of the blue Mediterranean and the islet of Filfla. From Hagar Qim you will proceed to Wied iz-Zurrieq where (weather permitting – boat price not included) you can take a boat trip to the Blue Grotto, renowned for its crystal clear waters.

  5. Mdina, Dingli cliffs and San Anton Gardens guided tour, Rabat8

    8. Mdina, Dingli cliffs and San Anton Gardens guided tour

    3.3· 16 reviews· 4 hours

    This half day guided tour will start with a tour of Malta’s medieval city of Mdina, Malta’s former capital. The narrow, winding streets, dating back to the Arab period, lead to the imposing bastions, commanding a panoramic view of the islands. On the way there, you will discover different styles of architecture, including the medieval Siculo-Norman palaces, and other baroque buildings of great historical importance. Time stands still in this ‘Silent City’ which is a film-maker’s paradise. Leaving Mdina through Greek’s Gate, we proceed to the cliffs at Dingli. The tour ends with a visit to the San Anton botanical gardens situated near the Presidential Palace, which you will be able to admire from outside.

  6. Grand Harbour & Marsamxett harbour cruise guided tour including transport, Rabat9

    9. Grand Harbour & Marsamxett harbour cruise guided tour including transport

    3.0· 3 reviews· 4 hours

    On this boat trip you will discover the beauty of Valletta’s two natural harbours – Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour – which have played a vital role in Malta’s history. Seen from the sea, Valletta appears in all its grandeur, providing photographers with the best opportunity for original pictures. After the cruise you will have time to stroll along Sliema’s main shopping area, where you can also relax in one of the many cafés. Return transfer from Sliema at 18:00hrs.

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