Malta Tours

Trail of the Knights
Birgu, Valletta, St. John's Co. Cathedral &
Grand Masters Palace

As this is a private tour the itinerary below can be customised to your specifications.

The Knights of St. John first settled in Malta in 1530, however they did not occupy the then capital which was Mdina, but chose Birgu which is located at the very heart of the harbour. This put them in a better position to stave off any sort of attack. To the Knights, Malta was the gateway to Western Christendom and in 1565, during the Great Siege the Knights defeated the might of the Ottomon Empire and halted their power in the Mediterranean. For more than two hundred years, as their influence in Europe grew, Malta and its people prospered under the Order. They endowed their island with monuments, magnificent palaces and built a new capital, Valletta. Valletta was the first city built according to detailed plans and its superb fortifications made it an impregnable citadel.

Our tour starts with a visit to Birgu, here you can explore the area known as the Collachio, a labyrinth of narrow street and quaint alleys which was occupied by the Knights. Here they built their Auberges (Inns) and other important buildings, including the Sacra Infermaria where the Order could take care of the sick and wounded. A short walk from the historical centre is the stunning Birgu waterfront. Here the Knights anchored their magnificent galleys. After a lunch stop (lunch is additional) we make our way across the Grand Harbour to Valletta. We start our tour of Valletta with a visit to the Barraka Gardens where you can admire views over the magnificent fortified Grand Harbour. We continue with you tour thought the heart of Valletta, en route admire the beautiful architecture and large open piazza's. A visit to St. John Co. Cathedral which was the conventual church of the order and historically the most important building built by the Knights and the magnificent  Grandmasters Palace State Rooms and Armory.