Valletta Ferry Service

On either side of Valletta there is a ferry service to connect nearby towns.
At Marsamxett Valletta you will find a Ferry to Sliema and on the port-side of Valletta, you can find a Ferry service to Birgu (also known as Vittoriosa)
Note - some pre-paid bus cards can be used for these ferries. Our Valletta Portview apartment has a beautiful view of the harbour and is close to the ferry terminal to Vittoriosa

Valletta-Gozo Fast Ferry Service

From Valletta on the port-side you can also board the Gozo Fast Ferry Service which usually takes around 40mins. This service only works when the sea is not rough. Moreover this ferry does not carry cars.
https://gozohighspeed.com/pages/fares-and-schedule

Gozo Channel Ferry Service

There are 4 regular ships which carry cars departing roughly every 45mins.
From Cirkewwa  (in Malta) to the port of Mgarr (in Gozo)
One important note is that when you abroad the ship from Malta one does not pay. Payment is done before you aboard the ship in Gozo
Trip is usually around 25mins.
Night schedule is less frequent
https://www.gozochannel.com/ferry/schedule/

Comino Ferry Service

Frequent Comino ferry boats start regularly from 1st April till about 6pm
from the north port of Cirkewwa (Malta) and from the port of Mgarr (Gozo)
telephone - Mario +356 79321518
www.cominoferries.com

Neolithic era on the Maltese Islands

The oldest of the Neolithic phase in Malta dates back approximately 500, 000 to 10,000 years ago. In a large long cave known as Ghar Dalam, the first traces of human habitation were found dating back 7,900 years ago. Dwarf elephant skeleton and fossilized remains of hippopotamuses, deer and bears were also found as Malta was connected to mainland Europe during the ice age.

Ggantija in Gozo, the hypogeum, the Tarxien temples, HagarQim and Mnajdra date back between 3600 to 2500 BC. Ggantija, Tarxien temples, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra are the largest free-standing temples on the Maltese island and the second most ancient in the world. They are built with huge limestone blocks which were cut, carried and fitted together.These temples have cloverleaf semi-circular chambers originating from a central corridor which connects the chambers. The chambers have altars. Moreover, spiral patterned motifs can be spotted throughout. The entrance to the temples is huge. Most significantly the entrance of Mnajdra temple is aligned with the first sun rays that shoot through it during the solstices. Mnajdra is set in very beautiful surroundings, on cliffs overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean facing Filfla rock. In the summer and winter solstices, the first rays of the sun illuminate the entrance and the main altar. During the spring and autumn equinoxes, the first sunlight passes through the entrance and illuminates the central corridor and altars. The temple builders were more advanced than we can possibly imagine.  

The Hypogeum stands in a class of its own. It is a subterranean structure. The upper level resembles the megalithic temples such as Hagar Qim. It consists of a central corridor and small chambers.  The middle level features carvings and red ochre frescos. It includes the oracle room which has unique acoustic properties where sound reverberates throughout the chambers. The lower level was used as burial chambers. The remains of 7000 individuals affirms this. The upper floors were probably used for rituals and religious worship. Pottery and artifacts such as the statue of the ‘sleeping lady’ were found here. Due to the delicate preservation of the hypogeum, a limited number of visitors are allowed in everyday. Bookings are usually made online months in advance.