Walking on Malta & Gozo
- An island-hopping adventure on Malta, Gozo and Comino
- Valletta’s Baroque capital and the medieval walled city of Mdina
- Follow trails to golden saltpans, past vineyards and Comino’s Blue Lagoon
- 5,000 year-old Ggantija Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The Dwejra Lines, British-built fortifications
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Naxxar and overnightUpon arrival, an included transfer will bring you to the small town of Naxxar. Once you have checked into your lovely accommodations, the rest of the day is free to relax. Perhaps you would like to visit the Palazzo Paradisio, an 18th-century palace with its wonderful walled gardens of orange groves and flowering trees. Naxxar is also home to a magnificent parish church and a quaint old quarter with traditional houses that you can explore.
This palazzo-style guesthouse is located with the medieval village and has casually elegant rooms with charming decor.
Knights in Malta is an exclusive 17th Century property situated in the historic medieval village. The entrance to Knights in Malta opens into a lovely courtyard with plants and trees which provide a relaxed and cool environment in the summer months. The main House is built from traditional Maltese limestone and features a welcoming Reception and TV lounge. The upper levels feature an outside Jacuzzi and Sun terrace, and a Gazebo area for Spa Treatments.
Nestled in an alley with an authentically Maltese character, this luxurious spa hotel is the perfect place for calm and relaxation. With both an indoor and an outdoor pool, and a comfortable lounge and bar area, it offers plenty of opportunity to unwind.
A 15-minute transfer brings you to Malta’s old capital of Mdina. Described as the “silent city” it goes back over 4,000 years and played a major role in Malta’s past. After exploring your walk takes you down to the Chadwick Lakes, which take their name from the British engineer who built them in the 1890s. The area alongside these reservoirs is very green and full of bamboo, willows, and wildflowers.
Walk through agricultural land and alongside farmer’s fields to the Dewjra Lines, also called the Victoria Lines and built as lines of defense. From here there are magnificent views over the north of Malta. After completing the walk, catch a local bus back to Naxaar.
This palazzo-style guesthouse is located with the medieval village and has casually elegant rooms with charming decor.
Knights in Malta is an exclusive 17th Century property situated in the historic medieval village. The entrance to Knights in Malta opens into a lovely courtyard with plants and trees which provide a relaxed and cool environment in the summer months. The main House is built from traditional Maltese limestone and features a welcoming Reception and TV lounge. The upper levels feature an outside Jacuzzi and Sun terrace, and a Gazebo area for Spa Treatments.
Nestled in an alley with an authentically Maltese character, this luxurious spa hotel is the perfect place for calm and relaxation. With both an indoor and an outdoor pool, and a comfortable lounge and bar area, it offers plenty of opportunity to unwind.
Today take a local bus (50-minute journey) to the intriguing capital of Malta, Valletta. Today’s walk takes in all the major sights in Valletta, including its impressive defensive walls, gardens, churches, chapels, and cathedral. Some streets are no more than flights of steps, but what a wonderful place to explore with all its nooks and crannies.Â
Just twenty minutes on the ferry transports you to a different city – the tranquil, mellow Vittoriosa, one of the Three Cities.
There are also multiple museums to visit including the National Museum of Archaeology and the War Museum.Â
This palazzo-style guesthouse is located with the medieval village and has casually elegant rooms with charming decor.
Knights in Malta is an exclusive 17th Century property situated in the historic medieval village. The entrance to Knights in Malta opens into a lovely courtyard with plants and trees which provide a relaxed and cool environment in the summer months. The main House is built from traditional Maltese limestone and features a welcoming Reception and TV lounge. The upper levels feature an outside Jacuzzi and Sun terrace, and a Gazebo area for Spa Treatments.
Nestled in an alley with an authentically Maltese character, this luxurious spa hotel is the perfect place for calm and relaxation. With both an indoor and an outdoor pool, and a comfortable lounge and bar area, it offers plenty of opportunity to unwind.
An included transfer of about 25 minutes brings you to the ferry terminal in Cirkewwa. Upon arrival in Mgarr, Gozo, a transfer brings you to Qala, from where you begin your walk.
Leave Qala behind and take lovely routes past farmer’s fields and agricultural land until you reach the west coast. Fields run all the way up to the coastal cliffs and you will hear songbirds as you immerse yourself in these rural scenes.
At Ramla Bay turn inland and pass Calypso Cave which has a legend associated with Homer’s Odyssey. Make your way into Xaghra, your home for the next 4 nights.
This typical Gozitan farmhouse offers charming and comfortable accommodation. It includes free WiFi, air conditioning, and access to a garden with an outdoor swimming pool and a hearty breakfast.
https://www.botanica.energy/en
This is a 300 year old converted traditional farmhouse located in the heart of Xagħra just 30 seconds walk from the main square. The accommodation has a garden with an outdoor swimming pool. All rooms are equipped with A/C .
Calypso B&B, is a typical maltese farmhouse, it has two common living areas, one of which has a fireplace and a 60" flat screen satellite TV. It has a large swimming pool where you can relax.
The rooms are very large, air conditioned and all private bathroom with shower, hairdryer and private terrace or yard. Each room is equipped with mini fridge, electric kettle and table with chairs for total privacy.
Walk directly from your accommodation past vineyards and fields bounded by stone walls until you arrive in the little harbour of Marsalforn. From here take the coastal route past the Gozo Saltpans, an extensive network of limestone shelves, which use a process of evaporation to mine salt.
As you walk you can see Gozo’s oldest basilica in Ghasri, before reaching Victoria, Gozo’s capital. Perhaps pause for a break here as it is worthy of exploration, before heading west and back to Xaghra.
This typical Gozitan farmhouse offers charming and comfortable accommodation. It includes free WiFi, air conditioning, and access to a garden with an outdoor swimming pool and a hearty breakfast.
https://www.botanica.energy/en
This is a 300 year old converted traditional farmhouse located in the heart of Xagħra just 30 seconds walk from the main square. The accommodation has a garden with an outdoor swimming pool. All rooms are equipped with A/C .
Calypso B&B, is a typical maltese farmhouse, it has two common living areas, one of which has a fireplace and a 60" flat screen satellite TV. It has a large swimming pool where you can relax.
The rooms are very large, air conditioned and all private bathroom with shower, hairdryer and private terrace or yard. Each room is equipped with mini fridge, electric kettle and table with chairs for total privacy.
You have the choice of staying at your accommodation and relaxing by the pool or exploring the island further.
This typical Gozitan farmhouse offers charming and comfortable accommodation. It includes free WiFi, air conditioning, and access to a garden with an outdoor swimming pool and a hearty breakfast.
https://www.botanica.energy/en
This is a 300 year old converted traditional farmhouse located in the heart of Xagħra just 30 seconds walk from the main square. The accommodation has a garden with an outdoor swimming pool. All rooms are equipped with A/C .
Calypso B&B, is a typical maltese farmhouse, it has two common living areas, one of which has a fireplace and a 60" flat screen satellite TV. It has a large swimming pool where you can relax.
The rooms are very large, air conditioned and all private bathroom with shower, hairdryer and private terrace or yard. Each room is equipped with mini fridge, electric kettle and table with chairs for total privacy.
An included transfer brings you to the ferry port in Mgarr. Here board a ferry to Comino, the tiny island between Malta and Gozo. Once you have seen its famed and stunningly beautiful Blue Lagoon, stroll around the island which is car-free, for some solitude and stunning views. When you reach Saint Marija Bay you can stop at the charming little beach and eat your picnic lunch. On arrival back at the harbour, board a ferry back to Gozo and make your way by local bus or taxi back to Xaghra.
This typical Gozitan farmhouse offers charming and comfortable accommodation. It includes free WiFi, air conditioning, and access to a garden with an outdoor swimming pool and a hearty breakfast.
https://www.botanica.energy/en
This is a 300 year old converted traditional farmhouse located in the heart of Xagħra just 30 seconds walk from the main square. The accommodation has a garden with an outdoor swimming pool. All rooms are equipped with A/C .
Calypso B&B, is a typical maltese farmhouse, it has two common living areas, one of which has a fireplace and a 60" flat screen satellite TV. It has a large swimming pool where you can relax.
The rooms are very large, air conditioned and all private bathroom with shower, hairdryer and private terrace or yard. Each room is equipped with mini fridge, electric kettle and table with chairs for total privacy.
An included transfer brings you to the ferry terminal in Mgarr. Take the ferry back to Malta. An included transfer then brings you from the ferry port to Malta Airport.
Other Information
Is it for me?Malta and Gozo are superb destinations to travel to during the off-season as they have relatively warm temperatures in the winter. So, if you like walking with the sun on your back, surrounded by an intriguing local history and culture with walks through pretty farmland and rugged coastlines, then you should definitely consider this tour.
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.
Solo Travellers
The minimum age for this tour is: 18 Years
This tour is graded easy to moderate. The daily distances vary from 6 to 15km. The walk on day 4 from Qala to Xaghra can be described as more moderate in comparison to the other walks with an ascent/descent of +450m/-420m. The terrain is a combination of dirt trails, farm tracks, sandy beaches, coastal paths, and quiet country roads. Always be mindful of other road users when walking on roads. At times, the route will be rocky, steep, and might contain some loose stones. It is therefore important to be sure-footed and to wear appropriate walking shoes for support and comfort. The Information Pack will include a detailed kit list for suggestions on what to pack. This tour is suitable for walkers with good physical fitness.
On this tour, you will stay in charming, characterful and hand-picked boutique guest houses and B&B’s. These lodgings are truly special places and one of the highlights of this tour. We will always try and accommodate you at the accommodations listed. However, if those listed are unavailable, alternative accommodation of the same or better standard than those described will be provided.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
If you require single rooms we are more than happy to accommodate you and solo walkers are also welcome although a supplement is payable.
Meals
Breakfast is included each morning, (usually buffet-style) but not lunch or dinner. On most of the walking days, it will necessary to take a packed lunch. However, on some days, a café or restaurant will be en route. Usually, the accommodations will not offer picnic lunches but in the towns where you will be staying, there are little supermarkets or bakeries where you can purchase what you need. Dinners you may eat at your accommodation (if available) or there are plenty of local restaurants to choose from.
None of the walks on Malta or Gozo are waymarked, so in order to find your way you will need to follow route notes or the App. We will provide you with comprehensive route notes, a 1:25,000 Kompass map and GPS tracks for those who like to take a GPS unit. We also offer access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App on this tour (see the details on the next page). Using the App you simply follow the route using your smartphone which is quite a relaxing experience. You are not required to know how to navigate reading a map, but it can be very useful if in doubt.
- 7 Nights accommodation in guest houses & B&B's
- 7 Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers
- People transfers as listed in the itinerary
- Detailed information pack, route notes and map
- Access to the Macs Smartphone App
- 24/7 telephone support from our UK office
- Ferries and local buses
- Lunches & Dinners
- Drinks & Snacks
- Personal equipment
- Flights to and from Malta airport
- Travel insurance (required)
- Additional nights
This trip is available to start on any day of the week from mid-September to mid-June. However, we do not operate this tour over the Christmas or New Year period or in January.
The best time of year to walk in Malta is from mid-September to mid-June as the summer months are too hot. Spring is a lovely time to be there because all the wildflowers are blooming and there are warm daytime temperatures. Autumn is also very popular. Although there could be some rain during the winter months, the temperature does not generally get any lower than 12 or 13 degrees centigrade. In November the average temperature is 17 to 20 degrees centigrade and in April 15 to 19 degrees centigrade.
Malta International Airport is the closest airport to Naxxar and you can get here from the UK on low cost airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair. Air Malta also has flights from other European gateways, such as Frankfurt and Paris. If you are flying from further afield you can use other airlines before connecting to these airlines in Europe.
Upon arrival in Malta Airport you will be transferred to your hotel in Naxxar. Please provide us with your flight arrival time as soon as you can.
Your tour finishes in Xaghra, but a transfer will be provided from your accommodation in Xaghra to the Gozo ferry port and then once you have taken the ferry you will be picked up at the ferry port and transferred to Malta Airport. For ferry times and schedules please visit the Gozo Channel website.
We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person. On the ferry from Malta to Gozo and vice versa, you will need to carry your own luggage. Please consider this and pack light!
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase.  Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person.  It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the region is extremely popular especially in May, June, September and October. It is always better to book as far in advance as possible, however, we will always try our best to accommodate your plans.
This itinerary is graded easy to moderate, however the terrain can be tricky at times with rocks underfoot, so you will need to be sure-footed. Elevation gains and losses are minimal, however you will have to go up and down to reach any hilltop villages.
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person. As you will need to carry your luggage on the ferry between Malta & Gozo, you may want to consider packing fairly lightly.
Your detailed information pack will be sent to you after you book. This has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
You can use public transport or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.
Yes, local people do hunt for small birds, and rabbit. The season for hunting birds runs between 1 September and 31 January and between two hours before sunrise and two hours after sunset from Monday to Saturday, and between two hours before sunrise and 1pm on Sundays and public holidays. Hunting between 15 September and 7 October is not permitted between 7 pm and two hours before sunrise of the following day; the same time restrictions also apply to the hunting of wild rabbit, which is permitted until 31 December. Hunting usually takes places on the coastline from small block built hides where there is no apparent differentiation between private & public land. Also there is a cordoned-off Armed Forces training facility on Gozo. So you may also hear practice gunfire from this too. The hunting will not have any impact on your tour, but if you do hear gunfire, this is why.
They also hunt in Malta, but since you will not be doing any coastal walks here you should not hear any gunshots.Â
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Why Macs
The Biggest Choice
Founded in 2003
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At Macs, we don’t do tour buses, groups, or guides. Instead, we give you the freedom and confidence to have your own self-guided hiking or biking adventure.
This is active travel led by you.
You choose your departure date and who you travel with, we do the rest.
We sort accommodation and luggage transfers and provide your route in an easy-to-use app.
We give you everything you need to travel independently but we're here 24/7 if you need us.
Getting from A to B under your own steam is intensely rewarding. With Macs, you'll see the world, and yourself, differently.