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Top Tourist Places to Visit in Gzira, Malta, Europe

Gzira is a town situated on the Malta Island in the country of Malta covering an area of 1.0 sq. km. It has got relatively more importance than other Maltese towns, because of its nearness with the University of Malta and the country capital, Valletta. Gzira is a pleasant town with very low crime rate, housing a college, schools and natural as well as manmade tourist attractions.

 

Geography of Gzira:

Gzira is geographically positioned between 35°54′18″ N latitude and14°29′40″ E longitude, around 5 km northwest of the national capital, Valletta.

 

History of Gzira:

The literal meaning of Gzira in the Maltese language is “island” which comes from adjoining Manoel Island. Gzira began to grow as a residential settlement in the mid-19th century with a foundation of villa by Chevalier Jacob Tagliaferro. Following this house, the number of houses in Gzira increased.

 

How to reach Gzira?

As like other Maltese cities and towns, Gzira is served by Malta International Airport, the only airport of Malta situated around 8 km south of Gzira.

Malta Airport has connection to all the major European cities such as Paris, Rome, London, Geneva, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Athens, St Petersburg, Budapest, Dublin and Edinburgh.

For airport travel, one can refer taxi or pre-booked vehicles and also generally buses are also accessible near the airport.

There are travel agencies many in Gzira offering cars and bikes for rent on day or hour or week basis.

 

Food and Shopping in Gzira:

Gzira houses many modernized as well as traditional shops and for better shopping experience, tourists can visit neighboring Valletta city.

Some of well known food corners in Gzira are listed below:

• 29 Clubhouse GUFCN
• Times Gone By
• The White Sheep
• IL Tempio Divino
• The View Wine Bar & Restaurant

 

Things to do in Gzira:

• Boat riding
• Shopping
• Visiting historical sites

 

Tourist Attractions in Gzira:

 

The parish church of Gzira:

Devoted to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the parish church of Gzira is a religious icon of Gzira and there is a feast, Village Feast taking place on the 2^nd of every July.

 

Fort Manoel:

The Fort Manoel is a historical fort located on the Manoel Island, near Gzira and was constructed between 1723 and 1755 by the Knights of Malta. It was heavily damaged during the Second World War and restored in 2010.

 

St George’s Chapel and Cemetery:

Located on the Manoel Island, the St George’s Chapel and Cemetery or Lazzaretto cemetery is reachable by foot or vehicle from the town of Gzira.

 

Other places of interest in and around Gzira include:

• The Strand
• Monument to Turu Rizzo
• Testaferrata Gate
• Yacht Marina
• Monument to the Council of Europe
• Lazzaretto Complex
• NAAFI Building
• Villa Gżira
• Church of the Redeemer
• Orpheum Theatre
• Drainage Pumping Station
• National Pool Complex
• The Four Evangelist Houses
• The National War Museum
• Church of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck
• Valletta Waterfront

 

Best time to visit Gzira:

The months between May and September are best to trip scenic Gzira.

 

Accommodation options in Gzira:

Gzira is a picturesque town home to many standard accommodation centres categorized as hotels, vacation rentals, BB and inns. For more facilitated hotels, it is suggested for visitors to reach nearby Valletta city where several top class hotels are located. The prominent hotels in and around Gzira include:

• 115 The Strand Aparthotel
• The Waterfront Hotel
• Hotel Kennedy Nova
• Bayview Hotel & Apartments
• Milano Due
• Euro Guesthouse
• NSTS Campus Residence and Hostel
• Excelsior Grand Hotel
• Hotel Phoenicia
• Osborne Hotel
• Grand Harbour Hotel
• Etvan Hotel
• Castille Hotel

Gozo Tourist Places to Visit in Gozo, Malta, Europe

Gozo is the second largest island of the Maltese Archipelago belonging to the Southern European country of Malta. It is located around 15 km northwest of the Malta Island and Victoria is the largest and main city of the Gozo Island. People on the Gozo Island are called Gozitans.

 

Geography of Gozo:

Gozo is in the Mediterranean Sea measuring a length of 14 km and width of 7.25 km with a total area of 67 sq. km. Gozo coordinates with 36°03′ N latitude and 14°15′ E longitude.

 

History of Gozo:

According to the archeological findings, Gozo was first inhabited in 5000 BC by the farmers migrating from the Sicily Island. Gozo is the home of many renowned historical sites including the oldest free-standing structures in the globe, the Ġgantija temples.

 

Connectivity to Gozo:

The Malta International Airport on the Malta Island is the gateway for entire Malta, so tourists are needed to reach this airport first and then they can take a taxi or bus from there to the Ċirkewwa Ferry terminal. From there ferries depart for every 45 minutes to the Mġarr Ferry Terminal on Gozo. There are buses always available at the Mġarr Ferry Terminal.

The Hop-On Hop-Off buses are widely used for local travel in Gozo and in addition, taxis, rental cars and public buses are also useful to within the island.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Gozo:

Gozo is the site of many palatial festival celebrations of which carnival in Nadur is very popular and weekend celebrations are very common on the villages of Gozo during the summer months. Shops are abundant in Gozo.

Gbejniet is a must try dish on Gozo and some of the major restaurants in Gozo are as follows:

• Vinyard Restaurant
• Ta’ Karolina
• The Clock House
• The Boat House

 

What to do in Gozo?

• Scuba diving
• Sail Gozo Private Tours
• Barbarossa Day Excursions
• Gozo Pride Tour
• Mayjo Private Day Tours

 

What to see in Gozo?

 

The National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu:

Being a most famous religious site on the Gozo Island, the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu is situated on the edge of a cliff, built in the Neo-romantic architectural style.

 

Ġgantija:

Located on the Gozo Island, the Ġgantija is a megalithic temple complex dating back to around 5500 years. Together with the Megalithic Temples of Malta, it gained a place in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

 

Azure Window:

A millions of years old natural arch the Azure Window is a worth see site on the Gozo Island. Taking a guided tour will be better to explore this natural wonder.

 

Other places of interest in Gozo include:

• Church of St. John The Baptist
• The Citadel in Victoria
• Hondoq Bay
• Ramla Bay
• Ta’ Cenc
• George’s Basilica
• Xwejni Salt Pans
• Xerri’s Grotto
• Xwejni Bay
• Dahlet Qorrot Beach
• San Blas beach
• Mgarr ix-Xini
• Gharb Folklore Museum
• Calypso Cave
• Sacred Heart Parish Church

 

When to visit Gozo?

Gozo can be visited throughout the year especially from May to September will be ideal for beach exploration and sightseeing.

 

Where to stay in Gozo?

Being a top tourist destination, Gozo houses dozens of international standard hotels with all the upgraded facilities and services such as spa, sauna, food on request, babysitting facility, AC, free Wi-Fi, doctor on call and arrangement of vehicle for local travel. Here are the some reputed hotels in Gozo:

• San Andrea Hotel
• Villa Bronja
• Grand Hotel
• Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz
• Electra Guest house
• Hotel Ta’ Cenc
• Cornucopia Hotel
• Saint Patrick’s Hotel
• Calypso Hotel
• Downtown Hotel
• Hotel Xlendi Resort & Spa
• Gozo Village
• Sea Shell Flats II
• Ulysses Village Apartments
• Marsalforn Guesthouse

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Ghajnsielem, Malta, Europe

Ghajnsielem is a town as well as a municipality on the island of Gozo in Malta, situated about 40 km northwest of Valletta, the capital of Malta. The literal meaning of Ghajnsielem is “Peaceful Spring” which may be derived from the spring in the village Motto.

Ghajnsielem is home to Ghajnsielem FC (football club) and St. Joseph Band Club. It is also the site of many renowned natural as well as manmade tourist attractions including Fort Chambray and Red Beach.

 

Geography of Ghajnsielem:

Lying on the southeastern coast of the island, Ghajnsielem is spread over an area of 7.2 sq. km. Ghajnsielem coordinates with 36°1′37″ N latitude and14°17′25″ E longitude. The neighboring towns of Ghajnsielem are Sannat, Xewkija, Nadur and Qala.

 

History of Ghajnsielem:

Along with other Maltese town and cities, Ghajnsielem is served by Malta International Airport, located about 35 km away.

Ferry is a most common option to reach Ghajnsielem from Malta Island. One can take a taxi or bus at the airport to Ċirkewwa Ferry terminal where the Gozo Channel Ferry departs for every 45 minutes to Mgarr Ferry Terminal on Gozo. It takes around 25 minutes for a trip and costs €4.65 for round trip.

City Sightseeing Gozo and Gozo Sightseeing are the two special bus operators in the Gozo Island and public bus service is provided by Arriva. Taxis and rental cars are also available to get around.

 

Food and Shopping in Ghajnsielem:

The products like clothes, handicraft items, jewels, perfumes are relatively cheaper in Ghajnsielem compared to other Maltese towns.

Some major food corners in and around Ghajnsielem include:

• The Clubhouse
• Kantra Beach Club
• Uncle Ted’s Tavern
• Il Girna Restaurant

 

Things to do in Ghajnsielem:

• Visiting historical sites
• Snorkeling
• Swimming
• Diving

 

Tourist Attractions in Ghajnsielem:

Comino:

Comino is a beautiful island located between the Gozo and Malata islands coming under the Ghajnsielem municipality. It is home to a nature reserve and bird sanctuary, and is very popular tourist destination among locals and foreigners for its amazing diving, snorkeling and swimming activities. It is also favorite among many English film makers.

 

Fort Chambray:

The Fort Chambray is a fort located on the Gozo Island but now it is in ruined condition. It was originally constructed around 250 years back on the ‘Ras it-Tafal’ hill.

 

Parish Church:

The parish church of Ghajnsielem is one of the main religious sites as well as tourist attractions on the Gozo Island. This Gothic-Lombard style church’s construction began in 1922 and finally completed in 1979.

 

Other places of interest in Ghajnsielem include:

• Lourdes Chapel and Lourdes Home
• Mġarr Harbour
• Sanctuary ‘Our Lady of Loreto’
• St Anthony’s Church
• Apparation Square
• Old Parish Church
• Mġarr ix-Xini Tower
• Imrejzbiet and Tal-Qieghan Temples
• St Cecilia Tower and Chapel
• Borg Gharib
• Garzes Tower
• The Fougasse
• Red Beach
• Gozo Heritage

 

Best time to visit Ghajnsielem:

The best time to visit Ghajnsielem depends on what kind of activities tourists like to do, and for beach exploration and festival celebrations, the summer months (June-September) will be ideal but it is hot.

 

Accommodation options in Ghajnsielem:

There are hotels few in Ghajnsielem, but tourists can find many vacation rentals here with all the basic facilities and services like kitchen, coffee maker, hot water bath, 24 hour electricity and internet connectivity. List of some fine hotels and vacation rentals in and around Ghajnsielem include:

• Albatross Farmhouse
• Razzett Il Laringa
• Ta’ Gigi
• Joseph Home Hostel
• Farmhouse Lily
• Fort Chambray Ocean Views
• Brand New Designer Apartment
• Fort Chambray Luxury Apartment
• The Brigantine
• Mediterranea Gozo
• Comino Hotel
• Razzett Bardan
• Hotel Ta’ Cenc
• Kings Lodge Bed & Breakfast
• Hibiscus House Bed & Breakfast

Tourist Places to Visit in Floriana, Malta, Europe

Floriana is one of the towns of Malta, located in the Grand Harbour site, just 2 km away from the capital city, Valletta. It is the hometown of many renowned Maltese including Robert Samut, Dom Mauro Caruana, Kevin Borg and Oliver Friggieri.

The major landmarks of Floriana include:

• Porte des Bombes
• Soċjetà Filarmonika Vilhena
• Herbert Ganado Gardens
• Pjazza San Publiju

 

Geography of Floriana:

Floriana is geographically positioned between 35°53′36″ N latitude and 14°30′21″ E longitude, covering an area of 0.094 sq. km.

 

History of Floriana:

Floriana was named in the honor of Pietro Paolo Floriani who was the Italian military engineer. It was earlier known as Borgo Vilhena which came from the Portuguese Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena.

 

How to reach Floriana?

Malta International Airport is the airport serving entire Malta Archipelago including Floriana and it covers major European cities such as Liverpool, London, Madrid, Marseille, Pisa, Seville, Valencia, Wrocław, Munich, Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Istanbul.

Due to its nearness with the national capital, Valletta, Floriana has got good connectivity all around the island by regular bus services.

Floriana also houses plenty of famed travel agencies that offer bikes, cars and bicycles for airport travel, sightseeing and to reach neighboring cities.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Floriana:

There are many grand events taking place in Floriana including the Perfect Wedding Fair, the Malta Fireworks Festival and the Malta Jazz Festival which draw visitors from all around Europe.

Shops are abundant in Floriana and some of the reputed restaurants in Floriana are listed below:

• Ta’ Kella
• Haywharf Restaurant & Club House
• 22nd January Cafeteria

 

Things to do in Floriana:

• Festival celebrations
• Shopping
• Walking

 

Tourist Attractions in Floriana:

 

Porte des Bombes:

The Porte des Bombes is an adorned gate, built during the rule of Fra Ramon Perellos y Roccaful, between 1697 and 1720 in the Baroque architectural style. The design of the gate is eye-catching.

 

Valletta Waterfront:

Constructed in the 18th century in the baroque style of architecture by Manuel Pinto de Fonseca, the Valletta Waterfront is a wharf housing a Hard Rock Cafe bar and is also a venue for the Malta Fireworks Festival, the Malta Jazz Festival and many other major events of Malta.

 

Msida Bastions Garden of Rest:

The Msida Bastions Garden of Rest is a major landmark as well as tourist attraction in Floriana housing the grave of the 18th-century writer, Mikiel Anton Vassalli.

 

Other places of interest in Floriana include:

• Herbert Ganado Gardens
• King George V Recreational Grounds
• Soċjetà Filarmonika Vilhena
• Hydrofoil terminal
• Argotti Botanical Gardens
• Jubilee Grove
• Saint Publius
• John’s Co-Cathedral
• Saluting Battery
• Casa Rocca Piccola
• Upper Barrakka Gardens
• The National War Museum
• Lower Barrakka Gardens
• National Museum of Archaeology
• Paul’s Anglican Church

 

Best time to visit Floriana:

Throughout the year is best, especially the summer months are ideal for sightseeing in Floriana.

 

Accommodation options in Floriana:

Floriana is small but colorful town with many natural as well as manmade tourist attractions and palatial festival celebrations but there are hotels few, although tourists wouldn’t get more problems in finding hotels because it adjoins the Valletta city which houses all sorts of accommodation centres. List of the nice hotels in Floriana and Valletta include:

• Excelsior Grand Hotel
• Hotel Phoenicia
• Grand Harbour Hotel
• Osborne Hotel
• British Hotel
• Etvan Hotel
• Castille Hotel
• Valletta Suites
• Cumberland Hotel
• Bonheur Guest House
• Asti Guest House
• Palazzo Prince D’Orange Luxury Suites
• Asti Guest House
• Valletta Suites
• Palazzo Prince D’Orange Luxury Suites
• Luciano Al Porto Boutique