Heritage Malta Multi Site Pass
The Heritage Malta Multi Site Pass is fantastic value. When looking at places to visit in Malta we looked at various options as we were visiting for nearly 3 months. The pass is valid for 30 days from the first day you use it. So we were able to visit all 23 sites and the Malta National Aquarium easily within the 30 day time limit. Many of the sites are close together so you can often visit 2 or more sites on the same day. For example there are 5 heritage sites in Valetta, 3 sites in the Mdina/Rabat area and 4 within the Citadel in Victoria on Gozo. Many of the sites are also within easy walking distance of each other and all accessible by public transport.
We did not have a hire car, choosing instead to use our Malta Talinja bus pass to get around the two islands. Due to the length of our stay we were able to apply for local bus passes. There are passes that you can buy for cheaper fares as tourists, either weekly unlimited or multi-journey. We stayed on Gozo for 10 days out of our 3 months, so we managed to visit those 6 sites as well. If you were only planning to visit Gozo you could opt for the Gozo Pass.
I am going to share briefly our experiences at each site. In the future I plan to write more detail about some of them as separate posts. I will link to those posts from this one for your convenience.
How much does a Heritage Malta Pass cost?
The Heritage Malta Multi Site Pass cost us the following in euros (€):
- Adult €50
- Senior/Student (with ID) €38
- Children (aged 6 to 17) €25
- Family (2 adults + up to 2 Children) €110
*costs were valid for 2016
We opted for a family ticket which was even better value as we have four children. Our children at the time were aged 2, 5, 7 and 10 years old. Children under 6 are admitted free to the Heritage Malta sites. Two adult and two children tickets would have cost us €150, but the family ticket saved us €40! We paid for the ticket online and received the PDF by email, so we just had to show our smartphones to gain entry. An adult Heritage Malta Multi site pass will save you over €200 on the entrance fees and entitles you to a 10% discount in any of the Museum shops.
The Malta passes can be purchased online or from any of the sites. 30 days validity counts from your first visit not when you purchase. A Malta Heritage Multi Site pass entitles the holder to a 10% discount in the various museum shops. Our first visit was to the Malta National Aquarium and it was great fun! As I mentioned before there are other passes available so you can concentrate on a few attractions or areas to visit. For current prices please visit the Heritage Malta site.
Alternatives to the Heritage Malta Multi Site Pass
- Discover Gozo
- Hagar Qim Park
- Palace Armoury & State Rooms
- Mdina & Rabat Cultural Experience
- Mgarr Multi-site Ticket
- The Valetta Ticket
- 10 Day Malta Discount Card: 50% off Top Attractions
NB The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is an amazing Heritage Malta Site but entrance fee is not included on the Heritage Malta Multi site pass. Unfortunately the Hypogeum is closed for much needed preservation works until at least mid-2017. Bookings were essential due to limited on daily visitors. I was lucky and got to visit just before it closed mid-2016 for a truly unforgettable experience.
Malta National Aquarium
Although not a heritage site the Malta National Aquarium can be visited for Free on your Heritage Malta multi site pass. The Malta National Aquarium was fabulous fun with lots of great exhibits. We all loved the interactive fish and marine life identification screens. There is a square outside which has a fantastic marine themed playground. The aquarium is on a bus route and the square has a licensed cafe and public toilet facilities. There is also a restaurant and gift shop in the aquarium building which you don’t have to pay to enter. We enjoyed the gluten free pizza and salads. I wrote a post about our experiences surviving Malta gluten free.
Photo below is our four children enjoying the large and well lit tank near the restaurant. Our youngest often prefers not to pose for photos, this time he’s enjoying the view of the fish tank.
Valetta Sites
National Museum of Archaeology
In order to see the ‘Sleeping Lady’ recovered from the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum you have to visit the Malta National Museum of Archaeology. Many of the carved limestone blocks have been moved to this museum from their temple sites for preservation and security. There are many artefacts from the Neolithic and Bronze Age eras too.
Sleeping Lady from Malta’s Hypogeum
Malta National Museum of Fine Arts
I have to say we did not enjoy all of the exhibits at this art museum. There was some unusual abstract art and good maritime paintings mixed in with the numerous violent religious deaths . Not suitable artwork for the children so we did not linger!
Malta Museum of Fine Arts
Malta Palace Armoury
I took the eldest two boys to the Palace Armoury and the State Rooms, combining our visit with an archery lesson in Valetta. You can get a combo pass for these two sites or visit on the Malta Heritage Multi site pass. Lots and lots of armour, cannons, weapons and guns!
Malta Palace Armoury
Malta Palace State Rooms
The Palace State Rooms are well worth a visit for the grandeur and scale. Can only imagine how many hours went into the mosaic floors and painted ceilings!
Malta Palace State Rooms
The National War Museum at Fort St Elmo
To access the National War Museum you have to enter via Fort St Elmo. Stunning views across the harbour from the fortified walls. If you’re lucky you’ll time your visit with one of the large ferries or luxury motor yachts out on the water. Images below are through window bars along the fort walls and of the projected war videos on to the floors.
Harbour Area Sites
Inquisitor’s Palace
Confession time! We didn’t make it it to this one site. Although, we planned to visit on the same day we visited the Malta Maritime Museum. We had got the bus from St Paul’s Bay to Valetta and on to Vittoriosa, standing most of the way with no air conditioning! Our 2 year old had a monster ‘I’m overtired’ meltdown in the museum so we went for a walk down by the marina. We happened upon the ferry back to Valetta, so jumped on that instead of walking back up the hill to the palace.
Malta Maritime Museum
Great educational and informative exhibits at the Malta Maritime Museum. I like naval history, my Dad was in the British Navy for over 20 years and visited Malta on more than one occasion. The museum had exhibits from various periods of maritime history, including some large replicas of wooden sailing ships.
Replica Wooden Sailing Ship
Tarxien Temples
The Tarxien Temples are the most complex and intricately decorated of the prehistoric sites on Malta. Four megalithic structures are protected from the elements by an enormous shade sail/roof structure. They were built between 3600 and 2500BC and were used by Bronze Age inhabitants as a cremation cemetery.
Our 4 children at the Tarxien Temples, Malta
Hal Saflieni Hypogeum
I was lucky enough to secure a ticket to visit this amazing subterranean temple complex before it closed for restoration work. My visit is worthy of its own post!
UPDATE:
The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is due to re-open on Monday 15th May 2017 after a year closed for preservation works!
Entrance is an extra fee as not included on the Heritage Malta multi site pass. It is well worth the fee and I expect visitor numbers will still be strictly controlled when the heritage site re-opens due to space constraints. The acoustics are astounding and have to be heard – a must see destination when you visit Malta! You can purchase tickets online for the Hypogeum.
No images of my own as photography is not permitted. I did purchase 3 postcards and a stunning silver spiral necklace inspired by the wall and ceiling paintings. Of course I showed my Heritage Malta multi site pass to get my 10% discount!. You can view more images on the official Hypogeum website which has a fabulous panoramic video.
Southern Malta Heritage Sites
Ghar Dalam
Ghar Dalam is an extensive cave which contains 500,000 year old deposits rich in fossil bones of dwarf elephants, hippoptami and other exotic fauna from the Ice Age. The walk down to the cave from the museum exhibits of bones consisted of lots of steps. A great work out for the legs and to tire out the children!
Fun exploring in the Ghar Dalam cave in Malta – we didn’t find any more bones in the 500,000 year old deposits!
Hagar Qim Temples and Mnajdra Temples
The Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples are basically on the same site. There is a steep but paved causeway or path down to the lower site closer to the ocean. Both are well worth a visit. We arrived early on the bus and had to wait for them to open. Bonus was we were first visitors and had the whole place to ourselves for almost an hour before a school group turned up. The group didn’t visit Mnajdra so we had that site to ourselves to explore. Here’s a couple images from our visit, it was a beautiful day with stunning visibility across the sea to the island of Filfla.
Remember, if you don’t want to buy a full Heritage Malta multi-site pass you can visit these two temple sites with a combo ticket and still save. There is a great visitor centre with cinema and interactive exhibits. We had lots of fun and had lunch at the neighbouring restaurant as we had to wait an hour for the next bus after just missing one. Sometimes the Tallinja app on my phone wasn’t all that accurate!
Heritage Sites in Rabat, Malta
National Museum of Natural History
One building packed full of Maltese Geology and Paleontology. The children loved the skeletons, the marine fauna, the enormous shells and the extensive bird collection. Shame the Maltese don’t have a better reputation for protecting endangered bird species.
Kids loved skeletons, Natural History Museum, Malta
Domvs Romana
The remnants of this sophisticated Roman residence are well worth a short visit. I can only imagine how long it must have taken to create the amazing mosaic floor from such tiny tiles! There are huge statues and pots as well as an area outside to view.
Mosaic floor, Domvs Romana, Malta
St Paul’s Catacombs
St Paul’s Catacombs are not the only catacombs open to visitors in Malta. However, they are the only ones you can visit with the Heritage Malta multi site pass. Ancient underground burial chambers carved out of the rock and linked with a network of interconnecting passages. Our youngest child is a runner and we did fear that we might lose him in the tunnels if he strayed from the metal suspended walkways! Much of the complex has not been explored and extends for many kilometres under the town of Rabat. Not for those visitors who suffer from claustrophobia, can’t climb stairways or duck easily to avoid bumping their head!
Lost in St Paul’s Catacombs, Malta!
Skorba and Ta’ Hagrat Temples
The Skorba and Ta’ Hagrat Temples were the first we visited and very impressive. However, once you see the megalithic temples of Tarxien, Hagar Qim. Mnajdra or Ggantija you realise how small they are in comparison. Still worthy of a visit if you have time but do not need to be top of your must visit list. Three photos below, one with the children to show you the scale of the stones used!
Heritage Malta Sites on Gozo, Malta
There is a separate pass you can get for the Heritage Malta Gozo sites. If you are only visiting Gozo then that pass will be better value than the full Heritage Malta multi site pass!
Gozo Museum of Archaeology
A collection of artefacts housed in glass cabinets in an early sixteenth century residence. Well laid out with lots to interest visitors. By now I think our children were a little over seeing the similar pots and artefacts as we had seen in Malta. However, the baby stone coffins did generate some conversations. I chose to show you an image I took of the pots not the coffins!
Pots & Figures Gozo Museum of Archaeology
Folklore Museum Gozo
The Folklore Museum is actually all housed in a Period House almost hidden in the narrow streets of the Citadel in Gozo. Access is not suitable for those with limited mobility. Slippery stone steps worn smooth by the thousands of visitors and before them the residents of the home can be tricky to negotiate. The exhibits are displayed throughout the home. I found the intricacy of the weaving and the fishing baskets to be of particular interest. The kitchen area was basic and fascinating to see.
Folklore Museum Period House
Gozo Nature Museum
A significant collection of geology, habitats and ecosystems in Gozo and from around the world. The highlight is a magnified speck of stone from the moon which was donated by US President Nixon. Have a photo somewhere – just need to find it!
Gozo Nature Museum
The Old Prison, Gozo
As tempting as it was to leave the children locked up here we decided the living conditions were a little bleak. A wooden slat bed for sleeping on and a stone toilet/long drop in the corner! The prisoner graffiti is impressive, especially the galleon carvings in the stone walls. Some of the Knights of St John found themselves locked up in the Old Prison. The prison was in use from the mid-sixteenth century until the beginning of the twentieth century. Can you imagine how many people were imprisoned here over that time period? If only the walls could reveal more of their secrets!
Happy kids in the Old Prison, Gozo
Ggantija Temples
The Ggantija temples actually comprise two temple areas surrounded by a boundary wall. This site is home to some of the most impressive megaliths used in Maltese prehistoric temples. Much of the walls are being supported by extensive scaffolding to prevent their collapse. Our first time encountering large numbers of tourists in large coach groups made it difficult to enjoy this temple site. The narrow walkways were basically blocked by the large groups. My advice would be to visit early and avoid the many coach tours, unless you’re on one I suppose!
Ggantija Temples, Gozo
Ta’ Kola Windmill
The windmill is within close walking distance of the Ggantija temples so we visited on the same day. The sails had been removed for restoration work but have since been replaced. I’m sure they are quite impressive. We climbed up inside the windmill via the narrow and winding staircase. It’s a tight squeeze and you need to be sure of foot. The view from the top out of the tiny windows is interesting and the mechanism is fascinating and impressive to view.
Ta’Kola Windmill – sails off for repair!
Thank you for reading all the way to the end!
I do hope you have enjoyed this brief summary of our visits to the Heritage Malta sites that you can visit with a Heritage Malta multi site pass. We had 30 days to use our Family Heritage Malta multi site pass and easily managed to visit all 23 heritage sites and the Malta National Aquarium. I visited the Hypogeum alone and it was awesome!
We used the Malta public bus system with our passes to get around the two islands. We didn’t take all of the children to all of the sites as some times the long bus journeys were hard on them. Some of the routes are very popular and we had to stand for the entire 60 minute plus ride from Mellieha to Valetta. Then you get another bus to the sites after stopping for water, lunch and a toilet break at the Valetta bus station stalls.
I have plans to write more posts to share some additional images and information about the sites we visited. Please sign up to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook to receive notifications of new posts.
Hello ive recently purchased two Malta Heritage passes for myself and husband to use in August 2019.
When visiting any of these sites do you need to show any other form of id such as passport ,id card etc
I would be grateful for any response regarding my query
Hi Carol, thank you for your comment. Apologies for my delay in replying. I do not remember being asked to show any additional ID when we visited the Heritage Malta sites. Generally it is advisable to keep your passport on you when travelling anyway though. Enjoy your visits in August!
IS THERE A PASS FOR TWO SENIORS ONLY
Hello, yes there is a discount pass for seniors. Looking at the Heritage Malta website you save 12 euros each on the adult price of 50 euros https://shop.heritagemalta.org/index.asp?comboid=95
I’ve 4 kids too and mine are a bit older than yours. I don’t think they could visit all the sites in one month! It’s a lot! Thanks for sharing the details of all the sites so we can choose when we get there!
To be honest I was the only one who saw all the sites. Sometimes I just took the two middle children. The eldest claimed to be over old ruins and the youngest was only just 3 and had a hard time on the local buses! Some of the sites are really close together, small and only need an hour or two to visit so we were able to combine more than one site on some days. Have fun when you get to Malta. There are other sites to visit but as we were only there for just under 3 months we concentrated on the Heritage Malta pass ones. I must get around to writing more detail about some of the sites and linking from here – have so many photos!
Will be going to Malta on a Princess cruise and were offered an excursion to the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum but noticed the warning that this was not suitable for those with claustrophobia…that’s me:( Since you have been there, do you think I would be uncomfortable in the underground passages>
Hi, when is your cruise as the Hypogeum is currently closed for conservation works and not due to open until mid 2017 at the earliest I believe? That being said I really don’t think the Hypogeum would be fun for you. The space is confined, deep underground and narrow walkways with very little headroom in places. It is amazing though! I suffer claustrophobia whilst scuba diving but was fine under solid rock! The Catacombs were worse for me with young children as although not as deep the tunnels led off for km and was easy to see how I could lose a 3 year old forever! You don’t get to visit underground for long. I would suggest Rescue Remedy as that helps alleviate mny of my high anxiety symptoms in most situations xxx
The Hypogeum is re-opening on the 15th May 2017
Were you able to visit sites more than once? We’re pretty close to the aquarium and would like to visit a few times!
Now that is an interesting question! I would imagine that entry is once only to each site as they do scan the ticket or make a note of the number. However, I had a quick check of the terms of sale on the Heritage Malta website and could see plenty of references to photography, video restrictions etc but nothing about limiting entry to once per site only. The aquarium was fun we would have loved to have gone more than once but were living in St Paul’s Bay a bit further around to the North from Bugibba. I would be interested to know what they say when you ask about visiting more than once. Would appreciate you taking the time to comment again with your experience of trying to do multiple visits to the Aquarium. Also, I noticed the PDF leaflet has been upgraded and now includes links to each sites websites and the map is clickable too, giving google map directions which is very useful. Have fun!
wow! superb blog!
Hi Noel
Why thank you that is very kind of you.
Feel free to share with anyone else you think may be interested and of course sign up for the newsletter so you get notifications of our new posts.
You can also follow us on Facebook