3 Best Sights in Malta

An interesting companion to the nearby Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, the four interconnecting Tarxien Temples have curious carvings, oracular chambers, and altars, all dating from about 2800 BC. Recovered stone figures of the broad-hipped fertility goddess, now lying in Valletta's National Archeology Museum, indicate it was dedicated to the Earth Mother. An audio guide accessed via a downloadable app (iOS/Android) narrates the history of the site and shows images of artifacts now covered for their protection.

A pair of UNESCO-listed megalithic sites that predate even the U.K.'s Stonehenge, the 4,800-year-old Ħaġar Qim ("ha-jar eem") gives a clear picture of the massive scale of Malta's ancient limestone temples. Along the external wall you'll find the largest megaliths, some weighing close to 20 tons. The altars are well preserved, though some are reproductions. Just a short walk away lies Mnajdra, a series of three temples encircled by hard coralline limestone walls. Built between 3600 BC and 2500 BC, what survives is thought to be the remains of a much larger complex. Visitor centers for both sites offer as many answers as fascinating mysteries about their use.

Carved under the town of Paola, a few minutes drive to the west of Cospicua, this massive labyrinth of underground chambers was used as a subterranean necropolis and funeral hall, dating from around 4,000 BC, and remains the only one of its kind in Europe. It reopened in 2017 following a year-long restoration (even the carbon dioxide exhaled by visitors can damage its walls), adding an audiovisual show that outlines its history. Many chambers are decorated with red ocher or fine carvings, including the Oracle Room which was cleverly shaped to amplify sound. Because of its delicate state, only 10 visitors per hour, for a maximum of eight hours a day, are allowed inside.  Book tickets for tours at least a month in advance.