Top 8 Most Beautiful Caves In Malta
Do you want to harness your inner Indiana Jones this weekend in Malta? Do caves pique your interest? The Maltese Islands are cave country, with some ... read more...spectacular caves to discover. Toplist has gathered a list of the most beautiful caves in Malta where you may relax and enjoy some cave time. These eight caves, which are located on Malta, are among the most attractive spots on the islands.
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Ghar Dalam is a 144-meter-long phreatic tube and cave, often known as a cul-de-sac, on the outskirts of Birebbua, Malta. Its rank as one of the most beautiful caves in Malta. The cave has the skeletal remains of creatures that became stranded and extinct in Malta at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum. It is one of Malta's most important national monuments, having given its name to the Ghar Dalam phase of Maltese prehistory. Ghar Dalam discovered pottery comparable to that found in Stentinello, but without the stamp designs.
The dwarf elephant, hippopotamus, huge swan, deer, and bear bone deposits discovered there are of varying dates; hippopotamuses went extinct around 10,000 years ago, whereas deer species went extinct much later, around 4000 years ago during the Chalcolithic period. It was also here that the earliest traces of human settlement on Malta was unearthed, dating back approximately 7,400 years.
The cave was included to the Antiquities List in 1925, but it wasn't made public until March 1933. The then-Curator of Natural History, Joseph Baldacchino, established a museum on the premises. The then-Curator of Natural History, Joseph Baldacchino, established a museum on the property. Baldacchino released a brochure on Ghar Dalam within a year of his position as curator in 1935, detailing the cave's principal excavations and findings. New specimens gradually replaced the old, and a labeling system was established.
Visitors can only enter the first 50 meters (160 feet) of the cave, which is 144 meters (472 feet) deep. The entryway to the entire region is the museum, which still has a great array of findings ranging from animal bones to human artifacts. Heritage Malta is in charge of Ghar Dalam Cave and Museum. In 2019, a project to increase physical accessibility between Gar and the rest of the country was announced.
Length: 144 m
Address: Ghar Dalam Cave, Triq Ghar Dalam, Birżebbuġa, Malta -
Ghar Hasan, another beautiful cave near Ghar Dalam, has a man-made access point on the cliff wall but is open to the public. The cave's first section is only accessible, with a few pathways leading to additional chambers, one of which has an opening onto the cliff. Beyond the gate, a series of paths split up multiple times, making it easy to become lost. When caving, use extreme caution at all times; never go caving without numerous torches with fully charged batteries and a system to guide you; your life could be at risk. The cave's total length is almost 400 meters! The main cave's entrance is 5 meters high and 6 meters broad, with a total length of 20 meters. The unusual interior shape immediately attracts your notice. It's the result of underground water eroding limestone that was trapped between two layers of strong coralline limestone.
The cave, which is carved into the cliff in the south of Birzebugga, has a "azure window," as seen in other places on the island. She got her name from a great warrior who made her his headquarters, even setting her a harem, so he could continue his slave trade from this excellent stronghold. Other romantic legends abound around this strange grotto. Although there isn't much to see, the view of the water is lovely. It's possible that you'll be given a torch for free. In the afternoon, it's not very useful.Length: 400m
Address: RG49+J2Q, Zurrieq, Malta
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The Blue Grotto is a group of marine caverns on Malta's south east coast, just outside the fishing harbor boundaries of Wied i-urrieq, Qrendi. According to the Local Council Act of 1993 and a 1910 judicial dispute between the villages of Qrendi and Zurrieq over their authority, which found in favor of Qrendi, Wied iz-Zurrieq, the blue grotto, and nearby caverns are all located within the Qrendi village boundaries. Its rank as one of the most beautiful caves in Malta.
The Wied iz-Zurrieq harbour and the Blue Grotto sea caverns are located on the shore, directly across from the little deserted islet of Filfla, which serves as a bird sanctuary. The caves' location causes the seawater to reflect blue hues on the cave walls and ceilings. Several caverns also reflect the underwater flora and fauna's beautiful phosphorescent colors, while others have a deep dark blue hue. Underwater, visitors are treated to a spectacular display of crimson, mauve, green, orange, and yellow colors.
The Blue Grotto is a popular tourist destination in Malta, with boat cruises to the caves available all year, weather permitting. The most popular activities here are scuba diving on the nearby sunken wreck Um El Faroud, snorkeling along the shoreline, and rock climbing. Take a dawn boat ride at Wied iz-Zurrieq to see the clean, glittering water take on a variety of blue hues. In the meantime, aquatic greenery reflected on the cave walls.Length: 237.77 m
Location: Qrendi, Malta
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This tranquil retreat in Gozo was once home to the renowned witch Calypso... according to folklore. This is also one of the most beautiful caves in Malta. You may read all about how the lovely Calypso lived in Ogygia and kept Odysseus as her sweetheart for seven years in The Odyssey. Historians believe that Ogygia is Gozo because of the striking similarities between the ancient island and Gozo. The fortifications created by the Knights of St. John as a defense system against adversaries may be seen right beneath the cave.
Calypso's Cave is a natural cave in Xaghra, Gozo, on the western side of the Ramla Bay. Because of the risk of collapse, the cave is currently inaccessible to the public. The cave is sometimes confused with Tal' Mixta Cave, which is on the opposite side of the bay and within the Nadur local council's boundaries.
The cave is thought to be a complicated labyrinth that extends down to sea level at certain locations, but stone boulders block the entrance a few meters inwards. Although the cave's inside and exterior are not particularly noteworthy, the breathtaking views of Ramla Bay and the valley make the trip worthwhile. The remains of the Marsalforn tower, a stronghold built by the Knights of Malta in the early eighteenth century to protect against sea-ward invasions, can also be seen on the shore below Calypso Cave.To get to this cave, leave Xaghra and take Racecourse Street. A souvenir shop with a stone archway is located on the left before the road stoops in route to Ramla Bay. A set of rock-cut stairs can be found through the archway and over a 'karst garden.' A platform may be found downstairs, and the cave's entrance is a one-metre-high archway. There is no price to enter. Because there is no artificial illumination inside, a portable torch is useful.
Elevation: 77m
Location: Gozo, Malta
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This lovely hidden gem in Gozo overlooks the well-known Ramla Bay. For its breath-taking sunset views overlooking the bright red sandy beach in Nadur, it has become an increasingly popular site among both locals and tourists. Despite its isolated location, the cave's spectacular sights will make the effort to access there worthwhile. It is frequently mistaken for Calypso's Cave, which is located on the opposite side of the bay. It has become increasingly busy, causing environmental worries among Maltese and tourists.
In Nadur, L-Ghar tal-Mixta is located near Calypso's cave. You get there by trekking down this strange rocky route till you reach a beautiful cave. Because it was utilized as an animal pan, you might still discover a bunch of straw all over the area. This is where you'll find numerous Instagram posts... as well as one amazing DJ set from earlier this year.
Elevation: 68 m
Address: 377Q+8RP, Nadur, Malta -
The Mġarr ix-Xini area of Gozo is home to this fascinating cave - Għar ix-Xiħ. It was just recently discovered, together with Punic and Roman ruins in the valley. This cave is also surrounded by a terrifying story that was previously regarded to be a legend but may now be really factual.
Basically, this vicious old man used to convene some type of court in this cave, and his prisoners were kept in a nearby cave called Il-Ħabs, which is now just sheer rock that was cleaved off. ix-Xiħ presumably trapped all of his prisoners alive in the abs in one final act of madness.
Għar ix-Xiħ is a former cave near Xewkija, Gozo, Malta, opposite Mġarr ix-Xini. It has been inhabited from the 2nd century B.C. and was recently rediscovered. The cave is located at the valley's mouth. The cave has long been associated with a narrative dating back to 1583 about a famous judge who frequented there. Il-Ħabs is the name of another adjacent cave (The Prison). The cave floor was littered with artifacts spanning from the Bronze Age through the late Roman era. The roof was removed at some point.
Length: unknown
Address: Mġarr ix-Xini, Gozo, Malta
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This underground cave in Xagra is a well-lit nest of stalactites and stalagmites. Because of the constant sound of water trickling, it might be utilized as a torture chamber. This cave provides a rather weird experience because you must literally ring a bell to be permitted in by the cave's guardian, a kind elderly lady. The cave is cool because of its helictites, or sideways stalactites, in addition to the whole ringing a doorbell theme. This is one of the most beautiful caves in Malta.
Ninu's Cave is a cave located near Gozo's hamlet. Local homeowner Joseph Rapa discovered Ninu's Cave in 1888 while excavating a well beneath a private residence. Ninu's Cave is close to Xerri's Grotto, another underground attraction.
Upper coralline limestone has developed the cave. There are many natural stalactites and stalagmites, as well as a few helictites, in this cave. Many of these formations are dry and match the surrounding rock color, although a couple are semi-transparent. The cave is accessed through a 4m spiral stairway that leads to a vast chamber of approximately 20m by 8m. Ninu's Cave is open to the public all year and is illuminated by electric lights.
Length: unknown
Address: 3727+GV7, Triq Jannar, Xaghra, Malta
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Xerri's Grotto is a cave in the Gozo settlement of Xagra. Anthony Xerri, a local inhabitant, discovered it while excavating a well beneath a private house in 1923 or 1924. Xerri's Grotto is close to Ninu's Cave, another underground attraction. Its rank as one of the most beautiful caves in Malta.
Ninu's Cave is smaller than this grotto. It has calcified formations such as stalactites and stalagmites, some of which resemble tortoises, vultures, giraffes, and elephant ears. There are also several additional formations that resulted from the calcification of tree roots.
The cave is accessible through a 10-meter spiral stairway built into the old well shaft. During World War II, the cave was expanded to serve as an air raid shelter for the family. The cave is now lit by electric lights and is open to the public, with tours provided by the house's owners.
Address: reet, gozo Xagħra XRA1621, Xaghra, Malta