Malta offers a rich heritage, and despite of the small size of the islands (316 km2) it is packed with interesting sights, both natural formations and man-made architecture. Most people who visit the islands quickly rush through the main attractions, such as Neolithic temples, the Azure window, St. John’s Co-Cathedral or the Blue Lagoon. But there are many hidden gems scattered around the islands, and some of them are much less frequented by tourists. So, if you are visiting or you have moved to Malta, and you are looking for a quieter experience in Malta, away from all the hustle and bustle of the main attractions, you should check out these recommendations.
Buskett Gardens
One of the few forest areas in Malta is Buskett Gardens. The area is around 30ha big, and located southwest of Rabat, near the Dingli Cliffs. You can see the Verdala Residence in Buskett, which is the official residence of the president of Malta. Buskett has been planted by the Knights of Malta, initially as a hunting ground; today it is used for recreational purposes and accommodates a few plantations for bitter oranges that are used to make Malta’s popular soft drink Kinnie.
Clapham Junction cart ruts and Ghar il-Kbir
Not far from Buskett are the Clapham Junction cart ruts and the cave Ghar il-Kbir. The age and purpose of the prehistoric cart ruts is not yet known, but it is a very interesting site to visit and to speculate about who built them and why. On the site of the cart ruts is also Ghar il-Kbir, a cave-system that was inhabited by people from prehistoric times until 1835, when one of the ceilings collapsed. You can still explore the caves today, and it is a popular location for Maltese people to have barbecue’s there.
Victoria Lines
The Victoria Lines is a defence wall with fortifications that divides Malta’s south from the north. It was built between 1875-1899 and spans 12km, from Madliena in the east to Rabat and Bingemma. Large parts of the wall are still intact and many places offer scenic views and great opportunities for walks, especially in the countryside between Mġarr and Rabat.
