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Malta Guided Tours

WWII & British History in Malta Tour
Pick-ups start at 0840hrs

Tour duration is approx. 8 hours

Did you know Malta was the most heavily bombed place on earth during WWII? Find out why during this fascinating tour which provides an insight into this island fortress.


What is included

• Pickup and drop off
• Tour transport accompanied by Licensed Tourist Guide
• Air Raid Shelterd entrance ticket
• Malta War Museum entrance ticket
• Available in English language


This is the only tour available in Malta which is dedicated to Malta’s British history. During the tour, we will discuss why the British came to Malta, what happened and why they left visiting sites around Valletta and Vittoriosa.

The tour will begin in Vittoriosa where we will see the fortifications which date back to the times of the Knights and were later used by the British for their defensive purpose. We will visit the maze-like, underground Air Raid shelters and relive the conditions of what has been referred to as the Second Great Siege of Malta. These subterranean bomb shelters were excavated in the solid rock and were extended as the war progressed.

After a short walk of Vittoriosa, we will drive to Valletta by bus. We will walk to the upper Barrakka Garden which enjoys a spectacular view of the Grand Harbour (the largest natural harbour of the Mediterranean Sea), which was a British military base and the main reason why Malta came under fire as soon as Mussolini declared war on the Allied forces.

“The declaration of war has already been consigned to the ambassadors of Great Britain and France.” Benito Mussolini 1940

A walk around the streets of Valletta will take us by the Palace which was used by Napoleon Bonaparte, the second world war Victory (Soup) Kitchen, Queen Victoria’s statue and the ruins of the Royal Opera House which was destroyed at the peak of the bombings in Malta.

“This is not the end. It is not the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Winston Churchill 1942

After some free time for a lunch break, we will walk to the lower level of Valletta to the Malta War Museum. The museum itself is situated at Fort St. Elmo, an original defensive system built by the Knights which also was modified to serve the British military purpose. Among the numerous exhibits are the fuselage of one of the legendary Gloster Gladiators and well as the E-boat (human torpedo).

“Without Malta, the Axis will end by losing control of North Africa.” Field Marshal Erwin Rommel 1941

 

This tour involves walking around Vittoriosa and Valletta.

Lunch is not included, free time will be allocated.

The routing of the tour may be different to how it is explained in the tour description.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

September 27, 2024

3-star

Guide not very good really -difficult to understand, and even hear, with such a large group. There was actually very little actual guiding, rather than just moving us from one museum to another.


September 27, 2024

5-star

Very informative. Loved the war shelter tour.


November 10, 2023

3-star

An OK tour that brought visitors between 2 wonderful museums and seeing (hearing!) a canon shot at noon. Perhaps, if not a visit due to time, a mention about Mtarfa and Pembrooke in the bigger picture of British history in Malta.

Thank you for your feedback. The tour is full as it is and there is much more than Mtarfa and Pembroke to mention in a WWII tour, related to British history in Malta. Guides stay in subject during tours, and story tell about the places you are visiting, not locations and sites located in different parts of the island.


October 13, 2023

4-star

Excellent guide Mario He has a lot of knowledge and good English.


Sam Dalby

June 2, 2023

5-star

Comprehensive and well-organized introduction to Malta at war. Touring the bomb shelter in Birgu was a highlight


May 5, 2023

5-star

The tour was excellent. Malta has such an amazing history and our guide was very knowledgeable. The air raid tunnel tour was a superb experience.


January 20, 2023

5-star

Great tour really enjoyed it, well informed guides whose personal history added to the tour, would certainly recommend to anyone visiting the island, thank for for a great day


Mrs Kaye Patel

September 24, 2016

4-star

All tour guides were very well informed and excellent in their customer relations, particularly Ben and Antoine. Some interaction was possible by the audience as well as lots to see. Very well organised.


WWII & British History in Malta Tour, on

Price Details



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Including VAT/Tax and fees

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

September 27, 2024

3-star

Guide not very good really -difficult to understand, and even hear, with such a large group. There was actually very little actual guiding, rather than just moving us from one museum to another.


September 27, 2024

5-star

Very informative. Loved the war shelter tour.


November 10, 2023

3-star

An OK tour that brought visitors between 2 wonderful museums and seeing (hearing!) a canon shot at noon. Perhaps, if not a visit due to time, a mention about Mtarfa and Pembrooke in the bigger picture of British history in Malta.

Thank you for your feedback. The tour is full as it is and there is much more than Mtarfa and Pembroke to mention in a WWII tour, related to British history in Malta. Guides stay in subject during tours, and story tell about the places you are visiting, not locations and sites located in different parts of the island.


October 13, 2023

4-star

Excellent guide Mario He has a lot of knowledge and good English.


Sam Dalby

June 2, 2023

5-star

Comprehensive and well-organized introduction to Malta at war. Touring the bomb shelter in Birgu was a highlight


May 5, 2023

5-star

The tour was excellent. Malta has such an amazing history and our guide was very knowledgeable. The air raid tunnel tour was a superb experience.


January 20, 2023

5-star

Great tour really enjoyed it, well informed guides whose personal history added to the tour, would certainly recommend to anyone visiting the island, thank for for a great day


Mrs Kaye Patel

September 24, 2016

4-star

All tour guides were very well informed and excellent in their customer relations, particularly Ben and Antoine. Some interaction was possible by the audience as well as lots to see. Very well organised.