Nearby Attractions | Hamrun | Fauzia Bed & Breakfast in Malta

Nearby Attractions and Events

Fauzia B&B is situated in the town of Hamrun which is 2.5km away from the Capital City Valletta. Hamrun is centrally located within Malta giving easy access to such places as Marsa Xlokk, Mdina, Mosta, The Three Cities, Sliema/St. Julian's. The Northern part of the Island is easily accessible by bus or by car. The property is located within 50m of a main bus route which serves a good number of routes. Fauzia B&B is approximately 45 minutes drive away from the ferry terminal that takes you over to the sister island of Gozo.

Valletta

Valletta owes its existence to the Knights of St John, who planned the city as a refuge to care for injured soldiers and pilgrims during the Crusades in the 16th century. Until the arrival of the Knights, Mount Sceberras, on which Valletta stands, lying between two natural harbours, was an arid tongue of land.

The new city, with its strong bastions and deep moats, became a bulwark of great strategic importance. Valletta’s street plan is unique and planned with its defense in mind. Based on a more or less uniform grid, some of the streets fall steeply as you get closer to the tip of the peninsula. The stairs in some of the streets do not conform to normal dimensions since they were constructed in a way so as to allow knights in heavy armour to move around. Valletta, the smallest capital of the European Union, is now the island’s major commercial and administrative hub.

During the post-war years, Valletta lost many of its citizens who moved out to more modern houses in other localities and its population dwindled to 9,000 inhabitants. However, in the last few years, many individuals with a flair for unique architecture are trickling back into the city and investing in old properties.

City of Valletta - History of Valletta

Top 10 attractions in Valletta

The Three Cities

The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicuain Malta. The oldest of the Three Cities is Birgu, which has existed since the Middle Ages. The other two cities, Senglea and Cospicua, were both founded by the Order of Saint John in the 16th and17th centuries.

Malta Culture Guide: The Three Cities

What to do at the Three Cities?

Mdina, Malta's silent city

Mdina was inhabited and possibly first fortified by the Phoenicians around 700 BC. The Phoenicians called it Maleth. The region benefits from its strategic location on one of the island's highest points and at maximum distance from the sea. Under the Roman Empire Malta became a Municipium and the Roman Governor built his palace in Mdina. Tradition holds that the Apostle St. Paul resided in the city after his historical shipwreck on the islands. Much of its present architecture reflects the Fatimid Period which began in 999 AD until the Norman conquest of Malta in 1091 AD. The Normans surrounded the city with thick defensive fortifications and widened the moat . The city was also separated from its nearest town, Rabat .

Malta passed to the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in 1530 AD. Mdina hosted the public ceremony in which each Grand Master swore an oath to protect the Maltese Islands and the rights of his subjects. A strong earthquake in 1693 AD led to the introduction of Baroque design within the cityscape. The Knights of Malta rebuilt the cathedral , to the designs of the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafa . Palazzo Falzon, the Magisterial Palace and major restoration works were other projects undertaken by the Knights.

Present

Most of Mdina's palaces serve as private homes. The impressive Cathedral of the Conversion of St Paul is fronted by a large square . Only a limited number of resident and emergency vehicles, wedding cars and hearses are allowed within Mdina.

http://www.medievalmdina.eu/history.php

Marsaxlokk, fishing village constellated with colourful luzzus

Marsaxlokk village is located in the south-eastern part of Malta which is famous for its impressive Sunday fish market and its many decorative “eyed” painted boats called Luzzus. The village has around 3200 inhabitants and in the past, most of the inhabitants worked as fishermen. The name Marsaxlokk comes from the word “marsa” which means port and the word “xlokk” which means South East in Maltese.

Marsaxlokk has an old history dating back to the ninth century BC. It was in this bay that the first Phoenicians arriving in Malta landed and set up their businesses. It was here that the Turkish fleet anchored during the Great Siege in Malta. Marsaxlokk’s hill of Tas-Silg was used as a religious site and still contains remains of megalithic temples of the Tarxien period. There were also Bronze Age tools found on the hill.

http://www.malta.com/en/about-malta/city-village/marsaxlokk

Sliema / St. Julian's / Paceville

Malta's cool crowd flocks to these areas to eat, drink, shop and party, and if you're looking for a base that mingles cosmopolitan sparkle with quiet backstreets, this is the perfect choice. Connected by a gracious seafront promenade, with shimmering Mediterranean views, this collection of districts merge into one another, and are packed with shops, restaurants and bars.

St Julian's was once a pretty fishing village, but now five-star hotels and apartment complexes dominate its scenic bays. It adjoins the small nightlife enclave of Paceville, which springs to life at night after a couple of shots. This, coincidentally, is where many of Malta's English-language schools are located.

More exclusive-feeling Sliema has long been associated with the Maltese upper classes, and makes an enticingly more peaceful base, just far enough from the action. Gracious townhouses sit along backstreets, while burgeoning swish apartment blocks line the seafront, which is blessed by sun-trapped rocky beaches and swimming spots.

http://www.malta.com/en/about-malta/city-village/sliema

Gozo and Comino

Gozo – and its tiny sister island Comino – offer some of the best swimming, snorkelling and diving in the Mediterranean. There are caves to explore (including Calypso Cave), wonderful walks, UNESCO World Heritage sites, dramatic fortifications and the baroque architecture of the Knights of St John, the famous Knights of Malta. Not to mention a vibrant calendar of cultural events from grand opera to lively village festas.

How to reach Gozo

The main island of Malta is just 25 minutes away by ferry. Take a day trip to Gozo – the place the Maltese come to relax. Ideal for a holiday, Gozo is small enough to easily explore, but large enough to have plenty to see and do. Developed enough to be comfortable, but not so developed that the special character of the island is preserved.

Gozo is unlike anywhere else on earth – discover it yourself. You will be very welcome in Gozo!

https://www.visitgozo.com/gozo-and-comino/