Malta's prehistoric temples: older than the pyramids. A guide

Malta and Gozo are home to some of the oldest freestanding structures in the world. The megalithic temples were built more than five thousand years ago, earlier than the pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge. They are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and, for many visitors, the most surprising part of a trip to Malta.

Who built them?

The temples were built by a farming community that lived on the islands in the Neolithic era. They had no metal tools, yet they moved and raised limestone blocks weighing several, even more than ten, tonnes. To this day, nobody knows exactly what rituals took place here or why this culture disappeared.

Ġgantija (Gozo)

Ġgantija in Xagħra on Gozo is the oldest of the temple complexes. Its name comes from the Maltese word for giant, because legend says the temples were built by giants. A visitor centre at the site has an exhibition on the life of the islands' prehistoric inhabitants.

Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra

These two complexes on Malta's south coast, near the Blue Grotto, are a few minutes' walk apart, with views over the sea and the islet of Filfla. Ħaġar Qim is famous for its enormous stone blocks, and Mnajdra for its solar alignment: at the equinoxes, sunlight shines straight through the main doorway into the interior. Both complexes are protected from wind and rain by large shelters.

Tarxien

The Tarxien Temples lie in a built-up part of the island, not far from Valletta. They are known for their rich decoration, including spiral motifs and animal reliefs, and for a fragment of a large statue often interpreted as a fertility goddess.

Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum

The Hypogeum in Paola is an underground necropolis carved into the rock on several levels. It is the only one of its kind from this period in the world and a separate UNESCO site. To protect its microclimate, only small groups are admitted, so tickets must be booked well in advance, often several weeks ahead. Photography is not allowed inside.

How to plan your visit

• One day on Malta: Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra in the morning, then the Blue Grotto, and in the afternoon Tarxien or your pre-booked Hypogeum slot.
• Gozo: Ġgantija pairs perfectly with the Citadel in Victoria and a tour of the island.
• National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta: this is where the original figurines and sculptures found in the temples are kept, including the famous "Sleeping Lady" from the Hypogeum. Worth seeing before or after your temple visits.

Practical tips

• Comfortable shoes and a hat: Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra are in open terrain with little shade.
• Opening hours of the sites change seasonally.
• Combined tickets: several sites are run by the same operator, so check whether a multi-site ticket works out cheaper.

Temples with the See It app

The See It app includes descriptions of the prehistoric temples with photos, up-to-date opening hours and ticket prices. Read the stories or listen to them on site, just like an audio guide.

Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra are also part of our Malta in 3 days itinerary.