The 7 Market Tours in Malta That Earn Their Price

1.Blue Grotto & Sunday Market at Marsaxlokk Fishing Village

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 803 reviews · 4 hours · from $35Our pick

Visit Malta’s Blue Grotto, with an optional 20-minute boat ride, then spend about 90 minutes at Marsaxlokk’s Sunday market and fishing harbor. Hotel pickup, transport, and a multilingual guide are included. Guides such as Mario, Maria, Mariela, Mark, and Vincent have been praised for clear commentary and good humor.

“We were all disapointed that the boats were not available to take us to the caves. My husband and I saw them 48yrs ago and had recommended them to our friends and they were so looking forward to the visit. I guess we'll just have to come again to see them but one of our friends has Parkinsons and sadly is deterieorating and will be unable to visit again. but we loved visiting the village and the cliffs too.”

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2.Blue Grotto and Sunday Market at Marsaxlokk Fishing Village Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 65 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $36

Spend about four hours visiting Malta’s Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk from Valletta. Your guide, possibly Mark or Maria, provides live commentary while you enjoy free time at both stops. The Blue Grotto boat ride costs extra and depends on sea conditions. Sunday market crowds can make the schedule feel tight.

“A very pleasant half-day tour if a little tight on time at the destinations. Blue Grotto visit is only possible by boat (and, of course, in appropriate sea conditions!): €10pp extra payable in cash at the quayside. Certainly worth it, we thought, to explore the several sea caves under the cliffs with their eponymous bright waters. (Otherwise, just a pleasant little harbour with a few colourful luzzijiet.) Although without compromising safety, the little boats were packed with passengers, and those sitting in front or at the side had the better experience and the greater ease of photography. Marsaxlokk (South Port) still very much a picturesque fishing village (despite the pow...”

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3.Cooking Class and Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 4 hours · from $87Top rated

Join chef George above Maldonado Bistro for a four-hour Gozo food experience. Shop for ingredients in Victoria’s main square, visit a cheesemonger and coffee roaster, then make pastizzi, Gozitan ftira, bigilla, and nougat. Lunch, drinks, recipes, and a food souvenir are included.

“Thank you to chef George for a great day. Enjoyed the class very much. Had the opportunity to make a few dishes and nougat which I took home. George is a very experienced chef of a lovely restaurant so it was an amazing experience to be taught by him, use chef quality equipment and visit the local market shops for produce. I would highly recommend and if I visit Gozo again will definitely book into the restaurant! Thank you”

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4.Marsaxlokk Market and Blue Grotto guided tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 25 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $45

Visit Marsaxlokk’s fishing harbor and Sunday market, stop at Wied iz-Zurrieq for the optional Blue Grotto boat ride, and walk through Qrendi with an English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle are included, but the boat costs extra and runs only when sea conditions allow.

“"The sea was angry that day, my friends", so no boat rides at the Blue Grotto, but it was a very pleasant tour. Our guide, whose name I've alas forgotten (a lady from the Netherlands that speaks Dutch, German, English and French) was excellent: just the right quantity of information delivered in a very professional and delightful way!”

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5.Cooking Class in Gozo with Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · from $77

Meet George and Emilia at Maldonado Bistro in Victoria, Gozo, then walk to local food shops before cooking pastizzi, Gozitan ftira, and nougat in an air-conditioned kitchen. This four-hour class includes lunch, a glass of wine or beer, recipes to take home, and a small group capped at 12 people.

“George & Emilia provided an interesting and knowledgable introduction to Maltese & Gozitan style cooking. The session was fun, well planned out, and the dishes that we made were inclusive and tasty! Would highly recommend.”

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6.Hagar Qim temple (UNESCO), Limestone Heritage & Marsaxlokk Market guided tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $88

Spend about eight hours exploring Malta’s prehistoric temples, limestone heritage, Ghar Dalam Cave, and Marsaxlokk Harbour. Hotel and cruise-port pickup, lunch, admission tickets, and air-conditioned transport are included. The Blue Grotto boat ride costs extra and depends on sea conditions. The tour is offered in English, though occasional bilingual groups may occur.

“While the tour guide was excellent - well organized, informative, responsive - I was disappointed that we spent a very short time at Hagar Qim, didn’t get to see Mnajdra at all, and spent almost an hour at Limestone Heritage and the garden. I came to see the ancient ruins. We were rushed through viewing Hagar Qim in about 20 minutes, then later people were milling around the garden with nothing to do for 50 minutes waiting to leave. The times should have been reversed!”

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7.Half Day Tour in Marsaxlokk Village, Market, Blue Grotto & Qrendi

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $42

Travel from Mgarr by air-conditioned coach to Marsaxlokk’s fishing harbour and Sunday market, then see the Blue Grotto and walk through Qrendi. A licensed guide leads the day, with pickup and drop-off from selected meeting points. The Blue Grotto boat ride costs about €10 extra and depends on the weather.

“Great half day tour of the market and fishing village.Blue grotto was great but very quick boat trip.”

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