Southern Coast, Malta Attractions

This cave is an extraordinary prehistoric cul de sac containing the bone remains of animals stranded on Malta at the end of the ice age.The cave was first scientifically investigated in 1865 but was not opened until 1933. The most important and irreplaceable relics, including four tusks of a dwarf elephant and the skull of a Neolithic child, were stolen from the museum in 1980.What is unique about Ghar Dalam are the bone deposits of long-extinct fauna, such as dwarf elephants, bears and hippopotamuses, which date back approximately 180,000 years. Together with the even earlier deposits of bone-free material, they offer a window of understanding into the Pleistocene era.The illuminated cave is 145 meters long, with one entrance where you can see across the valley to what was the other end of the cave. The most interesting part is the free-standing layered sandwich section that shows part of evolutionary history.Ghar Dalam is undoubtedly the best maintained site in Malta. There is a well-kept garden and a small museum on the premises.

The two casals of Zabbar and Zejtun are similar in many ways. They both grew out of agricultural communities and both enjoyed the dubious honor of Grand Master Hompesch's patronage. It has lost its old country feel, becoming one of the area's largest communities with few rural features remaining.The fussy, confused-looking parish church of Our Lady of Graces sits alone on an island site. Designed by Tommaso Dingli in 1641, it has since been added to by others less skilled. The dome was replaced in 1928.The stunning barrel vault in the nave, the bays of which are decorated in a linear pattern, is one of the best surviving features of Dingli's original design.The church has a small museum established in the 1950s (open Sundays), consisting of votive paintings from sailors miraculously or fatefully rescued from the seas by Our Lady of Graces.

This region once had hardy olive trees in abundance. Once a simple village and a quiet summer resort, the town has now grown, but it retains its traditional character.The cliff cave of Ghar Hasan is imbued with Saracenic legends and has fine views of the sea. This is where Hasan, the last of the 11th century Saracens, is supposed to have lived. The view of the deep-blue sea from the natural window in the cliff face on the right as you go in is spectacular.

Gudja stands alone and Ghaxaq almost forms part of Zejtun. Both villages date back to the 14th century when they were probably agricultural satellites of Zejtun. The medieval church of Ste Mary Ta'Bir Miftuh, built in the early 15th century, and the narrow twisty streets of Gudja attest to how long these villages have existed. Gudja was the birthplace of Gerolamo Cassar, architect of many of Valletta's buildings. The town has a particularly good public garden near the bus stop.

Defenseless Marsascala was the scene of the last Turkish invasion of Maltese soil. In the late spring of 1614 the Turks began a revenge attack on the knights for plundering grain. The 5,000 strong force was repelled at Fort St Lucian, but came ashore here. It was then driven back to its galleys once it reached Zejtun.The long thin creek of Marsascala was the favored fishing port of the Sicilian community from the north of Zejtun.

St Thomas Bay takes its name from a long-since demolished church. There is a reasonably easy three to four kilometer walk and the cliffs along the south coast are not unnervingly high. Diving off the Munxar reef is only for the skilled.There is reasonable swimming and good snorkeling here.

Although named after the white poplar tree, Luqa is linked more to the nearby airport. The 17th century Parish Church of St Andrew is credited to Tommaso Dingli. To the west is the small Chapel of the Assumption, with a fine little bellcote.

Delimara offers excellent uncrowded swimming, sunbathing, walks and hunting. Geckoes inhabit this desolate limestone peninsula of wild green marquis.