Ghar Dalam Cave and Museum

The basics

The cave itself was hollowed out by water over millions of years and stretches more than 490 ft (150 m) underground; the complex also contains some spectacular stalagmite and stalactite formations. The first 263 ft (80 m) of the caves are open for viewing and there’s also a small museum that relates the geological history of the caves and displays some of the bones, teeth and skeletons found on-site. Ghar Dalam also contains a small botanical garden planted with indigenous Maltese shrubs and trees.

Things to know before you go

*Ghar Dalam is a must-visit for families with kids, with plenty of interesting fossils to discover. *There is an admission fee, but the Heritage Malta Multisite Pass can be used here. *Ghar Dalam Cave is not wheelchair-accessible

How to get there

Ghar Dalam Cave is located on the Birżebbuġa road near Marsaxlokk on the southern coast of Malta. It’s a popular spot for tours focusing on prehistoric Malta and its temples, which generally include transportation. Alternatively, you can take the no. 82 bus from Valletta bus station. If you have a rental car or prefer to take a a taxi, the journey should take you about 20 minutes.

When to get there

The caves are open daily throughout the year, but you might want to get there first thing in the morning to avoid crowds. This isn’t so much of an issue when visiting outside of the summer season; Malta gets the most tourists in July and August, when temperatures can also get pretty hot.

Archaeological Sites of Malta

While Ghar Dalam is the oldest archeological site on Malta, it's certainly not the only one. Other spots worth visiting include the Bronze Age Borġ in-Nadur Temples, the ancient temple of Hagar Qim, and the large Tarxien Temple complex, all of which can be visited in the same day.