Top 7 Things to do on a day trip to Birgu - the Citta Vittoriosa
Birgu may just be one of the most underrated cities in Malta. If you have a new-acquired love for Maltese culture spots, look no further - we've got your day itinerary laid out for you!
1. Ride a boat into Vittoriosa
Watch the clouds unfold and the calm seas waver as you make your way to the beautifully fortified city of Birgu. Ditch the busy morning roads and ride into Birgu on a water taxi. There are plenty of companies offering ferry rides into the 3 cities but your best bet is to grab a ride from Valletta (Lascaris) with the Valletta Ferry Services.
2. Grab breakfast at Bebirgu
A long ride can work wonders on the appetite. At your arrival to the Birgu Waterfront, grab a hearty breakfast at Bebirgu, a restaurant based in a traditional, Maltese, Band Club. Bebirgu promises “value for money and a service with a smile”. What could one want more?
3. Amble along the Victory Square
You cannot grasp a true taste of Birgu without visiting the Victory ‘Pjazza’. The square holds the acclaimed Victory Monument - built in 1705 in honour of Malta’s victory against the Turks in the Great Siege. The square is lined with bars and populated by the locals - exchanging stories and banter. We recommend grabbing a Cisk while you’re there to live the true Maltese experience.
4. Visit the Maritime Museum
Price: €3.50 - €5.00
Interested in the maritime field? Birgu is host to a maritime museum with 7,000 years of history under its wing. The museum showcases various exhibitions, amongst which are; the largest known Roman anchor and a 1950s working marine steam engine.
5. Explore Fort Sant Angelo
If you’re entering Birgu by boat, Fort St Angelo might just be the first thing you spot from the sea. The Fort served as a strategic defence for Birgu during the Great Siege and now stands at the tip of Vittoriosa proudly. A visit to the fort will be swift but well worth the while.
6. Enter the Inquisitor’s Palace
Price: €4.50 - €6.00
Malta has a long history with regards to Catholicism. The Inquisitor’s Palace served as a tribunal as well as a shelter during the Second World War. The palace is open to the public and craves the attention it received during its heydays - make sure you satisfy its taste and pay it a visit!
7. Enjoy dinner by the waterfront
End off your day trip at the newly-renovated waterfront. Take a walk by the anchored luxury yachts and settle down in the romantic, secluded, nook of Etienne's Kitchen & Yacht Lounge.
Bonus stop: Catch a deal from the flea market
If you’re visiting Birgu on a Sunday, make sure you pay a visit to the typical flea market located in ‘Fuq Il-Fortini’. You might catch a good deal or simply delight yourself with the antiquities you may find.
Around Malta in October? Enjoy the spectacle of the Birgu Fest
If you’re visiting in October, do try to make it to the Birgu Fest. Every year, for one night only, Birgu’s streets are illuminated by torching candles. Entrances to museums are reduced on the night and visitors can be spectators of re-enactments, art exhibitions and, short films under the illuminating stars.
Ready to embark on a day trip to the gorgeous Vittoriosa? Grab your camera and your best smile, we’ll see you there!
Book your visit with Choice Holidays