Kalkara Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Kalkara showing a bay or harbour and a coastal town
Kalkara which includes a marina
Kalkara
Kalkara
Kalkara which includes a coastal town, heritage architecture and a bay or harbour

Perched on the edge of the Grand Harbour is Kalkara, a village known for historic forts and delightful boats. 

Among the wonderful stops around the edges of Malta’s magnificent Grand Harbour is Kalkara, a picturesque village rising up into the hills. Enjoy the classic stone streetscape. The huge domed church is so close to the sea that waves practically lap at its doorstep during high tide.

Kalkara’s limestone cliffs give it a majestic presence. The first people to ever land on Malta may have chosen Kalkara to come ashore and live, as the natural cliff formations here provide shelter from the occasional ferocious winds and storms of the Mediterranean Sea. The town gets its name from the Italian word for lime, due to the natural mineral deposits here. Walk along its shoreline, with a fine promenade, charming collection of boats and huge church, among the loveliest in the harbour. This Parish Church with its shimmering dome was lovingly rebuilt after being bombed during World War II.

The townhouses of Kalkara with striking façades of intricate details carved from stone, provide an interesting backdrop for your walking tour through the town. Kalkara’s fortifications attract visitors, especially Fort Rinella, an excellent remnant of British colonial times with one of the biggest guns ever made. The town’s other forts are Fort Ricasoli and Fort Our Saviour. Walk around the modern urban development site in SmartCity, with restaurants, walking paths, a lagoon and a fountain synchronized with music.

Visit traditional Maltese residences at Villa Bighi and Villa Portelli looking out over the breathtaking ocean. The two bays within Kalkara’s boundaries, Rinella Bay and Kalkara Creek, lead into the Grand Harbour. The area also encompasses the Bighi and Ricasoli peninsulas.

Kalkara’s residents, known for being skilled at boat-building, construct their own boats to take part in regular regattas, which are big events for the town. From Kalkara, cross the water on a boat to reach the capital city of Valletta or explore the other gems surrounding the Grand Harbour.

The Westin Dragonara Resort, Malta

The Westin Dragonara Resort, Malta

5 out of 5
Dragonara Road, St. Julian's, Malta
The price is ฿11,274 per night from 29 Aug to 30 Aug
฿11,274
฿12,101 total
29 Aug - 30 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in St. Julian's. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
"Staff very friendly, Hotel itself was beautiful seems at first to be in a run down area but only a few mins walk away from the busy centre of St Julian's. Internet was patchy and that seemed to apply to the whole of Malta don''t expect to be 5g gaming. Malta is small and the city areas are packed ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

The Westin Dragonara Resort, Malta
Radisson Blu Resort, Malta St. Julian's

Radisson Blu Resort, Malta St. Julian's

5 out of 5
St. George's Bay, St. Julian's, Malta
The price is ฿7,046 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
฿7,046
฿7,577 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in St. Julian's. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (992 reviews)
"We found the staff to be very friendly and accommodating. Good selection of food and drink options and would highly recommend the breakfast option. Family oriented hotel that is quiet as it is located just outside the Paceville area of St. Julians. The hotel is very clean and met our expectations ..."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Radisson Blu Resort, Malta St. Julian's
Malta Marriott Resort & Spa

Malta Marriott Resort & Spa

5 out of 5
39 Main Street, Balluta Bay, St. Julian's
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿8,420 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
฿8,420
฿9,048 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in St. Julian's. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (661 reviews)
"Suite was very nice with a great view over the Balluta Bay. M Lounge offered some delicous snacks and generous drinks every day."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Malta Marriott Resort & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
StiLLel Retreat

StiLLel Retreat

3.5 out of 5
Triq Il-Korp Tal-Pijunieri, St. Paul's Bay
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in St. Paul's Bay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Mellieha Bay and Golden ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (89 reviews)
"Everything is good but no have there reception guy thats problm only there no one guide"

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

StiLLel Retreat
Triton

Triton

3 out of 5
Triq It-Tartarun, Qawra, St. Paul's Bay
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in St. Paul's Bay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, balconies and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Mellieha Bay and St George's Beach are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (64 reviews)
"The staff was amazing and very accommodating. The room was clean but the bathroom toilet did not flush properly and the shower pressure was a little low. The room was clean but was not thorough. It was not a bad stay however it can be improved"

Reviewed on 26 May 2025

Triton
Blubay Apartments by ST Hotels

Blubay Apartments by ST Hotels

3 out of 5
67, Fleet Street, Gzira, Malta
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Gzira. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
7.2/10 Good! (550 reviews)
Pleasantly sui
"Really surprised me and my friends, if your looking for a budget place to stay but in good location this is the place to stay"

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Blubay Apartments by ST Hotels
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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