Mnajdra and Hagar Qim prehistoric temples
Price guide: Mid-range
Hagar Qim Street, Qrendi, QRD 2502
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expert-rated things to do in Malta- Recommended for:
- Culture vultures, Families with teenagers, Families with younger children, First-time travellers, Seasoned travellers, Education, Great views / scenery, History
Best for History - Expert review of Mnajdra and Hagar Qim prehistoric temples
The remarkable remains of some of the oldest stone buildings in the world.
Malta is home to the world’s oldest sophisticated stone buildings - the ‘temples’ which were built between 3600BC and 2500BC (before the Great Pyramids!). Mnajdra and Hagar Qim are my favourites of the temples - all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here are well-preserved remains in a beautiful coastal setting. Massive chunks of limestone (up to 20 tonnes in weight) form the walls, monumental entrances, semi-circular rooms (or ‘apses’) and paved terraces where the Stone Age people of Malta once gathered. This is the first of the temple sites to get a proper visitors’ centre with information, café and toilets.
Price advice:
Admission is 9 euros for adults, 6.50 euros for children aged 12-17 and over-60s, and 4 euros for children between 5-11. Under-fives are free.
Expert tips:
Get there as it opens for a peaceful visit before any coach parties arrive. Start at Hagar Qim before wandering the pleasant 500 metres down to Mnajdra - many tour groups never make it this far so you can afford to be a bit later here.
The temples here are now ‘roofed’ by controversial tent-like canopies. They do nothing for the romantic view of the ruins, but they are crucial in protecting the stones from sun and rain.
Visit the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta to see the original statues and altars that were found in these temples.
Public buses come right to the entrance of the temple complex.
More information on Mnajdra and Hagar Qim prehistoric temples:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Archaeological site, Historic site, Viewpoint
- Address:
- Hagar Qim Street, Qrendi, QRD 2502
- Telephone:
- 21 424 231
- Website:
- http://www.heritagemalta.org
- Months open:
- All year round
- Opening times:
- Daily 9am-5pm (last admission is 4.30pm).
- Indoor/outdoor?:
- Both
- Free tags / Keywords:
- temples, prehistory
