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8 Amazing Caves And Grottos Around Malta And Gozo

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Do you feel like channeling your inner Indiana Jones in Malta this weekend? We have compiled a list of lovely caves which you can visit for some cavetime and chill. 

These eight caves can be found both in Malta and in Gozo, and are among the most beautiful locations on our islands.

1. Għar il-Kbir

This famous cave forms part of the Clapham Junction site, but is the real star of the site (sorry, Cart Ruts). The cave was used as a settlement for people who reportedly still lived there up until the British colonised Malta. 

The cave is sectioned into eight smaller caves and one can find tiny shelves, ducts and even niches in this wonderful cave.

2. Calypso’s Cave

This peaceful abode in Gozo once housed the legendary witch Calypso… allegedly. In The Odyssey, you can read all about how the beautiful Calypso lived in Ogygia and kept Odysseus as her lover for seven whole years. 

Evidence that Ogygia is Gozo is generally seen by historians due to the striking similarities between the ancient island and Gozo. 

Right beneath the cave, you can see the fortifications built by the Knights of St. John as a defence system against enemies. 

3. Għar Dalam

Għar Dalam is probably one of the most famous caves on this list. This historical landmark is known by literally everyone who ever laid foot on this land. Although this beautiful cave isn’t deep or particularly big; its eerie silence will engulf you if you manage to go at a time when there are no people around. 

You can still see water drip from the beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. The museum which accompanies this cave is full of human remains along with those of extinct animals such as dwarf elephants and mini hippos. Yes, mini hippos.

4. Tal-Mixta

L-Għar tal-Mixta is found just by Calypso’s cave in Nadur. You get to it by walking down this really weird rocky passage until you eventually enter a lovely cave. 

You might still find a bunch of straw all over the place due to the fact that it was used as an animal pan.

This is the site of endless Instagram uploads… along with one insane DJ set that went down earlier this year.

5. Għar Ħasan

Għar Ħasan is one of those lovely gems hidden in plain sight. You can find this cliff-bound beaut in the Ħal Far area, and getting to it is a bit of a bitch, but only because you technically cannot go in. The cave entrance still exists, but it was fenced off a while ago. 

This cave was used by Ħasan as a sexy hideout which you can read about here.

6. Għar ix-Xiħ

This cool cave in Gozo is found in the Mġarr ix-Xini area. It was only discovered recently, along with the Punic and Roman remains in the valley area. A creepy story which was previously thought to be a legend but now might be totally true also surrounds this cave. 

Basically, this sadistic old man used to hold some sort of court in this cave, keeping his prisoners locked in an adjacent cave — Il-Ħabs, which is now just sheer rock stuff which was sliced off. Presumably, in one act of final madness, ix-Xiħ locked all of his prisoners alive in the ħabs.

7. Ninu’s Cave

Situated in Xagħra, this underground cave is a well-lit nest of stalactites and stalagmites. It can practically be used as a torture chamber due to the constant sound of water dripping. This cave offers you a slight surreal experience since to get in you literally have to ring a bell and be let in by the guardian of the cave — a sweet elderly lady. 

Apart from the whole ringing a door bell thing, the cave is also cool due to its helictites, sideways stalactites. 

8. Xerri’s Grotto

Also found in Xagħra, this weird cave is situated around 10 metres under a private house. The grotto is considered quite large compared to the Ninu one mentioned above.

It was used as an air raid shelter back in the Second World War, but the most remarkable thing you can find in this cave is the calcified tree roots.

Did we miss out on any of your favourite caves? Let us know in the comments and tag someone who’d love to visit all of these!

READ NEXT: Maltese Plants You Might Have The Pleasure Of Meeting Out In The Wild This Weekend

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