South Coast & St Peter's Pool
The signature ride: harbour forts, fishing villages and Malta's bluest swimming hole.
32.9 km↑ 410 m≈ 2 h 40
Moderate
Blue Grotto & Ħaġar Qim Temples
Sea caves and stone temples older than the pyramids, on the wild south coast.
- Distance
- 35.9 km
- Climbing
- 417 m
- Riding time
- ≈ 2 h 50
- Shape
- Loop
The ride
The south-west coast holds Malta's two best set pieces. Ħaġar Qim and its neighbour Mnajdra are megalithic temples built around 3600 BC — older than Stonehenge, older than the Giza pyramids — standing on a slope above the sea with the islet of Filfla on the horizon. Ten minutes further along the coast, the Blue Grotto is a system of sea caves where the water glows an improbable electric blue in the morning light. Ride out through the southern villages, do the temples first while it is cool, then drop down to Wied iż-Żurrieq for the boat.
Terrain: Rolling inland roads out, then a short sharp descent and climb at the Grotto. Suggested rental: full day.
Good to know: • Blue Grotto boats run morning only in most conditions and stop when the sea is up. Go early. • The descent to Wied iż-Żurrieq is steep and the climb back out is steeper. Keep charge in reserve. • The temples are under protective canopies — there is shade at the top of the day.
Elevation
A few real climbs — the motor makes them comfortable.
Highlights along the way
- 1
Ħaġar Qim
Megalithic temples
- 2
Blue Grotto
Sea caves
Ride the Blue Grotto & Ħaġar Qim Temples on a Los Arditos e-bike
Collect at 31 St Ignatius Junction, Sliema — Every day 9:00–12:30 & 15:30–18:00. Helmet, lock and full battery included, from €20.
More routes from Sliema
North Tour
Our big loop: the Silent City, the Dingli Cliffs, Golden Bay and home along the north coast.
65.2 km↑ 876 m≈ 5 h 20
Valletta Harbour Loop
Two hours, one capital city, zero hills worth mentioning. The warm-up ride.
13.4 km↑ 131 m≈ 1 h