1565 Great Siege – No Mercy on Malta during Birgu’s Darkest Day!
Welcome to 1565— when Malta was Hell on Earth and desperation reigns supreme and your survival skills better be sharper than your sword during the 1565 Great Siege of Malta!
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
Malta at its most magical - the greatest tour experience you could hope for. I can't recommend Giacomo from Malta Themed Tours enough. This was an unforgettable experience that truly exceeded our expectations and became the highlight of our first ever Malta trip. Malta is a lovely country, small , filled with history and our knowledgeable guide Giacomo, was brilliant and went above and beyond with his passionate storytelling, revealing Malta’s hidden gems and local secrets that made us feel like insider access. We couldn’t stop talking about it after!
- Robin Reinders - Trip Advisor Review Aug 2025
Tour Details
- Ages: 14+
- Starting Location: In front of Fort St. Angelo's Entrance
- Tour Difficulty: Medium - some uneven ground 200+steps throughout, but worth every step :)
- Photo Friendly: Yes
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Ending Location: Triq il-Kwartier parking area (Outside St. James Bastion)
- What to wear: Comfortable clothes and walking shoes
- Guide: Licensed tourist guide in authentic 16th century corsair clothing (or not in clothing optional)
- Language: English
Overview
Descend into the dark depths of human nature as disorder and desperation reign supreme on Birgu’s bloodiest day during the 1565 Great Siege of Malta! Witness unmatched acts bravery and resilience, as courage battles chaos! Yet a chilling reality remains – once the cannon smoke settles, none know if they’ll live to see tomorrow!
Imagine yourself caught in one of history’s most savage showdown – outnumbered 3 to 1! Your morning plans? Oh just a casual walk through one of the bloodiest days in Maltese history along Birgu’s off beaten streets and alleyways!
Centuries later, tales of the 1565 Great Siege of Malta, still echo powerfully, but very few grasp the authentic Maltese perspective to this story, hidden away. Guided by a local who fought during the Great Siege of Malta, witness his recorded acts of defiance. Yet, you’ll discover that not every local you meet shares his fanatical sentiment
Witness the resilient Maltese caught in the cross-fire as you plunge into the grim and gory reality of the siege. Unearth unsettling and terrible truths and debunk enduring myths that many still believe true.
Step unto the blood-stained walls alongside the cunning Jean de Vallette whose fighting spirit is as ferocious as the ruthless violence he dishes out to both foe and friend alike. If you have any illusion that war is glamorous, then this tour about the 1565 Great Siege of Malta acts as a quick antidote. Join the men and women of Malta – the sick, dying, the very old and the very young, their fate to be decided today in Birgu!
On this day, you’ll become part of a band of elite warriors and islanders determined to fight to the death, which may very well be the case as a catastrophic turn of events unfolds in Birgu!
Imagine yourself caught in one of history’s most savage showdown – outnumbered 3 to 1! Your morning plans? Oh just a casual walk through one of the bloodiest days in Maltese history along Birgu’s off beaten streets and alleyways!
Centuries later, tales of the 1565 Great Siege of Malta, still echo powerfully, but very few grasp the authentic Maltese perspective to this story, hidden away. Guided by a local who fought during the Great Siege of Malta, witness his recorded acts of defiance. Yet, you’ll discover that not every local you meet shares his fanatical sentiment
Witness the resilient Maltese caught in the cross-fire as you plunge into the grim and gory reality of the siege. Unearth unsettling and terrible truths and debunk enduring myths that many still believe true.
Step unto the blood-stained walls alongside the cunning Jean de Vallette whose fighting spirit is as ferocious as the ruthless violence he dishes out to both foe and friend alike. If you have any illusion that war is glamorous, then this tour about the 1565 Great Siege of Malta acts as a quick antidote. Join the men and women of Malta – the sick, dying, the very old and the very young, their fate to be decided today in Birgu!
On this day, you’ll become part of a band of elite warriors and islanders determined to fight to the death, which may very well be the case as a catastrophic turn of events unfolds in Birgu!
Tour Highlights
- Walk the Battlefield:Stand where my ancestors bled and walk the same off beaten streets where locals and neighbors fought like lions during the 1565 Great Siege of Malta but discover that heroism often comes with a side of horror
Blood and Guts:Uncover and debunk myths, hear of real accounts of neighbours becoming warriors overnight, and question everything you thought you knew about the “glory” of war!
Never Told Like This Before:The Maltese perspective – not the Knights’ glory stories. Experience Malta’s most desperate hour and feel the grim reality when courage battles chaos and ordinary people do extraordinary things… and pay extraordinary prices!
Interactive Drama: Feel the desperation, taste the fear, experience the triumph! Join Malta’s most desperate souls, the sick, dying, old and young as they decide who lives, who dies, and who tells their story during the 1565 Great Siege of Malta!
Tour Theme
Horrors of War – Dark side of Human Nature – Survival and Faith – Unprecedented Courage and Valour
Location Highlights
- Fort St Angelo
- Grand Harbour Views
- Galley Greek (Dockyard Creek)
- Hidden De Guiral Battery
- Tip of Birgu Waterfront with view of Senglea
- Site of Auberge D’Italie
- Cavalier of St Angelo view
- Kalkara Harbour Views
- Site of of Magisterial Palace and more stunning Grand Harbour views
- Many offbeat tracks and charming streets less travelled by tourists
- Post of England
- Old Hospital of the Knights – The former Sacra Infermeria
- Famous Sally Port
- Post of Germany
- Ancient Street and old Manderaggio
- The Auberge of Castille and Portugal
- Old Armory of the Knights
- Defensive walls
- Post of Castille and sites of Ottoman breeches into the city during the 1565 Great Siege of Malta
- St. James Bastion
- Birgu Ditch
Further Information
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• A hat in summer (although the narrow streets will be mostly shaded).
• Warm clothes in winter as Birgu can be chilly.
Professional Maltese Licensed Tour Guide, in authentic period clothing portraying a real 16th century character to better tell this remarkable story about the 1565 Great Siege of Malta. (Or not authentic period clothing optional)
Entry to buildings is not included.
Participants must be 14 years old or above due to adult content involving violence and more.
Our tours typically have a small group size to ensure a personalized experience.
The tour will only be cancelled in case of extreme weather conditions.
Unless there is extreme rainfall, the tour will still happen. If the tour is cancelled, we will notify you beforehand and refund your order. We will always prioritize the safety and comfort of our clients first.
Your journey begins at the very top of this page.First step is to head to the top of page, and kindly fill in the details of your ideal date, preferred tour and add any extra tidbits that can jazz up your experience.Then just click on “Send Booking request” and we’ll be in touch with you within 48 hours
Once we’ve established a date and time and sorted all the details, the rest is easy.NO Deposit is needed. The amount is paid on the date of the tour.
Cancellations or change of bookings are only allowed if received via email notification on [email protected] at least 24 hours before the tour commences.
Our tours are designed to be safe and enjoyable for all clients. We prioritise safety above all else and work with experienced guides and tour operators to ensure that all activities are conducted safely.
No, The tour is not all on even paved ground involves a number of stepsDuring this experience, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Grand Harbour from unusual angles, you’ll also uncover serene alleyways along Birgu’s off beaten track, that not many locals normally explore𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐮 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦..However, it comes a little effort compared to our normal easy walking Valletta and Mdina tours walks.Expect 200+ steps along the way going up, uphill walking , and a little uneven ground at one stop as we head to a crucial great siege Birgu location that saved Malta!
The tour includes around 17 stops.
The route, sights, and topics may vary slightly depending on weather and any building works.
Approximately half an hour of walking is involved.
Yes, all tours must be booked in advance.NO Deposit is Needed and all is paid on the day of the Tour itself :)
The meeting place is less than 10 minutes away from a public car park by the Freedom Day Monument roundabout and also a car park is available in front of our meeting spot being in front of Fort St Angelo!
A bathroom will be available at the end depending on opening hoursThis unique experience will be off the beaten track and so Restaurants and Cafeterias with bathrooms are not available during the tour.
Yes, the tour is offered in English.
Although much appreciated, it is solely up to you to decide whether or not to tip your tour guide.
Just email us on [email protected] and we will be glad to help out.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to check in with your guide.
Tour Pricing
Group Size
Price
1 to 2 people
€ 140
3 to 4 people
€160
5 to 10 people
€210
11 to 15 people
€250
16 to 30 people
€280
30 or more people
€320
Have any questions?
Wondering about something? If it's not in sight or a bit fuzzy don't hesitate! Email us at [email protected]
Prefer joining a scheduled tour?
Prefer a shared adventure? Our scheduled tour is your jam. Click 'Book a Scheduled Tour' below to view our scheduled tours calendar and join equally awesome folks.
In front of Fort St. Angelo’s Entrance
November 1, 2025
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
€0.00 per person
In front of Fort St. Angelo’s Entrance
November 1, 2025
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
€0.00 per person
- Client Testimonials
We’re proud to receive awesome client reviews
Like no other!Full immersion!The Tour is an immersive and captivating experience that delves deep into the island's tumultuous past. Our guide, dressed as a pirate, was incredible bringing the stories of Malta's infamous pirates to life. The tour covered significant part of Valletta. Each location was enriched with fascinating anecdotes and historical context.
The blend of history and entertainment made it engaging for all ages.The attention to detail in both the storytelling and the visual presentation was impressive, making the experience both informative and highly enjoyable.
Overall, the Tour is a must-do for history enthusiasts and families alike. It’s a unique way to explore Malta's rich maritime heritage and understand the pivotal role piracy played in its history.
- Babur B
Stop and Book This Tour!!!I cannot recommend Malta Themed Tours enough, what fun we had. Giacomo is such a warm personality and is such a well researched historian, it has been quite sometime since I have met someone who has taken so much care in curating how best to tell stories and share historical facts. We booked the tour late as it was a last minute plan to be in Mdina that day, Giacomo made it so easy to take a last minute booking and even still remembered our names as he did the rest of the tour group. If you are looking for a fresh and fun tour of some of Malta’s history or even if you are a local like me, looking for something new to experience, I really recommend booking a tour with Giacomo and then going for a late dinner after the tour. We are planning to do all of the tours that are offered this year. Thank you Giacomo for everything.
- Christina W
The best tour in Valletta!!!!Giacomo is such a wonderful guide! Prepare for a full immersion, as he's taking you on board! We learned so much during this tour, and we now view several buildings of Valletta under a different light! I had no idea of the history of Valletta under the Knights and Corsairs and not only Giacomo made the tour really informative but also memorable and interesting. Jokes were on point and his good mood was contagious. Such a perfect tour! We enjoyed it a lot, so much that now we want to treat ourselves with the tour of Mdina! Thank you Giacomo for your professionalism and the messages before and after the tour, it feels really nice and the experience is full!
- 0Hellish0
“EASILY THE BEST!"We have been organising Malta heritage tours for 15 years, and Giacomo is easily the best, most engaging guide we have ever come across.His tours are totally original and deeply researched, yet they're not a series of names and dates, but a very lively trip into a Malta's past, full of colourful characters and dramatic events.If you and yours want an informative, immersive and extremely amusing Malta tour, this is the one for you!
- Baroque5
"Must thing to do in Malta"Our guide really nailed it. He arrived dressed as a corsair and stayed in character throughout his entire "performance". Using a first-person story-telling style, he brought us back in time to actually feel the history. This tour checked every box - it was entertaining, informative, and memorable. I highly recommend them!
- David F
“Brilliant performance by a scoundrel!" -The guide was a murderous scoundrel (and pirate), but his performance was brilliant!It opened new and very interesting views on areas we thought we knew quite well.
- Lidingo2017
Best experience of my 2024The Valletta Sinful Secrets tour exceeded my expectations , I've travelled and done my share of tours, but this was like my top highlight to day!
Our guide (Giacomo) is exceptional from initial communication and meeting him, we knew we were in for a treat, he's warm, friendly and knows his stuff. We also had many a good laughs along the way. What fun it was seeing the capital from his themed perspective. Loved it!
Seriously you should charge enough more for the value of this wonderful experience ! Thank you for this treasure of a tour!
Best
Jo Nelson
- Tijonelson t
You wont find a better guide, to bring the history of Malta to life. His passion, knowledge and delivery really made our tour of Valetta special and memorable. Right from the initial contact, his communication was excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed our interactions with him over email and in person. Giacomo also gave us many ideas and suggestions about how to make the most of our week in Malta including places to visit and restaurant recommendations, which we really appreciated. His care and consideration was superb.
- Alison G
Absolutely fantastic!We had a tour of Mdina with Giacomo for my brother’s birthday and it was absolutely fantastic! It was the perfect balance of informative and light-hearted and fun. Giacomo was really knowledgable and made the tour feel very personal by involving us and getting to know us a bit along the way. I’d highly, highly recommend this for anyone interested in history and seeing some of the sights from Game of Thrones Series 1. Genuinely one of the most enjoyable and engaging tours I’ve done in years!
- Will D
We walked for 2 hours and didn’t even notice… it was THAT entertainingOur guide was so entertaining! We walked for 2 hours and didn’t even notice… it was THAT entertaining. I booked this tour for my husband since I’m a local but never really was interested in history but I really didn’t mind it and my husband (history fan) was happy with his gift. Would recommend to both people on holiday as well as locals since you are sure to learn something new.
- alessia Z
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