VALLETTA PLAGUE TOUR: SIN, SORCERY & SURVIVAL – Enter Valletta during 1593 and Walk with a Plague Doctor COMING SOON…
Valletta, 1593. The plague is spreading… but disease is only half the trouble.
Original Price:
€25.00
Discounted Price:
€20.00
Online bookings are not available for this event.
- Ages: 14+ with parental guidance (Also please, NO young children or babies in pushchairs allowed)
- Starting Location: Lower Barrakka Garden
- Tour Difficulty: Easy
- Photo Friendly: Yes
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Ending Location: Campanile chiesa di San Paolo
- What to wear: Comfortable clothes and walking shoes
- Guide: Licensed tourist guide in dressed a 16th century Doctor
- Language: English
Tour Highlights
- Step into 1593 and join the fight against plague as Valletta becomes your living case study.
- Meet a cast of saints, sinners and suspicious characters whose choices may help save the city… or make everything worse
- Enter a world where medicine, superstition and magic overlap, and certainty is in dangerously short supply..
- Discover some of history’s strangest medical ideas and decide whether you would trust the doctor… or run from him.
- Expect dark humour, interaction and unexpected surprises alongside carefully researched history
Location Highlights
- Lower Barrakka Garden / Grand Harbour View
- Old Slave Prison
- St Roque’s Church
- St. Ursula Street
- Old Hospital Street
- La Sacra Infermeria – Hospital of the Knights
- Magdalene Church
- Merchants Street
- Archbishop Street
- Old Slaughter House
- Jews Salley Port Gate
- St Christopher’s Street
- Archbishop Street
- Independence Square
- Marsamxett Street
- Views of Manuel Island, Old Quarantine Hospital
- Campanile chiesa di San Paolo
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• A hat in summer (although the streets will be mostly shaded and shaded areas available).
• Warm clothes in winter as Valletta can be chilly.
Professional Maltese Licensed Tour Guide, in authentic period clothing portraying a real 16th century Historical Doctor and famous personality to better tell this remarkable story.
Entry to buildings is not included.
Food or drinks not included.
Participants must be 14 years old with parental guidance or above due to adult content involving prostitution, adultery, gruesome details and violence
Also please, NO young children or babies in pushchairs allowed.
Our tours typically have a small group size of maximum 20 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 it’s light rain or a drizzle
Rest assured some rain does NOT count as extreme weather conditions, so make sure you can swim :)
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.
If it’s raining and you don’t hear from us, it means tour is still on so sharpen your daggers and also and umbrellas :)
Easy, at the very top, is the Tickets option. Just select the number of tickets you need and press “Submit Booking” red button and take it from there.
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.
We advise to bring good walking shoes, due to steps going down s
The tour is not wheelchair accessible or suitable for people with mobility problems
The tour includes around 17 stops.
The route, sights, and topics may vary slightly depending on weather , noise , events and any building works.
Approximately half an hour of walking is involved.
The path involves a number of steps going both up and down and a lot of walking , with eevry step worth it :)
Yes, ALL tours MUST be booked in advanced to secure your spot
The meeting place is less than 15 minutes away from a public car park and the bus stop is less than 15 minutes’ walk away.
A Public Bathroom available close to the meeting place. (LOWER Barrakka Garden)
Kindly note at times opening hours of the Public Toilets may vary according to the to cleaners on duty
In case of emergencies there are plenty of Cafes, restaurants with bathrooms are available not so far away 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.
We will start sharp on the mentioned time, to respect the other guests plans and time constraints so if you are running late or cannot make it, do please reach out and let us know.
Also plan ahead for traffic to reach Valletta , since it’s our capital city
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
Giacomo our guide on the day was such a positive guide and with enough energy to power a nuclear reactor 😊Our Valletta Tour had a great vibe throughout from the start! His storytelling prowess brought Malta's cultural heritage to life, we could feel the past. The especially naturally humorous, friendly vibe in our small group made it so enjoyable, we actually made some friends too, who happened to be staying not far from our own accommodation! The informative commentary was perfectly paced. Topped off with spot on recommendations which Giacomo kindly stayed after the tour to help us with. This was an authentic, educational joyride. Memorable from start to finish. Giacomo is the best guide we've ever had, possibly from all our travels and tours to date! Trust me just book it. It’s the best interactive show ever
- Viktoria Pomazunovska - Google Review July 2025
Tour Details
- Ages: 14+ with parental guidance (Also please, NO young children or babies in pushchairs allowed)
- Starting Location: Lower Barrakka Garden
- Tour Difficulty: Easy
- Photo Friendly: Yes
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Ending Location: Campanile chiesa di San Paolo
- What to wear: Comfortable clothes and walking shoes
- Guide: Licensed tourist guide in dressed a 16th century Doctor
Overview
Join plague physician Dr Pietro Parisi through a city of naughty knights, forbidden lovers, alleged witches, prostitutes, a suspicious wizard, corrupt officials and some truly terrible doctors.
You are not here simply to hear what happened. You are here to help solve it
Step into plague-stricken Valletta in 1593 on an immersive walking tour where history becomes part medical mystery, part political scandal and part very badly behaved humanity. Your guide becomes Dr Pietro Parisi, the Sicilian plague specialist summoned to Malta as the epidemic spirals out of control, and you become his apprentice physicians. Investigate symptoms, diagnose patients, discover bizarre cures and decide how far you would go to stop contagion. But plague is only the beginning
Along the way, meet a cast of extraordinary real characters: rebellious knights, powerful women, prostitutes, suspected witches, an architect accused of magic, an Inquisitor with secrets of his own and citizens who seem determined to make Parisi’s job considerably harder.
Because in Valletta, even with death at the door, sex, money, politics, magic and bad decisions remain very much alive
Would you remove a husband from his family because he might be infected? Burn a poor family’s possessions? Close churches? Stop trade? Lock people away? In Parisi’s world, every answer saves somebody and harms somebody else. There is no clean choice. Only consequences. Because by the end of the tour, you may discover that the plague was not the only disease stalking Valletta
Step into plague-stricken Valletta in 1593 on an immersive walking tour where history becomes part medical mystery, part political scandal and part very badly behaved humanity. Your guide becomes Dr Pietro Parisi, the Sicilian plague specialist summoned to Malta as the epidemic spirals out of control, and you become his apprentice physicians. Investigate symptoms, diagnose patients, discover bizarre cures and decide how far you would go to stop contagion. But plague is only the beginning
Along the way, meet a cast of extraordinary real characters: rebellious knights, powerful women, prostitutes, suspected witches, an architect accused of magic, an Inquisitor with secrets of his own and citizens who seem determined to make Parisi’s job considerably harder.
Because in Valletta, even with death at the door, sex, money, politics, magic and bad decisions remain very much alive
Would you remove a husband from his family because he might be infected? Burn a poor family’s possessions? Close churches? Stop trade? Lock people away? In Parisi’s world, every answer saves somebody and harms somebody else. There is no clean choice. Only consequences. Because by the end of the tour, you may discover that the plague was not the only disease stalking Valletta
Tour Theme
Fear and Survival – Faith vs Medicine – Isolation and Loneliness – Life and Death – Sacrifice and Duty – Greed during Crisis – Rumour and Panic – Obedience vs Rebellion – Community and Compassion – The Search for a Cure – Punishment and Authority – Hope in Desperate Time
Location Highlights
- Lower Barrakka Garden / Grand Harbour View
- Old Slave Prison
- St Roque’s Church
- St. Ursula Street
- Old Hospital Street
- La Sacra Infermeria – Hospital of the Knights
- Magdalene Church
- Merchants Street
- Archbishop Street
- Old Slaughter House
- Jews Salley Port Gate
- St Christopher’s Street
- Archbishop Street
- Independence Square
- Marsamxett Street
- Views of Manuel Island, Old Quarantine Hospital
- Campanile chiesa di San Paolo
Have any questions?
Wondering about something? If it's not in sight or a bit fuzzy don't hesitate! Email us at [email protected]
Book a Private Tour of this tour instead
Prefer a PRIVATE adventure of this tour? Easy - Click the 'Book this tour as a Private Tour' below to view our prices , contact us with your preferred date and anything else to help us prepare your adventure :)
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
Giacomo our guide on the day was such a positive guide and with enough energy to power a nuclear reactor 😊Our Valletta Tour had a great vibe throughout from the start! His storytelling prowess brought Malta's cultural heritage to life, we could feel the past. The especially naturally humorous, friendly vibe in our small group made it so enjoyable, we actually made some friends too, who happened to be staying not far from our own accommodation! The informative commentary was perfectly paced. Topped off with spot on recommendations which Giacomo kindly stayed after the tour to help us with. This was an authentic, educational joyride. Memorable from start to finish. Giacomo is the best guide we've ever had, possibly from all our travels and tours to date! Trust me just book it. It’s the best interactive show ever
- Viktoria Pomazunovska - Google Review July 2025
Tour Details
- Ages: 14+ with parental guidance (Also please, NO young children or babies in pushchairs allowed)
- Starting Location: Lower Barrakka Garden
- Tour Difficulty: Easy
- Photo Friendly: Yes
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Ending Location: Campanile chiesa di San Paolo
- What to wear: Comfortable clothes and walking shoes
- Guide: Licensed tourist guide in dressed a 16th century Doctor
- Language: English
- 24 hours cancellation full refund
Overview
Join plague physician Dr Pietro Parisi through a city of naughty knights, forbidden lovers, alleged witches, prostitutes, a suspicious wizard, corrupt officials and some truly terrible doctors.
You are not here simply to hear what happened. You are here to help solve it
Step into plague-stricken Valletta in 1593 on an immersive walking tour where history becomes part medical mystery, part political scandal and part very badly behaved humanity. Your guide becomes Dr Pietro Parisi, the Sicilian plague specialist summoned to Malta as the epidemic spirals out of control, and you become his apprentice physicians. Investigate symptoms, diagnose patients, discover bizarre cures and decide how far you would go to stop contagion. But plague is only the beginning
Along the way, meet a cast of extraordinary real characters: rebellious knights, powerful women, prostitutes, suspected witches, an architect accused of magic, an Inquisitor with secrets of his own and citizens who seem determined to make Parisi’s job considerably harder.
Because in Valletta, even with death at the door, sex, money, politics, magic and bad decisions remain very much alive
Would you remove a husband from his family because he might be infected? Burn a poor family’s possessions? Close churches? Stop trade? Lock people away? In Parisi’s world, every answer saves somebody and harms somebody else. There is no clean choice. Only consequences. Because by the end of the tour, you may discover that the plague was not the only disease stalking Valletta
Step into plague-stricken Valletta in 1593 on an immersive walking tour where history becomes part medical mystery, part political scandal and part very badly behaved humanity. Your guide becomes Dr Pietro Parisi, the Sicilian plague specialist summoned to Malta as the epidemic spirals out of control, and you become his apprentice physicians. Investigate symptoms, diagnose patients, discover bizarre cures and decide how far you would go to stop contagion. But plague is only the beginning
Along the way, meet a cast of extraordinary real characters: rebellious knights, powerful women, prostitutes, suspected witches, an architect accused of magic, an Inquisitor with secrets of his own and citizens who seem determined to make Parisi’s job considerably harder.
Because in Valletta, even with death at the door, sex, money, politics, magic and bad decisions remain very much alive
Would you remove a husband from his family because he might be infected? Burn a poor family’s possessions? Close churches? Stop trade? Lock people away? In Parisi’s world, every answer saves somebody and harms somebody else. There is no clean choice. Only consequences. Because by the end of the tour, you may discover that the plague was not the only disease stalking Valletta
Tour Highlights
- Step into 1593 and join the fight against plague as Valletta becomes your living case study.
- Meet a cast of saints, sinners and suspicious characters whose choices may help save the city… or make everything worse
- Enter a world where medicine, superstition and magic overlap, and certainty is in dangerously short supply..
- Discover some of history’s strangest medical ideas and decide whether you would trust the doctor… or run from him.
- Expect dark humour, interaction and unexpected surprises alongside carefully researched history
Tour Theme
Fear and Survival – Faith vs Medicine – Isolation and Loneliness – Life and Death – Sacrifice and Duty – Greed during Crisis – Rumour and Panic – Obedience vs Rebellion – Community and Compassion – The Search for a Cure – Punishment and Authority – Hope in Desperate Time
Location Highlights
- Lower Barrakka Garden / Grand Harbour View
- Old Slave Prison
- St Roque’s Church
- St. Ursula Street
- Old Hospital Street
- La Sacra Infermeria – Hospital of the Knights
- Magdalene Church
- Merchants Street
- Archbishop Street
- Old Slaughter House
- Jews Salley Port Gate
- St Christopher’s Street
- Archbishop Street
- Independence Square
- Marsamxett Street
- Views of Manuel Island, Old Quarantine Hospital
- Campanile chiesa di San Paolo
Further Information
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• A hat in summer (although the streets will be mostly shaded and shaded areas available).
• Warm clothes in winter as Valletta can be chilly.
Professional Maltese Licensed Tour Guide, in authentic period clothing portraying a real 16th century Historical Doctor and famous personality to better tell this remarkable story.
Entry to buildings is not included.
Food or drinks not included.
Participants must be 14 years old with parental guidance or above due to adult content involving prostitution, adultery, gruesome details and violence
Also please, NO young children or babies in pushchairs allowed.
Our tours typically have a small group size of maximum 20 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 it’s light rain or a drizzle
Rest assured some rain does NOT count as extreme weather conditions, so make sure you can swim :)
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.
If it’s raining and you don’t hear from us, it means tour is still on so sharpen your daggers and also and umbrellas :)
Easy, at the very top, is the Tickets option. Just select the number of tickets you need and press “Submit Booking” red button and take it from there.
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.
We advise to bring good walking shoes, due to steps going down s
The tour is not wheelchair accessible or suitable for people with mobility problems
The tour includes around 17 stops.
The route, sights, and topics may vary slightly depending on weather , noise , events and any building works.
Approximately half an hour of walking is involved.
The path involves a number of steps going both up and down and a lot of walking , with eevry step worth it :)
Yes, ALL tours MUST be booked in advanced to secure your spot
The meeting place is less than 15 minutes away from a public car park and the bus stop is less than 15 minutes’ walk away.
A Public Bathroom available close to the meeting place. (LOWER Barrakka Garden)
Kindly note at times opening hours of the Public Toilets may vary according to the to cleaners on duty
In case of emergencies there are plenty of Cafes, restaurants with bathrooms are available not so far away 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.
We will start sharp on the mentioned time, to respect the other guests plans and time constraints so if you are running late or cannot make it, do please reach out and let us know.
Also plan ahead for traffic to reach Valletta , since it’s our capital city
Tour Pricing
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 Private tour?
Not seeing the date you wish? Prefer a Maltese storyteller-guide all to yourself—more intimate, more insight, more Malta? Explore our private packages—the same epic tour, tailored to you.
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Other Scheduled Tours
Advanced Gate (outside the gate)
12:00 am
€25.00
€15.00
English
Upper Barrakka Garden
12:00 am
€25.00
€20.00
English
Joseph Howard Memorial (next to the Public Toilets left side of Mdina Gate)
12:00 am
€25.00
€20.00
English
Auberge de Castille ( by the fountain in front of Auberge de Castille)
12:00 am
€25.00
€20.00
English
- 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 2024
The 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 entertaining
Our 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