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+1 (800) 653-0017 hello@canterburypilgrimages.com
The Route

Five stops across Malta and Gozo

One base on Malta for all four nights, with Valletta, Gozo, Mosta, Mdina and Rabat reached by motorcoach, harbor boat and ferry.

Coastline © OpenStreetMap contributors

Itinerary · EU_MT-6D-01

The Malta in the Footsteps of St. Paul Itinerary

This is one of the routes we run for groups to Malta. Your group travels on its own dates, and the itinerary can be adjusted to fit the time you have and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Day 1 – 2

Arrival on Malta

Photograph to come · The Grand Harbor from the Upper Barrakka Gardens
The Grand Harbor from the Upper Barrakka Gardens
Day 1

Departure from Home

Our pilgrimage begins with an overnight flight to Malta.
Day 2

Arrival in Malta

We are met in the arrival hall by our local tour guide and driver and accompanied to our hotel. Along the way our guide shares the history of St. Paul and of Christianity on the Maltese Islands. Dinner is at our hotel this evening.Overnight in Malta.
Day 3

The Three Cities and Valletta

Photograph to come · St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta
St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta
Day 3

The Three Cities and Valletta

We travel to the Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, where the Knights of St. John settled along the Grand Harbor in 1530, and visit the Miraculous Statue of Christ the Redeemer in the Oratory of the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady at Senglea. A traditional harbor boat carries us across to Valletta, where we celebrate Mass at St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Museum and view Caravaggio’s paintings in its Oratory.Overnight in Malta.
Day 4

Mellieha and Gozo

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Ta' Pinu on Gozo, Malta
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu on Gozo
Day 4

Mellieha and Gozo

We begin at the Mellieha Sanctuary of Our Lady, blessed by St. John Paul II in 1990, with views over Mellieha Bay, Comino and Gozo, then cross to Gozo. We visit the Munxar Parish Church, dedicated to St. Paul, the Gozo Cathedral of the Assumption and St. George’s Basilica, where relics of St. Clement rest. We celebrate Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu, Malta’s most important pilgrimage site, and return by ferry.Overnight in Malta.
Day 5 – 6

Mosta, Mdina, Rabat and home

Photograph to come · The walls of Mdina
The walls of Mdina
Day 5

St. Paul’s Bay, Mosta, Mdina and Rabat

We view St. Paul’s Bay by boat, then visit the Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady at Mosta, where in April 1942 a bomb pierced the great dome during a service and failed to explode. We celebrate Mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral in the walled city of Mdina, see its Museum and the Bastions, and descend into St. Paul’s Catacombs and St. Paul’s Grotto at Rabat, where tradition holds the Apostle prayed for three months after his shipwreck.Overnight in Malta.
Day 6

Return Home

After an early breakfast and farewells, we transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Why leaders choose Canterbury

“Canterbury treats you like family! They handle everything, from creating exciting itineraries to managing calls, registrations, and payments.”

Patrick MadridPatrick Madrid
Catholic Speaker, Author & Host of The Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio®
St. Paul’s BayThe bay where tradition places the shipwreck of St. Paul around A.D. 60, seen from the water on the fifth day.
Photograph to come · Malta, St. Paul’s Bay and St. Paul’s Islands
Dates

Your group travels on its own dates.

Tell us the window you have in mind and we will build the itinerary around it: the time you have, and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Your pilgrimage includes

Tour Package Includes

These inclusions can be easily tailored to the individual needs of your group

  • Daily Mass at the churches we visit
  • Round-trip group airfare
  • Airport transfers on arrival & departure
  • 4-Star hotel accommodations
  • Private motorcoach transportation
  • Breakfast & dinner served daily
  • Wine served with some dinners
  • Dedicated tour manager
  • Licensed guiding & admission fees
  • Porterage service at hotels
  • Whisper headsets when touring
  • Tips for hotel & restaurant staff
  • 9 – 5 PM (EST) reservation support
  • 24/7 travel emergency support
  • Canterbury Mobile App
For the group leader

What you get as the group leader

You travel free.

Every group earns complimentary places. The more pilgrims you bring, the more you earn. How complimentary places work

No financial risk.

If the group does not fill, deposits are returned. You owe nothing and neither do your pilgrims. What happens if a group does not fill

We produce the promotional materials.

Flyers, a registration page, and what you need to invite your people. Our guide to promoting a pilgrimage

We handle your pilgrims.

Registrations, rooming lists, payment plans and the phone calls. How leading a pilgrimage works

In your pocket

The Canterbury Mobile App

Every pilgrim in your group gets the app. Their itinerary, hotels and flights, the prayers of the day and a way to reach one another, all in one place and kept current as the pilgrimage unfolds.

  • Group chat

    Your whole group in one thread, so a change of plan reaches everyone at once.

  • Their itinerary

    The full day-by-day schedule, always current, in every pilgrim’s pocket.

  • Hotels

    Where the group is staying each night, with addresses and dates.

  • Flights

    Flight details kept alongside everything else, not in a separate email.

  • Daily prayers

    The prayers of the day, including the Liturgy of the Hours.

  • Shrine passport

    A keepsake record of the shrines your group visits along the way.

  • Live updates

    Times and meeting points pushed to everyone the moment they change.

Photographs
Yachts moored below the churches and houses of Vittoriosa on the Grand Harbor, Malta
The waterfront of Vittoriosa, one of the Three Cities on the Grand Harbor
Photograph to come · Caravaggio’s Oratory at St. John’s Co-Cathedral
Caravaggio’s Oratory at St. John’s Co-Cathedral
Photograph to come · The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha
Photograph to come · The Citadel and Cathedral of the Assumption on Gozo
The Citadel and Cathedral of the Assumption on Gozo
Photograph to come · The dome of the Sanctuary Basilica at Mosta
The dome of the Sanctuary Basilica at Mosta
Photograph to come · St. Paul’s Grotto at Rabat
St. Paul’s Grotto at Rabat

What group leaders say

“They’re big enough to handle any problem that arises, and small enough to craft truly unique experiences.”

Chris StefanickChris Stefanick
Founder & President of Real Life Catholic
Before you ask

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to travel to Malta?

April through June and September through October are the most comfortable months, warm and dry without the heat and crowds of high summer. February 10, the feast of St. Paul’s Shipwreck, is Malta’s great Pauline celebration in Valletta. Because the whole route is on two small islands, it works well as a short pilgrimage at almost any time of year.

How physically demanding is this pilgrimage?

Moderate. Most days involve two to four hours on your feet, with walking on uneven ground, ancient stone, and steps at archaeological sites. Pilgrims who can manage a full day of sightseeing at their own pace do well. If anyone in your group has mobility limitations, tell us early and we will adapt the days around them. What activity level means.

What is generally not included?

Travel insurance, lunches, drinks beyond those served with included meals, personal expenses, and gratuities for your tour manager and driver. Any of these can be built into your package on request, so tell us what you would like covered and we will arrange it. Passports and visa fees are the one exception and remain the responsibility of each pilgrim.

Do I need a passport or visa for Malta?

A US passport valid for at least three months beyond your return date is required, and we recommend six. Malta is in the Schengen area, so no visa is needed for a stay of this length. Requirements change from time to time, so we confirm what applies with your group before you travel.

Can our priest celebrate Mass at the churches?

Yes. Daily Mass is built into the itinerary, and we arrange times and locations in advance with each church. Your priest should travel with a celebret or letter of good standing from his bishop or superior. We handle the scheduling.

How many pilgrims do you need for a group?

Most of our groups are between 20 and 50 pilgrims, and we can arrange smaller tours as well. We have also organized pilgrimages for groups as large as 2,500, so whatever size your group turns out to be, we can build for it. Minimum group size for a group flight.

Enquire

Interested in Leading a Pilgrimage to Malta?

A pilgrimage consultant replies within one business day. No deposit or commitment.

    Your Information

    Your Group

    First time? You are in good company. Many of our group leaders start right here, and we guide you through every step.

    Where You Would Like to Go

    Destinations of interest (check all that apply)

    These are some of our most popular destinations, but we build CUSTOM ITINERARIES anywhere in the world. If you do not see your destination, tell us below.

    Italy, Rome and AssisiFrance, Lourdes and ParisPortugal and FátimaSpain and the Camino de SantiagoPortugal, Spain and France togetherGreece and TurkeyThe Holy LandEgypt and Mount SinaiPoland, Prague and Central EuropeMedjugorje and the BalkansIreland and the United KingdomMexico and Our Lady of GuadalupeArgentinaPeruJapan, Nagasaki and AkitaUnited States and Canada shrinesA pilgrimage cruiseSomewhere else, or not sure yet

    When

    Group Size and Budget

    Complimentary places are arranged based on the size of your group. Let us know how many you expect so we can request them from our suppliers from the start.

    A Few Last Details

    Would you like sample itineraries emailed to you?

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