These temple sites lie near Malta’s south coast and are deemed among the best preserved of the sites found in the islands. To reach them, take either bus 38 or 138 from Valletta. The bus ride is about 30 minutes, and when you get off, you’ll think you’ve been left in the middle of nowhere. Follow the small sign pointing to the temples and walk through the parking lot to the ticket booth. You can purchase a ticket for either one or both temples: I suggest doing both, as they are situated close together. If you’re hungry after perusing the ruins, the Ħaġar Qim restaurant just above the parking lot is a peaceful place for a snack or meal. I enjoyed a much-needed cold drink on the outdoor terrace after my explorations.
Though the ticket booth has no free pamphlets to describe the temple sites, they do offer for sale a small booklet, "The Copper Age Temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra", with plans and illustrations by Professor Themistocles Zammit, one of the investigators of the site in the 1920s. In spite of some obvious inaccuracies I noted (for example, the temples lie on the south coast, not the west as the booklet states), the illustrations and information contained offer additional insight over what is found in the average guidebook.
The excavations at Ħaġar Qim were begun in the late 1830s, though the temple complex as seen today was not completely excavated until 1909-1910. At this time the surrounding area was explored as well, and the resulting finds of flint tools, stone and clay items and the like can be seen in the Valletta Museum. Further surveying and restoration took place: this was completed in the 1950s. Ħaġar Qim consists of three separate temples, the central being the best preserved of the three.
From Ħaġar Qim, follow the path about a quarter mile or so to Mnajdra, spectacularly set on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea. Mnajdra also consists of the temples, the oldest of which is on the right and is aligned with the small islet of Filfla. Excavations began here in 1840, though the findings were haphazardly recorded. One of the unusual aspects of the central temple is its entrance, which is through a large window stone.
Although the original purpose of the two temple sites has not been determined, it appears that they were used for animal sacrifices and ritual oracles.
The sites are open 7:45am to 2pm daily from mid-June to the end of September; from October through mid-June, they are open 8:15am to 5pm Monday-Saturday and 8:15am to 4pm on Sundays. Closed public holidays.
From journal Winter Holiday in Malta