Għar Dalam, Prehistoric cave and archaeological museum in Birżebbuġa, Malta.
Għar Dalam is a limestone cave extending about 144 meters into the earth, filled with layered sediments from different geological periods. Attached to the entrance, a museum displays fossils, animal bones, and artifacts that show what lived here over thousands of generations.
The cave was excavated in the 1800s and revealed distinct layers holding remains of animals and humans from different time periods. The deepest materials show that land animals lived here hundreds of thousands of years ago, ages before any humans arrived on the island.
The name comes from Arabic, reflecting Malta's linguistic heritage from centuries of different rulers. The exhibits show how animals and people shaped each other's presence on this island over vast stretches of time.
You can walk into the first 50 meters of the cave to see the layered deposits and fossils up close. The path is fairly level and well lit, making for a straightforward visit without steep climbs or obstacles.
The cave holds bones from dwarf elephants and dwarf hippopotamuses that evolved smaller sizes on this isolated island. These extinct species show how animals change shape and size differently when separated from mainland populations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Malta combines thousands of years of history with varied coastal landscapes across a compact island area of 122 square miles (316 square kilometers). The capital Valletta contains major structures including the Co-Cathedral of St. John with its Caravaggio paintings, the National Museum of...
Malta contains numerous historical sites and natural landscapes away from the main tourist areas. The islands hold prehistoric temple complexes such as Skorba and Ta' Ħaġrat near Mġarr, Roman remains including the Roman Villa at Żejtun and ancient bath sites, and Ghar Dalam, a cave with Ice Age...
Borġ in-Nadur
546 m
Fort San Lucian
1.6 km
Vendôme Tower
1.5 km
Parish Church of Our Lady of Pompei, Marsaxlokk
1.7 km
Żejtun Roman villa
1.9 km
Ferretti Battery
685 m
St Mary's Church, Għaxaq
1.8 km
Church of St George
591 m
Saint George Redoubt
599 m
Għaxaq Semaphore Tower
1.7 km
Pinto Battery
588 m
Port de Marsaxlokk
1.7 km
Tal-Ħlas Chapel, Żejtun
1.9 km
Our Lady Help of Christians Chapel
448 m
Parish Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
1.8 km
Church of St. Philip Neri
1.8 km
Chapel of the Holy Family
1.2 km
St. Joseph's Chapel
445 m
Church of Our Lady of Sorrows
1.1 km
Church of the Madonna of Mercy, Żejtun
1.7 km
Parish Church of St Peter in Chains
1 km
Chapel of the Pieta
1.1 km
St. Peter's Chapel
1.5 km
Statue of St Andrew
1.7 km
Niche of St Joseph
1.5 km
Villa Agius Catania
1.9 km
Birżebbuġa Fougasse
604 m
Niche of St Vincent Ferreri
1.5 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes