Hagar Qim Temples

Ħaġar Qim stands on a ridge above the southern cliffs and was built in stages from around 3600 BC, which makes it older than the pyramids at Giza. It is built of globigerina limestone, a soft stone that weathers badly, and one of its uprights is among the largest in Maltese prehistory at nearly seven metres and twenty tonnes. A hole in the eastern wall admits sunlight at the summer solstice onto a slab inside. It is inscribed as part of the Megalithic Temples of Malta.

The main sights

• The great upright - a stone of nearly seven metres and around twenty tonnes.
• The solstice hole - an opening admitting summer solstice light onto an inner slab.
• The lobed chambers - the curved apses opening off a central corridor.
• The protective tent - the fabric shelter erected to slow the weathering of the soft stone.

When to go

March to May and September to November are the most comfortable. Summer is very hot with little shade on the ridge. The solstice event is heavily oversubscribed and ticketed separately.

Things to know

The fabric shelter over the temple is widely disliked and dominates photographs. Summer heat on the exposed ridge is severe. The joint ticket includes Mnajdra, which is a further walk downhill.

Nearby

Mnajdra is a short walk downhill, and the Blue Grotto is east.