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Christine Cassar
Excited about your upcoming trip to Malta but not sure how long to go, what to see and do, and how to get the most out of your well-deserved holiday?
This Malta itinerary is made for you as a source of inspiration and is full of local tips and insights to offer you a trip to remember.
In this comprehensive guide, I offer tips and tricks on maximising your time on the island by incorporating sightseeing, cultural experiences, day tours, swimming, hiking, food sampling, and other activities into your itinerary spanning 6 full days.
Let’s get started!
Malta’s compact size makes it easy to see many attractions and places of interest in a week. That being said, I always advise travellers not to overdo it and instead achieve a balanced trip with sightseeing, dining out, relaxation, etc.
This brings me to how you should plan your itinerary.
My Top Tips:
Bearing in mind that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, I created a mix of must-see places of interest, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, beach days, day trips, and alternative options to suit all kinds of travellers.
If you’re thinking of escaping your daily hustle for a week away, here’s how I recommend planning 6 full days in Malta.
There is simply no better way to kickstart your holiday than by visiting Malta’s Capital City, Valletta. Renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the 2018 Capital of Culture, Valletta simply has it all.
You can visit museums and exhibitions, get more insights about Malta’s past by heading to historic attractions, get a bite to eat at a local restaurant, and shop for souvenirs and other bits and bobs to take home with you. You can even just enjoy long walks around its charming streets to admire the old buildings and unique architecture.
If you’re set on exploring a couple of museums and key places of interest, I highly recommend the following spots in your Malta itinerary:
You can check out other places of interest in the Capital here: Valletta All You Need to Know About Malta’s Capital.
Itinerary Tip: If you plan on using public transport, most buses pass through and terminate at the Valletta bus station.
From €150
Small Groups and Couples
3 or more hours (on request)
Transport to/from accommodation
During this Valletta Private Walking Tour, you’ll enjoy strolls around the Capital’s main attractions, alongside the lesser-known gems, whilst learning about its fascinating history and cultural heritage.
€52
Groups, Families, & History Enthusiasts
Approx. 5 hours
Transport to/from accommodation
This half-day walking tour of Valletta takes you around the city’s major attractions scattered around its narrow hilly streets, including St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Grandmaster’s Palace, as well as the stunning Upper Barrakka Gardens.
From €55 per person
Food Lovers and Culture Enthusiasts
3 hours
Parliament House, Valletta
During this Valletta Street Food and Culture Walking Tour, a local guide will take you around several main attractions in the City, while stopping at various kiosks to sample some of the tastiest local delicacies such as pastizzi.
Made up of Birgu (Vittoriosa), Bormla (Cospicua), and Isla (Senglea) — collectively known as Il-Cottonera locally — the Three Cities warrant a spot on your Malta itinerary visit, especially if this is your first trip to the island.
It is one of the most important historic sites on the island, which played a key role in the Great Siege of 1565 and suffered significant damage during the Second World War. Some places of interest include St. Lawrence’s Church, Fort St Angelo, the Gardjola Gardens, the Inquisitor’s Palace, and the Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception.
I would also recommend walking around the charming streets; You’ll find anything from colourful doors and Maltese balconies to niches and other hidden gems.
€39
Small Groups & Families
4 hours
Transport to/from your accommodation
This Half-Day Trip consists of a guided walking tour around The Three Cities’ picturesque streets and sights, and a harbour cruise around the creeks of the Grand Harbour and surrounding fortifications.
€47
Wine Enthusiasts
4 hours 30 minutes
Transport to/from your accommodation & on-site between 3 Cities and the Winery
This Three Cities and Wine Tasting Tour combines a dose of history and culture with a splendid afternoon filled with the best local wines.
€28
Families with Children, Groups & Solo Travellers
3-3.5 hours (For a full loop)
From respective locations on the route
With two routes and over 20 stops, the iSee Malta Hop-on Hop-off Tour offers travellers the chance to discover many of the main island’s major attractions in the space of a couple of hours.
Mdina
– also known as the Silent City, Medina, Citta’ Notabile, and Citta’ Vecchia – is a definite must-visit spot when planning your Malta itinerary. From the moment you enter the city walls through the Mdina Gate — famously used as a backdrop during the first episodes of Game of Thrones – its timeless allure invites you to explore its rich past within its walls.
As you stroll through the winding alleyways and old city walls of this gorgeous fortified town, you will pass by several medieval buildings, including key points of interest such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Palazzo Falson, Mesquita Square, and the Mdina Belvedere.
Rabat is within walking distance of Mdina. Renowned as one of Malta’s oldest towns, it houses places of interest such as St Paul’s Church, the Wignacourt Museum, and the catacombs of St. Paul and St. Agatha.
If you’re visiting Malta during the festive season, the backstreets of Rabat are transformed into the largest Christmas market – Natalis Notabilis. You can sample local delicacies, buy artisanal souvenirs, and visit crib exhibitions and other showcases set up during the week that the market is hosted.
€25
Families with Children, Groups & Solo Travellers
2.5 hours
Mdina Gate
Marvel at the historical sites and cultural treasures within the walls of Mdina and Rabat, including the Mdina Cathedral, Palazzo Falson, Vilhena Palace, the Wignacourt Museum, and St. Paul’s Catacombs when booking this fantastic walking tour.
From €240
Small Groups
3 hours
Transport to/from accommodation
Fancy exploring Mdina by night? This guided Mdina and Rabat Private Ghost Tour is ideal for travellers who’d like more insights into the mysteries and legends that come to life in this ghost town.
Your Malta itinerary isn’t complete without a visit to its stunning sister island, Gozo. From stunning beaches to historic sites and major attractions to off-the-beaten-track locations, Gozo has everything you need for another memorable day out.
And on that note, here are some key places that most certainly warrant a visit:
From €97.50 per person
Groups & Thrill Seekers
6-7 hours
Marfa Quay (near Ċirkewwa)
Led by knowledgeable guides, you’ll get to drive around Gozo’s major attractions and off-the-beaten-track locations around the island on your very own quad bike!
€85
Families, Travellers with Limited Mobility, & Groups
Approx. 7 hours (excluding transport)
Marfa Quay (near Ċirkewwa)
Visit places like the Citadel, Ta’ Pinu Basilica, the Xwejni Salt Pans and other beautiful sites in Gozo on a colourful tuk-tuk with this all-inclusive, highly recommended Tuk-Tuk tour.
€79
Groups, Families & People with Limited Mobility
8 hours 30 minutes
Ċirkewwa
The Discover Gozo full-day guided tour promises a jam-packed day in Gozo filled with local insights and stops at major attractions, complete with a 3-course lunch featuring some of the best local delicacies.
Located on the island’s southeastern coast, Marsaxlokk is the charming fishing village best known for the Sunday market, many seafood restaurants, and luzzu boats (traditional colourful fishing boats generally painted in greens, blues, yellows, and reds coupled with a pair of eyes on the bow) floating along the harbour.
The market creates a buzz around Marsaxlokk, making it a vibrant place to visit all year round. But suppose you’re visiting in the summer. In that case, you can include a stop at St Peter’s Pool — a natural pool at the tip of Delimara Point, ideal for snorkelling enthusiasts, divers, and swimmers who don’t mind swimming in deeper waters.
Composed of a series of stunning sea caves, Blue Grotto is truly spectacular. It’s popular with locals and tourists because the reflection of the sun’s rays on the sandy seafloor illuminates the caves, making the sea appear bright blue. Not to be missed!
€32
Couples & Families with Children
5 hours
Transfer to/from accommodation
This brilliant guided excursion will take you around Marsaxlokk, famous for the market stalls and a glimpse into local life, as well as Blue Grotto, a natural wonder featuring beautiful caves and stunning azure waters.
€28
Families with Children, Groups & Solo Travellers
2-3 hours
From different stops listed on the North & South routes
With two routes and over 20 stops, the iSee Malta Hop-on Hop-off Tour offers travellers the chance to discover many of the main island’s major attractions in the space of a couple of hours.
Malta is home to seven megalithic temples. Impressively, they are over 5,500 years old, which means they are older than the Pyramids and Stonehenge.
Ħaġar Qim features a series of megalithic buildings with the distinct Globigerina limestone. Meanwhile, the Mnajra phase consists of three buildings, constructed in globigerina and coralline limestone. Għar Dalam also warrants a visit since it’s the island’s oldest prehistoric site, featuring a myriad of archaeological excavations.
€66
History Enthusiasts & First-time Visitors
4 hours
Transfer to/from accommodation
This full-day guided tour is a must for visitors interested in enriching their holiday in Malta with a visit to the island’s prehistoric temples, including the Limestone Heritage, Ħaġar Qim and Għar Dalam.
€47
History Lovers & First-time Visitors
4 hours
Transfer to/from accommodation
This half-day excursion is one of the best-guided multilingual tours, offering deeper insights into some of the country’s prehistoric temples, including Għar Dalam, Ħaġar Qim, and Mnajdra Archaological Park.
Based on my experience helping tourists plan a summer holiday to Malta, most people want to include Comino (the smallest of the Maltese Islands) on their Malta itinerary. However, it’s not for everyone because it can get very busy at the height of summer.
Renowned for its stunningly beautiful turquoise sea, the Blue Lagoon is the main attraction on the tiny island. However, did you know there are also other gems worth exploring in Comino alongside the Blue Lagoon, namely:
Tip:
€30
First-time Visitors, Families & Small Groups
6 hours
Buġibba Jetty
Enjoy the beauty of Comino and its surroundings, discover sea caves, and have fun on the water slides on this exciting boat trip to the Blue Lagoon.
From €97.50 per person
Groups & Thrill Seekers
Approx. 7 Hours (excluding transport)
Marfa Quay (near Ċirkewwa)
Not keen on waking up early for a tour booking? No problem! This self-drive Gozo Sunset Quad Bike Tour is the perfect option for travellers interested in visiting some wonderful off-the-beaten-track sites around Gozo on a quad bike.
€30 (Boat Only) / €35 (includ. Bus to Victoria)
First-time travellers & Families
Approx. 6.5 hours
Buġibba Jetty
Enjoy picturesque views of the island’s stunning coast, take snaps of all the dramatic cliffs and quiet coves, explore Gozo’s capital, Victoria, swim in clear waters and have fun on the boat’s water slides on this Gozo, Crystal & Blue Lagoon full-day cruise.
From €289*
Small Groups & Families
3 hours
Ċirkewwa (Malta) / Mġarr Harbour (Gozo)
Complete with your customised itinerary and guided by a knowledgeable skipper, this private boat trip to Comino is the best way to enjoy all the spectacular coastal views, incredible rock formations, rugged cliffs and your surroundings.
*Additional fees are added if you are more than 6 people.
€65
Sea Lovers
6 hours (Morning Trip) / 5 hours (Evening Trip)
Buġibba Jetty
The most glorious beaches and hidden gems await! This Beaches and Bays Tour ticks all the boxes for beachgoers who are up for the ultimate seaside adventure!
€30
Groups & Families
Approx. 5-6 hours
Sliema Ferries or Buġibba Jetty
Admire the beauty of spectacular hidden caves and cliff faces, and swim in Comino’s Blue Lagoon when booking this Hop-on Hop-off coastal cruise to Comino.
Whether you love sandy beaches or rocky shores, you’re spoiled for choice with the number of gorgeous beaches scattered around the Maltese Islands. Needless to say, if you love swimming and snorkelling, a beach day on your Malta itinerary is a must! Check out some of the best ones here:
With Malta’s compact size, it’s easy to get around the island. Compared to bigger countries, the distance from one place to another isn’t too long — unless you’re stuck in traffic.
And on that note, here are the main modes of transport:
Check out more info here on How to Get Around Malta.
With over 300 days of sun all year round, I wouldn’t say there’s a good or bad time to go to Malta. Most people decide to go between April and June, when the weather is great for sightseeing and (late May, into June) good for swimming as well.
Whenever you decide to go, there’s always something going on. However, it all boils down to what you’d like to do and your preferences. Keep in mind the following points:
You’ll find many accommodation options all over the island, but deciding where to stay depends mostly on 1) how much sightseeing you plan to do, and 2) whether you want to spend time at the beach, and if so, how much.
Generally, for beach stays, Mellieħa is the best option, although staying in Gozo with a rental car is also a good option (if sightseeing in Malta is less important to you).
For sightseeing, the best locations are:
For a mix of sightseeing and beach:
Looking for more ideas to add to your Malta itinerary? Leave a comment with your question at the bottom of this page, and I’ll do my best to help you out!
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