Malta is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in Europe. Our 5-day itinerary for Malta covers most of its highlights. This relatively small island is easy to explore, boasting beautiful turquoise beaches, historical towns, tasty seafood, and many natural wonders.
Malta’s variety of activities makes It a perfect choice for any traveler, from couples looking for a romantic stay to youngsters looking for wild nightlife to families with kids.
What we love about the island is that despite being so popular in summer, it’s a great year-round destination. We planned our trip in December and had a wonderful time.
This is the exact itinerary we followed on our trip. Although all the places can be visited all year, you’ll enjoy some stops more in the summer.
We cover the best attractions, beaches, and activities. In addition, we’ll share the best way to get around, which area to stay in, and when to plan your trip.
Key Highlights
⭐️ Best time to visit: May, June, September, October
⭐️How to get around: car rental, scooter rental, public buses
⭐️ Best beaches: Golden Bay, Mellieha Bay, Blue Lagoon, St. Peter’s Pool, Il Kalanka, Ramla Bay
⭐️Popular areas to stay: Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian’s Bay, St. Paul’s Bay
⭐️Top attractions: Valletta, Mdina, Gozo Island, Popeye Village
⭐️ Favorite Tours: Comino boat tour, Gozo jeep tour, Malta Essentials
Quick Overview
For the most comfortable trip, we suggest renting a car. While public transport is reliable, it takes too long and doesn’t reach all the remote places.
We recommend dedicating one day to Valletta, the capital, and the Three Cities. Then, you can enjoy a sunset in Sliema.
You’ll want to allocate one day to the south and one to the central part. Visiting Gozo requires one full day, and then you can combine a half-day Comino Island boat tour with exploring the beaches in the north.
Below you’ll find a detailed version of this itinerary for Malta.
How many days to spend in Malta
As mentioned earlier, Malta is not a huge island, making it easy to explore quickly. I would say you can see all the highlights in 5 days. It’s more than enough to enjoy some beach time, explore the best attractions, and have a good time.
However, 7 days would be a better choice to keep it more relaxed. You’ll appreciate any extra day if you also want to combine exploring with beach hopping.
5-day itinerary for Malta
Day 1: Valletta & The Three Cities
Valletta is one of the smallest capitals in Europe. While car access is restricted, the whole center is walkable. The narrow streets are lined with incredible historical buildings, cute cafes, and local restaurants.
Some highlights include Lower and Upper Barrakka Gardens, Triton Fountain, the Parliament of Malta, St. John’s Cathedral, Republic Square, and Grandmaster Palace. All of these can be easily explored in half a day.
If you have a full day, hop on a boat and visit The Three Cities – Birgu, Senglea, and Cospicua.
Birgu’s charming marina and cobbled streets are lined up with old buildings and beautiful houses. Visit the majestic Fort St. Angelo and The Inquisitor’s Palace. Senglea is the smallest one. It offers the best views of Valletta.
Join The Three Cities tour, including a boat trip!
Day 2: Gozo Island day trip
Gozo is a small island not far off the Maltese coast. Famous for its natural beauty, majestic cliffs, and lovely beaches, it should be a part of every itinerary for Malta.
Our absolute favorite was Tal-Mixta Cave, a majestic cave in the cliffs above the sea, overlooking the golden Ramla Bay. History lovers shouldn’t skip visiting the Citadel, while divers can explore the depths of the Blue Hole.
Other places to visit include the Salt Pans, Wied il-Għasri (a canyon with a small beach), and Wied il-Mielaħ (a natural rock arch).
We recommend planning a full-day trip to see all the best places on the island. Most of the highlights are a 15 to 20-minute drive away.
When planning a visit to Gozo Island, it’s best to arrive by car ferry in a rental car. Gozo’s public transport is less extensive, and visiting all the places might be more complicated. Another option is to join a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
TIP: If you’re short on time, you can plan a visit to both Gozo and Comino islands on the same day. We recommend joining this boat tour via GetYourGuide.
Day 3: Comino Island & Popeye Village
Comino is a small island between Gozo and Malta, only accessible by boat. Planning a trip there is a piece of cake thanks to numerous tour companies organizing multiple boat tours each day.
You can either book something directly with your hotel, from local tour companies, or online in advance with Get Your Guide.
Our recommendation is this Comino Island full-day boat tour. You’ll visit the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Caves. Enjoy swimming and snorkeling at each location.
If you join a half-day tour, you’ll still have plenty of time to visit Popeye Village and some of the beaches in the north.
Buy your skip-the-line Popeye Village tickets online.
Day 4: Central Malta – Dingli Cliffs, Mdina, Rabat
Mdina, also known as “The Silent City,” is a medieval town that used to be the capital of Malta. It’s situated on a hill in the center of the island. Visitors can explore the narrow medieval streets and enjoy the city’s quiet atmosphere.
Rabat is located on the outskirts of Mdina. Some must-visit attractions include St. Paul’s Catacombs and the Roman Vila. Stroll around the city’s lively streets, enjoying multiple cafes, restaurants, and markets.
There’s no better way to end a day in Malta than watching a beautiful sunset from Dingli Cliffs. With multiple viewpoints along the road, finding the perfect spot for you is easy.
Day 5: South Malta – Blue Grotto, St. Peter’s Pool, Marsaxlokk
The southern part of Malta was my personal favorite. The natural attractions here are well worth a visit.
Start your day by relaxing at St. Peter’s Pool. It’s a rocky beach with calm turquoise water. It’s a perfect spot for cliff jumping, besides swimming and sunbathing.
Just a short drive away is another similar spot – Il Kalanka. It’s also a small bay surrounded by cliffs, where you can lie down on the huge rocks and go for a swim.
The next stop is a traditional fishing village called Marsaxlokk. Explore its harbor and photograph the iconic colorful boats. You’ll meet many tour operators offering short boat tours to the nearby attractions.
You can spend half a day in St. Peter’s Pool, have lunch in Marsaxlokk, and return to Il Kalanka in the afternoon.
Finish the day by admiring the sunset from the cliffs above the Blue Grotto, a stunning natural rock window. You can also join a boat tour to visit the cave beside it. Otherwise, it can only be admired from the top.
Google Maps locations for the 5-day itinerary for Malta
Getting around Malta
Rent a car
Renting a car is the absolute best way to get around Malta. It provides the most freedom and flexibility. Apart from Comino Island, the places mentioned in this itinerary can be reached by car.
We found renting a car in Malta difficult due to many scammers, complaints, and bad reviews.
However, after hours of searching, we found probably one of the most reliable companies on the island – JS Car Hire. We recommend choosing the Full Damage Waiver.
If you’d like to see what other options you have, we recommend using Discover Cars to compare different companies and prices. Remember to always read the reviews before making a reservation.
TIP: In Malta, you’re driving on the left-hand side of the road, with the driver’s seat being on the right side.
Public transport
Public transport is a great way to get around if your budget is tight or you’re scared of driving in a foreign country. Plenty of bus connections make it easy to discover most of the highlights.
The hop-on, hop-off bus is excellent if you want to keep things simple and practical. It only stops at tourist hotspots.
However, you might not be able to visit more remote places, and you’ll need more time to travel between the different stops.
TIP: Visit the official Malta Public Transport website for route details, schedules, and ticket prices.
Rent a motorbike
Another alternative is to rent a motorbike. The final rental price is cheaper than when renting a car. While you can pick up your rental car directly at the airport, when renting a motorbike, you’ll first want to check in to your hotel due to luggage.
Before making a reservation, ensure you have a valid driver’s license.
TIP: If you’re visiting Malta in summer, getting around on a motorbike might be easier thanks to easy parking and the possibility of avoiding traffic jams. But due to heavy traffic, make sure you’re a confident driver.
Where to stay in Malta
Choosing the best area to stay in Malta is essential to have the best time and holiday according to your ideas. Each location is different and suits different needs.
We stayed in St. Julian’s Bay during the off-season. It didn’t feel too loud or crowded, and the wide selection of dining options felt very practical.
We chose Hyatt Centric and had an incredible time! Friendly and helpful staff made our stay memorable. The highlights of our stay were the cozy room with modern design, the rooftop pool with lovely views, and the exceptional breakfast.
Recommended hotels on Malta
Check availability
Below is a short description of each location with some hotel recommendations.
Valletta offers more unique accommodations, however it’s the most expensive area to stay. The nightlife and beach access are limited. It’s great for couples, history and art lovers, or short stays.
St. Julian’s Bay is famous for its vibrant nightlife and central location. However, since it might be too loud, it’s better for party lovers, young or solo travelers.
St. George’s Bay is a quiet area in a central location, yet it’s close to the nightlife in St. Julian’s. It’s one of the most versatile areas suitable for any kind of traveler.
St. Paul’s Bay offers a more authentic and relaxed atmosphere with many budget-friendly options. The nightlife is limited, and it’s far from Valletta.
Gozo is a great spot if you’re after a peaceful location surrounded by beautiful nature with many diving spots and beaches. But it’s too distant from most attractions.
Find the best hotels in the area on Booking.
Best time to visit Malta
Since Malta is home to many beautiful beaches and swimming spots, it would be a pity to miss the opportunity to enjoy them. For the perfect balance of comfortable weather, sunny beach days, and fewer crowds, shoulder months are the best choice.
The best time to visit Malta before summer starts is from late May to June. Later, September and October are also amazing. The sea is already warm enough for swimming, but it’s less crowded.
Also, July and August are too hot, which can be unpleasant when exploring attractions.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth coming in winter or spring, the answer is yes. If you’re lucky, you might even enjoy swimming.
We came in December, and on our first day, it was warm and sunny, with calm seas and no wind. The water was also not too cold.
The temperatures are primarily pleasant during the day, so you’ll only need a light sweater. However, it can get windy, and evenings and mornings are chilly. The sea is often uncalm for swimming.
FAQ
To see all the best attractions in Malta, you’ll only need 4 or 5 days. If you’d like to enjoy some time off relaxing on the beaches, at least 7 days would be great.
Whether Malta is cheap or expensive depends on the time of the year you visit. During the summer, all the prices go up, making Malta a rather expensive destination. For a more budget-friendly trip, consider traveling off-season. You can save hundreds of euros.
Most beaches in Malta are free to visit. You can rent a sunchair or umbrella.
Malta uses the Euro. You can use card payment in most places, but it’s always great to have some extra cash.
