So you’ve just arrived at Malta’s (MLA) airport today and picked up your car, but it’s still too early to check in to your hotel? That’s perfect, because with those wheels underneath you, you can start your week or long weekend in Malta right away!
In this Malta article I’ll help you to set up an itinerary for either a long weekend in Malta, or even a full week in Malta. Also keep on reading for advice on where to stay in Malta and how to get around.
How many days is enough in Malta?
The three islands of Malta (Malta, Gozo and Comino) are tiny specs in the Mediterranean Sea. I dare you to pinpoint them on the world map. Really! They’re hardly visible. I was surprised that Malta is about the same size as the island of Texel, which is the largest of the islands on the northern side of The Netherlands.
However, the islands have played their part in the history of the region. Not very surprising then is that those events have left their mark on the island state. A good mark mind you!
How many days should you spend in Malta?
There’s plenty to keep you busy for a long weekend in Malta. I’d say with 3 to 4 days you get a really good feel for the country. Even more ideal is one week in Malta. This gives you enough time to have a chilled out day at the beach and to discover Gozo and Comino.
There’s plenty to keep you busy for longer too. Especially if you enjoy your time on a beach. Furthermore, the country is perfect for slow travel allowing you to dive deep into its many historical facets and its nature.
How to get around in Malta?
Rental Car
It’s highly recommend to rent a car when visiting Malta for a weekend or a week.
I usually use rentalcars.com to compare cars from all the major rental car companies. You can browse through pretty much all available cars on the island and easily purchase car insurance directly through them. This avoids any hassle when checking out the car from the operator.
When deciding on a car, remember that smaller is better in Malta, since you’ll discover that many roads, especially those heading to the beaches tend to be very narrow.
Public Transport
It’s relatively easy to get around in Malta by bus. The buses are modern and run often between the major cities. Less frequent though to more remote parts of the island. The Valletta bus station is the main hub of the island. A ticket should cost €1.50-€3 for a ticket that’s valid for 2 hours. You can also buy blocks of 12-tickets for €15 to save some money. Plan your journey on the website of Malta Public Transport.
Ferry
The ferry is also a viable mode of transportation. You can use it from Valletta to Birgu (Three Cities), from Valletta to Gozo or from Cirkewwa to Comino or Gozo to give a few examples.
One Week in Malta Itinerary
How to spend a long weekend in Malta?
With a long weekend of 3 or 4 days in Malta my advice is to stick to the main island.
On day 1 you visit the Blue Grotto, the prehistoric temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, and the harbour village of Marsaxlokk before finishing the day at St. Peter’s Pool for a plunge.
Start day 2 with a visit to the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum and the Mosta Dome. After lunch visit the towns of Rabat and Mdina (by night).
And that leaves your final day to visit Valletta, Malta’s capital.
How to spend up to one week in Malta?
With one week in Malta you’ll have plenty of time to explore the main island of Malta, but also Gozo and even Comino.
More days means that you can spend an extra morning on day 4 in Valletta. This allows you to take in all that the capital has to offer at a more leisurely pace. In the afternoon of day 4 take the ferry across the harbour to The Three Cities.
On day 5 continue your week in Malta with a day on the beach. On day 6 you take the ferry to Comino to visit The Blue Lagoon and go on the Comino Walk.
Finally, on day 7 take the ferry to Gozo to explore all that this island has to offer.
Day 1 | Blue Grotto | Hagar Qim & Mnajdra | Marsaxlokk | St. Peter’s Pool
Blue Grotto
Instead of driving from the airport directly north to Valletta to check out the capital, I’m suggesting you drive south instead for your first port of call: The Blue Grotto. This beautiful natural sight is a great start to your week or long weekend in Malta.
Tip: You can park your car here in the parking bay / bus stop (don’t drive all the way down to the large parking lot).
Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Temples
Only a few minutes away from the Blue Grotto are some of the oldest stones of the island. You can view the displays in the visitor’s centre to learn about the history and the science behind the prehistoric structures before going on a walk to the actual structures.
The prehistoric stones are thought to have been put here at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra between 3,600 and 3,000 BC, predating even the pyramids of Egypt. But not much is known of the why of the megalithic stones, nor about who put them here. What do you think?
Hagar Qim is right next to the visitor’s centre and car park. The Mnajdra Temples are a 10 minute walk towards the sea and down a slope. No worries though, because the boardwalk there is easy enough. However, make sure to bring plenty of water, and sunscreen since there’s no shade at all.
Take your time to look around and stray off the boardwalk onto the gravel paths. The views are amazing and the paths easy to follow.
When you time it right you could experience some significant solar alignments. Chances are slim though, since this event happens only a few times a year.
Marsaxlokk
Start the afternoon in the lovely harbour village of Marsaxlokk. Grab some fish or seafood for lunch. I recommend both Tartarun or Roots.
After lunch go for a stroll along the harbourfront. Wander off into a few of the picturesque side streets too.
By now you must have looked into some of the ‘Eyes of Osiris’ that are painted onto the front of the brightly coloured boats. The typical Maltese boats are well taken care of judging by the fresh layer of paint on all of them. Chat to one of the painters if you happen to run into one of them.
Tip: Park your car at the Public Parking Space for a very short walk into town.
St. Peter’s Pool
Just outside of Marsaxlokk you find St. Peter’s Pool. The crystal clear waters are the perfect spot to go for a swim. So make sure to have your bathing suit with you, or better yet be dressed to plunge right in.
After you’re done swimming, sunbathing and cliff walking drive to you hotel to check-in. Round off the day in or around your accommodation.
Tip: The parking lot at St. Peter’s Pool is quite small and the road to get to the parking lot is very narrow. There’s no way a large car can get here, let alone that two cars can pass each other.
Day 2 | Hal Saflieni Hypogeum | Mosta | Rabat & Mdina
Hal Saflieni Hypogeum
Today you start in Tarxien, just outside of Valletta to visit the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. This is another one of Malta’s prehistoric structures.
The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is a multi-level underground burial chamber that might also have served as a temple. The complex was discovered in 1902 and is nowadays listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
Closed for decades, the hypogeum reopened to the public back in 2000. After the reopening the number of tickets is very limited. This means that if you want to visit make sure to book your tickets at least a month in advance. Find all ticket information on the website of Heritage Malta.
Mosta
Next up is the Rotunda of Mosta, or the Mosta Dome. During World War II’s siege of Malta several bombs were dropped in the city of Mosta. One of those bombs went right through the roof, but alas it did not explode. A miracle?
Whatever you may or may not think, the church is worth visiting despite the bomb. The roof is what I call an architectural miracle though. At one point in time it was the third largest in the world. And if you do want to learn more about the bomb you can watch a videoclip inside the church’ shop. On top of that the bomb is on display too!
If you feel like having lunch, check out Alwan Lebanese Bistro opposite the Mosta Dome.
Tip: Park you car in the Triq Il-Kungress Ewkaristiku street as you as you can see the dome. And as soon as you can find a spot.
Rabat
If you didn’t have lunch in Mosta, then have some typical Maltese pastizzi in Rabat. The Crystal Palace Bar might not look like much, but supposedly this is where they make best pastizzi on the island.
With your belly full it’s time to explore the city. Some highlights include getting lost in the narrow streets, a visit to St. Paul’s Catacombs, St. Agatha’s Chapel, Crypt and Catacombs, and St. Paul’s Church and the Grotto of St. Paul.
Mdina
With Rabat under your belt it’s time to walk through the Main Gate of the fortified city of Mdina. If it’s not yet dark and you still have time head into St. Paul’s Cathedral or the Cathedral Museum next to it. The museum has some interesting litho’s such as by Albrecht Dürer.
When you think you’ve seen Mdina head for some drinks at Fontanella Tea Garden. I recommend getting there in time for sunset though. Try to get a table inside the glass structure, so you can see Mdina transition into its nighttime appearance.
Mdina by night
Explore the streets again with the lanterns illuminating the yellow and golden coloured bricks of the buildings and streets.
To me the city at night feels like having been transported to the Arabian Peninsula. 1,001 Arabian Nights anyone? Adding mystery to the experience is the fact that there’s hardly anyone else around. Mdina is therefore also referred to as the Silent City of Malta and the perfect ending to the second day of your weekend in Malta.
Day 3 | Explore Malta’s capital city Valletta
On day 3 of your long weekend in Malta you’re going to check out Valletta, the capital city of Malta. The island of Malta is pretty small in itself, but the capital city with only about 6,000 inhabitants is the smallest capital in all of Europe.
Luckily, what Valletta lacks in size it more than makes up for in things to do. You can easily spend a full day or even longer to explore all that the city has to offer.
Check out my article on the 11 Best Things To Do in Valletta in One Day to find out how to spend your third day in Malta’s capital.
Weekend or week?
If day 3 is the last day of your long weekend in Malta, then try to start early to pack it all in.
With one week in Malta my advice is to skip Fort St. Elmo and the War Museum on day 3. That way you have more time to visit Valletta at a more leisurely pace.
Consequently, visit the St. Elmo Fort and War Museum on the morning of day 4.
Day 4 | Valletta’s Fort St. Elmo | The Three Cities
If you have an extra day in your long weekend in Malta, or if you’re staying for a week, then you can spend more time in Valletta!
Start the day with more Valletta
Take another look at Day 3 of this article, but skip Fort St. Elmo and the War Museum. Instead spend the morning of Day 4 exploring the Fort and War Museum.
Now if a war museum doesn’t sound very appealing to you then let me assure you that I understand you! However, I highly recommend you to visit if you want to learn more about Malta’s role in Mediterranean history.
Walk from the Fort of St. Elmo to the Upper Barrakka Gardens and take the lift down to the terrace from where the ferry to Birgu (Vittoriosa) departs. Birgu is one of The Three Cities.
Three Cities
So close to Valletta, yet you find yourself far away from the crowds. The Three Cities aren’t really on the tourist radar yet, so all the more reason to visit.
They consist of two peninsulas called Vittoriosa (Birgu) and Senglea and those are connected by a third city named Bormla. Out of the Three Cities Vittoriosa and Senglea certainly have the biggest draws.
- Vittoriosa | In Vittoriosa explore the picture perfect narrow streets and visit the church of St. Lawrence and the Inquisitor’s Palace. The recently restored Fort St. Angelo is also open to the public and offers magnificent views of the harbour.
- Senglea | Time it right to visit the Vedette in Senglea just before noon or 4pm. Surrounding this watchtower are the Gardjola Gardens where you can watch the Saluting Battery’s cannon firing.
Day 5 | Spend a day at the beach
After 4 days of sightseeing it’s time for a relaxing day at the beach. Below a list of 6 of Malta’s best beaches.
- Ghajn Tuffieha Bay – This lovely bay is close to Golden Bay, but without the crowds.
- Qarraba Bay – A bit of a hike to get to, but you leave the crowds far behind you.
- Golden Bay – A soft sand beach with plenty opportunities for water based activities.
- Fomm ir-Rih – The place to go to for some peace and quiet. It takes some hiking to get here, but it’s totally worth the effort.
- Ghar Lapsi – A beautiful place for swimming in a natural pool.
- St. Peter’s Pool – The best spot if you want to go for a swim.
Day 6 | The Blue Lagoon & Comino Walk
Today let’s go Comino! This rather tiny rock in between the islands of Malta and Gozo is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. And rightfully so, because there are some pretty stunning sights on the island:
- The Blue Lagoon | The crystal clear waters of The Blue Lagoon offer an amazing place to swim and relax. But… time your visit right, because its popularity might be overwhelming. Also a few words of advice: Don’t go on weekends! And don’t go in July and August! Also arrive very early!
- Comino Walk | If you’re into a little more adventure and want to see more than just The Blue Lagoon, then you can do the Comino Walk. This walk circumnavigates the whole island and takes about 2.5 to 4 hrs to complete depending on how many stops you make.
Tip: Bring plenty of water! Drench yourself in sunscreen! And wear a hat! There is no shade on Comino.
How to get to Comino
It’s quite easy to get to Comino. Drive to Cirkewwa to park your car and afterwards take the ferry across to Comino. You can check the Comino ferry schedule for your preferred times.
Day 7 | Finish your week in Malta in Gozo
Time to go Gozo! The third and final island of Malta and also the final day of your week-long Malta itinerary.
Victoria (Rabat)
After your arrival at the ferry terminal of Mgarr (Gozo) your first stop is Victoria, the biggest city on Gozo. The main attraction in Victoria is Il-Kastell or the Cittadella as it’s also known.
Spend a few hours to check out the Visitors Centre, the Cathedral of the Assumption and Cathedral Museum. Don’t forget to take in the sweeping views. The Cittadella is built on top of a hill, so you can pretty much view the whole island from here.
Time for lunch? My recommendation is to take a seat at Café Jubilee that’s right outside the Cittadella’s walls.
Xlendi to Sanap Cliffs hike
Xlendi Bay is known to be the finish of the Xlendi Walk. This 12 km long hike connects the port town of Mgarr with the fishing village of Xlendi along Gozo’s southern coast.
You won’t have time to hike this today, but you do have time for a hike from Xlendi Beach to the Sanap Cliffs. Start by parking your car somewhere at Xlendi Beach and walk south following the coast to the Il Kantra inlet.
From Il Kantra continue to the Xlendi Tower and the salt pans that are next to it. Then continue to follow the path south along the cliffs until you get to the Sanap Cliffs.
Prepare for spectacular views along some of the highest cliffs of Gozo. Afterwards, turn around and follow the same path back to your car or follow an alternative more interior route.
This hike is about 4 km long and should take about an hour if you keep on walking. Allocate at least 2 hours to include stops along the way.
The Xlendi Walk is the first part of the Gozo Coastal Walk and takes 5 to 6 hours one way, whereas the total Gozo Coastal walk takes about 4 days to complete.
Xhagra
On your way back to the ferry make a quick stop at the Ta’ Kola windmill. I don’t know why, but I love windmills. Maybe it’s because I’m Dutch? Either way, it’s worth a quick stop over.
Ta’ Mena winery
With a little more time you can also visit the Ta’ Mena winery, just outside Xhagra to stock up on some olives, Gozo sea salt and other Mediterranean delicacies. To eat on the ferry back or to take home as a souvenir.
How to get to Gozo
Just like yesterday, today you’re also driving to Cirkewwa. But this time take the Gozo Channel ferry across to Mgarr on Gozo.
For a schedule and ticket fares check the Gozo Channel website. Taking the car across allows for maximum flexibility. It’s also very affordable, because you can already get a ticket for just under €16 that includes both the car and the driver. Also, the crossing takes just 30 minutes.
If you don’t feel comfortable driving your rental car onto a ferry, then park the car in Cirkewwa and cross as a foot passenger.
Alternatively, park your car in Valletta and take the Gozo Fast Ferry to Gozo. To get to the ferry walk to the Upper Barrakka Gardens from your parking space and then take the lift down to the ferry terminal.
Tip: Once in Gozo, get around by using the hop-on hop-off bus or rent an electric bike in Mgarr.
Where to stay on your week-long Malta itinerary?
Valletta is a good base to explore the rest of Malta from. Parking next to your accommodation could be a challenge here though. If that’s something you really want, perhaps it’s better to stay in nearby Sliema or St. Julians. Below are some recommendations in different price ranges.
MID-RANGE – Mercure St. Julian’s
With free underground parking and a rooftop pool this brand new hotel is hard to beat in this price range. St. Julian’s might not be the loveliest part of Malta, but it’s convenient location serves as a great base to explore the island.
LUXURY – Hilton Malta
The Hilton is exactly what you can expect from any Hilton around the world. Everything works, it’s clean, the staff is friendly and it’s comfortable. With free underground parking, a pool, excellent views and plenty of entertainment, the Hilton Malta is a great choice.
LUXURY BOUTIQUE – Iniala Harbour House
For a super luxurious and more personal stay in Malta your best bet is the Iniala Harbour House boutique hotel. This is the place to be for a hotel with a luxury spa, indoor pool, a Michelin star restaurant and rooms overlooking Valletta’s Grand Harbour.
Final Thoughts
And that’s it for an incredible week or a long weekend in Malta. Let me know in the comments section below if you have any questions or would like to leave a message.
Also if you enjoyed reading this article, please browse around the rest of my website for more travel inspiration. If you want to stay updated on future articles then subscribe to my newsletter below. And please follow me on instagram to follow my whereabouts.
