Malta, a small but charming jewel of the Mediterranean, is a destination that offers an extraordinary variety of experiences, ideal for those who want a trip that mixes history, culture, sea, and nature. In this itinerary of 5 days in Malta, you will have the opportunity to discover the historical wonders of La Valletta, the capital rich in monuments, and explore the fascinating towns like Mdina and Rabat, which tell the millenary history of the island. Malta is also famous for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, which you can enjoy by following our 5-day itinerary in Malta. Each day will take you to visit unmissable places like the bays of Gozo and Comino, the two twin islands that make up the Maltese archipelago.
The perfect 5-day itinerary in Malta
This 5-day Malta tour will allow you to visit not only the main attractions but also to experience the local culture through unique experiences. You will discover culinary traditions, ancient churches, and historic palaces, as well as explore natural trails and marine reserves that make Malta a true paradise for nature lovers. If you are looking to find out what to do in Malta in 5 days, you will find everything you need in this guide, designed to give you a complete and varied trip.
To help you understand the best places to visit in Malta and where to find them, this guide will show you what Malta has to offer travelers. Following our travel itinerary in Malta, you will start in the tiny capital of the country, Valletta, before expanding to the most remote corners of the country. Not only will you see other cities, the coast, and the countryside, but you will also have the opportunity to see the other main Maltese islands, Gozo and Comino.
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And now back to our guide on what to do during your 5 days in Malta. Below you will find everything you need to know about the best things to do in Malta, so you can have a fantastic time exploring this fascinating place.
The itinerary we suggest is designed to make the most of your time on the island, with tips on how to best organize your days, balancing relaxation and adventure. If you are interested in a summer trip, our 5-day Malta summer itinerary will also guide you to the best beaches to relax in the sun or snorkel in crystal-clear waters. There will also be advice on how to visit the main cities, such as Sliema and St. Julian’s, and how to take advantage of the numerous walking tours of the cities to discover Malta’s history, from prehistory to the present day.
There is no better place to start your trip to Malta than with the country’s capital, Valletta. Stretching over a peninsula with harbors on both sides, Valletta is a treasure of important Maltese cultural and heritage sites.
Your time in Valletta begins first and foremost by crossing the mighty fortifications of the city and entering the City Gate of Valletta. From there you can explore the historic streets of the city, from the main pedestrian area of Republic Street, to all the steep side streets running down towards the harbors. If you want to see the classic view of colorful Maltese balconies, you will find them here.
After a while, try to reach one of Malta’s most important religious sites, the St. John’s Co-Cathedral. It may date back to the 16th century and has a strong association with the Knights of St. John, but the real draw for visitors is the incredibly opulent Baroque interior full of frescoes and gilded edges. Nearby is the Grandmaster’s Palace, where you can take a tour through the State Rooms and the palace Armoury, once used by the Order of St. John.
There is also more of Valletta’s past to discover in the city’s best museums. For a comprehensive look at the islands’ long history, head to the National Museum of Archaeology. To better understand Malta’s complicated and bloody military history, visit Fort St. Elmo at the tip of the peninsula. If you want to see what noble life was like in Malta, the beautiful rooms of Casa Rocca Piccola will surely satisfy you.
Finally, to enjoy some of the best views of the city, head to one or both of the Upper Barrakka Gardens and Lower Barrakka Gardens. These garden terraces, aside from being beautiful in themselves, offer superb views of the Grand Harbour and other points of interest in Valletta.
On your second day in Malta, venture beyond the Grand Harbour from Valletta to the historic Three Cities. Comprising Senglea, Cospicua, and Birgu, the Three Cities are a fortified urban area boasting traditional Maltese architecture and monuments, but with far fewer tourists.
Start your visit there with the city of Senglea and the Gardjola Gardens located at the tip of the peninsula. Part of the fortifications that protected Senglea from the 16th century onwards under the Order of St. John, they feature charming turrets and splendid views of Valletta. Walking through the picturesque streets of Senglea, reach the imposing Senglea Basilica. Exiting the city, you will pass through the main gate of the St. Michael Bastion, the fortification protecting this end of Senglea.
Following the waterfront, you will soon reach the next of the Three Cities, Cospicua. The most residential of the three, there are few places to see in Cospicua besides the beautiful St Helen’s Gate and the recently renovated docks.
Last but not least is Birgu, the oldest of the Three Cities and Malta’s capital before the founding of Valletta. Following the waterfront you will reach the Maritime Museum which covers Malta’s proud naval traditions. From there, continue into the center of this medieval city and visit the historic Inquisitor’s Palace. Stroll through the quiet yet characteristic backstreets of the city until you reach Fort St. Angelo. Here you can learn about all the civilizations that have influenced Malta’s history and enjoy more views of the Three Cities and Valletta.
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Then it’s time to see what’s happening on the other islands of Malta with a trip to Gozo and Comino. Located northwest of Malta’s main island, the two islands allow you to see some very different sides of Malta.
Recommendation: the best way to experience Gozo and Comino is to take a relaxing boat tour. This tour, for example, is highly recommended and visits all the most famous spots in that area.
Since it’s closer, start with some time at Comino. The smallest of the three main islands, Comino has only three permanent residents and is a nature reserve featuring rocky and arid terrain. The island is best known for its swimming spots, with the Blue Lagoon by far the most famous. The Crystal Lagoon, however, is a nice alternative. On land, you can walk or bike to the Santa Marija Tower and enjoy beautiful views of the coastline.
Gozo is different again with a much more rural and rustic atmosphere and is much larger than Comino. Entering the Mgarr Harbour, you are already greeted by a picturesque town and the Lourdes Chapel overlooking you from above. Now, while half a day is too short to see all of Gozo, most travelers focus their attention on the island’s main town, Victoria.
Located dead center on the island, Victoria or Rabat, as it is also known, is the capital of Gozo. Begin your visit with Independence Square to get a feel for this old-fashioned town before climbing up to the imposing Cittadella of the city. This castle turned fortress not only offers splendid views from its fortifications but also houses a large cathedral and numerous museums, including the Gozo Archaeological Museum. Before leaving, take some time to stroll through the incredibly narrow streets of Victoria lined with traditional Maltese houses.
Moving away from the coast, it’s time to take a short trip to the ancient fortified city of Mdina and its modern neighbor Rabat. A day here will let you experience a different era in Mdina and some important religious monuments in Rabat.
Often known as the Silent City, Mdina has long been the capital of Malta. Staying outside the city’s defenses, with tall stone walls in front of you, it is evident how ancient this city is. Much of a visit to Mdina simply consists of wandering from one scenic square to another along narrow, evocative stone streets. You might even recognize some spots, like the bridge across the main gate, as Mdina was one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones in Malta.
Mdina also has landmarks and attractions. One of the best things to do there is to walk to the bastions at the northern end and admire wide views of the island. Despite how far inland Mdina is, you can still see the coast from up here. The fortified city is also home to several preserved palaces like the Palazzo Falson, churches such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the National Museum of Natural History.
Beyond Mdina’s walls lies the modern town of Rabat, which grew around the fortress. Less popular than Mdina, Rabat still has its share of attractions. There is the Domus Romana museum housing artifacts and remains of an ancient Roman house. You can also see what a 16th-century palace looked like at Casa Bernard or view signs of early Christianity in Malta inside the St. Paul’s Catacombs.
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With so much more to see in Malta, you’ll want to use your last day there to explore the northwestern tip of the island. In that part of Malta, the main focus is the town of Mellieha and a strange assortment of places scattered across the countryside.
Mellieha is not a large town, but a place like the parish church of Mellieha is reason enough to visit. Not only are the church and the nearby sanctuary quite pleasant, but the surrounding terraces offer breathtaking views. Mellieha also hosts old air raid shelters, some of the largest used in Malta during World War II. Just a short downhill journey will bring you to the fantastic beach at Għadira Bay where you can sunbathe or swim.
In this part of Malta, you’ll also find a strange but popular attraction, Popeye Village. This small village on a sheltered bay was built for the live-action Popeye movie. Today, it is a Popeye-themed park with boat rides, mini golf, and more. The village looks quite charming from the nearby cliffs, which are worth exploring for their super coastal scenery.
Other assorted attractions nearby include the Red Tower, one of many towers built across Malta by the Order of St. John in the 17th century. And on the opposite side of Mellieha, you’ll find Fort Campbell, which was a British fort built just before World War II.
Day 6 and beyond
The idea behind this 5-day itinerary in Malta is to show you the types of places you can include during your first visit to Malta. So far, we have highlighted some of the country’s best destinations, but there is no reason why you can’t stay longer and spend 1 week or more in Malta. To help you decide if you want to spend more time in Malta, here are some suggestions for other great places to visit.
- Marsaxlokk: on Malta’s eastern coast, Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village known for its beautiful scenery. Take a walk along the village waterfront to see the traditional brightly colored Maltese fishing boats known as luzzu. Marsaxlokk is also known for its Sunday market, where the fish market has evolved into a farmers’ market with local produce, clothing, and souvenirs.
- Dingli: Another beautiful coastal destination located beyond Mdina is the small village of Dingli. Best known for the epic and rugged Dingli Cliffs, you will definitely want to take a walk along this remarkable coast. Inland, you can visit the Clapham Junction cart ruts which show where an ancient road once ran near Għar il-Kbir cave. From there, walk to the Buskett Gardens, Malta’s only true forest, for the orange groves and woodland scenery.
- Gozo: Even if you have already spent some time on the island of Gozo, there is much more to see there. For giant cliffs and rocky coastlines, head to the Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs or Dwejra Bay. Gozo is also home to some incredible historical monuments, namely the UNESCO-recognized Neolithic Ġgantija Temples. Head to Ramla Beach, a beautiful spot, or visit the salt pans by the sea located west of Marsalforn, which are a unique sight. Most of all, you can hike in most of the places here.
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When to Visit Malta
While planning your trip to Malta, one of the first things to consider is the time of year you want to visit. Although it is an island destination in the Mediterranean, Malta experiences different seasons and can become quite crowded during the high season.
Many think of Malta as a summer destination because of its resorts and coastline. As a result, Malta’s high season falls in the summer, with July, August, and September being the busiest months on the island. During this time of year, you can expect warm and sunny weather, and prices for accommodation and tours will be at their highest.
Unless you are really looking for the heat, the best time to visit Malta is actually in the spring. From April to June Malta enjoys comfortable daytime weather, and nights that are not too cool. Additionally, there is the added benefit that you will not have to pay peak prices.
Another time of year not to be overlooked is winter, which is officially the low season in Malta. Although it will not be as warm as in spring or summer, winter in Malta is much more pleasant than what the rest of Europe experiences. There is a chance of some rainy and windy days, but for the most part, bad weather will not bother you too much.
How to get around Malta
Malta is not a large country, and traveling from one side to the other and back is doable in a single day. Thanks to its size, travelers visiting Malta have the opportunity to explore the entire country, often starting from a single base such as Valletta. Malta is made up of several islands, so you need to consider moving from one island to another.
Getting around Malta is usually more comfortable on foot, by bus, or by ferry. While it is certainly possible to rent a car and drive around Malta, traffic and narrow roads can make the experience slow and tiring. That said, there is a car ferry to Gozo, so there is practically no place in Malta that you cannot reach by car.
The same can be said of Malta’s bus network. Being the only public transportation in Malta, the buses reach every corner of the country. From the moment you land at Luqa airport, you can use the bus network to get almost anywhere, and the ticket price is always the same, regardless of the distance. Of course, buses also have to deal with Malta’s traffic problems, so always allow more time to get somewhere than the bus schedule indicates.
Being an island nation with so much coastline, Malta’s ferries are a necessity. The most useful ferries to be aware of are from Valletta to Sliema and the Three Cities, as well as from Cirkewwa to the islands of Gozo and Comino.
Where to Stay in Malta
Understanding where to stay in Malta will be another important consideration when planning your trip. Generally, the best places to stay in Malta are those that keep you central to Valletta, whether located in the capital itself or nearby in places like the Three Cities or St Julian’s Bay. Regardless of the area chosen, be sure to book in advance during peak season as options usually sell out quickly.
Unlike other countryside itineraries, there is really no need to relocate during the trip since anywhere mentioned here can be covered as day trips if you stay in a central spot. That said, if you want to move around a bit, that’s fine. You could shift from the Valletta area to Mellieha or St Paul’s Bay halfway through, and it wouldn’t really impact your itinerary in Malta.
If you like staying in hotels, resorts, hostels, or apartments, you will definitely find something that suits you in Malta. Malta may not be the cheapest vacation, but regardless of the type of accommodation you are looking for in Malta, Booking.com is definitely the best place to search.
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