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 combines history, culture, sea, and nature. In this itinerary of 5 days in Malta, you will have the opportunity to discover the historical wonders of Valletta, the capital rich in monuments, and to explore charming 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 must-see places such as 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 not only to visit 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 Malta travel itinerary, you will start in the tiny capital of the country, Valletta, before expanding to the most remote corners of the country. You will not only see other cities, the coast, and the hinterland, 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 optimize 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 summer itinerary in Malta will also guide you to the best beaches where you can relax in the sun or snorkel in crystal-clear waters. There will also be advice on how to visit the main towns, such as Sliema and St. Julian’s, and how to take advantage of the many 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 the country’s capital, Valletta. Stretching out on a peninsula with harbors on both sides, Valletta is a treasure trove of important Maltese cultural and heritage sites.
Your time in Valletta starts first of all by crossing the city’s massive fortifications and entering the City Gate of Valletta. From there you are able to explore the historic streets of the city, from the main pedestrian area of Republic Street, to all the steep side streets running down toward the harbors. If you want to see the classic view of colorful Maltese balconies, here you will find them.
After a while, try to reach one of Malta’s most important religious sites, the St. John’s Co-Cathedral. It dates 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 Armory, once used by the Order of St. John.
There is also more of Valletta’s past to discover in the city’s top museums. For a complete overview of the islands’ long history, go 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 and Lower Barrakka Gardens. These garden terraces, as well as being beautiful in themselves, offer superb views over the Grand Harbour and other Valletta landmarks.
On your second day in Malta, venture beyond the Grand Harbour from La Valletta to the historic Three Cities. Composed of 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 beautiful views of La Valletta. Crossing the picturesque streets of Senglea, reach the imposing Senglea Basilica. Leaving the city, you will pass through the main gate of the St. Michael Bastion, the fortification that protects this end of Senglea.
Following the seafront, 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 the capital of Malta before the founding of La Valletta. Following the seafront 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 but characteristic side streets 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 La 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 the main island of Malta, 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 trip. This tour, for example, is highly recommended and visits all the most famous places in that area.
Since it is closer, start with some time in Comino. The smallest of the three main islands, Comino has only three permanent residents and is a nature reserve featuring rocky, 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 harbor, you are already treated to a picturesque town and the Lourdes Chapel looking down on you. 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 in the dead center of the island, Victoria or Rabat, as it is also known, is the capital of Gozo. Start your visit at Independence Square to get a feel for this old-fashioned town, before heading up to the imposing Citadel of the town. This castle turned fortress not only hosts stunning views from its fortifications but also 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. Standing outside the city defenses, with tall stone walls in front of you, it’s evident how ancient this city is. Much of a visit to Mdina consists simply of wandering from one scenic square to another along narrow, atmospheric stone streets. You might even recognize some spots, like the bridge over the main gate, as Mdina was one of the Game of Thrones filming locations in Malta.
Mdina also has landmarks and attractions. One of the best things to do there is to walk up to the bastions at the northern end and admire expansive views of the island. Despite how far inland Mdina is, you can still see the coast from up here. The fortified city also houses several palaces preserved like the Palazzo Falson, churches such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the National Museum of Natural History.
Beyond the walls of Mdina 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-era house. You can also see what a 16th-century palace looked like at Casa Bernard or view the 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 found throughout 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 shrine quite pleasant, but the surrounding terraces offer breathtaking views. Mellieha is also home to old air raid shelters, some of the largest used in Malta during World War II. Just a short downhill trip brings you to the fantastic beach on the Għadira Bay where you can sunbathe or swim.
In this part of Malta you’ll also find a strange but popular attraction, the Popeye Village. This small village on a sheltered bay was built for the live-action Popeye film. Today, it is a Popeye-themed park with boat rides, mini golf, and more. The village looks quite cute 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 throughout 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 shortly before World War II.
Day 6 and beyond
The idea behind this 5-day Malta itinerary 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 best destinations in the country, but there is no reason why you cannot 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 of other fantastic places to visit.
- Marsaxlokk: on the eastern coast of Malta, 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, clothes, 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 extraordinary coast. Inland, you can visit the Clapham Junction cart ruts that show where an ancient road once ran near the Għar il-Kbir cave. From there, walk towards the Buskett Gardens, the only true forest of Malta, for the orange trees 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 the giant cliffs and rocky coast, head to the Ta’ Ċenċ cliffs or Dwejra Bay. Gozo also hosts some incredible historic monuments, namely the Ġgantija Neolithic temple, recognized by UNESCO. Head to Ramla Beach, a beautiful spot, or visit the sea salt pans located west of Marsalforn, which are a unique spectacle. Above all, you can hike in most places here.
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When to visit Malta
While organizing 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 get quite crowded during the high season.
Many think of Malta as a summer destination because of its resorts and coastline. Consequently, Malta’s high season arrives in 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 seeking the heat, the best time to visit Malta is actually in 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 won’t have to pay peak prices.
Another time of year not to be underestimated is winter, which is officially the low season in Malta. Though it won’t 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 possibility of some rainy and windy days, but for the most part, bad weather won’t bother you too much.
Getting Around Malta
Malta is not a large country, and traveling from one side to the other and back is feasible in a single day. Due to its size, travelers visiting Malta have the opportunity to explore the entire country, often starting from a single base like Valletta. Malta is made up of several islands, so you need to account for moving from one island to another.
Getting around Malta is usually more convenient 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 about Malta’s bus network. Being the only public transportation in Malta, 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. Obviously, 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
Knowing 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 at the center of Valletta, whether it is 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 the high season as options usually sell out quickly.
Unlike other countryside itineraries, there is really no need to move around 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 is fine. You could move 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 suitable for you in Malta. Malta may not be the cheapest holiday 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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