Let’s face it, when you take a look at the map of Malta, it doesn’t seem that big. Actually, it isn’t that big. But don’t let the size fool you. There is a surprising amount of things to see on this little island. During our time in Malta, we found ourselves hurrying to fit everything in. We discovered that Malta is a country full of surprises: ancient temples, cute fishing villages, great beaches, a wonderful capital and great nature spots.
This 7-day travel itinerary for Malta covers all the main regions of the island and its sister islands Gozo and Comino, one day at a time. It is the overview we wish we had when we prepared our travels to Malta. We tried to keep it simple and practical. We also included a map below, with all the main attractions for each region, to help you navigate.
How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations. You can also click on the locations to display further information. Click on the top right corner of the map to open a larger version of the map in a new tab. Click the star (favorites) next to the name of the map to save to your Google Maps.
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7-day travel itinerary for Malta
To get around, we highly recommend renting a car in Malta. We wrote an in-depth blog with all the information you need for renting a car and driving in Malta. We recommend to rent a car through Discovercars.com, with free cancellation and insurance included. Discovercars is a world leader in comparing prices and guarantees the best rates. It is our go-to rental search engine when traveling and we never had any bad experiences!
Read more: All the information you need for renting a car and driving in Malta.
Best time to visit Malta
The best time to visit Malta? Well, it all depends on you!
We visited Malta in early spring (March to May), in search of warmer days, sea views, and a much-needed break from the grey skies in Belgium. It turned out to be an excellent time to visit the island, with few crowds and pleasant temperatures. Keep in mind that during spring time, the temperature of the ocean water is still too cold to swim. But the moderate temperatures are great for sightseeing and exploration and Malta is at its greenest. We did however have a lot of wind during spring and cold evenings.
In summer (June to August), you’ll get guaranteed sunshine and it’s the perfect time for a beach holiday. But note that summer is also high season with more crowds and higher prices. It can get hot in the Maltese summer, so middays are best spent at the sea or in the shade.
During autumn (September to November) you’ll get the same advantages as in spring. Another advantage of autumn is that water temperatures are still warm from summer. Main disadvantage of this season is that there are more rainy days, especially in November.
Don’t expect a tropical escape during the winter months (December to February). But prices in Malta are at its cheapest and crowds are at its lowest. But keep in mind that some tours and activities might be closed during these months.
We summarized everything below, so you can make a well-informed decision about when to visit Malta.
The perfect travel itinerary for Malta
Day 1 – Valletta and the Three Cities
Day 1 is all about Culture, with the capital C. We kicked off our trip with a full day in Valletta and the Three Cities. We think this is the best way to start your exploration of Malta.
Valletta is one of the smallest capitals in Europe and you can walk from one end to the other in under 30 minutes. The city is packed with charm, history, and has a ridiculously pretty entrance when entering via the Triton fountain.
The main attraction in Valletta are:
- St. John’s Co-Cathedral – From the outside, it looks rather plain. But once you step inside the cathedral, you are in awa. The interior is pure baroque drama with an abundance of gold and marble.
- Upper Barrakka Gardens – Definitely the best view in the city. This garden overlooks the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. We skipped it because it was too touristy for us, but if you want to see the cannon firing, make sure to plan your visit around noon.
- The Grandmaster’s Palace – Once the seat of the Knights of St. John. Parts of it are open to the public, and the armoury is fascinating if you like cool old swords and helmets.
Insider tip: Valletta wakes up slowly but in the afternoon it can get very busy. So explore the city in the morning and hop on a boat across the harbour in the afternoon. Because just across the water lie Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea (Isla), and Cospicua (Bormla), also known as theThree Cities. They’re older than Valletta, less crowded and with a lot of local character.
We stayed our entire time in Malta in an Airbnb in the Three Cities and for us it was ideal. We didn’t had to bother about parking for our car and could quickly leave the city to explore the rest of the island. When you are in the Three Cities, make sure not to miss Fort St. Angelo and a walk along the waterfront promenade.
If you are planning to visit many attractions on Malta, consider buying a Malta Discount Card.
Day 2 – The East of Malta
Day 2 is a fully-packed day, so an early start is advised. Some attractions foreseen on this day can also be included on day 3 in Malta. If you are staying in Valletta, the first attraction on your route is a monument with three crosses. It is still unclear for whom these crosses are here, some say it’s for a demon that came died three times here, or three priests. Curious are the torturing elements that are visible on the cross in the middle.
From here, we continued to the Darmanin Salt Pans. It’s a peaceful spot and a great intro to Malta’s natural beauty. When continuing driving along the coast, you’ll encounter Marsaskala, a pleasant fishing village with a promenade perfect for a coffee.
The next stop was definitely one of our highlights of the day: the Ta Kalanka Sea Cave. This place is a very photogenic spot. Nearby, we also found some hiking paths with stunning views over the sea and the cliffs.
If you are fancying a swim, the next stop is the place to be: St. Peter’s Pool. Here you can sunbathe on the flat rocks or dive from the cliffs. We ended our day in Marsaxlokk, colorful fishing town with some very photogenic boats.
An insider tip from us: Make sure to bring a visit to the Ghar Dalam museum, a prehistoric cave with layers of fossilized animal bones of dwarf elephants and ancient deer.
Day 3 – The South of Malta
On this day, you’ll get to discover some historical and natural wonders. As the light is best before noon, we highly recommend starting your day at the Blue Grotto. To be honest, we didn’t expect to much from this site but it really surprised us. You can witness this natural wonder from above, but we also advise you to take a boat tour, that takes you inside the Blue Grotto and some other sea caves.
Not far from Blue Grotto lies Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra. These prehistoric temples are more than 5.000 years, so that’s older than the pyramids. Some details of these temples where mind-blowing!
A great place to end you day is at Malta’s highest point: the Dingli Cliffs. Especially at sunset (during golden hour), the views here are spectacular. We loved watching the sunset spectacle with our favorite drink from Malta: Kinnie!
Day 4 – Mdina and Rabat
Next to Valletta, Mdina and Rabat are probably the most famous cities on Malta. And day 4 of this travel itinerary for Malta takes you there. Mdina feels like stepping back into time. This place is a perfectly preserved medieval town and used to be Malta’s capital. The entire town is a highlight, so take your time to get lost in its charming streets.
Just outside Mdina, you’ll find Rabat. The main attraction here are the St. Paul’s Catacombs and it was definitely a highlight for us. These catacombs are ancient underground burial chambers dating back to Roman times.
Insider tip: If you are in Rabat, make sure to buy the best pastizzi from the local bakery Is-Serkin. Absolutely delicious!
If you have time and you want to see some spectacular coastline, make sure to take a trip to Blata tal-Melh on the western coast. Matthias still considers this as his favorite place on Malta. This place is a little bit off the tourist trail, and that’s exactly why we think it’s totally worth it. The trail to get there isn’t marked well, and it can be steep in parts, so wear good shoes and avoid it if it’s windy or wet. We went late in the afternoon, and it felt like discovering a secret side of Malta! The hike down to the coast is rugged, but once you’re there, it’s magical.
Day 5 – The North of Malta
This day is all about the north of Malta. One of the highlights in the North is the Rotunda of Mosta, a massive church with one of the largest unsupported domes in the world. During WWII, a bomb crashed through the dome during a service and luckily it didn’t explode. The replica of that bomb is on display inside. Even if you are not a fan of churches, make sure not to miss this one.
Another attraction in the North is the Red Tower, a 17th-century fort painted in red, looking over the sea. The views here are brilliant and it is a great place to have a walk.
We ended our day at the Popeye Village viewpoint. Admitted, it is a little bit kitschy but the viewing from above is really fun. The village was originally a film set for the 1980 musical with Robin Williams, and now it is a open-air museum and theme park.
Day 6 – Boat trip to Comino
Now, to be totally honest with you: we didn’t actually go to Comino during our trip. We were there in early spring, and while the weather was sunny, it just was not warm enough to enjoy the swimming and snorkeling.
But if you are heading to Malta during late spring, summer, or early autumn, this should absolutely be on your travel itinerary for Malta! Comino is Malta’s smallest sister island and it is all about nature. Limestone cliffs, sea caves, and that most turquoise water you’ve ever seen.
Most people visit Comino as a day trip by boat from either Cirkewwa (in the north of Malta) or Mgarr (if you’re coming from Gozo). There are different types of boats and tours to choose from. The highlights of a daytrip to Comino are definitely the Blue Lagoon, the Crystal Lagoon and snorkeling by the caves.
Day 7 – A day on Gozo
A day at Gozo should make it on your travel itinerary for Malta and it is the best way to end you time there. If you want to extend your stay, we would highly suggest to take an extra day in Gozo. To get there, you can take a ferry from the North of Malta and you can bring your car onboard. There are plenty of things to see and do on Gozo, but there are our favorites:
- Victoria (Rabat) and the Citadel – This is Gozo’s main town and the Citadel is the star here.
- Dwejra and the Inland Sea – Unfortunately, the famous Azure Window collapsed a few years ago, but the area is still dramatic. There is a little inland sea connected to the ocean by a tunnel where you can take a small boat ride through it
- The Tal-Mixta above a stunning bay that offers epic views
- Wied il-Għasri – A narrow gorge that leads to the see
Insider tip: Although the Azure Window has collapsed, there is another great sea arch on Gozo: the Wied Il-Mielaħ Natural Arch.
We hope this 7-day travel itinerary for Malta gives you a solid starting point to plan your own Maltese adventure. When we first arrived, we honestly weren’t sure what to expect but we were pleasantly surprised by just how much there was to see.
This guide is meant to pinpoint the highlights, but of course, there is so much more to see and do in Malta. That’s why we’ll also be sharing more in-depth blog posts soon.
If you have any questions or if you have been to Malta and found a secret beach or a favorite attraction we missed, don’t hesitate to let us know.
Happy travels!
Mieke & Matthias
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