Welcome to Malta: A Mediterranean Marvel

Come to recharge and re-energize. You deserve it.

Probably you want to bookmark this page, and send it to those you will be travelling with. Malta is small enough to explore deeply, but layered enough that a loose plan makes a big difference.

This guide keeps the local feel, the practical details, the family angle, the beach time, the history, and the transport reality together in one place. It is not a brochure. It is meant to help you decide what to do, what to skip, how to move around, and where to base yourself so the holiday feels easy rather than fragmented.

Before you go

Getting there:

Ryanair often has some great deals, and KM Malta Airlines can also be worth checking. You can also take a fast ferry from Sicily to Malta. If you are arriving by private boat, there are plenty of marinas, but do check availability in advance.

You can also set up a Google Flights alert and it will notify you when prices drop.

Best time to visit:

Malta is good all year round. Every season has its own charm. In spring, summer and autumn you have the sea. In winter you still get sunshine, open landscapes and a very pleasant climate compared with much of Europe.

Best location to stay:

Hands down, Sliema and Gzira. In these neighbouring localities, fun is always just a few metres away. These two popular seaside towns are also very well connected to the rest of the island.

Why a short let often works better than a hotel:

Hotels are nice. However, having the privacy of a complete apartment, often several times larger than a minuscule hotel room, has a lot more advantages. An apartment today can offer most of the practical comforts people want, and with delivery apps you can have food brought to your door. Short-let apartments in Malta are generally very good value for money.

What this itinerary assumes:

This Malta self-guided itinerary has been done with families in mind, for an 8 to 10 day stay in Malta and a bit of Gozo. Of course you are free to pick and mix any of the activities below in any order and as you see fit.

• In Malta we drive on the left.
• Good weather and good sea conditions are never guaranteed, even when the calendar looks promising.
• Use Google Maps, but also leave yourself some flexibility. Malta is small, but individual days can run long.
• For family planning, this is a very mix-and-match itinerary rather than a rigid schedule.

Day 0: Land, swim, and recharge

Sliema and Gzira area

Getting there:

Pre-book an airport ride before you arrive in Malta. eCabs, Bolt and Uber all operate here, and the official airport taxi service is also available from the terminal. If you prefer public transport, the airport is connected by direct bus services as well. You can hire a car for a few days, but you probably will not need one for your entire stay.

The easiest arrival-day strategy is simple: check in, drop the bags, get into the air, and go straight to the water.

From this beach you have excellent views of Valletta. If you want a calm first dip, Manoel Island is a good first stop.

Sliema beach works as well. You can swim almost anywhere along this coastline and enjoy the open blue sea stretching out into the horizon.

Book your flight and your stay.

Manoel Island, Gzira

Day 1: Coffee, sea breezes, and bites

Visiting: Sliema and Gzira area

It is your first day, so fight the jet lag with some good coffee and some fresh sea breeze. We kept this day light, given people arrive at different hours of the day. If you come in early in the morning or late at night, you can skip to day 2 and visit Sliema and Gzira areas in between your other trips.

Sliema and Gzira are prime tourist areas in Malta, for good reasons. You can find almost anything here: coffee shops, local and international restaurants, live entertainment, beach access, shopping malls, promenades and trendy swimming pools.

Do try the mouth-watering Maltese pastizzi and qassatat.

• Best day 1 rhythm: coffee, promenade, snack, swim, light dinner.
• Good first-night drinks stop: MadAsia, usually more lively later in the evening.
• Good first-night sea-edge stop: Exiles, open from afternoon till late at night.

Exiles can be hard to find seating at times, but the rocky beach is a few steps away. That is part of the charm.

Day 2: Valletta

Visit the capital of Malta, a UNESCO World Heritage city

Take the water taxi from Sliema to Valletta

Less than 15 minutes to cross the harbour. Enjoy the views along the way.

Getting there:

There are many ways to get from Gzira or Sliema to Valletta:

• Bus: Sliema to Valletta by public transport. About 25 minutes.
• Shared ride: Uber, Bolt or eCabs. Around 20 minutes.
• Ferry: from the Sliema side. Most scenic.
• Walk: a good 90 minute hike, but interesting and invigorating.

Short history of Valletta:

The city was designed by the Knights and built through the labour of Maltese people and many others. It is a marvel to visit, even more when you consider that it was built without modern machinery. It is one of the first cities to feature a grid system. The stairs are wide so men in heavy armour could climb up and down easily.

Valletta is a bustling city, with open markets and many excellent sites to visit. It is a mix of cultural, entertainment and culinary delights.

The period of the Knights left its biggest visible impact in Valletta, and their dominion ended with the French invasion in 1798. The French abolished the Inquisition, ended slavery and provided free education. Local power struggles resulted in the Maltese pushing the French out. Valletta the fortress briefly became Valletta the prison as the French locked themselves inside the city.

Two years later in 1800 the British Empire showed up and took over the islands. They ruled continually over the land and its people until independence in 1964. The island was a resort and a trading base for British imperial power. A playground for them, but home for the locals. In World War II, Valletta, being so close to the dockyards where Allied forces repaired their ships, was heavily bombed.

In 1964, a constitutional referendum took place and passed by a margin of only 5%.

Since then a lot of investment has gone into the modernization of Valletta. A new parliament was built, the main fountain was refurbished, the old buses moved out and nightlife returned.

• In some cafeterias, you can order your tea with skimmed milk (halib tal-bott) or fresh milk (halib tal-flixkun).
• Valletta nightlife is booming. Strait Street and many other areas are full of locals and tourists.
• Please do respect the locals. Maltese are a hardworking bunch and many wake up at 6am to go to work.
• Whilst haggling is not common practice, it is acceptable to ask for a discount in the open market.
• Super 5 is the most popular local lottery. Try your luck for 2.5 Euros.
• Floriana, the town before Valletta, also has some impressive sights to visit, such as the granaries and King George V gardens.
• Valletta is filled with restaurants and corner shops that offer local Maltese food delicacies.

Upper Barrakka

St. George’s Square

Republic Square

Hastings Garden and viewpoint

Triton Fountain

Old theatre

Day 3: The Three Cities

Birgu, Bormla, Isla

Getting there:

By water taxi: from Sliema Ferry to Valletta, walking to the Valletta Ferry and then taking another water taxi to Birgu.
By bus: about 1 hour and one bus change, Sliema to the Three Cities by public transport.
By taxi: use the app.

You can easily spend half a day or even a whole day around this area. The Birgu Ticket gives you better deals when visiting.

About the Three Cities:

The Three Cities are Birgu, Bormla and Isla. They are marinated in hundreds of years of rich cultural history. You can only experience this through your five senses. The cities have seen their fair share of blood, war and love. These lands and cities have been fought over by empires throughout the millennia, layering scars on the land, the people, the customs, the language and the culture.

The south of Malta is the most densely populated part of the island.

All the big empires colonized Malta or attempted to do so: the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, the Order of Saint John, the Italians, the French, the British and the Germans. The Three Cities were always central pieces on the invasion chessboard. All these sieges, colonisations and structures of oppression needed fortresses to establish control over the land. Defending is cheaper than attacking.

Isla is as fortified as Valletta and overlooks the main port. Bormla held the drydocks which were used to repair military ships. In the 1970s and 1980s the drydocks were an important source of air pollution due to grit blasting of the ships. The area has now been replaced with gardens and canals.

The most renowned siege is the 1565 Ottoman siege of Malta, where an expeditionary force tried unsuccessfully to take over the city. After many months of bloodshed and reinforcements coming to aid both sides, the Ottomans called it a day and left.

• Travelling with the bus could potentially be faster, as buses have their own lanes on some of the main roads.
• Rinella Beach is the local bathing spot in this part of the island.
• Early morning on Tuesdays there is a Birgu flea market with everything from toys, clothes, books and food. It is mainly active between 8am and 10am.
• Park San Klement is nice for a relaxed picnic and for your kids to play. If you want to eat there, take a packed lunch or check if Uber Eats or Bolt will deliver to the entrance of the park.
• The Zabbar Church is almost cathedral-like and worth a quick visit.
• The Fgura church is an architectural marvel. If you are hiring a car, both are worth a quick visit.

Self-guided walk in the Three Cities

A rewarding self-guided route through bastions, lookouts, churches and museum stops.

Day 4: Mdina and Rabat

Brilliant views, open spaces, rich history and culture

Self-guided walk in Mdina

Have a walk in Mdina. Enjoy the history of the small fort, some of the best views across the islands, and excellent cafeterias serving sweet and savoury delicacies.

How to get there:

Bus, taxi, Uber, Bolt or eCabs. Use Google Maps to figure out the best way for you.

Getting there reality:
Travelling to Mdina by bus or shared ride is relatively easy. However venturing out to areas like Landrijiet and Fomm ir-Rih will be much easier using a rental car. You could combine day 4 and day 7, but day 7 is a very packed day, so most likely you would need to make a few top picks if you combine the two.

About Mdina and Rabat:

Mdina is a fortress built on a plateau overlooking vast swaths of good arable land. It is smaller than Isla and Valletta. One can only wonder at the fear that motivated our forefathers to build such an architectural marvel. The investment into this project at the time was huge. But life is priceless, and humankind will go to extremes to protect their children. This wonder is a testament to that perseverance.

Mdina seems to have been mainly inhabited by nobility, whilst the commoners lived in the surrounding towns. In earlier times Mdina was much larger. Military engineers reduced its size to make it more defendable.

Mdina was founded by Muslim rulers and built together with the labour of those under their control. The Byzantines and Sicilians fought over it too. In 1530 the nobility handed the keys to the city to the Knights of St John. The Ottomans approached the city but never attacked. In 1798 the French took Mdina only to be kicked out by the Maltese and then replaced by the British, who then ruled over the islands for around 164 years.

Self-guided walk in Rabat and self-guided walk in Mdina can work well together.

• Local quirk: Is-Serkin is the famous tea-in-a-glass and pastizzi stop in Rabat.
• There is a sizeable children’s playground at the entrance of Mdina, where kids can have fun and mix with some locals.
• Gianpula Village offers nightlife options and is very close to Mdina.

One practical pick from the cleaner version: after the alleys and bastions, many visitors like to stop for cake and a view at Fontanella, then head back into Rabat for tea, pastizzi and a slower finish.

Day 5: Gozo

Malta’s sister island

Getting there:

You have several options:
Get to Cirkewwa port by bus or car and then take the ferry to Gozo. Sometimes the queues to cross the channel can be long especially during long weekends. You can also take the fast ferry from Valletta to Mgarr if that suits your day better.

About:

Gozo is special and certainly worth visiting for one day. This little island has quite a number of memories in store for your group that are just waiting to be unpacked.

There is something for everyone on the island: sandy beaches for families with young kids, gentle or invigorating hikes, and good bike rides for families with teens. For those travelling with friends, you will also find striking landscapes and scenic walks.

Gozo nightlife in the summer is good. There is usually something happening all week in Marsalforn, Xlendi and Rabat. In winter nightlife is mostly at the weekends. Ask around to see what is happening. The Gozo grapevine is more efficient than the internet itself.

Suggested Gozo itinerary:

1. Visit Rabat, the capital of Gozo, first. A breakfast of pastizzi or qassata, and a quick stop at Pjazza San George will start introducing you gently to the laid-back ways of the island.
2. Use that caffeine boost to walk up to the small citadel and explore the views and tight alleys. This stronghold was built to fend off pirates, which raided Gozo regularly.
3. If you are the shopping type or want to split the group, you can head to the two shopping malls, Arkadia and The Duke.
4. Ġgantija is where you can find the megalithic temples. To satisfy your culture itch you can also visit Ta’ Ċenċ Tombs, Calypso’s Cave or Ta Kola Wind Mill.
5. You can visit the Dwejra area. Here you have a number of things to see: Blue Hole, Inland Sea, the remains of the Azure Window and Fungus Rock. If you are diving in Gozo, this area has some very nice dives.
6. Visit Ta’ Pinu Cathedral. This is a sacred place. Anyone of any faith or un-faith can find this area a place to contemplate life, the universe and the creation of our beautiful world. There is a hill opposite the cathedral. It is a steep walk up, but on top there are some nice views.
7. You can have lunch anywhere but Xlendi or Marsalforn are cool. Marsalforn is bigger and gives you more dining and swimming options. Alternatively, for something very local, you can go to the St Joseph Band club in Ghajnsielem.
8. After lunch you can have a nice self-guided walk in Marsalforn. Be aware that the last part is okay for an adult, but younger kids and prams might find it challenging. Rain will make this track slippery.
9. After the walk you can visit one of the town squares. Xaghra Square is nice for an afternoon beer, tea, decaf coffee or a martini.
10. For a stunning sunset you can drive to Kenuna Tower and see the sun setting over the archipelago.
11. If you have done all this, well done. Time to go back to Malta.

• Maxokk is a local takeaway bakery which makes the Gozo ftira. Worth a try. Definitely a different kind of pizza.
• Santa Marija is a village feast taking place on 15 August in Gozo. Traffic and hotel prices are higher in that period, but it can be a very good time to visit if you want events and social fun.
• The Nadur carnival is an experience, perhaps even the experience. It is well known for locals going wild with their costumes.
• Sunrise as seen from Ghammar Hill opposite Ta’ Pinu is something special.
• Whilst the first window in Dwejra has fallen, there is a second less-known one in Wied il-Mielaħ.
• In Xlendi on the right side, you will see a path in the cliffs leading to a very small alcove. It can be walked and is usually safe to do so even with children.
• There are some jumping spots on the left of Mgarr ix Xini. It is a dangerous spot to jump from.
• You can walk all the way around Gozo. It is a hard walk but doable. Splitting it over two or three days is easier on the legs.

Xlendi

Marsalforn

Victoria

Ta Pinu Cathedral

Ramla l-Hamra

Ggantija Temples

Day 6: Malta’s southern coast

The Maltese southern coast and surrounding area are worth visiting

Marsascala, St Peter’s Pool and Marsaxlokk

Getting there:

Getting to St Peter’s Pool is possible by both bus and taxi. Taxi or rental car is by far the easiest.

Alternatively you can take a bus to Marsaxlokk and then walk to St Peter’s Pool. You could also take the bus to Marsaxlokk and then use eCabs, Uber or Bolt to save some money.

Self-guided itinerary:

Simple:

You could start the morning in St Peter’s Pool area. Have a swim in the summery months and have a hike in the slightly colder months. The Martian-like terrain is interesting. In the afternoon, go to Marsaxlokk for lunch or coffee, explore the village and then head to Marsascala later in the afternoon.

If you are doing this on a Sunday there is a nice market in Marsaxlokk in the morning, which closes around 12:00. After that, you can go for the swim to St Peter’s Pool and then continue to Marsascala.

A bit more complicated but more interesting hike:

An idea for a hike between Marsaxlokk and Marsascala via St Peter’s Pool. In between the two villages there are no shops, so do take some water and snacks. Let the coast guide you, but be careful because the cliffs are unsafe, so keep your distance.

Alternative self-guided walks in the south of Malta:

• Xghajra to St Thomas Bay
• Along the Marsascala promenade
• St Thomas Bay to Marsaxlokk

About the south:

The south of Malta is a collection of densely populated villages strung together with a network of twisty roads. Most tourists do not venture this far out from their hub in Sliema or Gzira. However, they are missing out on some potentially memorable walks, swims and nights out.

Several decades ago the south and north of Malta were seen as centres of different socio-political camps. Differences were pronounced by education levels, wealth disparity, language, and blue-collar versus white-collar patterns. Today there are still traces of this, but those geographic divides have been softened.

In the 1980s Malta had the tal-barrani incident, which played out in the streets of the south. This is about as close as the island came to internal political breakdown. Today the south has experienced fresh waves of investment in infrastructure, playgrounds and open spaces.

Politics in Malta are a hot topic, and during election time the temperature goes up. Nothing to worry about though. If you dare, you can even join in the friendly fun of meetings and street-level energy.

• Walk around the small streets of Zejtun.
• Between Smart City and Xghajra there is some opportunity for mini rock climbing and bouldering for children. Use caution and common sense.
• An early morning swim in St Thomas Bay is magical. In peak summer months this area gets too crowded later on.
• An half or full day visit to Esplora is great for older kids and parents alike.
• In the evenings the Marsascala children’s playground area is great for small children.
• The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is an impressive 6,000 year old ritual and burial complex. Booking months early is an absolute necessity.

Head to Marsaxlokk, the traditional fishing village. You will see the harbour filled with bright, multi-coloured fishing boats. Look closely and you will notice the protective eyes painted on many of them, part of the folklore that still lingers around fishing life.

St Thomas Bay

Marsascala

Hasting Gardens

St Peter’s Pool

Hypogeum

Day 7 and 8: The west of Malta

Brilliant views, open spaces, rich history and culture

Self-guided drive in the west of Malta

You could also walk this trip, but it is a 7 hour hike.

This is an easy self-guided drive in the west of the island. A lot of panoramic views, open spaces and sea-edge drama. This is great for all seasons, but avoid it in the rare heavy rains.

In the first and the last stops you can swim. If you feel like a small hike at the end of the drive we also have a self-guided 30 minute hike from Ghar Lapsi. There are some steep parts in this hike, so do not do it when it is raining. Kids need to be careful. Sometimes slippery when wet. Use caution and common sense in cliff areas.

Day 8 slow-paced version: Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, Blue Grotto, Ghar Hasan and Ghar Lapsi

Getting there:

Public transport is an option, but it takes time. If you have the time to idle and enjoy some slow travel it is recommended.

About:

The south-east and west-facing reaches of Malta are a mix of villages, natural landscapes, ancient sites and dramatic swimming spots.

Interesting to know:

There are a few climbing spots in this area, but you need to be properly trained and have the right equipment. The Xaqqa Cliffs have a cool very flat climb called motorcycle psycho. You can also enjoy this area by walking from the top of the steep valley to the sea.

There is a wreck, the Um El-Faroud, which is only accessible to properly licensed and trained divers. It is not a good idea to swim to this wreck without the proper equipment.

The Lapsi reverse osmosis plant is one of a few plants that changes sea water into potable water.

• There are two easy swimming spots in this area. The first is Lapsi Bay.
• The second is the Blue Grotto canal.
• These swimming spots are nice, but you still have to judge on the day if the sea is okay to swim in. Most of the time it should be fine, however this area is known for rougher seas.
• There is a kids Playmobil FunPark in the middle of an industrial zone between this area and Birzebbuga. It is fun to visit and pre-teen kids can entertain themselves happily for a few hours.
• For the older crowd there is a karting track.
• Self-guided walks in the west of Malta: Ghar Lapsi hike.

FAQ

How many days do I need for this Malta itinerary?

This guide is built around roughly 8 to 10 days in Malta with a bit of Gozo. You can cut it down, but that length lets you do the island without rushing every single day.

Do I need a car for Malta?

Not for the entire trip. Valletta, the Three Cities, Sliema and Gzira work well by ferry, bus or taxi, while parts of Gozo, the far south and the west are easier with a car or a planned taxi day.

Where should I stay in Malta for a first trip?

Gzira and Sliema are the strongest bases for a first trip because they are central, lively and very well connected to the rest of the island. This guide is built around that assumption.

Is this itinerary good for kids?

Yes, it was originally built with families in mind, but some days include cliff areas, rocky swimming spots and longer walks. Pick and mix the parts that suit your group, and do not treat it as a rigid schedule.

Is it safe to swim anywhere along the coast?

No. Some parts of Malta are easy and enjoyable for swimming, but sea conditions matter and certain spots are more dangerous than they look. Always check the weather and sea state, and be especially careful around caves, jumps and rough water.

How do I get to Gozo?

The standard route is to go to Cirkewwa and take the Gozo ferry to Mgarr. A faster passenger option from Valletta can also make sense if you want to avoid the trip north.

What should I pack first for this trip?

Sun protection, a hat, good walking shoes, water, and realistic expectations about heat and uneven ground. Those matter more in Malta than many first-time visitors expect.

Last updated: March 2026.