Your Malta travel guide

Things to Do in Malta

Walk the streets of Valletta, explore Mdina, spend a day on Gozo and make room for the sea. This guide brings together the best things to do in Malta with suggested visit lengths, practical advice and itineraries for 3, 5 or 7 days. Choose the places that suit your interests, then build a holiday at your own pace.

Explore the highlights Find a Malta tour

Where to go and what to see in Malta

Six starting points for your trip, from historic cities to open water. The suggested times are for planning your visit; allow extra time for travel, meals and any museums you want to explore.

Sailboats moored in Malta's Grand Harbour

Suggested visit: half to full day

Valletta and the Grand Harbour

Start in Valletta for a first taste of Malta: limestone streets, colourful balconies and views across the Grand Harbour. Combine a walk through the centre with Upper Barrakka Gardens, then choose a museum or St John's Co-Cathedral if you want to spend more time indoors. Leave room for a café stop and the quieter streets away from the main route. If you have a full day, consider the Three Cities across the harbour; with only a morning, enjoy Valletta itself instead of adding another transfer.

Choose one indoor attraction in advance and check its opening times before planning the rest of your walk.

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A narrow limestone alley and arch in Mdina

Suggested visit: half day

Mdina, Rabat and Malta's quieter streets

Mdina is a good place to slow down. Walk through the city gate, follow the narrow lanes and pause at the bastions before continuing to neighbouring Rabat. Rather than filling the visit with every attraction, choose between a cathedral visit, a museum or the catacombs according to your interests. A snack of pastizzi makes an easy break between stops. For a longer outing, consider Dingli Cliffs, but plan the onward journey first: a short distance on the map can still add time to your day.

Visit early or later in the day for a more relaxed walk, and respect the residents who live inside the walls.

Find cultural tours

Suggested visit: full day

Gozo: the Citadel, villages and coast

Give Gozo a day of its own if you want time beyond the ferry crossing. Start with Victoria and the Citadel, then choose a coastal stop or a village lunch instead of trying to circle the entire island. Depending on your interests, you could prioritise the Ġgantija temples, the scenery at Dwejra or a beach break at Ramla Bay. An organised excursion can help connect several stops; an independent visit works well with a shorter list. Include both the crossing and travel to your departure port in your plan.

Pick two or three priorities and confirm your return transport before setting off across the island.

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Sailboats in the turquoise channel of the Blue Lagoon, Comino

Suggested visit: half to full day

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Make Comino your sea day if turquoise water and time outdoors are high on your list. Compare trips by departure point, time at the lagoon and whether you prefer a smaller boat or a larger vessel with more facilities. For time ashore at Blue Lagoon, check current landing-pass requirements on the official booking website. Bring water, sun protection and footwear suitable for rocky ground. Keep the day flexible: wind and sea conditions can change a boat itinerary, so avoid making this your only opportunity before flying home.

Match any landing reservation to your boat itinerary and check the operator's instructions before departure.

See Blue Lagoon boat trips

Colourful traditional boats below the limestone cliffs at Blue Grotto

Suggested visit: full day

Marsaxlokk, Blue Grotto and the temples

Build a southern Malta day around the places that interest you most. Marsaxlokk offers a harbour walk and an unhurried lunch; the Blue Grotto area adds coastal scenery, while Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra bring prehistoric Malta into focus. These are separate stops, so check transport connections before putting all three into one day. With public transport, choosing two can leave more time to enjoy them. Treat a boat outing at Blue Grotto as weather dependent, and have a shore-based visit in mind if conditions do not allow it.

Check Heritage Malta for temple opening times and access information, particularly if slopes or longer walks are a concern.

Browse sightseeing tours

Sandy beach and breaking waves at Ramla Bay, Gozo

Suggested visit: half day or longer

Beach time and Malta from the water

Leave some space for Malta's coastline without turning every beach into another stop. Choose a sandy bay such as Golden Bay for a beach-focused day, or stay near your base for a promenade walk and a relaxed meal. A harbour cruise is another way to enjoy coastal views when you would rather spend less time walking. For swimming, choose a location that suits your confidence and follow local flags and advice. Compare boat trips by route, shade, boarding arrangements and time on board, as these details shape the experience.

Check conditions on the day; a sheltered-looking bay is not a guarantee of safe swimming.

Compare Malta boat trips

Malta itineraries for 3, 5 or 7 days

Start with the shorter itinerary and add days as your stay allows. Group nearby sights together and keep your boat day flexible around the weather.

3 days: A first taste of Malta

Spend day one in Valletta, choosing one indoor attraction and leaving time for the harbour views. On day two, explore Mdina and Rabat with a leisurely lunch. Use day three for either southern Malta or a coastal outing, depending on your interests and the weather. This keeps the trip focused on the main island. If Gozo is your priority, replace the third day rather than adding another excursion to an already full schedule.

5 days: City sights and an island escape

Follow the three-day plan with southern Malta on day three, then dedicate day four to Gozo. Keep day five for Comino, a boat trip or a beach day, depending on sea conditions and how active you want to be. Move the water-based outing earlier if the forecast looks better. A single accommodation base can simplify this itinerary; allow enough time to reach the departure point for each island excursion.

7 days: More Malta, at an easier pace

Build on the five-day itinerary with a separate day for the Three Cities and another for a beach, a museum you missed or a longer coastal walk. You can also swap one of these extra days for a second day on Gozo. Keep one day flexible rather than booking every morning and afternoon. That gives you room to move a boat trip, revisit a favourite place or simply enjoy lunch without watching the clock.

Practical tips for a better Malta trip

A few choices before you arrive can make the difference between a rushed checklist and a holiday you have time to enjoy.

Plan journeys around your base

Compare the full journey from your accommodation, including connections and the walk to the meeting point. Buses, ferries and organised transfers suit different routes. Group nearby places together and leave a buffer before a boat departure or timed entry.

Let the season shape the day

In hot weather, walk earlier, take an indoor or shaded break and carry water. During cooler or unsettled weather, prioritise towns and museums and keep sea trips flexible. Check the local forecast and your operator's updates shortly before travelling.

Balance paid visits with free time

Walking through Valletta and Mdina, enjoying public gardens and spending time by the coast can fill a rewarding day without an attraction ticket. Set aside a budget for the museums or excursions that matter most to you, then check current admission details before booking.

Match the route to your group

With children, build in short stops, shade and easy meal breaks. If travelling with a pushchair or mobility aid, confirm step-free routes, toilets and boarding arrangements directly with each venue or operator. Historic streets and rocky shorelines can make a short route more demanding.

Questions about visiting Malta

How many days do you need in Malta?

Three days give you a good introduction to the main island. Five days allow more room for Gozo or a sea excursion, while a week makes it easier to combine sightseeing, beaches and time to relax. Count arrival and departure days realistically.

Can you visit Malta without hiring a car?

Yes. Choose accommodation with useful transport connections and plan each day's route before leaving. For places that are awkward to connect independently, compare an organised tour or transfer with the time and cost of separate journeys.

Should I visit Gozo and Comino on the same day?

A combined excursion can suit a short stay if you are happy with brief stops. For time to explore Gozo's towns and coast, give it a separate day and visit Comino on another. Check the actual time at each stop before choosing a trip.

What can you do in Malta when it rains?

Choose a museum, a historic palace or a cathedral visit, and combine it with a relaxed meal nearby. Check opening hours and any reservation requirements first. Keep exposed coastal walks and boat trips for a day when conditions are suitable.

Where should I stay for sightseeing in Malta?

Choose a base around the journeys you will make most often. Valletta suits a city-focused break; Sliema and St Julian's are options for a waterfront base. Compare the exact location with tour departure points, public transport and your preferred evening atmosphere.

Explore the tour categories that fit your plans. Check each experience for its meeting point, duration, language and what is included.

Things to Do in Malta