Malta, one of the southernmost countries in Europe, lies in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. The archipelago consists of several islands, with the largest being Malta, Gozo, and Comino. For me, Malta marked my 105th country and my last European country.
If you’re planning a trip, this travel guide to Malta offers a detailed one-week itinerary to explore all three islands, including the best sights, activities, and recommendations for your Malta, Gozo, and Comino itinerary.
Malta is a blend of rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. The official languages are Maltese and English. Maltese has a unique sound, sounding like a mix of Italian and Arabic, and it was fascinating to listen to. English remains widely spoken, especially since Malta was under British rule until gaining independence in 1964. Malta is part of the EU, and the currency is the Euro.
Table of Contents
Getting Around
Getting around Malta without a rental car can be a bit challenging, as the buses are infrequent and often run behind schedule. Although I’m usually not a fan of hop-on-hop-off buses, but for Malta, I would recommend them.
During my trip, I mostly used the local buses, but next time, I would either rent a car or buy a ticket for the tourist bus. At the time, Uber wasn’t available in Malta, but I used an app called Taxify, which works just like Uber. Nowadays, Uber is available, making it easier to get around. I also recommend taking a taxi from the airport to your hotel for convenience.
For public transport information, I used Google Maps and Malta Public Transport website to check the timetables.
Where to Stay in Malta
On the main island, I stayed at Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, and it turned out to be one of the best hotel options in Malta. Strategically located just outside of the capital, the hotel offers a free shuttle service to both Valletta and St. Julian’s. It’s also very close to Mdina, which you can easily reach by public bus.
Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa is a five-star hotel featuring a swimming pool, gym, spa and an excellent breakfast buffet. During my stay, the hotel was undergoing renovations, so some of the photos here may appear outdated if the refurbishment has been completed.
You can book the hotel on Booking.com.
If you are on the budget, there are also several affordable hotels and hostels. Most of the hostels in Malta are located in St. Julian’s, and here are some of the options there:
Marco Polo Hostel
The Rose Hostel
Finding affordable, well-reviewed accommodation in Valletta can be a bit tricky, but there are plenty of options in the €100/night range, such as:
Valletta Central Suites
Mandera’s Boutique Suites & Dorms
Grand Harbour Hotel
Where to Stay in Gozo
If you want to base yourself in one place and take day trips around Gozo, I highly recommend staying in Victoria. This town is centrally located on the island and serves as the main bus hub, with nearly all bus routes starting and ending here. If you stay anywhere else, you’ll likely need to change buses to reach your final destination.
In Gozo, I stayed at the charming Casa Gemelli Boutique Guesthouse, a family-run, luxurious boutique B&B. I highly recommend booking early, as this hotel has excellent reviews on Booking.com and is often fully booked. You can reserve your stay on Booking.com.
My room offered a beautiful view of the Citadel, and there’s a small outdoor sitting area where you can relax and enjoy the view. They also cater to vegans—just let them know in advance. During my stay, they even baked a vegan cake for breakfast, offered plant-based milk, and prepared delicious fried vegetables with toast.
One Week Itinerary
I spent one week in Malta, which was enough to explore most of the highlights on both Malta and Gozo islands. There are still plenty of places I didn’t get to see, but when can you ever see everything? I chose to spend the majority of my time in Gozo and less in Malta. Most people probably do the opposite, staying longer in Malta or making just a day trip to Gozo.
You could certainly spend less time in Gozo, especially if you rent a car or join a tour, but I really enjoyed the small island vibe there—it’s much less touristy than Malta. Plus, with the short distances between places, there’s plenty of time to relax too.
Here’s my recommended one-week itinerary in Malta to help you make the most of your trip.
Day 1: Valletta and the Three Cities
Valletta, the capital of Malta, was named the European Capital of Culture in 2018. It’s a small yet vibrant city, and you can easily explore all its streets in just a few hours. However, I enjoyed it so much that I kept returning to some of my favorite spots.
Some of the must-see highlights in Valletta include:
St. John’s Co-Cathedral – A stunning example of Baroque architecture and home to famous works by Caravaggio.
Upper Barrakka Gardens – Offering panoramic views of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities.
Lascaris War Rooms – A fascinating site where important decisions were made during WWII.
Valletta Waterfront – A beautiful promenade lined with historic buildings and nice restaurants.
National War Museum – Situated at Fort St. Elmo, it offers insights into Malta’s military history.
Lower Barrakka Gardens – Another scenic spot with views over the harbour.
Saint Paul’s Shipwreck – A significant historical site, marking the place where Saint Paul is believed to have been shipwrecked in 60 AD.
Don’t miss the Saluting Battery at Upper Barrakka Gardens, where you can watch a cannon salute at noon. Also, take time to admire the colorful balconies that are scattered throughout Valletta, particularly along St. Ursula Street, which adds to the city’s unique charm.
For a deeper dive into Valletta’s history, consider taking a walking tour. If you’re interested in exploring the darker side of the city, there’s also a fascinating themed tour available. Valletta also offers great cruise options, including day cruises and boat parties, for a unique way to explore the city from the water.
The Three Cities are Birgu (also known as Vittoriosa), Senglea and Cospicua, and you can get a great view of these from the Upper Barrakka Gardens. There’s a ferry running between Valletta and The Three Cities. Check out the fares and schedule here. For a more in-depth experience, you can opt for a private tour to explore these charming areas at your own pace.
Day 2: Sliema and St. Julian’s
Take a ferry from Valletta to Sliema for stunning views of the capital from a different perspective. Sliema is known for its great swimming spots, or you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the promenade while taking in the beautiful scenery. For anyone interested in shopping, there’s also a decent sized shopping mall with lots of clothing stores. The ferry schedule and fares are available here.
St. Julian’s is renowned for its vibrant nightlife. If you’re staying at Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, you can take advantage of their free evening shuttles to both St. Julian’s and Valletta. If you’re not into partying, St. Julian’s is still a great spot to enjoy dinner and drinks by the water. For those looking to experience the full nightlife scene, a pub crawl is a fun way to explore the best spots in town.
Day 3: Mdina
Mdina, Malta’s Silent City and former capital, is a must-visit for anyone exploring the island. Its narrow streets and historic city walls create a truly magical atmosphere. This medieval town also served as a filming location for Game of Thrones, and it’s easy to see why.
Mdina is compact, and walking through its charming streets doesn’t take long. If you have extra time and feel up for more exploration, I highly recommend visiting Mosta as well. There, you’ll find the Rotunda, a church known for having the third-largest unsupported dome in the world. You can join a full-day tour that includes both Mosta and Mdina, or opt for a half-day option if you’re short on time.
There are many other incredible places in Malta that I didn’t have time to visit, such as Blue Grotto, Dingli Cliffs, Golden Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and Café del Mar. If you have more time in Malta, I highly recommend checking out these stunning spots!
Day 4: Comino Island and the Blue Lagoon
Comino is a small island situated between Malta and Gozo, and you can easily take a trip there from either of these islands. Since I was already staying in Gozo, I took a boat from Mgarr Harbour to Comino. If you’re coming from Malta, you can catch a boat from Cirkewwa Harbour.
For the most convenient option, you can also book a full-day cruise that includes a visit to Comino.
The island’s most famous spot is the Blue Lagoon, known for its incredibly clear and blue water. However, it can get quite crowded, especially during peak times. You can walk around the island on your own, and there are plenty of quieter swimming spots to discover as well.
Day 5: Gozo Island: Victoria Citadel
Gozo, Malta’s sister island, is, in my opinion, highly underrated. Many people either skip it altogether or visit it just for a day trip, usually only to see the Azure Window Ruins. Despite its small size, I recommend staying for a few days to fully enjoy everything Gozo has to offer. For more ideas on things to do in Gozo, check out my post on 20 Things to Do in Gozo.
If you want to base yourself in one location, choose Victoria, the capital city of Gozo. As mentioned in my hotel recommendation above, this town is centrally located on the island and offers the best bus connections to other parts of Gozo. However, be mindful that most buses from Victoria run only once an hour, so you’ll need to plan accordingly. Another option is to buy a ticket for the hop-on-hop-off bus, which covers almost all of the main sights on the island.
The main attraction in Victoria is the Old Citadel, a majestic fortress that is visible from almost every part of the city. The Citadel dates back to the late medieval era, though the hill has been settled since even earlier times. The best time to visit is just before sunset, as the golden hour provides the perfect lighting for photography. Watching the sunset from the fortress is an unforgettable experience.
Victoria offers the best selection of restaurants in Gozo, and I was able to find some vegan options as well. Finding healthy, nutritious vegan food in Malta can be a bit tricky, but with some effort, I discovered a few places that catered to plant-based diets.
Day 6: North of Gozo: Wied il-Għasri, Salt Pans, and Ramla Bay
Visiting the sights in the northern part of Gozo can take some time if you’re relying on public transport. First, take a bus to Wied il-Għasri, then walk to the nearby Salt Pans. Afterward, you’ll need to take a bus back to Victoria, change buses, and then take another one to Ramla Bay.
Wied il-Għasri is one of Gozo’s hidden gems, as it’s not frequented by tour buses. You can enjoy a secluded swimming spot with crystal-clear, blue water all to yourself. A short walk from Wied il-Għasri will take you to the Salt Pans, where you’ll find beautiful geometric patterns formed by the evaporation pools along the ocean. Ramla Bay, known as Malta’s best sandy beach, is nearby, and from there, you can hike up to Tal-Mixta Cave for stunning panoramic views.
Day 7: Gozo: Azure Window Ruins & the Blue Hole
Although Gozo’s most famous sight, the Azure Window, collapsed in 2017, the site remains a popular tourist destination. After the arch fell, it became the island’s newest dive site, where divers can swim around the rock formations and encounter a variety of marine life.
The Azure Window ruins are located next to the Blue Hole, an existing dive site that is also an impressive sight for non-divers. For more things to do in Gozo, check out my other Malta post: 20 Things to Do in Gozo.
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2 comments
I heard Malta was good for snorkeling and diving. Did you do one of these? Would love to know if it was worth it.
Yes, I did. And yes, it’s worth it! Really beautiful and the the visibility is excellent. Check out my Gozo post where I talk more about diving and snorkeling: https://gabrielahereandthere.com/20-things-to-do-in-gozo-malta/