The Perfect Malta Itinerary: 3, 5 & 7 Days on the Islands

Most of my guests stay between 4 and 7 nights in Malta, which gives you exactly enough time to do the country properly without rushing. This is the itinerary I send when guests ask me what to actually do, in what order, and how to fit it all in.

The structure I use is simple: anchor your base in Sliema, do the country in concentric circles outward (Sliema, Valletta and Three Cities, Mdina and the inland sites, the north coast, then Gozo and Comino), and time the bigger activities around the weather and the cruise-ship dumping schedule.

3-day Malta itinerary

Day 1: Valletta

Take the 9am ferry from Sliema to Valletta. Start at St John’s Co-Cathedral before the cruise crowds arrive at 10:30. Walk Republic Street, lunch at Caffe Cordina or Is-Suq Tal-Belt market, then visit the Grandmaster’s Palace State Rooms in the afternoon. Catch the 16:00 gun salute from the Saluting Battery below Upper Barrakka Gardens. Walk the bastions at sunset; dinner on Strait Street. Read my full Valletta guide.

Day 2: Mdina, Rabat, and the Three Cities

Morning bus to Mdina; explore the walled city, St Paul’s Cathedral, and lunch at Fontanella Tea Garden on the bastions. Afternoon to Rabat for St Paul’s Catacombs and Crystal Palace pastizzeria. Late afternoon back to Sliema, then ferry across to Birgu in the evening for harbour-side dinner in the Three Cities. Read my Mdina guide.

Day 3: A beach day

May-October: head north to Mellieha Bay (sandy) or Golden Bay; or take the Cirkewwa ferry to Comino for the Blue Lagoon. November-April: replace with the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra megalithic temples on the south coast, lunch at Marsaxlokk fishing village, and the Sunday market.

5-day Malta itinerary

Days 1-3 as above

Days 1-3 follow the 3-day plan above.

Day 4: Gozo

Take the X1 bus or drive to Cirkewwa, then the Mgarr ferry. Hire a small car at Mgarr terminal. The Cittadella in Victoria, lunch at Ta’ Frenc or a Sannat country restaurant, Ramla Bay swim, sunset at Ta’ Cenc cliffs. Stay one night on Gozo if possible — Gozo overnight is one of the things repeat visitors most often add.

Day 5: Gozo or back to Sliema

If you stayed overnight: Ggantija temples, the salt pans at Marsalforn, swim at Mgarr ix-Xini, then late-afternoon ferry back. If you returned same day: a slow Sliema day — the seafront promenade, lunch at a lido, and dinner in St Julian’s at Spinola Bay.

7-day Malta itinerary

Days 1-5 as above

Follow the 5-day itinerary.

Day 6: Comino and the Blue Lagoon

First ferry from Cirkewwa to Comino. Swim the Blue Lagoon empty, walk over to the Crystal Lagoon, lunch at one of the kiosks, snorkel the Comino caves on a charter or boat tour. Back to Sliema for sunset on the rooftop. Read my Blue Lagoon guide.

Day 7: Dingli Cliffs and a slow day in Sliema

Morning at the Dingli Cliffs and Buskett Gardens for a long walk. Lunch at a country restaurant in Mgarr or Bahrija (fenkata). Afternoon on the Sliema seafront, swim at a lido, and a final dinner in Valletta for the long-light evening crossing back.

How to plan your Malta itinerary

Best base

Sliema works for any length of trip. The 5-minute ferry to Valletta, the bus connections to Mdina and the north, the seafront for evenings, and the restaurant density mean you do not need to switch base unless you are doing 2+ nights on Gozo.

When to visit

May, June, September, and October are the four best all-round months. Read my full best time to visit Malta guide for detail by traveller type.

What to skip

Bugibba and Qawra unless beach-club holidays are your priority. Paceville unless nightlife is the goal. The Crystal Palace pastizzeria queue if you do not have an hour to spare.

More to Explore

• Where to Stay in Malta: Best Areas Guide
• Best Time to Visit Malta: Month-by-Month
• The Blue Lagoon, Comino: Complete Visitor’s Guide
• Things to Do in Gozo: A Day-Trip Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need in Malta?

5-7 days is the sweet spot. 3 days covers Valletta, Mdina, and a beach day. 5 days adds Gozo. 7 days adds Comino, the Three Cities, and country walks.

Is 4 days enough in Malta?

Yes for a focused trip — Valletta on day 1, Mdina and the Three Cities on day 2, a beach or Gozo day trip on day 3, a relaxed Sliema or Comino day on day 4.

Should I include Gozo in my Malta itinerary?

If you have 5+ days, yes. Ideally 2 nights on Gozo. If you have less, a single day trip is possible but feels rushed.

Where should I base myself in Malta?

Sliema for any length of trip. 5-minute ferry to Valletta, bus connections to everywhere else, seafront promenade, restaurants, and a quieter pace than St Julian’s.

What is the best time of year for a Malta itinerary?

May, June, September, or October for the best balance of weather, sea, and crowds. July-August for hot beach focus; February for Carnival; December for Christmas markets.

Do I need to hire a car in Malta?

Not for Sliema, Valletta, Mdina, or the Three Cities — ferries and buses cover everything. Hire a small car if you are planning multiple days on Gozo or extensive country exploration.