Malta attractions: what to see in 3 and 5 days

Valletta is compact: it is less than two kilometres from City Gate to Fort St Elmo. Begin at Upper Barrakka Gardens, descend toward the waterfront, then walk to St John’s Co-Cathedral and the Grandmaster’s Palace. The cathedral holds Caravaggio’s “Beheading of Saint John the Baptist”, his only signed painting. Check current admission and hours through the cathedral’s official channels.

After lunch, take a ferry or dgħajsa across to Birgu. Together with Senglea and Cospicua it forms the Three Cities — the quieter side of the Grand Harbour, where the Knights’ fortifications make more sense. The first-time Valletta route gives you a practical stop order.

Mdina, Malta’s former capital, is almost entirely pedestrian. Its gate, St Paul’s Cathedral, Palazzo Falson, and the bastions fit into a focused morning. Arrive by 09:00 or after 16:00; coach groups fill the narrow streets in between.

Rabat begins directly outside the walls, with St Paul’s Catacombs and the Domus Romana. Allow four to five hours for both towns, then continue to the Dingli Cliffs for sunset rather than squeezing in another museum.

Marsaxlokk’s painted luzzu boats are Malta’s classic fishing-village image. The Sunday market is the largest, but a weekday morning gives you a calmer waterfront. Use the Marsaxlokk first-time route to combine the harbour with nearby stops.

The Blue Grotto is worth viewing from the upper lookout even if boats stop running in rough water. Nearby Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra are Malta’s most practical megalithic pair. The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum requires a separate official ticket far in advance; no affiliate checkout should be presented as its ticket office.

Gozo is a separate island, not a Malta suburb. From Mġarr harbour, start in Victoria: the Citadel gives you a full-circle view and a sense of scale. Then choose two stops rather than five — Ġgantija Temples, Ta’ Pinu Basilica, the Xwejni salt pans, or Xlendi Bay.

Buy Ġgantija admission through Heritage Malta’s official channels. An organised Gozo excursion simplifies transport, while travelling independently leaves more time for Victoria after the day-trip coaches depart.

Comino is nearly uninhabited, and most visitors come only for the Blue Lagoon. Between 11:00 and 15:00, boats overwhelm its narrow shore. The first sailing, a weekday, or arrival after 15:30 changes the experience more than the operator.

Walk beyond the landing point toward Santa Marija Bay or St Mary’s Tower. Shade is scarce, drinks are expensive, and limestone can be slippery. Check departures with the operator, then use the Comino first-time route to prioritise your limited time ashore.

With three days, you need to choose Gozo or Comino. Five days let you keep both islands and avoid forcing Mdina and southern Malta into one long transfer day.

Buses cover the main island, but most lines converge around Valletta: two nearby map points may still require a capital-city transfer. Ferries are faster between Valletta, Sliema, and the Three Cities. Gozo has a northern car ferry and a fast passenger service from Valletta.

A car helps in the south and on Gozo, but Malta drives on the left and old-town parking is limited. If you would rather not drive, compare buses and transfers. Before booking, also check flights, hotels, travel insurance, and an eSIM.

April and May work for walking and green scenery; June brings swimmable water before peak heat; September and October are the best compromise. July and August mean queues, higher prices, and early starts. Winter keeps museums and cities open, but wind can cancel sea plans.

If you are choosing an island style rather than a country, compare Malta with Crete for a longer road trip and with Cyprus for a more beach-led holiday.

• Pastizzi — flaky pastries filled with ricotta or peas.
• Fenkata — a substantial rabbit stew traditionally served for dinner.
• Ftira — Maltese bread with tuna, tomato, olives, and capers.
• Lampuki — seasonal fish most commonly seen on autumn menus.
• Ġbejniet — small Gozo cheeses, fresh or rolled in pepper.