How to spend 5 days in Malta, Gozo and Comino [2024]

By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 9th September 2017 | Updated: 2nd January 2024

The world’s tenth smallest country, with no mountains, rivers or forests, just crystal-clear blue waters, beautiful architecture, and colourful shutters. Where else than Malta? We spent 5 days in Malta, taking in the incredible weather, historic sights and the local culture so here is our guide on how you can do the same.

📍 Malta itinerary Day 1: Valletta

📍 Malta itinerary Day 2: East Malta

📍 Malta itinerary Day 3: West Malta

📍 Malta itinerary Day 4: North Malta

📍 Malta itinerary Day 5: Gozo

Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:

Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com

Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com

Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com

Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide

5 days in Malta Map

5 days in Malta Itinerary

Malta Itinerary Day 1: Valletta

Upon arriving in this beautiful country the first thing you should do is venture into Valletta, the capital of Malta. From there you can easily lose days wandering around the streets with gardens to cool down and relax in and colourful doors/windows to keep you guessing what colour will be next around the corner. Plus, you are never far from a location to get in the sea, perfect for a morning’s dip before it gets too hot.

Start the day off with a wander along the City Gate before weaving your way through the historic streets of the first planned city in Europe. (The city was sketched out back in 1565 during the Order of St. John of Jerusalem then completed in just 15 years, it also holds a record as one of the quickest scaled cities in the world!). If you are visiting during some of the warmer months, take advantage of the numerous churches and cathedrals that fill the city, or stop by an art gallery or museum during the peak heat of the day.

Another beautiful place to visit in Valletta are the gardens. On the outside, Valletta may look like all stone and buildings but it has some lovely outdoor spaces. Both the Upper Barrakka Gardens and Lower Barrakka Gardens are perfect public gardens with some of the most incredible panoramic views over the Grand Harbour and out to Fort Ricasoli and Fort St Angelo and a welcome bit of greenery and shade in the heat of the day.

Other places you should visit during your time in the capital include Fort St Elmo, Wusternwinds Beach, the Siege Bell War Memorial and Hastings Gardens. Be sure to watch the views over Valletta during the evening, we’re not sure there is a capital city quite as beautiful at sunset.

Malta Itinerary Day 2: East Malta

Day 2 of the 5 days in Malta and we are venturing out of Valletta and down to the south-east of Malta to a traditional fishing village called Marsaxlokk. The village’s name comes from Marsa, which means “port” and xlokk, which is the local name for the south-east. This village is known across the island for the Marsaxlokk Market, a large market that takes place throughout the whole village, full of fruits and the freshest seafood imaginable.

Marsaxlokk is also known for its countless traditional Maltese fishing boats painted in bright colours so it really is a must-see on anyone’s itinerary for 5 days in Malta. You can spend the day wandering the side streets, and taking in the harbour views, all the meanwhile eating your way through the markets.

On the way back to your accommodation be sure to stop by the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. This prehistoric burial site, which was discovered in 1902, is an incredible subterranean structure over three levels. Hypogeum means underground in Greek, so it’s clear to see why this pre-Maltese historic site is named the way it is.

Planning your own trip to Malta? Make sure you check out our Travelling Tedaldi Amazon Store Travel Guides for all your guidebooks and maps. (We’ve done the hard work for you and linked all the things we used to plan our trip!)

Malta Itinerary Day 3: West Malta

Now you can’t visit Malta and not be interested in the history and heritage of the country. Malta is home to lots of ancient Megalithic Temples, these are some of the oldest man-made structures in the world, with some thought to have been built back in 3600 BC, over 5000 years ago. This makes them older than the pyramids in Egypt, the Great Wall of China and Stonehenge in England, (only one of which we have visited, top marks for who guesses correctly!).

So, for day 3 of the 5 days in Malta we are heading to west Malta and to Buskett Gardens, Rabat, Mdina and of course the Megalithic Temples of Ta’Hagrat and Ta’Skorba. Start the day off at the megalithic temples as most are out in the open and are not the most pleasant to be in at the peak of the day, (there is very little shade around a lot of Malta!), plus they are often a lot quieter first thing in the morning.

In the town of Mgarr lies a group of megalithic temples, including Ta’Hagrat and Ta’Skorba, which are the remains of prehistoric villages older than most of the other temples in Malta. With incredible structures to walk around and discover, visiting this area is a must. The surrounding rural landscape is similar to that of when the temples were first constructed, so it also allows you to really experience the same setting as that of what the temple builders would have.

Next head to Mdina and Rabat. Mdina is often thought of as Malta’s first capital, sat high on a hill overlooking the surrounding neighbourhoods. It is full to the brim with incredible architecture, including the impressive St Paul’s Cathedral, (also known as Mdina Cathedral), and some rather wonderful tea rooms overlooking the landscape. Entering it can feel a little bit like stepping back in time, as there are strict rules on what vehicles are allowed in the city and where which makes visiting Mdina even more worthwhile.

After all that wandering in Mdina, head to the neighbouring village of Rabat, where you can visit St Paul’s Catacombs and Buskett Gardens. Buskett Gardens is a 30-hectare area that was originally planted by the Knights of Malta as a hunting ground but has since been formed into one of the very few woodland areas in Malta brimming with Mediterranean flora and fauna. It is also home to the Verdala Palace, the official residence of the President of Malta. Be sure to wander around the natural springs, vineyards and olive and lemon groves, before making your way back to your accommodation.

If you have any extra time head out to the Victoria Lines located between Mgarr and Rabat. These extensive historic walls were once the walls of a British fortification that span the entire width of the island. Nowadays they are a great walking route, with incredible views over the surrounding area, all the meanwhile looking a little like the great wall of China!

During our 5 days in Malta, we visited the Megalithic Temples of Ta’Hagrat and Ta’Skorba and Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, all of which are classed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and worth visiting purely for the sense of history you get from the place. In fact, UNESCO has dubbed Valletta, Malta’s capital city, as “one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world” thanks to the city’s 320 monuments. So, make sure you add a few into your 5 days in Malta itinerary!

Fancy a different week in Europe but still with a bit of warmth? How about Emilia Romagna – Check out our post here

Malta Itinerary Day 4: North Malta

Day 4 and it’s all about the coastal communities of Saint Julian’s, Spinola Bay and Bugibba in north Malta. Often overlooked by tourists due to their reputation as a bit of a party location, these places in north Malta are wonderful to explore for the day, and a great place to hop in the sea! They are however a lot more modern than other locations around Malta, so just know it’s not the place to get a feel for typical Maltese life.

Start of the day in the south at Sliema, a resort town on the east coast of Malta. With the tiny island of Manoel in the south, Fort Tigné close to the Sliema Ferry and a rather lovely walk around the coast taking in the views all the way to St Julian’s Tower, what more could you want? There is also a beautiful church, Parish Church of Stella Maris, which is well worth a visit.

From here head up the coast to Saint Julian’s. The walk along the coast from Sliema to Saint Julian’s is beautiful, passing by Balluta Bay and Spinola Bay and all the quaint coastal cafes in between. Spinola Bay is great for catching a glimpse of the local fishing boats, whilst Balluta Bay has a small man-made beach so the perfect place for a dip in the sea.

Upon arriving at St Julian’s, you will instantly notice the buildings. This seaside town is home to some of the tallest buildings on the whole island of Malta. It is also home to a wonderful promenade lined with restaurants, a rocky stretch of coast and some rather nice beaches too.

After exploring St Julian’s end the day in Bugibba and Qawra, just a short drive up the coast. With a lively centre filled with eateries and bars, as well as a beautiful palm tree-lined avenue or two, Bugibba is a great place to end the day in. If you have more time, there are also a few museums and an aquarium that you can visit too.

Be sure to walk along the seaside promenade from Bugibba to Qawra and on out to Qawra Point Beach for some of the most perfect sunset views you will ever find.

On the fence about visiting Malta? Check out our post on ‘Is Malta Worth Visiting?’ to see if it’s right for you

Malta Itinerary Day 5: Gozo

For the final day of the 5 days in Malta, it’s time to head further afield and board a ferry from Malta, the largest of the 21 islands that make up the Maltese archipelago, past Comino and onto Gozo, the second-largest island of the group. Home to baroque churches, stunning landscape and incredible dive sites, Gozo is always a good place to visit when in Malta.

The first stop of the day has to be the main Citadel of Gozo also known as Victoria. On your way from the ferry terminal to Victoria, you will see the prominent building of Rotunda St John Baptist Church springing up from the surrounding land in Xewkija. If you have time stop here on your way through, the village is rather beautiful, and the church is something else.

From Xewkija continue on to Victoria, and head out on foot to explore the capital of Gozo and its medieval Citadel. Two places you must stop by, after wandering the fortified walls and quaint alleyways, are the St Georges Basilica and the Cathedral of the Assumption. The Cathedral stands tall on the tallest point of the island giving you some rather impressive views whilst the Basilica is well known across the island for its ornate marble floors and colourful ceiling paintings.

From Victoria head to the east and to Xaghra home to the traditional Ta’Kola windmill and the Ggantija Temples, one of the oldest freestanding structures in the world. Older than the pyramids in Egypt or Stonehenge in England, the Ggantija Temples are seriously impressive and an incredible place to wander around. There are also numerous caves and grottos you can visit in the Xaghra too.

Next up and we are heading to the north coast and the Saltpans of Xwenjni, which are another place you can’t miss on Gozo. One of Gozo’s most important materials is salt, so the saltpans here have been in use since the 1860s, with generations of families working to brush and collect the salt. Whilst in Xwejni also head to the small beach on Xwejni Bay and walk along the coast to Qolla I-Bajda for some wonderful views.

For the last stop of the day head to Dwejra in the west home to the Dwejra Tower, Dwejra Bay and Rocky Bay. This area is unlike any other on the island, with a moon type landscape looking out to the sea at Rocky Bay and a coastal walk to either a hidden lagoon dive site or the historic Dwejra Tower and the wildlife site of Dwejra Bay. There is also an island a little way out in the bay known as Fungus Rock or Mushroom Road, which is actually one of the many tiny islands that makes up the Maltese archipelago.

This area was also the location of the Azure Window, also known as the Dwejra Window, a 28-metre-tall limestone natural arch on the island which sadly fell into the sea a little while back. We were lucky enough to have seen such natural beauty before its time was up, however, it is now seen as a brilliant dive site, along with the many that exist already along Malta’s coastline, so it is not lost, just under the waves!

There are of course plenty of other things to see and do on the island of Gozo, it is literally littered with history and heritage, but for a day trip, this is a great starting point. Be sure to make use of the buses that run throughout the island to get around, they’ll take you to all of the typical tourist destinations as well as a few off the beaten track locations as well.

Where to stay in Malta

We recommend staying close to Valletta for easy access into the capital, out to the islands via boat and for lots of public transport links across the island. We would recommend staying in the areas around St Julian’s, Sliema or Ta’Xbiex.

Check out the map below for the best accommodation options for your trip to Malta.

5 days in Malta Itinerary FAQs

Where is Malta?

Malta is a small archipelago of islands, (Malta, Gozo and Comino), located in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Africa. Due to its location, it is only possible to get there via plane or boat, but it also means that it has some incredible weather year-round.

How to get to Malta

Malta only had one airport, Malta International Airport, which is the main way most tourists get to the islands. You can also take the ferry from Italy, which takes roughly 90 minutes, but it only goes from Pozzallo in Sicily.

How to get around Malta

The easiest way to get around Malta is via the local bus system. There aren’t any trains that run on the islands so if you want to use public transport then the bus system is the only way. They run throughout the island, connecting the main towns to the capital.

If you do plan on taking the bus a little off-piste out somewhere not many people go however, be sure to find out how often the buses run through the area. The bus around the coast is seemingly simple to catch however if you venture inland they don’t seem to run to any sort of schedule. Case and point, we ventured out to Buskett Gardens one day in west Malta, and unknowingly ended up stuck out there for hours, and we mean literally 2 hours with no sign of a bus…

Is Malta worth visiting?

Malta is a country definitely worth visiting. With year round warmth and sunshine, historical sites, (some older than the pyramids in Egypt), and some delicious Mediterranean food, you cant go wrong with a trip to Malta.

Is it better to stay in Malta or Gozo?

We would recommend staying in Malta over Gozo, purely because the island of Malta is larger than the island of Gozo, meaning there is plenty more for you to discover and explore without the need to hop back and forth on a ferry each day. There is also a wider range of accommodation options on Malta in comparison to Gozo.

Is Malta cheap?

Malta is a relatively cheap European country, where you can expect to pay roughly €2.50 for a local beer or €4 for a local wine, and €2.50 for a coffee.

Is Malta safe?

Malta is a safe country to visit as long as you keep your valuables to hand and avoid particularly busy areas, as these are the areas pick pockets often target. Also dont leave any luggage or valuables in any rental vehicle you have, (even hidden in the boot), as theft from parked cars can happen, especially when it is obvious that your are tourists.

Does Malta use the Euro?

Yes, Malta has used the Euro since January 1^st 2008.

Is St Julian’s nice in Malta?

St Julian’s is a lovely, lively and popular holiday spot in Malta, with plenty of sandy beach alongside a bustling promenade and a good nightlife, so perfect for those who dont want to have to travel for everything they might want. If you would rather a bit more peace and quiet away from the tourists, then opt to stay somewhere else, but be sure to visit St Julian’s for a walk along the bay.

Weather in Malta

Malta is typically Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild winters, (but still warm in comparison to other European countries, hello the UK and Switzerland for example!). The summer temperatures can reach into the mid to late 30°C / 86°F, sometimes into the 40°C / 104°F, whilst the winter temperatures drop to around 15°C / 59°F. November is often the wettest month of the year, but it is still very sunny with 161 hours on sunshine on average, over double that of most European cities that month!

When is the best time to visit Malta?

Malta can get really hot during the summer, like, really hot! We visited during July, and it was bordering on too hot. Sticky bus journeys make it even better to get in the sea on the other end though. Therefore, we would suggest visiting in the spring or late autumn, to still get some lovely warmth but not any blistering heat.

How many days in Malta is enough?

We would highly recommend spending a week in Malta to get a true feel for the main island of Malta, with a day trip or two out to the islands of Gozo and Comino. You could spend a long weekend here, but we wouldn’t suggest trying to visit the outlying islands in that time as well.

Do you need a car in Malta?

If you want to explore the island at your own pace, and not be restricted to the local bus timetables, then absolutely we would recommend hiring a car for your time in Malta. We didn’t on our trip, and you don’t need to, but for subsequent trips to Malta, I think we would.

If you are looking to hire a car check out Rentalcars.com for the best rental options – we’ve used them in numerous countries throughout Europe and they always have great deals!

Ferry to Gozo

Taking the ferry to Gozo is really easy, and definitely worth doing as a day trip from Malta. With sailings between Cirkewwa in Malta and Mgarr in Gozo every 45 minutes all year round, (but with fewer crossings during the night), taking only 30 minutes each way and with a standard return ticket costing €4.65 for an adult, €1.15 for children ages 3-12, (children under 3 are free), and onlt €15.70 for taking a car, the ferry to Gozo is a no brainer.

If you want to see a lot of what Gozo has to offer, then we can recommend this Gozo Day Trip Tour – which is very similar to the one we took.

Malta Tours

One great way to see more of Malta, without having to take the sticky public transport buses or drive yourself to the destination, is to hop on a tour. Get Your Guide have a great selection of incredible tours to explore Malta and the island archipelago, check them out below:

Conclusion: 5 days in Malta Itinerary

So there is our guide to spending 5 days in Malta. There are many many more places to visit across the wonderful islands in this archipelago, but this itinerary is a great place to start.

Gemma Tedaldi

Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.