A week in Malta is the ideal amount of time — enough to see the main highlights, spend a full day on Gozo and still have room to breathe. This itinerary is based around Sliema or St. Julian's as a hub, with a hire car for 2–3 days and a mix of public transport. Estimated budget: €800–1,200 per person (excluding flights and accommodation).
Day 1 — Arrival and Sliema
Flights from Europe usually land in the morning or early afternoon. Bolt/eCabs to Sliema or St. Julian's: around €15–20. Bus X2: €2, but with luggage after a flight — a cab is the better call.
Afternoon: Settle in, stroll along The Strand promenade. Dinner at Spinola Bay in St. Julian's — pick somewhere with a terrace over the water.
Evening: Ferry from Sliema to Valletta and back (5 minutes each way, around €1.50 one way) — Valletta lit up at night is spectacular. Get your first photo.
Day 2 — Valletta (Full Day)
Valletta is the heart of Malta — a UNESCO World Heritage city, European Capital of Culture 2018, and the smallest capital in the EU. Full day plan:
- Morning (9am): Enter through the City Gate (Renzo Piano design), walk Republic Street. St. John's Co-Cathedral (entry: €15) — non-negotiable. Caravaggio's "The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist" — his largest ever work.
- Late morning: Grand Master's Palace (former seat of the Knights of Malta), Upper Barrakka Gardens — view over Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. Noon cannon salute.
- Lunch: Wanders Food Market on Strait Street — street food, local flavours, busy but cheap. Or Nenu the Artisan Baker for traditional Maltese food.
- Afternoon: The Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua) — ferry from Valletta (around €2.80 return). Quieter and far less touristy. Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa.
- Sunset: Lower Barrakka Gardens (less famous, better eastward views) or Hastings Gardens.
Day 3 — Mdina, Rabat and Dingli Cliffs
Mdina (the Silent City) — Malta's medieval capital, virtually car-free, around 300 permanent residents. Entry free. Bus 52 from Valletta or hire a car. Before 10am — near-empty lanes, perfect for photography. Mdina Cathedral, Palazzo Vilhena, walk along the walls.
Rabat — just beyond Mdina's gate. St. Paul's Catacombs (around €6) — early Christian burial tunnels, extraordinary atmosphere. More extensive than the Vatican catacombs.
Afternoon: Dingli Cliffs — Malta's highest point (around 250m above sea level), views across the sea to the island of Filfla. At sunset they are truly spectacular. No facilities — arrive by car and bring snacks.
Day 4 — Gozo (Full Day)
Gozo is Malta's quieter sister island — absolutely worth a full day. Ferry from Cirkewwa to Gozo (around €4.65 return for pedestrians, charged on return only, every 45–60 minutes). On Gozo: hire a scooter (€30–40/day) or car (€40–60/day) — public transport is limited.
- Citadel (Victoria): Reconstructed medieval fortress in the centre of Gozo — 360° panorama of the whole island from the walls. Museums, cathedral, narrow lanes. Allow at least 2 hours.
- Azure Window / Blue Hole: The Azure Window collapsed in 2017, but the Blue Hole and Inland Sea still impress — legendary dive and snorkel site. The rock formations are extraordinary.
- Ramla Bay: Gozo's most beautiful beach — rust-red sand, turquoise water. Busy in summer — go early morning or late afternoon.
- Xlendi: A charming cove with restaurants and snorkelling. Relaxed local vibe, less crowded than Ramla.
Dinner on Gozo: Ta' Rikardu in the Citadel (local cheeses, Gozitan wine, traditional) or a restaurant at Xlendi Bay (seafood, sunset).
Day 5 — Blue Lagoon (Comino) + Beaches
Blue Lagoon — the turquoise lagoon between Comino and its rocky peninsula. Boat from Cirkewwa or from Sliema/St. Julian's (€15–20 return). Go early — fewer people, better water.
Seasonal warning: July–August — extreme crowds, boats packed into the lagoon, no towel space on the rocks. May–June and September–October — manageable. Off-season — almost empty.
Afternoon: Return to Malta, rest or swim at Balluta Bay or St. George's Bay in St. Julian's. Evening: Paceville for nightlife fans, or a relaxed dinner at Spinola Bay.
Day 6 — Southern Malta: Marsaxlokk and Blue Grotto
Early morning (6:30–10am): Marsaxlokk fish market — Sunday ONLY. On other days the waterfront with its luzzu fishing boats and a seafood lunch is still worth the trip.
Blue Grotto: 20 minutes from Marsaxlokk by car. Boat tour through sea caves with turquoise water (around €7–9). Morning light gives the best colours. Season: April–October.
St. Peter's Pool: A natural limestone swimming hole near Marsaxlokk. Crystal-clear water, rocks to jump from. No facilities — bring your own water.
Optional: Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra — megalithic temples dating to around 3,600 BC (entry around €10). 20 minutes from Blue Grotto. Older than Stonehenge and the pyramids.
Day 7 — Your Choice: Diving, Boat Trip or Relaxing
Option A — Diving: Malta is one of Europe's top dive destinations — clear water, wrecks and caves. Discover Scuba from around €80, guided dives from €50. Recommended: Maltaqua, Dive Zone Malta.
Option B — Boat trip: Full-day cruise: Valletta–Gozo–Comino–Blue Lagoon with swimming stops (€40–60 per person). Seeing Malta from the sea is a completely different experience.
Option C — Shopping and relaxation: The Point Mall or Sliema Ferries, souvenirs (Maltese ceramics, Malta Cross jewellery), a final lunch on the promenade.
Farewell dinner: Barracuda in St. Julian's or Zen Restaurant — book 2–3 days ahead, especially in summer.
7-Day Budget Guide
| Category | Budget (€) | Mid-range (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel (7 nights) | 350–500 | 500–900 |
| Food | 200–280 | 280–420 |
| Local transport | 60–80 | 80–120 |
| Car hire (2–3 days) | 80–120 | 120–180 |
| Attractions + entry | 80–120 | 120–200 |
| Souvenirs | 30–60 | 60–120 |
| TOTAL (ex-flights) | €800–1,160 | €1,160–1,940 |