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Wondering what to do in Malta for wellness and culture? This 5 days in Malta itinerary covers everything you need to know to make the most of your time in the Maltese islands, from the top places to visit and things to see in Malta, to the best restaurants, where to stay, and pro travel tips for a relaxing and cultural trip.
Malta is like no other country I’ve ever visited before.
For starters, it’s super tiny but highly populated. Malta is the 10th smallest country in the world and the 5th most densely populated. The result is interesting, to say the least.
Due to its location in the Mediterranean Sea and its long and rich history that dates back to 5900 BC, Malta is also a melting pot of cultures and influences, from the North of Africa to the Middle East, from the Greeks, Romans, and Arabs, to the Knights of St John and the British.
These influences are still very present everywhere you look: in the architecture, the delicious food (which was one of the best surprises of my trip!), the language, and the traditions.
Then there’s the beautiful natural scenery, the turquoise Mediterranean waters, and the wonderful climate.
No wonder so many expats are choosing the Maltese islands to settle down, and tourism is the main economic activity these days.
I spent 5 days exploring Malta, Gozo, and Comino. It was just enough to cover all the major attractions, practice yoga, relax on the beach, and fall in love with the Maltese archipelago.
So without further ado, here’s a perfect Malta 5 day itinerary and travel guide to help you plan your own visit.
Read more:
- Best Things to Do in Valletta, Malta in One Day
- Gozo Day Trip: Best Things to Do in Gozo Island, Malta
- Comino: How to Visit Malta’s Blue Lagoon
5 Days in Malta Itinerary
When to visit Malta
I visited the Maltese islands in October and highly recommend it as the perfect month to travel to Malta.
Not only did I get fabulous weather and warm seawater, but I also avoided the crowds and the higher prices of the peak season.
During summer, temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees and all the popular spots are overflowing with tourists, so I would skip July and August if you don’t like the heat and the crowds.
Early fall is a great time of the year to visit Malta, as well as late spring. Although, if you’d like to swim in warm sea waters, fall would still be your best option.
Besides, if you’re looking to be a more sustainable traveler, visiting off-season allows you to support tourism-based economies throughout the year and to minimize your environmental impact.
Where to stay in Malta
With so many different and interesting areas around the islands, choosing where to stay in Malta can definitely be overwhelming.
I’ve stayed at Boco Boutique, a small boutique hotel in the Three Cities, and absolutely loved it!
The Three Cities (Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea) are 3 fortified cities with picturesque waterfront promenades and gorgeous views over the Grand Harbor of Valletta.
Just a short (and beautiful!) 8-minute ferry ride from the Maltese capital, this is the perfect base for your first visit to Malta if you’d like to stay close to all the action but still enjoy some peace and quiet.
The whole area is very charming and there’s also great dining choices in all of the 3 cities.
Boco Boutique is set in a refurbished historic building in Cospicua, with stunning views of the Three Cities and Valletta.
But what makes this place so special, in my opinion, is the incredibly friendly and welcoming staff that makes you feel at home since the moment you walk in.
This stylish boutique hotel offers only 6 rooms, all uniquely decorated, so make sure to book in advance though.
Click here for more info and booking.
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How to get around Malta
As I’ve said, Malta is a small but highly populated country, so traffic can be a problem sometimes. Getting from one place to another can often get longer than expected, so you’ll need to factor this into your travel plans.
That being said, there are many ways to efficiently get around the Maltese islands, from public transportation to car rentals, taxis, ridesharing apps like eCabs and Bolt, or organized tours.
If you’re following this 5-day Malta itinerary, you’ll probably only need to take the ferries for the first 2 days.
A couple of times in the evening I’ve also used Bolt, which is cheaper than regular taxis or eCabs.
For the other 3 days, I’d recommend renting a car so you can explore further away and at your own rhythm and take the car with you on the ferry to Gozo.
Just remember that in Malta you drive on the left side of the road.
If that’s something you won’t be comfortable with, you can always join a tour, take the public bus or the Malta Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, or hire a private driver for the day.
Malta itinerary
Day 1: The Three Cities (Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea)
Spend your first day in Malta exploring the Three Cities.
This is the perfect place to learn about Malta’s history, while at the same time feeling its authentic day to day life.
Start at Vittoriosa, still called by its ancient name Birgu by the locals and the oldest of these 3 historic cities.
Birgu was declared the capital of Malta (replacing Mdina) by the Order of Saint John, who ruled the country from the 16th century to the end of the 18th century.
Later, the same Knights of Malta would establish the other 2 of the Three Cities: Cospicua and Senglea.
The city of Birgu played an important role in the Great Siege of Malta, in the 16th century, when the Knights of Saint John, with the help of a few hundred Maltese men, women, and children, although greatly outnumbered were able to defeat the invading forces of the Ottoman Empire.
Older than the current capital Valletta, the Three Cities were built on hills and surrounded by defensive walls to protect them from attacks.
Today, from Birgu you can admire lovely views over these historic cities, the Vittoriosa Marina and the canals, all the way to the Grand Harbor of Valletta.
I did a tour of Vittoriosa and highly recommend it if you’d like to learn more about the history of the Three Cities and Malta itself.
You can book a tour of Vittoriosa and the Three Cities, including wine tasting, here.
In Vittoriosa, there are also several museums you can visit, including the Malta Maritime Museum, the Malta at War Museum, the Inquisitor’s Palace, and Fort St Angelo.
After exploring Birgu, head down to Cospicua.
Get lost in its narrow, colorful streets, admire the typical Maltese balconies, and stroll along its beautiful waterfront.
Finally, cross the small bridge over the canal to Senglea.
Senglea’s picturesque waterside promenade was my favorite area in the Three Cities.
Filled with alfresco cafés and restaurants, it offers great views of Vittoriosa and Cospicua, as well of Valletta.
Where to eat
Hammett’s Macina
We stumbled upon this place by chance and decided to give it a try. It ended up being the best meal we had in Malta!
I had the open lasagna with Maltese octopus and the pork belly, and my boyfriend the local cured guanciale and the beef ribeye.
Everything was so delicious that this was easily one of the best restaurants I’ve eaten at in a long time.
Later we found out, this place is actually run by a famous, award-winning Maltese chef, Chris Hammett, so no wonder.
Hammett Macina is located in Senglea and, trust me, a mandatory place to eat at in Malta.
Del Borgo
Another excellent place to eat in the Three Cities, Del Borgo is a restaurant, wine bar, and café serving traditional Maltese food with a modern touch.
I really like the food here, as well as the atmosphere.
Fun fact: the restaurant is located in an old palace in Vittoriosa where was once the cellar of the Prince of Wales’ band club.
Day 2: Valletta, Sliema and St Julian’s
Dedicate the second day of your Malta itinerary to Valletta, the capital of the country.
From the Three Cities, you can easily get to Valletta by ferry or take a dghajsa, the typical Maltese gondola. The latter costs you only 50 cents more and allows for more flexibility timewise – you just need to find a free one and hop on board.
Either way, you’ll get to enjoy some lovely views along the way that alone would justify staying in the Three Cities. I’ve tried the ferry and the dghajsa and loved both experiences!
Valletta is a small city, in fact, it is the smallest capital of the European Union, and thus easy to explore in a day.
Built by the Order of Saint John in the 16th century, the city is one of Malta’s 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Some of the best things to see and do in Valletta are:
– admire the panoramic views from the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the Saluting Battery ceremony;
– take a Valletta walking tour including the impressive St. John’s Co-Cathedral, where you can find the only signed Caravaggio masterpiece in the world;
– visit Casa Rocca Piccola, a typical Maltese living palace from the 16th century.
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At the end of the afternoon, take the ferry to Sliema from Marsamxett, Valletta’s second port.
As one of the largest Maltese cities, Sliema is a modern and busy place with many high buildings dominating the skyline.
The Sliema Front promenade is a popular meeting point and nice for a walk, but to be honest this was not my favorite place in Malta.
I very much preferred the area around St Julian’s Bay, especially the romantic Spinola Bay. This is a really nice place to come in the evening and have dinner in one of the many waterfront restaurants.
You can easily walk from Sliema to St Julian’s and along St Julian’s Bay to Spinola Bay.
If you like to party, St Julian’s is also known for its nightlife, with Paceville being the main hub for clubs and bars.
If you’d like to meet other travelers from around the world and have some fun, you can join a Paceville pub crawl here.
Where to eat
MUZA Restaurant
In our day exploring Valletta, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Malta Art Museum restaurant, right in the center of the city.
Besides the beautiful setting of the interior terrace, I loved the art-inspired menu.
I had beef tagliata and my boyfriend the rabbit, the national Maltese dish.
Both dishes were exquisitely cooked, and the staff was very friendly and helpful.
Highly recommended!
Day 3: Mdina and Rabat
For your third day in Malta, take a day trip to Mdina and Rabat, in the center of the island.
The fortified city of Mdina was the first capital of the country during the Middle Ages.
It is known as the Silent City due to the fact that many of its former inhabitants, mostly noble families, have moved away to the new capital Valletta in the 16th century.
Today less than 300 people live in Mdina, which makes the city very quiet, especially after sunset.
Wandering around its car-free streets and squares you can feel the peaceful and undisturbed atmosphere.
Worth visiting here are St Paul’s Cathedral, which remains the seat of the Catholic Church in Malta, the National Museum of Natural History, located in the beautiful Vilhena Palace, and the city walls, which offer panoramic views of Malta’s countryside.
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you’d also recognize some of the series’ first season filming locations, starting right at the Mdina Gate (which was the entrance to King’s Landing in episode 3) and Mesquita Square (where was the door to Littlefinger’s Brothel in episodes 3 and 5).
Die-hard fans can also join this Game of Thrones tour to see all the several filming locations around the country. I must confess I’m not a big fan myself, but if you are this does sound like a lot of fun.
After exploring Mdina, walk to the nearby town of Rabat, which was the suburb of the old capital (Rabat means ‘suburb’ in Arabic).
One of the most famous sites here is the Catacombs of St Paul, a complex of underground Roman cemeteries.
According to tradition, St Paul himself was shipwrecked in Malta in 60 AD and converted the island to Christianity.
End your day at the nearby Dingli Cliffs, the highest point on the Maltese islands at 250 meters above sea level.
I didn’t have time to visit the Dingli Cliffs, but the scenery and sunset here are supposed to be breathtaking.
Where to eat
Crystal Palace (Tas-Serkin)
You can’t possibly visit Malta without trying the pastizzi, a traditional local pastry stuffed with ricotta cheese or mushy peas.
The most famous pastizzi in Malta can be found at Crystal Palace (Tas-Serkin), in Rabat. We tried the ricotta ones and they were sure delicious!
Enjoying a pastizzi at Crystal Palace is also an authentic local experience. This small café has been open for over a century and is a true Maltese institution.
Day 4: Gozo and Comino
Day 4 of your Malta itinerary is all about Gozo and Comino.
The Malta archipelago is made up of 7 islands, from which only 3 are inhabited: Malta, Gozo, and Comino.
Gozo is the second-largest island and a popular vacation destination among the Maltese themselves.
It does have a more relaxed and rural feel to it, while still offering plenty of things to do and see.
Wake up early and take the ferry from Cirkewwa to Gozo. You can buy your ticket at the port terminal and the trip takes around 25 minutes.
If you have a car, I suggest taking it with you on the ferry. If not, you can hire a driver once you arrive in Gozo, or book an organized tour of Gozo from Malta here.
Some of the best things to see in Gozo are the impressive Megalithic Ggantija Temples classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the picturesque capital city of Victoria, and the Citadel with its stunning views of the island.
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In the afternoon, take a boat tour from Gozo to Comino and back to Malta.
Comino is the smallest of the 3 inhabited islands, with only 3 permanent residents.
The island’s main attraction is, of course, the stunning Blue Lagoon, an idyllic bay of pristine turquoise waters, white sand, and golden rocks.
This is also one of Malta’s most popular places with tourists. I was here in October and it was still pretty busy.
But I guarantee you not even the crowds can take away from the beauty of this place.
Comino boat tours usually also include a trip around the island to see Comino’s amazing caves and landscape. For me, this was the highlight of the day and I can’t recommend it enough!
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Where to eat
Ta’ Rikardu
Located in Gozo’s Citadel, Ta’ Rikardu is a traditional Maltese restaurant and shop serving delicious local products in a typical and cozy atmosphere.
They also produce their own wine and cheese and offer milking and cheese-making tours on their farm.
We had lunch here during our day in Gozo and were not disappointed.
We tried one of their specialties – the Maltese ravioli with local cheese and tomato sauce – and, of course, the wine.
It was the perfect home-cooked-style meal after a morning of sightseeing.
Day 5: SUP Yoga, Mellieha Bay, and Marsaxlokk
Spend your last day in Malta relaxing by the Mediterranean Sea.
I suggest starting your morning off on the right note with a SUP Yoga class in St Julian’s Bay.
Whether you’re an advanced yogi or a beginner, this is a fantastic way to energize your body and relax your mind.
This was my second time trying SUP Yoga and I absolutely loved it. In fact, it was one of my favorite activities in Malta.
You can book a lesson with SUP Yoga & Fitness Malta here.
Then head to the north of the island and spend the rest of your day indulging on the beach at Mellieha Bay.
Ghadira Bay (as it’s also known) is Malta’s largest sandy beach, and one of the most beautiful.
With crystal clear turquoise water and white sand, Mellieha Bay is, not surprisingly, the most popular beach on the island.
But if you’re visiting off-season as I did, it’s nothing less than paradise!
Near Ghadira Bay, you can also visit the equally popular Popeye Village, which is a fun alternative for kids or for your inner kid, if lying down on the beach all day isn’t exactly your thing.
For your last evening in Malta, head to the picturesque fishing village of Marsaxlokk.
Marsaxlokk is the biggest fishing harbor in Malta and famous for the luzzus, the traditional Maltese fishing boats painted in bright colors and with a pair of eyes to protect the fishermen at sea.
Besides admiring the luzzus, another mandatory thing to do in Marsaxlokk is, of course, to eat some local, fresh fish.
Marsaxlokk harbor is home to some of the best fish restaurants on the island – check out my personal recommendation below – and the perfect setting for your last dinner in Malta.
Where to eat
Munchies Bistro & Lido
Located right on the beach at Ghadira Bay, Munchies offers seriously delicious food and fantastic views.
We had a very nice lunch here overlooking the beach. We started with the bruschettas and then shared the fish of the day, which name I forgot but that was really yummy.
Downstairs, they also have a cool beach café over the water and a lido, where, after lunch, we’ve rented some sunchairs and spent a chilled-out afternoon.
Capo Mulini
We enjoyed our last dinner in Malta at Capo Mulini, in the beautiful Marsaxlokk harbor.
Rated as one of the best restaurants in Marsaxlokk, this place ticks all the boxes: wonderful food, excellent service, and a great setting.
Local fresh fish is, of course, the specialty here, but they also serve pizza, pasta or meat.
So there you have it. A detailed 5 days in Malta itinerary and travel guide you can steal for a perfect first-time visit to the country.
More travel tips
Travel Insurance
SafetyWing – Travel insurance is very important and you should never leave home without it! I use and recommend SafetyWing travel medical insurance for travelers, remote workers, and nomads.
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You can subscribe online here for a minimum of 5 days to a maximum of 364 days, or opt for a monthly subscription instead.
Cheap flights
Looking for the best airfare deals? Skyscanner is my favorite travel search engine for finding cheap flights around the world. They also offer price tracking and alerts to help you secure the best deals.
Accommodation
When it comes to accommodation, Booking.com is the best site out there. From hotels to apartments, resorts, villas, B&B, and guest houses, it offers the best prices for accommodation all over the world. I book the vast majority of my stays through them.
Yoga Retreats
Looking for a yoga retreat near home or in an exotic destination? BookYogaRetreats offers the best yoga retreats, holidays, and courses around the world for all budgets and levels of experience.
Tours
GetYourGuide is my favorite platform for local tours, unique experiences, and skip-the-line tickets to attractions all around the world.
Klook is another great resource for tours and activities, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Asia.
Car Rentals
Booking.com has a car rental search engine that compares the biggest brands in car hire and allows you to find the cheapest deals all around the world.
* I was a guest of Visit Malta during my time in the country. As always, all opinions are my own.
Have you visited Malta? What did you like the most about the Maltese islands? Share in the comments section below!
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Ann says
I have always wanted to see Malta and its been on my bucketlist for years and years, there just never seems to be the right time. I really love the history that goes along with Malta, especially all about St John 🙂
Susan Pazera says
Lovely post – and I am now craving a pastizzi! Seriously, you’ve forced us to move Malta higher up on our bucket list. Thank you for the thorough info and great photography!
Karen says
We never really connected with our trip to Malta en route to Gozo one Christmas. Although it is one of those places that so many people rave about that it makes me reconsider whether we should revisit out of season. Thanks for making me rethink.
Laureen Lund says
I’m headed to Malta in May, so I am really excited to get your ideas. I’m saving to refer back to. We will be staying for a week in Senglea and then two weeks on Gozo. So we have plenty of time to see everything at a leisurely pace. Thanks for a great article.
Vanda says
That sounds great! I definitely have to go back with more time. There’s just so much to see in Malta!