What to see in Malta - what to do in six days

What to see in Malta – what to see, where to visit during a six-day trip to three islands: Malta, Gozo, Comino. Transportation and housing in Malta.

Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta offers a fascinating mix of history, culture and natural beauty. This small archipelago has a rich heritage of ancient temples, medieval fortifications and charming villages built of yellow stone.

Malta is of great historical significance, so it is often called an open-air museum because of the very high concentration of archaeological sites per square meter of the islands. From the complex megalithic temples older than the Egyptian pyramids to the baroque architecture of Valletta, the forts that surround it, and the legacy of the Knights Hospitaller the of St. John the Baptist.

When planning my own trip to Malta, I was able to put together a perfect puzzle that included ancient Valletta, small fishing towns like Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala, a vibrant carnival and peaceful walks along the wild trails of Gozo, a boat trip to Comino Island and the Blue Grotto.

I saw all this in 6 full days that I spent in Malta in February 2024. The trip was very busy, but without too much stress thanks to convenient transportation, cheap hotels, and a small number of tourists in the low season.

To be honest, I did not expect incredible impressions from Malta, but I was very impressed by the nature, the friendliness of the people and the complex mosaic of cultural traditions.

I was traveling alone (as I often do), but I felt safe at every step. So I’m adding Malta to the list of places for women traveling alone.

Best time to visit Malta

Malta is beautiful at any time of the year. Even in winter, the temperature does not drop below +15. In February, greenery appears in Malta and everything begins to bloom, which is the exception rather than the rule for the reddish-yellow island.

The island can also be seen green in spring, in March and early April. In March and April, they swim in the sea and sunbathe on the beaches.

In summer, African winds bring heat, but sea breezes soften the hot air. We should still expect quite high temperatures – in the summer of 2023, there were days when it exceeded +45 degrees. Because the climate is changing and summers are getting hotter.

Fal – September and October are the best time to vacation in Malta, in my opinion. The water in the sea is very warm, the air is not so hot anymore. When it’s already raining in northern European countries and everyone is wearing warm jackets, it’s a wonderful mild Indian summer.

What documents are needed to visit Malta

Malta is a member of Schengen. Therefore, Ukrainians only need a biometric passport with a sufficient number of days to visit Schengen countries.

Don’t neglect to buy insurance – if you get sick, it will save you money and nerves. I recommend online insurance on the portal HotlineFinance. You can take out insurance both in Ukraine and abroad. If you are already abroad, you need to take out insurance in advance – at least five days before the start of your trip.

Getting to Malta

Malta International Airport (MLA) is the only airport in Malta, located near the town of Luqa, about 8 kilometers (5 miles) southwest of the capital Valletta. The airport is small and has only one terminal.

Despite our small airport, Malta is well connected to a variety of international destinations, with both direct and connecting flights via many major European hubs.

Many airline companies fly to Malta, including such major carriers as Air Malta. But it is cheaper to fly here with Ryanair or Wizz Air. I chose Wizz Air because I had a more convenient schedule from Bucharest. But Ryanair’s price was the same.

Where is the best place to stay in Malta

When I planning a trip to Malta, looked at several cities where it was better to book accommodation. It all depends on what kind of vacation you are planning and what you want to do on the islands. Therefore, there are several options for booking accommodation.

For those who come to Malta for three days , it is best to base themselves in Valletta or in the cities of the Great Harbor – Birgu, Sengleja and Bormla, as well as Sliema, which is located further along the coast. There is a large selection of hotels here, you can get to any place on the island from here, and there are high-speed ferries to the island of Gozo. Choose Valletta or Birga if you want to be among the old architecture, or Sliema, which is more “modern Malta”.

Book accommodation in Valletta≫

Mellieħa, St. Paul’s Bay, Bugibba and Qawra are for those who come to Malta for a beach vacation. Sandy beaches are located near these cities. In these areas you will find a number of all-inclusive hotels. As well as hotels and apartments located right on the beach or in the immediate vicinity.

St. Julian’s is for young people and adults looking for fun nightlife and parties. there are many nightclubs, the city has a large concentration of bars, and the Maltese club district Paceville is located here.

Book accommodation in St. Julian’s≫

If you plan to explore the island of Gozo in more detail, choose a hotel in the city of Victoria, which is the largest on the island. It is the most convenient way to get to all the natural and historical sights of Gozo.

Book accommodation in Gozo≫

More information about accommodation in Malta – Where is the best place to stay in Malta

What you need to know before you go to Malta

Malta has two official languages – Maltese (a branch of Arabic with an accent more like Italian). Locals, even the elderly, communicate in English, at least everyone answered my questions.
It has the same type of sockets as in the UK.
Left-hand traffic is on the roads – be prepared for this if you rent a car or just get off at the bus stop.
There are no rivers on the island, so water is obtained by desalinizing the sea. The water in the tap is a little salty, and the pressure in the shower is very weak if the hotel owners did not take care of installing an additional pump.
The currency is the Euro, but almost everywhere you can use a bank card. Exceptions are markets and small shops that do not want to accept payment by card if the check is less than 5 Euros. The same is true for some restaurants near the sea, paying for boat excursions, or dgħajsa boats that take cash (2 Euros) for a walk around the bays of Valletta.

How to get around Malta more easily

There are several types of transportation you can use while in Malta.

Rent a car in Malta

I always recommend renting a car when traveling with at least two people. Having your own car makes it easy to explore the entire island at your own pace. And you’ll never have to worry about bus schedules, taxi prices, or inconvenient routes.

Numerous international and local car rental companies operate in Malta. You will find all the well-known international companies such as Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Sixt, as well as several local providers. It is convenient to compare and search for a car through Rentalcars.com where all providers located at Malta Airport are presented.

But before you start looking for a car, here’s the most important thing to know about driving in Malta: there is left-hand traffic here – just like in the UK! You need to be mentally prepared for this, because the roads in Malta are a bit narrow and you shouldn’t make mistakes.

Buses

The public bus network is quite extensive. Thanks to this, you can travel around most of the island by bus. That’s exactly what I did, traveling around Malta and Gozo on direct flights or with transfers in major hubs. Buses run between towns and villages, as well as to natural attractions.

The cost of a bus ticket: one-way during the day costs 2.5 euros, and in the evening it rises to 3.5 euros. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver when boarding the bus. Payment in cash or by card with Paypas.

I used another option – the “7-day exploration card“, which allows an unlimited number of bus trips in Malta and Gozo by bus. The card costs 25 euros for adults and 15 euro s for children and can be purchased at a number of locations, including the vending machine located in the arrivals area of Malta Airport. Other sales locations are listed here.
I used such a card and it paid off in the first two days.

To get real-time information on bus movements, you can download the tallinja app from Google Play for Android or the App Store for iOS. I didn’t install any apps, I just used Google maps, which displays bus departure times and any routes.

More information: Transportation in Malta – the best way to get around the islands

Ferries and boats

Malta is an island nation, so it has a well-developed water transport network.

These are high-speed passenger ferries that run between Valletta and Gozo (7.5 euros one way, 15 euros round trip).
Ferries connecting Malta and Gozo, running through the strait between the islands. These large ferries can carry both passengers and cars (4.5 euros per person without a car, 15.7 euros for a car with a driver).
Small ferries plying the Valletta Bay from one shore to the other(2 euros).
Dgħajsa boats also ply between the shores of Valletta Bay, with a capacity of 6 people per boat (2 euros).

How to get from the airport MLA

Transportation options from MLA Airport to various locations on the island include taxis, private shuttles, public buses, and car rentals.

There are taxis outside the terminal that can take you directly to your destination. But you can install the Bolt and Uber apps to get an inexpensive option for airport transfers. The price is from 12 to 20 euros from the airport to Valletta, depending on the time of day.

Public buses are an affordable option, with routes connecting the airport to various towns and villages throughout the island. Buses marked with an “X” are responsible for all routes running around the island from the airport.
But there are also buses with other numbers that run to the airport. Example: #219 – travels from the airport to the town of Marsaskala via Marsashlokk. Or #201 – from the airport to Rabat (Mdina) via the Blue Grotto. Routes and timetables are available on the website of the transport company of Malta.

Car rental – for those who plan to travel around Malta and Gozo by car. The rental company is located on level 1 (lower) in Park East. To get to Park East, which is a separate building located a 3-minute walk from the main terminal, please look for “RENTAL CARS” signs on the directional signs, terminal floor markings and elevator signs.

How many days to plan for a trip to Malta

Malta is a fairly small archipelago country. But don’t make the mistake of looking at its small size. It is impossible to cover everything in one or two days. And it doesn’t matter if you are a lover of culture, archeology, and history, want to lie on the beach, or enjoy hiking along the trails along the sea.

3 days – minimum

If you have very little time, then I recommend planning three full days in Malta. You will have time to see Old Valletta, visit St. John’s Cathedral, walk around the city, take a boat ride across the Big Bay to the Three Cities, and walk the streets of the port city of Birgu. Also, visit the Blue Grotto and sail under its arches in a boat. And also to visit the old capital, Mdina, for half a day, and see Rabat.

From 4 to 7 days

For a more complete experience and for those who wish to extend their itinerary by a few extra days, I would recommend a visit of up to 6 days. During this time, you can visit and even spend the night on the island of Gozo, see its bays, beaches and cliffs at sunset. Sail to Comino Island and spend a few hours there, and in the summer swim in the Blue Lagoon.

In 6 days, you will have time to discover not only Valletta, Mdina and Birga, but also to visit the Sunday market in the fishing village of Marsashlokk, and explore the neighboring more modern cities of Sliema and San Julian. And if you want to go on several hiking trails on the islands of Gozo and Malta, you can walk around the island of Comino.

What to see in Malta in six days

My trip lasted exactly 6 days and I managed to see almost everything on all three islands. I was also lucky enough to attend the Valletta Carnival, which I highly recommend because it is one of the most beautiful and large-scale carnivals in Europe. I’ll tell you what you can see in 6 days in Malta.

Valletta – the new capital of Malta

Valletta is called the new capital of Malta because there is also an “old capital” – Mdina. The city, founded by the Knights of St. John, was developed in the late 1500s and was built to compete with the largest maritime powers and cities in Europe at the time, such as Venice, Dubrovnik and Naples.

Today Valletta is the largest city and a huge port in Malta. And Old Valletta is an interesting destination for tourists with great bars and restaurants, museums, forts, and Catholic cathedrals that are breathtaking. Staying in Valletta is not cheap – it has the most expensive hotels and restaurants, but it’s worth staying here for at least a couple of days and spending some money during your visit.

What to do in Valletta in two days:

Start your day with a walk through the historic streets of the city. The city is decorated with red, blue, and green balconies, and the houses are traditionally built of yellow stone quarried on the island.
Visit St. John’s Cathedral – I was almost nailed to the ceiling by its decoration. I have never seen so much gold and marble in any other cathedral in the world. This cathedral is also a museum – here you can see paintings by Caravaggio, who lived and painted in Malta.
Check out the Grandmaster’s Palace, which is also a very magnificent building.
Come to the Upper Barrakka Garden, a very beautiful place with an observation deck. But keep in mind that every day at noon they shoot guns near it.
Enjoy a scenic cruise around the harbor, or simply walk down to the ferry dock to cross over to the opposite side of the harbor to Birgu. There you can walk along the yacht marina, sit in one of the wonderful cafes, and climb the Fort of St. Angelo. Or go into the Inquisitor’s Palace.
Indulge in your trip Maltese cuisine – try rabbit in wine, or simply buy local pastizzi pies with traditional ricotta or pea filling.
It goes down to the small fishermen’s huts located on Wuestenwinds beach – this is almost the only stone beach in Old Valletta, a very romantic place with blue boats and views of the lighthouse.
Valletta has one of the best carnivals in Europe, and I highly recommend visiting it. Huge platforms with figures of fairy-tale heroes and modern stars moving to the music, blowing confetti and soap bubbles into the sky, travel around the city. Music is playing, people are dancing in incredible costumes – it’s a real celebration!

More information: Valletta in two days – what to do in and around the capital of Malta

Mdina and Rabat

Mdina and Rabat, located in the heart of Malta, are two destinations worth visiting and they are rightly on the “5/6/7 most popular things to do in Malta!” list. Stroll through the charming streets of Rabat and observe the daily life of a typical Maltese city as you approach the fortified walls of Mdina.

Partly a medieval city, Mdina was later decorated with fantastic Baroque architecture in the 18th century, partly by the Knights of St. John the Baptist. John. It is called the Quiet City, and its winding narrow streets and quiet neighborhoods will take you back in time.

Marsaxlokk

The fishing village of Marsaxlokk, located along the southeastern coast of Malta, has a particularly picturesque atmosphere. Marsashlokk, known for its fishing traditions and colorful boats Luzzu. It is a prime example of a Maltese fishing village where you can experience authentic Maltese culture.

On Sundays, the village comes alive with the famous Marsaxlock fish market, where fishermen sell their morning catch. But there are not many fishermen here – this market is also for locals who want to buy fresh vegetables, food, clothes and other household items. That’s why people from neighboring towns come here to buy everything they need at reasonable prices. There are also souvenirs, because tourists also come for authenticity.

I did the same thing – my plane landed at 7:30 in the morning, and at 8:30 I was already walking around the Marsashlock market. I bought delicious fruit, smelled spices, and drank coffee in a nearby cafe with sweet strawberries. And I’ve already eaten seafood in one of the town’s restaurants – there are a lot of them, so you can already order ready-made octopus or shrimp. Or if you are staying in an apartment, you can buy the freshest fish you can find in Malta and cook it yourself.

The best fish market in Malta is located in the southeastern part of the island in the village of Marsashlokk. Marsashlokk is considered the main fishing port and there is a huge selection of seafood: various types of fish, shellfish, octopus and squid are waiting for their customers. In one of the fish restaurants, you can taste all of this – traditional fish dishes are prepared from the fresh catch, including pixxispad swordfish and lampuki pai, a pie made from lampuki fish.

Gozo and Comino Islands

I set aside two days to explore the islands of Gozo and Comino, so I stayed overnight at a hotel in Victoria. The purpose of the two days was to walk along the cliffs and the sea, visit saltworks, hidden bays on the island, and go hiking along the island’s trails. And also visit the island of Comino in the Blue Bay.

What to do in Gozo in two days:

Visit Victoria, the capital of the island of Gozo. The main historical spot of the island, the Citadel, is located here. A fortified medieval city located on top of a hill, from which the entire island is visible 360 degrees during the day. There is the Cathedral, many museums, the Old Prison and other historical buildings on the territory.
Visit Dwejra Bay, one of the places where Game of Thrones was filmed (the wedding venue for Daenerys and Khal Drogo). It was also once home to the famous Azur Window stone arch, which collapsed in 2017.
Take a walk to the left towards DwejraBay, which offers spectacular views of the bay and Fungus Rock, a 60-meter-high rock standing in the sea. In windy weather, when huge waves crash against the rocks, it’s a truly breathtaking sight.
There is also the Inner Sea of Gozo, a small lagoon connected to the Mediterranean Sea by a narrow cave. In good weather, for 4-5 euros, local fishermen take everyone along the shore, going out to sea through a cave.
See Salt Pans – special formations made in the rocks for evaporation of sea salt.
Follow a small hike route that starts right next to the ferry crossing from Malta to Gozo and leads to the Sannat rocks. The track will take two hours, and along the way you will see an ancient fort, incredible bays with stone beaches, Mġarr ix-Xini Bay, where the movie By the Sea with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie was filmed.
The Sannat Cliffs are cliffs up to 120 meters high, at the foot of which the waves of the Mediterranean crash with a roar. The place is very beautiful both during the day and at sunset.

More information: Gozo Island, Malta – what to do in two full days

Beaches in Malta

Malta doesn’t have many beaches, but that doesn’t stop tourists from coming here in the summer for a seaside vacation. The water is warm, and it is incredibly pleasant to swim in it, even after descending into the water from the stone or metal stairs leading to the water.

Beaches of Gozo, Comino and Malta:

Golden Bay Beach, is located on the northwest coast of Malta. It is quite large in size with yellow sand and blue water. The gentle entrance and calm water are very suitable for families.
Ghajn Tuffieha Bay – which has a second name, Riviera. It is considered to be wilder, the sandy strip near this beach is already than at Golden Bay. To get to Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, you will have to go down 100 steps.
Ramla Beach, located on the island of Gozo, is known for its red and golden sands. It is popular among locals and tourists looking for a relaxing vacation by the sea.
Mellieha Beach is the largest sandy beach in Malta, located in the bay of the same name. There is a long strip of sand, a calm sea thanks to the protection of the bay, and a very gentle entrance to the water – it’s great for families with small children. The city of Mellieha is also located near the beach, with a large selection of hotels and apartments.
St. George’s Bay Beach in St. Julian’s is for those who like city beaches with sun loungers and good hotels.
Pretty Bay Beach is located in the small town of Il-Bajja s-Sabiha near Marshaslokk. A beautiful sandy beach, large enough and convenient enough to come here from Valletta to swim.
Blue Lagoon Beach on Comino Island has clear blue turquoise water and white sand. The strip of sandy beach there is very small. Because of this, there are a lot of people who want to come here even in winter. So be prepared to feel like you’re on an ant hill on this beach. If possible, get to the island at dawn or early in the morning, before the crowds of tourists arrive.

More information about beaches: Sandy beaches in Malta

Natural attractions and places of interest in Malta

Explore Dingli Cliffs for panoramic views. Dingli Cliffs are located near the town of Dingli – 201 buses go here from Rabat. A walking path leads along the sea, offering beautiful views of the cliffs and the sea.
Go on boat trips to the fascinating Blue Grotto. And enjoy sailing charters to neighboring islands such as Comino and Gozo. The boat ride costs 10 euros, and it’s worth it!
Look at the arches of the Blue Grotto from the observation deck above the grotto. Bus #201, which connects the airport and the city of Rabat, also goes here
See megalithic temples like Ġgantija, a UNESCO World Heritage Site older than the pyramids of Giza. Or the Hagar-Kim temples, which are more than 5000 years old and are one of the world’s oldest free-standing religious buildings.

More information: Hiking in Malta – hiking routes along the sea and cliffs

Maltese cuisine – what to try

History, geography, and lifestyle have influenced the culinary traditions of Malta. Malta is an island archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. So Maltese cuisine emphasizes seafood, ripe vegetables, and fruits that ripen under the southern sun, despite water problems. The island does not have its own sources of fresh water. All of it is extracted by desalination and is not cheap.

Malta was inhabited by immigrants from different parts of Europe, each of them brought their own culinary preferences. For example, alietta, a fish soup with garlic, herbs, and tomatoes, is a Maltese version of the French bouillabaisse soup.

Neighborhood with Sicily has brought Italian notes. There are pasta with various sauces and seafood, pizza, gnocchi, and ravioli can be found everywhere in Malta.

Almost every Maltese restaurant serves rabbit in wine, a very soft, juicy stew that literally melts in your mouth. Maltese street food – pastizzi patties fried in oil with traditional fillings such as ricotta cheese and peas.

British colonization also influenced culinary traditions: the cafe serves English breakfast and brunch. And in pubs, just like in Britain, beer is sold in pints and half-pints.

Maltese and Gozan wines are not inferior to Italian and Sicilian wines. But due to the hotter and drier climate, they are more tart. The archipelago is home to well-known and recognized grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Chardonnay. And we have our own, bred and grown exclusively in Malta: Jelleusa and Girgentina.

What to bring from Malta

Do not associate shopping in Malta exclusively with shopping centers and outlets. In Valletta, all stores are located in convenient proximity to each other. Here you can find interesting jewelry, cosmetics, and samples of local textiles:

Maltese linen lace, which has been woven by craftswomen for over five hundred years.
Jewelry made of silver, pearls and gold – their price is lower than in Europe, and the quality is high.
A jar of Maltese honey or syrup of ceratonia, a breadfruit tree that is added to tea instead of sugar.
A bottle of local liquor – Limuncell, an analog of the Italian Limoncello, or a more exotic version – Bajtra cactus liquor.

Useful links for traveling to Malta:

Car rental – I am looking for inexpensive options on Rentalcars.com
Booking hotels and apartments – traditionally on Booking.com
Excursions in Malta – book in advance on GetYourGuide
Buses in Malta and Gozo onare the website of the transport company of Malta.
High-speed ferry from Malta to Gozo – tickets are available at the ticket office or online on the ferry website.

Malta for 7 days – how to plan a trip

Best time to visit Malta

What documents are needed to visit Malta

Getting to Malta

Where is the best place to stay in Malta

What you need to know before you go to Malta