Malta Tours and Excursions: Boat Trips, Gozo Day Trips and Guided Tours

Malta is small, so most tours are a half day or a full day, and many leave from Sliema, Buġibba or the Ċirkewwa ferry terminal. This guide sorts the best Malta tours and excursions by type, so you can pick the right one for your trip and book it in a few minutes.

Malta Boat Trips and Cruises

The sea is the best part of a Malta holiday, and boat trips are the most booked tours on the islands. Most run from late spring to autumn, with fewer departures in winter. Pick by what you want from the day: a swim, the coastline or the view of Valletta.

Gozo Day Trips from Malta

Gozo is greener and slower than Malta, and a day trip is the easiest way to see it if you are staying on the main island. The ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr takes about 25 minutes. For the full picture, read our guide to things to do in Gozo. Tours come in a few styles:

• Coach tours: the classic option, with hotel pick-up and a guide. Good for first-timers and families.
• Jeep tours: smaller groups and dirt tracks to viewpoints, often with a lunch stop.
• Quad or buggy tours: you drive yourself around the island in a convoy. Check the licence rules when booking.
• Boat tours: see the cliffs and bays from the sea, usually with a stop at Comino.

A typical Gozo day tour (routes vary by operator):

1. Ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr, with views of Comino on the way.
2. Ġgantija Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site older than the pyramids of Giza.
3. The Citadel in Victoria (Rabat), with views across the whole island.
4. Dwejra and the Inland Sea, where the Azure Window stood until it collapsed in 2017.
5. A swim or lunch stop at Xlendi or Ramla Bay, then the ferry back.

Guided Tours of Valletta, Mdina and the Temples

A guide adds a lot in Malta, where 7,000 years of history are packed into a very small space. These are the guided tours most worth your time.

Malta Food and Wine Tours

Maltese food mixes Sicilian, North African and British influences. A food tour is a fun way to try the things you might not order on your own. Expect to taste:

• Pastizzi: flaky pastries filled with ricotta or mushy peas, the island’s favourite snack.
• Ftira: a ring-shaped bread filled with tuna, olives, capers and tomatoes.
• Ġbejna: small sheep’s milk cheeses from Gozo, fresh, dried or peppered.
• Local wine: look for the native grapes Ġellewża (red) and Girgentina (white).

Malta Tours Compared

Tour	Best for	Length	When to go
Comino and Blue Lagoon	Swimming, families, couples	Half or full day	May to October
Gozo day trip	Seeing a second island	Full day	All year
Grand Harbour cruise	Views and history	Under 2 hours	All year
Blue Grotto	Photos, a quick boat ride	20 to 30 minutes	Calm mornings
Valletta walking tour	History, first visits	2 to 3 hours	All year
Mdina and Rabat	History, quiet streets	Half day	All year
Food and wine tour	Food lovers	Half day	All year

How to Book Malta Tours

1. Book summer trips early. Boat trips from June to September fill up, especially at weekends.
2. Check the pick-up point. Many tours leave from Sliema or Buġibba, and some include hotel pick-up. Look at the map before you book.
3. Choose free cancellation. Sea trips can be cancelled for weather, so flexible tickets save hassle.
4. Read what is included. Lunch, entry tickets and the Blue Lagoon time slot are not always part of the price.
5. Plan a rainy-day option. Valletta, Mdina and the museums are good choices when the sea is rough.

Malta Tours FAQ

What is the best tour in Malta?

A Comino and Blue Lagoon boat trip is the most popular tour in Malta, especially in summer. If it is your first visit and you want to see as much as possible in one day, a Gozo day trip is a good alternative.

Can you visit Gozo and Comino in one day?

Yes. Many boat tours combine the Blue Lagoon with the caves of Comino and a stop on Gozo. You only get a short time at each place, so if you want a proper look at Gozo, book a separate day trip.

Do I need to book Malta tours in advance?

In summer, yes, especially for boat trips and the Blue Lagoon. Outside the peak months you can often book a day or two ahead. The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is the exception: tickets are limited all year and sell out weeks ahead.

Are boat trips cancelled in bad weather?

Yes. Operators cancel when the sea is rough, and the Blue Grotto boats stop running even in moderate wind. Most booking sites refund or rebook cancelled trips, but check the terms before you pay.

What should I bring on a Malta boat trip?

Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water and some cash for snacks or sunbed hire. Water shoes help on rocky swimming spots.

Keep Planning

Sources: Gozo Channel (ferry crossing times), Heritage Malta (temples and Hypogeum), Visit Malta.