Malta Itinerary: 3, 5 and 7 Days in Malta, Gozo and Comino

Malta is small enough to see a lot in a few days, but big enough that a plan helps. These are the itineraries we recommend at Experiences Malta for 3, 5 and 7 days, built around one base, short travel times and the sights most visitors care about. Each day links to our detailed guides.

How Many Days Do You Need in Malta?

Trip length	What you can see
2 to 3 days	Valletta, Mdina and one boat trip or the Three Cities
4 to 5 days	Add Comino and a day in Gozo
7 days	Add the south (temples, Blue Grotto, Marsaxlokk) and beach time
10 days or more	Stay a few nights on Gozo and slow down

3 Days in Malta

Day 1: Valletta

• Morning: St John’s Co-Cathedral at opening time, then Republic Street and the Grandmaster’s Palace.
• Midday: the noon gun at the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
• Afternoon: Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum.
• Evening: dinner in Valletta. See the best restaurants in Malta.

Day 2: Mdina, Rabat and the Dingli Cliffs

• Morning: walk Mdina, the Silent City, and St Paul’s Cathedral.
• Lunch: pastizzi at Is-Serkin in Rabat.
• Afternoon: St Paul’s Catacombs, then sunset at the Dingli Cliffs.

Day 3: Comino or the Three Cities

• Summer: a morning boat to the Blue Lagoon using the early time slot.
• Winter or a windy day: cross the harbour to the Three Cities instead.

5 Days in Malta

Follow the 3-day plan, then add:

Day 4: Gozo

• Early ferry from Ċirkewwa. See our Gozo ferry guide.
• Ġgantija Temples, the Citadel in Victoria and Dwejra.
• Sunset at Ta’ Pinu on the way back. Full route in our Gozo guide.

Day 5: The south of Malta

• Morning: Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples.
• Late morning: the Blue Grotto boats at Wied iż-Żurrieq, if the sea is calm.
• Afternoon: a seafood lunch in Marsaxlokk. Go on a Sunday for the market.

7 Days in Malta

Follow the 5-day plan, then add:

Day 6: The Three Cities and a harbour cruise

• Cross to Birgu by dgħajsa, visit Fort St Angelo and the Gardjola Gardens in Senglea.
• Late afternoon: a Grand Harbour cruise. Compare Malta boat trips.

Day 7: Beach day

• Golden Bay or Mellieħa Bay on Malta, or Ramla Bay on Gozo. See the best beaches in Gozo.
• Evening: the Sliema promenade or Spinola Bay in St Julian’s.

Where to Base Yourself

For these itineraries, stay in one place and do day trips. Sliema has the most choice and the ferry to Valletta; Valletta puts you next to the sights; St Julian’s suits nightlife. If you want to spend more than a day on Gozo, move there for the last nights. Compare the areas in where to stay in Malta.

Getting Around Malta

• Buses: cover the whole island, with Valletta as the main hub. See our Malta bus guide for fares and routes.
• Ferries: Sliema to Valletta, Valletta to the Three Cities, Ċirkewwa to Gozo and boats to Comino.
• Ride-hailing apps: widely used and handy in the evenings.
• Car hire: useful for Gozo and the south, but parking in Valletta and Sliema is hard. Remember Malta drives on the left.

Tips for Planning Your Malta Itinerary

• Check the season: boat trips and beaches are best from June to October. See Malta weather by month.
• Sundays: St John’s Co-Cathedral is closed, but Marsaxlokk’s market is on.
• Plan around events: festas in summer, Carnival in February, Christmas markets in December. See What’s On in Malta.
• Do not over-plan: leave time for long lunches. Our Maltese food guide lists what to order.

Malta Itinerary FAQ

Is 3 days enough for Malta?

Three days is enough for Valletta, Mdina and either Comino or the Three Cities. To add Gozo and the south, plan for five days or more.

Is 7 days too long in Malta?

No. A week lets you see Malta, Gozo and Comino at a relaxed pace, with time for beaches and long lunches.

Should I stay in Malta or Gozo?

Base yourself on Malta for a first trip, as most sights and transport links are there. Spend a night or two on Gozo if you want a slower pace.

Keep Planning

Sources: Visit Malta, Heritage Malta, Gozo Channel, r/solotravel: Malta thread.