How to Spend 5 Days in Malta and Gozo
Before I travelled to Malta in September 2021, I had no idea how to plan an itinerary for 5 days in Malta. I spent time asking friends who had been to Malta for tips, I searched for ideas in Facebook groups, and of course, I searched Google for Malta blogs.
It took me a long time to gather all the information I was looking for. That is why I am writing my own Malta travel itinerary to share with you all.
If you are looking for general travel tips for Malta, read my other Malta travel blog post.
Malta Itinerary 5 Days – At a Glance
Day One: Arrive in Malta and evening roam around Valletta
Day Two: Exploring Blue Grotto, Marsaxlokk, Barrakka Gardens and Harbour
Day Three: Quick stop at Popeye Village, Comino boat ride and Gozo by land
Day Four: Saint John’s Co-Cathedral and walk around Mdina
Day Five: Departure from Malta
Malta Itinerary
This itinerary for Malta is a mixture of what I did when I was in Malta in September 2021, plus the places or activities that I missed and wished I had visited.
As I explain later in this article in further detail, the activities I write about could work as a one week Malta itinerary if you have more time. However, I only had five days to explore Malta, so I made it work.
Day One in Malta: Arriving in Malta
On your first day in Malta, you may want to take it slowly, depending on what time you arrive. I highly recommend booking your flights with Air Malta. Although some low-cost airlines fly to Malta from around Europe, consider looking at Air Malta to see if the flight times are more suitable.
Book your flights with Air Malta here.
Book a flight that arrives in Malta in daylight, especially if it is your first time in Malta. You do not want to arrive at night and have to drive in the dark to find your accommodation. I found that the flights from London Heathrow to Malta with Air Malta allowed for a longer trip, arriving earlier in Malta and departing later on the way back home.
I recommend putting a priority on suitability of flight time, rather than cheap flights, especially if you are spending less than one week in Malta.
If you are travelling from North America to Malta, you will need to take a connecting flight.
Car Rental in Malta
Renting a car at Malta airport is really convenient and cheap, plus it gives you much more freedom to explore the island. However, driving in Malta is notoriously chaotic. I discuss the pros and cons of renting a car in Malta in my Guide to Malta.
Also note, they drive on the left in Malta, the same as the UK, which could be an advantage or disadvantage to you, depending where you are from.
I booked my car rental on Expedia with Budget and everything went smoothly. However, if you are not a confident driver in general, I would recommend arranging a private transfer to your hotel.
It is possible to get around Malta with only public transport, but I highly suggest renting a car when visiting Malta for more freedom.
You should consider purchasing travel insurance if you do not already have it.
Relaxing Afternoon and Evening in Valletta
Check in to your hotel located in Valletta, the capital city of Malta, and enjoy the rest of the day relaxing by the pool. You will be very grateful for a dip in the pool after your flight.
I stayed at The Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta, and I suggest you stay there too. As soon as you see the swimming pool, you will understand why. Not only does the infinity pool have spectacular views, the location is perfect, and the hotel also offers free valet parking.
Before you arrive in Malta, book some dinner reservations for your entire time in Malta. I chose my restaurants with help from my hotel concierges and the Michelin guide. There are many interesting restaurants to choose from, so do your research before arriving in Malta to scout out the best spots.
No matter what time your dinner reservation is, try to explore Valletta during golden hour – around 30 minutes before sunset. In particular, the City Gate area of Valletta is stunning just before the sun sets because the orange clouds go so well with the colour of the buildings. The fountain also makes a beautiful backdrop for pictures.
On my first night in Valletta, I ate at Guze Bistro, and the food was impeccable. Plus, it was a short but fascinating walk from the Phoenicia hotel. This evening will be your first introduction to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Valletta. So, take your time to walk around and take it all in.
For reviews of all the restaurants I visited and my detailed review of the Phoenicia Hotel, read my Malta Guide.
It is possible to get a good overview of Valletta in one day, but given that I suggest booking your hotel in Valletta, it is possible to spread out your time seeing Valletta over the days.
How to Spend One Day in Valletta
You may have already booked your accommodation in another city to Valletta. Therefore, if you are looking to explore Valletta on a day trip, these are some of the most impressive parts of the city that you cannot miss.
- City Gate and Valletta Fountain
- Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens
- Walk around Harbour
- Visit Saint John’s Co-Cathedral
- Walk the streets of Valletta
- Visit Casa Rocca Piccola
- Go on a traditional Maltese boat on the Valletta harbour
- Eat at Michelin rated restaurants
- Enjoy a Valletta walking tour
Day Two in Malta: Exploring Southern Malta
Blue Grotto
Start your day in your car rental by driving to Wied iż-Żurrieq for a visit to the Blue Grotto. You can find the car park as Blue Fritzi Parking on Google Maps.
If you have not rented a car, I would suggest hiring a driver for the day. Or you could use Bolt, an app like Uber to get from place to place. There are also plenty of buses that you could use, but I have no experience with them.
The Blue Fritzi car park is free, but there is a sign that says you can give a small gratuity to the attendant. You are not obliged to pay and there is much debate over whether you need to pay. But I always gave the attendant a small amount of change, such as €1.
Tip for Malta: bring Euros in cash to Malta because you will need often need to pay for purchases with coins or notes.
Walk down the road from the car park and you will see signs to purchase Blue Grotto tickets. It is quite a steep slope to get to the water.
You can buy your Blue Grotto tickets at the little hut at the bottom of the hill – you do not need to book them online or in advance. You will need €8 cash per person for the boat trip.
The boats are small and fit about ten people in them. The boats operate on a first come, first-served basis. They depart as soon as the seats are full. The boat driver will tell you the names of each cove and Grotto that you visit.
Once you have done the 25-minute boat ride into the Blue Grotto, drive back along the road you came in on and stop for a beautiful viewpoint of the Blue Grotto from above.
You can park in the free layby called “Parcheggio panoramico” on Google Maps. There is a short walk to get to the Blue Wall and Grotto Viewpoint.
St Peter’s Pool
Continue your day with a visit to St Peter’s Pool. The roads to get to St Peter’s Pool are very narrow and rocky. Also be aware, there are no toilets at St Peter’s Pool, so plan accordingly.
There are two options for parking. If you put St Peter’s Pool into your GPS, it will lead you to a car park north of St Peter’s Pool, which costs €3 (in cash). There are red signs that lead you to the parking. Otherwise, you can try to get a parking spot in a free car park called “Parkplatz” on Google maps – it is west of the pool.
There is a steep walk down several steps from both car parks to get to St Peter’s Pool. I do not recommend visiting this spot if anyone in your group has difficulties walking or climbing steep steps. The terrain around the area is also quite precarious.
I did not swim in the water because the waves were huge. Plus, it seemed extremely difficult to get in and out. Many people were jumping in from the cliff edge.
St Peter’s Pool was a beautiful spot where you can watch people jumping in; however, it was busy when I went. It is more of a place to stop and look at and swim if the conditions are OK. It is hard rock around the pool, so it is not comfortable to lie down on for long.
Marsaxlokk
Next up on your Malta 5 day itinerary is a stop for lunch in Marsaxlokk. Parking is quite difficult to find in this fishing town, particularly when the Sunday market takes place.
I was able to find free parking on the road just off the Marsaxlokk harbour. The location was roughly 67 Triq Tas-Silġ.
There is not much to do in Marsaxlokk, so I suggest you walk down the harbour and take some pictures of the boats. Then, you can find somewhere to stop for lunch. Marsaxlokk is famous for its fish.
I would suggest looking at the best restaurants in Marsaxlokk beforehand and aiming for one of them. Otherwise, you will end up aimlessly walking down the harbour and end up in one of the worst ones. (This is what happened to me!)
Gardens and Boat Ride in Valletta
After lunch, drop off your car at your hotel in Valletta. Walk to the Upper Barrakka Gardens and look around. The gardens are small and free to visit, but the main showpiece is the view of Valletta harbour.
Next, take the lift down to the harbourfront. It costs €1 in cash for a roundtrip ticket and there is a man who looks after the local cats working in the booth. At the bottom of the lift, you should walk across the road to the left, towards the harbour.
You will see signs for a Harbour Cruise – 3 Cities trip. It costs €8 per person for a 30-minute boat ride on a traditional Maltese boat. It is similar to a gondola boat in Venice, except it is larger, has a shaded roof, and uses a motor.
This boat ride is a lovely experience, and your driver will tell you some stories and history about the Three Cities. You will pay for the boat trip directly to your driver in cash.
While you are along the harbour front, walk to the Lower Barrakka Gardens. Then, you can take the lift back up to the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
After a busy morning and afternoon exploring the south of Malta and Valletta, it is time to return to your hotel to relax by the pool.
You will have another indulgent dinner this evening in Valletta. I ate at Rampila, but you can check for other dinner recommendations in Valletta on the Michelin Guide website.
Make sure you walk around Valletta after dinner to see the vibrant atmosphere on the streets.
Day Three in Malta: The Journey to Gozo
Ferry to Gozo Island
Today you will be taking the ferry from Malta to Gozo. There are two options for ferries to get to Gozo.
The first is the Gozo Fast Ferry, which is for pedestrians only. You can book tickets for the Gozo Fast Ferry online in advance – you can save money this way.
The ferry from Valletta is best for those taking a day trip to Gozo without a car and staying in or near Valletta. You can explore Comino by boat tour and then do a land tour of Gozo. This ferry is an easy way to do a day trip to Gozo from Valletta.
The second option for getting to Gozo is the Gozo Channel ferry, which you can bring your car on. You cannot book tickets in advance. It is first come, first served. This ferry is ideal for those who want to explore Gozo with their car.
In this 5 days in Malta itinerary, you will be exploring Gozo by land for part of the day; therefore, I will explain more details for the Gozo Channel Ferry.
The drive from Valletta to the ferry takes approximately 40 minutes; however, I suggest a short detour to the Popeye Village viewpoint. You will likely only stop for 10 minutes to take some pictures and videos of the village. Parking is easy to get to the viewpoint.
If you had more time, you could stop at Golden Bay, a sandy beach that is easy to access, compared to other beaches around Malta that require many steps or tough walks to get to the beach.
Continue driving 10 minutes further to Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal. You cannot book tickets online, so you should arrive early to guarantee a spot on the ferry. For more information on taking this ferry in Malta, read my Malta guide.
Comino by Sea
You should arrange a boat tour in advance to see the Blue Lagoon and snorkel in the Crystal Lagoon in Comino. I recommend doing the boat tour of Comino in the morning because it can get busy later in the day.
To get to the start point of your tour you could take the Valletta to Gozo ferry, the Gozo Channel ferry, or ask for your boat tour to pick you up from Malta. Then, you could arrange a land tour of Gozo for after your boat tour.
If you have a rental car, I suggest taking your vehicle on the Malta Gozo ferry with you to explore Gozo on land. I do not suggest arranging a full day trip of Gozo by boat because there is not much to see of Gozo from the sea, except for caves and cliffs, which you can see already similar landscapes on the Comino boat tour.
There are several options for a boat tour of Comino Island. If you are looking for a shared and energetic experience, you can book a group boat tour. Although, these can get quite busy in peak travel periods.
For those looking for a private tour that goes at your own pace, you can book a chartered boat with a local guide.
Gozo by Land
After your Comino exploration by boat, if you opt to explore Gozo on your own, you could go to Victoria for lunch. You will also find the Citadel in Victoria because it is the capital of Gozo. There is a car park next to the citadel for easy parking.
Following lunch, drive to Wied Il Ghasri for a swim. Wied Il Ghasri is an impressive-looking valley with a small pebble beach that leads out to the sea. This location is well-loved by photographers.
There is parking for Wied Il Ghasri right near the steps to get down to the valley; however, the road is very rocky and there is only enough space for about 15 cars. Many people opt to park on the side of the road and then walk down the path to Wied Il Ghasri.
The stairs are steep to get down to the beach of Wied Il Ghasri, so I do not recommend visiting this location if you have difficulties walking.
Ideally, you should be wearing your swimwear already because there is not much privacy to change once you are there. Additionally, you should bring water shoes or waterproof sandals if you have them because the beach is rocky, and it hurts to walk on with bare feet.
Buy your water shoes here and your waterproof sandals here
The Xwejni Salt Pans are a short drive away from Wied Il Ghasri. Here you can see how Gozo sea salt is made, which is a fascinating process. There are several places to park for free near the salt pans.
You are not allowed to climb on or in the salt pans, but you can walk along the path by the side of the road to get a good view. The salt pans look different throughout the year based on the stage of the salt process.
When I visited in early September, the water had dried out so you could see the salt. However, if you visit earlier in the year, you will see the holes filled with water.
You can buy some Gozo salt from a local vendor at the salt pans.
Return to Valletta
After this busy day in Gozo and Comino, it is time to return to the main island. For the Gozo Channel Ferry, you need to pay for your ferry ticket on the way back to Malta. If you take the Gozo Fast Ferry, you should choose a departure time online or book an open return.
(Although note, day trips to Gozo and Comino are not the only option, you can also stay the night there.)
As it will be your last evening in Valletta, you can arrange another special dinner, using the Michelin guide for help.
There is a good view of the fountain in Valletta at night near to Rampila restaurant, in the Hastings Garden.
Day Four in Malta: Getting Lost in the Silent City
Walking around Valletta
For your final morning in Valletta, visit St John’s Co-Cathedral when it opens. Marvel at the incredible Baroque architecture inside the cathedral. It can get busy in the cathedral, so you will want to get there early to enjoy it with less people.
Tickets are available at the ticket office for the cathedral. You must cover up your shoulders, arms and legs if entering, so either bring a cover-up, or you can use the disposable shawl provided.
Many people recommend visiting the Grandmaster Palace; however, this has been closed since February 2020 for renovations. So, remember to check if it has opened yet before you try to visit Grandmaster Palace.
Moving on to Mdina
I recommend checking out of your hotel in Valletta and booking the Xara Palace hotel in Mdina for your last night. You can also stay in Valletta your whole time, but I recommend experiencing a night in Xara Palace.
If you decide to stay at your hotel in Valletta, you can visit Mdina for an afternoon and evening.
To get to Mdina, park your vehicle in the free parking near the Mdina Gate. Again, you can offer a voluntary donation to the local attendant for using the car park.
It is forbidden to bring your rental car inside Mdina, so if you have booked Xara Palace, you will have to carry your bags about three minutes to the hotel.
The Silent City
Take some time to walk around Mdina, the silent city, and photograph the picturesque streets, occasionally moving to the side for a horse and carriage to pass through. Some of my favourite streets in Mdina were Triq il-Karmnu and Triq Santa Sofia.
You will also find the famous blue door, which is known on Google maps as “Blue Mdina Door” near Coogi’s Restaurant.
Stop for lunch or a drink at Fontanella Tea Garden. It is a popular place to visit, and for good reason, there is a wonderful view from its terrace. You may have to queue for an upstairs terrace table where the view is the best.
This evening I suggest you make a reservation for dinner at De Mondion in Xara Palace. It is a one Michelin star dining experience that I highly recommend.
Ask for a table on the terrace when making a reservation and book for its earliest evening time slot to see the restaurant in daylight before sunset.
Day Five in Malta: Time to Leave
Book a double room with breakfast included at Xara Palace and you will get to experience the excellent cooking skills from de Mondion restaurant again in the morning.
Depending on what time your flight is today, you may have time to visit your hotel’s swimming pool. Or, in Xara Palace’s case, you can use its sister property’s swimming pool, which is a 5-minute drive from the hotel. Check with the hotel that it is not being used for an event first.
Alternatively, you could use your last day in Malta to visit any places you missed during the week. Allow plenty of time to get back to the airport because there is often traffic or road closures.
When you are at the airport, take some time to purchase souvenirs. I bought some Gozo sea salt and Maltese wine.
How Many Days in Malta?
I created this 5-day Malta itinerary using the information I learnt from spending 5 days in Malta in September 2021. From my personal experience, I felt that five days was an ideal amount of time to visit Malta for the first time. I was left feeling like I had gotten to know the country well, but I also left with the desire to return and see more of the country.
Alternatively, you can spend around 10 days in Malta so that you can explore the whole of Malta and Gozo. By spending nearer to 2 weeks in Malta, you would have the ability to spend a few days (and nights) in Gozo, as well as moving around to different parts of Malta. It is not possible to even scratch the surface of Gozo in only one day.
You can use the number of days you spend in Malta to change the pace of your holiday. For example, if you like an action-packed itinerary, you could spend fewer days in Malta by waking up early and spending the whole day exploring. As another option, you could see the same amount of Malta with a longer trip but having leisurely days sitting by the pool or on the beach.
If it is your first time in Malta, I would suggest spending at least 4 days in Malta to get a good understanding of the country. For those with only enough time to spend a weekend in Malta, I recommend staying in Valletta the whole time and treating it as a city break, rather than trying to do a Malta road trip.
Additions to a 5 Day Malta Itinerary
Here are some other activities and sights to add to your Malta itinerary if you prefer to spend more than 7 days in Malta:
- A dip in the Victorian era baths at Sliema
- Boat tour to the Three Cities
- Enjoy a beach day at Golden Bay
- Peer into the natural wonder of Coral Lagoon
- Watch the sunset at Dingli Cliffs
- Sunbathe on Għajn Tuffieħa beach
For more ideas on things to do in Gozo, consider these stops:
- Explore Dwerja Bay with its dramatic coastline, deep waters for diving and rock formations
- Walk along the Ta Cenc Cliffs
- Visit Ta’ Pinu, an extraordinary basilica and an outstanding masterpiece
- Enter the rugged Tal Mixta cave with a view across Ramla Bay
- Swim in the salty water on the north of Gozo
Where to Stay in Malta?
| Hotel | Location | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenicia Hotel $$ | Valletta | Click here |
| The Xara Palace $$ | Mdina | Click here |
| Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz $ | Gozo | Click here |
As I explained in my Malta Guide, I highly recommend the two hotels I stayed in: The Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta and Xara Palace in Mdina.
I would also suggest staying in Gozo for a few nights if you are spending more than 7 days in Malta. Check out Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz Malta, which is near to Ta’ Pinu and Victoria. Although, nothing in Gozo is that far away when you have a car.
Further Reading
If you have never been to Malta before, check out my detailed Malta travel guide that covers what to do, where to eat and other essential information for travelling to Malta. You may discover that five days in Malta is too long or too short for your needs.
For more itineraries in Europe, read my Isle of Skye Itinerary or Amsterdam weekend itinerary.
