Seven days is the sweet spot for Malta. Long enough to see the main islands properly, short enough that you won't run out of things to do. This itinerary is designed for first-time visitors who want to cover the highlights without rushing — and includes a few local tips that most guides miss.

If you want a personalised version of this itinerary based on your travel dates, group size, and interests, our Malta Trip Planning Call gives you a custom plan with specific recommendations for where to stay, eat, and what to book in advance.

Before You Go: Key Things to Book in Advance

Day 1 — Arrive & Explore Valletta

Arrive, check in, and spend the afternoon in **Valletta** — Europe's smallest capital and one of its most beautiful. Walk from City Gate up Republic Street to St John's Co-Cathedral (book tickets online to skip the queue). The interior is one of the most ornate in Europe — Caravaggio's *The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist* is here.

In the late afternoon, walk to the **Upper Barrakka Gardens** for the best view of the Grand Harbour. At noon the next day, come back for the traditional cannon salute.

For dinner, head to **Strait Street** — the old red-light district, now a lively food and bar street with good restaurants and no tourist traps.

Day 2 — Valletta Deep Dive & The Three Cities

Spend the morning exploring the parts of Valletta most tourists miss: the **Lower Barrakka Gardens**, the **War Museum**, and the narrow streets below Republic Street. The city is tiny but dense — you can walk it end to end in 20 minutes, but every alley has something.

In the afternoon, take the ferry across the Grand Harbour to the **Three Cities** (Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua). These three fortified cities predate Valletta and are far less visited. Vittoriosa's waterfront, the Inquisitor's Palace, and the view back towards Valletta from Senglea's watchtower are all excellent. Read our Three Cities guide for the full itinerary.

Day 3 — Mdina, Rabat & The South

Wake up early and drive (or take the bus) to **Mdina** — the Silent City. Arrive before 9am to have the medieval streets almost to yourself before the tour groups arrive. The views from the bastions over the island are extraordinary in the morning light.

After Mdina, walk 10 minutes to **Rabat** for pastizzi at Crystal Palace — a local institution. Then head south to the **Dingli Cliffs** (Malta's highest point, with dramatic coastal views) and the **Blue Grotto** for a boat trip through the sea caves.

Finish the day at **Marsaxlokk** — the fishing village with colourful luzzu boats. If it's a Sunday, the fish market is unmissable.

Day 4 — Blue Lagoon & Comino

This is the day most people come to Malta for. The **Blue Lagoon** on Comino island is one of the most beautiful spots in the Mediterranean — crystal clear turquoise water, white limestone cliffs, and (in the right conditions) visibility down to 15 metres.

The key is timing. If you go on a public ferry, you'll arrive with hundreds of other tourists and spend the day on a crowded beach. A **private boat tour** leaves early, gets you there before the crowds, and includes stops at the sea caves and hidden coves that the ferries skip entirely.

Read our full Blue Lagoon guide for everything you need to know about visiting without the crowds.

Day 5 — Gozo

Take the ferry from Ċirkewwa to Gozo — 25 minutes, runs every hour. Gozo is Malta's quieter, greener sister island and deserves a full day.

Start at the **Citadel** in Victoria (the capital) for panoramic views over the island. Then head to **Dwejra** on the west coast — the Azure Window collapsed in 2017 but the Inland Sea and the Blue Hole (one of Europe's best dive sites) are still spectacular. In the afternoon, visit **Xlendi Bay** or **Ramla Bay** (Gozo's best beach, with distinctive red sand).

For lunch, try a **ftira tal-Għawdex** at a local bakery — Gozo's version of the Maltese flatbread is better than the mainland's. Read our Gozo vs Malta guide if you're deciding how much time to spend on each island.

Day 6 — Beaches & Hidden Spots

Day 6 is for the beaches and hidden corners that most tourists miss. **St Peter's Pool** near Marsaxlokk is a natural swimming pool carved into the limestone — no sand, but the water is extraordinary. **Golden Bay** in the north is Malta's most popular sandy beach — arrive early or late afternoon. **Għajn Tuffieħa** (the next bay over) is less crowded and more beautiful.

For something more adventurous, **Wied il-Għasri** in Gozo is a narrow gorge leading to a tiny cove — only accessible on foot or by boat. Our hidden beaches guide has the full list of spots worth the effort.

Day 7 — St Julian's, Sliema & Departure

Spend your last morning in **St Julian's** and **Sliema** — the modern, cosmopolitan side of Malta. The Sliema seafront promenade is good for a morning walk. St Julian's Spinola Bay, with its colourful luzzu boats, is one of the most photographed spots on the island.

If your flight is in the evening, you have time for a final swim at one of the rocky beaches along the Sliema coast, or a last pastizzi and coffee in a local café.

Practical Notes

**Getting around:** Malta's bus network is cheap (€1.50 per journey) and covers most tourist areas. For Gozo and the south, renting a car for 1-2 days makes a significant difference. Taxis and Bolt (the local Uber equivalent) are affordable for short trips.

**Where to stay:** St Julian's is the best base for a week — central, good transport, restaurants and nightlife within walking distance. Valletta is more atmospheric but quieter at night. Read our where to stay in Malta guide for neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood recommendations.

**Budget:** A comfortable week in Malta (mid-range accommodation, eating at a mix of local and tourist restaurants, boat tour, entrance fees) costs approximately €800-1,200 per person excluding flights.