3 Days in Malta: The Perfect Itinerary!

Here’s the perfect way to spend 3 days in Malta – the only Malta itinerary you’ll need!

Malta is most likely going to be one of the smallest countries you’ll visit.

Honestly, it never really figured on my travel bucket list till about recently, courtesy the epic series, Game of Thrones. Ever since the European island served as a set for the popular show, Malta has been having a bit of a moment.

The meager population (under 500,000) of the unassuming island country was dramatically outnumbered by an influx of 2.5 million tourists last year! And in my opinion, it’s worth all the hype.

Here are some things you (probably) didn’t know about Malta:

• Malta is actually one of the three islands on an archipelago. The other two islands are Gozo and Comino.
• With its total area at just 315 sq. km, Malta is even smaller than London!
• It is super ancient. Malta houses some 300 relics, which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with a few also marked as the oldest free-standing structures on earth.
• Due to its unspoiled nature, beautiful coastline and “run-down” aesthetics, Malta has also been a shoot location for movies like Gladiator and Troy.
• EVERYONE speaks English! It’s so unlike Europe because you’ll never have a communication barrier. No matter where you go, most people will speak pretty good English.

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IS 3 DAYS IN MALTA ENOUGH?

While 3 days in Malta may not seem like much, it’s enough to get a feel of what this gorgeous island has to offer.

The very first day is perfect for getting to know the island. As you wander around Mdina and Rabat, you’ll get a wonderful view of several ancient ruins, which by the way are some of Europe’s oldest. Day 2 can be booked for another day of exploring the famous Valletta and the silent cities. Day 3 is when you get to go beach hopping and explore some other interesting places around the island.

Malta is a perfect destination for 3 day getaway, and this itinerary covers all of its most impressive sights. From the old cities to the excellent beaches, you’ll get a chance to explore it all.

WHERE TO STAY IN MALTA

St. Julian’s is the area in Malta where all the action is. There are really good bars, restaurants, and tons of cafes, and the renowned Malta nightlife comes alive right here. It’s best if you book your Malta stay in St. Julian’s.

We stayed at the Intercontinental Malta, and right next door to it is the Holiday Inn Express (bonus points for eccentric, colorful decor) which is an amazing yet affordable option.

St. Julian’s also has many other nice hotels and BnBs, some of which are listed here.

If you’re looking for a more tranquil Malta stay, head over to Sliema. It’s one of the best places to stay in Malta if you want a mix of beach and city vibes. You’ll find plenty of luxury hotels, budget hostels, and everything in between.

Mellieha Bay is another place to be. You have stunning views of the Mediterranean, and you can also find some great accommodations here.

GETTING AROUND IN MALTA

Malta has an active public transport network. There are frequent buses on most routes, with the longest bus journey taking about ninety minutes. The island also has a ferry service that connects the islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

If buses aren’t your thing, there is also an Uber-like taxi app called Bolt which is pretty economical.

You can also rent a car and explore the interiors of the island. It’s a right-hand drive in Malta, so make sure you’re comfortable with that.

MALTA ITINERARY – 3 DAYS

3 Days in Malta | Day 1

Malta Mdina

Start your trip by visiting the highlight of Malta – the Silent City a.k.a. Mdina. This walled city is Malta’s oldest, with plenty of historic sights and breathtaking views.

There’s a cool story to where it got its name “The Silent City” from: When Malta’s capital was moved out of Mdina, the city became so uninhabited and quiet due to the outflux of people, that it came to be thought of as a ghost town.

Mdina is best known for its Game of Thrones locations. A whole bunch of GOT scenes (in the earlier seasons) were shot in this small, fortified Maltese city with some 250 people living in it.

When you enter Mdina, you’ll almost step into a whole other world. Yellow-bricked walls, cute lanes around every corner, and doors and windows adding pops of color – Mdina is the epitome of aesthetics and tops the list of things to do in Malta.

Whilst sauntering about and allowing yourself to be awed every now and then, walk over to St. Paul’s Cathedral, a baroque Catholic church with beautiful interiors.

The ceiling of the church has elaborate frescos and the floor is built on actual tombs. It’s hard to imagine you’d find such a quintessentially European church on a small island in the Mediterranean Sea!

Once you’ve treated your eyes to the yellow walls and beautiful doors, make a stop at Fontanella to grab some traditional Maltese food. The restaurant has beautiful views of the valley, and you can sit outside for a taste of the Mediterranean breeze.

Try their local food specialties like a Maltese ftira or the pastizzi, which is basically a kind of puff pastry filled with peas. They also have plenty of vegetarian options, as well as fresh seafood.

Rabat

Walk out of Mdina (the big gate of the walled city) across to the town of Rabat, just in the neighborhood surrounding the area.

While Mdina is spectacular, Rabat has its own charm. The balconies are curiously different, although you’ll see that pop of color everywhere. The streets are narrow and winding, leading you to hidden treasures like churches, chapels, and old stone houses.

Go into Saint Agatha’s Crypt (built in the late 17th century) and St. Paul’s Catacombs, which is a subterranean cemetery that dates all the way back to the 3rd century. Visit St. Paul’s Grotto, which is said to be the place where St. Paul lived after being shipwrecked on Malta. St. Paul was said to have brought Christianity to Malta, so the grotto is one of the earliest places of worship in the country.

Walking through Rabat is like walking through a living museum. Everywhere you look, you’ll find reminders of Malta’s rich and long history.

Of course you can’t forget Game of Thrones. This article covers all the GOT shoot locations in Mdina and Rabat, so are you even a GOT fan if you don’t visit them all? (insert condescending head shake)

Megalithic Temples in Qrendi

After you’re done exploring Rabat, rent a car or take the bus to go to Qrendi village. Located nearby are the Mnajdra and Hagar Qim temple complexes.

Mnajdra is one of the oldest and most significant archaeological sites on Malta, with some structures dating back to 4100 B.C. Hagar Qim is situated under 500m from Mnajdra, and both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

These temples offer a fascinating insight into the cultural and spiritual lives of Malta’s first inhabitants, with their stone masonry, ornate reliefs, and beautiful carvings.

In fact, the megalithic temple complexes are among the most ancient religious sites on earth.

Dingli Cliffs

Finish your day off at the nearby Dingli Cliffs, where you can watch a breathtaking sunset over the Mediterranean Sea.

The cliffs are about 250 meters high. A few minutes drive from Rabat, these cliffs give you a stunning view of the rugged coastline.

This is one of the most beautiful places in Malta, and it’s worth taking time to marvel at its beauty.

Traditional Maltese Dinner and Cultural Show

After a long day of solid sightseeing, treat yourself to a Folklore Dinner Show at Ta’ Marija Restaurant.

Maltese food is one of the tastiest in the Mediterranean, and Ta’ Marija serves up some of the best. The show includes traditional Maltese dancing, music, and singing. Couple that with a 4-course dinner and you’re in for a night to remember.

3 Days in Malta | Day 2

Sliema

Day 2 of our 3 days in Malta itinerary begins at Sliema, a beautiful Maltese town with a vibrant water-facing promenade. If you’re staying in the St. Julian’s area, you can catch bus no. 222 and get off at Sliema.

Make sure to take a stroll along the promenade and admire the view of Valletta across the Grand Harbor. Sliema is a great place for shopping, with plenty of high-street shops to choose from.

The walk along the coast is calming, as it is picturesque. There are also a lot of restaurants and cafes in case you fancy a bite.

As you continue the stroll along the water, you’ll get to the ferry point, from where you can board to head to Valletta. Now, there are a bunch of ferry services at this point but look out for the white umbrella. It says “Ferry to Valletta” and the ticket costs about EUR 2.5.

Hop on the ferry and on the way you’ll cross Manoel Island, where Ned Stark was executed. (Too many GOT references, I know!)

Valletta

We’re now in Valletta, an old city built by knights and filled with plenty of historic sites.

Valletta sure seems incredibly dilapidated at first blush. It’s like a little corner of ruins.

But as you walk through narrow alleys and dramatic stairways lined with plants and colorful doors, you will come to love Valletta. The whole earthy vibe really grows on you.

Also, the Maltese obsession with cute doorsteps and ornate balconies is conspicuous. So. Much. Color. Every step of the way.

Head to Saint John’s Co-Cathedral, one of Europe’s biggest historical landmarks. Take the time to appreciate the grand frescoes, tall ceilings, and ornate Maltese Baroque architecture that the cathedral exemplifies.

Next, head to Republic Street, which is a delight for shoppers. The side streets are full of little shops selling antiques, books, jewelry, and much more. You’ll also find some of the more prominent shopping brands here. When you need to stop for lunch, there are plenty of courtyards, gardens, and restaurants on cue.

You’ll also cross St. George’s Square, which houses the Grandmaster’s Palace and the building of the Main Guard.

Three Cities

After Valletta, make sure to visit the “three cities” nearby.

The Three Cities are made up of Vittoriosa (also called Birgu), Senglea, and Cospicua. Dating back several centuries, they are a key part of Malta’s cultural heritage.

These three fortified cities boast a unique atmosphere, with narrow cobbled streets lined with beautiful architecture and fortifications. While Vittoriosa was built even before the middle ages, Senglea and Cospicua were constructed in the 16th-17th century.

How to get there: From Valletta, you can catch bus No. 2 to Birgu Center. Once you arrive in Birgu i.e. Vittoriosa, the other two fortified cities are within walking distance from here.

St. Julian’s

In the evening, get some rest before you put on your party shoes and head to Paceville in St. Julian’s. Like I said, St. Julian’s is where all the action is. In Paceville there are a number of great bars, my recommendations are Hugo’s Lounge, Bar Native, and Havana (yep, your girl did quite a bit of bar hopping herself!)

3 Days in Malta | Day 3

Cirkewwa

Head to Cirkewwa, the northernmost tip of Malta, from where you can hop on a ferry to go to Gozo and Comino.

From St. Julian’s, you can catch bus no. 222 (in the direction opposite from Day 2), and get off at Cirkewwa. The bus drives along the coast and is an hour-long ride. You can catch beautiful views of the sea, so it’s every bit worth it.

From here on, you’ll find various options at the ferry terminal. There are round trips to Gozo as well as Comino.

Gozo

Gozo is an idyllic island with plenty of hiking, diving, and outdoor activities.

You can visit the Azure Window, a natural rock formation that mysteriously collapsed in 2017. Though the arc doesn’t exist anymore, it’s still worth visiting for the beautiful landscape left in its wake.

The island of Gozo also offers beautiful beaches, fishing villages, temple ruins, and water sports.

Make a visit to the Ggantija Temples, which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world. Also check out the Calypso Cave, a spot that got a mention in Homer’s Odyssey. From here, you get beautiful views of Ramla Beach.

Comino

Catch a ferry from Gozo to Comino, which is a quiet and tiny island.

I’ll recommend adding Comino to your Malta itinerary for 2 reasons:

• * cue dramatic music * The island has exactly 4 people living there! It’s basically a family and they often shuffle between Malta, Gozo, and Comino for work and stuff, but they really just like living in this small space away from “city life”.
• Comino is small but its size betrays its beauty. It’s truly enchanting. Also, did you not read reason 1?

The ferry takes you first to the Comino Caves, and then to the Blue Lagoon, which is just magical.

At the Blue Lagoon, observe the stark contrast between the beach area, with the hustle and bustle, the swath of people and the vibrance of the sea on one side, and the barren countryside terrain on the other.

One side is so massively commercialized, while the other is so marvelously virgin.

The water is shallow and pure, glistening blue. So blue, you can literally see the reefs at the bottom.

Protip: Upon arriving at Comino, don’t just stop at the ferry terminal (that’s what most people end up doing). You’ll see a bunch of umbrellas and a lot of activity at the beach, but if you keep walking and exploring, you’ll find little corners which will have fewer people and more calm. We did just that and found our own personal cave (see picture below)!

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MALTA?

Malta is an all-year-round destination, and you can enjoy it whatever the season.

The best time to visit Malta is in the months of April and May when the weather is pleasant and the sea is warm enough for beach activities. Since it’s technically a seasonal transition, tourists are fewer and the prices are lower.

From June to August, Malta gets temperatures of 30 degrees and upwards. However, it’s also the busiest season for tourists.

September and October are great times to visit too, as the weather is milder. But in my opinion it’s already too cold to venture into the water for a swim.

CONCLUSION

To sum up, here are the highlights to cover in Malta in 72 hours:

Day 1: Start in Malta Mdina and visit Rabat nearby. Next, check out millennia-old Megalithic temples in Qrendi. Close the day with a sunset at Dingli Cliffs, followed by a traditional Maltese dinner and folk music night at Ta’ Marija.

Day 2: Enjoy a morning walk and breakfast in Sliema, from where you can catch a ferry to Valletta. Take a guided tour to the fortified Three Cities across the Grand Harbor. End the evening in St. Julian’s for dinner and to witness Malta’s vibrant nightlife.

Day 3: Beach day! Begin at Cirkewwa, Malta’s northernmost point to catch a ferry to Gozo and Comino. In Gozo, visit the remains of the Azure Window, Ggantija Temples, and the Calypso Cave. Experience the magical Blue Lagoon in Comino and enjoy the generous Maltese sun and sand before you end your trip.

As you can see, Malta is astonishingly beautiful and packed with history, culture, and adventure. From the streets of Valletta to the pristine blue waters of Comino, it’s an absolute paradise. If you plan to spend 3 days in Malta, use this itinerary to get the best of the island while you are there.