The Perfect 3-Day Malta Itinerary
Spending three days in Malta is just enough time to see the best of the main island, along with a half-day trip to Gozo. Malta is a small country, making it easy to pack your days full of activities without much travel time between them.
This three-day Malta itinerary covers the island’s major regions, including the capital city of Valletta, the charming fishing village of Marsaxlokk, and the historic walled city of Mdina.
I spent four full days in Malta during my trip, and have curated all my favorite sights and activities into a perfect three-day Malta itinerary for you!
How To Spend 3 Days in Malta
This three-day Malta itinerary covers the majority of the island, as well as a day trip to Gozo island! It’s packed full of activities each day so that you don’t miss a thing, even with just three days in Malta.
If you prefer a slower-paced trip with fewer activities, you can skip one or two of the towns each day to tailor it to your preferences.
Itinerary Overview:
Day 1: Valletta, Naxxar, and Mdina
Day 2: Blue Grotto, Hagar Qim, and Marsaxlokk
Day 3: Gozo, Melliha, and the Three Cities
Day 1: Valletta, Naxxar, and Mdina
Your first day will start with a morning in Valletta to enjoy coffee and visit the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens. The itinerary will continue to Mdina, where you’ll explore the city and Game of Thrones filming locations.
From there, you will visit nearby Rabat to visit St. Dominic’s Priory for a peek at another Game of Thrones filming location and gorgeous chapel. Your last major activity of the day will be a visit to Palazzo Parisio and Gardens in Naxxar.
Finally, make your way back towards Valletta for an upscale dinner in Sliema.
Breakfast at Coffee Circus
There are multiple Coffee Circus locations throughout Malta, with two in Valletta. They have delicious chai lattes, as well as coffee, light breakfast items, and baked goods.
It’s a lovely place to grab your morning drink and a bite to eat before heading out for a day of exploring.
Stroll Around Valletta’s City Center
I loved walking around the pedestrian-only city center in Valletta! There are people out and about enjoying themselves as they shop at the local stores, get gelato at the gelateria, and eat at the tables lining the narrow streets.
Valletta has many hills, and you can get a good workout just walking from the outskirts of town to the city center. The city center itself is mostly flat, with an art museum, a Roman Catholic church, and lots of shops and restaurants.
Want to explore with a local expert? Book a Valletta City Walking Tour!
Visit the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens in Valletta
While there are plants in these gardens, the main attraction is the historic architecture and sweeping views.
The Lower Barrakka Garden (closed for renovation as of February 2026) is a lovely public park area with benches, a fountain, the Monument to Sir Alexander Ball, and views of the Siege Bell War Memorial across the street.
The Siege Bell War Memorial is a grand bell tower with a rounded dome upheld by columns, set against the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea. You can get great views of it from here, but you can also walk through it if you want to get closer.
Not too far from the Lower Barrakka Gardens is the Upper Barrakka Gardens, an equally beautiful public park area that boasts grand arches and views of the Three Cities across the Grand Harbor.
Twice a day, a ceremonial gun salute is performed at the Saluting Battery (a line of cannons along the lower part of these gardens). You can get tickets to go down to the cannons, or just view them from above at the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
From the top of the Upper Barrakka Gardens, you can take an elevator down for a couple of Euros (cash only) to reach the south side of Valletta to catch a taxi or get a ride share to Naxxar (your next stop).
Visit Palazzo Parisio and the Garden in Naxxar
Palazzo Parisio and Gardens was once a private residence but is now open to the public for self-guided tours and weddings. Their restaurant, serving high tea and elegant meals, is one of the main reasons people visit today.
Walking through the palace, you can imagine what it would have felt like to live in the adorned rooms with sky-high ceilings and gold trimmings. Every room is highly detailed and distinct from the others.
You can even walk out onto a balcony on the second floor and look out over the gardens. Speaking of which, the gardens here are lovely, and you can stroll through them during your visit. There are walls of flowers, a swing in a tree, and tons of trees and other plants.
I felt like true royalty strolling through the palace in my dress without anyone else around. It was magical!
Tickets are €15 per person to tour the palace and gardens.
Explore Mdina
A must-see area in Malta is Mdina, also known as the Silent City! Every local we talked to recommended we visit, and I’m so glad we did.
Mdina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with tall stone walls encompassing its quaint, narrow streets that wind through the city in a maze-like fashion. The front entrance gates to Mdina are large, with a stone bridge that leads you through the walls.
You may recognize this front entrance if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, as it was used as the entrance to King’s Landing in the first season!
This city feels frozen in time with the historic buildings and streets throughout the city. It is easy to spend hours walking through the winding pedestrian-only streets within the walls.
While you’re there, you can visit the Natural History Museum and take a walking tour of Mdina and nearby Rabat to see all the highlights.
Walk Through St. Dominic’s Priory in Rabat
The Church of St. Dominic in Rabat is also known as St. Dominic Priory or Church of St. Dominic and the Blessed Virgin. It’s a small church with an open courtyard made famous when Game of Thrones used it as a filming location for The Red Keep in season one.
You can walk around the perimeter of the courtyard, but you cannot go into it. While you’re here, make sure you check out the inside of the church — it’s small but incredibly ornate!
Tip: If you want to enter any churches or cathedrals, be sure to cover your shoulders. I carry a long-sleeve swim cover-up when visiting places with lots of churches and cathedrals, like Malta and Italy.
Watch the Sunset from Sliema
Sliema is across the harbor from Valletta on the north side, and ferries regularly run between the two cities. After exploring Mdina and Rabat, you can take a ride share or taxi directly to Sliema.
Sliema is the most densely populated city in Malta, and it shows in the number of shops, restaurants, and people. There are nice restaurants in this area if you’re looking for a fancy dinner with sea views!
Walk to the point of Sliema, 12 Tigné Point, and go down the stairs to the stone ground at sea level. This area has a stunning cityscape view of Valletta, where I took my favorite photos of the whole trip.
Watch the sunset here to see Valletta’s buildings glow as golden hour fades to blue hour, then take a five-minute ferry back to Valletta for the night.
Day 2: Blue Grotto, Hagar Qim, and Marsaxlokk
On your second day, start with a boat tour through the Blue Grotto and a visit to Dingli Cliffs for one of the best views in Malta.
Walk or take a quick drive to visit Hagar Qim, then visit Ghar Lapsi for a relaxing swim and lunch with bay views.
Once you’re fueled up, head to Marsaxlokk fishing village to visit the colorful boats and explore the market. Drive to nearby St. Peter’s Pool to view it from above, or be adventurous and jump in!
Get dinner in Valletta, grab dessert at a gelateria, and spend the evening walking around the city center.
Tip: Book a tour that takes you to the Blue Grotto, Hagar Qim, and Marsaxlokk, so you don’t have to figure out transportation yourself!
Take the Blue Grotto Boat Tour
One of the more popular tours in Malta is the short boat tour that takes you into the caves below the Dingli Cliffs. The name comes from the water that appears to glow blue when the sun hits it inside the caves.
The Blue Grotto, not to be confused with the Blue Lagoon on Comino, is a series of seven caves in Il-Qrendi. These caves are only accessible via an official boat tour, which costs €10 per person and must be paid in cash only.
The tour takes you on a small boat, which holds about six people, and goes inside the caves to see the stunning blue water. If you’re lucky like we were, you may even spot some jellyfish that are often seen around Malta!
The line can get long, and boat tours may be a bit rushed on busy days. Get there at opening time (9am) if possible to avoid a long wait.
Tours don’t run every day, and only run during good weather conditions, so be sure to check the opening days/hours before showing up at the boat departure point.
Climb the Stairs at Sciuta Tower
After the short Blue Grotto boat tour, walk towards Dingli Cliffs viewpoint, stopping first at Sciuta Tower (listed as Xutu Tower on Google Maps).
This tower was the fifth of ten watch towers built in the 1600s by the Order of Saint John. It’s been used on and off throughout history, most recently being used as a police station until 2002.
It was cleaned up, restored, and reopened in 2019. Today, the tower stands as a piece of preserved history, open to the public to climb its steps and look out over the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.
The stairway is narrow, and we had to wait our turn to go up and go down. I’m claustrophobic, but was able to tolerate the tight quarters!
Walk To Dingli Cliffs Viewpoint
During the Blue Grotto boat tour, the caves you go into are under the Dingli Cliffs. You can walk to the viewpoint above the Dingli Cliffs for one of the most picturesque views in all of Malta.
The Dingli Cliffs viewpoint is paved with a short wall, so you’ll know you’re at the point when you get there. You will also likely see people crowding this area because it is popular, unsurprisingly.
These cliffs are the highest point in all of Malta, offering spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea, Dingli Cliffs, and the tiny Filfla island in the distance.
Tour Hagar Qim
From the Dingli Cliffs Viewpoint of the Blue Grotto, you can either walk one mile or order a Bolt (ride share) to Hagar Qim. It was hot, so we ordered a Bolt, but could have easily walked the mile on the paved pathway.
Hagar Qim (pronounced ha-zhar-eem) in Il-Qrendi was once believed to be the oldest human-made structure in history. An even older one has since been discovered, but Hagar Qim remains one of the oldest.
Dated to be from 3600–3200 BC, Hagar Qim is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the Megalith Temples of Malta: some of the oldest known religious sites in the world.
The self-guided tour begins inside the museum, where you’ll learn about the history and view some ancient artifacts before heading outside to walk through and around the temple itself.
Swim at Ghar Lapsi
During our Bolt ride from Dingli Cliffs viewpoint to Hagar Qim, our driver recommended we go to Ghar Lapsi in Siggiewi for a swim. It was one of the best recommendations we got!
Ghar Lapsi is a small cove you can walk all the way around to swim, snorkel, or even go diving. It’s a lovely local spot further away from tourist attractions, and perfect to cool off on a hot day.
We saw one large jellyfish while we were here, so keep an eye out for them. It was one whose stings do not affect humans, but good to be on the lookout anyway.
There are also two restaurants here if you want to grab a bite to eat after swimming or diving. The one at the top, Dive In Cafe & Grill, has the best views (and great food)!
Note: The restaurants at Ghar Lapsi were damaged by giant waves reaching over seven stories high during Storm Harry in January 2026. Check for reopening updates on Dive In Cafe & Grill’s Instagram.
Explore Marsaxlokk Fishing Village
Marsaxlokk (pronounced mar-sash-lock) is a fishing village known for its incredible markets and colorful fishing boats, called luzzi, in the harbor.
Take a walk along the harbor to fully enjoy the brightly colored boats parked here. There is a small dock you can walk out onto as well for an even better view of the boats and surrounding buildings.
If you go on a weekday or Saturday, make time to check out all the booths at the market. They mostly have touristy trinkets and other souvenirs that make for good gifts to take back home for friends or family.
On Sundays, the town hosts the famous Marsaxlokk Fish Market, popular with locals and tourists alike!
Jump into St. Peter’s Pool
Another must-see spot in Marsaxlokk is a swimming hole called St. Peter’s Pool. This is a cliff area where people spend hours lying on the warm cliffs, jumping into the “pool,” and enjoying the sea.
The pool is a semi-circle-shaped part of the cliff that is more closed off from the open sea. People love to jump from this rounded cliff edge into the pool — I even saw a tiny, young girl jump! She’s much braver than I am.
If you aren’t up for cliff jumping, you can sunbathe on the flat stone at the top or walk on the narrow path above and to the right to explore the unique erosion patterns in the stone.
We followed the path to the right and had beautiful sea views, and enjoyed looking at the erosion patterns.
Head Back to Valletta
After a packed day of exploring, make your way back to Valletta for the evening. Choose from a variety of restaurants for dinner, then cap the night off with some gelato and a stroll through the warmly lit pedestrian-only streets.
Valletta is just as beautiful at night as it is by day, and just as lively as well!
Day 3: Gozo, Melliha, and Three Cities
Take the first-morning ferry to Gozo and spend the first half of the day exploring the island.
Arrive back at mainland Malta to visit St. Agatha’s Tower and take in views at the Popeye’s Village viewpoint (both optional, if you have time).
For the last activity of the day, head back to Valletta and take a traditional Maltese boat to the Three Cities to visit Gardjola Gardens.
Take the Ferry to Gozo for a Half-Day Trip
Malta is an archipelago, meaning it’s made up of multiple islands. Though Most people know of the main island, Malta, there is one other inhabited island called Gozo.
From beaches and salt pans to cathedrals and museums, there are many things to do in Gozo. Although it’s just a quarter of the size of Malta, it’s the second-largest island in the archipelago.
You can reach Gozo via ferry or private boat from Malta — either take a ferry from the main ferry terminal in Cirkewwa or take a fast ferry from Valletta.
The fast ferry is not recommended if you get seasick easily. It’s a much longer, choppier trip from Valletta than it is from Cirkewwa.
Gozo is more rural than Malta and has fewer developed areas, though just as beautiful and full of history. You can either explore on your own or take one of the highly rated tours below for an easy half-day or full-day trip.
Visit the Azure Window
Once you arrive in Mgarr, Gozo, head straight to the Azure Window! This is a gorgeous area of the coast with views of some of the uninhabited rocks off the coast of Gozo: Fungus Rock, Crocodile Rock, and Ufo Rock.
This is a popular tourist attraction due to it being a Game of Thrones filming location for Daenerys Targaryen’s wedding with Khal Drogo! There was once a beautiful arch here that can be seen in the scenes of the show, but it sadly fell in 2017 during a storm.
The area is still worth a visit despite the arch no longer being there. The water is a rich blue with bright white seafoam and makes for a perfect photo backdrop.
Azure Window was my favorite spot in Gozo, which is why I recommend heading here first! It gets crowded in the afternoons with everyone visiting, so the earlier you can get here, the better.
Explore Victoria
Victoria is the capital of Gozo, with a medieval citadel that’s home to a cathedral, museums, and other historic buildings. I recommend getting a combo ticket, which includes entrance to many of the activities in the citadel.
Cathedral of the Assumption: This cathedral was once a Roman temple before it became a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and is now a Roman Catholic cathedral.
Gozo Nature Museum: The Nature Museum is a small museum with a collection of natural artifacts, as well as a few moon rocks that were donated to Malta by U.S. President Richard Nixon after the Apollo II moon landing.
The Old Prison: The Old Prison has just six cells that you can peer into to get a glimpse of what life was like as a prisoner here.
Museum of Archaeology: The Museum of Archaeology is located in a townhouse that was previously a private residence. It’s split into three sections: Prehistory, the Classical Period, and the Medieval and Early Modern periods.
Gran Castello Historic House: Walking through the Gran Castello Historic House gives insight into how people lived in 18th-century Gozo, with small bedrooms and a mill room.
Citadel Walkway: The best views of the citadel are from the walkway that goes around its perimeter. This spot has sprawling views of the island on one side and views of the citadel ruins and cathedral on the other side.
Swim at Hondoq ir-Rummien Beach
One of the best beaches in Gozo is Hondoq ir-Rummien Beach. It’s a small beach with gorgeous blue waters protected by rocky cliffs on either side.
The shores are made up of rocks and shells, so I recommend wearing water shoes or sandals that can get wet. I wore my sandals and wished I had water shoes.
We visited this beach as our first stop on Gozo and ended up carrying around wet swimsuits the rest of the day. I recommend leaving it for your last stop in Gozo and bringing a wet swimsuit bag.
One of my favorite things to travel with when visiting coastal destinations is my Turkish towel.
It’s lightweight, dries me quickly, and can be used for a variety of other purposes: protecting shoulders/chest from the sun, folded up as a pillow during transit, or even as a blanket on the plane.
Visit St. Agatha’s Tower (Optional)
Saint Agatha’s Tower, also known as The Red Tower, is a watchtower from the 17th century. As you can probably infer from its name, it’s a large, red tower that is square with four corner towers.
If you go during opening hours, you can actually tour the inside and go on the roof for views of Gozo and Comino for €2.50 per person. We arrived after closing, so we just walked around the tower and up the front steps to admire the exterior.
It’s a beautiful tower that really stands out atop the hill with its deep red color!
Note: This is an optional activity if you have time for it. If not, feel free to skip and head to the Popeye’s Village or directly to the Three Cities from the ferry terminal.
View Popeye’s Village from Above (Optional)
The Popeye movie was filmed on a set constructed in Mellieha, Malta, and still stands today. After filming was wrapped, they kept the set and turned it into an attraction you can now visit!
Although you can pay to visit, the best viewpoint is from the cliffs across from the small village. This viewpoint gives you a higher vantage point so you can see the whole village!
When you first reach the viewpoint in the parking lot, you’ll see a fence that blocks you from the cliffs — do not go around it, as it is dangerous and there for a reason!
Instead, walk further down the pathway, cross the road that leads to the sunken pier, and go up the dirt path to the “Popeye Cliffs” for the best view and photo spot.
Note: This is an optional activity if you have time for it. If not, feel free to skip and head to the Three Cities from the ferry terminal.
Ride a Traditional Maltese Boat to the Three Cities
Once you arrive back in Valletta, head to the Three Cities Valletta Ferry and take a gondola across the Grand Harbor to the Three Cities.
The Three Cities is an area of Malta across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, named for the finger-shaped pieces of land that are each a separate city: Vittoriosa (also known as Il-Birgu), Senglea (also known as L-Isla), and Cospicua (also known as Bormla).
It only costs a few Euros (paid in cash) to ride a traditional Maltese boat from Valletta to the Three Cities.
Each boat holds 6-7 people, and the ride is only about five minutes. It drops passengers off at the water taxi station in Vittoriosa, where you can then walk around or order a Bolt to reach other areas of the Three Cities (like Gardjola Gardens).
Gardjola Gardens is a small area at the tip of Senglea with an incredible tower built in the 15th century. I first spotted it in the Air Malta magazine on the flight over and made it a must-visit on my Malta list!
You can see Valletta across the harbor and get a lovely view of the harbor entrance that leads out to sea. The tower has windows you can look out of, and a few people can fit in at a time, though it’s best to go one at a time if people are taking photos.
Have Dinner in Valletta
Take the ferry back to Valletta for dinner at San Paolo Naufrago. This is the best pizza place in Malta, located on one of the liveliest streets in Valletta.
The long, stepped street is lined with restaurants on either side and is filled with tables and chairs down the center.
Lights are strung across the street for a cozy ambiance, paired with the lively evening energy of the locals and tourists enjoying dinner at the various restaurants.
We didn’t have reservations and were able to be seated after about half an hour of waiting — the delicious pizza was well worth the wait!
Where To Stay for 3 Days in Malta
For a short three-day trip to Malta, it’s ideal to stay somewhere central that is well-connected to the rest of the island.
Valletta is the capital of the country with a charming, history-filled city center. It’s where I stayed and recommend it for first-time visitors, especially if you don’t plan to rent a car.
There is a range of accommodations, from cozy apartments to 5-star luxury hotels with sea views. Below are my top picks based on location, reviews, and quality.
Iniala Harbour House: A 5-star hotel with suites featuring private pools and harbor views.
The Phoenicia Malta: A luxury hotel with a breakfast buffet at the on-site restaurant, an infinity pool, and Mediterranean-tiled floors.
Avalon Boutique: A sustainable, boutique hotel with Mediterranean tiled bathrooms, beautiful balconies, and an on-site coffee shop.
Get my guide to the best areas to stay in Malta for more information about each town and hotels.
Tips For Visiting Malta in 3 Days
Stay in Valletta: The capital city is ideal place for a short stay in Malta, with beautiful views, a central location, and easy access to transportation to other parts of the island.
Pack a Turkish towel: Even if you don’t plan to swim or visit beaches (although I highly recommend doing so!), a Turkish towel is a versatile item to carry for sun protection, using as a blanket, and even covering up in churches.
Carry a long-sleeved shirt: Speaking of churches, be sure to carry a long-sleeved shirt if you’re planning on wearing clothing that shows your shoulders/chest and want to go inside churches and cathedrals.
Get the Bolt app: We got around easily with Bolt rides throughout the entire island. It’s convenient and was pretty affordable compared to Uber/Lyft in other places.
Get an eSIM: I will never make the mistake of relying on my phone plan’s international service again. Nothing would load on my phone in Malta, and I’ve used an Airalo e-SIM for every trip since, to great success.
Visit in the shoulder seasons: Malta is scorching hot and crowded in the summer. We visited in October, and it was gorgeous, though still hot during peak hours. Spring and fall are the ideal seasons to visit Malta.
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