Malta is a sunlit archipelago at the heart of the Mediterranean, shaped by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, the Knights of St. John, and the British. Its capital Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage city built in the 16th century, where gilded churches meet honey-colored bastions. Nearby, prehistoric temples predate Stonehenge and the pyramids—history here begins thousands of years before lunch.

Beyond the Grand Harbour, Gozo moves at a gentler pace: terraced fields, secret coves, and villages with domed churches. Fishermen still mend nets in harbors where family-run restaurants grill the daily catch. Between the islands, Comino’s Blue Lagoon flashes an unreal shade of turquoise, a postcard made real.

Practical notes for March–October: reserve popular restaurants and boat trips; carry cash for small village cafés; and pack reef-safe sunscreen. Getting around is easy: buses are frequent, taxis and ride-hailing are affordable, and ferries connect Malta, Comino, and Gozo swiftly. This itinerary assumes arrival on Day 1 afternoon and departure on Day 7 afternoon.

Valletta

Valletta is a baroque jewel-box: narrow streets lined with carved balconies, auburn limestone glowing at golden hour, and a skyline guarded by fortresses. St. John’s Co-Cathedral gleams with Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro and ornate marble tombs, while Upper Barrakka Gardens frames one of the world’s great harbors.

Food is half the story. Snack on ftira (Maltese bread topped like a pizza), try rabbit stew, and end with kannoli or honeyed qaghaq tal-ghasel. Nights spill onto Strait Street, once the sailors’ quarter, now a thread of intimate bars, gin rooms, and live jazz.

• Where to stay (Valletta): Iconic stay at The Phoenicia Malta beside the city gate; harborside comfort at Grand Hotel Excelsior; midrange classic at Osborne Hotel; wallet-friendly views at Grand Harbour Hotel. Or browse apartments on VRBO Valletta or hotels on Hotels.com Valletta.
• How to arrive: Fly into MLA. For flights within Europe, compare on Omio (flights in Europe). For intercontinental options, see Trip.com (global flights) or Kiwi.com. Taxi from MLA to Valletta: ~20 minutes, ~€20–25; X4 bus: ~30 minutes, ~€2–3.

Day 1: Arrival, Valletta’s First Impressions

Morning: Travel day. If you have an airport lounge window, read up on the Knights of St. John and mark a few cafés on your map—Valletta rewards the curious.

Afternoon: Check in and stroll to Upper Barrakka Gardens for Grand Harbour views. If timing allows, the Saluting Battery fires at noon and 4 pm—an echo of Malta’s maritime past. Coffee and a sweet at Caffe Cordina (since 1837) or specialty espresso at Lot Sixty One on Merchant Street.

Evening: Dinner at Legligin (Maltese tasting menu served family-style; book ahead) or Rampila (tables tucked into the city walls with views over the bastions). Nightcap along Strait Street at Yard 32 (serious gin list) or Bridge Bar (al fresco jazz on select nights).

Day 2: Valletta on Foot + Maltese Flavors

Morning: Join a guided amble through history with the Best of Valletta Walking Tour to hit highlights while hearing the city’s layered stories.

Afternoon: Visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral (Caravaggio’s Beheading of St. John is a showstopper) and the nearby Grand Master’s Palace State Rooms. Lunch at Nenu The Artisan Baker for ftira from a wood-fired oven, or Guzé Patisserie for a light bite and dessert.

Evening: Taste your way through hidden kitchens on the Valletta: Best of Malta Food Tour (street food, wine, and local treats).

Day 3: Blue Grotto, Megalithic Temples, and Mdina

Morning: Head south for sea caves and deep time on the Malta Private Tour at Blue Grotto, Mdina and Ħaġar Qim. If seas are calm, take the optional 20-minute Blue Grotto boat (cash) to see sapphire light ricochet off limestone.

Afternoon: Explore Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, megalithic temples aligned to the solstice. Then walk Mdina’s silent lanes and the Rabat catacombs. Pause at Fontanella Tea Garden for cake with panoramic views.

Evening: Dinner options: Rubino (century-old deli turned bistro; try the rabbit or bragioli) or de Mondion at The Xara Palace in Mdina for a refined, view-kissed meal. Back in Valletta, sip a digestif at Alchemy or a casual Cisk at The Pub (Richard Harris lore included).

Day 4: Bays, Coves, and Coastline from Sliema

Set sail on the From Sliema: Three Bay Cruise with Lunch—a full day aboard a wooden gullet with swim stops at three scenic spots and lunch included. Expect clear water, cliff views, and relaxed deck time; bring a towel and reef-safe sunscreen.

Evening idea: Freshen up, then dine along Spinola Bay in St. Julian’s: Two Buoys (Mediterranean plates and Maltese wines) or The Avenue (pasta, grills, easy-going). Classic cocktails at The Thirsty Barber or a seaside stroll on the Sliema promenade for gelato.

Gozo

Gozo, Malta’s greener sister, is all honey-stone farmhouses, prickly pear hedges, and quiet valleys sloping into coves. Victoria’s Cittadella crowns the island, while the coast arcs from Marsalforn to Xlendi and Dwejra’s wild cliffs.

Food is rustic and rooted: gbejna cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and ftira fired in family bakeries. Evenings feel unhurried—watching the harbor lights at Mgarr might be the most Gozo moment of all.

• Where to stay (Gozo): Countryside resort at Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz; clifftop serenity at Ta' Cenc Hotel & Spa; good-value central base at Downtown Hotel. Or browse island stays on VRBO Gozo or Hotels.com Gozo.
• Getting there: Morning transfer from Valletta to Cirkewwa (~60–80 minutes by car/bus), then ferry to Mgarr (20 minutes; foot passenger ~€4.65, car ~€15–20). Compare ferry options on Omio (ferries in Europe). There’s also a Valletta–Gozo fast ferry (~45 minutes; ~€7–10).

Day 5: Ferry to Gozo, Victoria’s Cittadella, and Harbor Lights

Morning: Depart Valletta after breakfast. Taxi or rideshare to Cirkewwa (~€35–45), ferry to Mgarr (grab a window seat for Comino views), and short taxi/bus to your hotel.

Afternoon: Explore Victoria’s Cittadella: ramparts, the Cathedral, and small museums that map rural life. Lunch at Ta’ Rikardu for platters of gbejna, capers, and house ftira; pair with local Gozitan wine.

Evening: Sunset at Dwejra’s Inland Sea and coastal cliffs. Dinner at Country Terrace (Mgarr) for fish of the day with harbor panoramas or Maldonado Bistro (Victoria) for seasonal Maltese plates with flair. Post-dinner stroll by the Mgarr marina.

Day 6: Full-Day Gozo Jeep Safari with Comino Stop

See the island end-to-end on the Malta: Gozo Full Day Jeep Tour with lunch and Comino Stop. Expect coastal viewpoints, hidden valleys, and a refreshing swim by Comino, plus a hearty lunch. It’s an energizing way to reach spots difficult without a car.

Evening idea: Wind down at Xlendi Bay. Dinner at Ta’ Karolina (water’s edge, grilled seafood and pasta) or The Boathouse (ample portions, seaside vibes). Gelato on the promenade as waves lap the quay.

Day 7: Red Sands, Village Bakeries, and Departure

Morning: Early swim at Ramla Bay’s red sands or the smaller, steep-access San Blas. Pick up a ftira from Maxokk Bakery in Nadur (classic tuna, capers, olives) for an easy picnic.

Afternoon: Ferry back to Malta and continue to the airport (allow 2.5–3.5 hours door-to-gate including ferry). For European flights, check Omio (flights in Europe); for long-haul, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have time to spare, pause in Birgu (Vittoriosa) for a harborfront espresso.

Evening: Fly home with sun on your skin and a camera reel full of blues and golds.

Optional Comino Overnight (summer)

If you crave an off-grid night between sea and stars, consider booking Comino Hotel & Bungalows (also check family rooms here) to enjoy the Blue Lagoon at dawn and dusk when day-trippers are gone.

Eating and Drinking Cheat Sheet (favorites you’ll pass)

• Valletta coffee/pastry: Caffe Cordina; Lot Sixty One; Caffe Berry for sweet treats.
• Valletta lunches: Nenu The Artisan Baker; Aaron’s Kitchen (local classics, seasonal specials).
• Harborfront seafood: Marsaxlokk’s Roots Restaurant, La Nostra Padrona (book Sundays, market day).
• Mdina/Rabat: Fontanella Tea Garden (cakes, views); de Mondion for a splurge.
• St. Julian’s/Sliema: Two Buoys; The Avenue; cocktails at The Thirsty Barber.
• Gozo: Ta’ Rikardu (cheese & ftira), Country Terrace (views), Maldonado Bistro (creative Maltese), Il-Kartell (Marsalforn waterfront), Ta’ Frenc (special occasions).

Getting Around and Practical Tips

• Intercity and island hops: Base in Valletta first (Days 1–4), then Gozo (Days 5–7). Ferries run frequently; check schedules and book where needed via Omio (ferries in Europe).
• Buses and taxis: Malta’s buses are inexpensive but can be crowded in peak hours; taxis and ride-hailing fill gaps, especially early departures or late dinners.
• What to pack: Water shoes for rocky coves, a light scarf for churches, and a reusable bottle—fountains are common.

Bonus: Private Full-Day Driver If You Want Flexibility

If you prefer a tailored day that mixes coastal viewpoints, temple stops, and hidden villages at your pace, consider booking the Malta Private Full-Day Customizable Tour.

Seven days in Malta balances Valletta’s baroque drama with Gozo’s laid-back landscapes, tied together by swims in luminous bays and plates of local produce. With ferries easy and distances short, the islands invite you to slow down, look closer, and savor every sunlit corner.