Shaped by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, the Knights of St. John, and the British, Malta compresses 7,000 years of history into islands you can cross in under an hour. Valletta alone is a UNESCO-listed capital of golden limestone, Baroque facades, and Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro masterpieces. Just beyond lie Mdina’s silent streets, prehistoric temples older than the pyramids, and sea caves where water glows electric blue.

Fun fact: the noon-day cannon still booms from Valletta’s Saluting Battery, a ritual dating back to the Knights. On the water, families drift past Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, caves carved by time and salt. On land, fortresses, cathedrals, and wartime tunnels tell tales of sieges and survival.

Practicalities: Malta International Airport (MLA) sits 15–20 minutes from Valletta. Buses are frequent and budget-friendly; taxis and ride-hailing keep travel simple for groups. Expect Mediterranean cuisine—ftira, pastizzi, rabbit stew, and just-caught fish—plus a café culture that starts at Caffe Cordina and ends as jazz spills onto Valletta’s Strait Street.

Valletta

Valletta is tiny yet dense with treasures—St. John’s Co-Cathedral and its Caravaggios, the Upper Barrakka Gardens framing the Grand Harbour, and Fort St. Elmo’s National War Museum. By night, the city softens: candles in limestone niches, live music in stair-step alleys, and gelato promenades along the bastions.

• Top sights: St. John’s Co-Cathedral (Baroque and Caravaggio), Upper Barrakka Gardens (noon gun), National War Museum at Fort St. Elmo, MUŻA (National Museum of Art), Manoel Theatre.
• Eat & drink: Caffe Cordina (historic coffees and pastries), Nenu the Artisan Baker (ftira baked in a stone oven), Rubino (old-school Maltese), Rampila (romantic tables in the city walls), Sotto Pizzeria (crisp Roman-style pies), Yard 32 (gin bar), Bridge Bar (open-air jazz on select nights), The Thirsty Lawyer (cocktails).
• Local tips: Time your visit to Upper Barrakka for the noon cannon. Many museums close by late afternoon—start earlier.

Where to stay (great for a family of 7):

• Apartment-style stays: Search multi-bedroom townhouses and harbor-view apartments in or near Valletta on VRBO Valletta or nearby VRBO Sliema.
• Hotels (Valletta): The Phoenicia Malta (iconic gardens and pool), Grand Hotel Excelsior (harborside, big pool), Osborne Hotel (good-value central), Grand Harbour Hotel (budget-friendly views).
• Hotels (nearby): AX The Victoria Hotel (Sliema; classic comfort), db Seabank Resort + Spa (Mellieħa; beachy, lots of facilities for groups).
• More choices: Browse flexible options on Hotels.com Valletta.

How to get to Malta and around:

• Flights (from Europe): Compare fares to MLA on Omio Flights (Europe). From outside Europe, use Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Ferries: If coming via Sicily, check Omio Ferries (catamarans often take ~1h45–2h).
• Local transport: Buses are frequent and affordable (typical fares €2–€2.50 in season). Taxis/ride-hailing between Valletta and the airport run ~€15–€25. A 7-person group may find pre-booked vans cost-effective.

Day 1: Arrival in Valletta, Upper Barrakka, and a Baroque Welcome

Afternoon: Land at MLA and transfer 15–20 minutes to Valletta. Drop bags and stretch your legs at Upper Barrakka Gardens for sweeping Grand Harbour views—time it near noon if possible for the Saluting Battery cannon. Stroll Republic Street to St. John’s Co-Cathedral to see Caravaggio’s “Beheading of Saint John the Baptist” (aim to arrive before last entry; typically mid-late afternoon).

Optional guided walk: If you prefer to orient with a guide, consider The Original Valletta Walking Tour (great for first-timers and history lovers). The Original Valletta Walking Tour

Evening: Dinner at Nenu the Artisan Baker for ftira (Maltese sourdough pizza) baked in a traditional oven, or Rampila for al-fresco tables tucked into the bastions. For a casual feast with options for everyone, explore Is-Suq tal-Belt (Valletta Food Market). Nightcap along Strait Street—Bridge Bar is beloved for alfresco jazz on select evenings; Yard 32 pours excellent G&Ts. For a quiet gelato stroll, head to the bastions.

Day 2: Three Cities by Boat and Mdina & Rabat by Sunset

Morning: Coffee at Lot Sixty One (specialty roaster on Old Theatre St.) and a quick pastizz (ricotta or pea) from a nearby bakery. Ride the Upper Barrakka lift down and take the short ferry to Birgu (Vittoriosa) in the Three Cities (about €1.50 one-way; return €2.80). Wander the Inquisitor’s Palace area and Fort St. Angelo’s bastions, then cross to Senglea’s Gardjola Gardens for a postcard lookout.

Afternoon: Lunch on Birgu’s marina—Don Berto for seafood platters or Tal-Petut for Maltese recipes with a modern twist. Transfer to Mdina (40–50 minutes by taxi or ~50–60 minutes by bus). Explore Mdina’s silent lanes, the Baroque Cathedral, and the bastions’ views that sweep to the sea. Pop into neighboring Rabat for St. Paul’s Catacombs and a still-warm pastizz at Is-Serkin (Crystal Palace).

Evening: Stay for golden-hour light on Mdina’s ramparts. Dinner options: Medina Restaurant (courtyard romance), Bacchus (inside ancient fortifications), or Fontanella for sunset cake and tea with killer views. Return to Valletta for a digestif or an early night.

Prefer a driver for your group of seven? Book a flexible full-day with a private chauffeur who can combine Three Cities, Mdina, and scenic stops to match your pace: Malta Highlights Private Car Experience

Day 3: Blue Lagoon, Sea Caves, and a Taste of Gozo

Make today your waters-and-islands day. Families love mixing swimming stops with easy sightseeing, and traveling together keeps costs friendly.

All-day tour (recommended): Malta: Comino, Gozo, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Caves Tour typically departs Bugibba mid-morning and returns late afternoon. Expect snorkeling in limpid bays, a cruise-by of sea caves, and time on Gozo (often Victoria’s Citadel). Bring reef-safe sunscreen, towels, and water shoes; onboard snacks are available, but packing some fruit and sandwiches is wise for a group of seven.

Logistics: Valletta to Bugibba takes ~40–50 minutes by taxi/ride-hail or ~50–60 minutes by bus. Tour prices generally run budget-to-midrange per person; booking early helps secure seats together.

Adventurous alternative on Gozo: If your sons want more action, consider a Gozo jeep day that reaches hard-to-access coves and backroads: Gozo Full-Day Jeep Tour with Private Boat to Gozo & return. It’s a hit for mixed-age groups and can pair with a Blue Lagoon swim stop.

Evening (back on the main island): Head to St. Julian’s/Spinola Bay for dinner: Wigi’s Kitchen (seasonal Mediterranean), 1927 (waterfront Maltese plates), or Ta’ Kris (Sliema; homestyle rabbit, bragioli, and daily specials). For nightlife, Paceville ranges from casual dance floors (Footloose, Havana) to rooftop lounges (Hugo’s Terrace). Valletta’s cocktail bars offer a mellower finish.

Day 4: Prehistoric Temples, Blue Grotto, and Farewell Lunch

Morning: Check out and store bags. Drive 25–30 minutes to Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, megalithic temples dating to ~3600–2500 BCE (allow ~90 minutes; combo ticket around €10). The short coastal path between the sites reveals sea-sculpted cliffs. Continue 10 minutes to the Blue Grotto; if seas are calm, the small-boat ride (about €8 cash) threads luminous caves—first departures often have gentler crowds.

Early lunch: Cruise over to Marsaxlokk (15 minutes) for a waterside seafood feast. Tartarun plates local catch with finesse; La Nostra Padrona is reliable for grilled fish, octopus, and antipasti. Order seasonal lampuki (when running) or a mixed seafood platter to share for value with seven diners.

Departure: Allow ~15–20 minutes from Marsaxlokk to the airport (MLA). If you skipped museums earlier, MUŻA or the National War Museum near Valletta are excellent reasons to come back.

Prefer car and driver today? A tailored route linking the temples, Blue Grotto, and Marsaxlokk keeps timing smooth for your group: Malta Highlights Private Car Experience

Optional Upgrades and Flexes

• Private full-day with driver-guide: Customizable circuit across Malta’s highlights for a family-paced day: Private Customizable Full-Day Tour in Malta.

  

• Catamaran chill: Swap Day 3 for a sailing day with multiple swim stops: Blue Lagoon, Beaches and Bays Catamaran Sailing Tour.

  

Budget tips for a group of seven: Apartments often beat multiple hotel rooms—check VRBO. Use buses for longer hops and taxis only when time matters. Book boat days early (shoulder seasons have the best value), and share large seafood platters for a feast without the price shock.

Suggested packing: light layers for breezy bastions, water shoes for rocky coves, a compact dry bag for boat days, and sun protection year-round.

Getting here is easy—compare routes on Omio Flights (Europe), or from outside Europe with Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you’re pairing Malta with Sicily, consider Omio Ferries for a scenic crossing.

Wherever you land—Valletta’s grand piazzas, Mdina’s quiet alleys, or Comino’s glittering coves—Malta rewards curiosity. With history you can touch and waters you’ll never forget, this compact island delivers a big adventure for all seven of you.