Malta’s story is written in golden limestone: a crossroads of Phoenicians, Arabs, Knights of St. John, and the British—every century left a signature. Compact yet dense with culture, the country packs fortified cities, prehistoric sites, and a coastline sculpted into coves and caves. Valletta alone holds more than 300 historic monuments inside less than a square kilometer.

Expect Mediterranean sunshine, easy English-speaking locals, and hearty island cuisine: lampuki (dorado) in season, rabbit stew, ftira bread, and ricotta-stuffed pastizzi. Dress modestly for churches (shoulders and knees covered), carry water in summer, and slather reef‑safe sunscreen for boat days.

Practical notes: the euro is used; Type‑G (UK) plugs; driving is on the left. Malta International Airport (MLA) is 15–20 minutes from Valletta. Public buses are extensive (single fares ~€2–€2.50), while taxis/ride‑hailing are affordable for cross‑island hops.

Valletta

Valletta, founded in 1566 by the Knights of St. John, is a jewel box of Baroque facades, wooden balconies, and cannon-tiered bastions. It’s Europe’s sunniest capital and the perfect base for a 3‑day Malta trip. Everything is walkable, and the Grand Harbour views will stop you mid‑stride.

• Top sights: St. John’s Co‑Cathedral (Caravaggio’s “Beheading of Saint John”), Upper Barrakka Gardens (noon cannon at the Saluting Battery), the Grand Master’s Palace, MUZA art museum, and Valletta Waterfront.
• Just across the water: The Three Cities—Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea, and Cospicua—offer quiet lanes, maritime lore, and excellent wine bars.
• Food & drink highlights: Rustic Maltese bakes at Nenu the Artisan Baker; tasting menu at Legligin; seafood classics at Palazzo Preca; elegant terraces at Rampila; Michelin‑starred dining at Noni or Under Grain; cakes at Caffe Cordina (est. 1837).

Getting to Valletta: Fly into MLA. Compare fares and routes on Omio (Flights) for Europe; if you’re coming from outside Europe, also check Kiwi.com and Trip.com (Flights). Typical direct times: Rome ~1h25, Paris ~2h45, London ~3h10. From Sicily you can ferry to Valletta; see Omio (Ferries).

Airport transfers: Taxi/ride‑hail to Valletta ~15–20 minutes (~€20–€25). The X4 bus takes ~30–40 minutes (~€2–€2.50).

Where to stay (Valletta & nearby):

• The Phoenicia Malta – Iconic city‑gate address, landscaped gardens, and an infinity pool over the bastions.
• Grand Hotel Excelsior – Resort feel just below the walls, with a private lido on the harbour.
• Osborne Hotel – Solid midrange inside the fortifications; easy walk to everything.
• Grand Harbour Hotel – Unbeatable views for the price; book a balcony room if available.
• AX The Victoria Hotel (Sliema) – Classic rooms, rooftop pool; a quick ferry ride to Valletta.
• Browse apartments and townhouses: VRBO – Valletta | More hotel choices: Hotels.com – Valletta

Day 1 — Valletta’s Golden Stone and Grand Harbour

Morning: Travel day. Grab an airport espresso and a pastizzi (ricotta or pea) if you’re peckish. On arrival, taxi to your hotel and drop your bags.

Afternoon: Start in Upper Barrakka Gardens for sweeping views across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities; time your visit for the noon cannon if you can. Stroll Republic and Merchants Streets to admire balconies and tiny chapels, then visit St. John’s Co‑Cathedral—dress modestly and don’t miss Caravaggio’s masterpiece in the Oratory.

Prefer a guided introduction? Book this excellent small‑group walk: The Original Valletta Walking Tour.

Evening: Aperitivo at Bridge Bar (jazz on some warm nights) or a glass at Legligin followed by their rustic tasting menu of Maltese plates—book ahead. Seafood lovers should aim for Palazzo Preca (ask for local lampuki in season), while the bastion‑arched terrace at Rampila is a romantic choice.

If you’re hungry to learn through bites, consider the Valletta Food Tour this evening for a guided stroll of tastings and stories.

Nightcap at Alchemy for inventive cocktails or a quiet gelato along Old Theatre Street. Sleep well—tomorrow is your boat day.

Day 2 — Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Gozo (Full-Day Cruise)

Today is devoted to Malta’s sea—turquoise inlets, caves, and a taste of Gozo. Pack swimwear, water shoes, sunscreen, and a light cover‑up for breezes. Most cruises leave from Bugibba or Sliema; taxi from Valletta ~25–35 minutes (or bus ~45–60 minutes). Food and snorkel stops are typically included or available onboard.

Our pick: Malta: Comino, Gozo, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Caves Tour—a locally run cruise that threads through sea caves, anchors at the Blue Lagoon, and gives you time on Gozo.

Tip: The Blue Lagoon can be busy—walk five minutes toward the Crystal Lagoon for clearer water and fewer umbrellas. If seas are choppy, listen to crew advice and bring a light jacket for the return sail.

Back in Valletta, keep dinner easy: Rubino (since 1906) for rabbit ravioli and cassata, or late plates at Grain Street for creative small dishes and Maltese wines.

Day 3 — Mdina & Rabat, then Departure

Morning: Coffee at Lot Sixty One or a classic marble‑top table at Caffe Cordina, then head to Mdina (taxi ~25 minutes/€20–€25; bus ~45 minutes). Enter the “Silent City” through the Baroque gate, step into Mdina Cathedral, and wind along bastion walks for views over Malta’s heartland. For a sweet pause, the cakes and views at Fontanella Tea Garden are beloved.

Optional guided alternative: Prefer a no‑planning day that bundles key sites? Book Mdina and Highlights of Malta Full Day Guided Tour Incl. Lunch and Transfers. It weaves Mdina, craft villages, and coastal viewpoints into one streamlined experience.

Lunch: In Rabat (just outside Mdina), pop into Is‑Serkin (Crystal Palace) for hot pastizzi, or sit down at Bacchus (inside Mdina’s bastions) for traditional dishes. If you linger in Valletta instead, try Nenu the Artisan Baker for wood‑fired ftira layered with tomatoes, capers, and olives.

Afternoon: Return to Valletta, pick up last‑minute souvenirs at Is‑Suq tal‑Belt (the covered food market), and stroll down to the Valletta Waterfront for one final harbour view before your transfer to the airport.

Logistics & Local Tips

• City transport: Valletta–Three Cities ferry runs frequently (about 10 minutes; ~€1.50–€3). Buses radiate from Valletta’s Triton Fountain. Taxis are cost‑effective for multi‑stop days.
• Dress codes: Churches require covered shoulders and knees; scarves at the ready.
• Best time to visit: April–June and September–October for warm seas without peak heat.
• Tickets & timing: St. John’s Co‑Cathedral can get busy; go early. The Saluting Battery fires at noon.
• Getting in/out: Compare routes and prices on Omio (Flights); consider mainland European rail or coach connections on Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses), then ferry from Sicily via Omio (Ferries). For long‑haul deals, check Kiwi.com and Trip.com.

Optional Upgrades & Special Stays

• Fine dining: Book Noni or Under Grain for a Michelin‑starred evening. For sunset cocktails with a view, try the harbour‑facing lounges near the Lower Barrakka area.
• Mdina overnighter (for future trips): A night within the walls is magic—browse The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux or Point de Vue Guesthouse.
• Resort north (for beach‑first trips): Families love db Seabank Resort + Spa beside Mellieħa Bay’s sands.

Want a driver to tailor everything to your interests in a single day? Consider a private customizable circuit: Private Customizable Full‑Day Tour in Malta.

In three days, you’ve traced Valletta’s bastions, sailed the luminous coves of Comino, and walked Mdina’s hushed lanes. Malta rewards curiosity—there’s always another chapel door, cave, or viewpoint just around the corner. Keep this guide handy for your next visit; Gozo’s countryside and prehistoric temples await.