Many tourists see Malta as a destination for pensioners or for those who are after a resort holiday. But for the past few years, the trend has been changing, and more and more travelers are flocking to Malta, and they are not short of praises for this country! Malta is the smallest European country, but it has a plethora of things to offer to tourists. You can easily fill over one or two weeks and not get bored in Malta. But if you don’t have enough time to explore the entire island, you can see and do a lot in just 5 days.
If you are wondering what to do in Malta in 5 days, make sure to follow our itinerary in order to enjoy the best trip to Malta!
DAY 1: Explore Valletta
Your trip to Malta should start with Valletta as you arrive. The best way to travel around this part of the country is using the bus as it will be hard to find parking space in the city in case you rent a car. BUT, we recommend you to get a car for the rest of your trip.
Start your day by visiting the most beautiful attraction in the city; Saint John’s Co-Cathedral. As the site is very touristic, it is always busy with crowds. You can visit early in the morning to skip the crowd and spend about an hour inside as the interior is truly breathtaking!
Your next stop should be the famous Grandmaster’s Palace, where you can admire the staterooms and old armors and weapons that are used by the knights of Malta. It will not take more than an hour to walk through the palace. As you come out of the palace, stop by the stunning Lower Barakka Garden and take pictures of the monument there backed by the blue ocean, which is indeed very photogenic. Don’t miss out on the Upper Barrakka Garden, from where you can witness the surreal views of Three Cities.
Enjoy a delicious lunch in the afternoon from one of the many restaurants in Valletta before heading out to the boat departure point that will take you to the three cities across the Grand Harbour; Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua. These three cities are an important part of Malta as the history here is still kept alive, thanks to the hundreds of years of preservation. Spend some time walking around the streets of three cities and enjoy the views over Valletta. Return to the city by the end of the day and if you have time, head out to Republic Street and Merchant Street. Here, you’ll find plenty of shopping spots, cafes, and restaurants!
DAY 2: Mellieha
Pick up your rental car from the airport or any company (whatever you choose) and explore Mellieha on day 2 in Malta. Mellieha is much smaller as compared to Valletta but offers a laid-back vibe, surrounded by turquoise waters and lush green mountains. If you are expecting a buzzing city life, then there is not much around. But if relaxation and less crowds are what you are after, Mellieha is an incredible place to be at.
The first stop here should be Ghadira Bay – the longest beach in Malta. The beach water is warm and clear, and also shallow, making it a safe spot for kids who want to swim. You’ll witness many kite-surfers, water skiers, and banana boats moving across the beach.
After spending an hour or two at the beach, make your way to the breathtaking Popeye Village – a functioning movie backdrop constricted in 1980. The crooked buildings of the village, themed food stalls, and colorful activities make it a great destination for kids. There are swimming pools, boat trips, and water trampolines to keep the kids entertained.
You will not have much time left after leaving Popeye Village. One thing that you can still enjoy quickly before the night is going bird-watching at the Ghadira Nature Reserve. You kids are going to love the wildlife here, ranging from a rare breed of birds and chameleons.
Keep driving from Ghadira Nature Reserve for about 6 minutes, and you’ll reach One80 Kitchen and Lounge – one of the most popular eateries in Mellieha. Enjoy a fresh seafood plate and seafood soup here, followed by a range of cocktails.
DAY 3: Gozo and Comino
Comino is not too far from the Mellieha, and you should definitely include it in your list on Day 3. From Mellieha, you can catch a ferry that will arrive at Comino Island in about one hour and 30 minutes. Comino is widely known for its breathtaking Blue Lagoon with its turquoise waters. As the lagoon gets pretty crowded, you can stay for a bit and walk along the island. There is another beautiful beach, Santa Maria Beach – less crowded than the Blue Lagoon.
This little piece of paradise also offers hiking and camping opportunities. There are also many spots where you can enjoy diving and snorkeling. One of them is Crystal Lagoon, which is hard to access but not impossible if you can climb the rocks. If you get hungry on Comino Island, there are many food trucks serving fried calamari, burgers, wraps, salads, ice creams, and more. And the quality is pretty good in less price!
Another island that is worth a visit is Gozo Island. A litter farther away from Comino, you can get to the Gozo Island on the same day. If you are a photographer, then you will find many great opportunities to take perfect landscape photos. Let’s start your trip by paying a visit to the Citadella in Victoria. This fortified city has been renovated and offers panoramic views of the surrounding sea and villages. There are several museums you can visit in Citadella including the Cathedral Museum, the Museum of Archeology, the Folklore Museum, and the Old Prison. Do check out the Ramla Bay if you have time before heading back to the hotel.
DAY 4: Mdina and Rabat
Today you’ll be driving along the beautiful towns of Mdina and Rabat. Mdina, also known as ‘the Silent City’, is a wonderful place to explore on foot. You can walk around the streets and discover many attractions, including the Vilhena Palace and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Mdina can often get crowded, but the best way to enjoy the views and attractions is to arrive in the early morning.
As it’s a fortified city, its strong walls surrounding the town offer the best views of Malta. There is enough history to keep you busy for the entire day. Take a stroll around the streets, admire the architecture, and try delicious local food at one of the restaurants before heading out to Rabat.
Rabat is a charming neighborhood of Mdina, housing the oldest roman underground cemetery in Malta. The first thing to do here in Rabat is to visit the underground catacombs. There are only 20 open to the general public. But if you are claustrophobic, we recommend you to stay away. While you stroll around the squares and streets of Rabat, look for the beautiful colorful balconies that are quite a sight. Another great place to sit and relax is the Howard Gardens, where you can soak up the beautiful nature of the town.
Finish your day with a delicious Maltese dinner at one of the restaurants in Rabat. There are plenty of local dishes you shouldn’t miss including rabbit stew, bread with oil, and filled pastry, also known as pastizzi. Some of the best restaurants are Grotto Tavern, Ta’ Doni, and Crystal Palace.
DAY 5: Marsaxlokk
Spend your last day at this small and picturesque fishing village, Marsaxlokk. This traditional village offers a fine selection of some of the best seafood restaurants in town. The first thing you can do here is to walk along the harbor, watching fishermen busy preparing their fishnets for the fresh catches. You’ll also notice fleets of traditional boats, also known as Luzzu. The waterfront is lined with many cafes, bars, and restaurants to satisfy your sudden cravings.
After the harbor walk and having some fresh seafood, head out to St Peter’s Pool – an amazing spot for sunbathing and swimming. The pool is surrounded by safe flat rocks where you can rest and enjoy plenty of sunshine. The Blue Grotto is another popular spot where you can swim in the intense blue water along the cave. Other things to see in Marsaxlokk include the Fort Delimara, St Lucian Tower, and Marsaxlokk Parish Church.
Enjoy your last meal of the day before catching your flight as the airport is only 15 minutes of drive away from Marsaxlokk.
DAY 6 AND BEYOND: WHAT TO DO?
You don’t have to restrict yourself to just five days in Malta. The country is indeed small, but there are many things to see and do here. If you plan to stay more than five days in Malta, here are some of the things you can enjoy in addition to the above activities:
- Sliema: For a fantastic shopping experience and finger-licking good food, you should visit Sliema. It is a resort destination, and you may spot many expats here along with locals. Sliema offers many sightseeing tours covering the entire island. The town offers buzzing nightlife that you’ll not find anywhere else in Malta. Some of the must-see things in Sliema include Tigné Point Beach, Sliema promenade, Fort Tigné, and Manoel Island.
- St. Julians: St. Julians is another beautiful resort town offering a vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the action takes place at Spinola Bay, Paceville, St. George’s Bay, and Portomaso. You can visit St. Julians any time of the year and expect dining, dancing, and a lot of fun all year round. However, visit in August if you want to attend the traditional Maltese summer festa.
- Hagar Qim: Undoubtedly, the best-preserved sites in Malta have to be Hagar Qim. These standing stones are located at the top of the sea cliff. The site used to be a temple that is now restored to give visitors a better idea of what it looked like. Next to the site, you’ll see a huge megalith – a prehistoric stone that also has a story behind it. There is a visitors center on-site where you can learn about the history and mystery of these temples.
So, this is how you can plan your perfect trip to Malta. Getting around will not be an issue as each place is close to the other. Start packing your bags, and get ready to explore this slice of paradise! We promise you’re going to enjoy every minute you spend here in Malta. Have a nice trip!