Malta in 7 days: a one-week itinerary

A week in Malta is the ideal length: you'll see the main sights, explore Gozo, relax on the beach and never feel rushed. Below is a 7-day plan. It works best with a base in Valletta, Sliema or St Julian's.

Day 1: Valletta

Spend your first day in the capital: St John's Co-Cathedral with its Caravaggio paintings, the Grandmaster's Palace, Upper Barrakka Gardens with the noon gun salute and Fort St Elmo. In the evening, stroll down Strait Street. For a detailed plan, see Valletta in one day.

Day 2: the Three Cities and Marsaxlokk

In the morning, take the ferry from Valletta to the Three Cities: Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua. Birgu offers quiet lanes, Fort St Angelo and a yacht-lined waterfront, while the gardens in Senglea look back at Valletta across the harbour. In the afternoon, head to Marsaxlokk, a fishing village with colourful luzzu boats. On Sundays you'll catch the fish market.

Day 3: the south of the island

This day is all about the sea and prehistory. Start with a boat trip into the Blue Grotto (boats only run when the sea is calm). Then visit the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples, older than the pyramids of Giza. End the day at Dingli Cliffs at sunset.

Day 4: Mdina, Rabat and Mosta

In the morning, visit Mosta and its famous Rotunda, which has one of the largest domes in Europe. Then move on to Mdina, the "silent city", with narrow lanes and views from the walls over almost all of Malta. In neighbouring Rabat, visit St Paul's Catacombs. Mdina looks its best in the evening.

Day 5: Gozo

Take an early ferry from Ċirkewwa to Gozo. See the Citadel in Victoria, the Ġgantija temples, Dwejra with its Inland Sea, and end the day at Ramla Bay or in Xlendi Bay.

Day 6: Comino and the northern beaches

Head to Comino in the morning, before the Blue Lagoon gets crowded. Back on Malta, relax on one of the northern beaches: Golden Bay, Għajn Tuffieħa or Mellieħa Bay. If you're travelling with kids, drop by Popeye Village.

Day 7: Sliema, St Julian's or a free day

Keep your last day relaxed. Walk the promenade in Sliema and St Julian's, shop for souvenirs or return to your favourite spot. You could also see something off the beaten track, such as Għar Dalam cave or the natural pool at St Peter's Pool.

Practical tips

• Plan Gozo and Comino for days with good weather and a calm sea.
• The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is an underground necropolis that needs to be booked well in advance.
• Opening hours change seasonally, so check them the day before.

A week with the See It app

The See It app includes over 300 attractions in Malta and Gozo, 8 ready-made routes and a planner to build your own plan for each day. Read the descriptions or listen to them like an audio guide, and download selected routes for offline use.

Short on time? See the shorter version: Malta in 3 days itinerary.