One Week In Malta: The Perfect 7-Day Itinerary
May 18, 2021
Malta is one of those destinations that I didn’t have any expectations of, as it was a bit of a random last-minute type of vacation. Nevertheless, this small Mediterranean island ended up stealing my heart from the minute I arrived. I even started dreaming about moving there! Not only does Malta have an incredibly rich history, there are SO many awesome things to do, which is why I put together a detailed 7-day Malta itinerary (including fun activities, best places to stay & more)!
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THE PERFECT 7-DAY MALTA ITINERARY
BACKGROUND INFO
The Republic of Malta is a small island located in the Mediterranean Sea in Southern Europe. Malta has a long history, but what’s important to know is that it was a former British colony, which means traffic drives on the left side of the road. Malta is part of the UN and its currency is Euro. The capital is Valletta, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been declared European Capital of Culture in 2012.
Climate: Malta has a Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters. Most rain fall happens between September and April.
Language: Maltese and English are the official languages in Malta.
Food: I personally loved the food in Malta! You’re on a tiny island so there’s no shortage of fresh fish and seafood. The Maltese also have many different specialties that are worth a try such as rabbit stew or bragioli (beef olives).
How to get around: The quickest way to get around in Malta is by car, although some places are quite busy and traffic can get annoying. If you don’t want to rent a car, the bus system is also pretty good. I got everywhere I wanted to go by bus and by ferry. It’s cheap and the buses have aircon and tinted windows, which is great when it’s +30°C outside.
Tips: Malta is quite hilly in some areas so keep that in mind (sneakers could be useful). Also, if you’re a female and you want to visit one of the churches, you’ll be expected to cover up.
WHERE TO STAY ON MALTA ISLAND
There’s quite a lot of choice of places and areas to stay in Malta, but I would say the most popular ones are Saint Julian’s (San Giljan), Sliema or Valletta. I stayed in a cute apartment in St. Julian’s (unfortunately no longer active), which is one of the best areas to book your accommodation, both for its convenience and fun, lively vibes.
Another great place to stay in Malta is Sliema, the town right next to St. Julian’s. If you like to go shopping during your holidays, Sliema is your place to be! Lastly, there’s Valletta, which is perfect for anyone who’s looking for more quiet, authentic “old town” vibes.
If you’re still looking for a place to stay in Malta, here are some amazing hotels I found (BEST value for money):
- This charming boutique hotel in Sliema (rating: 9.2/10 with 1000+ reviews) has dorms up to 6 people, as well as regular studios and suites. The interior is just to die for and who can say no to a hotel with its own spa & wellness center?? This one might be my favourite and it’s also very affordable!
- Inhawi hostel in Saint Julian’s (rating: 9.1/10 with almost 3000 (!) reviews). I’m always a bit hesitant when it comes to hostels, but this one truly has it all: beautiful dorms, super clean, breakfast included, great pool and close to the beach! If you do prefer a bit more privacy, Hotel Valentina (rating: 9.2/10 with almost 1000 reviews) is worth checking out even if it’s just for its trendy rooftop bar & pool (I mean… wow).
- Palais Le Brun (rating: 9.2/10 with 866 reviews) in Valletta is a bit more expensive, but it’s so stunning I just had to include it. If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Malta, I personally wouldn’t look any further. Perfect for a special occasion or simply to treat yourself (book a room with jacuzzi if you really want to go all out;)!
HOW TO SPEND ONE WEEK IN MALTA
DAY 1: EXPLORE THE HISTORIC CITY OF VALLETTA
Valletta is the capital of Malta and one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen. It instantly transports you to a time of powerful kingdoms and impenetrable fortresses. The charming streets, colourful windows and impressive sea views will have you walking around for hours without getting bored.
When visiting Valletta, you can’t skip the Barrakka Gardens, which harbour a marvellous old temple. If you’re in the mood for a cultural afternoon, check out the War Museum. Also, don’t forget to relax and have a drink on one of the charming plazas!
City view from our ferry 
Barrakka Gardens
DAY 2: DISCOVER THE EXOTIC BLUE WATERS OF GOZO & COMINO
If you didn’t know already, Malta exists out of more than just one island. The islands of Gozo and Comino are even smaller than the main island, but they’re not less interesting by any means. Gozo used to be best known for its famous Azure Window, which I still had the pleasure to witness before half of it disappeared into the sea after a storm…
However, the area is definitely still worth visiting! I mean, it was a Game Of Thrones location after all… Besides, you can go on an awesome kayak trip to a hidden lagoon for just €4!
Azure Window (still intact) 
Comino Island
If you’re heading to Gozo, be sure to make a stop at the tiniest island of them all: Comino. Comino’s Blue Lagoon is undoubtedly the best place in Malta for scuba diving or snorkelling. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it there, but really regretted it once I realised how clear and turquoise the water is. I guess I have no choice but to go back!
DAY 3: COMBINE ANCIENT MDINA & RABAT WITH DAZZLING VIEWS AT DINGLI CLIFFS
Another highlight of my trip was visiting Mdina (Malta’s previous capital) and Rabat. Both gorgeous old cities with lots of small charming streets exuding all the medieval vibes! A popular site to visit here is the Saint Paulus Cathedral and its catacombs, which were kind of spooky but interesting nonetheless.
Mdina 
After lunch, I suggest heading to Dingli Cliffs. We took the bus and got off near the main view point. We still had to walk for a while, but it didn’t matter because the views along the way were epic. Once you reach the main view point, stick around to enjoy a spectacular sunset.
DAY 4: HAVE A BEACH DAY AT GHAJN TUFFIEHA BAY
Malta isn’t known for its beaches, but I’m pleased to tell you that I did discover one hidden gem on the northwest coast of the island. Ghajn Tuffieha Bay has remained somewhat wild and unspoiled and can’t be compared to some of the other overly touristy beaches in Malta. The view from above is gorgeous and will have you running down the many steps to throw yourself in that clear blue ocean.
If you’re looking for more things to do in the area, you can check out Malta’s National Aquarium, which isn’t too far from the beach. Another option is heading to the famous Popeye Village, a village specifically built to function as a film set!
DAY 5: MARVEL AT THE HAGAR QIM TEMPLES & TAKE A BOAT TRIP TO BLUE GROTTO
This day is the perfect combination of culture and adventure at sea. Even if you’re not into cultural outings during your vacation, visiting the Hagar Qim Temples is a must on every Malta itinerary. It’s impossible that these age old constructions won’t impress you at least slightly.
While you’re in the south of Malta, you should definitely also take a boat tour to the Blue Grotto. The boat will take you along some amazing cliffs and lead you into a cave with fluorescent blue water!
DAY 6: SWIM, SHOP AND PARTY IN SLIEMA & SAINT JULIAN
Saint Julian’s is a lively neighbourhood with lots of good restaurants and a surprisingly elaborate night life area. If you’re in the mood for some cocktails, this is the place to be! During the day, you can walk along the boulevard until you reach Sliema, a bigger town with many cute shops.
If you walk far enough you’ll eventually reach the Victorian Era Baths (Font Għadir on Google Maps): amazing natural pools right by the ocean! It’s an epic place to take a refreshing dip (they even installed some stairs so you can get in more easily). Plus, there were hardly any people, so it seems like this place is a well-kept secret in Malta.
DAY 7: VISIT THE CUTE PORT TOWN OF MARSAXLOKK
Marsaxlokk is a small and picturesque fishing village with colourful boats laying around the harbour. There’s a popular market on Sunday where you can stroll around and enjoy a typical Mediterranean atmosphere.
Other interesting places in the neighbourhood of Marsaxlokk are St. Peters pool and the Xrobb l-Għaġin park. Both are cool places to go for a swim and jump off rocks. Yay!
I hope this itinerary gave you some ideas on how to spend your week in Malta! I made sure to include as many places and activities as possible, but obviously you can pick and choose to your liking.
Have you ever been to Malta? What was your favourite place or activity? Let me know in the comments! 🙂
So cool to say that I have been there. I loved the fortress city of Mdina.
Same, such an amazing place!
Malta is on our short list for a possible trip this summer, so this is PERFECT timing!! Thanks for such a thorough post.
Oh I’m sure you’d love it as much as I did!
Wow what a great guide! Definitely making me miss being in Europe! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks 🙂
I love any place on the Mediterranean. I missed Malta when I was in Europe last but it is such a fascinating country. I love the Victorian Era Baths and would definitely take a dip.
Same haha, yes definitely worth a visit!
Aww I miss Malta! I’ve spend one week backpacking there and had the best time! I especially highly recommend Gozo! I stayed two nights there and it was by far my favorite experience <3
Oh really, sounds amazing!
Oooh it is fabulous when un-planned holidays go that well. It looks like you had an amaaazing time in Malta! I’d love to hike around to that Victorian baths, but the Hagar Qim Temples and all those gorgeous rocky coastlines just look great fun to explore.
Sure is, I never knew Malta had so much to offer!