4 Days in Malta: The Ultimate Travel Guide

It’s been two years since I spent 4 days in Malta, and I still think about the trip a lot. It wasn’t somewhere I’d planned to go, but ended up being somewhere I *really* enjoyed spending time. The mixture of sun, sea and culture made it a perfect late springtime short break.

I’d say that a long weekend, around 4 days, is an ideal time to spend in Malta, in which you’ll get to see the best sights without having to take too much time off work! This itinerary and travel guide will help you find the best things to do in Malta on your trip – hopefully, you’ll love this little island as much as we did!

*post contains affiliate links – which means if you use my link to book, I’ll get a little bit of extra cash for the recommendation*

Itinerary: Things to do on a 4 day trip to Malta

I’ve featured enough places to easily fill four days in Malta, so if you’re on a short break, these are some of Malta’s absolute highlights.

Malta 4 Day Itinerary: Day 1 – Spend a day exploring Valetta

Malta’s capital city was established in the 1500s, Valetta provides a great introduction to the country’s history and heritage. Not just a popular tourist destination, Valetta is also the commercial and business hub of Malta. From museums and monuments to numerous restaurants serving up delicious cuisine, you’ll find plenty to fill a day in Valetta, getting lost amongst its baroque buildings and enjoying awe-inspiring views across the Grand Harbour and beyond.

The best things to see and do in Valetta:

St. John’s Co-Cathedral

A truly breathtaking example of Baroque art and architecture, with ornate marble tiles and gold-adorned pillars and walls. Commissioned in 1572 and designed by Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar, the intricate detail of the interior stands at odds with its austere facade.

Opening Times: 9am – 4.45pm (last admission 4.15pm)
Admission Fee: €15 (adult)

St George’s Square

Since the the 17th century, Valletta’s largest and most prominent square has served as the location for some of the city’s most prominent occasions, including royal ceremonies and victory celebrations. Today, it’s a vibrant hub for locals and visitors, often used as a venue for events including concerts, exhibitions and festivals.

Grand Master’s Palace

One of the buildings in St George’s Square is original palace of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John, now a heritage site with collections. The Order of St. John ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798, and the Palace today shares a unique insight into the history of the Order and the role of the Grand Master.

Opening Times: 9am – 6pm
Admission Fee: €12 (adults), €10 (youth 10-18 & senior citizens), €8 (children 6-11)

Auberge de Castille

The Auberge de Castille was originally the home of the most powerful Knights of the Order of St. John. Since 1992, it’s been the office of the Maltese Prime Minister and administrative centre for Malta’s government. At night time, the building is illuminated with colourful lights.

Upper Barraka Garden

A public garden on the upper tier of Saints Peter and Paul Bastion, the Upper Barraka Garden offers amazing views over the ‘Three Cities’ of Malta: Birgu, Senglea and Bormla. Also a great place to find some shade on a hot summer’s day!

Lower Barraka Garden

Head north along the waterfront, and you’ll find the Lower Barraka Garden, twinned with the Upper gardens of the same name. The terrace here features numerous plaques and views over the Grand Harbour.

Lascaris War Rooms

150m below Upper Barracca Gardens, the Lascaris tunnels were used for strategic defense planning in World War Two, and later by NATO as a Communication Centre. In 2009, the War Rooms were open to the public, to share some of Malta’s most fascinating wartime secrets.

Opening Times: 10am – 4.30pm (closed Sundays)
Admission Fee: €10 (adults), €5 (children under 16)

Fort St. Elmo & National War Museum

The imposing stonework of Fort St. Elmo guards the entrance to Valetta’s Grand Harbour and has played a prominent role in Maltese military history – including the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Over centuries, it’s been modified, damaged and restored, and now houses the National War Museum of Malta. Here, you’ll find a wealth of artifacts from the country’s military past, including weaponry, wreckage from aircraft, and The George Cross that was awarded to Malta in 1942.

Opening Times: 10am – 4.30pm (closed Sundays)
Admission Fee: €14 (adults), €7 (children under 16)

See the Cannon Shooting Ceremony

This takes place daily at noon, from the Upper Barrakka Garden. It’s an old Valetta tradition, where foreign vessels would be greeted by a cannon shot.

Take a boat trip across the harbour

Valetta’s Grand Harbour is an impressive natural port, and throughout it’s history, it’s been used for commercial and military operations. The water taxis are a great way to see Valetta Harbour from a completely different angle. And, y’know, boats are always fun.

Malta 4 Day Itinerary: Day 2 – Popeye Village & Gozo

Popeye Village indulged my adoration of all things kitsch and chintzy, and it’s a really fun day out for families and adult travellers alike. Anchor Bay is home to the set of the 1980 Popeye film, starring Robin Williams, and the set has been preserved as a tourist attraction.

Here, you’re able to step into some of the buildings, watch the movie itself, and meet characters dressed as the iconic characters. There’s also a swimming and inflatables area, and beach chairs to relax on.

Entry: €15 (summer) / €11 (winter)
Opening times: 9.30am – 7pm (may vary out of summer season)
Read more: 12 Reasons to Visit Popeye Village, Malta

After a morning at Popeye Village, take the bus (or drive) to Cirkewwa and the ferry across to Gozo, to appreciate the rugged beauty of this small but perfectly formed island.

The second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago covers just 26 square miles, most of which is rural land, with a scattering of small towns, villages and small settlements dotted across the island. 15 bus routes run on the island, but these can be irregular. On foot, you can see a good amount of Gozo in a day – but if you want to see more of Gozo in a short space of time, hiring a bike is another popular way to explore the island.

Things to do in Gozo

The Citadel, Victoria

This fortified city dates back to the Bronze age, and you can walk on the battlements and explore the atmospheric underground tunnels. Buildings of note in the Citadel include the Cathedral of Gozo, and the Chapel of St. Joseph. You’ll also find a selection of small museums here, including the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, Gran Castello Historic House and the Natural Science Museum.

Ggantija Archaeological Park

Older than Stonehenge and Egypt’s pyramids, this temple complex is one of the Maltese archipelago’s most important archaeological sites. Built in the Neolithic era, the stone structures here are more than 5500 years old – making them the world’s second oldest manmade religious site still standing today.

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu

On top of a hill with three views, in a valley between the villages of Gharb and Ghammar, our Lady of Ta’ Pinu Basilica is a striking piece of religious architecture, with a tower and dome. The hill leading to the churches tiled courtyard entrance is lined with 14 statues, representing the Way of the Cross. Inside, intricate mosaics and colourful glass windows can’t help but draw the eye.

Opening Hours: 6.30am-12.15pm & 3.30-7pm
Admission Price: Free

Hiking around Gozo

There are some great, rural hiking trails, ideal for spending a couple of hours enjoying the rugged beauty of this island. For a simple yet satisfying walk, take the trail from Nadur or Xaghra to Ramla Bay. For something a little more advanced, try out the 14km Ghasri, Tal-Gordan & Wied ir-Raheb circuit.

Read more about day hikes in Gozo.

Mdina Gate

The baroque-style entrance gate to the fortified city of Mdina was built in 1724. To the right of the gate, in the city walls, you’ll be able to see where the original Medieval gate was, before it was replaced by the newer gate that stands today.

(In the south-west corner of Mdina, you’ll also find the Greeks Gate, the city’s other main entrance gate!)

St. Paul’s Cathedral

The original Cathedral of St. Paul was founded in the 12th century, however, it was seriously damaged in 1693. As a result, the cathedral was dismantled and rebuilt in 1696 and 1705 into the impressive, ornate Baroque cathedral that you see today.

Opening Hours: 9.30am-4.30pm (closed Sundays)
Admission Price: €10

Palazzo Falson

The former home of Capt. Olof Frederick Gollcher, is now a small historic house museum, with a collection of artefacts from the Mediterranean countries and further afield in Europe, dating from the 15th – 20th centuries.

Opening Hours: 10am-4pm (closed Mondays)
Admission Price: €12

The Knights of Malta

Sound effects, visuals and 4D take you back in time to when Grand Master L’Isle Adam arrived in Mdina.

Opening Hours: 10am-5pm
Admission Price: €6.50 (adults) €3 (children)

Mdina Dungeons

Like your attractions creepy with a flair for the dramatic? Experience recreated scenes from Malta’s darker side of history across the ages, in a Medieval dungeon setting.

Opening Hours: 10am-4pm
Admission Price: €6 (adults) €3 (children)

Game of Thrones locations in Mdina

If you’re a Thrones fan, there might be some spots in Mdina that look familiar…find out more here.

Things to see and do in Rabat

Part of Mdina until the 13th century, Rabat sits outside of the Mdina city walls, just a short walk from Mdina Gate. Modern-day Rabat is a popular town to visit alongside Mdina, and it’s very easy to do both in one day.

St Cataldus Church & Catacombs

One of the best free things to do in Rabat & Mdina is visit St Cataldus Church, a tribute to an obscure Irish saint. Underneath, you can visit St Cataldus Catacombs, a small but unique archaeological site, home to an agape table used in Christian funerary rituals.

St. Paul’s Church

Another church worth taking a look at, this Roman Catholic Parish Church was designed by Italian architect Francesco Buonamici and Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafa.

Wignacourt Museum

A gallery space in a 17th century baroque building, home to various artworks, sculptures and historic items. Part of a wider complex of attractions in Rabat, the ticket price also includes access to St. Paul’s Grotto, Catacombs, Sanctuary of St Publius and WWII Shelters.

Opening Hours: 9.30am-5pm
Admission Price: €6 (adults) €4.50 (children)

St. Paul’s Grotto

Regarded as the birthplace of Christianity in Malta, and said to be where St Paul stayed when he arrived here in 60 AD. One of the most important Christian pilgrimage destinations in the world, the grotto is home to a statue of St Paul, which has been visited by two Popes.

St Paul’s Catacombs

Explore these underground tombs and passageways for an idea of what lies beneath the ancient township. Part of a large burial ground, first used in 3rd century BC, it’s a vast subterranean archaeological site with multiple rooms and a small museum.

WWII Shelters

During WWII, hundreds of Maltese residents sheltered below St Paul’s Church and Grotto during air raids, in tunnels dug by hand. Families paid for the excavation of these tunnels, and were given their own rooms – some were even given homely touches such as tiled flooring.

Sanctuary of St Publius

Sharing the same facade as St. Paul’s Church, the Sanctuary of St. Publius is actually a different, smaller building added to the main church in 1617.

St Agatha’s Crypt

If you’ve not had enough of being underground yet, take a guided tour of the small yet fascinating St Agatha’s Crypt.

Opening Hours: 10am-4.30pm
Admission Price: €5

Where to eat in Mdina and Rabat

Coogi’s Pizzeria (£-££) – affordable pizza, starting at less than €10 for a margherita
Don Mesquite (£-££) – Mediterranean and European cuisine in this town square restaurant
Fontanella Tea Garden (£-££) – known across Malta for its homemade cakes
Bacchus (£££) – reinvented Mediterranean dishes in a grand setting
Root 81 (£££) – local food, with a Michelin guide recommended tasting menu

Dingli Cliffs

To finish off your day in Mdina and Rabat, pay a visit to Dingli, a small village on a clifftop that stands 230 metres above sea level. The Dingli cliffs are a popular hiking spot, but also one of the best places to catch the sunset in Malta, with the elevated views over the ocean providing a magical experience to end your day.

Malta 4 Day Itinerary: Day 4 – Boat trip to Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Another real highlight of my Malta long weekend was embracing the beautiful waters that surround this Mediterranean gem. We took a day trip with Oh Yeah Malta, joining a boat that sailed around to Comino, the Blue Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, with stop-offs at both to enjoy some time in the water (and cocktails…).

It cost us €13 each for the boat trip only, with snorkel hire and an on-board bar costing extra. Lay back by the lapping waves, and enjoy a relaxing last day in Malta!

Other ideas for things to do in Malta

If you’re spending more than 4 days in Malta and looking for more things to do, check out some of these smaller settlements, historical sites and attractions.

Marsaxlokk

The colourful boats that dot the shore of Marsaxlokk, Malta’s largest fishing village, are a recognisable sight for anyone who’s been on a Pinterest hunt for things to do in Malta. Alongside sandy coves, you’ll find the Marsaxlokk church and Fort St. Lucian.

Hagar Qim

The most well-known temple complex in Malta, Ħaġar Qim is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site features some of the largest megalithic stones found in any temple complex.

Opening hours: 9am-6am (summer) 9am-5pm (winter)
Admission Price: €10

Mosta Dome

Another example of Malta’s lavish architectural styles, the Mosta Dome is a church apparently modelled on the Pantheon in Rome.

Entry: €2
Opening hours: 9:30am–5:30pm

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving in Malta

The water around Malta is beautiful, sparkling and clear – perfect for indulging in a spot of underwater fun! We hired some snorkels on our boat trip to the Blue Lagoon, and went in search of colourful fish in the waters of Malta.

If you’re into scuba diving, Malta has plenty of dive centres, with diving experiences aimed at all levels from beginner to pro. Uncover historic wrecks, reefs and underwater caves.

Read more: The best dive sites in Malta
Read more: What to expect from your first time scuba diving

The Ultimate Malta Travel Guide

However long you’re spending in Malta, this comprehensive travel guide will answer all the important questions and help you make the most of your stay!

When is the best time of year to visit Malta?

• Malta is relatively warm all year round, but Nov-Jan typically sees lows of 13-16 degrees, and 12-16 rainy days per month and less sunshine hours.
• The best time to visit Malta is April-September, with May and Jun offering highs of 24-29 degrees and very limited chances of rain, but without the high prices and summer holiday crowds of August.
• If you’re travelling to Malta in July or August, expect highs of 32 degrees and little to no rainfall.

How to get to Malta

• Most visitors on a short break in Malta will fly into Malta International Airport, the country’s only airport.
• You can fly to Malta with a range of operators, including British Airways, Thomas Cook and AirMalta. For our 4 day Malta trip, we flew business class with AirMalta (complimentary flights).
• Budget airlines that fly into Malta Airport include Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet.
• The flight time to Malta from the UK is around 3-3.5 hours

Where to stay in Malta

There are plenty of hotels and places to stay for a long weekend in Malta, but these are some of the most popular holiday spots.

Valetta

Valetta has beautiful, historic streets and some charming hotels and apartments to rent. Prices here will likely be higher than other areas of the country, but there are great transport links for day trips and visits. Find Hotels in Valetta.

St Julian’s

Favoured by backpackers and budget travellers, with a range of affordable hotels and hostels, with great nightlife and food options. Relatively well connected, but some trips may require a change at Valetta. Find Hotels in St Julian’s.

Sliema

Another popular area with those on a budget – lively and busy, with plenty of pubs. Find Hotels in Sliema

Mellieha

Good for those on a budget and wanting to explore the more northern side of the country. Quieter than St Julien’s and Sliema, with easy access to beach and watersports. We stayed at the Solana Hotel & Spa in a standard room, which cost us £60 per night. Find Hotels in Mellieha.

Read More: Why staying in Mellieha is a great idea

Birgu

One of the oldest towns in Malta, on the harbour facing Valetta. Boutiquey feel, with slightly more affordable
prices than Valetta. Find Hotels in Birgu.

Getting around Malta

Malta is a pretty small country – the island is about 16 miles long and 14 miles wide. Which makes it pretty easy to explore in four days, even if you’re relying on public transport.

Getting around Malta by bus

• If you don’t have a car, you’ll probably be getting around by bus.
• Malta has a pretty decent bus network, although we found the drivers to be quite reckless at times – a few heart-stopping moments on the bumpy roads were definitely had! They also played a little fast and loose with the timetables in the more remote spots…
• The price of a single journey is €2.50 They’re valid on any journey within two hours, including bus interchanges.
  
• Night buses operate across the island and cost cost €3 for a single journey – find out more about these.
• Express routes are designated with an ‘X’ – these go to and from the airport to major hubs like Valetta.
• If you’re planning on extensive travel around Malta, the tallinja card can offer better value. A 7 day unlimited travel pass costs €21, or 12 single journeys for €15. We actually found paying per journey to be better value when spending 4 days in Malta – but if you’re there for longer, it’s worth considering.
• Route, timetable and fare information can be found on the Malta Public transport website.

Guide to Driving in Malta

One great option for a long weekend in Malta, if you’re able to drive, is hiring a car. With short driving distances to most areas of the island, it means you won’t have to rely on buses to get you around.

• In Malta, everyone drives on the left – the same as in the UK.
• Priority must be given to public transport.
• The urban speed limit is 50kph, rural speed limit is 60kph.
• The minimum driving age in Malta is 18, and you need to be 23 to rent a car.
• The roads in Malta’s more rural areas can sometimes be in pretty poor conditions, so it’s important to take it slowly and drive safely.
• Car rental in Malta starts from as low as €10-15 per day – you can pick up your hire car at the airport.

Ferries & boats around Malta & Gozo

• If you’re visiting Gozo, you can get the ferry from Cirkewwa (Malta) to Mgarr (Gozo). It costs around 5 return, and you can see the full timetable here.
• There are also ferries around the Valetta and Sliema area – see more about them here.
• You can find plenty of boat trips around Malta – I really recommend checking out the water taxis that will take you from Valetta across the harbour, it’s super fun!

Cycling in Malta

Another option for getting around Malta is by bike – although the roadways in some areas aren’t the safest for this, there are some great bike routes along the coast.

Find out more about cycling in Malta.

Safety in Malta

• Malta is considered a safe country to visit, with no recent history of terrorism and low crime rates against tourists.
• Like anywhere else, be vigilant for pickpockets and scammers, especially in towns and cities and on public transport.
• Most Maltese people speak good English, especially in the main hub areas – in fact, a large portion of Malta’s inhabitants are actually English ex-pats, so you won’t be too worried about the language barrier.
• Be aware when swimming – strong currents can be surprising, so always swim in designated safe areas and avoid swimming alone in secluded locations.

What to eat in Malta

Maltese cuisine has a range of influences, with a strongly Mediterranean feel. In the more built up areas, restaurants are numerous and offer a mixture of tastes, from British and Italian dishes to traditional Maltese dishes.

Maltese dishes to try

• Lampuki (fish) pie
• Kapunata (a Maltese version of ratatouille)
• Rabbit stew
• Bigilla (pate with broad beans and garlic)
• Pastizzi (flaky pastry parcel filled with ricotta or mushy peas)
• Kannoli (crispy fried pastry tube with sweet ricotta)
• Helwa tat-Tork (a sugary mixture of almonds)

Vegetarian and Vegan food in Malta

Although most traditional Maltese main dishes usually have a meat or seafood element, there are plenty of vegetarian options available in Malta, particularly in the larger towns and cities. This guide to the best vegetarian dishes in Malta might come in handy!

While veganism is still relatively upcoming in Malta, there are plenty of options for plant based travellers. Check out this vegan food guide to Malta for the best places to find vegan-friendly dishes!

Spending money in Malta

• Currency: Euro
• ATMs: Easy to find in cities and large towns, less common in more rural locations – I’d advise having some cash handy just in case!
• Paying by card: Most shops in Malta will take the usual cards, however smaller shops and more remote places may require cash.

Summary: Is Malta worth visiting?

Malta was an absolutely wonderful place to spend a long weekend – sunny, lively and full of culture and history. Sure, it might be a bit rough around the edges, but that’s all part of Malta’s alluring charm. If you’ve been to Malta and have any tips, let me know in the comments!