What are the things to do in Malta? Start with Valletta, the capital built by the Knights of St John, then Mdina, the old walled city in the centre, the prehistoric temples, the Blue Lagoon on Comino and the island of Gozo, 25 minutes away by ferry. The whole archipelago covers just 316 km², according to the European Union, and the bus goes almost everywhere: what to see in Malta first depends mostly on how many days you have.
To visit Malta, allow 3 days for the main sights, 5 to add Gozo and the south, 7 to see everything without rushing. Here are 30 ideas sorted by region, with our detailed articles. Prices and times were read on 20 October 2026 on the official websites, and several change with the season: check them before you go.
- How many days: 3 for Valletta, Mdina and the sea, 5 with Gozo and the south, 7 to see it all.
- Getting around: the bus costs €2 a journey from 18 October 2026 to 12 June 2027 (€2.50 in summer); the Gozo ferry takes 25 minutes from Ċirkewwa (Cirkewwa).
- By car: you drive on the left.
- Sightseeing budget: €5 to €15 per adult for most sites; the Hypogeum, at €35, needs booking early.
- When to go: in Gozo, the swimming season runs from May to October; in summer, avoid the sun from 11am to 4pm.
- Blue Lagoon: a free pass, booked for a time slot, is required to set foot on land.
- Languages and currency: Maltese and English; the euro since 1 January 2008.
Things to do in Malta: 30 ideas, region by region
Places in the same group often fit into the same day.
Valletta and the Three Cities
1. Valletta, the Knights' city: started in 1566 by the Order of St John and finished in 15 years, it is named after Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette and is a World Heritage City, according to Visit Malta, the tourist board. It is one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. The details: things to do in Valletta.
2. St John's Co-Cathedral: the Knights' church, the work of Maltese architect Gerolamo Cassar, keeps Caravaggio's Beheading of Saint John the Baptist in its oratory, and his Saint Jerome too (Visit Malta). On 20 October 2026, entry costs €15 per adult, according to the co-cathedral's website; it is closed to visitors on Sundays and public holidays.
3. Upper Barrakka and the noon gun: from these gardens, the view stretches across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities. On the city's eastern ramparts, the guns of the Saluting Battery fire every day to mark midday (Visit Malta).
4. The Grand Master's Palace and Fort St Elmo: the palace, on St George's Square, shows its State Rooms and its Armoury (€12). The Throne Room is closed until further notice, and the State Rooms will be closed all day on 26 October 2026, then until 1.30pm on 28 October, 18 November and 2 December. Fort St Elmo houses the National War Museum (€10, Heritage Malta).
5. The Three Cities: facing Valletta, across the Grand Harbour, Birgu, Isla and Bormla can be reached from Valletta by ferry (arriving at Cospicua). In Birgu, Fort St Angelo (€10) played a major role during the Great Siege of 1565, according to Heritage Malta, and the Inquisitor's Palace is a museum of the island's religious history.
Mdina, Rabat and the centre of the island
6. Mdina, the Silent City: the old capital is a near-perfect example of a medieval walled town, which Visit Malta calls "the silent city", lit by lamps at night. Its main gate was used as a set for Game of Thrones, and its St Paul's Cathedral is 17th-century Baroque (Malta Public Transport). The details: things to do in Mdina.
7. Rabat and St Paul's Catacombs: this underground burial ground from Punic, Roman and Byzantine times is the earliest and largest evidence of Christianity in Malta, according to Heritage Malta (€6). In the same town, the Domus Romana shows Roman mosaics.
8. The Mosta Rotunda: completed in 1860 and modelled on the Pantheon in Rome, the church is said to have the third-largest unsupported dome in Europe. During the Second World War, a German bomb pierced it during Mass but did not explode; a replica is in the sacristy (Visit Malta).
9. Dingli Cliffs: about 250 metres above the sea, St Mary Magdalene Chapel marks the highest point on the Maltese Islands, with a view of the uninhabited islet of Filfla. On a calm summer evening, the sunset here can be dramatic, writes Visit Malta.
The seaside: Sliema, St Julian's, Buġibba and the north
10. Sliema: with St Julian's, it is one of Malta's main seaside resort towns, for shopping, going out and cafés (Visit Malta). A promenade along the water, the shops of Tigné Point and the ferry to Valletta (€3 one way during the day). Our article: things to do in Sliema.
11. St Julian's and Paceville: Spinola Bay is lined with restaurants, and Paceville, its neighbour, forms the island's main nightlife area together with St Julian's (Visit Malta). Read things to do in St Julian's and our guide to Paceville and its clubs.
12. Buġibba, Qawra and St Paul's Bay: these are Malta's largest seaside resorts (Visit Malta), with an almost flat promenade to Qawra Point and, offshore, St Paul's Island, where, according to legend, the apostle was shipwrecked. The National Aquarium is popular with families. Our article: things to do in Buġibba.
13. Mellieħa and its big beach: in the north, Mellieħa (Mellieha) has Malta's largest sandy beach, Mellieħa Bay, also called Għadira: sheltered, gently sloping, with clear, shallow water, it is the most popular family beach on the island (Visit Malta). Our article: things to do in Mellieħa.
The sea: lagoons, caves and coves
14. The Blue Lagoon, on Comino: Comino, 3.5 km² with no cars between Malta and Gozo (Visit Malta), has only two people living there all year (Visit Gozo). Its lagoon has seen up to 12,000 people at a time: since 1 May 2025, the tourism authority has limited access to 4,000 people at once, with a free pass (a QR code) for a time slot, from 8am to 1pm, from 1.30pm to 5.30pm or from 6pm to 10pm. The Comino Ferries boat costs €15 return from Marfa or Ċirkewwa, caves included. Quieter: Santa Marija Bay, on the calm side of the island (Visit Gozo). Read our guide to the Blue Lagoon and its pass, how to get to Comino, and see our trips to Comino and the Blue Lagoon.
15. The Blue Grotto: near Wied iż-Żurrieq, south of Qrendi, it is the largest of a group of sea caves visited by small boat, and its water mirrors the colours of the underwater flora (Visit Malta). The boatmen do not go out when a south wind whips up very rough seas. The details: our guide to the Blue Grotto.
16. St Peter's Pool: on Delimara Point, at the edge of Marsaxlokk Bay, it is one of the two secluded rocky inlets where Visit Malta mentions swimming; Malta Public Transport describes a natural pool with clear water. How to get there: our guide to St Peter's Pool.
17. Golden Bay and the sandy beaches: Golden Bay, within the limits of Mellieħa, is one of Malta's most popular sandy beaches, known for its sunsets, but it has strong currents when the wind is from the north-west (Visit Malta). All the others: Malta's beaches.
Gozo, the neighbouring island
18. Victoria and its Citadel: Gozo, about a third of the size of Malta, is 25 minutes by ferry from Ċirkewwa (Visit Gozo). In Victoria (Rabat), at the heart of the island, the Citadel can be seen from almost everywhere (Visit Malta); its combined ticket costs €5 (Heritage Malta). The rest: things to do in Gozo and how to get to Gozo.
19. Ġgantija Temples (Ggantija): in Xagħra, two temples built between 3800 and 2000 BC, according to Heritage Malta, recognised as a World Heritage Site. The ticket, €10, includes the 18th-century Ta' Kola Windmill, now a museum.
20. Dwejra: the Inland Sea is linked to the open sea by a tunnel 100 metres long, where fishermen take visitors through by boat. The Blue Hole is a dive site known around the world, and the Azure Window arch collapsed in 2017 (Visit Gozo). Our guide to Dwejra.
21. Ramla Bay, Xlendi and Wied il-Għasri: Ramla il-Ħamra, "the red sandy beach", is a protected Natura 2000 site; Xlendi, a former fishing village known for its cliffs, has a small sand and pebble beach; Wied il-Għasri (Wied il Ghasri) is a narrow valley where steps cut into the rock lead to a tiny pebble beach (Visit Gozo). Our guides: Ramla Bay, Xlendi Bay and Wied il-Għasri.
The prehistoric temples
22. Ħaġar Qim (Hagar Qim) and Mnajdra: in Qrendi, these two megalithic sites are over 5,000 years old and have been World Heritage Sites since 1992. They are about 500 metres apart, under shelters, and entry costs €10; a bus stop is 3 minutes away on foot (Heritage Malta). The nearest restaurants are at Wied iż-Żurrieq: you can combine the visit with the Blue Grotto.
23. The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum and the Tarxien Temples: in Paola (Raħal Ġdid), the Hypogeum is an underground burial complex used from 4000 to 1500 BC and a World Heritage Site. Only 10 people go in at a time: Heritage Malta advises booking early (€35), and last-minute tickets, at €50, are sold the day before. No photos, audio guide in English, no children aged 1 to 5 years. In Tarxien, Neolithic temples can be visited for €6.
Get moving: at sea, on land, under water
24. Out on the water, by boat or jet ski: our partners' boats leave from Sliema, St Julian's and Buġibba, or pick you up at your hotel for a departure from Marfa (times below). See the boat trips in Malta, our Malta tours and all activities in Malta. You can hire a jet ski at St George's Bay, in St Julian's, from age 18, with ID and no licence, and guided safaris head to the Blue Lagoon or the Grand Harbour: jet ski in Malta.
25. Quad or buggy in Gozo: on our partner's guided tours, you drive from age 21 with your original driving licence (no copies, no provisional licences), and passengers are at least 5 years old. Hotel pick-up (or from the nearest point) and the crossing are included; the quad tour, from Ta' Ċenċ to the Xwejni salt pans, runs every day of the year. See the quad tours, the buggy tours and all the Gozo tours by jeep, quad or buggy.
26. Diving and snorkelling: Visit Malta lists more than 120 dive sites and asks you to register at a dive centre, with a medical questionnaire, before diving. In Gozo, the Blue Hole at Dwejra is famous around the world. With a mask and snorkel: our snorkelling spots in Malta.
27. Hiking: the cliffs of Dingli and Għajn Tuffieħa are good for walking (Malta Public Transport), and you can walk around Comino, with no roads or shops, in about three hours (Visit Gozo). Our routes: hiking in Malta.
Evenings, family days and the market
28. Going out at night and seeing a village feast: most of the clubs are in St Julian's and Paceville. Also read the bars of Valletta, Malta's beach clubs, and for a set date parties and events in Malta or a boat party in Malta. From late May to September, village feasts (festas) decorate the streets and often end with fireworks (Visit Malta).
29. Popeye Village, for families: at Anchor Bay, the real set of the 1980 Popeye film can be visited like a theme park, with entertainment. On 20 October 2026, entry costs €18 (€14 for ages 3 to 12), from 9.30am to 5.30pm, until 5 November, then €15 (€12.50), from 9.30am to 5pm, until 30 April (park website). Read Popeye Village and our ideas for Malta with the family.
30. Marsaxlokk market, on Sunday: in Malta's second-largest natural harbour, the Sunday market lays out the night's catch, near the luzzus, the colourful boats with an eye painted on the bow (Visit Malta). That day, bus TD10 runs as well as routes 81 and 85. To taste the island's food: Maltese food specialities.
What to do in the time you have: 3, 5 or 7 days
Group your days by region, and keep one flexible day for the sea: some trips depend on the wind.
In 3 days: day 1 (not a Sunday, when the co-cathedral is closed), Valletta and the ferry to the Three Cities late in the day; day 2, Mdina and Rabat in the morning, Dingli at sunset; day 3, Comino and the Blue Lagoon, with your pass. The detailed plan: Malta in 3 days.
In 5 days: add Gozo (ferry from Ċirkewwa or a tour with hotel pick-up) and the south: Ħaġar Qim and the Blue Grotto with bus 74, then, if it is a Sunday, Marsaxlokk market and St Peter's Pool.
In 7 days: add the Hypogeum and Tarxien (booked in advance), a day in the north for Mellieħa, Golden Bay and Popeye Village, and a second day in Gozo for Dwejra and Ramla Bay, or a trip out to sea.
Getting around: buses from Valletta and ferries
The bus goes almost everywhere, cheaply, according to Visit Malta. A ticket is valid for 2 hours, changes included; you buy it from the driver, in cash or by contactless card, and children under 4 travel free. Night buses and direct buses (TD): €3, and €3.50 for the TD1 between the airport and Ċirkewwa.
| To get to | Bus from Valletta | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sliema, St Julian's | 13, 13A, 14, 16, 21, TD13 | or the ferry to Sliema |
| Mdina and Rabat | 50, 51, 52, 53, 56 | St Paul's Catacombs in Rabat |
| Dingli | 52, 56 | cliffs and chapel |
| Three Cities | 2 (Birgu), 3 or 4 (Isla, Bormla) | or the ferry to Cospicua |
| Marsaxlokk | 81, 85 | plus TD10 on Sundays |
| Ħaġar Qim, Blue Grotto | 74 | stops "Hagar" and "Grotto" |
| Buġibba, St Paul's Bay | 31, 45, 48, TD13 | also the 212 from St Julian's |
| Golden Bay | 44 | the 101 from Mellieħa goes to Għajn Tuffieħa |
| Mellieħa, Ċirkewwa and the Gozo ferry | 41, 42, X300 | 222 from Sliema, 221 from Buġibba |
Routes and times: Malta Public Transport bus timetables; prices and cards: bus fares and Explore cards. For your arrival, read our guide to Malta Airport.
Useful ferries: Sliema – Valletta (€3 one way during the day, €3.50 after 7.30pm), Valletta – Three Cities (arriving at Cospicua), Ċirkewwa – Gozo (25 minutes, €4.65 return, timetable published until 8 November 2026: Gozo Channel ferry timetable), and boats to Comino from Marfa and Ċirkewwa.
By car: 80 km/h at most on open roads and 50 km/h in towns, unless signs say otherwise, and national and international driving licences are accepted (Visit Malta).
Save time with an organised trip
It is not the only way to get there, but it saves changing buses. According to our partners' pages, read on 20 October 2026:
- Comino from Sliema or St Julian's: the speedboat takes about 45 minutes and comes back past the Santa Maria Caves; departures from Sliema at 9am, 11.30am or 1.30pm (30 minutes later from St Julian's), and around 6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In 2026, these trips stop at the end of October.
- Comino from Buġibba: the cruise leaves from the jetty in Buġibba (Bugibba Jetty) from 10am to 5pm and stays 4 hours 30 minutes at the Blue Lagoon: book both the morning and the afternoon slot. It runs until 30 November 2026, then from 1 February 2027.
- Gozo in one day, without driving: the jeep tour with a driver picks you up at your hotel (or the nearest pick-up point) and crosses in a boat reserved for its guests, every day of the year; on the way back, it passes the Blue Lagoon, the Crystal Lagoon and the caves of Comino, with a swim in summer if the weather allows.
- The sea with hotel pick-up: other boat trips leave from Marfa, with transport from your hotel, from mid-April to mid-October.
Budget: local prices on 20 October 2026
Prices for one adult, read on each organisation's website:
| What | Adult price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bus, one journey | €2 in winter | €2.50 in summer; valid for 2 hours |
| Explore Flex card | €21 (4 days), €27 (7 days) | unlimited bus travel |
| Sliema – Valletta ferry | €3 one way, €5 return | during the day |
| Ċirkewwa – Gozo ferry | €4.65 | return |
| Ferry to the Blue Lagoon | €15 | return, caves included; €7 for under-10s |
| St John's Co-Cathedral | €15 | closed on Sundays |
| Grand Master's Palace | €12 | Throne Room closed |
| Fort St Elmo and Fort St Angelo | €10 each | in Valletta and in Birgu |
| St Paul's Catacombs, Tarxien Temples | €6 each | in Rabat and in Tarxien |
| Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, Ġgantija | €10 each | Ġgantija with Ta' Kola Windmill |
| Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum | €35 | €50 last minute, the day before |
| Gozo Citadel | €5 | combined ticket |
| Popeye Village | €18, then €15 from 6 November | €14, then €12.50 for ages 3 to 12 |
Example: a week with the Explore Flex card for 7 days (€27), the Gozo ferry (€4.65), the Blue Lagoon ferry (€15) and six visits (co-cathedral, Hypogeum, Ħaġar Qim, Ġgantija, Gozo Citadel and Fort St Elmo, so €85) comes to €131.65 per adult. Accommodation, meals and boat trips are not counted: we have no official source for the price of meals.
When to go, and what to avoid
When to go
For Gozo, Visit Gozo puts the swimming season from May to October, with the sea at about 16 °C in spring and 27 °C in summer. Village feasts run from late May to September. In winter, Heritage Malta sites stay open, except on 1 January, Good Friday and 24, 25 and 31 December, with opening hours that change with the season: Heritage Malta opening hours. Month by month: the weather in Malta.
Pitfalls to avoid
- The midday sun in summer: on 17 July 2026, MaltaToday reported the public health service's advice to avoid going out during the hot hours of the day, usually from 11am to 4pm. Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- The Blue Lagoon in high summer: on 24 June 2026, Newsbook saw the lagoon filling up fast from 10.30am, with ferries carrying up to 400 people docking non-stop. Without a QR code, you cannot go ashore, and the pass is not included in the ferry ticket.
- The Hypogeum at the last minute: only 10 people at a time, so book as soon as your dates are certain, on the Hypogeum page on the Heritage Malta website.
- Sundays: the co-cathedral is closed to visitors, but it is Marsaxlokk market day.
- The sea in strong wind: no boats at the Blue Grotto in a south wind and very rough seas, and strong currents at Golden Bay when the wind is from the north-west. Always check the flags before you swim.
- Places that have fallen or closed: Gozo's Azure Window collapsed in 2017, and Calypso Cave, in Gozo, has been closed to the public since 2012, Newsbook wrote on 25 July 2025.
Safety
Safety tips: our guide to safety in Malta. In an emergency, dial 112 (Visit Malta).
FAQ: things to do in Malta
How many days do you need to visit Malta?
Three days for Valletta, Mdina and a day at sea, five to add Gozo and the south, seven to see everything without rushing.
Is Malta expensive?
Not for getting around and sightseeing: on 20 October 2026, the bus costs €2, the Gozo ferry €4.65 return, and most sites €5 to €15. A week of buses, two ferries and six major visits come to €131.65 per adult, not counting accommodation or meals.
What should you not miss in Malta?
Valletta and its co-cathedral, Mdina, the Ħaġar Qim temples, the Blue Lagoon and Gozo appear on almost every list; next come the Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk on a Sunday.
What is the most beautiful place in Malta?
There is no official answer. For the view, the Grand Harbour from Upper Barrakka or the Dingli Cliffs at sunset; for the sea, the Blue Lagoon early in the morning or Dwejra, in Gozo.
When should you go to Malta?
For swimming, from May to October: that is the season Visit Gozo gives for the neighbouring island. In summer, in very hot weather, the health authorities advise avoiding going out from 11am to 4pm: sightsee in the morning.
Is Malta worth visiting?
Yes, if you like history and the sea: a capital listed as World Heritage, temples more than 5,000 years old and three islands close together, since Gozo is 25 minutes away by ferry.
What should you avoid in Malta?
The sun from 11am to 4pm in summer, the Blue Lagoon in the middle of the day and without a pass, the Hypogeum without booking, the co-cathedral on Sundays, and the Blue Grotto in a south wind.
What can you do in Malta in winter?
Sightseeing: Heritage Malta sites stay open, except on a few holidays, and the bus drops to €2. The Gozo ferry runs every day, and the Gozo tours by jeep or quad run all year round.
Can you visit Malta without a car?
Yes: buses leave Valletta for Mdina, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto, Golden Bay or Ċirkewwa, and ferries link Sliema, the Three Cities, Gozo and Comino. Some tours also pick you up at your hotel.
What is Malta famous for?
For Valletta, built by the Knights of St John from 1566, for its prehistoric temples, listed as World Heritage Sites, and for the Blue Lagoon, which had up to 12,000 people at a time before 2025.
Comino and the Blue Lagoon, Gozo by jeep, quad or buggy, half-day or full-day
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