One Week Malta Itinerary!
Looking for the best things to do in Malta? Look no further! We have compiled 5 of the very best things we did on our adventure in the beautiful Malta!
You can be forgiven for thinking that Malta is a destination for pensioners and people after an all-inclusive experience, as for many years this small archipelago located in the central Mediterranean was a hotspot for these types of holidaymakers (of course, this isn’t a bad thing!) However, Malta has so much more to offer. In recent years, there has been a new wave of independent travellers looking to revel in the delights of this amazing country. The country is largely very affordable in comparison to its neighbouring countries and with sun year-round it makes for a perfect destination for your next adventure!
Creating an itinerary for any country can be a daunting task, however we’ve got you covered (applause waiting!) as we have put together the perfect 7-day itinerary that will give you a sense of adventure along with a hint of relaxation time. This itinerary takes you across the entire country. From the North to the South, you will be able to sample a slice of each part of the island. Of course, we will also give you recommendations for fantastic local cuisine along the way (we are The Foodie Explorers after all!) You can easily adapt this itinerary to extend your stay for longer, or simply pick out the best bits for a shorter trip.
Day 1 - Relax and gather your bearings
When you arrive, you’ll no doubt land into Malta International Airport, located in the capital city of Valletta. From here you will need to make your way to your hotel of choice. We stayed in Qawra, the popular tourist area situated in St. Paul’s Bay in the Northern region of Malta, and would highly recommend this area.
Now it’s time to get your bearings of the hotel you have picked. Maybe have that first dip in the pool or grab some delicious food (it will have been a long travel day after all). We personally like to unpack a little and then go for a ponder around the hotel, just to get familiar with our new home for the week… this makes us feel much more comfortable!
Next, get ready to venture out of the hotel and explore your local area for the week. If you’re staying in Qawra, we recommend heading into the heart of St. Paul’s Bay where you’ll face a large variety of shops, bars and seafront restaurants. As the sun sets across the bay, take advantage of the happy hour deals and relax!
Qawra Palace Hotel
Qawra Palace Hotel has its own indoor and outdoor swimming pools. This 4-star hotel is 30 yards from the nearest bus stop and 750 yards from Bugibba centre. St. Julian’s is 10 minutes’ drive away
As evening approaches, why not spend your first night with a truly incredible culinary delight? We couldn’t recommend Venus Restaurant in Bugibba more (possibly the best meal we had on our whole trip). They specialise in high quality Mediterranean Seafood and each bite is a delight.
After some quality seafood and happy hour drinks, it’s time to call it a night… You have a busy day planned for tomorrow!
Day 2 - Mdina via Mosta
We hope you’re up early as today the adventure truly begins. Head towards your nearest bus station (public transport in Malta is awesome!) or get in your rental car and set your sights on the beautiful town of Mosta.
Here you can explore one of Malta’s largest towns for all its glory. We highly recommend you check out Rotunda Church, famous for the third largest unsupported dome in the world. It is truly magnificent. If you are lucky enough to be here on the 15th August, you must check out the ‘Feast of Saint Mary the Assumption’ celebrations. Enjoy the music (we like a boogie!) feast on food and watch the fireworks.
As the afternoon approaches, head into the historical old capital of Mdina. This beautiful mediaeval walled city is a MUST on your Malta itinerary. It even made it onto our top 5 must do’s on the island. Take some time to stroll down the narrow paths and pop into delightful independent shops that line the streets. We highly recommend the 5 euro entry fee into the Mdina Dungeons. Here you will learn more about the history of the city and what life in Malta was like in medieval times.
After immersing yourself in the history of the city, it’s time to treat yourself to some food and refreshments. You will be spoilt for choice, with numerous amazing restaurants in the city boasting delicious food. However we recommend visiting Coogi’s. We sat in their aesthetically pleasing courtyard and sipped on a cold Cisk (Maltese larger) whilst sharing a huge slice of carrot cake!
After a busy day, it is time to head back to your hotel and enjoy your evening… and maybe even book onto a day trip for tomorrow’s adventure!
Day 3 - Blue Lagoon / Gozo Day Trip
No holiday to Malta would be complete without a trip to the absolutely stunning blue lagoon on Comino bay. This may be a not-so-hidden gem, yet it is so worth fighting the crowds for! The wonderful island of Gozo is also a must visit. Many people refer to the island as “what Malta used to be like”, giving you an idea of how the main island of Malta has changed over the years. You can easily book an excursion for both places through GetYourGuide, or alternatively book with one of the many reputable booking agents.
Captain Morgan Cruises is one such popular company which runs a variety of different water excursions. These include a ‘Harbour Cruise’, ‘Comino Hop-On Hop-Off’ and the one we finally settled on, the ‘Fernandes Gozo & Comino’ trip. You are collected from your hotel and taken to the Fernandes ship, a beautiful Turkish sailing ship with plenty of room for all the passengers to spread out and sunbathe. Once all aboard the ship it’s time to set sail for Gozo, here you will have 1.5 hours to explore the island at your leisure, or make the most of the secluded bay and go swimming. However, if this doesn’t take your fancy, just relax and catch the rays on the deck of the ship!
From here you will head to the beautiful blue lagoon in Comino and drop anchor, giving you a further 1.5 hours to explore this small, picturesque island. For 60 euro, we think the trip was great value for money, as not only do you get to experience Gozo and Comino, but the crew also prepares a delicious, fresh buffet along with a fully stocked all-inclusive bar!
After a day of sun, sea and exploration, you will dock in Sliema Quay where you depart. Here you have two choices; travel back with the free shuttle to your accommodation, or stay in Sliema for some evening drinks before catching the public bus back to your hotel. Either way, we are sure you will be happy with the day’s outing.
Day 4 - Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk, Marsaxlokk, Marsaxlokk. What an amazing traditional fishing village it is, and another must visit when on the island of Malta (read the love affair we had for this village). After a few days of full-on adventuring, today is a day to slow down the pace and admire this small, picturesque fishing village on the Southeast coast for all its glory.
Head to the village early on Sunday morning as the streets will be aligned with local fishermen selling their fresh catches of the day at a huge market. Stroll through the market looking, smelling and tasting all the amazing produce on offer – we especially enjoyed our tub of locally caught prawns and octopus! After walking along the waterfront in the hot sun, you will be in need of a drink (and maybe even a wine!) Take a seat in one of the many bars overlooking the harbour and admire the traditional colourful fishing boats floating on the calm water.
Next up, take a stroll to the far end of the harbour where you will be greeted with a small but beautiful beach (a small hidden gem, we thought). Here you can relax and take a swim, all whilst building up an appetite for some fresh seafood. As lunchtime grows closer the restaurants will begin serving some of the freshest seafood you can find. It would be sad not to give it a try! Try and grab a seat outside one of the small local restaurants which are slightly away from the hustle and bustle of the market area. On our trip, we sampled a full red snapper along with a bowl of mussels and it was one of the best seafood meals we have eaten.
From Marsaxlokk, you can work off that delicious lunch and take the small hike to explore St. Peter’s Pool. Instead, we favoured the idea of going back to the hotel, relaxing around the pool and enjoying a couple of beers in the sun for the rest of the afternoon.
Day 5 - Spa / Night Out in Sliema
Depending on the time of your visit, you may experience at least one bad weather day (like we did!) Or you may just wish for a day of proper relaxation! On our bad weather day we headed for one of the top rated spas on the island, the ‘Solana Hotel & Spa’. Here we enjoyed a very relaxing massage and a dip in their hydrobath (a posh jacuzzi!). The island has many options for spa days to suit all budgets, however we chose this one as it gave us a great excuse to visit the very hilly but equally beautiful town of Mellieha.
Following our spa session, we decided to have a stroll around the back streets of Melleiha and admired the amazing church in the centre of the town. The church is located next to a viewpoint over the bay where you can watch the sunset over the horizon – truly amazing!
Solana Hotel & Spa
Solana Hotel offers modern rooms and studios, a 10-minute walk from the beach on Mellieha Bay. Hotel Solana features an indoor pool with hydromassage corner, gym and a children’s play room.
After a very relaxing day, you may be ready to experience a lively night scene. Sliema is the perfect place to head for a night in Malta. It has the perfect balance of lively atmosphere whilst not being too overbearing. We headed to the ‘Gourmet Cocktail Bar & Grill’ for some delicious Macedonian food before continuing down the strip and popping into some amazing little bars. You are sure to have a great time and enjoy being in the moment like we did!
Day 6 - Valletta
As your week is coming to an end, it is time to explore the beautiful UNESCO world heritage site and capital city of Valletta. We would recommend getting there early to beat the crowds that line the streets and avoid the heat that can be overbearing later in the day.
Spend your day walking along the city walls to the Lower and Upper Barrakka Gardens and enjoy the stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea. Stroll through the back streets of the city taking in the amazing architecture. Do some shopping on the capital’s main shopping road, ‘Republic Street’ which hosts all the high-end street fashion.
As the day progresses, you’ll be working up a strong appetite so it’s time to go and grab some food. No matter your budget and taste buds, you will be spoilt for choice here in Valletta. If you are looking for fine-dining, eat at Terrone. This restaurant has been in the Michelin guide since 2020… Just make sure to book in advance! Or if you are looking for a more budget-friendly lunch spot, go for a traditional Maltese Ftira from the ever so popular Grano, located down one of the alleyways in Valletta.
Day 7 - Relax / Fly Home
Today is the day when your trip comes to an end… unless you have booked a few cheeky extra days to explore! Depending on your flight time, today is either an up-and-go day, or a chance to catch extra rays around the pool. You might even head back into town to collect them last minute souvenirs – we always buy a magnet!
We hope you enjoy your trip to the wonderful Malta and find our itinerary helpful for your travel plans. The beauty of travel is that there is no perfect way of doing it. Be sure to follow your own interests by picking and choosing the places that best suit you and your style of travel.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming travel plans and plenty more blog posts coming in the near future, such as our trip to Bordeaux!
