The Maltese Islands, also known as the Maltese Archipelago, are a group of islands in the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, consisting of the three islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino. Malta has been independent since 1964 and became a member of the EU in 2004. In 2008, Malta adopted the euro as its national currency. Around 550,000 people live on the Maltese Islands today, most of them live on the largest island of Malta. The official languages here are Maltese and English. Did you know that the tiny state is just under twice the size of the Principality of Liechtenstein?
At the end of May we were on the Maltese islands for a total of 10 days and did a little road trip. We’ll show you all the places we visited and what to look out for. Malta is an incredibly beautiful place in Europe with lots of nature, beautiful beaches, great sights, friendly people, good food and historic cities. A road trip on Malta is definitely one of the coolest experiences you can have. Come with us on a 10-day trip through the beautiful Malta, Gozo and Comino.
malta, day by day
We fell in love with Malta the moment we wandered through Valletta’s sunlit streets and dipped our toes in its turquoise waters. Tiny villages, dramatic cliffs, and hidden coves make every corner feel like a secret waiting to be discovered. If you crave history, adventure, and unforgettable sunsets, all in one small island, you can’t skip Malta. It’s compact, colorful, and utterly magical.
From ancient temples and charming fishing villages to crystal-clear swimming spots, the island offers endless places to explore. Malta is the kind of destination that surprises you again and again.
You will probably come to Malta either by ferry or plane. The airport here is a bit bigger but manageable and there are many flights to and from abroad, especially in the summer months. From here you can either continue by bus, taxi or Uber. We recommend booking a rental car from one of the many providers. The rental car stands are not far from the entrance and exit of the airport. Remember that traffic in Malta drives on the left.
There is a ferry from Sicily to Malta. It takes around two hours and a ticket costs around €72 per person.
From the airport you can get to all corners of the island relatively quickly. We spent our first night in the small village of Għaxaq. Around 5000 people live in this small, sleepy place. We spent the night in the Palazzo Castagna Boutique Hotel with very good food, beautiful rooms and a central location, which we can highly recommend.
The next morning we stroll through the streets of Għaxaq and enjoy a delicious breakfast. Then we go to St. Peter’s Pool, about 5 kilometers away. A very beautiful place, but unfortunately very crowded in the summer months. So be sure to come here early in the morning. There is a small parking lot that costs a few euros and a small bar with cold drinks.
Continue to the charming fishing port of Marsaxlokk. This is located about 3 kilometers from St. Peter’s Pool. Marsaxlokk is known for its colorful Luzzu boats in the harbor. A sweet, dreamy place that you should visit.
Continue south to the Blue Grotto, around 10 kilometers away. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Malta. There is a small parking lot and a bus stop here, but you have to walk a bit to get there. For a 15-minute boat ride to the Blue Grotto, you pay 10€ per person.
The Archaeological Park and Temple of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra is just a few hundred meters away.
We continue west along the coast to the fascinating Dingli Cliffs, around 10 kilometers away. The cliff formation here rises up to 250 meters high from the Mediterranean. There are several viewpoints here with great views. The coast is also very popular for hiking and walking.
Then we head across the island to the town of San Pawl il-Baħar, also known as St. Paul’s Bay, where we will spend the next three nights. It is a good starting point for exploring the region. We slept in the ibis Styles and would recommend it to you in some cases. However, the rooms are quite simply furnished, very thinly soundproof and, as it is right in the center, sometimes very noisy.
On day three we set off early and drive to the medieval town of Mdina, which is about 15 minutes away. It is quiet and pleasant here, especially in the morning. It can get very busy around midday. It is a picturesque town with great colors. Mdina used to be the capital of Malta and is one of the most famous attractions on the island.
Attard is just one town away and here you will find the beautifully landscaped St. Antons Garden with the palace of the same name. Here you can admire colorful flowerbeds, palm trees, fountains and free-roaming peacocks. A cute place with good restaurants and café’s.
A very nice experience was the wine tour at Meridiana Wine Estate in the center of Malta. The winery is located exactly halfway between the cities of Mosta, Mdina and Attard. A tour here lasts around two hours and you are served wines and a delicious cold platter to try. To book a tour you just have to write the winery an email.
Of course, a short trip to the pretty town of Mosta is a must. Around 20,000 people live here and the landmark here is the Rotunda of Mosta, which is said to have one of the largest unsupported domes in the world. You can linger here and stroll through the small streets and sit down in one of the many cute café’s.
You can spend the evening in St. Paul’s Bay. There are good restaurants and bars here. You can also enjoy a beautiful sunset here. We also recommend checking out Qawra Point Beach, there is a very cool natural pool and beach club here.
We start the day early and drive to Malta’s longest sandy beach first thing in the morning. Mellieha Bay is located directly below the town of Mellieha. Here we go for a nice swim and start the day well. There is a small nature reserve right next to the beach.
Then we head straight to the town of Mellieha and enjoy a good breakfast. The small town with around 11,000 inhabitants sits over the bay and has a beautiful old town and small streets. A good place to explore.
About six kilometers to the other side of the island you will find the beaches of Golden Bay, Gnejna Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha Bay. The bays are almost next to each other. There is also the small mountain Il-Qarraba with its bay. It is a wonderful place to spend the day. All places have medium-sized parking lots, but these can be very full in the summer months.
You can spend the evening in Popeye Village. A very beautiful place where most of the movie Popeye was filmed. It is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From the cliff opposite you have a very beautiful view of the small theme park and often a special sunset.
On day five, we drive to St Agatha’s Tower, also known as the Red Tower, in the morning. A red castle from the time of the rule of the Order of St John, which towers over the region and can be seen from far away. Today, St Agatha’s Tower houses a small museum.
Continue to the tip of the island. In the northwest there is a spectacular place with great views. Coral Lagoon is a natural lagoon with crystal clear water. From here you can also see the two neighboring islands of Gozo and Comino. Next to the Coral Lagoon there is a very beautiful little bay, the Bajja tal-qroll, with great water.
From here you go to the port of Cirkewwa, which is about 6.5 kilometers away. Here you can take a ferry to Gozo and drive across either on foot or by car. The Gozo Channel Line runs regularly from early in the morning until late at night. A crossing takes about 20-25 minutes.
You only pay for the ferry ticket on the return journey. A passenger ticket costs €4.65. A driver with a car pays €15.75 (as of August 2023)
Once you arrive in Gozo, it’s best to drive to your accommodation. We can highly recommend the Villa dei Venti Hotel in Qala. It’s a little smaller and very cute with an outdoor pool. The Hotel is located only about 3-5 minutes from the harbor.
On day six we drive from the hotel to the other side of the island, around 13 kilometers to Dwejra Bay. We recommend that you come here early as it can get very crowded during the day. Here you will also find the Azure Window, which was a rock formation that collapsed in 2017. There is also the beautiful Blue Hole and Inland Sea. An absolute highlight on Gozo.
After enjoying the morning here, you will drive to the Basilica of ta’ Pinu. Just 800 metres from the town of Għarb is one of the most beautiful churches in Malta. With its square with red circles, it is a unique sight. There is a small car park in front of the church.
You can spend the afternoon and evening wonderfully in Victoria. The capital of Gozo is located in the center of the island and is known above all for its medieval citadel and is therefore a popular tourist destination. Around 7,000 people live in the charming town. There are small market squares and cute alleyways to discover. Here you can have dinner in one of the many good restaurants.
On day seven we finally go to one of the most famous places in Malta. The Blue Lagoon is a dreamy place. We recommend that you buy tickets online in advance for a small ferry that goes from Gozo harbor to the Blue Lagoon. It’s best to book the first trip straight away because during the day the Blue Lagoon is absolutely overcrowded and full. In the morning hours you have the place almost to yourself and that is really highly recommended.
We actually spent the whole day at the blue lagoon. We rented a deck chair early in the morning. A bit expensive but definitely worth it as you have one of the best spots and can go straight into the water. There aren’t many places at the blue lagoon where you can go into the water.
On day eight we head to the famous Ramla Bay. It is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches on Gozo and Malta. It is located in the northeast of Gozo and is also known for the Tal-Mixta Cave (the famous Instagram spot), from which you have a truly spectacular view. From the beach you can either drive to the cave or walk. There is also a large car park at Ramla Bay, which is partly subject to a fee.
From Ramla Bay we continue along the coast to the Xwejni Salt Pans. The salt pools, arranged in an irregular checkerboard pattern, are located directly on the north coast of Gozo. Salt is still extracted here, which you can even buy and take home with you. The salt is sold in small stalls and shops on the street.
The last stop on Gozo is Wied il-Ghasri, also known as Ghasri Valley. It is a unique sea gorge that is around 250 meters long. There is a small rocky beach area and beautiful water. It is easy to park here and there is also a small stand that sells drinks in the summer months. In our opinion, one of the most beautiful places on Gozo.
From here we head back to the port of Gozo (Mgarr), which is around 13 kilometers from the beach. This is where you pay for your ferry ticket. Once back in Malta, we drove straight to the airport and dropped off our rental car, as it was unnecessary for Valletta. From the airport we took an Uber to the center for around 20€.
In Valletta we can highly recommend The Embassy Valletta Hotel. Great rooms, fantastic roof terrace with probably the best view of the city and a good location.
On day nine, you can either have a great breakfast in the hotel or feast your way through one of the many good café’s and restaurants. We can recommend one of the most famous café’s in the center of Valletta near the Grand Master’s Palace.
Caffe Cordina has been around since 1837 and offers many traditional pastries and cakes.
There are many sights to see in Valletta. Trips to the surrounding towns such as Sliema or St. Julian’s are also highly recommended. In our opinion, it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is also known for its nightlife and bar culture.
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