Malta travel guide: Valletta, Gozo and how to get around
Malta is three islands you can cross in an hour, with a fortified capital, honey-colored towns, rocky coves and some of the oldest temples in the world. It suits a short sunny break with history and swimming. The one thing to know is that the roads are busy and traffic drives on the left, so most visitors do better on buses and ferries.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay in or near Valletta for three or four days, then add a day on Gozo and an afternoon in Mdina or Marsaxlokk.
- How long
- Three days covers Valletta and one or two trips out. A week lets you add Gozo properly and a boat day to Comino.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October for warm days and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy.
- Getting around
- Buses reach most places, and ferries link Valletta to Sliema and the Three Cities and Malta to Gozo. Traffic drives on the left.
- Money
- The euro. Cards are widely taken, with some cash useful for small cafes and market stalls.
- Book ahead
- The Gozo and Comino boat trips in summer, timed entry to Valletta's big sights, and rooms for July and August.
Best cities to visit in Malta
Valletta
A tiny fortified capital of golden limestone, steep streets, baroque churches and harbor views. It suits couples, history lovers and anyone who wants a walkable base.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Beyond the cities
Gozo
Malta's greener, quieter sister island, with a hilltop citadel in Victoria, farms, cliffs and old temples. Take the ferry from Ċirkewwa, which runs all day and takes about 25 minutes.
Comino and the Blue Lagoon
A tiny, almost car-free island with a shallow turquoise bay. Boats leave from Malta and Gozo in season, and midday in summer is crowded, so go early or late.
Mdina
The old walled capital on a hill in the center of the island, quiet in the evening once the day visitors leave. Buses from Valletta take about 30 to 45 minutes.
Marsaxlokk
A fishing village with painted boats and a seafood waterfront. Its Sunday fish market is the main draw, and buses from Valletta take about 30 to 45 minutes.
The Three Cities
Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua sit across the Grand Harbour from Valletta. They are older, quieter and full of fortified streets, and a short ferry crosses the water from Valletta.
Malta itineraries
- Three days: Valletta and the harbor
Spend two days in Valletta on the walls, the churches and the harbor, with a ferry across to the Three Cities. Use the third day for Mdina in the morning and a swim in the afternoon.
- Five days: Valletta, Mdina and Gozo
Three nights in Valletta with a day at Mdina and Marsaxlokk, then two nights on Gozo. Take the bus to Ċirkewwa for the ferry, and use Gozo's buses or a short taxi to see Victoria and the coast.
- Seven days: both islands and Comino
Three nights in Valletta, three on Gozo and a boat day to Comino in between. A hire car helps on Gozo and for the south coast, but buses cover the main places if you plan around the timetable.
Best time to visit Malta
April to June and September to October are the best months: warm, bright and good for walking, with the sea warm enough to swim by late spring. The islands are busiest in July and August, when it is very hot by midday and the beaches are full.
Winter is mild and quiet, with rain and wind between November and February and some seaside places closed. It suits sightseeing and walking more than swimming. Festa season, with fireworks and street processions in village squares, runs through the summer months.
How to get around Malta
- BusesMalta Public Transport runs the network across Malta and Gozo, with most routes starting at the Valletta terminal. Pay with a contactless card, a tallinja card or the tallinja app, and check the current fares on the operator's site.
- FerriesThe Gozo Channel ferry runs between Ċirkewwa on Malta and Mġarr on Gozo all day, for foot passengers and cars. In Valletta, a small ferry crosses the harbor to Sliema and to the Three Cities.
- Taxis and ride appsTaxis and app-based cars are common, and often the simplest way to reach the airport or a late dinner. Agree the fare or check the app price before you set off.
- CarsMalta drives on the left, with narrow streets, busy junctions and limited parking in towns. A hire car is useful on Gozo and for far corners of Malta, but not in Valletta.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Malta. Each city guide has its own list.
- Boat trips to Comino and Gozo1 to 2 weeks ahead in summer
Popular departures sell out in July and August, and the sea can cancel a trip, so keep a day spare.
- Valletta's big sightsa few days ahead
Timed entry and small spaces mean the best slots go first in peak season.
- Rooms in summer1 to 3 months ahead
Valletta and Gozo have fewer beds than the resort areas, and July and August fill early.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe euro.
- Cards and cashCards and phone payments are accepted in most restaurants, shops and on buses. Carry a little cash for small cafes, market stalls and rural Gozo.
- TippingTipping is not required, but rounding up or leaving about 10 percent in restaurants is common if service was good.
- Tourist taxesMalta sets a small per-night environmental contribution nationally, charged by your accommodation. Check whether your booking includes it.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType G sockets at 230 volts, the same as the UK. Most visitors from the US and continental Europe need an adapter.
What to skip in Malta
- Renting a car for Valletta
Parking is scarce, streets are steep and buses and walking are quicker. Hire a car only for Gozo or the far coast, and only for the days you need it.
- Comino at midday in August
The Blue Lagoon is at its busiest and hottest then. Go early morning, late afternoon or outside July and August.
- Trying to see both islands in one day
The ferry and the buses add up. Pick Gozo for a full day, or stay a night, and keep the rest of the trip for Malta.
Malta: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Malta?
Three days is enough for Valletta and a couple of trips out. A week lets you spend time on Gozo and add a boat day to Comino.
What are the best places to visit in Malta?
Valletta comes first. Beyond it, Mdina, Marsaxlokk, the Three Cities, Gozo and Comino are the most popular choices.
Is Malta easy to get around without a car?
Yes, for most visitors. Buses reach the main towns, and ferries link Valletta with Sliema and the Three Cities and Malta with Gozo. A car helps on Gozo.
What is the best time to visit Malta?
April to June and September to October for warm weather and fewer people. July and August are hot and busy, and winter is quiet and mild.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Malta?
The left, as in the UK. Take care at junctions if you hire a car, and note that many streets are narrow and steep.
Do you need cash in Malta?
A little. Cards work in most places, but small cafes, markets and rural spots on Gozo may prefer cash.
Is Malta a good place for a short trip?
Yes. The islands are small, the sights are close together and flights from much of Europe are short, so a long weekend covers a lot.