TravPa

Malta

Valletta's baroque streets and Grand Harbour views, the walled city of Mdina, prehistoric temples and the Three Cities, plus a 25-minute ferry to Gozo's citadel and clifftops.

Best timeApr to Jun, Sep to OctMoneyEuro (EUR)Plugs[plug types and voltage]Main airportMalta (MLA)
Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
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Overview

Most first trips use Valletta as a base for four days: the old town, the Three Cities across the Grand Harbour, the temples and fishing harbor of the south, and Mdina and Rabat by bus. The Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr crosses daily in about 25 min, and two nights on Gozo add the citadel, the Ġgantija temples and the Dwejra coast. Airport Direct bus TD4 reaches Valletta from the airport every 30 min.

Summers are hot, dry and very sunny, and sea breezes soften the heat. Spring and autumn are cooler, winters are mild with occasional short cold spells, and rainfall is low. Sea bathing stays possible into the winter months, and the peak beach season lasts until mid or late October. Heritage Malta sites close on 1 January, Good Friday and 24, 25 and 31 December.

When to go

BestGo with a plan
janMildfebMildmarMildaprBestmayBestjunBestjulHotaugHotsepBestoctBestnovMilddecMild

Beach season lasts into mid or late October, and Comino's Blue Lagoon is very busy with day-trippers in summer, so spring and autumn are quieter for the water.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Gozo]
Gozo in 2 daysCittadella, Gozo Cathedral, Victoria and It-Tokk, Ġgantija Temples, Ta' Kola Windmill, Ta' Pinu Basilica, Dwejra Inland Sea, Ramla Bay, MarsalfornBalanced pace
[Photo: Valletta]
Valletta in 3 daysUpper Barrakka Gardens, St John's Co-Cathedral, Grand Master's Palace, Fort St Angelo, Gardjola Gardens, Fort St Elmo, Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, MarsaxlokkBalanced pace
[Photo: Malta]
Malta in 7 daysValletta, Three Cities, Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Marsaxlokk, Mdina, Dingli Cliffs, Cittadella, Ġgantija Temples, MarsalfornBalanced pace

Where to stay

GozoVictoria for buses and the market square; Marsalforn for the seafront and fish restaurants; Xlendi for its bay and sunsets.Best areas to stay in GozoHotels in Gozo
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MdinaMdina for a quiet walled-city base; Rabat just outside the walls for buses and the catacombs; Dingli for clifftop views.Best areas to stay in MdinaHotels in Mdina
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VallettaValletta for sights on foot; Sliema and St Julian's for restaurants and nightlife; Birgu in the Three Cities for a quiet historic base across the harbor.Best areas to stay in VallettaHotels in Valletta
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Getting around

  • From the airport: Airport Direct bus TD4 runs to Valletta and the Gozo fast ferry every 30 min, and TD1 to Rabat, Mellieħa and Ċirkewwa every hour.
  • Buses: Buses 50, 51, 52, 53 and 56 run from Valletta to Rabat, and buses 52 and 56 go on to Dingli. Buses 81 and 85 serve Marsaxlokk.
  • The Three Cities: From the Valletta Terminal, bus 2 serves Birgu and buses 3 or 4 serve Isla and Bormla.
  • To Gozo: The Gozo Channel ferry crosses from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr daily in about 25 min; on Gozo, buses from Victoria reach Marsalforn, Dwejra, Għarb and Xlendi.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates.
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Phone dataMobile data keeps bus numbers, ferry crossings and timed tickets such as the Hypogeum within reach between Valletta, Mdina and Gozo.How a travel eSIM works
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