Valletta's gardens, cathedral and palace, then across the harbor to the Three Cities and Fort St Elmo, and a day south to the Hypogeum, Marsaxlokk and the temples.
3 days, 20 stopsBalanced paceApr to Jun, Sep to OctApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: Upper Barrakka, St John's and Grand Master's Palace
Harbor views at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the cathedral and palace, lunch in the food hall, then an evening on the Sliema seafront and St Julian's bay.
Check the weekday. St John's Co-Cathedral is closed on Sundays.
1
9:30 AMUpper Barrakka GardensStart with the view across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities while the gardens are quiet.About 45 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 7 min
2
10:15 AMSt John's Co-CathedralAllow about 60 min. The cathedral is closed on Sundays and closes at 12:30 PM on Saturdays, so plan the day around that.About 1 hour 30 min here
€[fee]; closed Sundays
Walk about 5 min
3
11:45 AMGrand Master's PalaceAllow about 60 min for the State Rooms and Armoury. The State Rooms can close at short notice, so check Heritage Malta's notices.About 1 hour 30 min here
Entry: €12 (about $13) · Buy at the door or online
1:15 PMIs-Suq tal-BeltPick a stall in the food court for lunch, or buy picnic food at the food market, which opens every day.About 1 hour here
Pay as you go
Walk about 8 min
5
2:30 PMNational Museum of ArchaeologyAllow about 90 min for the prehistoric rooms. Heritage Malta lists it open daily, with last admission 30 minutes before closing.About 1 hour 30 min here
€[fee]
Walk to the Valletta Terminal, then bus 13 to Sliema, about 45 min
6
4:45 PMOptionalSliema PromenadeStroll the seafront promenade toward St Julian's; it is popular for walking and jogging, with coastal views.About 1 hour 30 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 20 min
7
6:30 PMSpinola Bay, St Julian'sEat at one of the restaurants lining the bay, with views over the water. Check the last bus back to Valletta.
Pay as you go
Before you go
Book these aheadĦal Saflieni Hypogeum (day 3): timed tickets, or tickets that often sell out.
Pay on the busBuses take cash or a contactless card, and travel cards are sold at the airport, the Valletta Terminal and Sliema Ferries.
Plan around SundaysSt John's Co-Cathedral and Casa Rocca Piccola are closed on Sundays, and Marsaxlokk's fish market runs on Sundays.
Check site closuresHeritage Malta sites close on 1 January, Good Friday and 24, 25 and 31 December, and last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
Take the airport busAirport Direct bus TD4 links the airport with Valletta every 30 minutes.
Where to stay for this plan
Stay in Valletta to walk to most sights and the Three Cities bus. Sliema or St Julian's suit you if you want more restaurants nearby.
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
Plan last checked Nov 7, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.
