4 Days in Malta: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

Get ready for honey-coloured fortress cities, temples older than the pyramids and a sea so blue it looks retouched. Malta is small, but it packs in about 7,000 years of history, and four days is enough to see the best of it without rushing. This plan covers the capital Valletta, the underground Hypogeum, the Three Cities across the harbour, a full day on the sister island of Gozo, and a final day split between clifftop temples and the hilltop town of Mdina.

The pace is moderate. You’ll get one or two big sights each morning and something gentler each afternoon, plus time to sit by the water. The whole trip works by public bus and ferry, so you won’t need a car. It suits first-timers, culture lovers and anyone who’d rather wander than tick boxes.

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
1	Valletta	St John’s Co-Cathedral, Grand Master’s Palace, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Fort St Elmo
2	Paola and the Three Cities	Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Tarxien Temples, Birgu waterfront, ferry back to Valletta
3	Gozo	Fast ferry, Victoria’s Ċittadella, Ġgantija Temples, a bay for sunset
4	South and centre of Malta	Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, Blue Grotto viewpoint, Mdina and Rabat

Before you go: the Hypogeum sells out well ahead, so book it first and build the rest of your trip around your time slot.

Day 1: Valletta, the Knights’ capital

Morning

Welcome to golden Valletta! Start at City Gate and walk down Republic Street, Valletta’s main spine. The city is compact and pedestrian-friendly, so most stops today are only a few minutes apart on foot.

Your first big stop is St John’s Co-Cathedral. Its plain exterior gives nothing away, but inside you’ll find gilded Baroque everywhere and Caravaggio’s paintings. It’s open Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 16:45 (last admission 16:00), and closed on Sundays and public holidays. Tickets cost €15 for adults, €12 for seniors and students, and children under 12 go free with an adult. A Belfry Tour is an extra €5. We suggest booking online on the cathedral’s official site and getting there for opening time.

Dress code: it’s a working church, so cover your shoulders (bring a shawl). Stilettos and narrow heels are not allowed, and you can’t use flash.

Afternoon

Walk a few minutes along Republic Street to the Grand Master’s Palace, where the Knights governed from. Heritage Malta lists tickets from €8 to €12 depending on type. Heads-up for late 2026: the State Rooms are closed all day on 26 October 2026 (Budget Day) and closed until 13:30 on 28 October, 18 November and 2 December 2026. On those days only the Armoury is open. The Throne Room is closed until further notice.

Next, head to Upper Barrakka Gardens for the classic view over the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. The Saluting Battery sits just below. Check its own site for the gun-firing times.

Later in the afternoon, walk to the tip of the peninsula and Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum (adults €10, seniors and youths €7.50, children 6 to 11 €5.50). The WWI display in Section 4 is closed until further notice. Last admission at every Heritage Malta site is 30 minutes before closing, and winter hours start on 1 November, so check the official opening-hours page before you set off.

Evening

Loop back along the sea walls as the stone turns gold, then take a slow evening walk through Valletta’s side streets. If you have energy left, the Valletta ferry crosses to Sliema. You can pay for it with credit on an Explore Flex card (more on that below).

Day 2: The Hypogeum and the Three Cities

Morning

Get ready for something truly unforgettable: today starts underground. The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum in Paola is a burial complex carved into the rock and used between about 4000 BC and 1500 BC. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its deepest chamber lies 10.6 metres below the road. Only 10 people are allowed in at a time, so slots are scarce.

• Tickets: adults €35, youths (12 to 17) and seniors (60+) €20, children (6 to 11) €15. Children aged 1 to 5 are not admitted.
• Book on the Heritage Malta online store as early as you can.
• Sold out? Last-minute tickets (€50) go on sale only the day before your visit, first come, first served. Until 12:00 they’re sold only at Fort St Elmo and the Gozo museum shop. After 12:00 you can also buy them at the National Museum of Archaeology, the Domvs Romana and the Hypogeum itself. The limit is four per person, except for families.
• Photography is not allowed inside.
• The nearest bus stop is about 2 minutes’ walk away. Use the Malta Public Transport trip planner or the tallinja app to find your route from where you’re staying.

Afterwards, walk to the Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex, just minutes away. Show your Hypogeum ticket when you buy your ticket at the Tarxien entrance and you get 50% off. (The offer only applies to tickets bought at the door.)

Afternoon

Take the bus to Birgu (Vittoriosa), the oldest of the Three Cities. You’ll find quiet lanes, little chapels and a marina full of boats beneath Fort St Angelo. Check the Heritage Malta site for the fort’s current price and hours. Senglea next door has one of the best views back towards Valletta.

Evening

Ride the Valletta ferry from the Three Cities back across the Grand Harbour around sunset. It’s one of the most beautiful short rides in the Mediterranean. If you’re curious, the famous “Sleeping Lady” figurine from the Hypogeum is on display at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. Save it for another day if you’re short on time.

Day 3: A day trip to Gozo

Morning

This is the day for island-hopping! Gozo is greener, quieter and slower than Malta, and you’ll love it. From Valletta, catch the Gozo Highspeed fast ferry to Mġarr Harbour. Airport Direct route TD4 stops at the Gozo Fast Ferry terminal. The best-value way to pay is the Explore Flex 4-day bus pass with one Gozo Highspeed return trip included, which costs €36 (more below). If you’re staying in the north instead, the Gozo Channel car ferry runs from Ċirkewwa, which Airport Direct route TD1 serves. Check fares and sailing times on gozochannel.com.

From Mġarr, take a Gozo bus to Victoria (Rabat) and climb up to the Ċittadella, a fortified hilltop with views across the whole island. Please note: the Gozo Museum of Archaeology closed on 13 April while the new Gozo Museum is prepared. Its shop stays open and still sells Hypogeum tickets, and the Ċittadella combo ticket hasn’t changed.

Afternoon

Head to Xagħra for the Ġgantija Archaeological Park, among the oldest freestanding temples in the world and a UNESCO site. The combo ticket with Ta’ Kola Windmill costs €10 for adults, €8 for youths, seniors and students, €6 for children 6 to 11, and children 1 to 5 go free.

Malta Public Transport travel cards work on buses in Gozo as well, so moving around is simple. Plan your hops with the tallinja app.

Evening

Finish at one of Gozo’s bays before heading back to Mġarr for your ferry. Fast ferries can be affected by rough seas, so check the operator’s site on the morning of your trip and leave a little buffer for your return sailing.

Day 4: Clifftop temples and the Silent City

Morning

Save some wow for your last day. Head south to Qrendi for Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park. These two temple complexes sit on a wild stretch of coast looking out to sea. Tickets cost €10 for adults, €7.50 for seniors, youths and students, and €5.50 for children 6 to 11. It’s an exposed site, so bring water and a hat.

Nearby, the Blue Grotto viewpoint above Wied iż-Żurrieq is worth a short stop. Whether boat trips run depends on the sea, so check on the day. Buses 71, 72 and 73 link the airport with Żurrieq, Safi and Qrendi, and the trip planner will show you connections from elsewhere.

Afternoon

Cross the island to Mdina and Rabat. Mdina is the walled former capital, full of silent lanes and grand palazzi. Just outside its walls, Rabat has the Domvs Romana (a Roman townhouse) and early Christian catacombs. Check prices on the Heritage Malta site. Buses 201 and 214 and Airport Direct TD5 all serve Rabat.

Evening

Stay in Mdina for dusk, when the day crowds thin out and the ramparts glow. Walk the bastion walls for the view across Malta before heading back.

Getting there and getting around

Visa and entry: Malta is part of the Schengen Area. Entry rules depend on your passport, so check the official EU information on Schengen visas, the Entry/Exit System and ETIAS at travel-europe.europa.eu and apply through the Maltese consulate or visa centre that covers your country.

Airport to the city: Malta Public Transport runs Airport Direct buses from outside the terminal. You don’t need to book, and you can pay in cash or contactless on board.

Route	Goes to	Frequency	Fare
TD1	Rabat, Buġibba, Mellieħa, Ċirkewwa	Every hour	€3.50
TD2	St Julian’s, Pembroke	Every 30 min	€3
TD3	St Julian’s, Sliema, Gżira, Msida	Every 30 min	€3
TD4	Valletta, Gozo Fast Ferry	Every 30 min	€3
TD5	Rabat, Buġibba	Every 60 min	€3

Journey times depend on traffic, so check the timetable in the tallinja app. For taxis, use a licensed taxi or an established ride-hailing app and confirm the fare before you set off.

Bus fares: from 18 October 2026 to 12 June 2027, a single ticket on day routes costs €2.00 (€2.50 in summer). It’s valid for 2 hours with free transfers. Night routes, special services and tallinja Direct routes cost €3.

Travel cards for this trip:

• Explore Flex 4 Days (€21): unlimited day and night routes, Airport Direct and select special services. Not shareable.
• Explore Flex 4 Days + Gozo Highspeed return (€36): our pick for this itinerary.
• 12 Single Day Journeys (€19): shareable, so it’s good for couples who won’t ride often.

You can buy cards at the sales offices in the airport (Welcomer’s Hall and baggage reclaim), at the Valletta and Buġibba terminals, at Sliema Ferries, and from ticket machines. You can add credit to an Explore Flex card in the tallinja app to pay for the Valletta ferries to Sliema and the Three Cities.

Where to stay

• Valletta: you’ll be steps from the sights, with the main bus terminus and the harbour ferries on your doorstep. It’s best for history lovers and short stays. TD4 runs straight from the airport.
• Sliema and Gżira: a long seafront promenade, plenty of places to eat and a ferry to Valletta. A good all-rounder for families and first-timers. TD3 serves it from the airport.
• St Julian’s: livelier and best for nightlife. Read the drink-safety note in the Heads-up section if you’re heading to Paceville. TD2 and TD3 stop here.
• The Three Cities: quiet, atmospheric and right on the harbour, with a ferry across to Valletta. It suits couples and slow travellers.

Budget

Prices below are for adults, taken from official sites on 24 October 2026.

Item	Typical cost
Single bus ride, day route (winter)	€2.00
Airport Direct bus	€3 (TD1 €3.50)
Explore Flex 4 days + Gozo Highspeed return	€36
St John’s Co-Cathedral	€15
Grand Master’s Palace	€8 to €12
Fort St Elmo and National War Museum	€10
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum	€35 (last-minute €50)
Ġgantija + Ta’ Kola Windmill	€10
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra	€10

The core tickets and transport in this plan add up to about €128 per adult, or roughly €32 a day. Optional extras like Tarxien, Fort St Angelo and the Rabat sites push that towards €45. Not included: accommodation, food and drink, taxis, boat trips and flights. Check current rates when you book, because they vary a lot by season.

Practical tips

• Closing days: St John’s closes on Sundays and public holidays. All Heritage Malta sites close on 1 January, Good Friday, and 24, 25 and 31 December.
• Seasonal hours: Heritage Malta switches to winter hours on 1 November. Always check the official opening-hours page and its special notices.
• Other closures: the Fortress Builders Interpretation Centre in Valletta and the Borġ in-Nadur Prehistoric Complex are closed until further notice.
• Dress: cover your shoulders in churches and bring a shawl. Leave stilettos at the hotel on Valletta day.
• Keep your ticket: you must carry valid proof of travel on buses. Validate your card every time you board.
• Money and data: Malta uses the euro, and card payments are common. Visitors with an EU SIM can usually roam at home rates. Otherwise, compare local prepaid SIMs or eSIMs on arrival.

Heads-up

Malta is a relaxed, welcoming place. A few things are worth knowing so nothing spoils the fun:

• Pickpockets on busy buses: the UK government reports pickpocketing on bus routes between Valletta and St Julian’s, especially on crowded summer buses. Keep your valuables in sight.
• Drink spiking in Paceville: UK advice reports people being drugged in some bars and gentlemen’s clubs in Paceville, then overcharged or assaulted. Buy your own drinks, keep them in sight and check your bill.
• Sea safety: people drown in Malta every year. Some beaches have strong undercurrents. Respect red flags, don’t dive into unknown water and follow local advice if jellyfish are present.
• Hunting season: bird hunting with firearms takes place in spring and autumn, usually from 2 hours before sunrise to 2 hours after sunset. Hunting areas are rarely marked, so stay aware on rural walks, including in late October.
• Driving: UK advice notes that some roads are in poor condition and local driving standards are poor. That’s one more reason to take the bus.
• Drugs: smoking cannabis in public is illegal, and drug offences carry severe penalties for tourists.
• Bus fines: travelling without a valid ticket can get you a €50 fine.
• Hypogeum rules: children under 6 aren’t admitted and photos aren’t allowed, so plan childcare and expectations ahead.

FAQ

Is 4 days enough for Malta?

Yes, for the highlights. Four days gives you Valletta, the prehistoric sites, the Three Cities and a proper day on Gozo. If you want beach time on top, add a fifth day.

How far ahead should I book the Hypogeum?

As early as possible. Only 10 people go in at a time, and Heritage Malta strongly recommends booking early. Last-minute €50 tickets are sold only the day before your visit, in limited numbers.

Can I visit St John’s Co-Cathedral on a Sunday?

Not as a visitor. It’s closed to visitors on Sundays and public holidays, so put Valletta on a Monday to Saturday.

Which bus pass should I buy?

For this plan, the Explore Flex 4 Days with a Gozo Highspeed return (€36) covers buses, Airport Direct and your Gozo crossing. If you’ll only take a few rides, the shareable 12 Single Day Journeys card (€19) can work out cheaper for two people.

How do I get to Gozo without a car?

Take the Gozo Highspeed fast ferry from Valletta (Airport Direct TD4 stops at the terminal), or the Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa (TD1). Once you’re on Gozo, use local buses with the same travel card.

Is Malta safe for tourists?

Generally, yes. The UK government describes crime against tourists as rare. Take normal precautions against pickpockets and drink spiking, and take sea conditions seriously.