Malta in 5 Days: Complete Itinerary Including Gozo & Comino

Perfect 5-Day Malta Itinerary: Including Gozo and Comino

After living in Malta for 3 years, I've perfected this 5-day itinerary that covers the archipelago's highlights while avoiding tourist traps. It's designed to minimize travel time and maximize experiences, with flexibility for different travel styles.

Where to Stay

I recommend basing yourself in Sliema for this itinerary. Here's why:

• Central location with excellent bus connections
• Direct ferry to Valletta (€2.80 return)
• Boat trips to Comino depart from here
• Better value accommodation than Valletta
• Plenty of restaurants and shopping options

Day 1: Arrival and Sliema Orientation

After landing at Malta International Airport, take Bolt (local version of Uber) to Sliema. It's usually €15-20, compared to €30+ for traditional taxis. Most hotels offer check-in from 15:00.

Afternoon activities:

• Walk the Sliema promenade from Tigne Point to St. Julian's
• Stop at Fond Ghadir beach for a quick swim
• Visit the Point Shopping Mall if you need any essentials

Evening: Dinner at The Chophouse or Hammett's Macina for stunning Valletta views. Book in advance for terrace seating.

Day 2: Valletta Deep Dive

Start early! Take the Sliema ferry to Valletta (runs every 30 minutes from 07:15).

Morning:

• St. John's Co-Cathedral (opens 09:30) - get there first to avoid queues
• Upper Barrakka Gardens for the noon cannon firing
• Fort St. Elmo and War Museum

Afternoon:

• Lunch at Caffe Cordina or Is-Suq tal-Belt food market
• Grand Masters' Palace (if open - check ahead as it's often closed for renovation)
• MUŻA art museum or Lascaris War Rooms

Evening: Explore Strait Street's bars and restaurants. Try Yard 32 for gin tasting or Bridge Bar for jazz nights (Fridays in summer).

Day 3: Gozo Day Trip

Take the 06:45 bus X1 to Cirkewwa ferry terminal (45 minutes) or Bolt (25 minutes). First ferry departs at 07:00.

Gozo itinerary:

• Hop-on bus from ferry to Victoria (€10 day ticket)
• Victoria Citadel - arrive before 10:00 to avoid crowds
• Ġgantija Temples (UNESCO site, older than pyramids)
• Lunch in Xlendi Bay - try Boat House Restaurant for fresh fish
• Ramla Bay beach for swimming (red sand beach)
• Optional: Dwejra Bay for sunset

Pro tip: Consider hiring a Bolt in Gozo (€60-70 for the day) instead of relying on buses if you're a group of 3-4.

Day 4: Mdina, Rabat & South Malta

Morning:

• Bus to Mdina (arrive by 09:00)
• Walk the Silent City's medieval streets
• St. Paul's Cathedral and Cathedral Museum
• Fontanella Tea Garden for famous chocolate cake

Afternoon in Rabat:

• St. Paul's Catacombs
• Domus Romana

Late afternoon: Head to Marsaxlokk fishing village (bus 81 or Bolt). Visit Blue Grotto if time permits (last boats depart 16:00 in summer).

Day 5: Comino and Departure

Book an afternoon/evening flight to make the most of your last day.

Morning:

• 08:30 boat to Blue Lagoon from Sliema (€20 return)
• Arrive before the crowds (gets very busy after 11:00)
• Swimming and snorkeling
• Return by 14:00

Departure: Allow 3 hours from Sliema to flight departure, including transfer time and airport procedures.

If You're Short on Time

With 3 days, focus on:

• Day 1: Valletta
• Day 2: Mdina morning + Blue Lagoon afternoon
• Day 3: Gozo highlights

Transport Tips

Getting around:

• Buy a 7-day bus card (€21) on arrival if planning to use buses
• Download Bolt app - often cheaper and more reliable than buses
• Ferry to Gozo is €4.65 return (pay only on return journey)
• Consider Malta Taxi Apps for airport transfers

Remember: Malta's buses can be unreliable in summer. Always have Bolt as a backup, especially for airport transfers.