Three days in Malta will never be enough to see it all, but it’s more than enough to get a really good taste of what makes this island so special. When we visited on our honeymoon, we based ourselves in the capital, Valletta. Valletta is a city known for its grand palaces, baroque streets, and sweeping harbour views. It’s an ideal home base because there’s plenty to see and do within the city itself, but it also makes a perfect launch point for exploring beyond the walls, whether that’s the historic Three Cities just across the harbour or heading out to the smaller islands of Comino and Gozo for a day trip.
If you find yourself in Malta, here is how I would spread your time across your limited three days.
Day One: Valletta & The Three Cities
Kick things off right in the heart of Malta’s history. Today is all about grand palaces, fortified cities, and harbour views that never get old. Start your day with some fuel from Gambrinus (8am-5pm, closed Saturday & Sunday), a bakery that has been serving delicious pastries since 1919. Malta is famous for their pastries stuffed with ricotta, but this bakery serves a bit of everything and you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose.
Once fueled, your first stop will be Grandmaster’s Palace (9am-5pm, closed Friday’s). This palace is Valletta’s most iconic building. It was once home to the Knights of St. John and is packed with ornate halls, armor displays, and so many jaw-dropping details.
How long to plan: About 2 hours is the perfect amount of time without having to rush.
In the afternoon you’ll explore the Three Cities. The Three Cities are just a hop across the Grand Harbour and consists of, as the name who imply, three cities. They are called Senglea, Cospicua (Bormla), and Vittoriosa (Birgu). These cities feel much more local and quieter, which can be a nice escape from the busy tourist hub of Valletta.
How to get to the Three Cities:
Ferry 🚤– From Valletta Waterfront or Upper Barrakka Lift area to Birgo in about 10-minutes. Ferries run frequently but a schedule is also located here. This is by far the best option.
Bus 🚌- Walk to Valletta’s main bus terminal and take a bus headed towards Birgu / Bormla / Isla. The bus will take about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.
Taxi/Bolt 🚕– You can also hire a taxi or Bolt to take you which can take around 15-20 minutes depending on traffic and is the more expensive of the three options.
Once you get to the Three Cities, you can walk between them.
What to do in the Three Cities:
Senglea
Senglea is often overlooked because it’s small but has great charm and even greater views.
- Walk along the historic fortifications
- Pop into Senglea Parish Church
- Stroll the docks along the harbour
- End at Gardjola Gardens for one of the best viewpoints over Valletta
Cospicua (Bormla)
Cospicua is perfect for slow wandering.
- Get lost in the narrow streets
- Admire the massive defensive walls
- Check out Fort Verdala from the outside as you explore
Vittoriosa (Il-Birgu)
The most historic of the three and the one you’ll likely spend the most time in.
- Visit St. Lawrence’s Church
- Walk along Birgu Waterfront for cafés and harbour views
- Explore Fort St. Angelo
- Step inside the Inquisitors’ Palace
- Relax in Birgu Ditch Gardens
- Wander through Victory Square
- See Sicolo Norman House, the oldest house in Birgu
End a busy day one by getting dinner in one of the Three Cities before heading back. You’ll find lots of great seafood restaurants by the harbourfront. 🐟
Day Two: Comino, Blue Lagoon & Gozo
There are lots of people that prefer to base themselves in Gozo, however, we opted for Valletta because we knew we were limited on time and Valletta is where the main airport is located for flying in and out of Malta. If you had more time in the country, you could totally split your time by staying a few days in Valletta, and a few days in Gozo. However, if you’re like us, short on time, you can easily do a day trip to explore the beautiful islands of Gozo and Comino.
You’ll find lots of tour companies offering different trips to the islands, we chose this one on GetYourGuide. We had to take a Bolt to the meeting point in St. Paul’s Bay which was about a 35-minute drive. However, you can also take the bus. Leave yourself ample amount of time incase there is traffic. The boats won’t wait for you! I’d also recommend getting there early because you can snag a seat on the top deck before anyone else. Seats are limited and you’ll want to be up top!
This tour was about seven hours and took us to multiple beautiful spots for photos, we had free time in Camino, swimming and snorkeling time in the Blue Lagoon (known for its incredible, crystal-clear turquoise water), and a stop with free time in Gozo. Although we didn’t have a ton of time in any stop, it was still enough to get a feel for each place. You also had the option to add on different things throughout the trip like the bus transfer that took you into Gozo, a speedboat tour in the Blue Lagoon, and snorkel and locker rentals.
Joining a tour is by far the easiest way to spend your time the most efficiently, however, you can also take the bus, ferry or Bolt to Gozo from Valletta and get around via public transit to the spots you’d like to see.
Day Three: Mdina & Valletta Highlights
Today is your last day and it mixes Malta’s ancient past with the buzz of Valletta. We actually opted out of Mdina on our last day because we wanted the day to just be around Valletta, but choose your itinerary for the day based on your interests.
If you do want to go to Mdina, start your day early. Mdina is known as “The Silent City” because of its peaceful, car-free streets. Walking through its narrow, quiet alleys feels like stepping back centuries with the medieval walls, palaces, and stunning views. Mdina is a place to slow down and really escape the bustle of modern life.
How to Get to Mdina:
To get to Mdina from Valletta, a taxi/Bolt will cost you about €30–€40 one way. You can also take a bus that will take around 45-minutes and cost around €2.50. Once there, you can visit all the key sights by foot.
What to do in Mdina:
- St. Paul’s Cathedral (9:30am-4:30pm, limited hours on Sunday’s)
- Pjazza Mesquita
- Mdina Gate
- Traditional Maltese balconies
- Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady
- Panoramic views from the bastions
- Mdina Dungeons Museum (9:30am-4:30pm)
Head back to Valletta to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening. If you haven’t already, here are some of must-visit spots. Pick and choose what you’re interested in:
- Upper & Lower Barrakka Gardens (7am-10pm) for unbeatable harbour views
- Valletta’s fortified walls and city gates
- St. Elmo’s Fort & National War Museum (check hours here)
- Changing of the Guard at St. George’s Square (8am, everyday but Sunday)
- Saluting Battery (guns fire daily at 12pm & 4pm)
- National Library of Malta (8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm Saturday, closed Sunday)
- Strait Street for bars and nightlife
For dinner, make a reservation at Legligin, a Michelin guide restaurant that serves a blind tasting menu of Maltese cuisine using local, fresh ingredients. The perfect spot for your last night in Malta and a little bit more of an elevated dinner experience.
Malta may be small, but in just three days you can experience its incredible variety. From the bustling streets and grand views of Valletta to the tranquil, timeless corners of Mdina and the turquoise waters of Comino and Gozo.
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