How long to stay in Malta is up to you, but no matter the duration, it’s a great island for daytime activities as well as exciting evenings. With a range of activities on offer that appeals to all ages, Malta’s offering is only enhanced by its beautiful beaches, sunny climate and friendly locals.
Whether you want to explore the UNESCO capital, Valletta, or take a ferry to the sister island of Gozo, we’ve put together an itinerary that helps you cover as much ground as possible over a weekend.
Things to remember before your weekend in Malta
In general, you can expect the weather on your weekend in Malta to be an upgrade from what you’re used to in the United Kingdom. With temperatures tending to average about 32°C in the summer and around 16°C in the winter, you’ll be able to enjoy year-round sun.
How many days you need in Malta is up to you, but a weekend gives you ample time to visit a majority of the sites. If you’re wondering how to get around in Malta, the public bus service is a cheap, frequent and comprehensive option, should you not want to drive. For those that want to hire a car, daily rates are reasonable, too, which will provide you with more flexibility for travelling around Malta in 3 days.
Malta 3-Day Itinerary: Day 1
Afternoon
Once you have arrived for 3 days in Malta and settled into your accommodation, you’ll be all set to start exploring this magnificent island. You’ll have lots of options regarding where to stay in Malta. Choosing a hotel in Valletta, like The Gomerino Hotel, is a wise choice, as it is excellently located near top sites and well-connected to other popular parts of the island.
Before you begin your mini-adventure, you should fuel up at a local Maltese restaurant, such as La Pira Maltese Kitchen, which will give you a great taste of what’s to come.
Next up on your weekend in Malta itinerary, explore the capital city, Valletta, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Established in the 1500s, this city is steeped in history. With a range of top attractions for you to visit, like the Grandmaster’s Palace and the St John’s Co-Cathedral, you’ll find your afternoon filled with culture and curiosity.
The Grandmaster’s Palace, which was once built for the Grandmaster of the Knights, now operates as the home to the Maltese President. The largest palace in Malta, construction started on this site in the 16th century.
Only a short walk from this impressive palace is St John’s Co-Cathedral, which can be reached in around 3 minutes. Considered one of the finest Baroque cathedrals in Europe, you’ll be enchanted by the lavish interior and artwork on display.
Still on foot, you can head to the National Museum of Fine Arts in just a couple of minutes. The fine arts museum is set in an 1800s palace and boasts a range of exquisite classic and contemporary Maltese art. Alternatively, the National Museum of Archaeology is also a similar distance away and plays host to prehistoric artefacts, weapons and sculptures.
Evening
If you’re wondering where to eat in Malta, only about a 5 minute walk from your hotel is Is-Suq Tal-Belt, a famous food market. Situated in a 19th-century Victorian covered market, you can enjoy local and international cuisines. With plenty of seated areas for you to enjoy your meal, you can take your time eating and soak up the surrounding atmosphere.
When you’re ready for the evening to begin, you’ll have a choice of great activities. Why not head over to the impressive Manoel Theatre, where you can enjoy a stage production, a musical or an opera. Alternatively, if you want to soak up the Mediterranean climate, you can book an evening ferry ride. Starting and finishing in Valletta, you can enjoy watching the sunset melt into the sky from the deck.
Day 2
Morning
After a restful night’s sleep, you have another busy day of exploring ahead of you. Before you set off, make a stop at Caffe Cordina, which offers a traditional Maltese dish called pastizzi. With your taste buds treated to this savoury pastry, you’ll be all set for your trip to Gozo. A sister island of Malta, you’ll be able to enjoy a range of activities here, including visiting the famous Ggantija temple complex.
To get to Gozo from Valletta is simple, with there being a ferry that departs from Valletta to Mgarr, in Gozo. This takes in the region of 45 minutes each way. Make sure you check the timetable before your trip, as high winds could impact the crossing frequency. From Mgarr, you can either get a bus or taxi to your first destination, Ggantija.
Ggantija is a large temple complex that dates back to around 3000 BCE. Considered older than the Egyptian pyramids, this is a must-see for all history lovers. With the megalithic limestone temples still standing tall, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time at this amazing location.
Afternoon
Only a short taxi ride away, you’ll be able to grab some lunch in the capital of Gozo, Victoria. A good restaurant to choose is Citadella Restaurant, which not only allows you to eat your meal outside in a quaint courtyard but is also only a stone’s throw from your next stop, Citadella Victoria.
The Citadella is an ancient city located just on the outskirts of Victoria. Situated on a hilltop, it offers great views across the island. There’s also a museum located inside the fortress, which makes it a great educational trip for you and your family.
After a day of being on your feet, it’s time to enjoy some well-earned rest and relaxation at a nearby beach pavilion. At Xlendi Beach, you can sit and sip a drink at one of the many establishments surrounding the pavilion or jump off into the sea and join many locals and tourists who are enjoying the fresh water.
Evening
Close by to Xlendi Beach is Da Manuel Restaurant, where you can enjoy a range of fresh seafood dishes whilst overlooking Xlendi Bay. From here you can follow the coastal path up to Sanap Cliffs, which is one of the best-known destinations to watch the sunset in Malta. Make sure you check the last ferry back to Malta, which tends to depart about 45 minutes after sunset.
Day 3
Afternoon
On the final day of your weekend in Malta, you can grab a quick takeaway from one of the cafes in Valletta, such as Piadina Caffe. Then head off on an exciting excursion to Popeye Village, which can be reached in about 45 minutes by car. There are bus routes too, but these tend to take twice the duration.
The village, which was once the film set for the 1980 production of Popeye, has since grown into a tourist hotspot that offers a range of activities for all the family. Stroll around the village, dance with the cartoon characters or take an organised boat trip in the crystal-clear waters. After a fun-filled day, you’ll be all set for your final evening in this great country.
Evening
No matter if you’re on holiday with your family or you’ve taken a long weekend in Malta with friends, there is something for everyone. The evening entertainment is no different, with there being an array of options.
If you’re with pals looking to socialise in style, then look no further than Level 22, in St. Julian’s. You can reach this nightclub in under 20 minutes on the TD13 bus, which makes it a convenient place to party. Offering panoramic views in a stylish setting, you’ll be able to dance the night away to live music and DJ sets.
For those looking for something a little more family friendly, head over to the Chamber of Mysteries, which offers an amazing magic show filled with wizardry and wonder. With mind-reading, magic and illusion all combined into a night of entertainment, it’s a great note on which to finish your Malta 3-day itinerary.
