Want to visit Malta but not sure where to begin? You are in the right place. For 4 days, you should be able to see all the essential highlights the islands of Malta have to offer with our backpacking itinerary.
From the rich heritage of historical cities like Valletta and Mdina to the natural wonders of Malta like Gozo and the Blue Grotto, there are plenty of things to do here that will occupy you for days.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to travel around Malta independently from the best time to visit, where to stay, and how to get around, to all the cool things to do, and more.
Without further ado, here is the ultimate travel guide and a complete backpacking itinerary for Malta. Let's begin with a look at the itinerary map below:
- 4 Days Malta Itinerary Map
- 4 Days Backpacking Malta Itinerary
- More Malta Activities
- Where to Stay in Valletta?
- When to Visit Malta?
- How to Get to Malta?
- How to Get Around Malta?
- How Much Money Do I Need for 4 days in Malta?
- Is it Safe in Malta?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Malta?
- What to Pack for Malta?
- Further Reading for Malta
4 Days Malta Itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1: | Valletta |
| ☀️ Day 2: | The Three Cities of Malta |
| ☀️ Day 3: | Blue Grotto and Mdina |
| ☀️ Day 4: | Gozo |
4 Days Backpacking Malta Itinerary
Day 1: Valletta (5 Nights)
Our itinerary begins in Valletta, the capital city of Malta which has a charming blend of history and modernity while boasting some of the most uniquely stunning architecture, picturesque streets, and an abundance of cultural attractions out there.
On the day of your arrival, right before sunset, depending on where you are staying, I highly recommend you catch the bus and visit Tigné Point, an incredible seaside viewpoint where you will be able to see Valletta and all its stunning cityscape across the ocean from the other side.
If you are staying in Valletta, you can catch bus numbers 13, 14, and 15. If you are staying at St. Julian or Sliema, you can catch bus number 13, 202, 222, or 233 to get to Tigné Point.
- Malta: Gozo & Comino Islands, Blue Lagoon & Seacaves Tour (7 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- From Sliema: Gozo, Comino and The Blue Lagoon Day Cruise (7.5 hours)
- From Malta: Gozo Full-Day Jeep Tour with Lunch and Boat Ride (8 hours)
At the viewpoint, you will see people chilling, exercising, jumping into the water, and just sunbathing here as they witness the sunset. The Maltese sunset over the iconic domed church of Malta and its cityscape while creating an orange hue across the sky, making silhouettes out of everyone at the viewpoint. I've seen many sunsets in my lifetime but the sunset here just hits differently.
Make sure you stay here until after the blue hours so that you can see the city of Valletta being bathed in street lights. It is quite a sight to behold.
To go back, since it is nighttime during peak hours, make sure you catch the bus back to your accommodation from a proper bus stop like here, not the small one with a sign and no seat as bus drivers tend to skip these bus stops at night. Once you are back, retreat for the night and we will explore the old town of Valletta next.
One of the first things you will see when you arrive in Valletta's Old Town is the City Gate Square, a vast square covered with blinding light-brown limestones from the floor to the city gate walls, and right at the center, you will find Triton Fountain, one of the most prominent landmarks in the city, and a great place to check out first.
The fountain features a group of bronze sculptures depicting Tritons, mythological sea gods, as well as dolphins and other sea creatures, all set on a large circular base with cascading water features.
While you are admiring the beauty of the fountain, be sure to spend some time and explore the city gate which is attached to massive fortification walls surrounding the city as well. Most of the walls are still in an extremely well-preserved condition which goes to show just how strategically important Malta is for the security of Europe.
One of the highlights of traveling to Valletta is visiting St. John's Co-Cathedral and admiring its incredible interior. Despite the Cathedral's relatively unimpressive exterior in comparison to the grandiose churches found in places like Italy, I can assure you that the moment you step inside, you will be utterly amazed by the breathtaking beauty that unfolds before you.
The cathedral was built between 1573 and 1578 by the Knights of Malta in the beautiful baroque architectural style, and it is considered one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in Europe.
As a result of the Knights of Malta's remarkable defense, which theoretically thwarted the complete Ottoman invasion of Europe through the Mediterranean Sea during the 16th Century, Malta was able to reap significant benefits from the grateful countries and city-states of the continent and ride the wave of the Renaissance that swept across the region.
This is precisely why the church, along with many of the other churches and forts in Valletta, was constructed with such extravagance in design and decoration, as they were all built during the same period.
While you are inside, you can also get access to the second level of the church and get up close and personal with the stunning frescoes that adorned the entire ceiling. You can admire all the tiny details of the frescoes from up here.
If you want to learn more about the cathedral as well as the other attractions in Valletta, I highly recommend you go on an organized walking tour which will take you all over the city while a local guide explains the history of each stop in greater detail.
If you are interested in learning more about the rich history of Malta, there are several museums you can visit in Valletta. The National Museum of Archaeology located just across the street from the Cathedral is a great place to learn more about Malta from the prehistoric time to today, which is quite interesting.
But if you want to get right to the action and learn more about the military history of Malta and the role it played in major conflicts throughout history, including the two World Wars, I highly recommend you check out the National War Museum at Fort St Elmo.
This museum is located inside Fort St Elmo which is a historic fortress built in the 16th century by the Knights of St John, a military order that controlled Malta at the time. The fort played a crucial role in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, during which it was under siege by Ottoman forces for over a month.
If you wonder why there are so many forts here in Malta, you will get your answer right here at the museum which will go into detail about why the country is so strategically important to the security of Europe.
The museum also features several interactive displays, including a replica of a World War II-era air raid shelter, which provides you with a vivid sense of what life was like for the people of Malta during the war.
While you are there, be sure to spend some time and explore the fort itself, check out the view of Malta from its formidable walls, and see parts of the fort like the abandoned barracks that were used during the wars.
Another of my favorite museums in Valletta is the Lascaris War Rooms, probably one of the coolest war museums in the country, and if you ever wonder what a military headquarters looks like during World War II, this is the place to see it.
This incredible museum is housed in complex underground tunnels and chambers that served as the British military headquarters in Malta during World War II. The war rooms were used by the British military to plan and coordinate operations in the Mediterranean theatre during the war.
Inside the museum, you can explore the complex freely or with an audio guide and it will take you through several underground chambers, where you will find maps, telephones, and other communication equipment that were used during the war still inside.
One of my favorite rooms here is the war room which is a 2-level room with a massive map of Malta on the table on the first level and the little chess pieces that were used to plan out war tactics.
While you are visiting Lascaris War Rooms, be sure to walk up to the Upper Barrakka Gardens, a beautiful 16th-Century public garden where you can witness the Saluting Battery ceremony, a traditional firing of cannon salute that has been a daily occurrence here since the mid-19th century.
The ceremony takes place at the Saluting Battery, which is a historic gun battery built in the 16th Century and located on the eastern side of Valletta just below the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
Here, you will be able to witness the firing of several cannons in unison, creating a loud and impressive boom that echoes across Valletta and the surrounding areas. The ceremony takes place every day at 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM, and you can watch the ceremony for free in designated areas in the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
Before you retreat to your accommodation for the day, be sure to check out the Lower Barrakka Gardens as well. The garden is smaller but also much quieter with plenty of green vegetation, fountains, and an old Roman temple in the middle. Definitely worth a visit.
Day 2: The Three Cities of Malta (Day Trip)
For your second day in Malta, you can spend the day exploring the 3 Cities of Malta, a collective way to describe the 3 fortified cities in Valletta, Birgu, Senglea, and Cospicua located across the Grand Harbour from Valletta.
The Three Cities have a long and rich history, dating back to the time of the Phoenicians, who first settled in the area. They were later fortified by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century to protect the island from attacks by the Ottoman Empire.
Each city has its own unique character and charm. Birgu is the oldest and largest of the three cities and features several historic landmarks, including Fort St. Angelo and the Inquisitor's Palace.
Senglea is the smallest of the three cities and is characterized by its narrow streets and stunning views of the Grand Harbour.
Cospicua, also known as Bormla, is the largest of the three and has a vibrant mix of old and new architecture, as well as several historic churches and chapels.
You won't see as many tourists here as in Valletta and you will be able to get a feel of what life is really like in Malta, outside of touristy areas. You should be able to reach the 3 cities with bus numbers 2, 3, and 4 from this bus stop in Valletta. Once you are done, you can spend the rest of the day chilling in one of the many restaurants in cafes along the coast of Valletta and get ready to explore attractions inland.
Day 3: Blue Grotto and Mdina (Day Trip)
For our third day, we are going to catch bus #74 from Valletta Bus Station to get to the Blue Grotto, a stunning natural sea cave located on the southern coast which is known for its crystal-clear blue waters and unique rock formations located on the southern coast of Malta. Be sure to get off at the Blue Grotto Panorama bus stop, not the village down the coast.
The view of the coastline from here is quite stunning, especially in the early morning. You can also walk to Ħaġar Qim and explore the prehistoric temple that dated all the way back to 3200 BC.
Once you are done, you can catch bus #201 from this bus stop to get to our next destination, Mdina. If you want to visit the Blue Grotto and explore the southern coast without relying on buses, you can also go on an organized tour instead.
Mdina is an awesome historic city with a beautiful old town you can visit on a day trip from Valletta. The HBO series Game of Thrones was also shot here which is more of a reason to make it to Mdina while you are here.
The history of Mdina dates back more than 4,000 years, and it has been ruled by various civilizations, including the Phoenicians, the Romans, and the Arabs. It was also the capital of Malta until the arrival of the Knights of St. John in the 16th century.
Today, the city is now known as the "silent city", and it is considered to be one of the most well-preserved ancient walled cities in Europe. No wonder why the film crew chose to film Game of Thrones here.
While here, you can explore the narrow streets and alleys of Mdina, which are lined with historic buildings, churches, and palaces.
Some of the highlights of a visit to Mdina include the imposing Mdina Gate, the Cathedral of St. Paul, the Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum, and so much more.
Once you are done exploring Mdina, you can take the bus from Mdina Bus Stop and catch either bus numbers 52/53/54 to Valletta or #202 to St. Julian. If you want to visit Mdina but do not want to rely on buses, you can also go for an organized tour instead.
Day 4: Gozo (Day Trip)
On our last day in Malta, we are going to explore the beautiful island of Gozo which is considered to be the hidden gem of Malta. For this, you are going to have to go on an organized tour to get there and back in one day. I highly recommend this Jeep tour to Gozo.
The tour will pick you up from your hotel in Malta and take you to Gozo via a private speed boat before you will meet your guide on Gozo. The tour will stop in charming towns on the island as well as take you to some of the most beautiful bays in the area like Ramla Bay and Xlendi Bay by jeep.
The tour will also take you to Calypso's Cave, Victoria, and ride past the Blue Lagoon and Comino Caves by boat all in about 8 hours.
Basically, you are going to visit all the highlights in northern Malta in one. If you plan to visit Gozo for a day, be sure to book the tour in advance.
After spending the day in Gozo, we have finally come to the end of our itinerary. With this 4-day itinerary, you should be able to see all the highlights of Malta in one go. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing in Valletta and prepare to head back home the next day.
More Malta Activities
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour around Malta? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
Where to Stay in Valletta?
Since Mdina is quite small and isn't as far from Valletta, I highly recommend you base yourself anywhere near Valletta instead of staying in Mdina. You are going to get a much better deal with plenty of choices this way.
Valletta is quite big with the city divided into districts with features that will cater to different people depending on what type of holidays you are planning for this trip. Of course, staying in Valletta's old town will give you the easiest access to most tourist attractions but the buildings there are quite old and so you might not get the best accommodation, especially for the high asking price.
From my experience, I found that the best value-for-money place to stay in Valletta is somewhere around St. Julians and its surroundings. The area is far enough from the old town, not to be inflated by its overly expensive price, while it is lively enough with a ton of restaurants and cafes for you to indulge yourself in.
From St. Julians, you can also take one of the many buses to Valletta in about 15 minutes which is quite convenient. Below are some of my suggested accommodations in and around St. Julians and Sliema:
If money is no object and you want the best experience that requires to least effort, staying in Valletta itself is a great idea. Below are some suggested accommodations in Valletta:
When to Visit Malta?
The best time to visit Malta is from June to August when the weather is nice and warm perfect for exploring the beautiful outdoors of Malta as well as jumping in the water and spending a few lazy days at the beach.
With a couple of islands to explore, expect to participate in several water activities, which is perfect for the summer heat during the period.
That said, it can also be expensive and gets a bit crowded during this time. If you want to avoid this, you can visit during the should seasons in May and September. The weather will be a little cooler but still present enough to enjoy what Malta has to offer.
How to Get to Malta?
From the US, there is no direct flight from the US to Malta but you can easily fly into one of the major travel hubs in Europe like Rome, Amsterdam, or London. From there, you can either rely on AirMalta or low-cost airlines like Ryanair to take you to Malta. You can browse through great direct flights from here.
From Europe, you can find plenty of flights flying from major European hubs to Malta Airport (MLA) via either AirMalta or low-cost airlines like Ryanair that will take you to the island in no more than 4 hours.
From Asia, you can either fly into Europe via local airlines and then fly to Malta via low-cost airlines or you go with Middle Eastern airlines like Emirates and where you will have to transit twice, once in Dubai and another in Larnaca, Cyprus. The journey should take approximately 16 hours.
To find a cheap flight to Malta, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
How to Get Around Malta?
Malta is mostly connected by buses and that is the main mode of transportation we will be relying on for this itinerary.
By Bus: Buses are the cheapest way to get around Malta as most of the cities on the main island are all connected via the bus system although they are not known for being entirely reliable and timely.
There were times when the bus doesn't come on time due to an unannounced reduction of buses which can be rather inconvenient but eventually, the bus will come. You just have to be a little patient with it.
Traveling by bus in the evening and at night can also be a little challenging for first-timers as buses sometimes take shortcuts and can skip several small bus stops on the way due to heavy traffic. The technique to overcome this is to choose a bus stop that is located on the main road instead of smaller ones located around small streets.
Here's an example from my real experience traveling by bus in Malta: I wanted to travel from Tigné Point back to St. Julains and on Google Maps, it said that I can take the bus from this bus stop.
I waited and waited and no bus showed up so after about 30 minutes, I decided to walk to another bus stop on the main road nearby and in only 5 minutes, I was able to catch the bus back to St. Julian. If you are traveling by bus at night, be sure to stick to proper bus stops.
The good thing about traveling by bus is that you can buy the 15 EUR 12 Single Day Journeys bus pass which is the best deal you can get for those who are planning to stay between 2 - 5 days traveling around Malta. The bus pass will allow you to take any bus in the country 12 times before it runs out which should be more than enough for this itinerary.
You can buy the bus pass from the airport at a designated kiosk inside the arrival terminal so be sure to keep an eye out as you arrive in Malta.
By Rental Cars: You can also rent a car straight from Malta Airport and drive around Malta but for this itinerary, you won't need it. If you insist, keep in mind that the traffic in cities like Valletta can get pretty bad during peak hours and parking lots can be a challenge to find at times. To Rent a car, hit the link below:
How Much Money Do I Need for 4 days in Malta?
From this 4 days itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:
Accommodation: For 5 nights in Malta, you can expect to pay around 125 EUR for accommodation minimum considering you are staying in hostels.
Food: For 4 days, 3 meals a day in Malta, you can expect to pay around 180 EUR for food considering you eat out every meal. It will be cheaper if you cook it yourself.
Transportation: For this itinerary, you can expect to pay approximately 15 EUR for transportation using only the 12 Single Day Journeys bus pass.
Activities: Depending on how much you want to follow my itinerary you can expect to pay approximately 170 EUR for activities like museums, entrance fees, as well as a tour to Gozo.
Total Budget for 4 days in Malta: 490 EUR
Is it Safe in Malta?
Malta is extremely safe in both cities and nature. You should have no trouble traveling around the country at all.
That said, of course, it's always best to exercise precautions by not leaving your belongings unattended and always, ALWAYS keep an eye out on your belongings at all times. Keep your hands in your pockets when entering or exiting crowded places like a metro or a train station and make sure you are holding your phones and wallets tightly.
Other than that, you should be fine traveling around Malta. I didn't have any problems in Malta when I was there for about a month. Keep your wits with you and you will be fine.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Malta?
There are 3 major carriers in Malta, epic, GO, and Melita, that offer prepaid sim cards tourists can buy while they are traveling in Malta. Unfortunately, with the rise of esims, having to be in the country to buy a sim card at a store is quite inconvenient and not ideal.
If you have a smartphone that supports esims, I highly recommend you take a look at this esim. They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from.
The setup is fast and instant and you can buy it prior to your trip so you don't have to scramble your way to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local sim card with 4G speed across the entire country.
Or if you are traveling to Malta as part of a bigger Europe trip, I highly recommend you get the regional Eurolink esim which will give you access to data from over 39 countries across Europe. I have personally used this esim on my 3-months trip around Europe and it has worked wonders.
For more information on esims in Malta, click here: Check Malta's Available eSim.
What to Pack for Malta?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Malta:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Malta in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Malta
I hope you found this Malta travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Malta, here is a selection of articles you might like:
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Valletta, the capital city of Malta? Check out: 12 Best Things to Do in Valletta, Malta.
- Mdina, the old capital of Malta, and a place where they shot Game of Thrones, is a must-visit while you are here. For the best things to do here, check out: 8 Best Things to Do in Mdina, Malta.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To view all the articles about Malta, visit the Malta Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.