10 Day Malta & Gozo Itinerary

My solo trip to Malta and Gozo has a special place in my heart. It was the first international trip since the start of the COVID pandemic. Not only had the last two years been tumultuous working in healthcare, but my personal life was also in a bit of turmoil. This trip marked the start of a healing journey to find myself again. Malta and Gozo were everything I wanted and needed in this trip – history, sunshine (even in February), turquoise waters, and delicious food. 

A Little about Malta & Gozo

Nestled in the Mediterranean between Sicily and North Africa, this tiny island nation packs in more history, culture, and charm than its size suggests. Malta feels like a living museum, with golden stone cities, dramatic coastlines, and centuries of layered history everywhere you turn. The island has been ruled by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, the Knights of St John, Napoleon, and the British — a history that makes its culture uniquely layered. Given this history, the Maltese language is naturally unique — it evolved from the Arabic spoken by medieval Arab rulers, absorbed heavy Norman and Italian influence, and is now written in the Latin alphabet. Hearing it spoken, you’ll catch flashes of Arabic, Italian, and English all jumbled together.

Gozo, its smaller and quieter sister island, felt like a breath of fresh air—slower-paced, greener, and full of rugged beauty. Between them, I wandered through ancient temples older than the pyramids, visited hidden coves, and soaked up that warm island rhythm that makes it hard to leave.

If you’re into rich history, dramatic scenery, and a good mix of adventure and slow mornings, Malta and Gozo are worth a trip.

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Malta & Gozo Itinerary

I had twelve days, two of which were flying days, so ten to explore the two islands. I mainly focused on Malta, spending a total of seven nights on Malta and four on Gozo. My flight was early on the last day, so I stayed in an Airbnb near the Malta airport. I could have spent the whole ten days just on Malta – I never made it over to the west coast or up north. If it were spring or summer, Gozo would have been amazing for more beach time.

Itinerary by Day

Arrive via Malta airport or ferry from Italy/Sicily and head into Valletta. This will be your base for 7 days.

Getting Around

I used public transport nearly every day. It was easy to plan and navigate. There is a bus terminal near the entry to Valletta where many buses connect. Here is a link to the Malta Public Transport Journey Planner.

There are a few travel card options to consider:

• 12 single bus journeys (each journey valid for 2 hours) – 19 euros
• 4 days flex – unlimited bus travel for 4 days – 21 euros + 6 euros for 2 airport direct bus trips
• 7 days flex (adult or child) – unlimited bus travel for 7 days – 27 euros for adults or 7 euros for children
• bus passes with sightseeing add-ons – see the information here

Airport to Valletta:

Bus: Airport Direct Bus 4 – leaves every 30 minutes, takes about 30 minutes. Bus 71, 72, 72 – leaves approximately every 30 minutes, takes about 30 minutes but makes more stops, so could take longer.

Taxi/Transfer: 10 minutes

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Exploring Valletta

Malta’s compact capital is rich in history but easy to explore at a relaxed pace. Wander honey-coloured streets, step into grand churches and palaces, and take in sweeping harbour views from the city’s edges. It’s a place best experienced slowly, with time built in for cafés and quiet corners. This is your home base in Malta. Spend your first afternoon or evening, first and fourth full days and the morning of your last day exploring the city.

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Day Trips from Valletta

Use days two, three and five to take day trips out of Valletta. The bus system across the island is well-connected and generally pretty frequent.

Three Cities

Just across the harbour from Valletta, the Three Cities offer a quieter, more local feel. Expect narrow streets, waterfront views, and layers of history without the crowds. It’s an easy half-day escape that pairs well with a long lunch by the marina or the Tarxien temples.

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Temples

These remarkable sites offer a glimpse into Malta’s prehistoric past. The Tarxien Temples showcase intricate stone carvings and complex structures, while the Hypogeum—an underground burial site—is unlike anything else, with atmospheric chambers carved entirely from rock. Visiting both adds depth and context to Malta’s ancient history.

If I could have added one more day, I would have headed east toward the Dingli Cliffs and Hagar Qim Archaeological Site.

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Mdina & Rabat

Step into a quieter, more timeless side of Malta in Mdina, known as the Silent City. Its narrow streets and warm stone buildings feel worlds away from the coast, while nearby Rabat offers a more lived-in feel with cafés and local spots. Together, they make for a perfectly balanced day of wandering and discovery.

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Marsaxlokk

This traditional fishing village is known for its colourful boats and relaxed seaside atmosphere. Stroll the harbour, browse market stalls, and settle in for fresh seafood by the water. It’s a slower-paced contrast to Valletta and an easy morning or afternoon outing.

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Head to Gozo

Have a slower morning, enjoying the last of Valletta, then take the ferry over to Gozo.

Ferry options between Malta & Gozo:

1. High speed Valletta to Gozo (Mġarr) – this is passengers only, about 45 min, up to 15 crossings per day, about 7.5 euros one way or 12 euros return (when booked online)
2. Channel ferry Ċirkewwa (North end of Malta) to Gozo (Mġarr) – passengers and cars/trucks, about 25 min, runs every 45 minutes nearly 24 hours per day, about 5 euros for walk-on passengers or 20 euros for car + driver

I did both – high-speed from Valletta to Gozo and the channel ferry back from Gozo. From Ċirkewwa, I took a bus to my Airbnb near the airport. The bus goes across the island, so it was a good final glimpse!

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Gozo

Spend at least 4 days trying to see every nook and cranny of this wild and nature-focused island. Gozo offers a slower, more rural counterpart to Malta, with open landscapes, coastal views, and a quieter rhythm. Highlights include the hilltop citadel in Victoria, dramatic cliffs and seaside viewpoints, and small villages that feel largely unchanged over time. It’s ideal for a day or overnight trip, whether you’re exploring by car or joining a guided tour.

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Food

The Arab influence on Maltese cuisine is subtler than the language but still present — the use of dried fruit in savoury dishes, honey, and certain spice combinations all trace back to the island’s medieval Arab period.

Pastizzi — flaky savoury pastry filled with ricotta or mushy peas. The quintessential Maltese snack is often sold from kiosks.

Ftira — sourdough flatbread sandwich stuffed with tuna, olives, tomatoes, capers and olive oil. Malta’s answer to a Niçoise.

Braġioli — beef olives: thin slices of beef rolled around a stuffing of breadcrumbs, bacon and herbs, slow-braised in red wine.

Rabbit (fenek) — the national dish. Fried first, then slow-cooked in wine and garlic. Virtually every Maltese family has their own recipe.

Lampuki pie — seasonal (Sept–Nov) savoury pie made from lampuki (mahi-mahi), the most prized local fish, with spinach and olives.

Ġbejna — small rounds of fresh or cured sheep’s milk cheese, often peppered. Eaten as a snack or antipasto.

Imqaret — deep-fried date pastries, traditionally sold from street stalls, especially at village festas.

Local wine — Malta has a small but growing wine scene; Marsovin and Meridiana are the two main producers. Indigenous grapes Gellewża and Ġellewża are worth seeking out.

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Final thoughts

Though small, Malta offers a lot. You arrive expecting pretty harbour views and some old churches, and you leave having walked through temples older than the pyramids, stood on ramparts where medieval sieges played out, and eaten pastizzi off a paper bag on a sun-warmed bench. Ten days feels like a good amount of time — until you’re on the plane home, making a list of everything you missed.

Use this itinerary as your starting point, then make it yours. And if you’ve already been — what would you add?

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