Malta

Day 1: Valletta, Grand Harbour and Paola
A baroque capital, honey‑coloured bastions and the island’s most storied harbour set the tone. You’ll trace layers of real history and screen history, then descend into one of the world’s great prehistoric sites.

• Morning: Start at Upper Barrakka Gardens before 9:00 for quiet views and soft light over the Grand Harbour; note Fort Ricasoli across the water (the Gate of the Gods in Game of Thrones). Wander Valletta’s side streets, including Eagle Street for a familiar Season 1 lane, then grab a pastizz and coffee. If you’d like the Saluting Battery cannon, time your viewpoint for 12:00.
• Midday: Head to Paola for your timed entry to the Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni (book months ahead; small groups only). If sold out, visit nearby Tarxien Temples or the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta for context before temple visits on other days. Keep the pace gentle in summer—shade is scarce and stone radiates heat.
• Afternoon: Cross to Birgu (Vittoriosa) on the Valletta–Birgu ferry; explore Fort St Angelo’s tunnels (Arya’s cat‑chasing realm on screen) and Birgu’s tight lanes. From the Senglea/Valletta ramparts, photograph Fort Ricasoli’s massive gate; a harbour boat tour gives the best angle without entering the derelict site.
• Evening: Take a golden‑hour harbour cruise or dine quayside along Birgu’s waterfront, with Valletta glowing opposite. If Fort Manoel (the Great Sept of Baelor) announces an Open Day during your visit, swap in an hour there before sunset—access is rare and free.

Day 2: Mdina, Rabat and central Malta
Step into the “Silent City” where Malta first became King’s Landing on screen, then peel back layers of Roman and medieval life next door in Rabat. Today blends quiet cloisters, cool catacombs and leafy gardens.

• Morning: Arrive at Mdina Gate by 8:30 to beat day‑trippers; continue to Pjazza Mesquita (Littlefinger’s brothel exterior) and stroll the alleys—keep voices low, residents value the hush. Refuel in Rabat with a hot pastizz from Crystal Palace.

By Air

• Malta International Airport (MLA), Luqa – the islands’ only airport, 8 km from Valletta.
  • To Valletta: 15–20 min by taxi; 25–30 min by bus (X4).
  • To Sliema/St Julian’s: 20–30 min by taxi; 45–60 min by bus (X2).
  • To Gozo (Mgarr): ~60–90 min via bus to Cirkewwa (X1) + Gozo Channel ferry, or bus to Valletta + fast ferry.
• Direct year‑round flights from major European hubs (e.g., London ~3h10, Rome ~1h25, Paris ~2h40, Frankfurt ~2h45). Seasonal routes expand in summer.
• Served by KM Malta Airlines and numerous European carriers (full‑service and low‑cost). Taxis, ride‑hailing (eCabs/Bolt), and public buses operate from the terminal. Valletta Bus Terminus is the main island hub.

By Ferry

• Regular high‑speed catamarans between Valletta (Grand Harbour) and Sicily:
  • Valletta–Pozzallo: ~1h45–2h, multiple daily (seasonal variation).
  • Valletta–Catania: ~3h (selected sailings).
• Foot passengers and vehicles are accepted. Through bus links Pozzallo–Catania typically ~1h30.
• Best overland route from mainland Europe is via Italy to Sicily, then ferry to Malta.

By Train

A compact, crowd-light Mediterranean archipelago where honey-stone cities, prehistoric temples and convivial village life deliver big experiences without the big-city squeeze.

• Atmosphere: Sunlit limestone, Baroque façades and sea breezes set an easy rhythm—think Valletta’s quiet side streets and Mdina after dark—offering Old-World drama without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
• Culture & traditions: Lively village festas (fireworks, bands, parish pride) meet deep time at Ġgantija, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra; it’s living heritage over staged spectacle, with folk singing (għana) and Sunday family lunches still the norm.
• Authenticity & value: Snack on pastizzi for pocket change, share a fenkata (rabbit stew), and toast with a cold Cisk in a local każin—simple, social and great value compared with more hyped Mediterranean hot spots.
• Neighbourhood hooks: Explore Birgu’s harbour bastions and Fort St. Angelo, photograph Upper Barrakka’s Grand Harbour views, wander Pjazza Mesquita in Mdina, browse Marsaxlokk on a weekday morning, then slow down in Gozo’s Xagħra and country lanes.

If you love ancient history, coastal beauty and living culture, Malta delivers in a compact, easy-to-explore package. From prehistoric temples and Baroque fortresses to Season 1 Game of Thrones sets, the islands blend depth with pop‑culture sparkle. English is widely spoken, the weather is generous, and short travel times make it effortless for varied travellers.

• History lovers: Walk Baroque Valletta and Mdina’s walls where the Knights forged Europe’s frontier and stories still echo.
• Prehistory buffs: Explore temples older than the Pyramids and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum—book early for this underground marvel.
• TV & film fans: Track Season 1’s first King’s Landing at Mdina Gate, Fort Manoel and Fort Ricasoli; Dwejra’s arch is gone, but the dive site thrills.
• Scenery seekers: Honey‑coloured stone, sheer cliffs and cobalt bays—from Dingli to Gozo’s lanes—serve golden‑hour views daily.
• Active travellers: Hike coastal paths, kayak hidden coves and dive Dwejra’s collapsed Azure Window rubble reefs teeming with life.
• Foodies: Feast on pastizzi, fenkata (rabbit), fresh Marsaxlokk seafood and village festa treats, paired with local wines.

These are Malta’s unmissable highlights, distilling the islands’ ancient wonders, cinematic backdrops, and village soul. Use this shortlist to plan a trip that hits the icons without missing the essence.

• Walk the hushed alleys of Mdina to Pjazza Mesquita and the Mdina Gate—the original King’s Landing—at dawn for crowd-free photos.
• Explore the cliff-top temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, savouring UNESCO-listed megaliths, sea vistas, and precise solar alignments.
• Visit the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum (book well ahead) to descend into a 5,000-year-old subterranean necropolis with eerie, resonant acoustics.
• Take the Valletta–Three Cities harbour loop for Baroque streets, bastioned forts (Fort St Angelo), and sweeping views from the Upper Barrakka.
• Hike Gozo’s Dwejra coast and the Xagħra plateau to pair dramatic cliffs and salt pans with the mighty Ġgantija temples.

These are Malta’s unmissable highlights, distilling the islands’ ancient wonders, cinematic backdrops, and village soul. Use this shortlist to plan a trip that hits the icons without missing the essence.

• Walk the hushed alleys of Mdina to Pjazza Mesquita and the Mdina Gate—the original King’s Landing—at dawn for crowd-free photos.
• Explore the cliff-top temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, savouring UNESCO-listed megaliths, sea vistas, and precise solar alignments.
• Visit the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum (book well ahead) to descend into a 5,000-year-old subterranean necropolis with eerie, resonant acoustics.
• Take the Valletta–Three Cities harbour loop for Baroque streets, bastioned forts (Fort St Angelo), and sweeping views from the Upper Barrakka.
• Hike Gozo’s Dwejra coast and the Xagħra plateau to pair dramatic cliffs and salt pans with the mighty Ġgantija temples.

Malta’s food culture is hearty, sun‑kissed and proudly local, blending Mediterranean flavours with North African and Sicilian notes. Expect simple, seasonal dishes in family‑run kitchens, lively band‑club bars, and seafront cafés.

• Pastizzi – Flaky pastries filled with ricotta or curried peas; cheap, hot and addictive. Best grabbed fresh from a bustling pastizzeria or corner café.
• Ħobż biż-żejt (ftira) – Crusty Maltese bread with tomato paste, tuna, capers and olives; the island’s ultimate snack. Ideal from a backstreet café or beach kiosk.
• Fenkata (rabbit stew) – Slow-braised rabbit with wine, garlic and herbs; Malta’s classic communal meal. Perfect for long dinners in a cosy village restaurant.
• Cisk lager & Kinnie – A crisp local beer and a bittersweet herbal soda; both island icons. Order at a band‑club bar or during a village festa.

Malta’s food culture is hearty, sun‑kissed and proudly local, blending Mediterranean flavours with North African and Sicilian notes. Expect simple, seasonal dishes in family‑run kitchens, lively band‑club bars, and seafront cafés.

• Pastizzi – Flaky pastries filled with ricotta or curried peas; cheap, hot and addictive. Best grabbed fresh from a bustling pastizzeria or corner café.
• Ħobż biż-żejt (ftira) – Crusty Maltese bread with tomato paste, tuna, capers and olives; the island’s ultimate snack. Ideal from a backstreet café or beach kiosk.
• Fenkata (rabbit stew) – Slow-braised rabbit with wine, garlic and herbs; Malta’s classic communal meal. Perfect for long dinners in a cosy village restaurant.
• Cisk lager & Kinnie – A crisp local beer and a bittersweet herbal soda; both island icons. Order at a band‑club bar or during a village festa.

Choosing the right base in Malta matters more than the hotel itself. Each area has a distinct vibe, access, and pace—pick the one that matches how you want to spend your days. Here’s a quick, mobile-friendly guide.

• Valletta — Walkable UNESCO capital of baroque streets, museums and harbour views; best for culture lovers and short stays, quieter at night, limited beaches but great ferry/bus links.
• Sliema — Waterfront promenade and shopping/dining hub with swim lidos and easy ferries to Valletta; ideal for first‑timers wanting convenience without nightlife noise.
• St Julian’s (Paceville) — Lively seafront with Malta’s main nightlife, upscale hotels and St George’s Bay; suits party‑goers and foodies, expect late noise and higher prices.
• Mellieħa — Hilltop town by Għadira Bay’s big sandy beach; great for families and a slower pace, long bus rides to the south but easy access to Gozo/Comino boats.

Choosing the right base in Malta matters more than the hotel itself. Each area has a distinct vibe, access, and pace—pick the one that matches how you want to spend your days. Here’s a quick, mobile-friendly guide.

• Valletta — Walkable UNESCO capital of baroque streets, museums and harbour views; best for culture lovers and short stays, quieter at night, limited beaches but great ferry/bus links.
• Sliema — Waterfront promenade and shopping/dining hub with swim lidos and easy ferries to Valletta; ideal for first‑timers wanting convenience without nightlife noise.
• St Julian’s (Paceville) — Lively seafront with Malta’s main nightlife, upscale hotels and St George’s Bay; suits party‑goers and foodies, expect late noise and higher prices.
• Mellieħa — Hilltop town by Għadira Bay’s big sandy beach; great for families and a slower pace, long bus rides to the south but easy access to Gozo/Comino boats.

Travel in Malta is straightforward thanks to its compact size, widespread English, and easy public transport, but a few details help you plan smarter. Here are the essentials on costs, getting around, language, safety, and when to go.

• Affordability: Expect mid-range meals at €15–25 (coffee €2–3, pastizzi under €1) and hotels from roughly €90–150 per night in mid-range properties, higher in summer, with Gozo often a little cheaper.
• Transport: Historic centres are very walkable; buses cover the islands (use a Tallinja card), ride‑hailing is plentiful, driving is on the left with narrow roads and traffic, and ferries link Valletta with Sliema/Three Cities plus both fast passenger and car ferries to Gozo.
• Language: Maltese and English are official, English is widely understood and signage is bilingual, with many locals also speaking some Italian.
• Safety & comfort: Very safe for families and solo travellers, with petty theft mainly in busy spots; summer heat and strong sun are the main hassles (carry water, start early), take care near cliffs and rocky swims, and note festa fireworks can be loud at night.
• Crowds: Peak season is June–August (hot and busy), April–May and September–October are ideal shoulder months, winters are quiet, and Valletta can swell on cruise days—book the Hypogeum and other top sites well in advance.

Travel in Malta is straightforward thanks to its compact size, widespread English, and easy public transport, but a few details help you plan smarter. Here are the essentials on costs, getting around, language, safety, and when to go.

• Affordability: Expect mid-range meals at €15–25 (coffee €2–3, pastizzi under €1) and hotels from roughly €90–150 per night in mid-range properties, higher in summer, with Gozo often a little cheaper.
• Transport: Historic centres are very walkable; buses cover the islands (use a Tallinja card), ride‑hailing is plentiful, driving is on the left with narrow roads and traffic, and ferries link Valletta with Sliema/Three Cities plus both fast passenger and car ferries to Gozo.
• Language: Maltese and English are official, English is widely understood and signage is bilingual, with many locals also speaking some Italian.
• Safety & comfort: Very safe for families and solo travellers, with petty theft mainly in busy spots; summer heat and strong sun are the main hassles (carry water, start early), take care near cliffs and rocky swims, and note festa fireworks can be loud at night.
• Crowds: Peak season is June–August (hot and busy), April–May and September–October are ideal shoulder months, winters are quiet, and Valletta can swell on cruise days—book the Hypogeum and other top sites well in advance.

In Malta, seasonality swings from mild, green springs and autumns ideal for sightseeing to scorching, busy peak-summer months, with a calmer, locally focused winter. The sea is warmest from late summer into early autumn; festa season peaks in summer but runs through much of the warmer months.

• Shoulder Season (Apr–May & Sep–Oct): Pleasant 20–26°C, greener countryside, manageable crowds, relaxed vibe; best for touring temples and GoT sites (warmest seas in autumn).
• High Summer (Jun–Aug): Very hot 28–35°C+ with strong sun; busiest and priciest; lively festa fireworks and late nights—sightsee early/late and pause at midday.
• Winter (Nov–Mar): Mild 12–18°C with wind and occasional storms; quieter and good value; more local life and culture, fewer beach days.

In Malta, seasonality swings from mild, green springs and autumns ideal for sightseeing to scorching, busy peak-summer months, with a calmer, locally focused winter. The sea is warmest from late summer into early autumn; festa season peaks in summer but runs through much of the warmer months.

• Shoulder Season (Apr–May & Sep–Oct): Pleasant 20–26°C, greener countryside, manageable crowds, relaxed vibe; best for touring temples and GoT sites (warmest seas in autumn).
• High Summer (Jun–Aug): Very hot 28–35°C+ with strong sun; busiest and priciest; lively festa fireworks and late nights—sightsee early/late and pause at midday.
• Winter (Nov–Mar): Mild 12–18°C with wind and occasional storms; quieter and good value; more local life and culture, fewer beach days.

Day 3: Gozo day—temples, citadel and Dwejra
Gozo moves at a gentler pace: ancient stones, hilltop views and dramatic coast. It’s a full, satisfying day if you start early.

• Morning: Drive or bus to Ċirkewwa for the Gozo ferry before 9:00 (cars speed things up; drive on the left). Head straight to Xagħra for Ġgantija Temples and the excellent visitor centre—older than Stonehenge, best appreciated with the museum context first. Pause for coffee in Xagħra’s square.
• Midday: Explore Victoria’s Citadel and its museums; lunch on Gozitan ftira or rabbit stew if you’re curious about a local classic. If you missed Hypogeum tickets, ask at the Gozo Museum of Archaeology—very occasionally, last‑minute slots are released there for the next day.
• Afternoon: Continue to Dwejra Bay; take an Inland Sea boat (weather permitting) and learn about the Azure Window’s 2017 collapse—now a renowned dive site. If seas are rough, switch to Ramla Bay and Calypso Cave outlook, or the Ta’ Ċenċ cliffs; wear sturdy shoes and watch footing on uneven limestone.
• Evening: Catch sunset at Xlendi’s cliff path or the narrow inlet at Wied il‑Għasri, then ferry back. Prefer to linger? Stay overnight in a farmhouse for starry skies and a slower morning departure; buses run late but check reduced winter schedules.

Notes to fine‑tune your three days

• In peak summer, front‑load outdoor sites (7:30–11:00 and 17:00–20:30) and keep interiors for midday.
• On solstice/equinox dates, consider swapping one sunrise to Mnajdra’s alignment event (pre‑booked, sells out fast).
• Heritage Malta’s Multisite Pass saves money if you’re doing several temples and museums (Hypogeum excluded).
• Always ask permission at religious houses, respect “no photography” rules, and never touch megaliths.

• No rail to Malta. Nearest major railheads are in Sicily:
  • Catania Centrale and Siracusa for Trenitalia services (e.g., from Rome ~9–11 hrs by day train; overnight options available).
  • Continue by bus to Pozzallo port for the ferry to Valletta.

By Car

• No road links to Malta. Vehicles can be shipped on the Sicily–Malta high‑speed ferry (Valletta–Pozzallo/Catania).
  • Approximate drives: Catania–Pozzallo ~1h40; Palermo–Pozzallo ~4–4.5 hrs.
• In Malta, driving is on the left. Car hire is widely available at MLA and in major towns.

If you love ancient history, coastal beauty and living culture, Malta delivers in a compact, easy-to-explore package. From prehistoric temples and Baroque fortresses to Season 1 Game of Thrones sets, the islands blend depth with pop‑culture sparkle. English is widely spoken, the weather is generous, and short travel times make it effortless for varied travellers.

• History lovers: Walk Baroque Valletta and Mdina’s walls where the Knights forged Europe’s frontier and stories still echo.
• Prehistory buffs: Explore temples older than the Pyramids and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum—book early for this underground marvel.
• TV & film fans: Track Season 1’s first King’s Landing at Mdina Gate, Fort Manoel and Fort Ricasoli; Dwejra’s arch is gone, but the dive site thrills.
• Scenery seekers: Honey‑coloured stone, sheer cliffs and cobalt bays—from Dingli to Gozo’s lanes—serve golden‑hour views daily.
• Active travellers: Hike coastal paths, kayak hidden coves and dive Dwejra’s collapsed Azure Window rubble reefs teeming with life.
• Foodies: Feast on pastizzi, fenkata (rabbit), fresh Marsaxlokk seafood and village festa treats, paired with local wines.