Malta Travel Guide: Itinerary, Food, Temples, Festivals & Tips

Planning a trip to Malta? This small Mediterranean island packs in ancient history, stunning coastlines, incredible food, and vibrant festivals.

Fort St Angelo in the harbour at Malta

This guide is your central hub – everything you need to plan your trip to Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

Quick Travel Overview

Best time to visit: April–June, Sept–Oct

Currency: Euro (€)

Language: Maltese & English

Best for: History, island hopping, food, solo travel

shop front - food in Malta

Start Here: Malta Itinerary

If you’re short on time, this is your best entry point:

➡️2 Days exploring Malta

Covers:

  • Valletta highlights
  • Mdina (Silent City)
  • Blue Grotto
  • Transport + practical tips

Looking for the full list of experiences?

Costumed re-enactors in Malta in traditional Maltese guard uniforms

➡️Explore Gozo, Comino and Malta

Includes:

Beaches & coastal views

Boat trips

Historic cities

Island hopping

Ancient History & Temples

Malta is home to some of the oldest structures on Earth.

➡️Ancient Temples of Malta: 5,000-Year-Old Wonders

Explore:

Ġgantija Temples

Ħaġar Qim

Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum

The stone blocks of Ħaġar Qim are massive, irregularly shaped slabs of coralline limestone, a coarse, porous rock that has eroded over millennia, giving the surfaces a pitted, uneven texture. The largest blocks weigh several tons, with some exceeding 5 meters in length.

Food in Malta

Food is one of the most underrated parts of visiting Malta.

➡️Food in Malta: The Ultimate Guide to Traditional Maltese Food

Covers:

Pastizzi

Rabbit stew

Seafood

Local cafés and dining culture

caffe giordino in Malta folks sitting under umbrellas at a cafe enjoying pastries and coffee in Valletta

Festivals & Culture

Malta is one of Europe’s most festival-heavy destinations.

➡️5 Amazing Malta Festivals and Celebrations to See

Expect:

Religious festas

Fireworks

Music festivals

Cultural events year-round

A festival in Malta with very colourful costumes and parade

Solo Travel in Malta

Malta is one of the easiest and safest places to travel solo in Europe.

➡️Ultimate Malta Solo Travel Guide: What to Expect

Includes:

Safety

Getting around

Costs

What to expect culturally

The harbour at Malta with several sailing boats with colourful sails in the water

Travel Tips for Malta

Buses are cheap but slow — plan extra time

Renting a car helps for Gozo

Book temple sites in advance (especially Hypogeum)

Malta gets VERY hot in summer

English is widely spoken — easy for first-time travelers

A vibrant harbor with things to do in Malta, boats docked along the pier, surrounded by buildings and a statue, with people walking about on a sunny day.

Suggested Malta Itinerary

2–4 days:

Day 1: Valletta + Three Cities

Day 2: Mdina + Blue Grotto

Day 3: Gozo

Day 4: Comino (Blue Lagoon)

Aerial view of a clear turquoise sea with a boat and swimmer near a rocky coastline, showcasing things to do in Malta.

How to Use This Guide

Start with the 2-day itinerary

Add Gozo/Comino for longer trips

Use food + festival guides to enrich your trip

Countries I’ve Lived In

Some European destinations became more than just places I visited — they became home. Living in these countries allowed for a slower pace of travel and a deeper understanding of daily life and regional differences.

➡️ Explore Spain

➡️ Explore Italy

➡️Explore France

➡️Explore the UK

➡️Explore Ireland

➡️Explore Northern Ireland

Exploring Europe, Global Food and Living Abroad

Check out this page for Living Abroad in Europe

Exploring Europe

Start here for a Europe Travel Guide

European Highlights

Visit Global Food for all cuisine‑focused journeys

Author

  • Irish‑Canadian writer and food entrepreneur based in Donegal, spotlighting women in history from witches to world‑shakers and the cultures that shape them. With a degree in Anthropology and Women’s Studies and 30+ years writing about food and travel alongside running food development businesses and restaurants I seek out what people eat as clues to how they live. A mobility‑challenged traveler who has called ten countries across Europe home, I write candid, practical guides to Ireland, the UK, and Europe; to living abroad; and to accessible travel for those with hidden disabilities and historic women’s places to visit so you can explore confidently and authentically.

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