5 day trips from Valletta, Malta

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Malta is a tiny island nation, measuring only 27x14km. Its size makes it easy to get around, and all of the top attractions can be seen on day trips from the capital, Valletta. You can read my itinerary for 2 days in Valletta, and then if you have longer in the country here are 5 fun day trips to see more of Malta on a visit to this beautiful little country.


Malta’s main island (home to Valletta) neighbours the island of Gozo, so it’s just a short hop across the water to visit it (there are regular ferries from Ċirkewwa). Gozo encompasses storybook scenery, beautiful cliffs, and it’s even smaller than the main island, so you can see many of its prime sights in a day. Making a full day trip of a visit to Gozo will enable to you to see a lot of what the island has to offer, whether that’s hiking the coastal path for sea views, bike riding through the windy streets, visiting the sites, or taking a boat trip around the Inland Sea to see some impressive cliff faces.

All roads on Gozo lead to The Citadel and on a clear day it can be seen from almost anywhere on the island. Much of it now lies in ruins but some buildings have been restored and it is interesting to visit with amazing views and an incredible history involving Barbary Corsairs, Saracen Raiders, Knights of St John and others.

The beautiful Citadel

I also recommend visiting the Ta’Pinu Basilica. It’s located in the middle of nowhere, but the basilica is an important pilgrimage site for the Maltese people. In 1883, a local woman heard the voice of the Virgin Mary from what was then just a chapel – a series of further miracles followed so the villagers built the church bigger and bigger to honour the Virgin Mary – being completed in 1931.

The beautiful Ta’Pinu Basilica

Also in Gozo you can visit the Marsalforn salt pans. These salt pans are over 350 years old, and span over 3km. The pans are still utilised today by several families, and during the high season you can purchase some from vendors at the side of the road.

The Gozo salt pans

The Dingli Cliffs are are the highest point on the Maltese Islands, and are a great place for a windswept walk. I’ll be honest – they were a little underwhelming, but still worth a visit. You can also lunch on local Maltese delicacies like rabbit stew at Bobbyland, overlooking the beautiful sea views. I don’t think the cliffs need a full day, so a nice leisurely start and a post-lunch walk means it won’t take too much time out of your schedule.

You could also add in a boat trip visit to the Blue Grotto, and a visit to Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Prehistoric Temples, which are a bit like an undercover mini Stone Henge!

At the Prehistoric Temples

Mdina, also called the Silent City, is surrounded by fortified walls and sits on top of one of the highest hills of Malta. Stone walls encircle the narrow lanes, and much of its original Medieval architecture has been preserved. It feels like an Arabic citadel, with beautiful mansions and convents – and the restaurants on the city walls are perfect for lunch. Whilst there, you could visit the cathedral, Bishop’s palace, or the National Museum of Natural History.

After lunch head on to the neighbouring village of Rabat, which feels rural and local. It’s also home to an excavated Roman villa and some spooky catacombs – in use up to the 4th Century AD, they represent the earliest archaeological evidence of Christianity in Malta.

If you have children with you (or if you don’t in my case), then the Playmobil Fun Park is a great trip out. A short bus ride to the middle of nowhere will bring you to a Playmobil production factory. There are tours around the factory where you can see Playmobil being made, as well as make your own characters! There are also a number of themed rooms with lots of Playmobil to play with, and a few outdoor areas as well with giant dinosaurs and the like. The big kid in me loved it!

At the Playmobil Fun Park

Marsaxlokk is home to Malta’s biggest fish market, selling everything from sharks to oysters. The market happens on a Sunday, where you’ll find brightly painted fishing boats bobbing in the harbour and delicious food to indulge in at the harbourfront restaurants. Though it’s also worth visiting on other days of the week, when it is much more tranquil and you can see the fishermen fixing their nets in the harbour. Overall though, I’d say you don’t need more than half a day here and I’d prioritise other day trips above it.

Exploring Marsaxlokk


And that rounds off 5 day trips from Valletta which will enable you to explore more of beautiful Malta. Thank you so much for reading – stay safe and happy travelling!

29 responses to “5 day trips from Valletta, Malta”

  1. Great selection! If I had time only for one day trip, I would probably choose Gozo. Love that basilica standing alone in the middle of nowhere and the salt planes are rather beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you so much 🙂 I definitely think Gozo is the highlight, for sure – and well worth a visit. Thanks for reading and have a great evening.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Lovely photo’s! You just reminded me why we should go back … we’ve missed the Playmobil Fun Park 😁. It’s amazing how such a small island can have so many things to see – thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks guys! hahahaha it’s a must see – so you definitely have to go back! 🙂 I know, it’s a real gem of an island. Thanks for commenting and have a nice evening 🙂

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  3. Looks like such a great place to visit!

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    1. Thanks Lyssy, it’s a beautiful little island. I hope you’re enjoying the post tax deadline downtime 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I visited Malta over two years ago, and I had a wonderful time. I did 4 of the 5 day trips you included in this post, and Marsaxlokk has got to be the most-memorable. That, and enjoying a cup of tea and cake in Mdina, overlooking views of Mosta…I have lovely memories of my time in the small, island-nation, and I’m very glad you shared this otherwise underrated part of Europe!

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    1. Ah it sounds like you really explored the island 🙂 I agree, I think it’s definitely underrated, and well worth a visit. Hope all is well with you over in LA and that you’re able to get out and about exploring a bit. It’s so nice here to be able to go on staycations again! Thanks for reading and have a great day.

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  5. […] I found it to be a fascinating visit, and 2 days is enough to do Valletta justice, a great itinerary for which is below. We then spent the rest of our week in the country doing day trips to other sites and relaxing. You can find my post on the best day trips from Valletta here. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Love the coastal views and salt pans. Gozo looks like a place I would enjoy. I’ll have to add Malta to my every growing travel bucket list.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much! Gozo is really beautiful and Malta definitely worth making it to the list. Oh I know what you mean about the ever growing bucket list….mine is completely unachievable now lol! Have a good day 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. What a great place to explore! Beautiful captures!

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    1. Thanks so much Jyothi. Thanks for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Maltese sounds like a combination of Italian and Arab, the cities look Middle Eastern, the churches and cathedrals look Greek and Roman, they drive on the left side, and you’ll see red phone booths scattered around (mostly in the capital, Valletta). I would love to visit Malta one day and visit Popeye Village, too! Thanks for sharing and have a good day. Aiva 🙂

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    1. Oh you’re so right Aiva, it definitely has all of those influences and that’s what makes it so special. I didn’t make it to the Popeye village so hopefully one day I can read your report on it 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and you have a lovely day too.

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  9. Wow, turns out I don’t know much of anything about Malta. What a neat collection of sites in such a small place!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ahh well then I’m glad to show you some new places. It’s definitely worth a visit with lots of fun things to do on the island. Thanks for reading Diana and have a good day 🙂

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  10. Joe

    Great Post! I’m planning a trip for June if its on the green list. Thanks Han!

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    1. Oh I’m so pleased if it can help you plan a trip – I hope you have a wonderful visit!

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  11. Looks wonderful, Hannah ~ so much to see and do on that small island! And, I always love old world architecture, too. Thank you for sharing, my friend ~ have a splendid weekend 😊🌹

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    1. Thanks so much Phil, hope you have a wonderful weekend too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Maria

    Hi I live in Malta and thank you for showing more to my country than sunshine. We have a lot of history and activities to see and I appreciate you showing that

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Maria, thank you so much for your lovely words – to get a compliment like that from someone who lives in Malta is the best I could ask for. I hope you have a lovely evening 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Gorgeous pictures!! 😍 I have never been to Malta but always been very curious about this tiny island! Would love to check it out one day, and hte fish market sounds like an incredible experience! 😊 Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s a beautiful little island and well worth a visit – I hope you get to visit one day 🙂 Have a good Monday!

      Liked by 2 people

  14. Mdina really is a must see when on Malta. I can also really recommend a short hike along the cliffs around the Golden Bay 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Sadly because Covid I can’t Travel anymore for my blog that I just started. Feels really sad that I have to wait before planning a new travel journey 😦

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  16. Malta has so much to offer and you’ve captured some great things here for Valetta – the stunning capital of the country. Thanks so much

    Malta… islands in the sun

    Liked by 1 person

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About the author

Hi! My name is Hannah, I’m a travel blogger from the UK who fits travel around a full time (and full on) job. In this blog I share my adventures around the world and hopefully help you to find some inspiration for destinations, things to do or places to stay. Thanks for stopping by – stay safe and happy travelling.

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