Malta, Gozo & Comino 8-Day Explorer
Stay in Sliema, Mdina, and Gozo to experience historic cities, prehistoric ruins, and the Blue Lagoon.
A classic twin-island route. Spend the first four nights in Sliema to explore Valletta, the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, the Three Cities, and the south coast. Next, spend a night in Mdina to experience the quiet charm of the ancient capital after dark. Finally, spend two nights on Gozo, taking an early boat from Mġarr Harbour to Comino to beat the crowds. This moderately paced itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors with a week-long holiday. Car rental is highly recommended for the Gozo portion.
June and September are the best months for swimming. The Blue Lagoon gets very crowded in July and August, and ferry schedules are reduced in winter.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival & Sliema Promenade
Malta（Sliema & Tigné Point、St. Julian's & Spinola Bay）
Take a taxi from the airport to Sliema (approx. 30 mins). After checking in, walk along the seaside promenade to St. Julian's.
Stay: Sliema
Day 2 · Valletta: City of the Knights
Malta（Valletta、St. John's Co-Cathedral、Upper Barrakka Gardens & Saluting Battery、Grandmaster's Palace、Fort St. Elmo & National War Museum）
Take the ferry from Sliema to Valletta (approx. 10 mins). Explore the historic city entirely on foot, and return by ferry or bus in the evening.
Book tickets for St. John's Co-Cathedral online. You can watch the noon gun salute at the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
Stay: Sliema
Day 3 · The Hypogeum & Three Cities
Malta（Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum、Tarxien Temples、Birgu (Vittoriosa) & the Three Cities、Fort St. Angelo）
Take a bus or taxi to Paola (approx. 30 mins). After visiting the Hypogeum, walk to the Tarxien Temples, then transfer to Birgu.
The Hypogeum limits visitors to 80 per day. Tickets are only sold on the official website and must be booked 2–3 months in advance.
Stay: Sliema
Day 4 · South Coast Temples, Fishing Village & Natural Pool
Malta（Blue Grotto、Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra Temples、Marsaxlokk、St. Peter's Pool）
Loop around the south coast using buses and taxis (20–40 mins per leg). Hiring a driver or renting a car for half a day is a great time-saver.
Visit the Blue Grotto first as boat trips depend on sea conditions. St. Peter's Pool requires swimming off the rocks; do not enter if the sea is rough.
Stay: Sliema
Day 5 · Mosta to Mdina Overnight
Malta（Rotunda of Mosta、St. Paul's Catacombs、Mdina、Dingli Cliffs）
Travel with your luggage by bus or taxi via Mosta to Rabat (approx. 1 hour). Head to Dingli Cliffs in the afternoon to watch the sunset.
Mdina is at its most peaceful in the evening and early morning after the day-trippers have left.
Stay: Mdina & Rabat
Day 6 · Ferry to Gozo: The Citadel & Red Sand Beach
Malta（Ġgantija Temples、Ramla Bay、Gozo & Cittadella）
Take a taxi to Ċirkewwa (approx. 40 mins), then a 25-minute ferry to Mġarr Harbour. Rent a car on Gozo for self-driving.
Ferry reservations are not required. Foot passengers buy their return tickets on the Gozo side when heading back.
Stay: Victoria (Gozo)
Day 7 · Early Boat to Comino & Gozo West Coast
Malta（Blue Lagoon, Comino、Basilica of Ta' Pinu、Dwejra Bay & Inland Sea）
Take an early boat from Mġarr Harbour to Comino (approx. 20 mins). Return at noon and drive about 20 minutes to Gozo's west coast.
Before landing, you must obtain a free time-slot pass in advance on blcomino.com.
Stay: Victoria (Gozo)
Day 8 · Morning Salt Pans & Return to the Mainland
After returning your rental car, take the ferry back to Ċirkewwa, then a taxi to the airport (approx. 1 hour). Allow 2.5 hours for the entire journey.
Ferries may be delayed in rough weather. It is best to book a flight departing in the afternoon or later.