12-Day Malta Itinerary: Beaches, Lagoons & Cliffs

I solo travelled to Malta a year ago and it remains one of my favourite destinations, I even wrote about it being one of my top three: Best Places to Visit in Europe: My Top 3 Cities from Studying Abroad in Germany. Despite visiting at the end of October/beginning of November, the temperature was incredible, the vibes were great, and the sea was still swimmable.

Malta was the first stop on my 2-ish month “no plan” solo travel trip I took to celebrate finishing my master’s thesis. I had been wanting to visit Malta during my entire year living in Stuttgart, but I never found the time (and cheap flights) until the very end!

I bought a one-way flight to Malta for 20 euro (+ 20 euro for carry-on, smh), booked 2 nights in a hostel, and off I went with little-to-no plan! While I originally planned to stay a few days, explore the main sights, and fly back to mainland Europe – I loved it so much that I stayed for almost 2 weeks!

Packing for this trip was the hardest (and somehow the easiest) as I had to pack for all seasons. Where was I going to travel to after this? While Malta and most of southern Europe was still mid-to-high 20s, the rest was quite chilly. I obviously packed all the items I mentioned in my blog post What to Pack: My 5 Clothing Essentials I Never Travel Without, with a few extra warm items.

Before diving into the 12-day Malta itinerary, here is some general trip information:

Trip Pace

This trip was very slow-paced. I would consider this 12-day Malta itinerary to be a very slow travel itinerary. I took my sweet time in the mornings and was usually back at my hostel before sunset (around 6 pm). If you have less time, you can absolutely condense this itinerary down to a week, or even less.

Where to stay in Malta

I ended up staying in St. Julian’s the entire trip, split between two hostels for about 6-7 nights each. My original plan was to move around and stay in different cities, but it was too simple to just stay in one place, especially considering the simple and cost-efficient the public transportation system.

I stayed at Marco Polo Hostel for the first half of my trip, just around the corner from Paceville. It was the perfect place to be social – I met some really cool girls in my dorm, and we hung out for the next week. The hostel had a rooftop bar/patio which made socializing super easy. The one downside is that the rooftop is the only place to eat any food that you made in the kitchen, which is inconvenient when it’s raining (or there’s a massive party going on).

I stayed at Follow the Sun Boutique Hostel for the second half of my trip. It’s located at the very edge of St. Julian’s, basically in Sliema. They had just changed the name when I visited, and it seemed newly renovated. I loved this hostel – everything was spotless, and the kitchen was the perfect size to accommodate everyone. There were lots of common areas and cozy spots to hang out. The main common room featured a long dining table, perfect for sharing meals and chatting with other travellers. I also met some really great people here!

Getting Around Malta

Fun fact: they drive on the left in Malta!

I used Malta Public Transportation almost exclusively to get around, with the occasional Uber or Bolt when the bus timings didn’t line up or a destination wasn’t along a route. I bought both the 7-day and 4-day unlimited passes, which give you unlimited bus rides within the set time frame – simply tap your card when boarding.

You can find all fares and passes on the official site by clicking here.

Overall, I loved using public transit. The routes are extensive, and buses were fairly frequent even during the off-season. That said, it wasn’t perfect, some popular routes were packed, which meant standing for 30+ minutes or even missing a bus altogether. And since not every area is well-connected, a few hidden gems were harder to reach.

If I were to do the trip again, I’d still rely mostly on public transportation. However, if I had one or more travel companions, I’d definitely consider renting a car to stop at quieter spots and explore the islands more freely.

My 12-day Malta Itinerary:

Day 1 – Three Cities and the Saluting Battery in Valletta

You can take a public ferry or a traditional dgħajsa (water taxi) across the harbor from Valletta to reach the Three Cities. I tried both, each cost just a few euros. The Three Cities are Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea (Isla), and Cospicua (Bormla), and together they form the foundation of Maltese history. These fortified towns date back to the era of the Knights of St. John, long before Valletta was even built.

Vittoriosa served as the Knights’ headquarters after they arrived in 1530, and its narrow cobblestone streets still carry that medieval charm. I spent the morning and afternoon wandering around and soaking in the quiet atmosphere.

Back in Valletta, I made sure to catch the 4 p.m. Saluting Battery. Since the 16th century, cannons have been fired daily from the Upper Barrakka Gardens to signal the time – a tradition that continues today at both noon and 4 p.m. It’s definitely worth seeing, especially with the view overlooking one of Europe’s most beautiful harbours.

Day 2 – Explore Valletta

Malta’s capital, Valletta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Europe’s smallest capitals. Built by the Knights of St. John after the Great Siege of 1565, the entire city is a masterpiece of baroque architecture.

You’ll notice how uniform yet ornate the streets are – that’s because Valletta was one of Europe’s first planned cities. This day was spent wandering the streets and enjoying the views. I also tried my first (of many) pastizzi’s – a Maltese savoury pastry usually filled with either ricotta or curried peas. I bought one from Caffe Cordina, a Valletta classic. It was delicious, though not the best pastizzi I’ve had in Malta (more on that later!)

Day 3 – The Blue Grotto and Sunset at Dingli Cliffs

Some girls from my hostel and I ventured out to the Blue Grotto for a boat tour. The Blue Grotto, near the fishing village of Żurrieq, is one of Malta’s most famous natural attractions. The sunlight reflecting off the limestone and white sand underwater creates brilliant shades of blue inside the sea caves. It is best seen in the morning when the light hits just right.

We took a bus down to the fishing village and paid 10 euro for a 20 minute boat ride. It was absolutely incredible and worth the trek out in that direction.

We then took a short bus ride to the Dingli Cliffs, Malta’s highest point located on the southwest coast of the island and hiked along a few viewpoints before settling in to watch the sunset – easily one of the best of the trip. We ended up taking a rideshare back to St. Julian’s as the bus timings did not line up with the sunset.

Day 4 – Sunday Market in Marsaxlokk and St. Peters Pool

This was one of my favourite days. We headed to the Marsaxlokk Sunday Market, held in Malta’s main fishing village. The harbour is filled with colourful luzzu boats: traditional Maltese fishing vessels with painted eyes for protection. The market sells everything from fresh fish and produce to handmade crafts. This is an absolutely must-do – and if I did it again, I would probably stay in Marsaxlokk for a night or two.

We then walked to St. Peter’s Pool, a natural swimming spot carved into the limestone coast. It’s a local favourite for cliff jumping and sunbathing, especially (only) when the sea is calm. The turquoise water here is unreal. We spent the entire afternoon here, returning back to our hostel at sunset.

Day 5 – Day trip to Blue Lagoon and Gozo

We booked an organized boat trip from St Paul’s Bay to the Blue Lagoon (Comino) and Gozo, the two smaller islands of Malta. We also had a swim stop at the Crystal Lagoon – but beware – I was stung by a jellyfish!

If I were to redo this trip, I’d only do the Blue Lagoon as part of the boat tour and visit Gozo separately, staying overnight to explore more at my own pace. The organized trip is great for tight schedules, but I wished for more time at each spot.

Day 6 – Explore Valletta (again)

After a slow morning lounging at St. George’s Bay, I headed back to Valletta with a couple of friends from the hostel. We wandered the side streets, popped into a few shops, and grabbed dinner before heading back.

Day 7 – Beach day at Ghadira Bay and sunset at Popeye Village Viewpoint

We spent the afternoon at Għadira Bay, Malta’s largest sandy beach and one of the few places with shallow water, ideal for swimming and relaxing.

Once we started losing daylight, we headed to the Popeye Village Viewpoint for sunset. The colourful seaside film set was built for the 1980 movie Popeye starring Robin Williams, and it’s still standing today as a quirky attraction. We didn’t go inside, but the view of the bay at golden hour was incredible.

If I were to visit Malta again – I would definitely go into the village for a half or full day.

Day 8 – Mostar and Mdina

I started the day in Mosta, best known for the Rotunda: a massive domed church that dominates the skyline. It’s one of the largest unsupported domes in the world, and during World War II, a bomb actually crashed through the dome during mass and didn’t explode. The locals still call it the “Miracle of Mosta,” and standing under that dome, it’s easy to see why.

From there, I took the bus to Mdina, Malta’s old capital. Known as “The Silent City,” Mdina is a beautifully preserved walled town that feels frozen in time. Its narrow limestone alleys and quiet courtyards are perfect for a slow wander. Parts of Game of Thrones were filmed here, and it’s easy to see why – the city feels like a movie set, especially as the golden light hits the stone walls in the late afternoon.

Now here is where I had the best Pastizzi of the trip. Just beside Mdina is a town called Rabat, where the bus stop is. Right around there is an unassuming place called Is-Serkin – Crystal Palace Bar. This is where you’ll find the best pastizzi’s in Malta. They’re constantly baking them so you’ll get them fresh out of the oven!

Day 9 – Laundry / personal admin day

It rained most of the day, so I took advantage and did laundry, sorted out my backpack, and caught up on travel planning. Sometimes you just need a reset day in the middle of a long trip.

Day 10 – Hike to Ta’ Kalanka Sea Cave from St. Peters Pool

This day we planned to swim at St Peter’s Pool but once we got there we realized it was way too dangerous due to the wind. We ended up hiking along the cliff to get to the Ta’Kalanka Sea Caves, which took us just about an hour.

The walk itself was gorgeous – rugged limestone cliffs, turquoise coves, and hardly anyone else around. If you like off-the-beaten-path places, this is one to add to your list.

Day 11 – Beach day at Golden Bay

Located on the northwest coast, Golden Bay is one of Malta’s most popular beaches and one of the few with soft sand. It’s backed by steep cliffs and has calm, clear water that’s great for swimming.

I spent most of the day here relaxing and swimming before sticking around for sunset, which is absolutely worth it. As the sun drops, the cliffs turn a deep golden colour (hence the name), and it’s one of the most beautiful spots to end a beach day.

Day 12 – Explore Sliema / Departure

I spent my last day exploring Sliema, the more modern side of Malta. Historically a quiet fishing town, Sliema is now full of cafés, restaurants, and shops – but it still keeps that laid-back seaside charm.

I walked the promenade from Sliema to St. Julian’s one last time, stopping for a coffee and shopped for some clothes I needed for the next part of my trip!

It was a simple, sunny ending to an unexpectedly long stay in Malta, a country I didn’t plan to fall in love with but absolutely did!

Final Thoughts on My 12 Days in Malta

Malta completely blew me away, from its turquoise swimming spots and ancient walled cities to its friendly locals and (seriously addictive) pastizzi. Even though it’s one of Europe’s smallest countries, there’s so much variety packed into these islands. I loved how easy it was to get around using public transit and how every corner seemed to have a bit of history (and sunshine).

If you’re planning a trip, I’d recommend spending at least 10–12 days so you can explore both Malta and Gozo without feeling rushed. Whether you’re into beaches, culture, or food, Malta really has a little bit of everything. This is a destination I’d return to in a heartbeat.

Thanks for reading about my trip! If you’re planning your own Malta itinerary, feel free to reach out or drop a comment below – I’d love to help you plan it!