Our 7 Tips to Make the Most of a Short Trip to Malta
This tiny nation deserves a ridiculously long itinerary. But if you only have a short time, there are ways to make each day count in Malta.
And no, the goal is not to rush to every historical site on both islands, do a lightening round of beach visits (yes, Malta does have beaches), or scurry through old towns like a tourist gone mad. On the contrary, it means quite the opposite; slowing down, being intentional with our planning choices, and providing ourselves with authentic experiences that allow us to connect to the places we visit and the people we meet.
If you take our advice, you will leave Malta after a few days, but Malta will never leave you. Here’s how:
#1: Don’t Go to Gozo, Stay there!
Compared to the island of Malta, Gozo is smaller and less-visited by travelers. This means
a,) You will use less time dodging crowds of tourists on gozo (I saw no crowds at all on Gozo)
b.) The sites are even more geographically concentrated with shorter travel times between locations.
c.) You’re more likely to get that small village vibe where a local band club is the happening place to be and the person making your bajtra is the great-grandson of the original owner of the place.
#2: Stay in Mdina on Night One
Arrive at the gate of Mdina at night (more on that in the blog) after you have spent the day wandering around beautiful Valletta. Doing this allows you to enjoy Mdina, a highlight of all of Malta, at night after the tour buses have left and in the morning before the next wave of tourists arrive. Truly a magical experience.
#3: Bolt > Buses
Malta and Gozo both have great bus systems and normally I would say “use public transport” when visiting another country. However, due to your short time, I recommend getting the Bolt app. This provides you with flexibility in your itinerary and maximizes your exploration time, rather than having to adjust to a specific schedule (which causes downtime) and waiting at bus stops. Just be aware that in almost all cases the Bolt will be more expensive than a bus, and budget accordingly. (of course, the more people in the car with you the more affordable it gets per person. In August of 2025, my trips ranged from $8 to $25, with the average trip about $13 per ride.
#4: You’re Gonna Need a Smaller Boat
If the budget allows, book a private boat tour for the Blue Lagoon (or at least the smallest boat you can find). Everyone goes to the Blue Lagoon because it is amazing. You should go too. But to maximize time, a private tour is best. That way, you will be able to swim at the lagoon for as long as you want. Likewise, when you have had your fill, you can depart for the next stop and not be tied to a larger tour’s schedule, waiting for the standard time at the lagoon to be spent. We spent about 1.5 hr at the lagoon, then moved on to caves (some too small for the larger boats to fit in), sea tunnels, arches, a mini tour of Gozo’s coast, and one other beach stop too!
#5: Be There, In the Square
Plan to be in a town during their local festival. There are at least 80 annual village festivals in Malta and Gozo every year, with higher counts into the 120s when you add in other types of festivals. Many of the festivals are celebrations of the patron saint of the town itself and showcase unique traditions of the town with music, dance, games, and local food specialties. Some even have fireworks! Attending one of them is a great way to experience local culture in a Detourist way. Check out our short guide and a schedule festas by village! And this site for more on the history of the celebrations and some unique examples.
#6: First Stop = Bag Drop
Do NOT check-in to your hotel immediately after you land in Valletta, unless you are staying smack dab in the center of Valletta on your first night (also not recommended, see #4). Instead use a bag drop site in Valletta so you can store your bag and get straight to exploring. We booked a locker at the luggage storage at 15a St. Lucia using stowyourbags.com,
#7: Plan Time for Local Advice
Yes, the Detour Lab has done a lot of research; we loved our trip to Malta and our fully-packed sample itinerary. And yes, we have local advice embedded throughout it in lots of ways. But there is no better way to make the most of a short trip than to do as the locals do. And to do that, you need to have the time available. Block off a specific period of time somewhere within your itinerary where you have no plans. Maybe it'll be something you heard about at the pastizzi shop the day before. Maybe it’ll be a museum your Bolt driver described. Intentionally leaving a specific block of time for local suggestions, makes it more likely that you will take on local advice if and when you receive it. And in Malta, there’s a lot of friendly, helpful, and sincere local advice.
Pictured: Local suggested pastizzi shop
General Note: Like any short trip, it is important that you spend some time prioritizing what you want to see on the islands of Malta and Gozo before boarding your flight. For example, I chose Mdina over Rabat, Marsaxlokk over St. Julian’s, the coastline of Gozo over the coastline of Malta. I knew I would have to visit Birgu next time. Do some research so that you have a sense of what your must-sees are and what you are willing to miss for now. It’s always a very tough choice, but it's one best done beforehand so you are not second guessing your plan while you’re living it.
There’s much more info about this wonderful gem in our Malta blog, included our suggested Malta itinerary with special suggestions for accommodations, restaurants, boat tours, and more!