Itinerary Malta

May is an excellent time to visit Malta: warm, sunny weather, pleasant sea temperatures, and not overly crowded.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	900 USD
🏨 Accommodations	850 USD
🧳 Gear	100 USD
🗺️ On-site	950 USD
Total	2800 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇲🇹 Valletta - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ St. John’s Co-Cathedral ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Baroque masterpiece with Caravaggio; buy tickets in advance to skip the line.

• [ ] 🏰 Grandmaster’s Palace & State Rooms ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Former seat of the Knights; impressive armory and decor.

• [ ] 🌳 Upper Barrakka Gardens ⭐⭐⭐ (~0.5h)
  Stunning views over the Grand Harbour; perfect photo spot.

• [ ] 🎨 National Museum of Archaeology ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Prehistoric artifacts detailing Malta’s ancient roots.

• [ ] 🏙️ Explore Republic Street & Merchants Street ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Lively for shopping and cafés, local culture.

• [ ] 🏛️ MUŻA (Malta’s National Art Museum) ⭐ (~1h)
  Wide collection of Maltese and European art.

• [ ] 🏰 Fort St. Elmo & National War Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  Key historic site at the tip of Valletta peninsula.

• [ ] 🌳 Lower Barrakka Gardens ⭐ (~0.5h)
  Quieter garden with lovely harbor views.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Bridge Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Atmospheric spot with live jazz on Fridays, views of the Grand Harbour.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Is-Suq tal-Belt ⭐⭐⭐
  Food market with Maltese and Mediterranean street food; ~20 USD/meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Casa Rocca Piccola (~1h)
  Private palace and living museum. Optional for those keen on noble Maltese history.

---

🇲🇹 Mdina & Rabat - 1 day

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏰 Mdina Old City Walls ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Walk the "Silent City" for medieval charm and panoramic views.

• [ ] 🏛️ St. Paul’s Cathedral (Mdina) ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Baroque interior in Malta's original capital.

• [ ] 🌳 Howard Gardens ⭐ (~0.5h)
  Lovely green space separating Mdina and Rabat.

• [ ] 🎨 Domus Romana ⭐ (~0.5h)
  Roman villa ruins with impressive mosaics.

• [ ] 🏙️ Rabat Historic Centre ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Explore narrow streets with vibrant local cafés.

• [ ] 🏛️ St. Paul’s Catacombs ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Ancient subterranean burial site — guided tours recommended.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Fontanella Tea Garden ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Famous for its cakes and sunset views over Malta.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Baccettun Bar ⭐⭐⭐
  Family-run for local Maltese fare and rabbit stew; ~25 USD/meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🌳 Buskett Gardens (~1h)
  Only woodland in Malta; tranquil and green.

---

🇲🇹 Gozo & Comino - 1 day

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏰 Cittadella, Victoria (Gozo) ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Hilltop fortress with sweeping island views — heart of Gozo’s history.

• [ ] 🏛️ Gozo Archaeology Museum ⭐⭐ (~0.5h)
  Artifacts from prehistoric to medieval times.

• [ ] 🌳 Ramla Bay Beach (Gozo) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Red-gold sands, crystal waters — ideal for sunbathing and swimming.

• [ ] 🏙️ Xlendi Bay Village ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  Charming bay for seaside strolls and lunch.

• [ ] 🌳 Blue Lagoon, Comino ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Stunning turquoise waters accessible by boat — best for swimming and snorkeling. Arrive early to avoid crowds.

• [ ] 🎨 Ta’ Pinu Basilica (Gozo) ⭐⭐ (~0.5h)
  Impressive sanctuary and pilgrimage site.

• [ ] 🏰 Ggantija Temples (Gozo) ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  UNESCO-listed megalithic temples older than Stonehenge.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Zeppi’s Pub (Gozo) ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  Popular with locals and travelers, live folk music sometimes; check ferry times for return.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Ta’ Rikardu (Victoria, Gozo) ⭐⭐⭐
  Traditional Gozitan cheese platters and ftira; ~18 USD/meal.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Marsalforn Bay (Gozo) (~1h)
  Seaside promenade, good for relaxed evening walk or a sunset drink.

---

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇲🇹 Valletta

• [ ] 🎬 Agora (2009) — ⭐ 7.2 — Ancient Alexandria filmed in Malta’s fortified cities — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Game of Thrones (S1, 2011) — ⭐ 9.2 — Valletta and Mdina as King’s Landing — HBO Max

🇲🇹 Mdina & Rabat

• [ ] 🎬 World War Z (2013) — ⭐ 7.0 — Scenes filmed in Mdina’s city walls — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 📺 The Dovekeepers (2015) — ⭐ 6.4 — Epic miniseries, Mdina backdrop — CBS

🇲🇹 Gozo & Comino

• [ ] 🎬 Swept Away (2002) — ⭐ 3.6 — Filmed on Comino’s beaches — Amazon Prime

---

🍜 Local specialties

🇲🇹 Valletta

• [ ] Pastizzi (flaky pastry with ricotta or peas)
• [ ] Stuffat tal-fenek (rabbit stew)
• [ ] Lampuki pie (fish pie)

🇲🇹 Mdina & Rabat

• [ ] Bigilla (bean dip with crusty bread)
• [ ] Qassatat (pastries with spinach/cheese)
• [ ] Helwa tat-Tork (Maltese nougat-like dessert)

🇲🇹 Gozo & Comino

• [ ] Ġbejna (Gozitan cheese)
• [ ] Ftira (Gozitan pizza-bread)
• [ ] Kapunata (Maltese ratatouille)

---

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇲🇹 Valletta

1. Upper Barrakka Gardens
2. Bridge Bar
3. Republic Street (shopping)
4. The Phoenicia Hotel
5. Is-Suq tal-Belt

🇲🇹 Mdina & Rabat

1. Mdina Old City Walls
2. Fontanella Tea Garden
3. Rabat Market
4. Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux
5. Baccettun Bar

🇲🇹 Gozo & Comino

1. Ramla Bay Beach
2. Zeppi’s Pub (Gozo)
3. Marsalforn Bay
4. Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz (Gozo)
5. Ta’ Rikardu

---

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Valletta (Malta International Airport)
• [ ] ⛴️/🚌 Valletta → Gozo (via Cirkewwa Ferry)
• [ ] 🚅/✈️ Valletta → London

---

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Valletta	2	The Phoenicia Malta (4⭐)	500 USD
Mdina/Rabat	1	Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux	200 USD
Gozo/Victoria	1	Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz	150 USD
Total	4		850 USD