Itinerary Malta

May is an excellent time to visit Malta: expect plenty of sunshine, warm but not scorching temperatures (22–25°C), and fewer crowds ahead of peak summer. This is ideal for both beach relaxation and exploring the islands’ rich history.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	$700
🏨 Accommodations	$1,750
🧳 Gear	$150
🗺️ On-site	$750
Total	$3,350

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇲🇹 Valletta - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ St. John’s Co-Cathedral ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Malta’s baroque masterpiece with stunning gilded interiors and Caravaggio artworks. Arrive early to avoid crowds; modest dress required.

• [ ] 🏰 Grandmaster’s Palace & Armoury ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Former seat of the Knights of St. John; explore lavish halls and the impressive collection of arms.

• [ ] 🌳 Upper Barrakka Gardens ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Panoramic harbor views, lush gardens, 16:00 daily Saluting Battery cannon firing. Great for sunset.

• [ ] 🏛️ National Museum of Archaeology ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Exhibits prehistoric treasures from Malta’s ancient temples.

• [ ] 🏙️ Valletta Waterfront ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Stroll vibrant promenade, humming with cafés and restored 18th-century warehouses.

• [ ] 🏙️ Republic & Merchant Streets ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Main arteries of the city—boutique shopping, cafés, architecture.

• [ ] 🎨 MUŻA - National Community Art Museum ⭐ (~1h)

  • Malta’s top art museum housed in a historic auberge.

• [ ] 🏙️ Manoel Theatre ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • One of Europe’s oldest working theatres; see a production if possible.

• [ ] 🏙️ Fort St. Elmo & National War Museum ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Key fortress with immersive displays on Malta’s military history, including WWII.

• [ ] 🌳 Lower Barrakka Gardens ⭐ (~40min)

  • Peaceful, less-visited spot with views of the harbor.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Bridge Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Jazz nights with locals & travelers, tucked below city walls; atmospheric outdoor seating.

• [ ]🍸 The Pub Valletta ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Legendary watering hole with WWII stories—former haunt of actor Oliver Reed.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Is-Suq tal-Belt (Food Market) ⭐⭐⭐

  • Vibrant stalls inside a restored 19th-century market hall; Maltese ftira & seafood, around $15–25.

• [ ] 🍜 Rubino ⭐⭐

  • One of Malta's oldest restaurants; traditional rabbit stew, $20–30.

• [ ] 🍜 Guzé ⭐⭐

  • Modern Maltese cuisine in a centuries-old building, $30+.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🚤 Harbor cruise (~2h)

  • Beautiful at sunset; great overview of Valletta's fortifications.

• [ ] 🛍️ Ta’Qali Crafts Village (~2.5h)

  • For local glass and filigree souvenirs.

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🇲🇹 Mdina & Rabat - 1 day

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏰 Mdina Old City ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Atmospheric medieval city (‘Silent City’); wander its glowing golden alleyways.

• [ ] 🏛️ St. Paul’s Cathedral Mdina ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Ornate cathedral with painted ceilings.

• [ ] 🏙️ Mdina Ditch Gardens ⭐ (~40min)

  • Enjoy serene gardens and city rampart views.

• [ ] 🏛️ Domus Romana ⭐ (~1h)

  • Ruins of a Roman villa, with exquisite mosaics.

• [ ] 🏙️ Rabat Catacombs (St. Paul’s & St. Agatha’s) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Explore the ancient Christian underground cemeteries.

• [ ] 🏛️ Wignacourt Museum ⭐ (~1h)

  • Baroque building above the catacombs, with relics and WW2 shelters.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Fontanella Tea Garden ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Famous for cakes, drinks, and panoramic views atop Mdina’s bastions.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Bacchus Restaurant ⭐⭐
  • Lively, historic restaurant in ancient city walls; local specialties, $25–40.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Verdala Palace (Buskett Gardens) (~1h)
  • Scenic exterior photo stop (interior guided tours rare).

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🇲🇹 Gozo - 1 day

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🌳 Ramla Bay ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Gozo’s finest red-sand beach, safe for swimming.

• [ ] 🏛️ The Citadel (Victoria) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Imposing hilltop fort with sweeping island views.

• [ ] 🛕 Ggantija Temples ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • UNESCO-listed megalithic temples older than Egypt’s pyramids.

• [ ] 🌳 Dwejra Bay & Inland Sea ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Dramatic coastline: natural arches, cliffs, diving, and boat trips.

• [ ] 🏙️ Victoria Old Town ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Charming alleys, main square, local shops and bars.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Il-Kastell Wine Bar (Victoria) ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Local wines, craft platters in a medieval setting.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Ta’ Rikardu ⭐⭐⭐
  • Renowned for Gozo cheese and ftira; budget $15–25.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🌳 Xlendi Bay (~1h)
  • Tranquil seaside village for a relaxing late afternoon.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇲🇹 Valletta

• [ ] 🎬 Murder on the Orient Express (2017) — ⭐ 6.5 — Some scenes filmed in Valletta — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 📺 By the Sea (2015) — ⭐ 5.3 — Starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (filmed partly on Malta’s coast) — Netflix

🇲🇹 Mdina & Rabat

• [ ] 📺 Game of Thrones (S1) (2011) — ⭐ 9.2 — Mdina's gates and alleys featured as King's Landing — HBO Max

🇲🇹 Gozo

• [ ] 🎬 Clash of the Titans (1981) — ⭐ 6.9 — Dwejra’s Azure Window (filmed before its collapse) — Amazon

🍜 Local specialties

🇲🇹 Valletta

• [ ] Pastizzi (flaky pastry with ricotta or peas)
• [ ] Lampuki pie (fish pie)
• [ ] Rabbit stew (fenek)
• [ ] Bigilla (bean dip with bread)

🇲🇹 Mdina & Rabat

• [ ] Maltese ftira (rustic bread with toppings)
• [ ] Stuffat tal-fenek (rabbit stew)
• [ ] Imqaret (date-filled pastry)

🇲🇹 Gozo

• [ ] Ġbejniet (Gozo cheeselets)
• [ ] Gozitan ftira (oven-baked sandwich)
• [ ] Kusksu (broad bean soup)

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇲🇹 Valletta

1. 🌤️ St. John’s Co-Cathedral
2. 🌙 Bridge Bar
3. 🛍️ Republic Street
4. 🏨 Palazzo Consiglia
5. 🍽️ Is-Suq tal-Belt

🇲🇹 Mdina & Rabat

1. 🌤️ Mdina Old City
2. 🌙 Fontanella Tea Garden
3. 🛍️ Mdina Glass Shop
4. 🏨 The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux
5. 🍽️ Bacchus Restaurant

🇲🇹 Gozo

1. 🌤️ Ramla Bay
2. 🌙 Il-Kastell Wine Bar
3. 🛍️ Victoria Main Square
4. 🏨 Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz
5. 🍽️ Ta’ Rikardu

✈️ Transport to book

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

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Valletta	3	Palazzo Consiglia (4*)	$1,050
Mdina/Rabat	1	The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux	$350
Gozo	1	Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz (5*)	$350
Total	5		$1,750