Our 9 days itinerary for visiting Malta

We went to Malta in July/August 2022 for our summer vacation. During this period, the temperature was around 40 degrees, so keep that in mind. We stayed for 9 days in the city of Sliema, which is next to the capital, Valletta. We chose this location because it is well-connected to the rest of the island, and we wanted to explore different places.

Here is our 9 days itinerary for visiting Malta!

Day 1 – Sliema

Hotel

On the first day, we arrived in Malta in the afternoon and drove to our hotel, Plaza Regency, which was only a 20-minute drive away. We booked a room with breakfast. The room was clean, with a view of the city and the water. The rooftop had a pool with plenty of sunbeds, which we enjoyed during our stay. The breakfast was decent, with a variety of bread, toppings, juices, and fruits, but it became a bit repetitive after a few days.

Explore the city

After checking in and unpacking, we explored the city. We walked along the boulevard, where we found many “beach bars” and several small sandy beaches where people were swimming. We used our phone to find a relaxed place to have a healthy meal and ended up at a waterfront chain called “eeet well,” where we had wraps, salad, and drinks. We noticed a lack of good supermarkets and bakeries during the day, making it a bit challenging to find a place to buy water. For dessert, we got a waffle with ice cream from a small cart by the water before heading back to the hotel to get some rest.

Day 2 – Valletta

Boattrip to Valletta

On the second day, we explored the capital, Valletta. We took a ferry from the harbor in Sliema to Valletta, which cost 3.80 euros for a round trip. Although you can also take a bus, the ferry provides a scenic view of the water. Valletta, the smallest capital in Europe, is easily walkable, especially in the summer heat. Some places to visit in Valletta include the National War Museum, Lower Barrakka Gardens, Upper Barraka Gardens, Valletta waterfront, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Siege Bell Memorial, Triton Fountain, and St. Georg’s Square.

We ended the day in the city center, enjoying Italian food at Str.Eat in St. Georg’s Square, before slowly making our way back to Sliema by boat.

Day 3 – Blue Lagoon

Comino

On the third day, we planned a boat trip to the Blue Lagoon with one of the many companies in the harbor. The boat departed at 11:00 from the Sliema harbor, which was just a short 10-minute drive for us. The boat journey took about an hour to reach Comino Island, home to the famous Blue Lagoon of Malta.

Be prepared for significant crowds, especially during holiday periods when visiting the Blue Lagoon. Despite the crowds, it is worthwhile to experience at least once. We had an hour to explore, take photos, and take a dip in the crystal-clear water. However, caution is advised, as the Blue Lagoon is often teeming with small jellyfish. You could choose to stay on the boat or snorkel around it. The crew made efforts to remove the jellyfish from around the boat and also fed the fish, which was entertaining to watch.

Gozo

Afterwards, the boat departed for the coast of Gozo Island. It anchored for an extended period, providing a great opportunity for swimming without encountering jellyfish. We had rented snorkeling gear from the boat, as it was enjoyable to explore the water. Unfortunately, there was no option to go ashore on the island, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. Other boat tours and day tours may offer that possibility. Ensure you bring plenty of sunscreen, as you’ll be in the sun for the entire day with limited shade.

On our boat, unlimited drinks were provided, and we were served food twice. Initially, a modest healthy sandwich, followed by a buffet with a variety of food options where you could serve yourself. Overall, this day was a great success, and we would do it again – a long day of enjoying the water, the sun, and the stunning views.

Day 4 – Relax

After several days of exploration, we decided to take a day to relax at the hotel and in Sliema. We spent time in the sun on the rooftop terrace, swam, strolled around Sliema for lunch and dinner. However, we found the prices to be higher than expected, resembling those in the Netherlands. Going out to eat wasn’t as cheap as in Spain, Greece, or Croatia.

Day 5 – Popeye Village and Beach

Popeye Village

On the fifth day, our destination was Popeye Village, and we chose to take the bus for the journey. The trip from Sliema took approximately 1.5 hours, and unfortunately, the bus was quite crowded, requiring us to stand for the duration as it quickly filled up. There was one transfer involved for a bus specifically heading to Popeye Village.

Popeye Village is a unique theme park, offering visitors the chance to explore a genuine Hollywood film set. It gained fame as the filming location for the popular movie Popeye in 1980. Upon arrival at Popeye Village, we first headed to the viewpoint opposite the park, where we took extensive photos under the scorching sun.

While Popeye Village serves as an amusement park with various activities, including exploring the quaint houses, sitting on terraces, and even swimming, we found the admission cost to be relatively high during the peak season. The entrance fee was 24 euros for adults and teenagers, and 16 euros for seniors and children aged 3 to 12. Considering this, we opted to return to the bus and head back to the original bus stop.

Mellieha Bay

Following our visit to Popeye Village, we took a bus to Mellieha Bay. This beach is characterized by its large size, white sand, and shallow blue waters. Upon arrival, we decided to rent two beach beds for a nominal fee. We spent the remainder of the day relaxing, lying in the sun, and swimming.

We brought along some snacks and a book to enjoy while lounging on the beach. Additionally, there were numerous beachside establishments where you could grab a bite for lunch. As the day came to an end, we boarded a bus back to Sliema, concluding the day as a resounding success.

Day 6 – Marsaxlokk and St. Peter’s Pool

Marsaxlokk

On Sunday, we visited the renowned market in Marsaxlokk, known for its colorful fishing boats lining the harbor. This market is easily accessible by bus, so we headed there in the morning. The market offered a vibrant array of items, including clothing, goods, and fresh produce like fruits, vegetables, bread, and fish.

While exploring, we couldn’t resist grabbing a few sandwiches for lunch. Throughout our visit, we continued to capture photos, as the surroundings were exceptionally beautiful. The lively atmosphere and diverse offerings made the Marsaxlokk Market a delightful experience.

St. Peter’s Pool

From the market in Marsaxlokk, we had the option to embark on a walk to St. Peter’s Pool, a unique location where one can leap into the water from cliffs. Despite being a popular spot for tourists, reaching St. Peter’s Pool can be challenging as there is no direct bus service. Instead, it involves approximately a 45-minute walk from the market.

After lunch, we decided to undertake the journey on foot. The path led uphill, and under the scorching sun, it proved to be quite an expedition. Upon arrival, we indulged in a refreshing swim in the clear blue waters. Keep in mind that there is minimal shade, and the terrain mainly consists of rocks, so caution is advised both during the walk and while swimming.

As you climb out of the water, you navigate along rocks, so having water shoes might be a prudent choice. Despite the challenges, we found the experience to be truly worthwhile. Afterward, we retraced our steps back to Marsaxlokk and caught a bus back to Sliema.

Day 7 – Relax

After a few days of exploration, we decided to take another day to relax in Sliema. We walked around, had food, and spent time swimming and reading by the hotel.

Day 8 – Blue Lagoon 2

Blue Lagoon

As Blue Lagoon remained one of the most breathtaking spots for us in Malta, we decided to make a return trip. We opted to take the bus to Cirkewwa, a town in the northern part of Malta, and then catch the ferry to Blue Lagoon. While the ferry was quite touristy, it operated frequently between 8:00 and 18:00, and the round-trip fare averaged around 7 euros.

Upon reaching Comino Island, we chose to enhance our experience by renting a jet ski. In addition to jet ski rentals, the island offered various water activities such as parasailing, banana boat rides, and more. Riding the jet ski between Comino and Gozo on the stunning blue water proved to be an exhilarating experience.

Following our watersport adventure, we sought a quieter spot on the island to bask in the sunny weather. However, due to the high volume of visitors, we ended up finding a spot on the rocks along the side. Although not the most comfortable, we managed to endure it for a while. Similar to our previous experiences, there was minimal shade, and one needed to be cautious not to injure their feet on the rocks.

The transparent water revealed occasional jellyfish, warranting attention. We took turns enjoying the water, and unfortunately, someone had to stay by the belongings at all times. Despite the less than ideal conditions, the overall experience was still memorable, surrounded by the beauty of the clear blue water.

Day 9 – Relax

On the last day, we relaxed again by the pool, had a meal in Sliema, and considered swimming at a bay but decided to enjoy the hotel instead. There are still plenty of things to do on the island, so it’s understandable if you want to make the most of the last day!