Malta Travel Guide: Harbour Cities and Islands

Malta is a group of islands in the Mediterranean. Visit Malta describes its capital, Valletta, as a World Heritage City, Mdina as an ancient walled city, and the Three Cities as harbour towns whose inlets have been in use since Phoenician times.

Most visitors stay on the main island and make day trips to Gozo and Comino. The guided tours listed on this page start from Valletta, Mdina, Sliema, Buġibba and Gozo.

Places to visit in Malta

Valletta

Valletta is Malta's capital. Visit Malta says it was started in 1566 by the Knights of St John and calls it a World Heritage City. The city grew on the Mount Sceberras peninsula, between two harbours called Marsamxett and Grand Harbour.

Mdina and Rabat

Visit Malta calls Mdina "the silent city" and describes it as an ancient walled city with a mix of medieval and Baroque architecture. Its medieval name was Città Notabile, the noble city. Just outside the walls, in Rabat, is St Paul's Grotto.

The Three Cities

Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua sit around the Grand Harbour inlets. They were the first home of the Knights of St John, so their palaces, churches, forts and bastions are older than Valletta's. Visit Malta singles out the Easter processions as the most spectacular local events.

Gozo

Visit Malta describes Gozo as a peaceful island with Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses. It has several dive sites and one of the archipelago's best-preserved prehistoric temples, Ġgantija.

Comino

Comino is a tiny island with just one hotel and is otherwise uninhabited. Its Blue Lagoon is described as a day out by boat. In winter, Visit Malta suggests the island for walkers and photographers.

Getting to Malta

Visit Malta says Malta is a few hours' flying time from most mainland European cities. Malta International Airport is the airport used for the islands, and there is also a scheduled ferry from several Mediterranean ports.

From the airport, Malta Public Transport runs Airport Direct buses. Route TD4 goes to Valletta and the Gozo Fast Ferry, and route TD1 serves Rabat, Buġibba, Mellieħa and Ċirkewwa. The airport says the official taxi services for the Maltese Islands are provided by Malta Taxi.

Getting around

Valletta has a central bus terminal split into zones. Zone A has routes to southern destinations, Pembroke Park and Ride and Buġibba, Zone B serves the north and Zone C serves central locations. Check the operator's timetable for the route you need.

To reach Gozo, the Gozo Channel ferry crosses from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr Harbour in about 25 minutes. It runs as often as every 30 minutes during the day, but the timetable changes from season to season. The ferry takes foot passengers and vehicles. A separate fast ferry between Valletta and Mġarr carries foot passengers only.

When to go to Malta

Summer

Visit Malta describes the climate as having hot, dry summers.

Winter

Visit Malta describes mild winters. It also suggests Comino in winter for walkers and photographers.

What to book ahead

• Check the Gozo ferry timetable for your travel dates, because it varies from season to season.
• If you plan to visit the Three Cities at Easter, look up the dates of the processions in advance.
• Boat trips to Comino and the Blue Lagoon run on each operator's schedule; confirm the departure day before you plan the rest of your route.
• Guided tours run on fixed days; check dates before fixing your route.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements depend on your nationality and change over time. Check the current rules on the Identità (Identity Malta) website before you book, and confirm again shortly before you travel.

Official source: Identità Malta, Central Visa Unit.

Frequently asked questions

Is Malta one island?

Malta is a group of islands. Visit Malta covers the main island, Gozo and Comino, and says you can spend your whole stay on Gozo or Comino or visit them as a side trip.

How do I get to Gozo?

The Gozo Channel ferry runs between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr and takes foot passengers and vehicles. A separate fast ferry links Valletta and Mġarr for foot passengers only. Check the current timetable before you go.

Do people live on Comino?

Visit Malta describes Comino as tiny, with just one hotel, and otherwise uninhabited. Its Blue Lagoon is described as a day out by boat.

What is Mdina known for?

Mdina is an ancient walled city that Visit Malta calls "the silent city". It mixes medieval and Baroque architecture, and its medieval name was Città Notabile.

Do I need a visa for Malta?

It depends on your nationality. The Maltese immigration authority, Identità, publishes the current rules, so check its website before you book.