Malta is a sun-soaked Mediterranean archipelago between Sicily and North Africa, renowned for its ancient fortified cities, crystal-clear waters, and 7,000 years of history. This UNESCO World Heritage jewel blends baroque architecture, prehistoric temples, and vibrant coastal life into one of Europe's most captivating destinations.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Gozo Island
Malta's sister island is slower-paced and greener than the mainland, built around the Citadel in Victoria and the salt pans and fishing villages along its coast. The ferry crossing itself is part of the experience, and most visitors rent a car or scooter on arrival since Gozo's sights are spread out. A day here covers a walled hilltop town, a working harbour, and a coastline shaped by quarrying and salt production.
Highlights: Ggantija Temples dating to 3600 BC among the world's oldest freestanding structures · Victoria Citadel with panoramic island views and baroque cathedral · Dwejra Bay and Blue Hole world-class diving site · Xlendi Bay swimming and Gozitan seafood lunch · Local gbejniet sheep cheese, indigenous wine, and artisan crafts
Comino and Blue Lagoon
Comino is a mostly uninhabited islet between Malta and Gozo, visited almost entirely for the Blue Lagoon, a shallow sandy-bottomed inlet with clear turquoise water. There is very little else on the island beyond a fort ruin and some walking tracks, so this is a swimming and boat-trip day rather than a sightseeing one. It gets extremely crowded in summer because boat operators run continuous shuttles from both Malta and Gozo.
Highlights: Blue Lagoon turquoise swimming waters with white sandy seabed · Crystal Lagoon on the quieter western side of the island · St Mary's Tower 17th-century watchtower · Snorkeling in crystal-clear Mediterranean waters · Walking trails across Comino's wild interior
Marsaxlokk and Southeast Coast
Marsaxlokk is a working fishing harbour known for its rows of brightly painted luzzu boats and a large Sunday fish and produce market along the waterfront. The southeast coast around it is flatter and more rural than the rest of Malta, with the Blue Grotto sea caves and the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temple complexes within easy reach. It's a lower-key day built around seafood, a market, and prehistoric sites rather than a single headline attraction.
Highlights: Sunday morning fish market from 7am to 1pm with the freshest catch · Colorful luzzu fishing boats with painted protective eyes · St Peter's Pool natural rock swimming holes with cliff jumping · Fresh seafood waterfront lunch at local taverns · Blue Grotto sea cave boat trips just minutes away
Mdina and Rabat
Mdina is Malta's former capital, a walled hilltop city of narrow lanes and honey-coloured limestone buildings with almost no permanent residents left inside its walls, earning it the nickname the Silent City. Rabat, just outside the walls, is the livelier working town that grew up around it and holds the catacombs and churches connected to Mdina's history. Together they make a compact half-day-plus-lunch trip built around walking, not a checklist of paid sights.
Highlights: Mdina medieval Silent City with only 250 permanent residents · St Paul's Cathedral ornate baroque interior · Rabat underground catacombs including St Paul's and St Agatha's networks · Crystal Palace pastizzeria for authentic 50-cent pastizzi · Fontanella Tea Garden panoramic views with famous chocolate cake · Roman Villa and Museum with well-preserved floor mosaics
Victoria Lines and Northern Malta
The Victoria Lines are a chain of British-built defensive fortifications running along a natural fault line across the width of Malta, best experienced as a walking or hiking route rather than a single site. The surrounding northern towns, particularly Mosta with its landmark rotunda church, give the day a mix of walking and a specific architectural stop. This suits visitors who want to get outdoors and see rural inland Malta rather than another town centre.
Highlights: Victoria Lines 19th-century British defensive fortification wall crossing Malta · Mosta Dome one of the largest unsupported church domes in the world · Naxxar town square and Palazzo Parisio formal ornamental gardens · Ghajn Tuffieha Bay unspoiled sandy beach with dramatic headlands · Salina Salt Pans for birdwatching and sunrise photography
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized full-day tours to Gozo from $45-65/person including guide and transport; half-day Valletta tours from $30
- Private
- Private car hire with driver from $120/half day for custom routes; useful for Gozo or temple circuits
- Public
- Malta Public Transport bus network covers all main day trip destinations; 7-day pass €21 covers unlimited travel including Gozo ferry bus connections
- Rental
- Car rental from $25/day useful for Gozo (rent on arrival at Gozo ferry terminal) and accessing remote north Malta beaches
Multi-day tours from Malta
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from MaltaWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early — most popular day-trip destinations get crowded by mid-morning.
Check return transport times before you leave — missing the last train or bus can be costly.
Carry water, snacks, and layers — weather and food options can be limited at smaller destinations.