Malta · 3 days · 17 stops
3 days in Valletta – a ready-made itinerary
Valletta is small, built by the Knights after the Great Siege of 1565, and easy to explore on foot. The plan takes you through the old town on its peninsula, by ferry across to the Three Cities, and on day three inland to Mdina and Rabat.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 17 stops
- Highlights
- City Gate and Parliament, Fort St. Angelo, Mdina, St John's Co-Cathedral, Grandmaster's Palace
- Where to stay
- Valletta, Sliema, Birgu
- Getting around
- You explore Valletta itself on foot; the streets are steep and often stepped.
- Best time to go
- Spring and autumn are ideal: warm but not hot, and in autumn the sea is still pleasant.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in Valletta
13 places you should not miss in Valletta – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
City Gate and ParliamentRenzo Piano redesigned the city gate and the parliament building in pale limestone, the opening to Republic Street.Day 1
St John's Co-CathedralPlain outside, gilded Baroque inside, with the knights' tombstones in the floor and Caravaggio's Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.Day 1
Grandmaster's PalaceThe palace of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John, with state rooms and a large armoury.Day 1
Fort St ElmoThe star-shaped fort at the tip of the peninsula, scene of the Great Siege, now home to the National War Museum.Day 1
Upper Barrakka GardensArcaded terrace above the Grand Harbour with views of the Three Cities, and the Saluting Battery below.Day 1
Fort St. AngeloThe fortress at the tip of Birgu was the knights' headquarters during the Great Siege.Day 2- Inquisitor's PalaceThe seat of the Inquisition on Malta, with courtroom, cells and living quarters, in the middle of Birgu's narrow lanes.Day 2
- Gardjola Gardens, SengleaA small garden at the tip of Senglea with the watchtower carved with an eye and an ear.Day 2
Lower Barrakka GardensA quiet garden with a neoclassical temple and a view of the harbour entrance, with the Siege Bell right next to it.Day 2
MdinaMalta's old capital on an inland hilltop, walled, with silent lanes and palaces. About 12 km from Valletta, reachable by bus.Day 3- St Paul's Cathedral, MdinaA Baroque cathedral by Lorenzo Gafà, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693.Day 3
- St Paul's CatacombsUnderground burial chambers from Roman and early Christian times, branching through the rock beneath Rabat.Day 3
- Domvs RomanaRemains of a Roman townhouse with well-preserved mosaic floors, between Rabat and Mdina.Day 3
Day 1
The old town on the peninsula
City Gate and Parliament
Renzo Piano redesigned the city gate and the parliament building in pale limestone, the opening to Republic Street.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): City Gate and Parliamentabout 5 min on foot
St John's Co-Cathedral
Plain outside, gilded Baroque inside, with the knights' tombstones in the floor and Caravaggio's Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St John's Co-Cathedralright next door
Grandmaster's Palace
The palace of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John, with state rooms and a large armoury.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Grandmaster's Palaceright next door
Is-Suq tal-Belt
The restored 19th-century market hall is now a food hall with many stalls under one roof.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Is-Suq tal-Beltabout 10 min on foot
Fort St Elmo
The star-shaped fort at the tip of the peninsula, scene of the Great Siege, now home to the National War Museum.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Fort St Elmoabout 15 min on foot
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Arcaded terrace above the Grand Harbour with views of the Three Cities, and the Saluting Battery below.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Upper Barrakka Gardens
Day 2
The Three Cities on the Grand Harbour
Barrakka Lift
The lift takes you from the Upper Barrakka Gardens down to the harbour, where the ferry to Birgu leaves.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Barrakka LiftBy ferry or a traditional dgħajsa boat across the Grand Harbour to Birgu, a few minutes.
Fort St. Angelo
The fortress at the tip of Birgu was the knights' headquarters during the Great Siege.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Fort St. Angeloabout 10 min on foot
Inquisitor's Palace
The seat of the Inquisition on Malta, with courtroom, cells and living quarters, in the middle of Birgu's narrow lanes.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Inquisitor's Palaceabout 5 min on foot
Birgu waterfront
Restaurants and cafés along the marina below the fort, looking out on yachts and Valletta.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Birgu waterfrontabout 10 min on foot
Gardjola Gardens, Senglea
A small garden at the tip of Senglea with the watchtower carved with an eye and an ear.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Gardjola Gardens, SengleaFerry back to Valletta, then along the shore to the Lower Barrakka Gardens.
Lower Barrakka Gardens
A quiet garden with a neoclassical temple and a view of the harbour entrance, with the Siege Bell right next to it.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Lower Barrakka Gardens
Day 3
Mdina and Rabat (outside the city)
Mdina
Malta's old capital on an inland hilltop, walled, with silent lanes and palaces. About 12 km from Valletta, reachable by bus.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Mdinaright next door
St Paul's Cathedral, Mdina
A Baroque cathedral by Lorenzo Gafà, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St Paul's Cathedral, Mdinaabout 10 min on foot
Rabat
The town right outside Mdina's walls is known for pastizzi, flaky pastries filled with ricotta or peas.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Rabatright next door
St Paul's Catacombs
Underground burial chambers from Roman and early Christian times, branching through the rock beneath Rabat.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St Paul's Catacombsabout 10 min on foot
Domvs Romana
Remains of a Roman townhouse with well-preserved mosaic floors, between Rabat and Mdina.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Domvs Romana
Good to know
Best time to go
Spring and autumn are ideal: warm but not hot, and in autumn the sea is still pleasant. High summer gets very hot and crowded. Winter is mild and quiet, with some windy and rainy days.
Getting around
You explore Valletta itself on foot; the streets are steep and often stepped. Ferries link the city with the Three Cities and Sliema. Buses leave from the terminus outside City Gate for the whole island, including Mdina and the airport.
Where to stay
Valletta
Right in the old town, quiet in the evening once the day visitors leave. Many small hotels in old townhouses.
Sliema
Across Marsamxett Harbour, with a promenade and plenty of places to stay. A few minutes to Valletta by ferry.
Birgu
Quieter and more traditional, looking across to Valletta. Good if you want lanes and water rather than bustle.
Ad Where to stay in Valletta? Compare prices: Valletta
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More on Valletta in our blog: Best time to visit Malta: month by month · How many days in Valletta? Plans for 1–4 days
Your plan
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Valletta: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in Valletta?
The must-see sights in Valletta are City Gate and Parliament, St John's Co-Cathedral, Grandmaster's Palace, Fort St Elmo, Upper Barrakka Gardens and Fort St. Angelo. This plan links 13 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Are 3 days enough for Valletta?
Yes, for Valletta, the Three Cities and Mdina. With more time, a trip to Gozo or to the Ħaġar Qim temples is worth it.
How do I get to the Three Cities?
Most pleasantly by ferry or dgħajsa boat from the harbour below the Upper Barrakka Gardens. The Barrakka Lift takes you down.
How do I get to Mdina?
By bus from the terminus outside City Gate. Mdina and Rabat sit right next to each other, so one trip covers both.
Can you swim in Valletta?
There are rocky bathing spots below the city walls; for sandy beaches, head to the north of the island.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Mandyy88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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