5 Days in Malta: My Easy Itinerary From Birgu to Valletta (Plus the Blue Lagoon)
I spent 5 days in Malta at the very end of summer, and it turned out to be one of the easiest, prettiest stops of my whole Europe trip. Honey-colored streets, harbour views from my window, €3 boat rides and the clearest water I have seen in a long time.
This is not a "see everything in Malta" guide. I didn't rent a car, I didn't rush, and I skipped the resort strip completely. I split my time between Birgu and Valletta, did one boat day to the Blue Lagoon, and treated myself to one fancy night. If that sounds like your kind of trip, here is exactly how I did it.
My 5 Days in Malta at a Glance
• Day 1: Arrive, check in and walk the harbour in Birgu
• Day 2: A slow day in Birgu
• Day 3: Lunch in Senglea, then a traditional boat to Valletta
• Day 4: Blue Lagoon on Comino plus a quick Gozo stop
• Day 5: Valletta, then fly to the next destination
I landed on the evening of Day 1, so it is really 4 full days and 4 nights. Perfect for a first time in Malta.
My Malta Itinerary, Day by Day
Day 1: Arriving in Birgu
My flight got in during the evening, so Day 1 was all about checking in and finding food. Birgu is one of the Three Cities, right across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, and it feels much calmer than where most visitors stay. I dropped my bags, walked along the waterfront and had a late dinner by the boats. Low effort, great start.
Day 2: Getting Lost in Birgu
I woke up to the Grand Harbour right outside my window, and that kind of set the mood for the whole day. Birgu is small, so you don't need a plan. I just wandered. The old town is full of painted doors, narrow alleys and those traditional Maltese balconies, the enclosed wooden ones that make every corner look like a postcard.
Back at my hotel I had coffee by the big window facing the harbour. Later I found buy-1-get-1 cocktails along the waterfront at sunset. Two Aperols for the price of one with the harbour in front of you. I don't need much more than that.
Day 3: Senglea Lunch and the €3 Boat to Valletta
Senglea is the next town over and worth a quick stroll, mostly for the views back across the water. I had lunch on a terrace there, then did my favorite little thing of the whole trip: crossing to Valletta on a dgħajsa, the traditional Maltese wooden boat.
It cost €3 per person one way, took about 10 minutes, and I paid the boatman directly. There was also a €10 option for a 30-minute harbour cruise if you want more time on the water. It is way more fun than a taxi, and arriving in Valletta from the sea is the best first look at the city.
Day 4: Blue Lagoon and a Quick Gozo Stop
Boat day. The Blue Lagoon on Comino is the photo you have probably seen a hundred times, and yes, the water really is that clear. I swam, floated around and had pizza with a view near the lagoon. Simple, a little touristy, still happy.
The tour also stopped in Gozo for a short visit. It was more of a quick taste than a proper explore, so if you love slow island days, Gozo deserves its own full day on a longer trip.
A small heads up: the lagoon gets crowded around midday. Bring water shoes and go for the water, not for a quiet beach moment.
Day 5: Michelin Breakfast and a Valletta Walk
My last day started with breakfast at ION Harbour, the two-Michelin-star restaurant inside my hotel in Valletta. I had red mahi-mahi with caviar (at breakfast, yes) and a full spread, with the Grand Harbour right in front of me. It is a splurge, but it is one of those meals I still think about.
Then I walked Valletta properly. The city is compact, so you can see the highlights on foot:
• The iconic facades and the red phone box
• Colorful balconies on almost every street
• Upper Barrakka Gardens for the best Grand Harbour view
• Republic Square, with the Bibliotheca and the Queen Victoria statue
One last sunset over the harbour, and then it was time to fly home.
Where to Stay in Malta: Where I Actually Stayed
I picked two bases with two very different vibes, and I would do it the exact same way again.
Birgu: IBB Hotel Palazzo Bettina
A centuries-old palazzo in Birgu's old town with a big window facing the Grand Harbour. Staying in the Three Cities instead of Sliema or St Julian's was my best decision in Malta. It is usually cheaper, it is prettier, and you still get harbour views. Valletta is just a €3 boat ride away.
Valletta: Iniala Harbour House
For my Valletta nights I stayed at Iniala Harbour House, Malta's only Forbes Five-Star hotel and home to ION Harbour. Think harbour-view suite, a balcony over the water and an underground pool. I wrote a full diary of my stay if you want all the details: Iniala Valletta: A Diary of My First Stay in Valletta Malta.
You can compare prices for both areas on here:
If you want the view without Valletta prices, check Birgu and Senglea first.
Booking Your Malta Trip: Flights, eSIM and Tours
The not-so-glamorous but very useful part. This is what I would sort out before landing.
Flights to Malta
Malta has one international airport (MLA) with good connections to most European cities, including plenty of budget routes. Search your flight options from your country here and keep your dates flexible, since moving a day or two can change the price a lot.
eSIM for Malta
Set up an eSIM before you fly so you have data the second you land, for maps, the boat and bus info, and the happy hour apps I mention below. Saily e-sim has Malta and Europe plans you can install at home in a few minutes.
Blue Lagoon and Malta Tours
The easiest way to do the Blue Lagoon is a boat tour from Malta, and many of them add a Gozo stop like mine did. Compare options on Klook here and read the recent reviews for notes on crowds and boat size.
Malta Travel Tips That Saved Me Money
• Stay in the Three Cities, not the resort strip. Cheaper, prettier, harbour views.
• Take the €3 boat between Birgu and Valletta. It is transport and a mini harbour tour in one.
• Plan around buy-1-get-1 happy hour. It usually runs around 5 to 8pm, and in Sliema it was 12 to 6pm when I was there. My favorite spots: St Julian's seafront, Valletta Waterfront, and Birgu for the view. The cloudigo and MaltaVents apps help you find deals. Order the pricier cocktail first and time it with the sunset.
• Splurge on one thing, not everything. For me it was one hotel and one Michelin breakfast.
• Go to Upper Barrakka Gardens at golden hour. Best free view in Valletta.
Is Malta Worth It?
For me, yes. Malta is small enough that 5 days feels relaxed, the boats make getting around fun, and you can mix cheap days with one special night without breaking your budget. Prices and opening hours change, so double check the boat fares and happy hour times before you go.
Malta Travel FAQ
How many days do you need in Malta?
Four to five days is a good first trip. It gives you time for Valletta, the Three Cities and one boat day to Comino. Add a day or two if you want to explore Gozo properly.
Is it better to stay in Birgu or Valletta?
I liked doing both. Birgu is quieter and usually cheaper with great harbour views, while Valletta puts you closest to the sights and restaurants.
How much is the boat from Birgu to Valletta?
When I went, the traditional boat was €3 per person one way and took about 10 minutes. You pay the boatman directly.
If you are planning your own trip and have questions, send me a message on Instagram @tarrylaurensia. Happy to help. This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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