Malta: 5-Day Tours Package with Gozo Island and Transfers

Malta packs an astonishing amount into a small island, and this five-day package gives you a clear route through its grand harbor cities, old capital, fishing villages, and sister island of Gozo. You’ll see St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Mdina’s stone walls, the Ggantija Temples, and Marsaxlokk’s colorful boats without having to arrange a new excursion each morning.

I like the wide range of included sights, especially the combination of famous monuments and smaller places such as the Three Cities and Ta’ Qali Artisan Village. I also like the practical setup: hotel or nearby pickup, air-conditioned transport, ferry tickets, several admission fees, and two lunches are built in.

The main caution is the pace and the guide format. Some days may use a multilingual guide, with commentary in up to two languages, so explanations can feel brief. Pickup times also vary, and a late start can mean less time at a market or viewpoint.

Five useful things to know before booking

• Five different touring days: You get two full-day outings and three half-day trips, usually over five consecutive days.
• Malta’s major sights are covered: Valletta, Mdina, the Three Cities, Gozo, Marsaxlokk, Mosta, Rabat, and the Blue Grotto area all appear in the program.
• Several costly admissions are included: St. John’s Co-Cathedral, St. Cataldus Catacombs, Mosta Church, Ggantija Temples, and the audiovisual show are covered.
• Gozo requires an early start: The day includes transport to the ferry, a round-trip crossing, Victoria, the Citadel, Ggantija, Xlendi Bay, and Dwejra Bay.
• Boat rides can change with the weather: The Three Cities harbor trip is included when conditions allow. Blue Grotto and Dwejra boat trips are optional and paid for locally.
• Dress and footwear matter: Churches require covered shoulders and suitable clothing, while comfortable shoes help on stone streets, fortifications, and uneven paths.

Five days that give you Malta’s big picture

At $323 per person, this package offers a useful way to price out a Malta holiday. You are not paying only for sightseeing. The fee also covers daily transport, a licensed guide, several entrance tickets, the Gozo ferry, a traditional harbor boat ride, and lunch with wine on both full-day trips.

That can be good value if you want the main sights without renting a car or working out Malta’s transport system. The tradeoff is control. You follow a fixed schedule, share transport, and may spend time waiting while groups are sorted by language. One person reported a delay of about 50 minutes on a Valletta pickup, while another found that the groups moved well once organized.

You should also expect pickup between 8:00 and 9:15 in the morning, not necessarily at the activity start time shown when you book. Confirm the exact location and time with the operator a few days ahead. Wait outside the hotel entrance or at the stated meeting point. The vehicle will not go inside to search for you, and it will not wait for late arrivals.

Valletta, where Malta’s story begins in stone

The Valletta half-day tour is a strong opening because it introduces the island through its capital and its fortified setting. You’ll see bastions, grand buildings, palaces, and views over the Grand Harbour, all packed into a compact historic center.

The visit includes St. John’s Co-Cathedral, one of the most important stops in the package. Its interior is far more ornate than Valletta’s plain honey-colored exterior suggests. The included ticket matters here, since the cathedral is one of the places where an admission fee can quickly add to the cost of an independent day.

You’ll also visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens. This is a good place to understand Valletta’s position above the harbor and to take in the Three Cities across the water. The audiovisual show adds a broad introduction to Malta’s past, though the tour’s multilingual setup may mean that commentary is divided between languages.

Allow yourself patience at the start of the day. Groups may be sorted according to language, and explanations can be fairly condensed when one guide is speaking to two language groups. If you want every detail, note the places that catch your interest and return to Valletta later at your own pace.

Mdina, Rabat, and Mosta in one full day

The full-day trip to Mdina combines old streets, religious sites, countryside views, and craft traditions. Mdina was Malta’s old capital, and its fortified lanes have a quiet, enclosed feel that contrasts with Valletta’s grand harbor setting.

You’ll have time to see the city walls and look across the island from its elevated position. The nearby village of Rabat adds a different layer, with the Catacombs of St. Cataldus included in the day. This stop is more restrained and atmospheric than a grand church visit, so comfortable shoes and an interest in early burial customs will make it more rewarding.

The route continues to Dingli Cliffs, San Anton Gardens, Ta’ Qali Artisan Village, and Mosta. Dingli offers one of Malta’s best high coastal viewpoints, while San Anton gives you a change of pace with formal gardens. Ta’ Qali is useful if you want to see local craft work rather than only major monuments.

Mosta’s Rotunda is the day’s visual high point. The church is known for its huge dome, and admission is included. The visit also helps explain why Malta’s churches are such a central part of the island’s built character.

Lunch and a glass of wine are included on this full-day outing. Extra drinks are not, so carry some cash. The meal saves you from having to search for food during a tightly planned day, but it also means you have less freedom to choose your own restaurant or dining time.

The Three Cities and a traditional harbor boat

The Three Cities tour visits Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua, historic fortified towns gathered around the creeks of the Grand Harbour. They are often overshadowed by Valletta, but this is one of the better parts of the program for seeing how Malta’s harbor communities developed beyond the capital.

Expect churches, piazzas, walls, and old architectural details rather than a single blockbuster sight. The appeal is the setting and the connections among the three towns. You get a more local scale here, with narrow streets and waterfront views replacing Valletta’s formal avenues.

The included boat ride takes place aboard a traditional Maltese frejgatina. From the water, the harbor defenses make more sense, and you can see the creeks from the same angle that shaped Malta’s maritime life. Weather can cancel the boat portion. If that happens, the schedule shifts toward more time in the Three Cities, so the outing still has a useful backup.

This is a half-day tour, and lunch is not included. Plan to eat before or after, depending on the timing given to your group. The half-day format is convenient because it leaves some room for your own plans, but it also means the city visits are introductory rather than slow and thorough.

Gozo, ancient temples, and two different coastlines

Gozo is the longest and most varied day. You’ll cross by ferry from Malta, visit Victoria and the Citadel, see the Ggantija Temples, and stop at Xlendi Bay and Dwejra Bay. Round-trip ferry tickets, transport, entry to Ggantija, lunch, and a glass of wine are included.

Victoria is Gozo’s main town, while the Citadel is its most commanding historic site. The medieval fortress gives you high views and a compact cluster of old buildings. You should expect walking on stone surfaces and some uphill movement, which is one reason this package is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Ggantija is a major archaeological stop. The enormous stone structures offer a direct look at Malta’s prehistoric past, and the included entry makes the visit easier to fit into the day. You will not have unlimited time at every site, but the route gives you a useful sweep of Gozo rather than keeping you in one town.

The coastal stops show two different kinds of scenery. Xlendi Bay is a striking inlet, while Dwejra Bay and the Inland Sea are linked to Malta’s unusual coastal geology. An optional boat trip at Dwejra can be paid for locally, but it depends on favorable weather and water conditions. Bring cash if you might want it, and treat it as an extra rather than a guaranteed part of the day.

Gozo pickup is not included if you are staying on Gozo. This package is designed for pickup in Malta, followed by transport to the ferry. Confirm the details carefully, since the Gozo day can involve a transfer arrangement that differs from the other mornings.

Marsaxlokk, Qrendi, and the Blue Grotto area

The Marsaxlokk outing is a shorter tour with a strong coastal and village focus. Marsaxlokk is Malta’s largest fishing harbor, lined with brightly painted luzzu boats. The colors and working harbor setting give you a more everyday view of the island than the monumental streets of Valletta.

The open-air market is part of the appeal, but timing matters. If you arrive around midday, many stalls may already be packing up. The market can also be closed when a public holiday falls on a Sunday. In that case, you spend more time in Marsaxlokk itself, which still gives you the harbor and village atmosphere but less market browsing.

The route also includes Qrendi and the Blue Grotto area. The Blue Grotto is best understood as a viewpoint and coastal stop unless you choose the optional boat ride. That boat is paid for locally and operates only when the weather is suitable. Do not count on it as the central reason to book this day.

Like the Three Cities outing, this half-day tour does not include lunch. That is easy to manage, but you should have cash and a plan for food. The trip is a good match for you if you like harbor scenes, colorful boats, and short stops. It is less suitable if you want a long, unhurried market visit.

Guides, languages, and the rhythm of the days

The package offers guides in English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. The same booked language is used throughout the tours, but the guide may speak two languages. Spanish departures may use a Spanish-speaking guide when available, or an English-speaking guide with a Spanish-speaking host translating.

That arrangement keeps the package available to more people, but it affects the depth of the commentary. I would choose this experience for access and structure rather than for long, specialist-level talks at every monument. Several people found the guides professional, warm, and enthusiastic about Maltese architecture and culture, while one Spanish-language experience felt too basic because the bilingual explanations took time.

The strongest operational points are the transport and organization. Pickup messages are sent daily, groups are arranged by language, and the vehicles are air-conditioned. One solo participant found the clear daily information reassuring, and that is useful if you are traveling alone or prefer not to manage unfamiliar transfers yourself.

Still, build in patience. A five-day package with several languages and different pickup areas cannot run with the precision of a private car. Confirm each morning’s details and get outside early.

What to bring and what the price really covers

Wear shoes that can handle stone streets, fortifications, church floors, and uneven ground. Carry cash for optional boat trips, extra drinks, and meals on the half-day outings.

Church dress rules are important. Short skirts, sleeveless shirts, and see-through clothing are not allowed, so pack a light cover-up if needed. Large bags, oversize luggage, and pets are not permitted.

The package does not include hotel pickup and drop-off on Gozo, lunches on the three half-day tours, or the optional Blue Grotto and Dwejra boat rides. It also does not cover extra drinks with the two included lunches.

At $323, I see the best value for someone who wants a guided introduction to Malta and Gozo in five organized days. You receive enough included admissions and transport to make the cost reasonable, especially if you would otherwise book several separate excursions. If you prefer lingering at one site, choosing your own cafés, or changing plans around the weather, a self-planned trip may suit you better.

Should you book this five-day Malta package?

Book it if you want to cover Malta’s main sights without driving, ferry planning, or daily research. It suits first-time visitors, solo visitors who value organized transport, and anyone with only five days who wants both Malta and Gozo included.

Think twice if you need wheelchair access, dislike early pickups, or want detailed commentary in only one language. Also reconsider it if the Marsaxlokk market or optional boat rides are your main goals, since timing and weather can limit those parts.

For most visitors, the smart approach is to treat this as a broad first look at Malta. You’ll see the major landmarks, understand the shape of the islands, and learn which places deserve a slower return visit.

FAQ

How long does the package last?

The package covers five tours over five consecutive days, with the overall activity duration listed as five to seven days depending on availability and scheduling.

What places are included?

The tours visit Valletta, Mdina, Rabat, Dingli Cliffs, San Anton Gardens, Ta’ Qali Artisan Village, Mosta, the Three Cities, Gozo, Victoria, the Citadel, Ggantija, Xlendi Bay, Dwejra Bay, Marsaxlokk, Qrendi, and the Blue Grotto area.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included at hotels or the closest meeting point in Malta. Pickup from hotels on Gozo is not included.

What time will pickup be?

Pickup can take place between 8:00 AM and 9:15 AM, depending on your accommodation and the day’s activity. The time shown at booking is an approximate activity start time, so confirm the exact pickup details a few days beforehand.

Which languages are available?

Guided tours are available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. Commentary may be provided by a multilingual guide using up to two languages.

Are meals included?

Lunch with a glass of wine is included on the two full-day tours, covering the Mdina day and the Gozo day. Lunch is not included on the three half-day tours.

Are the boat trips included?

The traditional frejgatina harbor trip during the Three Cities visit is included when weather permits. The Blue Grotto and Dwejra Bay boat trips are optional, paid for locally, and dependent on favorable weather.

What admissions are included?

The package includes entry to St. John’s Co-Cathedral, St. Cataldus Catacombs, Mosta Church, and the Ggantija Temples. It also includes the audiovisual show ticket and round-trip Gozo ferry tickets.

Can wheelchair users join?

The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Comfortable shoes are recommended because several stops involve walking on stone streets, fortifications, and uneven surfaces.