6 Days in Sliema, Malta – A Cultural and Historic Itinerary with Valletta and Beyond

After returning to Europe from South America and enjoying a cozy Christmas back home, Malta became our first travel destination of the year. Honestly, it had never really been on top of my bucket list. I had mostly heard about its beaches, summer parties and island lifestyle. Instead of going during the busy summer months, we chose to visit in winter, which meant fewer crowds while still enjoying weather that felt like a luxury compared to Ireland, with temperatures ranging between 13 and 18 degrees and only occasional rain showers. As a result, our trip focused far more on history and culture than on beach days, and in this itinerary I have mapped out exactly how we explored Malta.

Day 1 – Arrival in Malta and First Evening in Sliema

On our first day we arrived at Malta Airport in the afternoon, so we kept things fairly relaxed. There are plenty of areas across the island where you can stay in hotels or Airbnbs, but we decided to base ourselves in Sliema, right next to Valletta and usually much more affordable than staying directly in Malta’s capital. For a winter trip focused on culture, it turned out to be the perfect and most practical location.

Malta’s airport is very easy to navigate, and once you step outside you will see the bus station directly across from the terminal. Bus tickets are very cheap, usually around 3 to 4 euros to Sliema, but depending on how busy it is you might have to wait for the next one if the bus is already full. Instead of waiting, we decided to go for a taxi. You can use Uber or Bolt here, but I would personally recommend Bolt as it tends to be slightly cheaper. The ride usually costs somewhere between 10 and 15 euros, depending on where exactly you are staying in Sliema.

For your first evening, I would suggest staying local and exploring your neighbourhood. Head down towards the Sliema promenade where you will find countless good restaurants and bars. We had a really good dinner at Artna Bistro, and afterwards just walked along the promenade, grabbed one or two drinks and slowly eased into the trip. It is the perfect low effort way to start your time in Malta.

Day 2 – Exploring Valletta

On the second day, head over to Malta’s capital, Valletta. From Sliema you can walk down to the promenade and either continue towards Tigné Point or go straight to the ferry terminal, which is clearly signposted and easy to find. I would recommend buying a return ticket right away, which usually costs less than 10 euros. The ferry ride takes around 15 to 20 minutes and drops you off directly across the harbour in Valletta. From there, the best way to experience the city is on foot, as most of the main sights are within walking distance.

Start by making your way towards Fort St. Elmo. Even if you do not go inside, it is worth seeing from the outside, and there are guided tours available if you are interested in Malta’s history. From there, continue to the Lower Barrakka Gardens, where you can take a short break at one of the small cafés and enjoy the harbour views. Afterwards, head up to the Upper Barrakka Gardens and spend some time taking in the incredible panorama. Twice a day you can also watch the cannon firing ceremony, so check the times in advance if you want to see it. From there, walk back past the Parliament building and into the city centre towards St John’s Co-Cathedral. The entrance fee is around 15 euros, but it is absolutely worth it, as the interior is one of the most impressive in Malta.

After visiting the cathedral, continue towards the Grand Master’s Palace and St George’s Square, which is a great area to stop for lunch. Before heading back to the ferry, take some time to wander through Valletta’s small streets, explore the shops and admire the famous buildings with their colourful balconies. In the evening, you can either stay in Sliema or return to Valletta. Many locals say the city really comes alive after around 6 pm when restaurants and bars start to fill up. If you prefer something a bit more relaxed and usually cheaper, Sliema is always a great alternative.

Day 3 – Day Trip to Gozo and Comino

On the third day, we booked a full day trip to Gozo and Comino through GetYourGuide, and in my opinion it is an absolute must if you are visiting Malta. Our tour started at 9 am from a departure point slightly above the Valletta ferry terminal. The tour cost around 30 euros per person, which is very reasonable considering how much you see. In total, the trip lasted about 10 hours. Before departure, you need to register for the caves access via QR code at the dock. It is free, but mandatory, so do not skip it. Also, make sure to book the bus option on Gozo. It makes getting around much easier and is usually cheaper than arranging transport on the spot.

The boat ride from Sliema to Gozo took roughly one hour. Once you arrive, you go straight onto the bus towards Victoria, the capital of Gozo, where you will have about two hours of free time. It is not a huge amount of time, so focus on the highlights. Definitely visit the Cathedral of the Assumption inside the Citadel. On your way up, you will see shops offering guided tours, but honestly, you do not really need one. The Citadel itself is free to enter and easy to explore on your own. After sightseeing, grab something quick to eat in the city centre, walk around a bit and then head back with the bus to the ferry.

From Gozo, the tour continues with about a 15 minute boat ride to Comino Island, stopping at Santa Maria Bay. Here you usually have around one and a half hours to explore, swim at the small beach or grab a fresh coconut drink. If you can, walk up the hill and head a bit towards the old fortress, the view from there is incredible and absolutely worth the effort. After that, the tour continues past the Santa Maria Caves before heading back towards Sliema. In the evening, you can keep it flexible, either head out for dinner and drinks along the promenade or take it easy and relax after a long but amazing day.

Day 4 – Mdina and Rabat: Malta’s Historic Heart

Today is all about what ended up being our absolute highlight in Malta – Mdina. From Sliema you can take a bus, but we chose to use Bolt again, which cost us under 10 euros per ride and was absolutely worth it for the time saved. Ask to be dropped off directly at the Mdina Gate and start exploring from there. Walking through the gate feels like stepping straight into medieval Malta. Right at the entrance you will find the Mdina Dungeons Museum. We visited it and would recommend it if you enjoy history experiences. Entry is around 6 euros per person and it is more about reading and exploring than interactive exhibits, but still very interesting.

A few minutes further inside the city you will find St Peter’s Monastery, which we can highly recommend. Make sure to take the audio guide as well. It is around 10 euros per person and adds a lot of context to the visit. From there, just take your time wandering through Mdina’s incredibly well preserved streets. Stop at one of the small cafés or restaurants for a drink or something to eat. If you want, you can also book a Knights of Malta themed tour, but we personally skipped it. Definitely stop at Bastion Square for amazing views over the Maltese countryside. Other worthwhile stops include the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady, which is free to enter, and St Paul’s Cathedral, where entry is around 15 euros per person and absolutely worth it if you enjoy historic churches. There is also the Mdina Cathedral Museum, which is nice but not essential if you are short on time.

After exploring Mdina, walk over to Rabat through the small streets connecting both towns. In Rabat, you should definitely visit St Paul’s Basilica and especially the catacombs underneath. Entry is around 10 euros per person and very worth it. The catacombs are huge and easy to get lost in, so the audio guide is a very good idea even though it is not strongly advertised on site. If you still have time, you can explore more of Rabat, grab a coffee in one of the local cafés, or optionally visit St Agatha’s Catacombs or St Francis Church, though these are more optional stops. Afterwards, head back to Sliema by Bolt and spend the evening relaxing, either in Sliema along the promenade or back in Valletta.

Day 5 – Birgu and Fort St. Angelo

Another absolute must during your Malta trip is a visit to Birgu. Once again, you have the option of taking the bus or a taxi, and we chose Bolt for convenience. A ride usually costs somewhere between 10 and 15 euros depending on traffic and pickup location. Ask to be dropped off near the Malta at War Museum. If you are interested in World War history, it is worth visiting. Entry is around 15 euros per person, and there is sometimes a combined ticket for around 50 euros that includes several museums, so check carefully if you plan to visit multiple sites. Otherwise, you can skip it, as you will learn a lot about Malta’s wartime history later as well.

From there, continue towards the Inquisitor’s Palace. Make sure to check opening times in advance, as it is closed on certain days, but it is definitely worth a visit and a great addition if you already visited the Mdina Dungeons. Afterwards, walk along the Grand Harbour views towards the highlight of the day, Fort St. Angelo.

Entry to Fort St. Angelo is around 15 euros per person and absolutely worth it. You can easily spend a few hours here. There is a free audio guide included, a small café on site, and some of the best panoramic views back towards Valletta. Inside the fort, you learn a lot about Malta’s history, especially its military importance, the Knights of St. John and the Great Siege period. After exploring Birgu and the fort, you can head back to Sliema by taxi, take a walk along the promenade, and then either stay for dinner and drinks or take another taxi over to Valletta if you feel like experiencing the city at night.

Day 6 – Slow Last Day and Departure

On the last day, it really depends on when your flight is. We had an afternoon flight, so we took the day a bit slower. You can spend the morning in Sliema, maybe visit The Point Shopping Mall, wander through the nearby streets, grab a nice lunch and take one last walk along the promenade with views over to Valletta. It is a perfect way to wrap up the trip without rushing.

Getting back to the airport is easiest by taxi again. We used Bolt, and the ride was around 15 euros, depending on traffic and time of day. It is quick, comfortable and saves you the hassle of managing luggage on public transport.

After that, just head to the airport, get through security and enjoy a relaxed flight home after an incredible trip exploring Malta’s history, culture and coastal views.