Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Valletta?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Valletta?
Many travelers spend one to three days in Valletta during their visit. After all, the charming town has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the restaurant scene.
Valletta is the small but impressive capital of the Mediterranean island nation of Malta. The town is compact and rich in history and culture. It looks out over one of the most magnificent harbors in Europe and is surrounding by ancient fortifications. The old town is easily explored on foot as you soak up the Mediterranean sunshine and dine at longstanding local restaurants.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Valletta? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Valletta?
Three days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Valletta at your own pace to experience the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, the restaurant scene, and the gorgeous scenery. Then you can use this spot as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
How to spend 3 days in Valletta
Valletta is home to renowned museums and iconic landmarks, so dive into the town's famous attractions. The city's historical sites rank among the most awe-inspiring globally. With its rich culture and compact old town, there are countless museums, sights, and monuments that are worth visiting. Some options include Saint John's Co-Cathedral, the Grandmaster's Palace and Armory, the National Museum of Archaeology, Manoel Theater, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Skip the Line: Malta Classic Car Museum Admission Ticket ($11)
- Valletta Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour ($7)
- The Knights of Malta Museum Entry Ticket ($7)
The culinary scene in Valletta is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this town's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. The town's culinary scene has a long history with many traditional flavors. You really must experience a meal in one of the traditional stone cellar restaurants, which often serve local meze. Head to Republic Street for a stretch of longstanding restaurants in town. Local dishes include stuffat tal-fenek (rabbit stew), bragioli (rolled meat covered in sauce), and lampuki pie (fish pie).
A few tour suggestions include:
- Valletta Food Tour ($49)
- Valletta Food Tour - Eat like a local ($46)
- The Valletta Food Tour Experience, a private tour ($150)
Valletta is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The town is compact and easy to walk around with many sights within a short distance of each other. There's also very little street traffic.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old town is laid out with a uniform grid and the streets are lined with hundreds of historic buildings. At the heart of old town is Republic Street, which divides the area in half and is where you'll find a large concentration of restaurants.
A few tour suggestions include:
- The Valletta Street Food and Culture Walking Tour ($49)
- Mdina and Rabat - City Walking Tour ($20)
- Mdina and Rabat Food and History Tour ($74)
Valletta is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. With its long running history and striking cream buildings against the blue Mediterranean waters, this is a truly beautiful town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Blue Lagoon SUNSET Cruise ($33)
- Private Boat, Blue lagoon, Crystal lagoon Comino, Gozo Malta Ultimate Highlights ($174)
- Okikoki Banis - Comino Blue Lagoon Speedboat Trip- Fast Ferry ($54)
The public transit in Valletta is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the town quite easily and affordably. If you're not up for walking up and down the hills, there are some buses around town.
Shopping in Valletta is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. For the best shopping head to Republic Street and Merchants Street where you'll find craft shops, boutiques, and other local souvenirs. Many visitors enjoy picking up blown glass, a locally made miniature, or cactus liquor. Lace is also a common local item that you'll find around town.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. It wasn't long ago that the town went quiet in the evenings, but recent years have brought a surge in bars and clubs around town. You'll find the liveliest nightlife in areas around Strait Street and the Valletta Waterfront. If you're looking for a true clubbing scene, you'll want to head north out of town to Paceville.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Malta Pub Crawl ($22)
Is 4 days enough time in Valletta?
With four days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Valletta has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Valletta as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can wander through the museums, admire the historic sights, dine out at amazing restaurants, and take in the beautiful scenery at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
Valletta, Malta
How to spend 4 days in Valletta
With 4 days in Valletta, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Valletta is the Grand Masters Palace, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Valletta.
Is 5 days enough time in Valletta?
Five days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Valletta, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Wander through the museums, admire the historic sights, dine out at amazing restaurants, and take in the beautiful scenery on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Valletta as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
Valletta, Malta
How to spend 5 days in Valletta
If you have more than 5 days in Valletta, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.
After you've explored most of Valletta, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Valletta.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Valletta, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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