9 days and 8 nights in Malta

Malta and Gozo in 9 days

Nine days split between Valletta and Gozo, with heritage days on Malta Island and three complete days beyond the Gozo ferry.

Published by Fernando Ruiz
2 overnight basesFerry · Bus · WalkingBalanced pace
Best for
First-time visitors wanting both the main heritage core and a slower Gozo stay.
Largest trade-off
The sea crossing is weather dependent and needs a generous onward-connection buffer.
Best months
April, May, June, September, October
Accessibility
For the Valletta to Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo itinerary, compare assistance in Valletta with room access and terrain in Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo.
  1. 1

    Days 1 to 5

    Valletta

    A living capital of museums, bastions, steep streets and useful harbour ferries.

    4 nights · Arrival and orientation
    Next: Ferry, 75 to 120 minutesValletta passenger ferry terminal to Victoria bus station after Mgarr Harbour and route 301. Allow 45 minutes before departure. Advance reservation recommended. Check Gozo Highspeed and Malta Public Transport. Fallback: Take route 41 or 42 to Cirkewwa, Gozo Channel to Mgarr and route 301 to Victoria. Allow 150 to 240 minutes plus waits.
  2. 2

    Days 5 to 9

    Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo

    Gozo’s Citadel and cultural centre, also the island’s main bus interchange.

    4 nights · Ferry transfer and hotel change

Day-by-day plan

DayOvernight baseMain planTransferApproximate burden
1VallettaMorning: Settle in and use Upper Barrakka Gardens for the first harbour view. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Valletta. Evening: Keep the evening close to Valletta after the main visits. Book: Check current hours for any timed stop before the day begins. Short on time: If time is short, keep the main visit and remove any optional detour.Arrival and local orientationWalking and local transport around Valletta.
2VallettaMorning: Visit St John’s Co-Cathedral and one official museum. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Valletta. Evening: Leave the evening open in Valletta instead of adding another long journey. Book: Check the current timetable, opening hours or booking terms for the named visit. Short on time: If time is short, keep the main visit and remove any optional detour.No hotel changeTimed visits and local travel around Valletta.
3VallettaMorning: Use a current Valletta bus, pair the walled city with one Rabat site and return before evening crowding. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Valletta. Evening: Finish the day in Valletta, with time to reset before the next morning. Book: Check current hours for any timed stop before the day begins. Short on time: If time is short, keep the main visit and remove any optional detour.No hotel changeWalking and local transport around Valletta.
4VallettaMorning: Cross to Cospicua and explore Birgu, with a bus fallback if the harbour service stops. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Valletta. Evening: Use a quiet evening in Valletta after the day’s main route. Book: Check current hours for any timed stop before the day begins. Short on time: If time is short, keep the main visit and remove any optional detour.No hotel changeWalking and local transport around Valletta.
5Victoria, also known as Rabat, GozoMorning: Take the booked highspeed service or the Cirkewwa fallback and continue on route 301 to Victoria. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo. Evening: Keep the evening close to Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo after the main visits. Book: Check the Gozo Highspeed and Malta Public Transport timetable from Valletta passenger ferry terminal to Victoria bus station after Mgarr Harbour and route 301 and keep the required reservation with the ticket. Short on time: If time is short, keep the main visit and remove any optional detour.Ferry from Valletta passenger ferry terminal, 75 to 120 minutesFerry transfer, 75 to 120 minutes.
6Victoria, also known as Rabat, GozoMorning: Explore the Citadel and one town museum at an unhurried pace. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo. Evening: Leave the evening open in Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo instead of adding another long journey. Book: Check the current timetable, opening hours or booking terms for the named visit. Short on time: If time is short, keep the main visit and remove any optional detour.No hotel changeTimed visits and local travel around Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo.
7Victoria, also known as Rabat, GozoMorning: Choose one west-coast destination using the current Gozo bus and keep the return fixed. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo. Evening: Finish the day in Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo, with time to reset before the next morning. Book: Check current weather, daylight and access notices before setting out. Short on time: If time is short, keep the main visit and remove any optional detour.No hotel changeOutdoor conditions and walking around Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo.
8Victoria, also known as Rabat, GozoMorning: Use Victoria as the interchange for Marsalforn and a limited north-coast visit. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo. Evening: Use a quiet evening in Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo after the day’s main route. Book: Check current weather, daylight and access notices before setting out. Short on time: If time is short, keep the main visit and remove any optional detour.No hotel changeOutdoor conditions and walking around Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo.
9Departure from Victoria, also known as Rabat, GozoMorning: Leave Victoria early enough for route 301, the sea crossing and any onward connection. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Departure from Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo. Evening: Keep the evening close to Departure from Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo after the main visits. Book: Check current hours for any timed stop before the day begins. Short on time: If time is short, keep the main visit and remove any optional detour.No hotel changeWalking and local transport around Departure from Victoria, also known as Rabat, Gozo.

Ways to adjust the route

Take route 41 or 42 to Cirkewwa, Gozo Channel to Mgarr and route 301 to Victoria. Allow 150 to 240 minutes plus waits.

Nine days provide four nights in Valletta and four on Gozo. That split gives Malta Island three complete heritage days, then leaves time for Victoria and two Gozo areas after the ferry crossing.

Use Valletta for the first four nights

Cover the capital, Mdina with Rabat and the Three Cities on separate days. A central base keeps the early route connected to the main bus terminal and harbour ferries.

Valletta skyline with St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral and the Carmelite dome
Valletta’s church domes above the fortified city

Choose the Gozo crossing by the actual date

The Cirkewwa to Mġarr ferry is the year-round vehicle and passenger route. Other passenger services may offer a different journey, but their current timetable and baggage terms need checking directly.

Terraced fields and low hills across Gozo
Gozo’s rural limestone landscape

Give Gozo three full days

Keep Victoria, the west coast and one northern or eastern area separate. The island should not be reduced to a fast circuit between the Citadel, Dwejra and one beach.

Stone lanes inside Victoria’s Citadel on Gozo
A medieval lane in Victoria’s fortified Citadel

Nine-day two-island plan

Days 1 to 4 use Valletta, day 5 crosses to Gozo, day 6 explores Victoria, days 7 and 8 cover two different island areas, and day 9 protects the return.

Plan the final crossing with margin

Weather and operational changes can affect the sea journey and connecting buses. Return to Malta Island a day earlier when a fixed flight cannot absorb disruption.

Open the guides used in this route

Planning information reviewed 4 September 2026, next review due 4 December 2026.

Planning sources

Check current operator timetables, reservations and access details before booking the route.