7 days and 6 nights in Malta

Malta Island coast route in 7 days

A seven-day route linking Valletta with the southeast and northwest coasts without treating Malta’s short distances as quick journeys.

Published by Fernando Ruiz
3 overnight basesBus · Car · WalkingBalanced pace
Best for
Coast travellers who prefer public transport and do not mind changing in Valletta.
Largest trade-off
The bases do not form a simple direct bus chain, so luggage days are slow.
Best months
May, June, September, October
Accessibility
For the Mellieħa to St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and Qawra itinerary, compare assistance in Mellieħa with room access and terrain in St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and Qawra.
  1. 1

    Days 1 to 3

    Mellieħa

    A north-island base split between a steep upper town, Mellieha Bay and ferry approaches.

    2 nights · Arrival and orientation
    Next: Bus, 120 to 180 minutesthe Mellieha stop shown in the live Malta Public Transport planner to Marsaxlokk stop on the current route 81 or 85 corridor. Allow 45 minutes before departure. Advance reservation is not normally essential. Check Malta Public Transport. Fallback: Use a taxi or car and allow 45 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic.
  2. 2

    Days 3 to 5

    Marsaxlokk

    A harbour town for a focused visit, with market and dining pressure changing by day.

    2 nights · Bus transfer and hotel change
    Next: Bus, 100 to 160 minutesMarsaxlokk stop on the current route 81 or 85 corridor to the booked St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba or Qawra stop in the live planner. Allow 45 minutes before departure. Advance reservation is not normally essential. Check Malta Public Transport. Fallback: Use a taxi or car and allow 35 to 65 minutes, depending on traffic.
  3. 3

    Days 5 to 7

    St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and Qawra

    A broad resort and harbour district whose named areas are not one compact village.

    2 nights · Bus transfer and hotel change

Day-by-day plan

DayOvernight baseMain planTransferApproximate burden
1MellieħaMorning: Choose the upper town or bay for the first walk rather than trying to cover both after arrival. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Mellieħa. Evening: Keep the evening close to Mellieħa after the main visits. 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.Arrival and local orientationOutdoor conditions and walking around Mellieħa.
2MellieħaMorning: Use Mellieha Bay or make a current bus outing to Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Mellieħa. Evening: Leave the evening open in Mellieħa instead of adding another long journey. 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 Mellieħa.
3MarsaxlokkMorning: Change in Valletta with a luggage buffer and finish with a harbour walk. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Marsaxlokk. Evening: Finish the day in Marsaxlokk, with time to reset before the next morning. Book: Check the Malta Public Transport timetable from the Mellieha stop shown in the live Malta Public Transport planner to Marsaxlokk stop on the current route 81 or 85 corridor shortly before travel. Short on time: If time is short, keep the main visit and remove any optional detour.Bus from the Mellieha stop shown in the live Malta Public Transport planner, 120 to 180 minutesBus transfer, 120 to 180 minutes.
4MarsaxlokkMorning: Explore the harbour and add one nearby coast stop only with a practical return. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Marsaxlokk. Evening: Use a quiet evening in Marsaxlokk 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 Marsaxlokk.
5St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and QawraMorning: Use the Valletta change and settle in the exact Bugibba, Qawra or St Paul’s Bay area booked. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and Qawra. Evening: Keep the evening close to St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and Qawra after the main visits. Book: Check the Malta Public Transport timetable from Marsaxlokk stop on the current route 81 or 85 corridor to the booked St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba or Qawra stop in the live planner shortly before travel. Short on time: If time is short, keep the main visit and remove any optional detour.Bus from Marsaxlokk stop on the current route 81 or 85 corridor, 100 to 160 minutesBus transfer, 100 to 160 minutes.
6St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and QawraMorning: Walk one waterfront section or use a current bus for a limited west-coast outing. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and Qawra. Evening: Leave the evening open in St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and Qawra instead of adding another long journey. 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 St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and Qawra.
7Departure from St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and QawraMorning: Allow for traffic and a bus change when connecting to the airport or ferry. Afternoon: Leave the remaining time open for a slower route around Departure from St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and Qawra. Evening: Finish the day in Departure from St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and Qawra, with time to reset before the next morning. 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 Departure from St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and Qawra.

Ways to adjust the route

Use a taxi or car and allow 45 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic.
1
Use a taxi or car and allow 35 to 65 minutes, depending on traffic.

Malta Island is small on a map, but congestion, bus connections and exposed coast paths slow a circular route. This seven-day plan uses three bases and limits each coast day to one connected area.

Start with Valletta and the harbour

Use the first base for the capital and one harbour crossing. Do not combine the Three Cities with a south-coast bus circuit on the same day.

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

Keep the southeast around one base

Marsaxlokk and the nearby coast need current buses and a clear return. A swimming stop depends on sea conditions and safe access, not only sunny weather.

Fishing boats in Marsaxlokk harbour
The working harbour at Marsaxlokk

Allow extra time on the northwest coast

Mellieħa, Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa are separate choices. Use one beach or walking area per day and expect stairs or gradients at exposed sites.

The rugged Ras il-Griebeg coast near Mellieħa
Open coastline north of Mellieħa

Seven days around Malta Island

Days 1 and 2 use Valletta, day 3 moves southeast, day 4 stays around the chosen coast, day 5 crosses to the northwest base, day 6 uses one beach or walk, and day 7 departs.

Let traffic and wind change the order

Check the journey planner and weather on each travel day. Remove the secondary stop when congestion, rough sea or a service change narrows the available time.

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.