Tour overview

This 6-day small-group tour packs the best of Malta and Gozo into a short break, from one comfortable base. Groups have between 4 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout. You stay all five nights at a four-star hotel in Qawra, a few minutes from the sea, with a spa and a rooftop pool, and travel by private minibus, ferry, local bus and traditional water taxi. Breakfast is included daily, with a welcome dinner, and group airport transfers are included. Flights are not included.

The first full day explores the Three Cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua, the fortified harbour towns that sheltered the Knights of St John, before a crossing of the Grand Harbour by dgħajsa, a traditional water taxi, to Valletta. Malta's tiny capital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Baroque churches, palaces and bastions, with St John's Co-Cathedral at its heart. Your leader shares the story of the Great Siege of 1565, when the Knights held the islands against the Ottoman fleet, and of Malta's role in the Second World War, which earned the whole island the George Cross.

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A ferry takes you to Gozo, Malta's greener sister island, for the Ġgantija temples, among the oldest free-standing structures in the world, the citadel of Victoria, the basilica of Ta' Pinu, the cliffs of Dwejra and the salt pans of Qbajjar. Back on Malta, you explore the hilltop temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, built around 3600 BC, take a boat into the Blue Grotto and visit the prehistoric cave of Għar Dalam, before the colourful fishing village of Marsaxlokk.

The final full day travels inland by bus to Rabat and its Roman catacombs, the silent walled city of Mdina, the dramatic Dingli Cliffs and the Baroque Palazzo Parisio, a grand house with formal gardens. Mdina's narrow lanes, lit by lanterns after dark, give the city its nickname of the Silent City.

The physical rating is low, with walking in towns and at the temples. This trip suits travellers who want a well-paced introduction to Malta's 7,000 years of history, with a small group and a comfortable base. Evenings are free to explore Qawra's seafront or the bars and restaurants of nearby Buġibba.

Trip highlights

  • The Three Cities and a water taxi to Valletta (Day 2)
  • A day on Gozo with the Ġgantija temples (Day 3)
  • The temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra (Day 4)
  • A boat into the Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk (Day 4)
  • Mdina and Rabat's Roman catacombs (Day 5)
  • Five nights at a four-star hotel with a rooftop pool

Your route

7 stops from Qawra to Mdina

6-day route: Qawra – Valletta – Gozo – Ħaġar Qim – Blue Grotto – Mdina – Qawra
  1. Qawra Days 1–6
  2. Birgu Day 2
  3. Valletta Day 2
  4. Victoria (Gozo) Day 3
  5. Ħaġar Qim Day 4
  6. Marsaxlokk Day 4
  7. Mdina Day 5

Why choose this tour

Malta's highlights and a day on Gozo in under a week, with no packing and unpacking. A small group and a leader who brings 7,000 years of history to life.

Best suited to

  • Travellers looking for a short escorted break
  • History lovers, from prehistoric temples to the Knights of St John
  • First-time visitors to Malta
  • Anyone who prefers one comfortable base
The Blue Grotto above clear blue water, Malta

Day-by-day itinerary

6 days from Qawra, Malta to Qawra, Malta

  1. Day 1 · Qawra Arrive in Qawra

    Arrive in Qawra on St Paul's Bay in northern Malta and meet your leader and group around 6pm for a welcome dinner.

    Hotel
    Best Western Premier Malta or similar
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Birgu, Senglea, Valletta The Three Cities and Valletta

    Explore the Three Cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua, home and fortress to the Knights of St John, then cross the Grand Harbour by traditional water taxi to Valletta's Baroque streets and bastions.

    Hotel
    Best Western Premier Malta or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Ġgantija Temples, Victoria Citadel, Ta' Pinu, Dwejra Gozo

    Take the 25-minute ferry to Gozo to visit the Ġgantija temples, the citadel of Victoria, the basilica of Ta' Pinu, Dwejra and the salt pans of Qbajjar.

    Hotel
    Best Western Premier Malta or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, Blue Grotto, Marsaxlokk Temples and the Blue Grotto

    Explore the hilltop temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, dating from around 3600 BC, take a boat into the Blue Grotto, visit the cave of Għar Dalam and end in the fishing village of Marsaxlokk.

    Hotel
    Best Western Premier Malta or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Rabat, Mdina, Dingli Cliffs, Palazzo Parisio Rabat, Mdina and Dingli

    Take the bus to Rabat to visit St Paul's Catacombs, walk through the silent walled city of Mdina, see the Dingli Cliffs and tour the Baroque Palazzo Parisio and its gardens.

    Hotel
    Best Western Premier Malta or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Qawra Trip ends in Qawra

    The trip ends after breakfast, with a group transfer to the airport. Extra nights can be arranged when you book.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The walled city of Mdina from the air, Malta

Where you stay

  • Qawra (5 nights) Best Western Premier Malta or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 5 nights at a four-star hotel
  • Meals 5 breakfasts and a welcome dinner
  • Transport private minibus, local bus, the Gozo ferry and a water taxi across the Grand Harbour
  • Guided visits the Three Cities, Valletta, Gozo, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, the Blue Grotto, Għar Dalam, Marsaxlokk, Rabat's catacombs, Mdina, the Dingli Cliffs and Palazzo Parisio
  • Group airport arrival and departure transfers
  • Tour leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to and from Malta
  • Meals not listed
  • Optional activities
  • Single supplement
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
The Grand Harbour at Valletta, Malta

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want flights included — they are not
  • You want a beach holiday — this is a sightseeing trip
  • You want most meals included — breakfasts and a welcome dinner
  • You are under 16 — the minimum age is 16

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Malta and Gozo
Painted luzzu fishing boats in Marsaxlokk harbour, Malta

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,099 per person, twin share, tour only. 9 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Are airport transfers included?

Yes, one group arrival transfer and one group departure transfer are included.

Do we change hotels?

No. You stay all five nights at a four-star hotel in Qawra with a spa and a rooftop pool.

Do we visit Gozo?

Yes, a full day trip by ferry, including the Ġgantija temples, Victoria's citadel, Ta' Pinu and Dwejra.

How active is the trip?

The physical rating is low, with walking in old towns and around the temples, sometimes on uneven ground.

What meals are included?

Breakfast every day and a welcome dinner. Malta has excellent restaurants for other meals.

Is there a self-guided option on Gozo?

Yes. The 8-day Self-Guided Walking on Gozo holiday is a good alternative if you prefer to explore on foot at your own pace.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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