Cornelius Amann
October 06, 2026
5/5
Malta and Gozo: Valletta, Mdina and the Three Cities
6 days from Valletta: St John's Co-Cathedral and the Three Cities by boat, Mdina and Rabat, then three nights on Gozo with the Ġgantija temples and the Dwejra coast.
6 days · Valletta to Malta International Airport (MLA) · up to 12 guests
The Three Cities across the Grand Harbour, seen from Valletta Photo: Afr66, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_three_Cities.JPG)
The facts
At a glance
- Length
- 6 days, 5 nights
- Start and end
- Valletta to Malta International Airport (MLA)
- Group size
- 7 to 12 guests
- Activity level
Easy
Easy to moderate: about 4 to 6 km of walking a day on cobbled streets, steps in Valletta, Mdina and the Citadel, and one coastal path on Gozo with a short and a long option. Drives are short, and any stop can be sat out.
- Meals included
- 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
- Room of your own
- + CAD 575 (estimated price)
- Season
- March to June and September to November
Highlights
Why this trip
- St John's Co-Cathedral and the Caravaggio oratory, subject to confirmed opening dates
- A dghajsa across the Grand Harbour to Birgu and Senglea, two of the Three Cities
- Mdina, the silent city, close to opening, and the St Paul's Catacombs in Rabat
- The ferry to Gozo, then three nights on one island with no hotel change
- The prehistoric Ġgantija temples and their visitor centre
- The Citadel in Victoria and a village lunch of Gozitan dishes
- The Dwejra coast and Fungus Rock on a coastal walk, with a free afternoon after
What makes this trip different
Free time is part of the plan
Free time and choices are marked on the days they fall.
Solo without the penalty
A room of your own is + CAD 575 (estimated price).
Day by day
Itinerary
Tap any stop on the map to open that dayClick any stop on the map to open that day
Arrive in Valletta
Malta International Airport (MLA) to your hotel in Valletta
- Dinner
- Stay in Valletta
- Drive about 18 min
Fly into Malta International Airport, about 8 km from Valletta, and a driver meets you in the arrivals hall for the short transfer into the capital; the exact latest arrival time is confirmed with your final itinerary. Valletta is a small walled city on a ridge between two harbours, built from honey-coloured limestone in the 1500s, and almost everything we visit is within a short walk of the hotel. After you settle in there is time to walk the streets near the hotel before your See Sight Tours guide meets the group for a briefing on the days ahead: how the two bases work, when we make the early starts, and what to pack for Gozo's coastal paths.
Evening
We then sit down to a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where the first plates of Maltese cooking are shared across the table.
Included
- Pick-up at Malta International Airport (MLA)
- Welcome briefing with your guide
- Welcome dinner in Valletta
Free time: Free until the evening briefing
Valletta and the Three Cities
Valletta on foot, then by traditional boat across the Grand Harbour to Birgu and Senglea
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Valletta
- By boat
Morning
Our proposed morning visit is St John's Co-Cathedral and its oratory, which holds Caravaggio's Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. Tourist visits are not available on Sundays and public holidays, so departure dates and this visit must be checked together before booking. The plain limestone front hides a gilded interior; we allow time to explore rather than promise a crowd-free visit. Then we walk down through the Upper Barrakka Gardens for the view over the Grand Harbour and let your guide explain how the Knights of St John built the city after the Great Siege of 1565.
Afternoon
Lunch is a sit-down meal in the old town. In the afternoon we cross the harbour by dghajsa, the traditional Maltese water taxi, to Birgu and Senglea, two of the Three Cities, and walk their quiet waterfront lanes and fortifications.
Evening
We plan to return to Valletta by harbour boat before the free evening; the operator, passenger capacity and both crossings must be confirmed before booking.
Included
- St John's Co-Cathedral and the Caravaggio oratory (opening dates to be confirmed)
- Upper Barrakka Gardens
- Valletta walking tour with your guide
- Harbour boat travel to the Three Cities and back to Valletta (operator and capacity to be confirmed)
- Walk through the Three Cities
Optional experiences
- Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum in Paola: a separately quoted itinerary change, not an add-on assumed to fit this day. Limited entry may require separate tour slots; tickets, transfers, timing and any displaced visits must be agreed before booking.
Easier option: Skip the walk back across Birgu and return from the quay by boat, then rest before the free evening
More active option: Use free time for a self-guided walk through the Lower Barrakka Gardens
Free time: Free evening in Valletta
Activity: Cobbled streets with steps; no vehicle on this day
Mdina, Rabat and the ferry to Gozo
Valletta to Mdina and Rabat, then Ċirkewwa by road and the ferry to Gozo
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Gozo
- Drive about 1.5 h
Morning
We leave Valletta by van after breakfast, about 14 km west, so we reach Mdina close to opening, when its lanes are quiet and the golden light is low on the walls. Mdina is the old capital on its hill, known as the silent city because most of it is closed to cars. We walk the bastions and lanes with your guide and visit the cathedral museum. Rabat, the town just outside the gate, is next: we go down into the St Paul's Catacombs, early Christian underground burial chambers.
Afternoon
Lunch is a sit-down meal in Rabat or Mdina. In the afternoon we drive to Ċirkewwa on the north-west tip of Malta and take the ferry to Mġarr in Gozo, a crossing of about 25 minutes, then continue to our base for the next three nights, with the afternoon free.
Included
- Mdina walking tour with your guide
- Mdina Cathedral Museum
- St Paul's Catacombs in Rabat
- Ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr, Gozo
Easier option: Stay on the surface in Rabat and enjoy a longer lunch while the group visits the catacombs
More active option: Spend the free time during our Mdina stop walking the bastion viewpoints before lunch
Free time: Free late afternoon on Gozo
Activity: Steps down into the catacombs; the cathedral museum is closed on Sundays
Gozo: temples and the Citadel
Ġgantija temples, a village lunch and the Citadel in Victoria
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Gozo
- Drive about 1 h
Morning
The morning belongs to prehistory. We plan a morning visit to the Ġgantija temples in Xagħra, built from enormous limestone blocks. Your guide walks the two temples and the visitor centre with us; the visit time depends on confirmed seasonal opening hours.
Afternoon
Next comes a village lunch of Gozitan dishes, cooked simply with local cheese, tomatoes and bread. In the afternoon we drive to Victoria, Gozo's main town, and climb to the Citadel, the fortified hill above it, walking the ramparts for views across the island to the sea.
Evening
Free time in Victoria's market streets follows before we return to the hotel, and the evening is yours. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can assess the uneven surfaces and steps with you.
Included
- Ġgantija temples with your guide
- Village lunch
- The Citadel in Victoria and its ramparts
- Free time in Victoria
Optional experiences
- Dinner on the waterfront at Marsalforn or Mġarr, chosen by you (not included)
Easier option: Ride to each stop and skip the Citadel's upper steps
More active option: Add a short walk from Xagħra through the fields to the salt pans at the coast
Free time: Free evening on Gozo
Activity: Mostly level walking; steps and uneven stone at the Citadel
Dwejra coast and a slow afternoon
Dwejra Bay and the western cliffs, then a free afternoon and farewell dinner
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Stay in Gozo
- Drive about 48 min
This is the day for the coast.
Morning
After breakfast we drive west to Dwejra on Gozo's wild western shore, where tall limestone cliffs fall to the sea and Fungus Rock stands at the mouth of the bay. The famous Azure Window arch collapsed in a storm in March 2017, so we come for the cliffs and the rock instead, and your guide explains how it fell.
Afternoon
We walk a coastal path above the water with a choice of lengths, then have lunch at a family restaurant in a nearby village. The afternoon is free: swim at a small beach if the sea allows, wander the hotel's town or rest.
Evening
In the evening we meet for a farewell dinner together; drinks are paid separately.
Included
- Dwejra coast with your guide
- Coastal walk above Dwejra Bay
- Lunch at a family restaurant
- Farewell dinner
Optional experiences
- Boat trip along the Gozo coast on a calm day, booked locally (not included)
Easier option: Walk only the first section of the path and wait at the viewpoint
More active option: Extend the walk along the cliff path for a longer coastal hike, about 2 hours more
Free time: Free afternoon
Activity: Uneven rock underfoot; sturdy shoes, sun protection and water
Ferry back and departure
Gozo to Malta International Airport (MLA) via the ferry
- Breakfast
- Drive about 1.5 h
Morning
After breakfast we take the road from the hotel to the Mġarr ferry terminal, about 6 km, and cross to Ċirkewwa on a short sailing of about 25 minutes. Our vehicle meets us on the Malta side and drives about 30 km to Malta International Airport (MLA), roughly 40 minutes without traffic. Do not book flights until we confirm a suitable departure time against the hotel location, ferry timetable, check-in requirements and disruption plan.
Evening
An earlier flight may require a separately quoted change or an additional mainland night; neither is included in these five nights. The trip ends at the airport. Keep your passport, medication and other essentials accessible during the crossing.
Included
- Ferry from Mġarr to Ċirkewwa
- Transfer to Malta International Airport (MLA)
Activity: Confirm the flight departure window with us before booking flights
- Valletta2 nights
- Gozo3 nights
- Malta International Airport (MLA)end
- Overnight stop
- Day trip
- By boat or train
Wildlife and weather: March to June is mild and green on Gozo, with wildflowers in spring. September to November has warm seas and light that suits photography, and the first rain falls in late autumn. Strong winds can delay or cancel crossings; a disruption plan and its implications for airport transfers must be agreed before booking.
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Before you book
Right for you?
Good for you if you want
- Travellers who want Valletta, Mdina and Gozo without changing hotels every night
- History and architecture lovers: the Knights, prehistoric temples and early Christian catacombs
- A mix of guided mornings and free afternoons
Not for you if you want
- Step-free access: cobbled lanes, steps and uneven rock are part of most days
- A beach or resort holiday
- Travellers who want a night out in Paceville every evening
Book flights after we confirm your seat.
5 nights
Where you'll stay
Your hotels are named in your trip confirmation.
- Valletta2 nights
- Gozo3 nights
One price
What's in the price
Included
Accommodation
- 5 nights: 2 in Valletta and 3 on Gozo
- Rooms shared, or your own for a supplement
Transport
- Pick-up and drop-off at Malta International Airport (MLA)
- A vehicle and driver for the group on the mainland and on Gozo
- Ferry crossings between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr in both directions
- Harbour boat travel to the Three Cities and back to Valletta (operator and capacity to be confirmed)
Your guide
- Guiding is planned throughout, with appropriately licensed Malta guides for heritage interpretation. Guide appointments, licensing and any separate tour-escort role must be confirmed before booking.
Activities
- St John's Co-Cathedral and the Caravaggio oratory, Valletta
- Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta
- Birgu and Senglea, the Three Cities
- Mdina walking tour and the Cathedral Museum
- St Paul's Catacombs, Rabat
- Ġgantija temples, Xagħra, Gozo
- The Citadel, Victoria, Gozo
- Dwejra coast and coastal walk, Gozo
Meals
- Breakfast on 5 days
- 4 lunches, on days 2 to 5
- Welcome dinner in Valletta (day 1) and farewell dinner on Gozo (day 5)
Not included
- International flights to and from Malta
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed, including most dinners
- Drinks
- Optional activities, including the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
- Tips
- Personal expenses
Extras
- Room of your own
- CAD 575 (estimated price)
When you can go
Dates and prices
Pick your start date when you request to book. We check that date and confirm it in your quote.
Prefer to travel without a group or guide? Ask us about arranging hotels, transport and city tours for you to travel independently.
Before you book
Booking terms
Nothing is charged now. Full terms and the cancellation schedule come with your quote, before you accept.
Business addresses
See Sight Tours Trips (USA): 3172 N Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89108, United StatesSee Sight Tours Trips (Canada): 5305 50 Avenue, #1091, Red Deer, AB T4N 4B6, Canada+1-888-961-6584Guest reviews
What guests say
Reviews from guests on our day tours.
Jane
October 06, 2026
5/5
Susan
October 06, 2026
5/5
Tom L
October 05, 2026
5/5
MandL83
October 05, 2026
5/5
Darren O
October 05, 2026
5/5
Good to know
Questions
What does the price include?
Five nights in hotels, five breakfasts on days 2 to 6, four lunches and two dinners, airport transfers, a vehicle and driver, return Gozo ferry crossings, return harbour boat travel, guiding and the entries listed under included activities. This is a proposed package: suppliers and final inclusions must be confirmed before booking. Drinks, tips, insurance, flights and optional extras are not included.
How big is the group?
The proposed small-group size is 7 to 12 guests. Departures and the minimum number needed to operate have not been confirmed; we will state them before accepting a booking.
Who leads the trip?
We plan guided visits throughout, using appropriately licensed Malta guides for heritage interpretation. No guide has been appointed yet. We must confirm licensing, the guide assignments and any separate escort role before accepting a booking.
Can I travel privately or on my own dates?
Yes. Besides the small group, there is a private trip for your party only, on a date you choose. If you would rather travel independently on your own dates, ask us from the dates section and we will quote the same hotels, drivers and entries.
Why only two hotels?
We stay two nights in Valletta and three on Gozo, so you unpack twice. Mdina and Rabat are a morning stop on the way to the ferry, not a night.
How much walking is there?
Easy to moderate: cobbled streets with steps in Valletta, Mdina and the Citadel, and one coastal path on Gozo with a short and a long option. Most days total about 4 to 6 km. Each demanding stop has an easy option, so you can sit part of a day out.
Is the Hypogeum included?
Not included. The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum admits only 10 visitors per tour, so a group of 12 would need separate slots. Ask about a separately quoted itinerary change: we must check tickets, transport to Paola and timing, and explain which planned visits would change. Availability is not guaranteed.
Can I see the Azure Window on Gozo?
No. The arch at Dwejra collapsed in a storm in March 2017. We still visit Dwejra for the cliffs, Fungus Rock and a coastal walk, and your guide explains how the arch fell. Older photographs still circulate online.
When is the best time to go?
March to June and September to November. Spring is greener and cooler for walking, and autumn keeps warm seas and softer light. July and August are hot and crowded, and winter has more rain and some reduced opening hours.
Do I need a visa?
Entry rules depend on your passport and travel dates. Before booking, check Canada's Malta travel advice (https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/malta) and the EU's official ETIAS and EES information (https://travel-europe.europa.eu/). Visa exemptions do not remove passport, stay-limit, travel-authorisation or border-registration requirements.
How do I book?
This itinerary is still in development. Send an enquiry with your preferred dates and travel style. Dates, suppliers, the final price and booking terms must be confirmed before a booking can be accepted.
See Sight Tours has been providing travel services across North America since 2006. Operating in 20 cities across Canada and the USA, the company specializes in small group tours that offer personalized, high-quality experiences for travelers.
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