Malta: Maltese Islands & Valletta Private 5-Day Tour

Malta packs centuries into a small space. This five-day private tour gives you a practical way to see Valletta, Mdina, Gozo, the Three Cities, and Malta’s southern coast without arranging each transfer yourself. I especially like the balance between major sights and smaller places, from Caravaggio’s work in St. John’s Cathedral to the painted boats of Marsaxlokk. The private vehicle and personal guides also make the schedule easier than joining a large coach group.

I also like that lunch in Marsaxlokk is included, along with breakfast each morning, the Gozo ferry, St. John’s Cathedral admission, and airport transfers. The main point to consider is the pace: five days covers a great deal, so you will spend full days on the road and on foot. The itinerary also lists restrictions for children under 6 and under 14, so families should confirm suitability before booking.

• Valletta in one focused day: See St. John’s Cathedral, the Barraca Gardens, the Grand Master’s Palace from outside, and try Maltese pastizzi and qassata.
• Two historic capitals: Walk through Valletta and Mdina, Malta’s ancient capital, on the same day.
• Gozo by private vehicle: Visit the Ġgantija Temples, Ta’ Pinu, Dwejra, Ramla Bay, Xlendi Bay, Victoria, and the Citadel.
• A full southern-coast circuit: Combine the Three Cities, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto viewpoint, Dingli Cliffs, and two megalithic temples.
• Good transport coverage: Private airport transfers and transportation during the tour remove much of the island’s travel planning.
• A four-star base: Four nights in a double or twin room, with Hotel Argento named in one booking review as the accommodation used.

What $2,225 Buys You in Five Days

The price is $2,225 per person. That is not a bargain-basement Malta package, but it covers several costly and useful pieces: four nights in a four-star hotel, daily breakfast, a Marsaxlokk lunch, private arrival and departure transfers, private transportation during the tour, the Gozo ferry, St. John’s Cathedral admission, and guiding or driving on the main sightseeing days.

The value rests mainly in the private setup. You are not simply buying five nights and a list of stops. You are paying to have transport organized across Malta and Gozo, with a driver waiting at the hotel and airport transfers already arranged. That matters on an island where a compact map can hide a busy day of connections.

There are limits. Dinners are not included, nor are international flights, local city tax, the entrance fee for St. Paul’s Church in Mdina, or the inside visit to the Grand Master’s Palace. You should also budget for lunches on other days, except for the included Marsaxlokk meal, and for any optional food or sightseeing you choose during free time.

The strongest value comes if you want convenience and privacy. If you are happy using public transport, choosing your own hotel, and building your own route, you may find the price high. If you want a guide-led introduction with very little transport planning, the cost is easier to justify.

Arrival in Valletta and a Simple First Night

Day 1 is deliberately light. A private transfer meets you at Valletta airport and takes you to the hotel for check-in and an overnight stay.

That first transfer is a small but useful benefit. You do not have to work out airport transport after an international flight, and the driver will hold a sign with your last name. Since the tour begins with sightseeing the following day, use the arrival evening to rest and get ready for an early start.

The package includes four hotel nights in a double or twin room at a four-star property. One verified booking review specifically names Hotel Argento and praises the accommodation, but the supplied details do not promise that every booking uses that same hotel. Confirm the exact property and room arrangement before paying.

Valletta: Caravaggio, Gardens, and Maltese Pastries

Day 2 begins with a full-day private-guided visit to Valletta and Mdina. Your guide picks you up in the hotel lobby, so there is no need to find a meeting point in the city.

Valletta is one of Europe’s smallest capital cities, and that compact size works well for a guided introduction. The tour visits St. John’s Cathedral, whose interior contains masterpieces by Caravaggio. The cathedral admission is included, which is important because this is one of the day’s main cultural stops.

You will also see the Barraca Gardens, a good place for views and a break from the city streets. The Grand Master’s Palace is visited from outside, and it houses Malta’s Parliament. If you want to see the palace interiors, this package does not include that admission.

A local cafe stop introduces two traditional Maltese pastries: pastizzi and qassata. Pastizzi are a familiar Maltese snack, while qassata gives you another local taste beyond the usual sightseeing routine. The stop is brief, but it helps connect the city visit with everyday food.

You have free time for lunch and shopping in central Valletta. That freedom is welcome after a guided morning, though lunch is not included on this day. Ask your guide for suggestions if you want to make the most of the pause, but keep an eye on the clock because Mdina follows in the afternoon.

Mdina’s Quiet Streets and High Views

After Valletta, the vehicle takes you toward the center of Malta and the walled city of Mdina. This was Malta’s ancient capital under Arab rule, and its enclosed streets offer a sharp change from Valletta’s formal city center.

The tour includes a stop at St. Paul’s Church, but the entrance fee is not included. You can decide on the spot if you want to pay for admission or focus on the exterior and the streets around it.

The Mdina Belvedere provides panoramic views across the island. This is one of the day’s best reasons to visit Mdina because you get a broad view after spending time among narrow stone lanes. Plan for walking on historic surfaces and wear shoes that will not punish you by late afternoon.

The day covers two former capitals, which gives the itinerary a useful theme rather than a random collection of sights. The drawback is time. Valletta and Mdina each deserve more than a few hours, so this schedule gives you a strong first look rather than a slow, detailed exploration.

The Three Cities and Marsaxlokk’s Painted Boats

Day 3 starts with a private car and a walking tour of the Cottonera area, known here as the Three Cities. You visit Senglea, Birgu, and Cospicua, three historic settlements that sit close together.

The format is helpful because the driver handles the movement between areas while you explore on foot. The supplied details do not specify the length of each walk, so expect a day that mixes walking with short vehicle transfers.

The route then heads to Marsaxlokk, a fishing village on the coast. Its waterfront is lined with traditional boats called luzzus, painted in strong red, blue, and yellow. The boats are the visual heart of the stop, and the village offers a quieter change from Malta’s fortified cities.

Lunch at a typical seafood restaurant in Marsaxlokk is included. That gives you one planned meal and helps keep the day moving, though diners with allergies or special diets should confirm arrangements ahead of time. The tour description does not provide a set menu.

Blue Grotto Views, Ancient Temples, and Dingli Cliffs

The afternoon takes you to a panoramic viewpoint over the Blue Grotto. This is described as a view stop, not a boat trip, so do not assume a boat ride is part of the package.

You then visit the Dingli Cliffs, where the high coastal viewpoint gives you broad views toward southern Malta. The setting is one of the tour’s more scenic moments, but the itinerary does not state how long you stay or how close the vehicle reaches the main viewing area.

The final major stops are the megalithic temples of Hagar Qim and Mnejidra. These ancient stone sites add a much older layer to the trip than Valletta’s churches and Mdina’s medieval streets. They also make the day feel varied: fortified towns in the morning, a fishing village at lunch, coastal views, and prehistoric remains by afternoon.

The return includes a scenic coach ride along the coastal road. It is a long day, but the sequence makes sense geographically. You see several southern Malta highlights without having to arrange separate taxis or public transport connections.

Gozo by Ferry and Private Driver

Day 4 is the biggest day of the tour. Pickup is scheduled between 8:30 and 9:00 in the hotel lobby, followed by a transfer to the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal. The ferry crossing to Gozo takes about 20 minutes, and the ticket is included.

A private English-speaking driver accompanies you on Gozo. This is especially useful because the itinerary covers a wide spread of the island, from the Ġgantija Temples to the Citadel in Victoria.

The first main stop is the Ġgantija Megalithic Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Malta’s best-preserved megalithic temple sites. The description does not state that admission is included, so ask about the entrance arrangement before you go.

The route continues to Ta’ Pinu, Dwejra, and Ramla Bay. Each stop gives you a different view of Gozo, but the details supplied do not include the length of time at each place. You should think of this as a highlights tour rather than a day spent at one beach or one archaeological site.

Xlendi Bay provides a short break. You have free time to walk along the bay or eat at one of the seafront seafood restaurants. This meal is not listed as included, so plan to pay separately if you choose to eat there.

In the afternoon, you visit Victoria, Gozo’s main town, with time for its narrow streets and markets. Then you walk up to the Citadel, a medieval fortress with views across the countryside and surrounding villages.

The Citadel is a strong final stop because it brings together Gozo’s history and scenery. Be ready for an uphill walk. The tour returns by ferry to Malta, followed by a transfer to the hotel.

The Private Format and What It Changes

A private group can make this trip more comfortable than a fixed large-group tour. Your airport pickup, sightseeing vehicles, and Gozo transport are arranged around your party, and the driver holds a sign with your surname at pickup.

Day 2 includes a private local guide for Valletta and Mdina. Days 3 and 4 include English-speaking drivers, but the information does not say that a full-time sightseeing guide accompanies those days. That distinction matters. You should expect guided touring on Day 2, while Days 3 and 4 may rely more on the driver, planned stops, and your own exploration.

One review praises a guide named Emilio and describes the transport service, AJ Transfer Malta, as impeccable. That is a useful detail if those same staff are assigned to your booking, but staffing can vary. The same review was very positive about the route and hotel while wishing for faster replies from the company before the trip. I would confirm pickup times, hotel details, and any dietary needs well before arrival.

The tour is in English. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the information gives two child restrictions, under 6 and under 14. Because those statements conflict, families should request a clear age rule before booking. Backpacks are listed among items not allowed, and smoking, alcohol, drugs, littering, and explosive substances are prohibited in the vehicle.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour

I would recommend this package to you if you want Malta’s main sights in a short window and prefer not to plan transport. Couples, friends, and first-time visitors who value a private car and hotel pickup will get the most from it.

It also suits people who want a broad introduction. In five days, you see religious art, fortified cities, fishing boats, prehistoric temples, coastal cliffs, and Gozo’s Citadel. That range is impressive for a compact tour.

It is less suitable if you want long beach time, late mornings, or several unscheduled afternoons. The route is full, and Day 4 on Gozo is especially packed. Independent visitors who prefer local buses, self-chosen meals, and a slower pace may be better off arranging a hotel and day tours separately.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those terms add flexibility, but check the final booking conditions carefully before committing.

Should You Book the Malta Five-Day Tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized first visit with private transport, a four-star hotel, and a guide-led Valletta and Mdina day. The best parts are the range of places covered, the included Marsaxlokk lunch, the Gozo ferry, and the ease of moving between far-flung sights.

Think twice if $2,225 feels steep for a five-day package or if you want to explore each town at your own pace. You will still pay for dinners, several lunches, some admissions, local tax, and international flights.

My practical call: this is a good fit for a short Malta visit when convenience matters more than complete independence. Confirm the hotel, Gozo entrance fees, child-age rule, and the exact role of the drivers before booking. If those details suit you, the itinerary gives you a solid and varied introduction to the Maltese islands.

FAQ

How long is the Malta private tour?

The tour lasts five days and includes four nights of accommodation.

What accommodation is included?

The package includes four nights in a double or twin room at a four-star hotel. One booking review names Hotel Argento, but the exact hotel should be confirmed for your reservation.

Is airport transportation included?

Yes. Private transfers are included on arrival and departure. The driver will hold a sign with your last name.

Is St. John’s Cathedral included?

Yes. The entrance ticket to St. John’s Cathedral is included.

Is the Grand Master’s Palace included?

The tour visits the Grand Master’s Palace from outside. An interior admission is not listed as included.

Is lunch included during the tour?

Lunch in Marsaxlokk at a typical seafood restaurant is included. Other lunches and all dinners are not included.

Is the Gozo ferry included?

Yes. The Gozo ferry ticket is included, and the crossing takes about 20 minutes each way.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English. Day 2 includes a private local guide, while Days 3 and 4 include English-speaking drivers.

Is the tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. The supplied information lists restrictions for children under 6 and under 14, so families should confirm the exact age policy before booking.