Here's 10 of the best Malta excursions, including a day trip to the blue lagoon, Gozo sightseeing tours, Malta markets and more. These day trips in Malta will helps you see all the top attractions.
Malta Sightseeing Tours
So, you've booked a flight to Malta, or have a cruise stop scheduled, and now want to organize what tours to take.
In this guide, I've gathered together a Maltese excursion list for you to choose from. Including half day and full day tours, you'll be able to find one that easily fits into your Malta sightseeing itinerary.
Due to its relatively small size, anyone visiting Malta can easily base themselves in one place, and then take a series of day trips to see the Malta tourist attractions.
And Malta has lots of them! From the world famous blue lagoon, to Megalithic Temples, there's plenty of things to do in Malta.
Whilst it's perfectly possible to get around Malta either hiring a car or using public transport, most people find it more convenient to take different day trips in Malta.
Related: Is Malta worth visiting?
Malta Excursions
All of the following 10 best Malta day trips are available through Get Your Guide. This is the site I use when booking my own tours when travelling. They're reliable, and the site is super easy to navigate.
I've given a brief description of each of the Malta excursions, and then you can click on the button underneath to find out more.
The 10 Best Day Trips in Malta
Choose from Malta boat trips, visiting UNESCO sites, Valletta harbour tours and Gozo day trips. Here's the best day trips in Malta to choose from.
Hop-On Hop-Off Malta Bus Tour
The Hop-On Hop-Off bus is still an excellent, hassle- free way to see more of Malta. There's two routes to choose from - The North Route (blue), and the South Route (red).
You can expect regular double-decker buses every 30 minutes, clearly marked drop-off and pick-up points, and commentary along the way. This open-top Malta sightseeing bus is suitable for both people with limited time in Malta, and those who are staying longer who might choose to take both Hop-on Hop-off routes on different days.
Click the button below for more information on this very economical and convenient way to go sightseeing in Malta.
Megalithic Temples of Malta Tour
For anyone with interest in the ancient past, a tour of the Megalithic Temples of Malta is a must. In fact, a group of these are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and are thought to be the oldest temples in Europe.
Discover more about these strange prehistoric temples with their unique carvings in the company of an expert guide. Share theories as to who built the Megalithic Temples of Malta and why, and enjoy this trip to the past.
This day excursion includes visits to Ħaġar Qim Temples, Mnajdra Temples, and the Ghar Dalam cave and museum. More information by clicking through below.
Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon, & Sea Caves: Full-Day Sightseeing
Departing from Bugibba harbour, this is one of the classic Malta shore excursions, and perhaps the best blue lagoon Malta boat trips.
This day tour will take you to the famous Blue Lagoon, which is situated between Comino Island and Cominotto.
During the day, there is ample time to swim at both the Blue Lagoon and the Crystal Lagoon. Make sure to take photos of the incredible coastline, and also enjoy some time on Gozo.
Read the full details on the blue grotto Malta boat tour by using the button below.
Full-Day Gozo Island Excursion from Malta
The smaller island of Gozo is both more laid back and wilder than the main island Malta. As such, it's ideal to make a day trip to Gozo.
During this full day jeep tour excursion, you'll visit ancient temples, admire the rugged coastline and incredible landscape, take a powerboat ride and more! This is perhaps the best value of all the Malta tours on offer, and is 8 hours long, so make sure you have enough shore time to do it before booking!
Highlights of this guided trip include: Visiting the Citadel in the capital city of Victoria, seeing the ruins of a fortification built by the Knights of Malta at Calypso's Cave, and exploring the prehistoric temple complex of Ġgantija.
Find out more about this day tour here:
Malta by Segway: Dingli Funtastic
Who needs a Malta walking tour, when you can use a Segway! It's also got a bit of a twist, as rather than a tour of Valletta (which might be the obvious choice), it instead takes you to the cliffs near Dingli for breathtaking views. Surely it's worth trying, just for the name Dingli itself!
As Segway tours go, it's only a short one, but a unique experience, and one that will look great on Instagram or even YouTube after your trip to Malta!
Mdina Audio Tour with Map and Directions
I really like this idea, as sometimes guided tours can feel a bit rushed. So, this gives you the option to explore Mdina in Malta at your own pace using the map and audio tour. It's really cheap as well, with prices starting at around 5 euro. A bit of a no-brainer if you ask me!
Valletta: Grand Harbour Views and Medieval History
Valletta simply has to be explored when visiting Malta. I'd recommend both a little aimless wandering to discover things by yourself, and then a guided tour to give you a deeper insight.
This tour is a great way to discover the stories behind the magnificent medieval buildings in Valletta, the days of the Knights of St. John, the Great Siege, and to learn some of the history of the island. This is a walking tour, so if you're a step counter, you'll probably be on a winning streak by the end of the 3 hour Valletta Malta points of interest tour.
More about Valletta Shore Excursions here:
Valletta and 3 Cities Private 4-Hour Shore Excursion
Are you arriving in Malta on a cruise and only have limited time for a shore excursion? Make the most of your time in Malta with this 4 hour private tour. You'll get to see the incredible highlights of the Valletta UNESCO buildings, enjoy Grand Harbour, explore medieval streets, and learn of the history of Malta as your look over glorious views of Valletta harbour.
Find out more about private Valletta tours here:
Blue Grotto & Sunday Market at Marsaxlokk Fishing Village
The Marsaxlokk Fishing Village is something I would recommend every visitor to Malta should see. It's not just the market, but also the small boats bobbing in the harbour that give it a feeling of stepping back in time. This particular day trip in Malta combines the village with a trip to to Blue Grotto. read on for more details.
Malta: 5-Hour Lazy Pirate Boat Party with Drinks & Food
Ok, this Malta boat trip isn't going to be for everyone, but those that do go know how to have a good time! Have a beer, walk the plank, listen to some good music and have a night in Malta to remember on the Pirate Party Boat!
Game of Thrones Locations in Malta
Finally…
I guess given the worldwide phenomenon that is Game of Thrones, I should really mention a few places in Malta that were used for filming!
Malta was used as a filming location for season one of Game of Thrones, and perhaps the most famous location was the Azure Window. This was used as the backdrop for Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen’s wedding.
What happened to the Azure window in Malta?
Sadly, the Azure Window collapsed on 8 March 2017. In fact, I may have been one of the last people to see it standing, as I visited just a few days before! (Honest, I didn't have anything to do with it!).
So, please don't plan your trip to Malta thinking that you can see the Azure Window, as it's not there!
The remaining Game of Thrones locations are relatively minor, with many of them being in Mdina. As no official filming locations tour of Game of Thrones locations in Malta is available, you'd need to visit them yourself.
This article provides some useful information: 8 Game of Thrones locations in Malta you can visit right now.
Day Trips Malta FAQ
Planning to spend longer on the Maltese islands and have questions on how to see key landmarks, the beautiful beaches, and other places of interest on the island of Malta and Gozo island? These commonly asked questions and answers may help you plan your trip:
How many days in Malta is enough?
In terms of sightseeing, 4 days is enough time to visit the main attractions of Malta and Gozo. If you want to enjoy the beaches as well, a week or longer would be best.
What is the best month to visit Malta?
As with most of Europe, Malta is very busy during August which is the school holiday season. The months of June and early July, and then September and early October are the best time of year to go to Malta.
What is the best area to stay in Malta?
Valletta is the best place to stay in Malta when planning day tours to see the island. Most trips and activities will start and finish from Malta's capital city, and there's plenty of accommodation to choose from.
How do I get to the Blue Lagoon on the island of Malta?
The easiest way to see the Blue Lagoon is to take a sightseeing cruise. The Mediterranean Sea is stunning as you sail to this special area!
Pin these 10 best tours in Malta
If you are in the planning stages of taking a holiday in Malta, you might like to add the pin underneath to one of your boards. This way, you can come back to it later, and book a day trip in Malta closer to the time.
You might also be interested in this Malta sightseeing guide.