Top 10 Tours and Activities to Do While in Malta

Last Updated: Jan 28, 2024
Reading Time: 11 minutes
By: Shaun

Malta is, by no doubt, jam-packed with charm and beauty. With its rich history, diverse culture, stunning scenery, and delicious cuisine, Malta offers something for everyone. Whether your preference is to relax on the beach, explore ancient sites, enjoy local delicacies, or experience the nightlife, Malta has it all.

If you want to just relax and let someone else guide you through the attractions, then taking one of the many tours available is a great option. But how do you choose the best tours to take while in Malta, and how do you find the tours that suit your interests, budget, and schedule?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll show you the top 10 tours and activities to take while in Malta and why they are perfect for your next holiday. These tours will let you see the best of Malta, from its natural wonders to its cultural treasures, from its historic landmarks to its modern attractions. You’ll also get to meet friendly locals, learn fascinating facts, and have fun along the way.

So, here are the top 10 tours and activities to do while in Malta.

_{Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, which could result in us getting a small commission at no extra cost to you. We thank you for using our sponsors. While we did our absolute best to provide the most accurate information about price and itinerary for each tour, take note that these might vary at the discretion of the tour operator.}

Tour 1: Malta Beaches including Blue Lagoon on a Catamaran

Blue Lagoon

If you love nature and the sun, this trip is for you. You’ll board a spacious catamaran and sail along the coast of Malta, admiring the views of St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, Mellieħa Bay and more. You’ll also stop at the famous Blue Lagoon on the island of Gozo, which is a crystal-clear lagoon with turquoise water and white sand where you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or relax. The itinerary also includes a visit to Crystal Lagoon, which is another beach on Comino, before returning to Malta to visit Anchor Bay, the location of the film set for the movie Popeye and Għajn Tuffieħa.

This tour is ideal for sunseekers and beach lovers, as it lets you experience the best of Malta’s coastline and beaches. You also have the option to be part of the barbecue set up by the experienced crew or just enjoy a drink from the on-board bar.

You can take this tour during the day, where the tour lasts for 6 hours and departs at 9:30 AM; however, during the summer months, you can also opt for an evening cruise, which departs at 4:30 PM and lasts for 5 hours. This tour departs from teh Bugibba Jetty and costs €65 per person for the morning cruise and €55 for the evening cruise.

Make sure to bring along your own towel, sunscreen, hat, and swimwear.

Tour 2: Full-Day Excursion to Gozo

Ġgantija | Image by FritzPhotography on Wikimedia Commons

When visiting Malta, especially for the first time, a day in Gozo is a must. You’ll take a ferry from Malta to Gozo and embark on a tour to explore its rich heritage and traditions.

On this tour, one will visit the Citadel in the Gozo capital of Rabat/Victoria and the Ġgantija Temples, which are amongst the oldest free-standing structures in the world, dating back to 3600 BC. You’ll also get to see the unique Inland Sea at Dwejra and the popular seaside town of Xlendi.

This tour is ideal for history buffs and culture vultures, as it lets you discover the ancient and modern aspects of Gozo and learn about its legends, myths, and folklore. You’ll also get to enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant and have some free time to shop for souvenirs or explore on your own.

This tour is available twice a week on Thursdays and Saturdays and costs €70 per person. The price includes lunch, pickup to and from your hotel, the tickets for the ferry, and the entrances to the Ġgantija Temples and the Citadel. The tour is available in many languages, including English, Italian, and German, and lasts for 9 hours.

Tour 3: Mdina, Rabat and Dingli Cliffs Full-Day Tour with Lunch

Mdina Main Gate | Image by Andrey Sulitskiy on Flickr

To complement your visit to Gozo, one must pair it with a trip to visit Malta’s old capital, Mdina. On this tour, you get to visit this wonderful mediaeval town, which has been featured in many TV shows and movies, such as Game of Thrones and The Count of Montecristo.

Apart from visiting Mdina, you will also get to visit the Catacombs in Rabat, the amazing views of the Dingli Cliffs, the San Anton Gardens, the Mosta Church, which is home to the third largest dome in the world, and last but not least, the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village, where you will have the opportunity to pick up some souvenirs to take home or gifts for your loved ones.

This tour is organised twice a week and lasts for 8 hours. The price is €61 per person and includes pick-up and drop-off to and from your hotel, entry tickets to the various sites, together with a lunch, which includes a glass of wine.

This tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues, so make sure you get comfortable shoes as some walking is involved.

Tour 4: Malta’s Prehistoric Temples and Highlights of the South

Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra | Image by FritzPhotography on Wikimedia Commons

This full-day tour includes some of the must-see attractions when visiting the Maltese islands. These are the temples of Ħagar Qim and Mnajdra. These temples, together with the other five megalithic temples of Malta, have been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These temples date back to 3600–3200 BC and are situated in an amazing location with breathtaking views of the cliffs, sea, and the inhabited island of Filfla in the distance.

This tour also takes you to visit some other attractions in the south of Malta, such as Limestone Heritage Park, the Blue Grotto area, where you can take an optional boat trip to actually get into the cave, Għar Dalam, a prehistoric cave in which fossils of extinct animals and early civilization were found. Last but not least, you will visit the beautiful fishing village of Marsaxlokk.

This tour is available in multiple languages and lasts for 8 hours. It costs €65 per person, which includes all the transportation to and from your hotel and entry tickets to Ħagar Qim Temple Complex, Limestone Heritage and Għar Dalam. The tour also includes lunch.

Tour 5: Valletta Street Food and Culture Walking Tour

The Grand Harbour from the Upper Barrakka Gardens | Image by Kristina Paukshtite from Pexels

Valletta, the capital city of Malta, is packed with attractions all within walking distance. It is also an amazing destination for foodies, with some of the country’s best restaurants are located within the city. So if you consider yourself a foodie and would like to explore the local cuisine and learn more about the island’s fascinating history, then this tour is for you.

The tour starts at the entrance of the city, right by the new building designed by the architect Renzo Piano, which today hosts the Maltese Paralament. From there, the guide will walk you through Republic Street (the main street of Valletta), Castille Square, Merchants Street, and the beautiful Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Along the way, you will get to savour some of the local food and drinks, including pastizzi, ħobż biż-żejt, Kinnie, and Cisk.

The tour is available three times a week in the mornings and costs €45. It takes about 3 hours, and since it’s a walking tour, make sure you bring along some comfortable walking shoes.

Tour 6: Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea Tour with Boat Trip

Fort St. Angelo | Image by FritzPhotography on Wikimedia Commons

The Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Cospicua, and Senglea) are among the oldest towns and cities in Malta. They were the location that the Knights of St. John called home when they first came to Malta before they built Valletta after the Great Siege of 1566.

This half-day tour will take you to Vittoriosa, past Cospicua, where you get to explore with a guide this amazing city. From there, you will get on board a traditional Maltese boat called “Frejgatina,” which will take you on a tour of the many creeks the harbour has to offer. The tour then ends in Senglea, where you get an amazing view of the Grand Harbour from the Gardjola Gardens located at the tip of the town.

The tour is run by a licenced guide, costs €36, and lasts for about 3 hours. The price includes the boat trip and the transportation on-board modern buses. This tour does not include lunch.

Tour 7: Malta Marsamxett Harbour and Grand Harbour Cruise by Night

View of Grand Harbour from Upper Barrakka Gardens at Night | Image by Giuseppe Milo on Flickr

There is something special and romantic about viewing the Maltese harbours at night. So if you are looking for something romantic, this is for you. You’ll take a cruise along the two harbours that surround Valletta (Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour) and see the illuminated skyline of Valletta and the surrounding towns.

You’ll also see the historic fortifications, the bastions, the churches, and the palaces that line the harbour and learn about their history and significance. You’ll also enjoy the views of Manoel Island, the Vittoriosa Waterfront, Ta’Xbiex, and Msida and Pieta Creeks.

This cruise takes 90 minutes and departs from the Sliema Ferries area and costs €20 per person. The cruise is available from May all the way to November.

Tour 8: Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour

If you love flexibility and convenience, then there is no better way to get around than with a hop-on, hop-off tour. You’ll get a one-day ticket to hop on and off the bus at any of the stops along the two routes (one covers the north and one covers the south) that the buses run.

On the south route, you get to places like the Hypogeum, Blue Grotto, and Marsaxlokk, while on the north route, you get to Mdina, Golden Bay, Splash and Fun Water Park, and Mediterraneo Marine Park.

On both routes, you’ll also enjoy an audio commentary available in 16 different languages.

The bus ticket costs €23 per person and lasts for one day. Please note that this ticket only includes the bus ticket. Any entrances at the various sites must be paid separately.

Tour 9: Popeye Village Fun Park General Admission Ticket

Popeye Village | Image by Callisto_Schmidt from Pixabay

If you are travelling with your family, then surprise them with a visit to Popeye Village Fun Park. This theme park was originally built as a film set for the 1980 musical comedy Popeye, starring Robin Williams. You’ll see the colourful wooden houses, the props, the costumes, and the memorabilia from the movie. You’ll also get to enjoy various activities and attractions, such as boat rides, water trampolines, mini golf, puppet shows, animation shows, and more. You’ll also meet the characters from the movie, such as Popeye, Olive Oyl, Bluto, and Wimpy, and have fun with them.

This tour is ideal for families and film fans, as it lets you see the best of Popeye Village Fun Park and have a fun and memorable day. With this ticket, you will get priority entrance to the park, admission to a 15-minute documentary of the film set, and access to the pools and beach facilities between June and October.

The park is open every day between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and adult tickets cost €24 each. A ticket for children aged 3 to 12 and senior citizens over 60 years old costs €18.

Tour 10: Malta Folklore Dinner Show with Transfer

If you are looking to immerse yourself for one night in Maltese cuisine and culture, look no further than this folklore dinner. You will not only indulge yourself in a 4-course meal where you get to taste some specialties of the local cuisine, such as rabbit, horsemeat, Maltese sausage, and goat’s cheese, but after dinner you will also be entrainned with a folklore show that features dancers in 18th-century costumes who will tell part of the Maltese history through dance.

The dinner and show cost €61 per person and €27 for children under the age of 10. The ticket also includes transportation, and dinner will include free-flowing local wine, water, and coffee.

Conclusion

Malta is a wonderful destination for travellers, as it offers a variety of tours and attractions that suit every taste, budget, and schedule. Whether you want to see the natural wonders, the historic sites, the cultural attractions, or modern entertainment, Malta has it all. You’ll also get to enjoy the friendly hospitality, the delicious cuisine, and the warm weather of this island nation.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your tours to Malta today and get ready for an unforgettable holiday. You’ll be glad you did.