Routes
Malta and Gozo in 5 days by car: a realistic plan
Malta is small, so the risk is not long drives but slow ones: town centres are dense and Valletta is best seen on foot. This plan keeps each day to short hops, puts Valletta on a day when the car stays parked and gives Gozo a full day, because the ferry crossing is the longest leg of the week.
In short
- Start and end at Malta International Airport (MLA) in Luqa. Most of the main island is within an hour's drive from there.
- Malta drives on the left. Give yourself a quiet first hour before busy town centres.
- The Gozo car ferry leaves from Ċirkewwa in the north. The crossing takes about 25 minutes and you pay the return fare in Mġarr, Gozo, before sailing back.
- Taking a rental car to Gozo is a ferry trip: check that your rental conditions allow it before you plan Day 4.
- All drive times below are approximate, for normal daytime traffic, and do not include stops.
Where to stay
One base for the whole stay works on Malta. Sliema, St Julian's or the Valletta area keep Day 2 car-free and leave every other day within 30 to 60 minutes. If you prefer a quieter base, Mellieħa in the north is closer to the Gozo ferry but further from the airport and the south.
Day 1: airport and the south-east
Collect the car and stay in the south, where traffic is lighter and the stops are close to the airport. It is a gentle way to get used to driving on the left.
Marsaxlokk
Fishing village with painted luzzu boats. On Sunday mornings the waterfront market is at its busiest.
- Drive
- Approx. 15 min from the airport
- Parking
- Street parking along the bay fills up on Sundays; arrive before 10:00 or park on the edges of the village.
- Time to allow
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Families
- Flat promenade, easy with a buggy.
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples
Neolithic temples on the cliffs above the sea, run by Heritage Malta. A paved path links the two sites.
- Drive
- Approx. 20 min from Marsaxlokk
- Parking
- Car park at the visitor centre.
- Time to allow
- 1.5 hours
- Families
- The walk down to Mnajdra is downhill on the way out and uphill on the way back.
Blue Grotto viewpoint (Wied iż-Żurrieq)
Viewpoint above the sea caves. Boat trips into the caves run only in calm sea.
- Drive
- Approx. 5 min from the temples
- Parking
- Small car parks near the viewpoint and in Wied iż-Żurrieq.
- Time to allow
- 30 minutes, longer with a boat trip
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Day 2: Valletta and the Three Cities, car parked
Valletta is a walking city. Cars entering the centre are recorded by the Controlled Vehicular Access (CVA) cameras and the access charge is billed to the car's registered owner, so it can reach you later through the rental company. Leave the car at your hotel or in a car park outside the charging zone, for example in Floriana, and walk in.
- Upper Barrakka Gardens for the view over the Grand Harbour.
- St John's Co-Cathedral (check opening times and dress rules before you go).
- Cross the harbour to Birgu by ferry or boat for the Three Cities and Fort St Angelo.
Day 3: Mdina, Dingli Cliffs and the west coast
Mdina and Rabat
The walled old capital and the town around it. Cars are not part of the visit: walk in through the Main Gate.
- Drive
- Approx. 25 min from Valletta
- Parking
- Public car parks outside the walls; they fill up by late morning.
- Time to allow
- 2 to 3 hours
Dingli Cliffs
High cliffs on the south-west coast with a road and footpath along the edge. Good at sunset.
- Drive
- Approx. 10 min from Mdina
- Parking
- Roadside lay-bys along the cliff road.
- Time to allow
- 45 minutes
Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa
Two sandy bays next to each other. Għajn Tuffieħa is reached by a long flight of steps.
- Drive
- Approx. 25 min from Dingli
- Parking
- Car park above Golden Bay.
- Time to allow
- 2 hours or a beach afternoon
- Families
- Golden Bay has easy access; Għajn Tuffieħa's steps are hard with small children.
Day 4: Gozo
Drive to Ċirkewwa early: the car ferry runs around the clock, there are no reservations and summer weekend queues can be long. You do not pay at Ċirkewwa. Car and driver tickets are bought online or at the vehicle booths in Mġarr, Gozo, and are validated before the sailing back to Malta.
A trip to Gozo includes a ferry crossing. Make sure your rental conditions allow the car on the Gozo ferry before you go. If they do not, leave the car at Ċirkewwa and cross as a foot passenger.
Victoria and the Citadel
Gozo's main town and its fortified Citadel with views across the island.
- Drive
- Approx. 15 min from Mġarr harbour
- Parking
- Car parks below the Citadel.
- Time to allow
- 1.5 hours
Dwejra and Xlendi
Dwejra's rocky coast and inland sea on the west side, then dinner or a swim in the Xlendi inlet.
- Drive
- Approx. 15 min Victoria to Dwejra, 15 min Dwejra to Xlendi
- Parking
- Car park at Dwejra; Xlendi has a small car park above the bay.
- Time to allow
- Half a day
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Day 5: the north and back to the airport
Mellieħa Bay (Għadira)
Malta's longest sandy beach, shallow for a long way out.
- Drive
- Approx. 10 min from Ċirkewwa
- Parking
- Large roadside car park behind the beach.
- Time to allow
- 1 to 2 hours
- Families
- Shallow water, good for small children.
Mosta Rotunda
The large domed church in Mosta, a short stop on the way south.
- Drive
- Approx. 20 min from Mellieħa; then approx. 25 min to the airport
- Parking
- Paid car parks near the square.
- Time to allow
- 30 to 45 minutes
Leave at least an hour between your last stop and the return time of the car. Traffic around Marsa and the airport roads is heaviest at rush hour.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car for Valletta?
No. Valletta is best on foot, and cars entering the centre are charged through the CVA system. Use the car for the rest of the island.
Can I do Gozo as a day trip?
Yes. With an early start a full day on Gozo is comfortable. The crossing takes about 25 minutes, plus the drive to Ċirkewwa and any queue.
Is five days enough?
For the highlights, yes. With more time, add a second day on Gozo or a slower day in the south.
Sources
- Fares, Gozo Channel (checked October 27, 2026)
- Gozo Channel for commuters, Gozo Channel (checked October 27, 2026)
- Controlled Vehicular Access: frequently asked questions, CVA / Transport Malta (checked October 27, 2026)
- Land transport: driving in Malta, Government of Malta (checked October 27, 2026)
- Heritage Malta sites and opening hours, Heritage Malta (checked October 27, 2026)
Rules, prices and opening hours change. Check the official source before you travel. Drive times are approximate.
More guides
Driving in Malta: what to know before you pick up the car
Left-hand traffic, roundabouts, Valletta's access charge, parking, the Gozo ferry and your licence: the practical points for a first drive in Malta.
Malta with kids: easy days without long drives
Family plans for Malta where no drive is longer than about half an hour: shallow beaches, a science centre, an aquarium and old towns that work with children.
Malta in November and winter: what is worth doing by car
Mild days, short showers and quiet roads: how to plan a Malta trip from November to February, with heritage sites, coastal walks, Gozo and wet-day options.