Planning a trip itinerary can be extremely cumbersome, especially if you only have a couple of days in your destination! We only had 2 days in St Julians, Malta, but we think we’ve found the solution to make the most of your time. This post will give you an overview about visiting Malta, where to stay, and what we were able to do in 2 days! We’ve also added a few additional spots worth checking out if you have more than a couple of days.
We visited Malta as part of a 15-day trip to Europe. Madison has a friend living there, so we wanted to take a couple of days to see him and explore the island! It worked well with our itinerary because we could fly from Naples, Italy, directly to Malta and then from Malta to Lisbon, which helped shorten our flight home to Toronto!
About Malta
Currency: Euro (€)
Languages: English, Maltese
Climate: Mediterranean – mild winters, hot summers
Malta is the 10th smallest country in the world (by area). As soon as you arrive in Malta, you’ll notice many British influences, particularly that they drive on the left side of the road. This is because Malta was a British colony until 1964 when the British government passed the Malta Independence Act. Malta joined the European Union in 2004.
Malta’s location, south of Italy and surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, gives it the perfect (or so we think) climate. The average annual temperature is around 73°F (23°C), making Malta a popular vacation destination for many Europeans. If it does rain, it’s typically in the fall and winter.
Where To Stay
We recommend staying in St Julians – it serves as a great hub, especially if you only have a few days in Malta. Some popular hotels in St Julians are:
From Madison
Pack colourful outfits! Most of Malta’s buildings are neutral in colour. Because of this, I recommend wearing outfits with more colour, so you don’t fade into the background of your photos!
What To Do
Since we only had 2 days in St Julians Malta, we tried to do as much as we could in that area, and on the main island.
Malta Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
While we often prefer to explore a city on our own two feet, when we have limited time somewhere, we always recommend a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. It’s such a great way to explore and learn about a new city in a short amount of time! On longer trips, they can also be an excellent alternative to public transit!
For our trip, we decided to take the North Route of the City Sightseeing Malta Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour, which allowed us to see a lot of the main island. We opted to get out and explore Mdina for an hour during the tour.
Note: Had we started earlier in the day, and didn’t get off the bus, we likely could have ridden the South Route as well!
Mdina
Mdina, also known as Città Vecchia and Città Notabile, is a fortified city, located 7.5 mi (12 km) from St Julians. The city itself is still confined within its walls and has a population of just under 300 people. So, yes, the gorgeous doors that you’re taking photos in front of are the entrances to people’s homes!
While Mdina is home to many Instagrammable Places in Malta, most people recognize the city from Game of Thrones. Despite not being avid Game of Thrones watchers, it was still really neat to see some of King’s Landing!
Read More
How to Save on Taxi Fares in Malta
Malta Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
45 Instagrammable Places in Malta
Valletta
A trip to Malta wouldn’t be complete without exploring the capital city, Valletta. The entire city itself is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Spend some time roaming Valletta’s pedestrian-friendly streets. We highlighted a few of our favorites in our post on 45 Instagrammable Places in Malta. Be sure to also stop by Amorino to get a rose-shaped gelato/ice cream cone!
Paceville
Paceville is the nightlife hub of Malta. This district is located right in St Julians, which is another great reason to stay there if you only have a couple of days in Malta.
Now, we should warn you that while Paceville is the nightlife hub, we wouldn’t say that you’d want to go there if you’re looking for a high-end nightlife experience. It is certainly a much younger crowd, especially since Paceville is known as a party destination in Europe for both tourists and locals alike.
Liam’s Hot Tip
Even if it’s for only 30 minutes, visit Paceville at night! It’s a crazy adventure you’ll never forget (and you can get 1L mixed drinks for super cheap)! Also, download The Entertainer app before you go – it’s full of discounts for anything and everything in Malta.
Have More Than 2 Days in St Julians Malta?
If you have more than 2 days in St Julians Malta, we recommend visiting the following places!
Gozo
While the main island can keep you busy for a few days, it’s worth spending a day or two on the island of Gozo! Here you’ll find all kinds of picturesque rock formations, hiking trails, stunning beaches, and scuba-diving sites.
Beach Day
Malta’s location, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, gives it countless beaches. If you have more than 2 days in St Julians Malta, it’s worth keeping a day open to just relax. We recommend heading to the northern part of the Island to explore Popeye Village and Golden Bay or take a trip to the magnificent lagoons on Comino Island.
South Main Island
The south of Malta is home to Zabbar, Marsaxlokk, and the Blue Grotto. It’s really an Instagrammers paradise and worth visiting if you have more than 2 days in Malta! Zabbar is a classic Maltese town full of history and churches. Marsaxlokk is a small, traditional fishing village home to great views and the cutest fishing boats you’ll ever see! Lastly, the Blue Grotto is a popular swimming, snorkeling, and diving site with pristine blue waters.
Map: 2 Days in St Julians Malta
Itinerary: 2 Days in St Julians Malta
While Malta is a small island, there is so much to see and do! If you only have 2 days, we recommend following this itinerary so you aren’t rushed, and you’re able to make the most out of your short stay in Malta.
- Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
- Mdina
- Valletta
- Paceville
If you have more than 2 days, we recommend visiting Gozo, Zabbar, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto, or spending the day at one of Malta’s relaxing beaches!
