Discovering the Maltese Islands

Activity Level

Easy & Moderate

Activity

Walking & Trekking

Overview

The Maltese islands have played host to the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Knights of St John, Napoleanic and the British Empires whose influences can be seen all over the island.

The awe inspiring architecture is clearly evident, especially in the UNESCO world heritage site of Valletta, Malta’s capital city. With so many rich and colourful traditions and excellent gastronomy, there is plenty on these islands to tantalise your tastebuds.

This holiday gives the perspective on two different Maltese islands, Malta being the largest of the two, only 27km long and 14.5km wide so you’ll see plenty of breath taking sea views with dramatic sandstone cliffs, time worn salt pans and perfect fishing villages where the traditional and colourful Luzzo boats can be seen bobbing around in the bays. In Malta you are based just outside Valletta in St Julian’s, your 7 day bus pass allows you to make the most of your time on the islands enabling you to access the start of the walks and return at the end. Walk around Malta’s ‘fish tail’ where the watch towers along the coast are evident of its history and where there are stunning views across to Gozo and Comino. Enjoy the sites of the capital Valletta, the smallest capital in Europe and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s full of narrow streets, impressive architecture, fountains and ancient city walls, however if you need a rest, there are plenty of cafes, restaurant and bars in which to stop and watch the world go by.

Your hotel in Malta is based in the quieter side of St Julian’s just 350m away from the front at Balluta Bay and is tucked away in a quiet, narrow alley. A modern and contemporary hotel with striking decor, it’s rooftop infinity pool is a perfect place to relax after a days walking. Your stay here is on a B&B basis as there are so many excellent restaurants nearby for you to find the best spot for dinner. Valletta is also just a short taxi ride away should you wish to spend an evening in the capital.

On day 5 of your holiday you are transferred to Gozo to discover your second island and the second largest of the three Maltese islands. At only 14km by 7km at its widest point, nowhere in Gozo is too far away, making it the ideal choice for a walking holiday. The slow pace of life along with the air of tranquillity also makes Gozo the perfect place to relax. Rich in history and culture you there is plenty to see on your walks around the island taking in exceptional coastal views as you go. The walks guide you around the island’s impressive coastline and through the cobbled streets of the traditional towns and villages.Its rugged landscape ensures spectacular views including Fungus Rock, a natural stone outcrop in the centre of Dwejra Bay, and the Inland Sea. Between autumn and late spring, the countryside bursts into life, revealing an incredible wealth of flora and fauna, with colourful wildflowers and scented herbs.

Your hotel in Gozo is based in the capital Victoria. An elegant hotel in which you can relax, however being in the heart of Victoria there are a plethora of bars and restaurants to entertain you. Explore the medieval citadel with impressive walls and be enchanted by the far reaching views from the top across the entire island.

Key Information

Trip Code: W07GM
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: Malta

What's Included

7 nights twin-centre accommodation
All buffet breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Headwater Navigation App
7 day bus ticket for walking transfers in Malta and Gozo

6 days of Walking & Trekking

Terrain:

The terrain is moderate with some small hills and the walking is often along ancient roads and old farm tracks. There are some steep descents to the coast and the occasional rough, stony section.

Day 2: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Day 3: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Day 4: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Day 5: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Day 6: 13 km / 8.1 miles
Day 7: 13 km / 8.1 miles

Highlights

Explore two unspoilt Mediterranean islands, temperate year-round climate, perfect for exploring on foot
Excellent coastal walking with spectacular views over dramatic coastlines, beautiful beaches, colourful fishing villages and azure Mediterranean waters.
Discover the fascinating and historic UNESCO World Heritage city of Valletta with awe inspiring architecture.
Based on our popular 7 night, Secrets of Malta Walking

Itinerary

First Destination: St Julians
Next Destination: Victoria

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: St Julians
Next Destination: Victoria

Arrive at your hotel in the quieter area of St Julian’s. Below is a suggested itinerary for your stay on each island, however you are free to pick and choose when and where you walk on each island on each day.
Hotel Holms**** or The Waterfront Hotel**** in St Julian’s

Discover Malta’s ‘fish tail’ with breath taking cliffs beautiful beaches and stunning views to Comino and Gozo.

A shorter optional walk is also available.

Meals included:Breakfast

An impressive coastal walk of Malta’s capital city with UNESCO World Heritage site status, with stunning views of its surrounding natural harbours

A shorter optional walk is also available.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dramatic sandstone cliffs and magnificent sea views between the two fishing towns of Marsascala and Marsaxlokk Bay, famous for its Sunday Fish Market!

A shorter optional walk is also available.

Meals included:Breakfast

Today a morning taxi transfer is provided to the ferry port where you catch the ferry (ticket included) for Gozo where a taxi transfer will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the capital Victoria where you will stay for the next three nights. On arrival you can either relax, explore Victoria or do the optional walk to the Ta Pinu Santuary finshing in Gharb. This north western corner of the island is only accessible on foot, along easy to navigate farm tracks. First stop is the remarkable neo-Romanesque basilica Ta’ Pinu, a huge national shrine built on the site of a miracle in 1923. Your route then leads through unique ravine-like wieds (streams) to Gharb with a stunning Baroque church dating from 1699 and traditional stone houses. The final stretch takes you along the striking cliffs of the north coast where you are rewarded with fantastic views across Gozo’s famous salt pans.
Duke Hotel**** in Victoria – breakfast included

A shorter optional walk is also available.

Meals included:Breakfast

To the west coast of Gozo and the fascinating Punic burial site at Wardija Point. There’s a mythical feeling here, like being on the edge of the world. Narrow stone-walled lanes lead down to bamboo groves and to Fungus Rock (named after the ‘magic’ plant which grew there), the former site of the Azure Window and the Inland Sea.

Meals included:Breakfast

Beginning at Qala, it’s an easy stroll to Dahlet Qorrot, a tiny harbour with gaily coloured boat houses. Then it’s on through fragrant lemon groves and vineyards and past fig and peach trees to San Blas Bay, a hidden beach with gorgeous ochre-coloured sand. Your final stop is Nadur where the spectacular views at the end of the day are a great finale to your week.

Meals included:Breakfast

Depart Victoria after breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Call us on 1 844 462 4317

Book Your Flights With Us

Window or aisle? Premium seat with extra legroom? Adding a stopover en route? We’ll sort the flights that fit your plans. With access to thousands of routes - major airlines and regional gems alike, we’ll help you fly from your preferred airport, at times that suit you. Secure your flights and trip together and enjoy peace of mind knowing everything's organized with one team here to help if plans change.

View Details

Accommodation

Discovering the Maltese Islands

You will spend the first 4 nights of the trip in St Julien’s, Malta.

Waterfront Hotel or Hotel Holms or Hotel Verdi both 4* accommodations

The Waterfront Hotel in Gżira is a stylish 4 star hotel overlooking Sliema Creek, Manoel Island, and Valletta. It features comfortable rooms, many with balconies and harbour views. Its central location provides easy access to ferries, buses, shops, and the Sliema promenade. Recently refurbished, the hotel also holds Green Key certification and supports eco-friendly initiatives such as local tree-planting. Combining comfort, sustainability, and convenience, it’s a great base for exploring Malta.

Hotel Holm is a modern and contemporary boutique hotel and spa with design driven décor. Tucked away in a quiet narrow alley just 350m from Balluta Bay it offers an excellent location to explore Malta and nearby Valletta. You stay in the Superior rooms on a B&B basis with plenty of options for dinner nearby. Valletta is also just a short taxi ride away should you wish to spend an evening in the capital. The hotel has Wi-Fi throughout, a 24 hour bar service, a rooftop infinity pool and and the heated indoor pool and spa facilities (treatments payable locally) are excellent.

The last 3 nights of the trip will be spent on the small island of Gozo.

The Duke Boutique Hotel**** is situated right in the heart of Victoria, the capital city of Victoria and enjoy excellent views all around. The Headwater room overlook the Villa Rundle Gardens.All bedrooms and suites are designed with luxury and comfort in mind. The Duke Boutique Hotel is also the perfect spot from which to discover the stunning island of Gozo as it is within 200m from the main bus terminal.

Essential Information

Activity Level: 1 (Easy)
Average daily distance: 13km (9.3 miles)
No. of days walking: 6
Terrain and route: good, the terrain is moderate with some small hills and the walking is often along ancient roads and old farm tracks. There are some steep descents to the coast and the occasional rough, stony section.

The walking is suitable for anyone who is reasonably fit and healthy, enjoys the occasional weekend walk and can walk 2-5 hrs per day.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. You are provided with route notes for each day, which begin with an overview of the walk and advice on lunch, followed by detailed instructions. The route notes contain a 24 hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotel is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Your trip normally starts at our hotel in St Julians on the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary. Arrival and departure transfers are included in the price of the tour for flight inclusive bookings from Malta Luqa Airport to the hotel in St Julians, and vice versa for the return. Transfers can also be arranged for land only bookings for a supplement. Please ask your Sales Consultant for further details.

Flights:
Flights can be arranged from most UK airports, with connecting transfers as required, prices and details on request. The above prices include our standard flights/transfers: Arrival – Air Malta Heathrow to Malta Luqa 11:25/15:35, transfer to ferry port (35 mins) then ferry to Gozo 18:00/18:25. Transfer to hotel from ferry port (10mins).
Return – Transfer to ferry port (10 mins), ferry to Malta 12:00/12:25, transfer from ferry port to airport (35 mins) then Malta Luqa to Heathrow 16:55/19:25.

Business/club/first class seats are available on request.

Malta

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Malta. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/malta
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/malta
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malta/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Malta.html

Malta and Gozo are blessed with a subtropical Mediterranean climate; summers are generally hot and dry, winters mild, and autumns warm and sporadically wet. Malta’s average annual temperature of 18-19°C is amongst the highest in Europe, and significant temperature fluctuations are rare. Being islands however, they can face strong winds coming off the sea, particularly in the springtime, which can make it feel a little chilly.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.