24 Hours in Malta: A Luxury Yacht Insider’s Guide

Smaller than many of the Mediterranean’s headline yacht-charter destinations, Malta rivals—if not surpasses—them in historic charm, gourmet dining, and cultural depth, yet remains surprisingly overlooked. Located between Europe and North Africa, it has long been a strategic maritime gateway, and its craggy coastline and clear waters make it an ideal yachting destination, whether arriving for a day or staying longer.

Beyond its more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Malta draws visitors with an extraordinary mix of UNESCO World Heritage sites, medieval cities, centuries-old fortifications, world-class diving among historic shipwrecks, and a contemporary culinary scene worth savoring.

At its heart is Valletta, one of the world’s smallest capitals, with the fortified Three Cities just a stone’s throw opposite. Beyond Malta, an island-hopping itinerary of the Maltese archipelago can include its rugged sibling, Gozo, and the tiny Camino, where secluded coves and turquoise waters are on the agenda.

Malta’s compact size makes it easy to see many of its highlights in a single day, yet the island—and its surrounding isles—offers more than enough to fill a longer yachting itinerary. If you are stopping over or here for a more extended break, here is how we recommend you spend 24 hours in this former British colony:

Morning: Pastry Delights & Baroque Streets

Starting your day in Valletta is the perfect way to begin a 24-hour itinerary. Overlooking the iconic Grand Harbour, the UNESCO-listed capital is the smallest in Europe but one of the most visually dramatic with baroque architecture. Best explored on foot before the midday crowds, wander the city’s streets and take in the distinctive details like the traditional enclosed Maltese balconies.

Pause at one of the many local cafes for a coffee and freshly baked pastizzi—Malta’s flaky pastry best served warm. Founded in 1837, the historic Café Cordina is well known for its breakfast pastry delights and was actually the first cafe to operate an Italian espresso machine in Malta. While exploring, you will also notice various features of Malta’s colonial past, such as the iconic red British-era telephone boxes, which are today protected historical structures, and many are hotspots for photo opportunities or used for book exchanges.

After a caffeine hit, continue exploring the historic sites like the impressive St John’s Co-Cathedral, and then head to the picturesque public gardens of Lower and Upper Barrakka, where you can take in the panoramic views over the Harbour and Three Cities. If you time it right, at midday and 4:00 pm, there is a daily ceremonial firing of the cannons.

Starting the day early means you will not only beat the crowds but also pack in much more. For the rest of the morning and early afternoon, take a traditional hand-built boat, a Dghajsa, which today serves as a water taxi from Valletta to the Three Cities.

Afternoon: Seafood, Stories & Sweet Treats

Spend some time wandering around the historic streets, soaking up the Maltese way of life, and in Vittoriosa, you can explore Birgu’s narrow streets and visit Fort St Angelo. While here, stop for a spot of lunch at Terrone. This Mediterranean seafood restaurant excels at serving the freshest and most local produce thanks to its daily-changing menu. It is the ultimate alfresco lunch setting tucked away against the walls of the Fort. You will also get a glimpse of the yachts and Valletta across the water as you dine.

Thanks to Malta’s compact size, you can cover a lot of ground in 24 hours. After lunch, enjoy a short private transfer to Mdina. This fortified city is one of the most historic places in Malta. Not only is it hailed as the “Silent City,” thanks to its pedestrianised nature, but this former capital is also famous for its role in the popular Game of Thrones.

And it is easy to see why the production team chose here, dating back 4000 years, this ancient walled city is home to some amazingly preserved baroque architecture found within the winding streets. Be sure to visit St Paul’s Cathedral and walk the city walls, heading toward Bastion Square, where you will be treated to panoramic views of the island. In Mdina’s heart is the iconic Fontanella Tea Garden, where a late afternoon sugar hit of its traditional homemade cakes may be on the cards.

Early Evening: Rooftop Sips & Historic Evenings

From the old to the new, heading back toward Valletta, make a stop at Silema—once a quiet fishing village, it is now a popular, bustling tourist and seaside hub full of hotels, shops, and restaurants. For sunset, you could visit Tigne Point, a peninsula at the tip of Silema and just across the water from Valletta.

A popular spot for sunset watching due to its clear view of Valletta’s skyline, before heading back to the capital for drinks and dinner. Hopping back across, if you didn’t get a chance to visit the Barrakka Gardens in the morning, this is another excellent spot that also stays open into the evening, ideal for sunset viewing.

Valletta’s walkable centre makes it easy to sample its thriving bar scene before dinner. Located atop the Embassy Hotel is the Rooftop Lounge for cocktails and a view over the city. Other highly rated cocktail bars include the intimate Cafe Society, where the tables spill onto the side-street stairs, and the innovative drinks menu at the speakeasy Kamy.

Aside from the bar scene, check out what is showing at Malta’s Teatru Manoel for evening entertainment. One of the world’s oldest working theatres, today it hosts a range of events, including concerts, ballets, operas, and theatrical productions.

Evening: Culinary Highlights

When it comes to booking a table for dinner, you are spoilt for choice in Valletta. Especially in such a small city, there are many options that combine Maltese ingredients with innovative and international chefs, as well as historic ambience and harbour views. The quality and variety of the fine-dining options are impressive, and one in particular, ION Harbour by Simon Rogan, is a must-try. This two-Michelin-star establishment, with harbor views, serves exceptional dishes rooted in Rogan’s farm-to-table philosophy, pairing the finest ingredients with a wine list of around 500 labels.

Or grab a table at one of Malta’s very first Michelin-starred, Under Grain. Found within the historic 17th-century Rosselli-AX Privilege Hotel, this elegant restaurant offers a thoughtfully curated menu. Combine a visit here with a drink before or after dinner at its rooftop cocktail lounge, Over Grain. There are plenty of non-Michelin options as well. The Harbour Club is one of Valletta’s most stylish dining spots, overlooking the water, and it boasts a romantic ambience and an intriguing story behind each dish.

Although small, Malta is typically classified as a single island; however, the Maltese islands are an archipelago of five, three of which are inhabited. With more time to spare here, take a visit to the second largest, the more rugged and rural Gozo. The island is perfect for soaking up a slower Maltese atmosphere, visiting its beautiful beaches, and exploring the unique landscapes of the Salt Pans and its coastal paths. The turquoise waters surrounding the islands are a hotspot for watersports like kayaking, snorkelling, and scuba diving, especially at the tiny island of Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon. A yacht charter itinerary here can include island-hopping and cruising along the coast, as well as visits to the two smaller uninhabited islands, Filfla and Kemmunett.

A Day Well Spent

Malta is an ideal Mediterranean destination to explore. The island nation offers an interesting blend of history and culture, alongside a contemporary culinary scene and a yachting lifestyle. Thanks to its compact footprint, a day here will give you a great insight, but staying longer also offers the perfect base to begin or end a longer vacation and yacht charter, extending your time to cruise the dramatic coastline and island-hop the archipelago, from diving historic wrecks to secluded anchorages.