South Eastern Malta covers fifteen towns around the Grand Harbour and the southeast coast, from the capital Valletta and the fortified Three Cities to the prehistoric Hypogeum and Tarxien temples and the fishing port of Marsaxlokk.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Gozo (Victoria and the Cittadella)
Malta's sister island, with the fortified Cittadella above Victoria; reached by passenger fast ferry from Valletta or by bus to Cirkewwa and the Gozo Channel ferry to Mgarr.
Highlights: Walk the restored bastion walls of the Cittadella for island-wide views · Cross from Valletta to Mgarr on the 45 minute Gozo Fast Ferry · Browse It-Tokk market square in the centre of Victoria · Sample Gozitan ftira, ricotta pastries and cheeselets at a local cafe
Mdina and Rabat
The walled former capital of Malta on a hilltop, with St Paul's Cathedral and the neighbouring town of Rabat.
Highlights: Wander the quiet car-restricted lanes of walled Mdina · Visit St Paul's Cathedral and its museum · Look out from the bastions across central Malta · Explore Rabat's catacombs and St Paul's Church · Try pastizzi from a Rabat bakery
Comino and the Blue Lagoon
A small car-free island between Malta and Gozo known for the shallow turquoise Blue Lagoon, reached by ferry from Cirkewwa.
Highlights: Swim and snorkel in the shallow turquoise Blue Lagoon · Walk to St Mary's Tower across Comino's scrubland · Find quieter coves away from the lagoon · Cross from Cirkewwa on the short ferry
Mosta Rotunda
The Rotunda of Mosta, a large domed parish church in Mosta Square.
Highlights: See one of Europe's largest unsupported church domes · Learn the story of the unexploded 1942 bomb and view its replica · Step inside the circular interior and side chapels · Have coffee or pastizzi in the surrounding square
Popeye Village (Sweethaven)
A wooden film-set village built for the 1980 film Popeye, now a visitor attraction at Anchor Bay.
Highlights: Walk through the wooden houses of the Popeye film set · Look over Anchor Bay from the waterfront · Learn about the 1980 film Popeye and its production · Continue to Mellieha Bay for a beach stop
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples
Two Neolithic temple complexes on the south-west coast.
Highlights: Study the carved slabs and doorways of Ħaġar Qim · Walk down to the seaside Mnajdra temples · Explore the visitor centre exhibits on Neolithic Malta · Combine the temples with the nearby Blue Grotto viewpoint
Blue Grotto Sea Caves
A group of sea caves on the south coast, with boat trips from the Wied iz-Zurrieq quay.
Highlights: Take a small boat into the Blue Grotto sea caves · See the caves and Filfla islet from the viewpoint · Watch the water shift between blue and turquoise tones · Walk on to the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples
Għar Dalam Cave and Museum
A cave and museum south of Marsaxlokk, about 15 minutes' walk from the Marsaxlokk waterfront toward Birzebbuga.
Highlights: Look into the excavated cave with its layered prehistoric deposits · See fossils of dwarf elephants and other animals in the museum · Walk from Marsaxlokk toward Birzebbuga in about 15 minutes · Pair the visit with lunch at Marsaxlokk's fishing harbour
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Train
- There are no trains in Malta.
- Bus
- Malta Public Transport buses run from Valletta Bus Terminus to the main sites; day single EUR 2.00 (USD 2.30) single in winter, EUR 2.50 (USD 2.88) in summer, valid for 2 hours with free transfers.
- Ferry
- Gozo Channel from Cirkewwa to Mgarr; Gozo Fast Ferry from Valletta; Comino Ferries from Cirkewwa.
- Tours
- Organised day tours cover Gozo, Comino and the south-west temples.
Multi-day tours from South Eastern
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from South EasternWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Gozo Channel foot-passenger fares are paid on the return from Gozo only
Sailings to Comino run roughly 09:10 to 16:10 from Cirkewwa
The official bus fares page is publictransport.com.mt/en/fares