6 Days Exploring Malta's Islands by Sea

Your journey opens in Valletta, a UNESCO-listed capital layered with baroque palaces, sunlit bastions, and winding cobbled streets. Wander through St. John’s Co-Cathedral and sip espresso by the Grand Master’s Palace, then board your yacht in the city’s storied Grand Harbour. Before sunset, take a short inland detour to Mdina, Malta’s former capital, standing quietly on a hilltop like a scene from another century.

Sail down Malta’s southern coast to the colourful village of Marsaxlokk, known for its painted luzzus, lazy pace, and centuries-old fishing traditions. The harbor bustles with open-air cafés, seafood grills, and the scent of sea salt and fried calamari. Walk along the waterfront lined with market stalls selling local honey, lace, and handwoven baskets. Just nearby, hop aboard the tender for a visit to the Blue Grotto—a series of sea caves where the water gleams electric blue against towering limestone walls.

Comino may be tiny, but it’s home to one of the Mediterranean’s most stunning anchorages. Spend the morning drifting into the famous Blue Lagoon. Here you can witness the impossibly turquoise water and the white seabed turns everything radiant. Swim, snorkel, or simply float with a cocktail in hand. For more privacy, cruise to Santa Marija Bay or St. Nicholas Bay. Both offer soft sands and clear shallows. On land, hike to the 17th-century Santa Maria Tower or the tiny Comino Chapel tucked in the island’s wild interior. It’s a tranquil escape, with nature and sea in every direction.

Just a short cruise north, Gozo reveals a more rustic side of Malta with its terraced hills, old stone farmhouses, and sleepy rhythm. Anchor at Mgarr ix-Xini, a narrow inlet flanked by cliffs where locals come to dive and fish. The island’s interior is dotted with Neolithic temples, olive groves, and windmills, while the coast offers quiet beaches like Ramla Bay and Wied il-Għasri. Explore Victoria’s Citadel or stroll through the winding alleys of Xlendi. From the deck, the reddish hues of Gozo’s coastline at golden hour are unforgettable.

Cruise down to Malta’s northern coast and drop anchor in Mellieha Bay. This is the island’s largest sandy beach and a favorite swimming spot for locals. The bay has shallow, crystal-clear waters that are ideal for floating, paddleboarding, or simply soaking up the sun on deck. Above is the village of Mellieha that sits perched on a hill and is home to the impressive Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha and scenic cliff trails. You can tender ashore for lunch at a beach club or take a walk to the WWII-era air-raid shelters carved beneath the village. The pace here is slow, the views wide, the water warm.

Your final day begins with a relaxed cruise back to Valletta. Before disembarking, make time for a last swim in the vibrant bays near St. Julian’s, where the shoreline curves into coves backed by restaurants and chic hotels. The area has evolved from a sleepy fishing village to one of Malta’s most cosmopolitan corners, known for its lively promenade and upscale cafés. As you return to the Grand Harbour, toast the journey with a final glass of champagne as Valletta’s golden skyline rises once again before you.