Malta Road Trip: Best Places to Visit in Malta by Car
Embarking on a Malta road trip is a great way to discover the best of Malta. The small island nation, located south of Sicily, is rich in history, culture, and nature and perfect for independent travellers.
At only 316 square kilometres, it’s easy to explore the best places to visit in Malta by car. If you hire a car in Malta you can visit plenty of Malta’s natural and historic wonders in just a few days. From the ancient capital of Mdina to the stunning coastline of northern Malta, your road trip will take you all over the beautiful Mediterranean island.
Visiting Malta by car gives you the freedom and flexibility to discover the island at your own pace and to set your own trip itinerary. I’ve used my extensive experience of planning and travelling around Malta to compile the best places to visit in Malta by car so you can make the most of your Maltese road trip. Get ready to experience Malta in your own unique way.
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Malta Road Trip: Best Places to Visit in Malta by Car
I’ve divided Malta up into four geographical areas and given an indication of how long each road trip is. Of course, that’s just travel time, if you stop to enjoy the destinations you can make a day of each of the four road trips. There’s also a map to help with your planning.
Whilst you’re on your road trip check out the best Instagram spots in Malta.
Northern Malta Road Trip
Blata tal-Melh and Fomm ir-Riħ Bay
This part of the wild northern Malta coast offers lunar-like landscapes amongst limestone cliffs. You’ll need to park up a short way before the coast and take a walk down the track to the coast.
This is an off the beaten path location that’s ideal for peaceful walks and relaxation but does require a degree of physical fitness to cope with the rocky terrain.
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Malta is well known for its rocky beaches, but it also has some long stretches of golden sand. One of the best of these is Għajn Tuffieħa, in the north of the island. You’ll be glad you visited by car, as it requires a long flight of stairs to get down and, more importantly, back up from the car park.
If the car park is full, you’ll usually find many people parked up along the roadside leading up to the bay.
Popeye Village (Anchor Bay)
This film set turned attraction is one of the quirkier places to visit by car on Malta. It was originally built for the 1980 movie Popeye, with Robin Williams. It’s a fun place for all ages, with wooden houses, cartoon characters, shows, mini golf, and a beach.
Even if you don’t fancy paying the entrance fee to look around, you can get some great views from the cliffs above and for that reason it’s worth adding it to your Malta road trip.
St. Agatha’s Tower (Red Tower)
Located on Marfa ridge, the historic St. Agatha’s Tower, also known as the Red Tower, provides incredible panoramic views of Comino, Gozo, and the northern coast of Malta from it’s rooftop.
Built in the 17th century by the Knights of Malta, for a few euros you can explore the tower’s interior, which includes a chapel dedicated to Saint Agatha, a Christian martyr and patron saint of Malta.
Driving time to visit all four destinations is a total of 40 minutes. Journey time from Valletta to Blata tal-Melh is 35 minutes.
Eastern Malta Road Trip
Mosta Rotunda
Mosta Rotunda is a famous church in Malta, with a huge dome that is the world’s third largest dome without support.
The history of the Mosta dome is amazing. It survived a bomb in World War II that, despite crashing down into the church, which had people in it at the time, did not blow up. The dome is very pretty inside. I recommend you make sure you add the Mosta dome to your Malta road trip.
Mistra Bay
After you’ve visited Mosta, head north and out to the coast for a trip to the tranquil Mistra bay. This beautiful location is ideal for spending a few relaxing hours by the sea. Don’t forget your snorkel.
Selmun Palace and Chapel
Explore the beautiful exterior of the 18th century Selmun Palace and nearby chapel, and take in the sense of history amidst the scenic surroundings. Built by the Knights Templar the palace can’t currently be visited inside but is still worth a look on your road trip.
Driving time to visit all destinations in this eastern Malta road trip is a total of 30 minutes. The journey time from Valletta to Mosta Rotunda is 25 minutes.
Western Malta Road Trip
Mdina
Any Malta road trip must include a visit to the legendary ‘silent city’ of Mdina. Mdina is located on a hill in the centre of Malta, and is one of the most peaceful places to visit by car in the country. It was the capital of Malta until the 16th century, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Park outside the old city walls, in Rabat, and enjoy a stroll around the medieval streets and bastions. Whilst you’re here, don’t miss a trip to St Paul’s catacombs, which I found moving and a bit creepy all at the same time on my visit. There’s also a chance to watch artisans at work blowing glass into incredible shapes at the nearby Mdina Glass Factory.
Dingli Cliffs
The Dingli Cliffs have great views of the sea and the landscape of Malta. The cliffs are good for picnics and are a great place to see the sunset. You can also see the chapel of St. Mary Magdalene near the cliffs.
This part of Malta is a lovely short coastal drive. On your way, take in the bizarre golf ball shaped Dingli Radar.
Għar Lapsi
A hidden rocky bay with crystal-clear waters, Għar Lapsi is the perfect spot for a quiet swim away from the crowds in the afternoon. There’s plenty of public parking in the car park at the top.
Driving time to the locations in this western Malta road trip is a total of 25 minutes. The journey time from Valletta to Mdina is 25 minutes.
Southern Malta Road Trip
Hagar Qim
Malta has some of the world’s oldest prehistoric temples, from the 4th millennium BC. These temples are made of huge stone blocks, in different and complex shapes.
Hagar Qim is one of the most incredible temples in Malta, located on a hill with a sea view. The large stone temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is known for its solar alignment, as the sun’s rays pass through a hole in a stone on the summer solstice.
Blue Grotto
Another must visit place in Malta is the spectacular Blue Grotto. This series of natural sea caves provides incredible views of sparkling turquoise water.
Drive to the Blue Grotto then jump on one of the frequent boat tours, run by locals, to take a trip around the caves. The boat ride takes about 25 minutes. It’s one of the popular reasons for visiting Malta.
Għar Dalam Cave
Għar Dalam cave is a natural cave complex, in Birżebbuġa. The cave is the oldest pre-historic site on Malta and also functions as a museum.
The museum displays the remains of animals that were stranded and became extinct in Malta during the Ice Age and contains teeth that belonged to Neanderthal man. Għar Dalam cave is a fascinating place to learn about the natural and cultural history of Malta.
Marsaxlokk Fishing Village
Further around the coast lies perhaps Malta’s most famous fishing village. There’s a fish market and colourful traditional Maltese boats bobbing in the harbour. Marsaxlokk makes a good place to stop for food during your Malta road trip.
St Peters Pool and il Kalanka
St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka are two natural swimming spots on the southern coast of Malta, close to Marsaxlokk. They’re known for their clear stunning turquoise waters and natural rocky cliffs.
Popular among locals and tourists alike, especially in summer, Il Kalanka is the smaller and quieter of the two Maltese swimming spots, with a convenient stepped path to access it. Both pools are great for swimming and snorkelling.
There are no facilities and limited shade here, so bring your own supplies. St Peter’s Pool and Il Kalanka are perfect places to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of Malta at the end of your road trip.
Driving time to visit all destinations in this southern Malta road trip is a total of 50 minutes. Journey time from Valletta to Hagar Qim is 25 minutes.
Gozo
Separated by a 5-kilometer channel, Gozo is Malta’s smaller sister island. I love Gozo and its rural landscapes.
There are plenty of rustic beaches in Gozo to visit, including the ochre sands of Ramla Bay and the hidden gem of Wied il-Ghasri inlet. Don’t miss the hidden gem of the Sanap Cliffs at sunset.
You can get to Gozo from Malta by car, by taking the ferry to Gozo from Cirkewwa to Mgarr. Once you’re ono Gozo you can take a ferry over to Comino to visit the stunning Blue Lagoon. Note that you can’t take a ferry over to Comino.
Malta Road Trip Map
I’ve created a map that shows the locations listed in this guide to Malta road trips. Click the arrow icon to the left of the map heading to view each area.
A Note About Valletta
I don’t recommend driving around Valletta unless you really enjoy getting stuck in traffic. It’s much more fun to explore Valletta’s winding lanes by foot, if you’re able to. There is also a congestion charge in operation for anyone wishing to drive around Malta’s capital.
To find a great place to stay in Valletta, check out my list of the best adults only hotels in Malta.
How to Rent a Car in Malta
You can rent a car in Malta either online or in person, from various local or international car rental companies, with a UK driving licence (and any other licence that uses the Latin/English alphabet). Discover Cars are recommended by many travellers. Compare prices to find the best deal for you.
English is one of the official languages of Malta, which could come in handy if you need to stop and ask for directions. It also means the road signs are in English.
For information on driving rules and car rental requirements in Malta check out my article on hiring a car in Malta.
Other Ways of Getting Around Malta
Of course, driving is not the only way to get around Malta. There is plenty of public transport which helps when getting around Malta without a car.
If you want the convenience of a car but don’t want to drive, Uber in Malta is a good option. You can use it to go from door to door quickly.
Another way of letting someone else do the driving so you can sit back and enjoy the scenery is to book one of the excellent day trips in Malta. This is a fantastic way to see the sights.
Finally, if you want to drive but want to avoid the hassle of traffic and parking, why not hire a scooter in Malta.
Wrap Up: Malta Road Trip – Best Places to Visit in Malta by Car
These hidden gems and key highlights provide a diverse range of experiences for those exploring Malta by car. Each spot on these Malta road trips has its own charm, adding to the overall adventure.