Private Malta Tour: Valletta, Mdina & Blue Grotto

Eight hours across Malta's capital, fortified cities, and coastal cliffs with your own driver

A private Malta tour with an English-speaking driver covers Valletta, the Three Cities, Mdina, Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto, and the prehistoric temples (half-day or full-day) with hotel pickup and drop-off included. Your driver serves as an informal guide, sharing local history at each stop. You explore museums and archaeological sites on your own. Some attractions may close for holidays or maintenance, so verify opening hours before your tour date.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Upper Barrakka Gardens1h
2. St. John's Co-Cathedral1h

Explore Malta's historic highlights

• Visit Upper Barrakka Gardens
• Tour St. John's Co-Cathedral interior
• Explore Birgu (Città Vittoriosa)
• See Fort Saint Angelo
• Visit Mdina fortified city
• Discover Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples
• Visit Marsaxlokk fishing village

The experience

The tour runs eight hours on the full-day option, starting with hotel pickup and moving through Valletta's Upper Barrakka Gardens, built in 1661 to overlook the Grand Harbour. St. John's Co-Cathedral, completed in 1572, stands as one of the finest examples of high Baroque architecture on the island. Your driver can brief you on its history before you enter. From there, the route crosses to the Three Cities: Vittoriosa (Città Vittoriosa) sits on a promontory with Fort Saint Angelo at its head, and the Gardjola Gardens offer views tied to Malta's maritime past.

The full-day itinerary continues to Marsaxlokk, a traditional fishing village in the southeast known for its harbor and working fishermen, then to the Blue Grotto on the coast. Mdina, the fortified medieval capital in the north, occupies its own hilltop with narrow streets and stone walls. The prehistoric temples at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, dating back over 5,000 years and first excavated in 1840, close out the day. A half-day option focuses on Valletta and the Three Cities if you want a shorter experience. Your driver is not permitted inside museums or archaeological sites but will offer suggestions and background before you explore on your own.

The vehicle assigned depends on group size: a sedan for one to four people, a minivan for five to eight, or a minibus for nine to twelve. Hotel pickup and drop-off, fuel, tolls, water, and WiFi on board are included. All taxes and handling charges are covered. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available.

What’s included

• Hotel or custom pickup and drop-off.
• professional English-speaking local driver serving as an informal guide.
• fuel and tolls.
• water and WiFi on board.
• all taxes and handling charges.
• vehicle assigned by group size (sedan for 1–4 people, minivan for 5–8, minibus for 9–12).

Options for this experience

2 options

Half Day Private Valletta TourGuide in English · 15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Lasts 4 hours and covers the Grandmaster's Palace, Barracca Gardens, Vittoriosa, and the Gardjola Gardens. Pickup is included.

Full-day Malta Tour, PrivateGuide in English · 15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Lasts 8 hours and covers Upper Barrakka Gardens, St. John's Co-Cathedral, Marsaxlokk Village, Mdina, and the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 21

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Welcome Pickups

Is this one for you?Choose the half-day option if you're short on time and want to focus on Valletta and the Three Cities. The full-day tour suits travelers who want to see the medieval capital of Mdina, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto, and the temples in a single outing. A private vehicle means your group sets the pace and skips the shared-tour schedule.

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's inside St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta?

St. John's Co-Cathedral, built in 1572, holds one of the finest examples of high Baroque architecture in the Mediterranean. Your driver will share its history before you enter. The cathedral itself is not included in the driver's access, so you explore the interior on your own.

Can I customize the stops on this tour?

Yes, the itinerary is fully customizable. You work with your driver to adjust the route and pace to suit your interests, whether you want more time in Mdina's medieval streets, skip a site, or add a stop your driver recommends.

What happens if an attraction is closed on my tour date?

Some sites close for public holidays, maintenance, or special events. Verify opening hours on the attraction's official website or contact the operator before your tour. If a stop is unexpectedly closed, the operator will offer a suitable alternative.

Does the driver enter the museums and temples with me?

No, drivers are not permitted inside museums or archaeological areas. Your driver will brief you on what to expect and share local tips before you explore on your own, then meet you outside when you're ready to move on.

Is lunch included in the full-day tour?

Meals and beverages are not included in either the half-day or full-day option. You'll have time to eat in Marsaxlokk or another village along the route, and your driver can recommend local spots.

How does the half-day tour differ from the full-day?

The half-day tour covers Valletta and the Three Cities (Vittoriosa and Gardjola Gardens). The full-day option adds Marsaxlokk, the Blue Grotto, Mdina, and the prehistoric temples at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra.