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Malta Hikes: The 9 Best Walking Trails (2024)

Malta Hikes: The 9 Best Walking Trails (2024)

The island of Malta has many outstanding hikes to enjoy. By hiking in Malta, you’ll actually discover spectacular natural attractions that are off the beaten track. Indeed, the standard tourist just heading to the historical sites and beaches will miss some outstanding natural beauty. To that end, this guide will reveal the nine best walking trails in Malta, which visit spectacular natural sites across the island.

Other than reading about the Malta hiking trails in this guide, make sure to watch our Hiking Malta YouTube production below to inspire your Maltese trekking adventure.

YouTube video

Malta Hiking Guide

When it comes to European hiking destinations, we’re sure the island nation of Malta didn’t come to mind. But, with sublime coastline, mindblowing natural attractions and fascinating historical sites, Malta has key elements that make it an idyllic place to hike. This idea not only applies to the mainland of Malta but to its gorgeous islands such as Gozo and Comino.

Check out our Sicily, Cyprus, Mallorca and Menorca guides

A great aerial shot of beaches in Malta

Indeed, the Malta Coastal Walk (155km), Gozo Coastal Walk (50km) and Comino Walk (8.8km) are hiking routes that circle the entirety of these respective islands, paving the way for ample hiking opportunities. In this guide, we’ll tell you about the best nine Malta day hikes. Indeed, this guide has you set to enjoy all of the best hikes in Malta, Gozo and Comino. By exploring the Maltese islands, as well as the mainland, you’ll encounter subtly different coastal landscapes, each providing unique hiking experiences.

The Top 9 Malta Hikes

This guide will detail nine of the best Malta hiking routes, including trails on the mainland of Malta, as well as Gozo and Comino. Beck and I personally hiked all of these trails in Malta. For additional information about each Malta hike, we’ve provided a link in each section to a more detailed guide.

Anyway, most of the Malta walking routes discussed in this guide are coastal walks, covering the best sections of the Malta multi-day hikes (Malta and Gozo Coastal Walks), plus the entire Comino Island Walk which is less than 9km! Of these nine Malta walks, there are only two trails that aren’t set on the coast, which take in brilliant historical and archaeological sites in Malta.

Better yet, Malta (and most of the Mediterranean) has decent weather all year round. So, when many of the popular hiking trails across Europe are inaccessible over winter due to snow, the Malta walking trails remain accessible, making Malta a solid option for hiking any time of year.

Please click on the Malta hiking map (Malta walking map) below to view and use an interactive map.

A map of the best Malta hikes (showing trailheads for walking trails in Malta)

1. Golden Bay to Ġnejna Bay

  • Type: Loop
  • Distance: 6km
  • Time: 2.5 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 155m
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trailhead: Golden Bay

The Golden Bay to Ġnejna Bay route isn’t a very well-known hiking trail. Yet, Beck and I believe it is the best hike in Malta. This pseudo-loop route is a relatively short hike. But, it’s packed with some of the best beaches and coastal landscapes in Malta. It actually takes place in a section of a national park called Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park. Starting from the heavenly Golden Bay – a picturesque island inlet with a beach, you’ll soon be passing Għajn Tuffieħa Tower and heading towards Għajn Tuffieħa. The trail initially runs adjacent to the stunning beach at Għajn Tuffieħa.

You’ll then follow a strip of mindblowing clay cliffs, leading you to the higher-positioned headland. The headland itself consists of breathtaking red rock and provides epic views of Għajn Tuffieħa. As you leave the headland, following the path atop the clay cliffs, you’ll pass the red sand of Qarraba Bay, climbing away from the coast. This steep, dusty and rocky path provides ever-increasingly stunning views of Qarraba Bay. This walking trail in Malta then continues to follow the coastline to Ġnejna Bay, passing more moon-like landscapes.

Once you have arrived and checked out the pristine Ġnejna Bay, it’s time for the return journey. We recommend taking a steep path that ascends to the top of the coastal cliffs. This elevated position provides extraordinary views of both Qarraba Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa for most of the return hike.

Once you arrive back at Golden Bay, it’s time for a well-deserved swim!

Read more: Golden Bay, Għajn Tuffieħa & Ġnejna Bay – One Epic Coastal Walk

Dan and Beck hiking in Malta on a walking trail in the  Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park.

2. Xlendi Walk

  • Type: One-way
  • Distance: 12.9km
  • Time: 3.5 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 255m
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Trailhead: Gozo Ferry Terminal

The hike from Mġarr to Xlendi was our favourite in Gozo and our second favourite overall walking route in Malta. With a 24-hour ferry service between Malta and Gozo, take the opportunity to maximise daylight hours, and head to Gozo nice and early. Starting from near the Gozo Ferry Terminal, you’ll walk by a beautiful stretch of coast known as Xatt l-Aħmar. From there, you’ll continue to explore lesser-visited bays, coastline and salt pans, all with superb views of the Mediterranean Sea! You’ll also pass some historic watchtowers and a stunning slither of a bay called Mġarr ix-Xini.

The next main attraction along the coast are the phenomenal Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs. They’re a large stretch of brightly and wildly coloured sandstone walls. You’ll then head inland, walking through and around Sannat, before rejoining the coast. The limestone cliffs along this stretch of coast are incredible. Soon enough, you’ll reach Sanap Cliffs – another gorgeous coastal setting, similar to Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs. Afterwards, you’ll arrive at Xlendi Tower, beautifully perched next to Xlendi Bay. After passing the scenic grotto, you’ll walk around the bay, arriving at Xlendi Beach, where this hike in Malta concludes.

Read more: Xlendi Walk – An Epic Coastal Trail In Gozo, Malta

Dan on the Xlendi Walk, a fantastic walking trail and hiking experience to be had in Malta.

The Longer Version (Mġarr to Dwejra)

It’s possible to combine the Mġarr to Xlendi and Xlendi to Dwejra hikes together. Because we only had one day in Gozo, it was easiest for us to fit in one long hike in the morning from Mġarr to Dwejra. This route option is around 21km and takes you approximately 1/3 of the way around the island! It also gave us enough time to explore the other natural and historical attractions of Gozo in the afternoon such as the Xwenji Salt Pans, Tal-Mixta Cave, Wied Il-Għasri and Wied il-Mielaħ Window.

However, for this guide, we have broken down the longer version walk that we did into two parts – Mġarr to Xlendi and Xlendi to Dwejra (see below). We actually preferred the hike from Mġarr to Xlendi, compared with the Xlendi to Dwejra section. That’s because there’s much more freedom to explore the coastline between Mġarr and Xlendi than between Xlendi and Dwejra. So, if you’re going to choose one coastal walk in Gozo, and you’re not quite prepared to walk 21km from Mġarr to Dwejra, we recommend the 13km Mġarr to Xlendi trail.

Top 3 Gozo Tours

Xlendi Bay
  • Gozo Day Trip Tour: from the mainland of Malta, you’ll explore the natural and historical sites of Gozo
  • Gozo Day Trip Tour By Jeep: explore all of the main attractions in Gozo in style by jeep – by the numbers, this is actually the most popular tour in Gozo
  • Gozo and Comino Sightseeing Cruise: if you’re short on time, this is a great option to see both islands of Gozo and the Blue Lagoon in Comino

3. Comino Walk

  • Type: Loop
  • Distance: 8.8km
  • Time: 2.75 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 155m
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Trailhead: Blue Lagoon

It’s not every day that you can say you’ve walked around an entire island! Comino is a tiny, but truly spectacular Maltese island which allows just that. At under 9km, it’s possible to walk around the entire island in just a few hours. Keep in mind though, there’ll be hoards of crowds at the popular Blue Lagoon throughout the tourist season. So, for maximal enjoyment, make sure to catch the earliest ferry (8:30 am) from Marfa to the Blue Lagoon to have this slice of paradise to yourself!

SIDE NOTE: The ferry from Marfa to the Blue Lagoon visits some epic sea caves on the way. Have your camera ready!

Better yet, once you’ve had a peaceful swim, you can dry off and begin the Comino Walk which most visitors won’t bother doing. Indeed, if you can’t arrive at the Blue Lagoon early, at least this waking trail on this island in Malta will remain quiet, even during the day when the Blue Lagoon is packed!

Heading in an anti-clockwise direction, you’ll soon arrive at Crystal Lagoon. It’s another stunning lagoon with turquoise waters. Further along is Saint Mary’s Tower, a historic watchtower used in several films, such as The Count of Monte Cristo, which used the tower to represent the prison Château d’If near Marseille. Beck was absolutely chuffed to visit this attraction.

Read more: Comino Walk – The Ultimate Guide To This Epic Island Loop

Beauitful, raw and rugged coastline in Gozo.

The Second Half of the Comino Walk

As you continue along the beautiful western coastline of Comino, you’ll eventually reach Saint Mary’s Battery. It was built by the Order of Saint John between 1715–1716 as a coastal fortification. Watch our Malta YouTube production from 06:28 to check out the coastal fort. The official route then takes you past an abandoned pig farm and heads north towards Santa Maria Bay. However, it’s possible to follow a faint and sometimes pathless trail, along the amazing rugged eastern coastline.

After passing Santa Maria Caves and the incredible headland that forms part of this coastline, you’ll arrive at Santa Maria Bay. From here, you’ll need to head inland, as the next stretch of the coast is private property. The road will guide you back towards the Blue Lagoon, where you can explore more of the surrounding world-class coastline.

Once you have completed the route, it’s likely that the Blue Lagoon will be very busy. So, it’s time to head back to the mainland for one more hike in the afternoon. We recommend doing the Modified Marfa Ridge Trail, which basically starts from the Marfa Ferry Terminal in Malta.

The Best Blue Lagoon Tour

Popeye Village

The Blue Lagoon and Beaches Catamaran Tour is the most popular tour to do in Malta. During this fun tour, you’ll explore the famous Blue Lagoon as well as Għajn Tuffieħa and Popeye Village.

4. Tas-Silġ Walk (Marsaskala to Marsaxlokk)

  • Type: One-way
  • Distance: 11km
  • Time: 3.5 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 230m
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Trailhead: St. Thomas Bay Beach

The Marsaskala to Marsaxlokk walk (Tas-Silġ Walk) was actually the first walking trail we completed in Malta and is our second favourite hike on the mainland. Indeed, when it comes to nature walks in Malta, this is one of the best. Starting the hike from St. Thomas Bay Beach in Marsaskala, you’ll be immediately delighted by the crystal clear waters in the southeastern region of Malta.

As you’ve probably discovered, most of the best hikes in Malta are on the western and northern coast of the mainland and on the smaller islands. The Marsaskala to Marsaxlokk walking trail is the only hike in Malta we chose to complete on the southeast side of the mainland.

After following the water’s edge at St Thomas Bay, you’ll head past Riħama Battery, and uphill towards the Munxar Path. You’ll be met by absolutely gorgeous white sandstone cliffs. From higher ground, you’ll pass Il-Ħofra l-Kbira and Il-Ħofra ż-Żgħira – two beautiful bays. In between these bays, you’ll explore a beautiful sandstone headland known as Ras il-Fniek.

Following the coastline further south, you’ll make your way to some stunning rock pools, just around the corner from the popular St. Peter’s Pool. We actually recommend spending more time at these lesser-known rock pools, as St. Peter’s Pool is likely to be heaving with swimmers during the day! After St. Peter’s Pool, make sure to stay by the water, as you will come across amazing protruding white sandstone rocks.

Read more: Tas-Silġ Walk (Marsaskala to Marsaxlokk) – The Ultimate Guide

An aerial shot of rock pools.

En route to Marsaxlokk

After passing the white sandstone rocks, you’ll eventually arrive at a road. Make sure to turn right to follow this road, as from this point, the coastline encroaches on farmland that is private property. You’ll then complete a short out and back to Il-Kalanka. It’s a less popular but equally impressive bay as St. Peter’s Pool. You’ll also catch sight of Lighthouse Il-Kalanka, before making your way to Marsaxlokk. After a cold beverage in the charming traditional fishing village, you can catch the 119 bus (hourly) back to Marsaskala.

DJI Air 2S

DJI Air 2S

Capture breathtaking aerial photography and videography with the DJI Air 2S. The DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo comes with all of the necessary accessories such as the remote controller, spare batteries and battery charger.

5. Xemxija Heritage Trail

  • Type: Figure 8
  • Distance: 3.8km
  • Time: 1.5 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 60m
  • Difficulty: Very easy
  • Trailhead: Google Maps: ‘Start of Xemxija Hill Heritage Walk’ (35.948199, 14.381738)

This short historical trail in San Pawl Il-Bahar exceeded all of our expectations. It was one of the only walking trails in Malta that weren’t disrupted by private property. Plus, there were so many archaeological and natural attractions squeezed into such a short area. We were surprised that we enjoyed this hiking trail even more than some of the coastal walking in Malta.

This hike begins on a 2000-year-old Roman Road (Pilgrims Way) that passes by dry stone rubble walls and leads you to the Cave of the Galley.

You’ll then find a famous Roman Apiary, an old carob tree and another cave – the Cave of Burials. Feel free to enter and explore both the apiary and cave!

Further on, you’ll reach a sign, clarifying the direction of other sites of archaeological importance. Follow the dirt path left, and you’ll initially see a Neolithic Temple, which is now just a pile of rocks. Walk further into the woodlands to the end of this path to find an interesting corbelled hut. You’ll then complete a loop back to the original signpost, where you’ll then head in the direction of the Punic Tomb. In a short space, there are several tombs, huts, cave dwellings and a granary silo.

Read more: Xemxija Heritage Trail – The Ultimate Guide

Dan hiking in Malta, on the Xemxija Heritage Walking Trail

Roman Baths

Perhaps the highlight of this walking trail in Malta is the impressive Roman Baths, which you’ll find next. Amazingly, they were only discovered in the last 20 years or so! Beck and I couldn’t believe more isn’t made of this incredible historical site! We found it odd to have such a historic landmark, situated only a stone’s throw away from a block of apartments; but, that’s to be expected on this densely populated island!

The trail’s final attraction is a very well-defined pair of cart ruts. You’ll complete the trail by circling the aforementioned apartments and returning to the entrance of the Roman Road! Now you’ve finished the trail, it’s time for an iced coffee and pastizzi at Xemxija Cafe Lounge & Pizzeria where you can take a seat outside and enjoy the delightful Xemxija Bay.

6. Dingli Cliffs to Blue Grotto

  • Type: Out & Back
  • Distance: 13.1km
  • Time: 4–5 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 280m
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Trailhead: St. Mary Magdalene Chapel (Dingli Cliffs)

Starting at St. Mary Magdalene Chapel, the early stages of this hike in Malta cover a sensational stretch of coast called the Dingli Cliffs. These beautiful white sandstone cliffs are typical of the Maltese coastline.

Unfortunately, due to farmland occupying the coastal areas in this western region of Malta, most of the hike follows the road. You’ll also need to walk far inland towards Siggiewi, to circle around a large quarry, which is private property stretching all the way to the coast. Admittedly, we didn’t enjoy walking on the side of the road for such a long period; but, the walk does get much better!

Eventually, you’ll re-approach the coastline, heading to Ghar Lapsi – a popular dive site. The trail then follows an epic stretch of the Qrendi coast, where you’ll pass hidden turquoise bays and vividly coloured rocky landscapes.

You’ll then climb away from the coast, picking up a nature trail that takes you past the historical temple ruins of Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim. It’s possible to add these historical sites to your hiking adventure. But, we didn’t need to as we had visited a couple of days earlier. Head to Bonus Tips for more information on other incredible historical sites in Malta.

Read more: Dingli Cliffs to Blue Grotto Walk – The Ultimate Guide

Beck hiking on the Dingli Cliffs to Blue Grotto walking trail in Malta

Blue Grotto

After passing Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim, you’ll then follow a wide footpath, that takes you to the well-known Blue Grotto. Check out the Blue Grotto viewpoint for the best views, before following the road down to the watchtower (Torri Xutu).

The bus stop is conveniently placed near the watchtower, of which, the buses run hourly to Dingli. So, while you wait for the 201 bus to take you back to Dingli Cliffs, grab a coffee from the Grotta Bar!

This hike in Malta boasts incredible coastal scenery and landmarks at the beginning and end of the walk at Dingli Cliffs and Blue Grotto, respectively. Despite the epic Qendri Coast during the second half of the trail, much of the hike is away from the sea due to privately owned farmland occupying the coastline. Hence, personally, we didn’t enjoy this hike as much as we had expected! But, it’s certainly still worth doing.

7. Modified Dwejra Walk

  • Type: One-way
  • Distance: 8.3km
  • Time: 2.5 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 160m
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Trailhead: Xlendi Beach

This is the second of the Gozo hikes detailed in this guide. It can be completed as a standalone hike, or as the second part of the Mġarr to Dwejra coastal walk. Starting in Xlendi, you’ll have gorgeous views of its bay. Admittedly, we struggled to find our way out of Xlendi. But, we soon realised the need to climb steep sections of cliff rock to advance further along the coast. The views of Xlendi Bay after ascending this section were sensational!

The next stretch of coast is comprised of private farmland. So, you’ll need to road walk the following 2km away from, but adjacent to the coast.

You’ll then reach San Raflu Lake, which is more of a small pond. It’s the only natural waterhole in Gozo. From here, you’ll join a rougher country road, which hugs closer to the coastline. There are sections here that are private property, which prevents you from staying by the coast the whole time. However, as you bend around the coastline, and head in a more northerly direction, you’ll find the home stretch to Dwejra sticks by the coast.

It’s this stretch of the coast, leading to the magnificent Blue Hole, that really comes to life. You’ll pass by incredible yellow-coloured sandstone rock, before eventually circling the lovely Dwejra Bay with Fungus Rock visible in the distance.

Read more: Modified Dwejra Walk – Awesome Hike From Xlendi To Dwejra Bay

Dan enjoying one of the best hikes on Gozo, Malta

Blue Hole

After passing Dwejra Tower, we recommend checking out the Inland Sea Divesite. It can be crowded but has a fascinating hidden bay and cave. You should then check out Blue Hole – another popular spot for diving! Hiking beyond this point of the coastline towards the collapsed Azure Window is prohibited.

Thankfully, right by the Blue Hole is the bus stop. To head back to Xlendi, you’ll need to catch the 311 to Victoria and then the 306 from Victoria to Xlendi. If you’ve completed the longer Mġarr to Dwejra walk, you’ll need to catch the 311 to Victoria and then the 301 or 323 from Victoria to Mġarr, which drops you off near the Gozo Ferry Terminal.

8. Dwejra Lines

  • Type: Out & Back
  • Distance: 3.5km
  • Time: 1 hour
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 65m
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Trailhead: Our Lady of Hodegetria Chapel

When we were doing research for this trip, we came across the Victoria Lines – a line of fortifications that spans 12km along the width of Malta. They were built by the British military in the late 19th century to create a physical barrier to invading forces landing in the north of Malta, intent on attacking harbour installations. They were only really in use between the 1880s–1907 and since then, have essentially been abandoned and eroded over time. This means they’re difficult to follow and disappear in some parts.

Having read about this, we decided not to follow the entire 12km trail; but, just check out a section. So, we decided to check out the Dwejra Lines – a section of the Victoria Lines still very much intact. Close to Our Lady of Hodegetria Chapel is a brilliant stretch of limestone trail, heralded as The Wall of Malta.

Beyond this section, we attempted to follow the lines another 1km or so; but, didn’t find any lines as impressive along the way.

Overall, we enjoyed exploring a small section of the Victoria Lines. However, if you’re just wanting to check out the most epic stretch of line; then, definitely park at Our Lady of Hodegetria Chapel, and it’s just a short walk (200–300m) to this long remaining stretch, which forms part of the Dwejra Lines.

Read more: Dwejra Lines – How To Visit The Best Part Of The Victoria Lines

Aerial shot of the Dwejra Lines.

9. Modified Marfa Ridge Walk

  • Type: Loop
  • Distance: 14.4km
  • Time: 3.5–5 hours
  • Accumulated elevation gain: 220m
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Trailhead: LABRANDA Riviera Hotel & Spa

After an amazing half-day trip to Comino, we recommend a hike around Marfa Ridge in the afternoon. In fact, as soon as you step off the returning ferry, in Marfa, you can begin the loop trail. The initial sections take you by small and busy bays such as Armier Bay Beach, Little Armier Beach and White Tower Bay. Whilst passing these bays, you’ll walk by areas filled with seemingly run-down shacks, holiday huts and caravan homes. Apparently, these areas are a contentious issue in Malta, considered to be illegally developed shantytowns, and those occupiers justifying them as boathouses.

Truth be told, we didn’t really enjoy this part of the walk. It lacked a sense of serenity and peacefulness that we otherwise enjoy on our hikes. But anyway, soon enough, you’ll arrive at It-Torri l-Abjad – a watchtower perched on a hill, that provides nice views of Armier Bay, Comino and Gozo.

Read more: Marfa Ridge Walk – The Ultimate Hiking Guide

Dan explores the Coral Lagoon.

Coral Lagoon and Red Tower

After visiting the watchtower, you’ll head to Coral Lagoon, and feel one with nature again! Coral Lagoon is an epic coral cave, that’s fun to explore and walk around.

From there, it’s possible to follow the coastline on rough, pathless terrain. However, after stumbling into private property accidentally a few times, we decided to take the road towards the Chapel of Immaculate Conception. Although, along the southern portion of the Marfa Ridge trail, it is possible to follow a collection of dirt paths along the coast. These trails lead you by a couple of campsites and lovely hidden bays.

However, you’ll need to head away from the coast as you approach Ghadira Bay, to avoid walking through the abandoned Mellieha Bay Hotel. Ghadira Bay is one of the longer stretches of sand on the island and is worth walking alongside with an ice cream in hand, of course!

We then recommend walking through Foresta 2000 Nature Reserve to arrive at the incredible Saint Agatha’s Tower, otherwise known as, Red Tower! This was certainly a highlight of this hike in Malta.

It’s possible to continue to the most western portion of the Marfa Ridge; but, we were content to complete the loop by following the main road back towards Marfa via the Wied Musa Battery.

All in all, it was probably our least favourite walk of the trip, given the atmosphere during the initial stages. But, it was still an interesting trail to experience, and still one of the best hikes in Malta.

9 Best Malta Hikes Recap

We hope this guide will help you enjoy the best hikes in Malta. By following the trails detailed, you’ll get to explore the mainland of Malta, plus the smaller islands of Gozo and Comino. Indeed, some of our favourite hikes in Malta are on the stunning coasts of Gozo and Comino. Definitely, make sure to explore these islands.

For more information on planning your Malta trip, read below to make your life easier!

Things to Know Before Hiking in Malta

Despite there being an official circular hiking route around Malta and its islands, much of the coast is comprised of farmland and large apartments and hotels (most of them abandoned), that are all private property. It means there are many times during these walks when you’ll need to steer away from the coast, road walk, and pass through towns, to eventually rejoin the coastal path.

This doesn’t seem so hard. But, there’s no signage for any coastal trails. There are only merely crude signs from the locals signalling their private property. So, it’s easy to get confused and either wind up on private property accidentally or avoid sections, which are, in fact, the correct public right of way.

Admittedly, we found this a bit off-putting at times. We were trying to do the right thing and follow the correct paths, but inevitably felt like we were intruding on private property. However, don’t let this stop you from hiking in Malta. As long as you’re prepared with official tourist maps and accurate GPS directions (feel free to use ours), you’ll stay on the correct route.

Malta Hiking Safety

Despite sections of the coast being privately owned, the beautiful Maltese coastline is safe and ready to be explored. Use our guide to plan your hiking adventures and download our GPS directions so you’re prepared for a fantastic hiking trip in Malta.

Getting to the Best Hikes in Malta

During our six day trip of Malta, we hired a car to maximise our time hiking. However, unlike many hiking destinations in Europe, many of the best hikes in Malta start in, or, are close to towns that are accessible by bus. So, it’s possible to enjoy many of the best hikes in Malta without a car. But, it’s much more time-efficient and easier to drive.

Our car rental helped us easily access the best hikes in Malta and Gozo. The sun rises over the horizon.

We hired a manual car with from Malta International Airport for only £15/day! It was possible to go even cheaper with a manual car for £11/day but Sicily By Car required an International Driver’s Permit and has a poorer reputation. For an automatic car, you’d be looking at around £20/day.

Car Hire

DiscoverCars.com

If you don’t have your own car, you should hire one using Discover Cars. Personally, we use Discover Cars and highly recommend them for finding your ideal car hire at an affordable price. Booking online is super easy and the free cancellation policy is great.

To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.

Public Transport

For those not interested in hiring a car, you can reach most of the best hikes in Malta by bus. It may be worth buying the 7-Day Explore Card for €21, which provides unlimited use of the bus in Malta and Gozo. Alternatively, single trips are €2 during Summer (mid-June to mid-October) and €1.50 during Winter. A single trip can be split between multiple buses, as long as the transfer is within 2 hours of the ticket being issued by the driver.

Even if you do hire a car, many of the best hikes in Malta are one-way coastal walks. So, you’ll need to catch a bus to return to your starting destination. By completing the nine hikes detailed in this guide, we had to catch the bus only a few times so it was better value for us to pay for single trips.

Getting to Gozo

It’s possible to take your car rental from the mainland of Malta to Gozo via the ferry. The Gozo Channel Ferry service runs 24/7 and, in 2021, is €15.70 for the car and passenger, plus €4.65 for each other passenger. Interestingly, you’ll pay on the return ferry from Gozo to Malta! Departure is from the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in Malta and returns from the Gozo Ferry Terminal in, you guessed it, Gozo!

There is no information online about how far in advance you need to arrive to board the next Gozo Channel Ferry. But, we personally found that arriving 10–15 minutes beforehand meant you’d usually get on the next ferry, coming to or from Gozo. But, it can be much busier in summer, so you might want to arrive 15–30 minutes before your desired time of ferry departure.

Getting to Comino

Interestingly, there are no cars on Comino! You’ll need to park your car in Marfa (we recommend parking at LABRANDA Riviera Hotel & Spa) and catch the ferry to Comino. The ferry is €13/person. Departure times and frequency of the ferry depends on the season. Check the Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd website for the latest timetable. Of course, we recommend getting the earliest ferry because the Blue Lagoon is a very popular tourist site.

Thankfully, Comino is such a tiny island, that you’ll be able to walk the Comino Walk from the ferry drop-off point at the Blue Lagoon.

Aerial photography of the Blue Lagoon at around 9am
Aerial photography of the Blue Lagoon at around 9 am

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Malta

Malta is a relatively small island, that only takes around on hour to drive from one end to the other. So, you’ll be fine to base yourself at one location for your entire trip (unless you plan to spend a night in Gozo). We decided a day trip to Gozo would suffice, so we booked a lovely mid-range apartment called For Rest Aparthotel in St Pauls Bay for six nights.

Despite being in a densely populated neighbourhood, For Rest Aparthotel was set back far enough from the St Pauls Bay promenade to be quieter than we had expected at night. All in all, we enjoyed our stay there but would consider staying in a smaller coastal town that wasn’t so busy for more chilled vibes. Although, most towns and cities in Malta are densely populated. That means finding a quieter area to stay may not be so straightforward.

Stay Where We Stayed

For Rest Aparthotel

Located near St Pauls Bay, For Rest Aparthotel has lovely spacious apartments that are fully equipped with kitchenettes and feature a patio or balcony overlooking the sea

Suggested Malta Hiking Itinerary

It’s possible to complete all nine of the best hikes in Malta in five to six days. Personally, Beck and I spent six days in Malta, hiking these nine brilliant trails over five days and spending a day exploring the capital city of Valletta and other historical sites.

Keep in mind, you’ll only need half a day exploring Comino to complete the Comino Island Walk. In terms of hiking in Gozo, we recommend a day trip to enjoy two stunning coastal walks, which should still allow you enough time to explore other attractions there. That leaves roughly 3–4 days on the mainland of Malta to squeeze in the other six epic hikes.

Getting to Malta

It probably goes without saying that you’ll need to fly to Malta! Although, it’s possible to catch a ferry to Malta from other places in the Mediterranean such as Sicily in Italy.

Usually, we like to book flights well in advance as it’s usually much easier to find flight deals. However, due to the pandemic, we couldn’t book this trip too far in advance, which, unfortunately, meant paying more for flights! Usually, a return flight from the UK to Malta can be as cheap as £65 in Summer and between £10–40 in winter.

Booking Flights

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is our go-to website for booking flights. If you’re looking to find the cheapest flights, we recommend getting the ball rolling with a Skyscanner search. It allows you to scan all airlines and platforms to find the cheapest airfares.

To find out more about booking the cheapest flights, read our Skyscanner review.

What to Bring on Malta Hikes

These are some gear essentials for exploring the best hikes in Malta.

Osprey Skarab 30
Osprey Skarab 30

The Osprey Skarab 30 is our go-to hiking backpack for day hikes. This well-designed unisex backpack is comfortable and spacious, so you’ll have plenty of space to pack everything without feeling the strain on your upper back.

Osprey Ultralight Raincover
Osprey Ultralight Raincover

A waterproof backpack cover is an absolute must when you’re adventuring outdoors. The Osprey Ultralight Raincover Medium is a high-quality waterproof cover that’ll keep your backpack bone dry.

GRAYL Reusable Water Bottle
GRAYL Reusable Water Bottle

The GRAYL GeoPress is the best water filter bottle that allows you to purify 710mL (12 ounces) of water. This bottle will make water safe to drink wherever you’re hiking.

BUFF Original Ecostretch
BUFF Original Ecostretch

The BUFF Original Ecostretch is a great option when it comes to multifunctional headwear. We use the Ecostretch as a neck gaiter to keep the sun off our necks and it helps us keep warm in cooler climates.

Sony Cybershot RX100 VII
Sony Cybershot RX100 VII

Capture epic photos and videos with the Sony Cybershot RX100 VII. This is hands-down the best compact camera. We love using this simple point-and-shoot camera when we’re hiking as it’s lightweight and durable.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

FAQs About Hikes in Malta

Below, you’ll find the most frequently asked question about Malta hikes.

Is Malta Good For Hiking?

Hiking in Malta certainly has pros and cons. The trails involve visiting amazing natural landforms and beautiful coastal scenery. But, because a lot of the coast is occupied by farmers, we did find it annoying that we kept accidentally walking on or arriving at private property.

To that end, you’ll need to be prepared with a map or GPS directions to avoid encroaching on private coastal land during many of these trails. But, it’s all part of the fun and adds an elevated sense of adventure as you navigate the best hikes in Malta.

Where Can I Go Hiking In Malta?

Please read The Top 9 Malta Hikes section to find out where to go hiking in Malta.

Is Malta Easy to Walk Around?

There is no signage for any of the coastal walks in Malta. As previously mentioned, it’s easy to accidentally stumble into private property if you’re unfamiliar with the coastal routes. We highly recommend using our Wikiloc maps for GPS-guided directions or any official maps. You’ll see many of our GPS maps sorted under the relevant trail on this page.

Don’t use any-old GPS directions from AllTrails or Wikiloc. A lot of the time, members use incorrect paths when recording their trails which intrude on private property. Also, Maps.me doesn’t take private property into consideration for many of its trails in Malta, so it’s not a suitable option for trail navigation in Malta.

In terms of ease of walking in Malta, we recommend visiting outside of summer. That way, you’ll avoid the hot summer warmths. Indeed, walking in Malta outside of summer is much more pleasant. In addition, visiting Malta in summer means visiting outside of the busy tourist season. We visited in late September 2021 and found most of the historical sites to be quiet and the hiking trails practically deserted.

Travel Insurance

Heymondo is one of the best budget travel insurance providers on the market. They provide comprehensive travel and medical insurance that won’t break the bank. Whether it’s single trip insurance, annual multi-trip insurance or long stay insurance, Heymondo offers affordable travel and medical insurance to suit all of your needs. Personally, we use Heymondo travel insurance and highly recommend it. To find out more about Heymondo travel and medical insurance, read our Heymondo travel insurance review.

Travel Insurance

Heymondo Travel Insurance

Don’t leave for your trip without booking travel insurance. We all know accidents can happen and having Heymondo travel insurance could save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong. Click the button below to receive a 5% discount!

Bonus Tips

  • Buy the Heritage Malta Multisite Pass: after crushing the best Malta hikes, make sure to leave enough time to visit historical and cultural attractions. Currently, an adult Heritage Malta Multisite Pass is only €30 (usually €50). So, if you plan on exploring more than about five sites (site prices vary from €6–12), you’ll certainly get your money’s worth. Using this pass, we were able to visit many incredible historical sites (see photos below). Some of these sites date back to 5,000BC, which is absolutely mindblowing. For more information on the multisite pass, check out Heritage Malta.
  • Backpacking in Malta: if you’re a backpacker or budget traveller, keep Malta in mind for a part of your backpacking trip. There are often flight deals to and from Malta, and, it’s cheaper than many other destinations in Europe and the Mediterranean.
  • Malta hiking tours: it’s possible to do hiking tours (and other great tours) if you want someone else to take care of all of the planning! Check out GetYourGuide below for the most popular tours in Malta.

Fancy a trip walking in Malta and Gozo? Share this guide on the nine best hikes in Malta with your trekking buddies on Facebook.

Daniel Piggott

Dan is a travel blogger, physiotherapist, hiker, natural wonder seeker and world traveller. He loves writing travel guides to help his readers explore the most beautiful destinations in the world.

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