[Updated 04 June 2025]
I believe these 5 places give a perfect overview of Malta, while being the prettiest and most historic.
There's defintely more you can visit in Malta, but if you have limited time, the below are a must in my opinion.
The capital city of Malta - more importantly, a Baroque city built by the Knights of St John. A unique city.
Be sure to also visit St John's co-Cathedral.
Ben's Valletta Food & Drink Recommendations
Ben's Things to See in Valletta
Ben's Free Walking Tour of Valletta
The old capital city of Malta - more importantly, a pretty, medieval city with baroque, 1800s, early 1900s architecture, great views of Malta, and very picturesque.
Rabat, which is very closeby is also very worth visiting. A well-preserved example of a typical village in Malta. There are also some very important historial sites such as the Catacombs, and St Paul's Grotto.
Ben's Mdina-Rabat Food & Drink Recommendations
Ben's Things to See in Mdina-Rabat
Ben's Mdina-Rabat Free Walking Tour
A very underrated area to visit. The 3 Cities are older than Valletta (though a significant amount was destroyed in WW2), are still very authentic, and I would argue are a hidden gem.
Ben's 3 Cities Food & Drink Recommendations
Ben's Things to See in the 3 Cities
Ben's 3 Cities Free Walking Tour
Quite a few guests consider stone age buildings to be a bunch of rocks, in which case, it's not for you - and that's fine.
However the temples are unique. Some of the oldest surviving structures in the world. The oldest of which is Ġgantija in Gozo, dated at 3,600 BCE.
The sister island of Malta. Can be very picturesque and quaint at times.
If you don't have enough time, I don't really think it's worth rushing a visit to Gozo. I recommend you take a day at the very least; and that you start early and leave late.