Photo: Wikimedia contributors · See sourceValletta itself is a walking city with controlled vehicle access. Collect a small car only after the capital stay, then use short, patient drives to connect Malta’s walled towns, temple landscapes, fishing harbors and Gozo’s quieter limestone coast.
These roadbooks start outside Valletta’s charging zone, favor peripheral parking and treat island distances honestly: a 20-kilometer leg can still be slow. Gozo is a separate vehicle-ferry loop; Comino is intentionally absent because it is not a driving destination.
North Malta is the best first island drive because it alternates strong stops with short legs. Mosta’s great dome opens the route, Mellieħa occupies a steep ridge above the bay, and Għadira leads toward the exposed ferry point at Ċirkewwa before Golden Bay turns the road back south.
Follow the southern temple coast, take the car ferry for two unhurried Gozo days, or thread central Malta’s gardens, village squares and high western edge.
Photo: Wikimedia contributors · See sourceTravel through Birgu, Marsaxlokk, Għar Dalam, Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, Blue Grotto and Dingli over two days.
Floriana · Birgu · Marsaxlokk · Għar Dalam · Ħaġar Qim · Mnajdra · Blue Grotto · Dingli Cliffs
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Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · See sourceCircle Gozo from Mġarr through Nadur, Ramla, Ġgantija, Victoria, Dwejra, Ta’ Pinu and the north-coast salt pans.
Mġarr, Gozo · Nadur · Ramla Bay · Ġgantija Temples · Victoria & the Citadel · Dwejra · Ta’ Pinu · Xwejni Salt Pans · Marsalforn
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Photo: Wikimedia contributors · See sourceMake a short, slow circuit through Naxxar, San Anton, Żebbuġ, Buskett, Dingli, Siġġiewi and Mdina.
Floriana · Naxxar · San Anton Gardens · Żebbuġ · Buskett Gardens · Dingli · Siġġiewi · Mdina
Open the roadbook →“Malta is small on the map and dense on the road; the reward comes from stopping well.”
Drive left, give buses and scooters room, use only legal spaces and leave the car outside historic cores. Check ferry queues, site hours, heat and rough-sea warnings before setting out.