Malta & Gozo: Valletta, Salt Pans, Xlendi Cliffs & Inland Sea

Why Malta and Gozo?

These compact islands bring together thousands of years of history, fortified cities, traditional villages and some of the Mediterranean's most distinctive limestone coastline. The journey moves from Valletta's architectural heritage to Gozo's quieter countryside, salt pans, clear water, cliffs and natural sea formations.

Highlights

• Valletta: historic streets, churches, fortifications, Grand Harbour viewpoints, cafés and Mediterranean atmosphere.
• Gozo: traditional villages, quiet countryside, rugged coastline, clear water and scenic walking routes.
• Salt Pans coastal hike: an approximately 7 km guided walk beside historic salt pans, evening light and open Mediterranean scenery.
• Xlendi cliffs: limestone cliffs, coastal paths, expansive sea views and photography stops.
• Inland Sea: a boat experience through the natural sea tunnel, subject to weather, sea conditions and local operation.
• Blue Hole and Fungus Rock: famous coastal landmarks encountered during the planned Gozo exploration.

Dates, packages and meeting arrangements

• Full package: four nights, from Tuesday, September 29 to Saturday, October 3, 2026. Meet at the shared accommodation in Valletta from 20:00 on Tuesday.
• Short package: three nights, from Wednesday, September 30 to Saturday, October 3. Meet in Valletta by 09:00 on Wednesday; the exact location is shared with confirmed participants.
• Participants may arrive in Valletta at any time on their selected arrival day and provide their expected arrival time through the post-booking coordination process.
• Accommodation details are communicated to confirmed participants before the trip.
• Finish: Valletta or Malta International Airport according to departure times. An airport drop may be possible depending on the final group plan.
• Displayed event bounds: Billetweb shows September 29 at 20:00 to October 3 at 16:00 in the Europe/Paris timezone, which has the same UTC offset as Malta on these dates.

Detailed program

Day 0 — Tuesday, September 29: arrival in Valletta

Participants on the four-night package arrive in Malta and check into the shared accommodation in Valletta from around 20:00. Meet the group, settle in and prepare for the island program.

Day 1 — Wednesday, September 30: Valletta and Malta

Participants on the three-night package join the group in Valletta by 09:00. Spend the day discovering Malta's historic capital with local guidance: grand architecture, churches, fortifications, harbour views, narrow streets, viewpoints, cafés and Maltese or Mediterranean cuisine at personal expense. Stay in Valletta for the night.

Day 2 — Thursday, October 1: ferry to Gozo, Victoria and salt pans hike

After breakfast, take the ferry to Gozo, check into the shared accommodation in Victoria and begin exploring the island. In the early evening, follow an approximately 7 km guided walk around the Qbajjar salt pans, combining traditional salt-working landscapes, coastal history, open sea views and evening photography.

Return to Victoria for dinner at personal expense and a relaxed evening.

Day 3 — Friday, October 2: Xlendi cliffs and Inland Sea

Begin with the planned boat experience through the natural sea tunnel connecting the Inland Sea to the Mediterranean, subject to sea, weather and operating conditions. Continue on foot along Gozo's dramatic coastline towards Xlendi.

The route is planned around limestone cliffs, open Mediterranean views and landmarks including the Blue Hole and Fungus Rock. Expect rugged coastal scenery, uneven paths and regular photography opportunities. Return to Victoria for dinner at personal expense and the final evening on Gozo.

Day 4 — Saturday, October 3: return to Malta

After breakfast, take the morning ferry back to Malta. Continue towards Valletta or Malta International Airport according to individual departure times. When the schedule permits, enjoy a final coffee or view over the Grand Harbour before the trip ends.

Difficulty and fitness

The official level is easy to intermediate. Expect moderate walking distances, historic-city streets, uneven rocky coastal paths, salt-pan surfaces and exposed sections near cliffs. No technical climbing equipment is required, but participants need reasonable fitness, sure footing and suitable walking or hiking shoes.

What to bring

• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes.
• A small day backpack and reusable water bottle.
• Sun protection, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• A light jacket and light rain protection.
• Swimwear and personal beach items.
• A camera or smartphone and portable charger.
• Personal medication and travel documents.

Included

• Community leader and English-speaking trip leader throughout the selected package.
• Shared accommodation corresponding to the selected three- or four-night package; the full itinerary provides two nights in Valletta and two nights in Gozo.
• Breakfast with the listed accommodation.
• Ferry travel to Gozo.
• Inland Sea boat experience when weather, sea conditions and local operation permit.
• Transportation required for the scheduled program.
• Guided coastal walks and hikes.
• Local guidance in Valletta.
• Dedicated participant coordination group and shared photo album after booking.

Not included

• Flights to and from Malta.
• Lunches and dinners.
• Drinks and personal snacks.
• Personal expenses.
• Travel insurance.
• Optional attraction tickets and activities not explicitly listed as included.

Billetweb prices and room options

• Four-night main trip, September 29 to October 3: €645.
• Three-night main trip, September 30 to October 3: €580.
• Twin-sharing supplement: €250 for four nights or €225 for three nights.
• Single-room supplement: €395 for four nights or €345 for three nights.

Room supplements are optional add-ons to the corresponding main trip ticket and are not standalone trip prices.

Important operating conditions

• Weather and sea conditions can change quickly. Routes, timings, the boat experience and other activities may be adjusted for safety, trail conditions, group fitness or boat availability.
• The itinerary, activities, venues and accommodation may be adapted because of weather, safety or the group's size and needs.
• A minimum of five participants is required; the trip may be cancelled if this threshold is not reached.
• The guides may remove a participant whose behaviour is disruptive or unsafe, or who is considered unfit for the planned activities.
• Participants remain responsible for their belongings, health, suitable travel insurance and ability to complete the activities.

Cancellation policy for this trip

The exact official event page provides free cancellation with a 100% refund of the trip price, excluding flights, up to 14 full days before the start of the trip. After that, cancellation up to five days before departure receives a 50% refund of the trip price, excluding flights.

If the organizer cancels the event, the official policy provides a full refund excluding airfares. A flight-inclusive package purchased directly from the organizer is treated according to its specific flight conditions.

After booking

• Confirmed participants receive access to the dedicated coordination group to meet fellow travellers and organize arrivals.
• The group description links to a detailed trip briefing about preparation and what to expect.
• A group video information session is planned closer to departure.
• A shared photo album is available for participants' photos and videos.