Renting a car for just one day to explore Malta? No worries, we’ve got you covered! My husband and I rented a car and explored the island in a whirlwind, checking out hidden gems, stunning cliffs, and crystal-clear waters. We started in St. Julian’s, picked up our tiny rental car, and set off on a counter-clockwise adventure around Malta. Here’s our story and the ultimate itinerary to inspire your own Maltese road trip!

Picking Up Our Tiny Rental Car: Why Small is Best!

We picked up our rental car from the Avis desk inside the Hilton Malta in St. Julian’s. It was a tiny, automatic, four-door car that comfortably fit four people, which turned out to be perfect for the island’s narrow streets. Trust me, you want a small car in Malta! The streets are tight, often barely wide enough for one vehicle, even when it’s technically a two-way road. Plus, navigating the stone walls that line many roads requires some finesse.

If you’re wondering what to pack for this kind of adventure, here’s our list:

• Plenty of water (Malta can get hot!)
• Snacks for quick energy boosts
• Swimsuit & towels for spontaneous dips in the ocean
• Sunscreen (a must!)
• Phone chargers & battery packs for non-stop Google Maps use
• Sturdy shoes for hiking and an athletic outfit
• Casual clothes for dinner at the end of the day
• Euros (especially coins for parking and small purchases)

A Few Driving Tips for Malta

Before diving into the itinerary, let’s talk about driving in Malta—it’s an adventure in itself! Here’s what we wish we knew before hitting the road:

• Drive on the left: In Malta, they drive on the left side, so keep that in mind!
• Traffic circles galore: Malta is the land of roundabouts! Some were so small they felt like mere intersections, which we found pretty amusing.
• Road signs in English: Luckily, road signs and traffic lights were easy to understand, but many road names are in Maltese, which made correlating with Google Maps tricky. We missed a few turns but eventually got the hang of it.
• Parking space colors matter: White lines = Free for anyone at any time. Yellow lines = No parking, no stopping. Blue lines = Free for everyone from 7 AM to 7 PM, but reserved for Malta residents after hours. Green lines = Exclusively for Malta residents.
• Narrow roads: Many non-highway roads are extremely narrow, often bordered by stone walls. Drive slowly, and be patient when encountering other cars—it’s usually a tight squeeze, but Maltese drivers are respectful.
• No toll roads: That’s right—no tolls to worry about in Malta!
• Parking lot attendants: We had read stories about aggressive parking attendants demanding tips at free lots. Luckily, we didn’t encounter any during our trip.