We have tagged a short trip to Malta onto a business trip arriving Friday Oct 5th at around 5pm after a transatlantic flight departing Oct 9th. It sounds like Valletta is the place to stay- suggestions where are appreciated ( comfortable, clean, good value but not budget). We are interested in history- has anyone ever hired a guide? We are good walkers, love good food, like natural beauty( half day boat trip might be nice) but don't need to sit on a beach. It sounds like the bus is a decent way to get around although not very efficient. I have looked at old forums for some guidelines but any personal recommendations including hotel and restaurants is appreciated!

There are actually several recent threads about Malta so you should be able to get some ideas from those.

Here is my trip report from a couple years ago - Malta in July

And my photos - Zenfolio | Isabel's_View | Malta

I stayed at the Grand Harbor Hotel in Valletta and highly recommend it. I describe the details of it in the trip report.

Thanks, Isabel. I had actually looked at your post and photos last night. Great pics! Do you think a driver/ guide would be useful for one day or bus and guidebook fine. Sounds like sometimes buses are so crowded that you can’t get on. If so what sites are best seen with a driver?

I'd invest in the latest edition of Lonely Planet Malta & Gozo guide book. As Malta and Gozo are so small, anywhere is easily reachable on a day trip, so every single page in the guide book could be useful to you even on a short stay.

The main bus station is just outside Valletta City walls, and nearly all the main services start or end there. Some services also start and finish on the Sliema waterfront. Here's the Malta Bus website containing lots of information....

https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/routes-timetables

If you invest in a driver/guide then you'll be able to cover the ground faster, but you'll still get stuck in traffic at some stage.....it's a fact of life in Malta.

Getting across by ferry to Gozo is quick and cheap. The only down side is the ferry terminal is at the very north of Malta at Cirkewwa, but plenty of buses from Valletta or Sliema go there. Here's the webiste...

Gozo Channel Company Limited Malta | Gozo Channel Malta | Gozo Ferry Malta | Gozo Channel

There's also open-top buses...

https://www.visitmalta.com/en/tour-buses

And plenty of ferry tours from Sliema. Captain Morgan are well recommended...

Malta Cruises & Tours - Join our Malta, Gozo & Comino Cruises

There's also a Malta Heritage Pass, probably not good value for a short stay, but the sights included might be useful...

https://shop.heritagemalta.org/

On a short visit places, other than allowing a full day for Valletta, I'd definitely want to see Mdina & Rabat, Mosta, and the Three Cities [together] of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. If you go to Gozo, the main city is Victoria in the centre of the island, with the Citadel [Il-Kastell] being the jewel in the crown. Might be worth jumping on an open-top bus to see the rest of Gozo.

Avoid any touts, mainly British, offering you a free this or that.....it won't be free!

Thanks!