Not sure where to go on your next vacation? Why not Malta? The island is blessed with amazing weather and plenty to do, no matter how long you’re going for. Even if you’re just looking for a weekend away – say 48 hours? – it’s an excellent escape. However, you’ll want to plan your trip in advance, so you don’t miss out on anything.

Start off by visiting Valletta

You won’t want to waste a minute in Malta, so after breakfast, it’s worth heading straight to the center of the island’s capital, Valletta. From St. John’s Co-Cathedral to the Grandmaster’s Palace, there’s plenty of stunning Baroque-era architecture to discover here. You can spend a few hours seeing these various sights and maybe even hop over to the National War Museum if you’re a fan of history. It’s a bit of a walk to reach over in St. Elmo, but worthwhile if this meets your interests.

Have an afternoon of exploring

For lunch, Republic Street and Straight Street are great places to visit if you want to enjoy some of the area’s sidewalk eateries. See what catches your eye here, then get a dgħajsa to the Grand Harbour. Here, you can explore Senglea, Vittoriosa, and Cospicua, which are far quieter than the bustling Valletta. Once you’ve had your fill, head back and spend the evening in Mdina, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the past. Enjoying dinner here while the sun sets on the beautiful architecture is quite the experience.

See what the past has to offer

After visiting some of the bars in Valletta, you’ll want to get a good night’s sleep to ensure you wake up bright and early on your second day. This is a great time to check out some of the archaeological sites that Malta has to offer, including the burial chambers of Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum. Dating back some 6,000 years, it’s not too far from Valletta so might be the best port of call if you want to keep this part of the day short and sweet. The temple of Ħaġar Qim is also worth a visit, though, if you have the time.

Spend the rest of your time on the beach

When you visit somewhere warm and sunny like Malta, a few hours on the beach is a must. This makes for a great way to end your vacation, especially if you catch a ferry to Gozo. There are miles of wonderful sandy beaches to relax on here, along with some specialty food dishes and opportunities to tour the island on a tuk-tuk. If you’re traveling back in the evening, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport so you can catch your flight home.

48 hours might not seem like enough time to fully enjoy Malta, but if you plan your trip appropriately, you can definitely get a good taste for the place. Besides, it’s not like you can’t go back there in the future, either for another weekend getaway or something even longer.