Exploring Malta, Zagreb, and Zürich in 9 Days

  • Day 1: Valletta, Malta
    Estimated time from airport: 20 minutes

    Valletta is the capital city of Malta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the narrow streets and historic buildings, including St. John's Co-Cathedral and the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

  • Day 2: Mdina and Dingli Cliffs, Malta
    Estimated time from Valletta: 20 minutes

    Visit the ancient walled city of Mdina, known as the "Silent City," and enjoy panoramic views of the island from the Dingli Cliffs.

  • Day 3: Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk, Malta
    Estimated time from Mdina: 40 minutes

    Take a boat tour of the Blue Grotto's stunning sea caves and finish the day at Marsaxlokk Fishing Village, famous for its markets and seafood.

  • Day 4: Zagreb, Croatia
    Estimated time from airport: 30 minutes

    Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, offers visitors a mix of old-world charm and modern attractions. Don't miss the historic Upper Town, St. Mark's Church, and the buzzing Dolac Market.

  • Day 5: Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
    Estimated time from Zagreb: 2 hours

    Explore one of Croatia's most beautiful natural wonders, Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with turquoise waters and breathtaking waterfalls.

  • Day 6: Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Estimated time from Plitvice Lakes: 2.5 hours

    Take a day trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia's charming capital city. Stroll along the river, visit the castle, and stop at the local cafes and restaurants.

  • Day 7: Zürich, Switzerland
    Estimated time from airport: 30 minutes

    Zürich is a beautiful city famous for its banks, chocolates, and fabulous mountain views. Visit the Old Town, Bahnhofstrasse shopping district, and take a scenic boat ride on Lake Zürich.

  • Day 8: Mount Pilatus and Lucerne, Switzerland
    Estimated time from Zürich: 1 hour

    Take a day trip to Mount Pilatus and enjoy stunning views of the Swiss Alps. Then visit the picturesque city of Lucerne, known for its historic Chapel Bridge.

  • Day 9: Departure from Zürich
    Estimated time from city centre: 30 minutes

    Say farewell to Switzerland and depart from Zürich airport.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Valletta's St. John's Co-Cathedral (1 hour, €10)
  • Mdina's Cathedral and Museum (1 hour, €4)
  • Blue Grotto Boat Tour (1 hour, €10)
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park (4 hours, 300 Croatian Kuna)
  • Mount Pilatus Cable Car (2 hours, CHF 72)
  • Lucerne's Chapel Bridge and Museum (1 hour, CHF 10)
  • Total Estimated Costs: €98 + 300 Croatian Kuna + CHF 82

Transportation

You can reach all the cities by plane or bus. Malta has public buses available. Croatia has a variety of car rental options. Train travel is a great way to get around in Switzerland. Estimated travel costs are €50 for buses in Malta, €30 per day for car rental in Croatia and €200 for Swiss Travel Pass covering trains and other modes of public transport.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, visit the ancient cities of Hvar, Dubrovnik, and Kotor; or take a train to Interlaken for outdoor activities. If you have less time, skip Ljubljana and spend more days exploring the Plitvice Lakes, or skip Mount Pilatus for an extra day in Zürich's shopping and museums.

Airports

The main airport in Malta is Malta International Airport (MLA), located near Luqa, a 20-minute drive from Valletta. In Croatia, the busiest airport is Zagreb Airport (ZAG), located 17 km southeast of Zagreb city centre. In Switzerland, Zürich Airport (ZRH) is the largest and busiest international airport, located 13 km north of Zürich city centre.

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