Malta (Isn't listed for Europe)

We rented one from the airport. I think it was Avis, and had no problems with them (but see below), most of the major hire car companies are there. Some have meet and greet services so could deliver/collect.

Don't have a hire car within Valletta, there are car restrictions and parking is all but impossible unless you're at one of the big hotels nearby. I'd definitely insist on air conditioning. Also, are you aware that Malta drives on the left (fine for me, but are you used to driving on the correct side?) Finally, Maltese drivers are insane and traffic in every town awful - I didn't enjoy it at all.

And you can get around easily by bus and taxi. Malta is a gem, but driving wasn't pleasant.

Hi Nick; yes we have driven on the Left in England, Scotland & Ireland as well as St. Lucia in the Caribbean; can't be any worse that there! Thanks for the heads up about getting a car near Valletta, may have to reconsider. Is it easy to hire a taxi for the day for the 4 of us at a reasonable rate. A car rental is cheap between 2 couples so thought we'd do that until your reply?
Thanks,
Jean

I've no experience doing that, I'm afraid. I have a guide book that mentions "Call Cab" as doing taxi tours, but I can't give a personal suggestion.

Just to be clear, with a week in Malta, I think renting a car can help for a day or two to see the more remote parts. But with your limited time, I suggest you concentrate on the main sights and car/tour might not be necessary. For example, you'll want to see Valletta - it's packed with sights and could take a day or more, but all in a small area, to walk the full length is just 15 minutes. Similarly, to see the Hypogeum, all you need is a taxi there and back from Valletta. Same if you go to Mdina - you can't go inside with a taxi, so it would just drop you at the gate and then you can pick up another to go back to Valletta.

I'll second the idea that Valletta itself would take at least one of your two days. There are tons of interesting WWII museums, as well as a few other interesting sights, including St. John's Co-Cathedral, the fort, and the Upper Barraka Gardens

The bus system is very easy to use, so if you'd like to head out to Rabat or Mdina I'd suggest the bus. Route 50, among others, runs between Valletta and Rabat. https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/ The public transit site is really easy to use and I used my phone to help me find the nearest bus stop and route to my next destination (I went to Ta' Qali craft market, Mdina, Rabat, and the Dingli cliffs all via bus all in one (long) day all using the bus).

Another suggestion for your second day is visiting the Three Cities across the Grand Harbor by utilizing a Rolling Geek (http://www.rolling-geeks.com/). It's a little golf cart-like car that navigates you around the Cities and gives you a tour while you drive. It's a lot of fun and the team at Rolling Geeks is super helpful. You can stop, get out and have a drink or go into a shop, all while you have the Geek. I stopped for a good half hour at Smart City to enjoy just sitting on the rocks by the sea. Take a traditional dghajsa boat (die-sa) across the Harbor to get to Vittorioso (one of the Three Cities). It's 2 euro per person and very fun.

And one last suggestion is taking the ferry to Sliema for the day and enjoying the beaches. I didn't go to the beaches so can't recommend where to hang out, but there's a lot of options at the hotels in Sliema (it's across the harbor on the other side of Valletta). Or take a 75 minute harbor cruise or all day, circle the island cruise from a company like Captain Morgan Cruises http://captainmorgan.com.mt/round-malta?l=1

I loved my few days in Malta so feel free to ask any other questions you have!

With less than 2 full days, it's not worth it. You'll likely spend all your time tied up in traffic and looking for parking. The sights in Valetta - possibly with a bus or taxi to/from Rabat/Mdina (walk between them) will easily fill all your time.