Planning a trip to Malta? Get started with our ultimate Malta travel guide.
Here you will find the basics you need to know to start planning your perfect trip to Malta – and links to where you can find more information from my visit to this island nation.
Malta, in the beautiful Mediterranean, is known for its rich history, landscapes, and interesting culture.
With ancient temples, crystal-clear waters, and picturesque villages, it’s a destination that offers something for every traveller.
It’s a great spot for relaxation on a sunny beach, exploration of historical sites, or sampling delicious local cuisine. Malta won’t disappoint.
Contents
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Quick Facts
Location: Southern Europe, between Sicily and North Africa
Language: Maltese and English; common phrases include “Grazzi” (Thank you) and “Bongu” (Good morning)
Currency: Euro (€); ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are commonly accepted
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET) or UTC +1
Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to visit is between April and June or September to November when the weather is warm but not too hot, and there are fewer crowds.
Read more about why these are the best times to visit here.
I visited in March, and it is probably a little early in the season. We had sunny days but the evenings were still quite cool. It was too cold for me to swim, but others were enjoying the water.
Getting There
Airports: Malta International Airport (MLA) is the only airport and is well-connected to major European cities.
It is only around half an hour from Valletta by bus and very easy to get in and out of. It is quite small, so I don’t recommend spending any more time there than necessary.
Flights: Look for budget airlines like Ryanair or Air Malta for affordable flights.
Visa Requirements: EU, UK, US, Australian, and Canadian citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. When ETIAS is implemented in 2025, that may be required. Check your country’s specific requirements before travelling.
Getting Around
Public Transport: An extensive and affordable bus network connects most of the island. A weekly bus pass offers great value. Read about my experience with it here.
Car Rental: Renting a car is an excellent option for those who want to explore at their own pace, but note that driving is on the left side, which may be an issue for those who drive on the right.
If renting a car, I suggest staying somewhere other than Valletta as the narrow streets do not allow for parking and you will need to park outside the main city centre.
Ferries: Ferries are available to visit Gozo and Comino, two smaller islands that are part of the Maltese archipelago.
You can also catch smaller local ferries to Sliema or the Three Cities, and much larger ones over to Sicily.
Where to Stay
Best Areas: Valletta (for history buffs), St. Julian’s (for nightlife), Sliema (for shopping), Mellieha (for beaches).
We stayed in Il-Gżira, just along the waterfront from Sliema, adjacent to Manoel Island. This was a great location and I would be happy to stay here again.
Read my full review of Alavits Hotel by ST Hotels here
Buses were going in every direction which made it easy to get around the whole country, and it was just a couple of minutes walk to the ferry across to Valletta.
The street along the waterfront was filled with restaurants and shops, making it convenient to eat out and pick up snacks and supplies.
Recommended Accommodation:
Budget: Hostel Malti in St. Julian’s
Mid-range: Alavits Hotel by ST Hotels in Il-Gżira (where we stayed)
Luxury: The Phoenicia Malta in Valletta
Read more about the Best Areas to Stay in Malta here
Things to Do and See
We spent a week in Malta and barely scratched the surface of all there is to do and see.
We love to start our visits to a new place with a walking tour, and we did exactly that on our first morning with this free (tips-based) tour in Valletta.
I’ve done dozens of free walking tours over the years and almost always find the guides enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
They will help you get your bearings, learn some of the basics of the location, and allow you to ask the guide for recommendations or help if you need it.
Our guide told us about a festival happening in the town of Rabat the next day for the Feast of St Joseph, giving us an opportunity to enjoy a local experience we would have otherwise missed.
Top Attractions: Visit the ancient city of Mdina, explore the UNESCO-listed capital Valletta, see the stunning St John’s Co-Cathedral and marvel at the stunning coastline in Gozo.
Hidden Gems: Wander the streets of the Three Cities, swim in the Blue Lagoon, and explore the lesser-known Dingli Cliffs.
Suggested Itineraries:
1 Day: Valletta and Mdina
3 Days: Valletta, Mdina, Comino, Gozo
5 Days: Valletta, Mdina, Three Cities, Gozo, Comino, Marsaxlokk
Get started with this 7 Day Itinerary.
Food and Drink
Must-Try Dishes: Rabbit stew (Fenek), Pastizzi (savory pastries), Kapunata (Maltese ratatouille).
Best Spots: Check out Ta’ Kris in Sliema for traditional Maltese cuisine, Legligin Wine Bar in Valletta for a cosy wine and dine experience, and Marsaxlokk for fresh seafood.
Read more about the traditional food to try in Malta here.
Practical Information
Safety Tips: Malta is generally safe, but watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas. Emergency number: 112.
Health: No special vaccinations are required. The healthcare system is good, with many English-speaking doctors.
Tap Water: Tap water in Malta is safe to drink, but it is desalinated seawater and may have a slightly salty taste. Bottled water is widely available if you prefer.
Tipping: Tipping in Malta is not mandatory, but it is appreciated for good service. In restaurants, it’s common to leave a 5-10% tip if service isn’t included in the bill. For taxis and other services, rounding up to the nearest euro is a nice gesture.
Money-Saving Tips: Use public buses for transport, dine at local eateries, and book accommodation in advance.
Useful Apps: Tallinja (for public transport), Visit Malta (official travel guide).
Learn about more things you need to know before you go to Malta here.
Packing Tips
Clothing: Pack light clothing for summer, a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes. A light jacket is recommended for evenings.
Must-Have Items: Swimwear, snorkelling gear (if you have it), reusable water bottle, and a power adapter (Type G plug).
Responsible Travel
Tips: Support local businesses, avoid single-use plastics, and respect cultural sites, particularly religious buildings.
Volunteering Opportunities: Consider beach clean-up programs or volunteer with local environmental NGOs.
FAQs
Is Malta expensive? Malta can be affordable depending on your travel style. There are options for budget to luxury travellers.
Do I need to speak Maltese? English is widely spoken, but learning a few Maltese phrases is appreciated.
What’s the weather like? Warm and sunny most of the year, with mild winters and hot summers.
TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS
Find flights – I always use Skyscanner as my starting point when searching for flights. One search will give many options including airlines I may not have thought of. This means I can find the best possible flights to suit my needs
Book accommodation – my go to is always Booking.com for the best places to stay. It’s not just hotels anymore, but hostels, apartments, B&Bs and more. I love that the bookings are usually cancellable, and that I can book now and pay later.
Hire a rental car – RentalCars.com is my go to here. It allows me to do just one search and it finds cars from many of the different supplies, so no checking multiple websites to compare.
Get travel insurance – you would have heard by now that saying “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”. If we’ve learnt anything from the last couple of years it should be how essential travel insurance is. I use CoverMore for my insurance.
Pick up an eSIM – I tried an eSIM on my last trip and it was fantastic. I set it up before I went so it was ready as soon as I landed, and I still had access to my home number for emergencies. Get your own eSIM at Airalo.
Book activities, tours & attractions – I use a few different websites for this. Viator and Get Your Guide tend to be the first places I look. In Asia, Klook often has more options, and in Australia it’s Experience Oz.
Manage your money – the best way to manage your different currencies is with an account from Wise. You can hold money in many different currencies, and use them with the ATM card or from your phone.
