malta tourism card

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Navigate the Maltese Islands with this guide to the latest travel information! Designed to make your holiday easier and more enjoyable, it includes Accessibility, Emergency Services, Transportation, FAQs, as well as an array of helpful maps and guides. There’s even a live camera which allows you to check out the places you’re interested in visiting before your holiday begins!!

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Malta Multi Pass

• 7.40 / 10 14 reviews | 232 travellers Very good, practical. It is complete, everything interesting to know is included. 10 María Sylvia
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the service starts
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The Malta Multi Pass offers access to the main tourist attractions on the island . You can choose between a 3, 6 or 7-day pass – it's up to you!

Description

The 10 most popular included attractions of the Malta Multi Pass are:

• Malta Sightseeing Bus
• Hagar Qim Temple
• Ghar Dalam Cave
• St Paul's Catacombs
• Domus Romana
• St. Angelo's Fort
• Inquisitor's Palace
• National Museum of History
• National Museum of Archaeology
• Tarxien Temples  

The total in entrance fees for all these attractions already adds up to much more than the price of the Malta Multi Pass. Plus, with the Multi Pass, you can take the ferry between Comino, Gozo and Malta , hop on the Captain Morgan Harbour Cruise or visit the Skorba temples ! Please note that the attractions included are different depending on the card you choose. Click here to see all the attractions included in the Malta Multi-Pass .

How does it work?

At the time of booking, you'll have to choose the number of days you want to use the Malta Multi-Pass: 3, 4, 6, or 7 days . Your card will be activated when you use it for the first time, either on public transport or at a museum or monument .

Please keep in mind that the 6-day ticket doesn't include use of the sightseeing bus.

Although you're asked for a starting date when you make your booking, you can use the card for 24 months from the date indicated .

More Information

3 days - 7 days.

Malta Multi Pass for the chosen duration

Unlimited use of Malta's tourist boats, buses and ferries (except with the 6 day ticket)

When to book?

You can book up until the previous day (8:00 pm), subject to availability. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible.

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All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• No printing of documentation required.
• Promotes local employment.
• Has a gender equality policy.

V. Tabone Travel Show more

Corporate name: V. Tabone Travel Limited

Not permitted.

Frequently asked questions

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we only offer tickets at official prices, with transparency and exclusive advantages for our users. More information

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

You may also be interested in.

Gozo & Comino Islands Schooner Cruise

Set sail on the Mediterranean for an unforgettable boat trip aboard a traditional gulet, or schooner, on this  Gozo and Comino Islands Cruise from Malta .

Gozo & Comino Islands Ferry

This ferry will take you on an unforgettable trip on the Mediterranean Sea to explore the enchanting islands of Gozo and Comino !

Gozo Day Trip

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Malta Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 27, 2024

Malta is a popular summer destination for Europeans but, for almost all non-Europeans, it’s mostly ignored for other places in Europe .

While the country has seen a surge in tourism in the last few years (those British retirees were on to something!), it’s still pretty under the radar for most people.

Those folks are missing out. I loved my time in Malta . The tiny island nation boasts friendly people, ancient medieval towns and castles, warm weather, awesome food. and charismatic cities.

Owing to its unique position between Africa and Europe, Malta offers visitors an interesting cultural blend. As you explore, you increasingly notice the Italian, English, and North African elements in the food, language, culture, and architecture.

To top it all off, it’s relatively cheap compared to mainland Europe and the beaches and seafood here are excellent.

This travel guide to Malta will help you plan an epic and affordable trip there.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• How to Stay Safe
• Where to Stay
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• How to Get Around
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Malta

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in malta.

1. Explore Valletta

For Europe’s smallest capital, Valletta packs a big punch: it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 300 monuments. There’s plenty to see here! Walk the fortifications, wander around St. John’s Co-Cathedral, visit the history museum and the National War Museum, admire the plethora of churches, and dine out on the historical waterfront. Don’t miss the catacombs that were turned into a secret military base during World War II and the Cold War. One of the best things to do though is to just to stroll the narrow roads and alleys and let yourself get lost. If you want to take a guided walking tour of Valletta , they last about 3 hours and cost 20 EUR.

2. Wander Mdina

Mdina is a fortified city and served as the original capital of the country. Like Valletta, it has a beautiful cathedral to visit and lots of old backstreets and passageways to explore. Be sure to visit the nearby catacombs and ancient Roman houses while you’re here. Don’t miss the Knights of Malta museum if you want a quirky and outdated experience (I don’t think this museum has been updated in decades but it’s fun). There’s also the Dungeons Museum where they have recreated scenes from Malta’s long history (note: some of the scenes depict episodes of torture and crucifixion). Admission is 5 EUR. To learn more about the city, take a walking tour of Mdina . They last two hours and cost 18 EUR.

3. Hike a coastal trail in Gozo

The coastal trails in Gozo offer a few different routes around the island for anyone looking for some exercise and stunning panoramic views. All of the walks combine getting back to nature with a bit of exploring history as they take you through some amazing flora and fauna as well as charming towns and villages. If you can only do one, hike from Marsalforn to the (sadly now gone) Azure Window. Keep your eyes peeled for all the traditional salt pans in Xwejni that have been used to harvest salt over the centuries. Other great hikes to check out are the Xlendi Tower, which takes you to an seaside tower that was built in 1650 and the Ras in-Newwiela trail that ends and a stunning stretch of white cliffs overlooking the sea.

4. See the Tarxien Temples

Located near Valletta, this complex is made up of 4 megalithic structures. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and dates back to 3150 BCE. The temples were used for rituals, which may have included animal sacrifices and cremations and some of the walls still have prehistoric artwork on them including bas-relief sculptures and friezes depicting animals and spirals. While mostly ruins and rubble, it’s one of the best ways to learn about the history of the island. Admission is 6 EUR and the Tarxien Temples App has audio guides you can use to navigate your way around. You can also splash out on a private archeology tour if you really want to learn more.

5. Relax on the beach

If you’re visiting in the summer, be sure to schedule some time for the beaches. Golden Bay, Mellieha Bay, and Peter’s Pool are all great places to soak up some rays. The water in Malta is super clear and a brilliant turquoise. Paradise Bay and Armier, on the northern tip, also offer gorgeous views of the island of Gozo. If you have time to get there, the beaches in Gozo are beautiful and don’t get quite as busy as the main beaches in Malta. There’s not always much shade so take plenty of sunscreen and water (although most have at least one place you can buy drinks and snacks). Whichever beach you go to, be sure to arrive early so you can beat the crowds.

Other Things to See and Do in Malta

1. attend the carnival.

Malta has been throwing its own version of Carnival every February for over 500 years! Celebrations are held all around the island during the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, with parades, dancing, and costumes. Much of the population heads to Gozo for the weekend, so be sure to plan ahead as public transportation during that time can be a nightmare (more so than usual). Book your accommodation in advance because everything fills up!

2. Cruise around the island

If you want to get a different view of the island, take a ride around the coast. Tours usually stick to a certain region of the island and the more expensive trips include lunch. They cost from 20-30 EUR, last between 4-8 hours, stop off at a few beaches, and highlight some of the many shipwrecks around the country. Get Your Guide has a great full-day tour that covers all the highlights and gives you three hours of free time to explore on Gozo, if you want to go beyond the beaches.

3. Explore the Citadel

This fort was built by the British in Rabat/Victoria (this is the Rabat on the island of Gozo, not to be confused with Rabat on the main island of Malta). Known as the Cittadella or the Castello, it was built in the 16th century, though fortifications that have been found in this spot go back over 2,000 years (the area was settled in the Bronze Age). Inside, you can see the Cathedral of Gozo and the Bishop’s Palace, along with other historic buildings throughout the winding streets. Some of the damage you’ll see on the structures was actually from Napoleon’s troops in the 18th century, though a fair amount is due to the exposure to the elements. It’s free to enter and explore, with lots of little shops hidden down the alleys. For 5 EUR, you can check out the Visitors Center, the Nature Museum, the Gozo Archaeology Museum, Gran Castello Historic House, and the Old Prisons. The fort offers a great view of the city and surrounding area, making it a good place to come at sunset.

4. Go diving

Malta is surrounded by a plethora of shipwrecks that make for some great diving expeditions. The water in many places is incredibly clear so you have excellent visibility as you explore. Some of the most popular dive sites are the Um El Faroud oil tanker (it was sunk intentionally to act as a reef), the Double Arch cave in Gozo, and the Blue Hole (also in Gozo). You can also dive to see the fallen Azure Window (a famous rock formation that collapsed in 2017). A two-dive package starts around 90-120 EUR per person.

5. Hit the road

Most tourists who visit Malta never stray far from Valletta. If you want to really see the country, rent a car. There are lots of remote places to explore in Malta and a car gives you the freedom to do so. Considering the island is so small, you can just spend the day exploring the aging and battered towns that dot the island . You can find car rentals for as little as 20 EUR per day so it’s an affordable choice if you want to get away from the crowds and see the country beyond Valletta.

6. Relax in the Lower and Upper Barrakka Gardens

I love these gardens. Located in Valletta, on the southern side of the peninsula, they overlook the harbor and make a great place to watch the comings and goings of people and boats. They were created in 1661 as the private grounds for some of the knights that resided here. They were opened to the public in 1824 and are a relaxing nook of the city. Bring a book or a snack, grab a spot on a bench, and watch the world go by. The gardens are full of palm trees and there are different flowers and plants around based on the season. You’ll also see fountains and shaded spots to relax. Don’t miss the Siege Bell Memorial, which was built in 1992 to commemorate the 7,000 people who lost their lives during the Siege of Malta in World War II (the bells chime daily at noon).

7. Explore St. Paul’s Catacombs

Located near Mdina, these underground tunnels were used by the Romans as cemeteries up until the 4th century (and possibly as late as the 7th century). They were built in the 3rd century and are composed of over 30 different areas, 20 of which are open to the public. The entire network of underground passages covers 2,000 square meters. In one of the chambers, you’ll an ornate alter and the two large halls have pillars carved to look like columns. In the Middle Ages, the catacombs were used for religious worship, though they later just became storage areas until their re-discovery in the 1980s. They are an amazing thing to see. I loved them. Don’t miss them! Admission is 6 EUR.

8. Visit the Hypogeum

This is one of Malta’s most popular historical attractions. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hypogeum was carved over 5,000 years ago and was an ancient temple/burial site in the Neolithic Age (over 7,000 bodies have been found here). It’s really cool and the displays provide lots of detailed descriptions and context. The halls, rooms, and passages were carved into three levels from the limestone under the city. In some of the chambers, you can see remaining frescos and other artwork carved into the rock. It is so popular during the summertime (and into the autumn) you need to book your tickets up to four weeks in advance. Admission is 35 EUR and includes a guided tour. It’s one of the best-preserved historical sites in the country and worth every penny. Don’t skip it! It’s just 15 minutes south of Valletta by car.

9. Visit the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is situated between Comino and Cominotto (i.e. between the main island and Gozo) and is the most iconic beach in the country because of its pristine white sand beach and turquoise water, which is some of the clearest in the world. It can get incredibly busy here on the weekend, so be sure to come early to stake out a good spot. There is a regular ferry service from Malta, however, if you want to visit from Gozo you need to take a private boat. It takes about 45 minutes to drive to the ferry from Valletta. Half-day catamaran trips to the Blue Lagoon costs from 25 EUR.

10. See the Marsaxlokk fish market

This market happens every Sunday morning. It’s a bit touristy and gets quite crowded but it’s the best place to buy fresh fish. You can find lots of other items such as fresh produce, honey, and other local goods here too. There are plenty of restaurants around (though you should expect to pay tourist prices here). Marsaxlokk is on the southern tip of the main island, about 25 minutes away from Valletta by car.

11. Explore Popeye Village

What started out as the film set for the quirky 1980 Popeye musical starring Robin Williams is now a large tourist attraction. You can explore the village, watch a documentary about its creation, and even play mini-golf. There are actors dressed as characters from the film walking around and interacting with visitors. This is a fun place to go if you’re traveling with kids. You can take boat rides, watch a silversmith demonstration, and bounce around on water trampolines. When the weather is warm, they offer boat rides around the area. Off-peak admission is 15 EUR while peak-season admission is 24 EUR.

12. See the Gozo Salt Pans

Lining the coast of Gozo, these salt pans have been in use for over 350 years. The traditional methods of harvesting salt have been passed down for generations, and even to this day you can find locals engaged in harvesting the crystals. There is salt for sale in shops all around the island (it’s a great souvenir to take home).

13. Visit the Three Cities

Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua trace their origins back to the Middle Ages and have been inhabited more or less since people arrived on the island. The Three Cities were also the original home of the Knights Hospitallers (a Catholic military order known as the Knights of Malta) and feature a lot of wonderful architecture and history. They aren’t as visited as other destinations on the island so it can be a good way to get away from the crowds. They’re just across the water from Valletta. Half-day tours of the Three Cities cost 36 EUR.

How to Stay Safe in Malta

Malta consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world. Crime is rare, though it’s always a good idea to keep your wits about you. Petty theft can still occur so always keep your valuables tucked away and be mindful of your things while on crowded public transportation or while swimming at the beach.

When swimming, make sure you only swim in areas where there are other swimmers around. Riptides are common so it’s best to avoid secluded beaches unless you can be sure that it’s safe. Never swim when the sea is rough and never swim alone.

Drivers in Malta are on the aggressive side so take extra precautions when crossing roads, cycling, or renting a car. When taking a taxi, always wear your seatbelt.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, the standard safety precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). There are a lot of helpful solo female travel blogs on the web that can give you specific tips and information about a place that I can’t.

If you’re out hiking in the spring or autumn, be aware that it is hunting season (just for small birds).

If you rent a car, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Scams here are very rare here but you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Where to Stay in Malta

While hostels aren’t plentiful, you can find them around Valletta. There’s a lot of budget hotels too. Here are some of my recommended places to stay:

• Inhawi Hostel (St. Julian’s)
• Two Pillows Boutique Hostel (Sliema)
• Corner Hostel Sliema (Sliema)
• Tritoni Valletta Boutique Hotel
• Ddream Hotel

Malta Travel Costs

Accommodation

• Hostel Dorms – 20-60 EUR per night (double during summer)
• Budget hotels – 65 EUR per night
• Airbnb private rooms – 25 EUR per night
• Airbnb apartments – 60-80 EUR per night (50-100% more during summer)
• Street food – 1-7 EUR
• Sit-down restaurants – 35 EUR
• Casual take-out places – 15 EUR
• Fast food (think McDonald’s) – 9.50 EUR
• Beer – 4 EUR
• Glass of wine – 3-6 EUR
• Cappuccino/latte- 2.50 EUR
• Bottled water – 1.50 EUR
• Groceries for a week – 30-50 EUR

Malta Suggested Budgets

Backpacker – 55 eur per day.

On a backpacker budget, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook all your meals, and use public transportation to get around. You’ll need to limit your drinking and stick to free or cheap activities like hitting the beach and visiting museums.

Midrange – 135 EUR Per Day

On a mid-range budget, you can stay in a private Airbnb or budget hotel. You’ll still need to cook most meals and eat out occasionally at cheap fast-food joints. You’ll be able to enjoy a few drinks, rent a car to get around, and do more paid activities like boat tours or museum visits.

Upscale – 245 EUR Per Day

On a “luxury” budget, you’ll be able to drink as much as you’d like, eat out for all your meals, rent a car to get around, and do more activities like scuba diving and visiting Popeye Village. This is just the ground floor for luxury though!

Malta Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Malta is one of the more affordable destinations in Europe but, during the summer months, it gets really expensive. To help you stick to your budget, here are some money-saving tips and tricks for visiting Malta:

• Visit during the off-season – Malta (or at least Valletta) gets crowded in the summer and prices tend to rise (cruises stop here). If you want to save money and have a less hectic visit, visit during the off-season.
• Cook your own meals – While restaurants aren’t overly expensive, eating out every day adds up. Try cooking your own meals to save some money. There are plenty of small shops and larger supermarkets (like Lidl) where you can grab basic staples for cheap.
• Avoid supermarket produce – A lot of produce at the supermarket is imported (and thus more expensive). Search out local vendors who sell their produce at the side of the road or at small stalls in town. It’s cheaper and fresher!
• Get a tallinja transit pass – The tallinja card can save you money on bus trips, if you want to explore beyond the major cities of the island. While a single trip is 2.50 EUR you can get a 24-hour pass for 6 EUR. There’s also a 7-day pass for 25 EUR. You can also buy twelve single trips for 21 EUR which saves over buying each one individually.
• Get the Malta Pass – This tourism card provides free entry to Malta’s top 40 attractions, making it worthwhile for anyone who plans on visiting a lot of sites. It also includes a free sightseeing bus (which is worth 20 EUR itself). You can get a 1-, 2-, or 3-day pass for 50 EUR, 80 EUR, or 100 EUR respectively. Buy it online before you go for the best price.
• Take a free walking tour – There are a few tour companies in Valletta, such as Colour My Travel , who offer free 1.5-hour walking tours. You get to explore the area and learn about the local culture, history, and architecture from a local expert. It’s a great introduction to Malta and definitely worth doing. Just be sure to tip!
• Redeem hotel points – You can sign up for a hotel credit card and use the points you earn toward accommodation when you travel. Most cards come with at least 1-2 free nights when you sign up, which can help you save a lot. Here’s a post that will help you get started with hotel credit cards . If you start earning points now, you’ll have plenty for your trip.
• Skip the taxis – Taxis in Malta are not cheap. Avoid them as much as possible. If you do need to use them, get the eCab app. It ensures you get a reputable and reliable taxi (they are good for short distances while taxis are likely cheaper for longer journeys).
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink (though it tastes a little off). Bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

How to Get Around in Malta

Public transportation – Public buses go pretty much everywhere in Malta (albeit not regularly). A single fare is 2.50 EUR during the day and 3 EUR at night. You can also purchase a pass with 12 trips for 21 EUR. Just keep in mind that they fill up fast so you might have to stand for your trip. They also can be infrequent and pass by stops without warning if they’re full, so if you are taking the bus make sure you have lots of extra time!

In addition to the public buses, there are also hop-on/hop-off buses that have different routes around the country. These routes cover all the major sites on both islands (Valletta, St. Julian’s, Popeye Village, the former Azure Window, etc.). A day pass for a single route starts at 25 EUR with Hello Malta or 28 EUR with City Sightseeing. I’d skip this and just use the public bus.

Ferry – The ferry to Gozo costs 4.65 EUR and takes 25 minutes. Be sure to arrive in advance as it fills up fast. The ferry from Malta to Italy takes less than 2 hours and costs 50-80 EUR (depending on the time of year) EUR for a one-way ticket to Sicily.

Bike – You can rent bikes for around 15 EUR per day, though I’d be extra careful cycling outside of Valletta. Drivers here are aggressive and the roads are quite narrow.

Taxi – Taxis start at 5 EUR and cost around 2 EUR per kilometer. There are no Uber or Lyft here but you can download the eCab app as an alternative. It’s usually cheaper than taxis for short distances. However, if you’re on a budget, it’s best to just avoid taking them.

Flying – Flights from Malta to and from mainland Europe can be found for as little as 45 EUR if you book early. Ryanair is the most budget-friendly airline that flies to Malta so they are your best choice if you’re on a budget. Flights to and from Morocco and North Africa can be found for as little as 55 EUR per person (again, if you book early and are flexible). There are no domestic flights around Malta.

Car rental – Car rentals cost between 20-25 EUR per day for a small car. Just keep in mind that the cheapest rentals are manual transmissions so you need to be able to drive stick if you want to get around. The drivers here are also very aggressive and tend to see the rules of the road as suggestions rather than laws. Renters need to be at least 21 years old.

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Malta is not recommended, simply because people just don’t stop. If you do want to try your hand at it, check out Hitchwiki for tips and information.

When to Go to Malta

The best time to visit Malta is from June to August. The weather is the warmest then, with daily temperatures around 31°C (88°F). Not surprisingly, this is also the busiest time of the year so expect crowds and higher prices.

In August, as in much of Europe, many locals leave for their own summer holidays. A lot of shops and restaurants close, which can crowd the remaining places even more. But the weather is perfect and most tourist attractions stay open. If you choose to visit during the busy summer months, the Mediterranean Food Festival happens in August. This event features cuisines from around the world with cooking competitions, talks about sustainability, and displays by local artists. In late July and early August, you can also check out the Farsons Beer Festival, which is a totally free to enter. There’s plenty of live music, food, and beer.

The shoulder months of April-May and September-October offer a nice compromise of decent weather and fewer crowds. Expect temperatures around 25°C (77°F). Carnival is a major spring even and has been celebrated in Malta for more than 500 years. During the week leading up to Ash Wednesday (about seven weeks before Easter), there are masquerade competitions, parades, parties, and masked balls. In late April and early may there’s the Malta Fireworks Festival. There are incredible fireworks displays and competitions that happen over the course of these two to three weeks. In the fall, the island of Gozo puts on the Festival Mediterranea. This is a celebration of the arts that have been a part of Gozo’s culture for more than 7,000 years. There are operas, symphonies, poetry readings, and so much more.

The winter in Malta is chilly, with temperatures dropping to 10-15°C (48-60° F) — sometimes colder. Aside from attractions closing for Christmas, everything is open though some bus schedules change to reflect the lower number of visitors in the country. In short, it’s a perfect time to visit as long as you aren’t looking to hit the beach and don’t mind some windy sweater weather.

Malta Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

There’s a lot of free information online but do you want to spend days searching for information? Prob not! That’s why guidebooks exist.

While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go. Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!

Malta Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Malta travel and continue planning your trip:

How to Visit Malta on a Budget

Malta: The Country of Half-Neglected Buildings

My Step-By-Step Guide to Backpacking Europe

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Public transport is a fantastic way to get round Malta. You'll find getting around the island easy on the brightly-coloured buses – especially if you know all the tips and tricks to make the most of them.

Get going straight away

Malta Public Transport

You can start your public transport journey as soon as you get to Malta, once you’re in the Arrivals Lounge. Here, the Malta Public Transport sales office acts as your one-stop-shop for any travel card you could need or advice on how to get around. And, if you still haven’t downloaded the Tallinja app, this could be the perfect opportunity, as the office provides free Wi-Fi to customers.

Download the app

For starters, did you know that there’s a brilliant (and free!) Tallinja app to help you get to know what public transport options are available to you? Downloadable to your smartphone and available through both the App Store and the Google Play Store, this app provides all sorts of helpful information, will show you the closest bus stop, and will even let you know real-time bus arrival times. Plus, if you’re still not sure how to get from A to B, this handy tool will also help you figure out the best route.

Choose a travel card

Speaking of travel cards, you’re likely to find these great value if you’re staying for more than a few days. In fact, the Explore Card will give you seven days of travel for just €21. Although cash tickets on board the bus are only €1.50 in winter and €2 in summer, prepaid travel cards ensure a quicker boarding time, and give you more for your money. If you’re planning a shorter visit, the 12 Single Day Journey tickets at €15 also offer great value.  

If you’re hopping on and off buses but still wondering what the TD routes stand for, here’s some more insight for you – they go direct. So, instead of taking you to Valletta to change route at the terminal there, you can go direct between locations like St Julian’s and Sliema, or the Airport and Bugibba.

For all your travel needs

Finally, if the Explore Card doesn’t seem like a good enough deal, you can even do one better by upgrading to ExplorePlus – which will give you seven days of unlimited travel on all Malta Public Transport buses (including TD routes), plus two trips on the Valletta ferry and sightseeing options including a day on the hop-on, hop-off City sightseeing buses or a trip to Comino by boat (including lunch) on Captain Morgan Cruises. That’s sea-and-land travel at its best!

For more information about getting around Malta on Public Transport, or to plan your next journey, visit www.publictransport.com.mt

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Public Transport in Malta and Gozo

Are you planning a trip to Malta, and looking for the best way to get around the island? You’ll be happy to hear that Malta has an excellent bus system! Sight-seeing will be easy as 1-2-3 with this handy guide on Malta’s public transport service.

Bus Fares & Cards

Single tickets.

Single tickets are extremely cheap compared to most European countries. A bus ticket will cost you €1.50 in winter, and €2 in summer. The price for a ticket on a night route is €3. Simply give money to the bus driver, who will print out your ticket for you. Don’t forget to keep your ticket after purchase, as they are valid for 2 hours. You will need to present your ticket if you need to transfer to another bus. Furthermore, checks are performed regularly during which every passenger must present their valid ticket.

Tallinja Cards

Not a fan of carrying cash around? Then you might want to buy a Tallinja Card! Malta Public Transport has created three Tallinja Cards specifically for tourists. These are the Explore Card, the ExplorePlus Card and the 12 Single Day Ticket card. You can buy any of these cards at numerous official sales points and third party outlets on the island. You can find a full list on the official Malta Public Transport website. Sales points at Malta Airport: Arrival Hall: Sales & Information office (open from 08:00 to 19:30), WHS Express. Departure Hall: Agenda Book Shop

Explore Card

€21 for Adults, €15 for children

• Valid for 7 days
• €21 for Adults
• €15 for Children up to 10 years old
• Unlimited Traveling for 7 days
• Night routes included

ExplorePlus Card

€39 for everyone

• €21 for everyone
• 2 Trips on the Valletta Ferry
• Full day tour with a hop-on / hop-off bus
• Boat Trip to Comino

12 Single Day Journey Card

• €15 for everyone

• Valid for 1 year
• 12 Single Day Journeys OR
• 6 Single Night Journeys OR
• Combination of both

Plan your journey with the Tallinja App

You can easily plan your trip ahead by using the Malta Public Transport website, the Tallinja App or even Google Maps! You do need an internet connection for these options. Thankfully, Malta is filled with Wifi hotspots where you can connect for free! If you know in advance that you will not be able to connect to 4G or a wifi spot, we recommend you to map out your trip in advance and simply make notes on your phone or screenshot the route. Each bus stop is also provided with a timetable for passing routes.

If you do have internet acces we highly recommend you to download the Tallinja App. It’s available for iOS and Android devices and gives you easy access to numerous features. You can find some examples below:

Journey Planner

Use the Journey Planner to find out everything you need to know. Enter a locality, place of interest, street or road, bus stop name or use your current location to map out your route.

My Next Bus

Already at a bus stop? Check when your next bus is coming. This system uses GPS tracking and will provide you with a real-time view on which route will pass by your bus stop in the next 30 minutes.

Places of Interest

Not sure what you want to do? Check out the Places of Interest listed in the app, and plan your journey to archaeological sites, beaches, diving centres, gardens and more! 

Tip: going around Malta by bus is easy. However, we don’t recommend you to use the public transport system if you’re time restricted. Malta is a small island, with even smaller roads, but counts more cars than people! Delays are inevitable, which can be frustrating and crucial to prevent in certain situations. Need to go to an important meeting or catch a flight? In that case we recommend you to take a taxi .

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Which Malta Bus Ticket is Right For You

Travelling between locations can sometimes be a hassle depending on which country you visit. Luckily, the small islands of Malta are easy to get to with their public transport. Malta’s bus service is the most convenient and cheapest way to get around the country – here are some of the options to suit the way you like to travel.

There are five ticket options to use the Malta bus: purchasing a single ticket or taking advantage of any of the four bus cards available to visitors. Each has its own advantages so I’ll break them down. I recommend watching my video explaining all the options below and then reading below for additional details.

Single Bus Ticket

The most common, universal way of using the bus is simply buying a ticket from A to B. No matter how far you go, the price per ticket stays the same, great if you’re going to the other side of the island. Buses are relatively cheap compared to other European countries so you’re transport budget doesn’t need to be big. Currently, non-summer prices for a ticket are €1.50, €2 in peak summer time. There are frequent night services that run from most from places such as Tas-Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba and Mellieña. These are ‘NXX’ buses and cost €3 throughout the whole year.

There are no other type of bus tickets, just the single trip ticket priced for adults, concessions, students and children. So why get the single bus ticket? Well, the good part is you get unlimited bus use within 2 hours. Each ticket has a QR code and validity time so you know exactly when it’s valid until. Whether you’re making an interchange or city hopping, you can cover distance with this one price. This includes buses to and from the airport . You can buy these at the airport desk, but it’s easy enough to purchase straight from the driver. If you plan to make infrequent trips to different places in Malta, then this works well.

Routes & Timetables

The explorer bus card will likely be the most popular option for those wanting to visit far and wide, travelling plenty during the day and into the night. The explorer bus card gives you unlimited bus rides in Malta, including Gozo island. It’s valid for 7 days and can be purchased for €21 or €15 for a child . Jump on any bus including Night services with a tap of the Explorer card. You can purchase one from any customer information desk at any bus terminal, payable either by card or cash. You can also purchase them from certain retailers, the full list of each town listed here for you. It’s valid from the first time you use it on the bus, though I’d recommend buying it on the day you plan to travel since it’s readily available. Availability is from when you activate it on your first trip.

Read: What’s in my Luggage? Malta Edition

Explorer plus.

The explorer plus card holds all the benefits of the Explorer card (unlimited bus travel including Gozo and night services), but includes a few admissions that may be appealing to you. It’s a flat €39 per person but includes 2 ferry rides in Valletta and either one admission for the hop-on, hop-off bus tour (usually €20 if I can recollect) or a boat trip to Comino. If you’re interested in doing any of these, then the Explorer Plus card is better value for money as tickets for any of these are more expensive.

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You can only choose either the boat trip to Comino or the bus tour, along with the ferry trips in Valletta and not all three, so bear that in mind. For children, you may want to see if buying an Explorer card with separate admission tickets are cheaper. This can be bought in any bus terminal sales and information office.

Read: How Western Rise Elevated my Travel Wear

12 single day journey.

All of those are great, but if you’re planning to go as a group, it can still get pricey. An alternative you can consider are the 12 Single Day Journey cards. Essentially, you’ll get 12 single tickets on this card, consuming one ticket for each trip you take. It works the same as a normal single ticket, but you tap the card on the machine like the other options. You’ll see how many you have left on the machine after you tap, but it’s simple enough.

Most likely the 2 hour time limit also applies, but I’m not sure as I never used it again within the 2 hours in my group of 3. It may recognise it if you tap again, but double check with the driver. So why get the 12 single day card if it follows the same principles as a normal ticket? The good thing is that you can share this card with your group, using up the tickets on this one card instead of needing to manage separate tickets. You’ll save the time getting on and off as one person can just tap for everyone.  You’ll also save €3 (the pass costs €15) compared to buying 12 single tickets separately. This is great if there are a few of you and you don’t plan on travelling often.

Example : if you’re a group of 2, this covers round-trips to 6 destinations (12÷2=6). If you’re a group of 3, this covers 4 destinations (12÷3=4) and so forth. It’s convenient and saves a little money. If you use up all the tickets, you can simply buy another one. The card is valid for 12 months from the first time of use, though bear in mind night services use up 2 tickets, as they cost €3 each way.

You can buy a personalised tallinja card here if you’re planning to stay longer, both for visitors and Maltese residents. This cuts admission prices significantly so check if this works better for you. There are a few admin hurdles to get through but offers good benefits for the long-term, including free travel aged 14-20 years old in 2019. See the travel scheme information and conditions .

Malta Bus Tickets

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Malta Travel Tips (Complete Guide To Planning Your Holiday)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: August 21, 2023

Considering a trip to the beautiful island of Malta? Read on for our top Malta tips and everything you need to know to plan your perfect sunshine break in the Med.

Malta. A Mediterranean island archipelago that I guarantee will both charm and delight you.

After visiting Malta 5 times over the past 17 years I have come to know the island (and its smaller neighbouring islands of Gozo and Comino) well.

When I first visited Malta in 2002 it was relatively unknown as a tourist destination. As a popular holiday and retirement destination for the British population it seemed to have slipped under the international tourist radar.

Over the last 10 years however the number of visitors to Malta has nearly doubled from 1.2 to 2.3 million. Not bad for an island with a population of just over 460 thousand and indicative of its growing popularity as a top Mediterranean holiday destination.

Valletta, Malta’s capital  and European Capital of Culture in 2018 is a city full of character and history. Due to its the magnificent harbour and central location it is a favourite port for the many cruise ships that sail the Mediterranean. It is also growing in popularity amongst Europeans seeking winter sun or an easily accessible weekend getaway.

If you are one of the millions of visitors planning to visit Malta soon this post will give you some travel tips worth knowing before you arrive.

After 5 visits my top Malta travel tips and advice to ensure you have a fantastic holiday. 

Some basic facts to know about the Maltese Islands

By hop-on and hop-off bus, best tours and day trips to do in malta, what are the traditional foods on malta and gozo, where are the best beaches on the maltese islands, what are festas and when are they held, the south of the island – marsaskala or marsaxlokk, resort area north of valletta – sliema, st julians and paceville, the north of the island – bugibba, qawra and st pauls and mellieha, where are the best markets to visit in malta, what souvenirs should i buy on malta.

• There are actually 21 islands that make up the Maltese archipelago. Malta is the largest of the 3 main islands. At only 27 kms long and 14.5  kms wide it is the smallest country in the European Union and tenth smallest in the world.
• Do not assume however that Malta is an island you can drive around quickly. The roads are congested and many are in quite a poor condition.
• As well as being one of the world’s smallest countries Malta is also one of the most densely populated (and add a few million visitors to that mix and it can get rather busy!)

• The name ‘Malta’ is believed to derive from the Greek word for honey.
• Malta was part of the British Empire for 150 years and gained independence on September 21st 1964.
• The entire population of Malta were awarded the George Cross by King George V for their bravery during World War II.
• Gozo is Malta’s smaller sister though only 20 minutes away by ferry.
• Comino is the tiny island sandwiched between the 2!  Comino has only 4 residents and is also the location of the fabled Blue Lagoon and lesser-known Crystal Lagoon.

• The main languages spoken on the islands are Maltese and English.
• The Euro is the unit of currency.
• The main airline is Air Malta.
• Victoria, the capital of Gozo, is also known as Rabat.
• There are 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the Maltese Islands.

What is the best way to travel around the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino?

I have never hired a car when on holiday in Malta but rather prefer to use public transport. The roads are narrow and and can be quite congested around Valletta and popular resort areas (and quite frankly I didn’t fancy sharing the road with Maltese drivers who seem to ignore any speed restrictions and overtake wherever they want)

The bus service is generally reliable and an inexpensive way to travel. Tickets can be purchased on the bus from the driver and cost €1.50 in winter €2 in summer and €3 for night buses. Summer rates are in place from mid-June to mid-October.

There are also a range of bus cards offering added value and reduced fares:

The ExplorePlus travel card gets you 7 days of unlimited travel on public transport around Malta. The card also includes 2 trips on the Valletta ferry. The card also includes a full-day tour on the hop-on hop-off buses OR a boat trip to Comino. What an absolute bargain! ExplorePlus Card (€39)

The 7-day Explore Card entitles you to unlimited use of buses on both Malta and Gozo. It is valid for both day and night services. Child prices are valid up to 10 years of age. Click here for information on where to buy your Explore Card. Explore (Adult €21 / Child €15) – Unlimited travel for 7 days

The 12 Journey card is another easy and cost-effective way of travelling around Malta and Gozo. If you are only planning a few excursions this is the perfect option. Click  here  for information on where to buy a 12 Single Day Journeys Card.

12 Single Day Journeys (€15)

If you want to enjoy Malta’s sights at your own pace consider purchasing a ticket on the hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus tour. The buses depart every 30 minutes and stop at top sites within the Malta North and South Routes.

Click here to purchase your hop-on and off bus tickets for Malta

If you do decide to hire a car and drive around the island do remember that the Maltese drive on the left (well they should). Although there has been some serious investment from the EU some of the roads are still less than perfect with ruts, potholes and poor surfaces common.

Other key points to remember are to park in the direction of travel.

I would recommend renting a small car as parking can be quite difficult in some areas. Don’t assume that people will indicate either.

To be honest I would catch the bus….

The best way to travel in Malta is by boat and you really should not spend any time there without setting foot on a boat! There are loads of Malta boat trips to choose from too.

Just don’t do the one that takes you all the way around the island. It takes all day and on the trip, we went on about 85% of the passengers were seasick.

If you only take 2 Malta boat trips I would highly recommend one to Comino and the Blue Lagoon and the other around the harbour in Valletta.

You will find there are numerous companies offering tours  to Comino. If you can (and are in the north of the island) I would highly recommend a trip with English Rose Cruises.

The boat is smaller, the captain is the very handsome Sandro and you will have the BEST time. Not only can you jump straight from the boat into the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean but he will take you to the lesser-known (and quieter) Crystal Lagoon.

We stay in Mellieha just so we can take 3 or 4 trips with Sandro. It really is that good.

Alternatively (if you are staying on another part of the island) these boat trips are also available

If you want to see Gozo you will need to catch the ferry across. The journey takes about 30 minutes and leaves from Cirkewwa in Malta and arrives in the port of  Mgarr on Gozo.

The ferry leaves every 45 minutes and costs €4.65 return for adults, €1.15 for kids aged 3-12 and free for under 3’s. If you are driving over it costs €15.70.

There are loads of activities available in Malta to keep you busy – these are a selection of the best from Get Your Guide

Tip – Save money and enjoy discounts of up to 50% at more than 150 establishments in Malta with a 10-day Malta Discount Card. Enjoy access to some of the island’s top tours, museums, and activities, including restaurants, water sports and much more.

Click here for more information about the Malta Discount Card

Try the food when you are visiting Malta. There are many tasty local dishes to eat and if you enjoy olives and capers you will find them in abundance!

• The Italian and English influences are very evident in the traditional Maltese foods.
• Pizza and pasta can be found in abundance.
• Seafood is also extremely popular with  Lampuki pie a staple of the Maltese diet. Lampuki is a common fish caught around the islands. Baked in a pie with capers, spinach and potatoes it is delicious.
• The national dish of Malta is Stuffat tal-fenek which is a rabbit stew.
• The most popular Maltese snack is the pastizzi. This is a savoury pastry filled with ricotta or mushy peas. I have to say I wasn’t keen on these.
• Kinnie is a soft drink made with bitter oranges.
• Cisk i s the local beer.
• You will see prickly pears all over Malta and they feature in one of my favourite Maltese drinks -Bajtra. It is a beautiful (though very sweet) liquor made from the cactus fruit. You can also buy prickly pear conserve and jam.
• Try a plate of tomatoes, goat’s cheese, capers and olives in Gozo. Delicious!

READ MORE – YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO VISITING MALTA

Ok lets be blunt here but Malta is not known for its miles of stunning beaches. The islands are rocky and beaches are few and far between.

The best beaches are in the north of Malta so if a beach is really what you want head to Mellieha.

In Mellieha you will find Malta’s largest sandy beach. Further north there are Golden Bay and Paradise Bays. Do be careful though as I believe the sea can be a little rougher in these areas.

There is a beach at the   Blue Lagoon on Comino. The teeny tiniest beach in the universe. No problem. Take a boat trip and spend the day jumping into the clear blue waters from the deck! Far more fun than struggling for a space on the actual beach.

Malta is a predominantly Roman Catholic Island. Every village and city has a church at its heart and every church is named after a saint. So when it is the saint’s day the village or town or city go crazy with parties, celebrations and generally have a bloody good time!

I LOVE being in Malta when there are festas. The atmosphere is amazing and everyone has a great time. The best festas are in the hot summer months when warm evenings are perfect to enjoy the open air celebrations.

Expect plenty of food, drinks, music and fireworks. If you want to experience a festa (and you really should!) you can book a tour with Get Your Guide ( my preferred tour group company) below:

An evening of Colorful Festa Fireworks in Malta

One of our top Malta tips is to make sure to experience the spectacular Maltese Festa tradition, for which fireworks are a must. Enjoy the special sweets made for these parish feasts, as well as the beautifully lit-up streets and church, while the parish brass band fills the air with music.

→ CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FUN FESTA EVENING IN MALTA

Where is the best place to stay in Malta?

To answer this question I would say that it really depends on what you want from your holiday in Malta. There are so many options to choose from that it is worth considering which part of the island would suit you best.

Read – Malta area and accommodation guide

For those seeking a quieter holiday away from the action. This is where we stayed on our first visit but subsequently, we have moved progressively up to the top of the island.

The south will give you a chance to experience Maltese life. Pop to Marsaxlokk for the market on Sunday. Definitely go to a local village Festa!

£ – Marsaskala Luxury Apartment & Penthouse

£ – Cerviola Hotel

£ – Port View Guesthouse

If you enjoy history Valletta is the place to stay. It is central and possible to catch a bus just about anywhere.

£££ – The Phoenicia Malta 

££ – 66 Saint Paul’s & Spa

££ – The Embassy Valletta Hotel

The main resort areas on Malta centre around Sliema and St Julian’s. If you enjoy shopping and some lively nightlife this is the area to head for.

££ – Palazzo Violetta Boutique

£££ – Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay

This is my personal favourite area of Malta to visit. The north is a little more rugged than the south but offers great views across to Comino and Gozo.

The three resorts of Bugibba, Qawra and St Pauls meld into one long coastal strip. I would given them a skip and head to Mellieha which is exactly what we have done on the last 3 visits!

£ – Luna Holiday Complex

£££ – Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands 

Gozo really deserves a post of its own. Although we always visit Gozo I have yet to stay on the island. Gozo is Malta’s greener more lush smaller sister and offers a quieter alternative to its big sister.

There are some fantastic accommodation options on Gozo including old farmhouses, cottages and secluded hotels.

£ – Il-Bàrraġ B&B Hosting Family

 ££ – The Duke Boutique Hotel

⇒ Click here for more accommodation options on Malta and Gozo

There are number of excellent markets in Malta to peruse! My favourite is in Marsaxlokk. This is also a great village to visit if you want to see the beautiful and very colourful traditional Maltese boats.

• Marsaxlokk Open Market – held every day but Sunday is the day to go to see the fish on sale. It does get very busy on Sundays as the locals also head to the market.

• Victoria Open Air It-Tokk Market – this market on Gozo takes place daily in Independence Square in Victoria. There are loads of restaurants and cafes around the square as well as some great artisan shops.
• Il-Monti Valletta – this is the largest market on the island and is held in Valletta every Sunday morning. Head there early to avoid the crowds!
• Rabat Market (near Mdina) – great market for fresh produce and traditional Maltese foods.
• Ta’Qali Farmers Market – this market only sells Maltese produce so stock up on honey, bread, goat’s cheese and other delicacies. This market is open Tuesdays 16:00-19:00, Saturdays 09:00-17:00 and is situated next to the Ta Qali Crafts Village.

When you visit Malta make sure to take home some of the fantastic products for which the islands are famous. As a fan of prickly pears, I always purchase the local liquor made from the fruit. If you are visiting some of the markets you will easily be able to pick up some of these souvenirs!

• Bajtra – Prickly Pear liqueur
• Prickly Pear jam/conserve
• Lace – Bizzilla  Maltese Lace can be purchased in all the markets. The lace is a traditional craft that flourished in Malta over 400 years ago. The traditions have been passed from mother to daughter over the centuries. Much of the lace features the Maltese cross.
• Nougat – If you attend a festa you have to try some traditional Maltese nougat!
• Maltese Filigree – I bought a beautiful filigree ring on my first visit to Malta. The jewellery is very pretty and created using fine threads of gold or silver to produce ornate pieces.
• Blown glass from Mdina – visit the workshop and showroom in Mdina and watch beautiful glass creations made before your eyes!

I am confident these tips will help you plan a fabulous holiday to Malta. It really is one of our favourite destinations to visit in Europe.

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6 Best Travel Cards for Malta

Getting an international travel card before you travel to Malta can make it cheaper and more convenient when you spend in Euro. You'll be able to easily top up your card in USD before you leave United States, to convert seamlessly to EUR for secure and flexible spending and withdrawals.

This guide walks through our picks of the best travel cards available for anyone from United States heading to Malta, like Wise or Revolut. We'll walk through a head to head comparison, and a detailed look at their features, benefits and drawbacks.

6 best travel money cards for Malta:

Let's kick off our roundup of the best travel cards for Malta with a head to head comparison on important features. Here's an overview of the providers we've picked to look at, for customers looking for ways to spend conveniently overseas when travelling from United States:

Each of the international travel cards we’ve picked out have their own features and fees, which may mean they suit different customer needs. Keep reading to learn more about the features, advantages and disadvantages of each - plus a look at how to order the travel card of your choice before you head off to Malta.

Wise travel card

Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, to order a Wise travel card you can use for convenient spending and withdrawals in Malta. Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, so you can top up in USD easily from your bank or using your card. Whenever you travel, to Malta or beyond, you’ll have the option to convert to the currency you need in advance if it’s supported for holding a balance, or simply let the card do the conversion at the point of payment.

In either case you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees whenever you spend in EUR, plus some free ATM withdrawals every month - perfect if you’re looking for easy ways to arrange your travel cash.

Wise features

Wise travel card pros and cons.

• Hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market rate
• Spend seamlessly in EUR when you travel
• Some free ATM withdrawals every month, for those times only cash will do
• Ways to receive payments to your Wise account conveniently
• Manage your account and card from your phone
• 9 USD delivery fee for your first card
• ATM fees apply once you've exhausted your monthly free withdrawals
• Physical cards may take 14 - 21 days to arrive

How to apply for a Wise card

Here’s how to apply for a Wise account and order a Wise  travel card in United States:

Open the Wise app or desktop site

Select Register and confirm you want to open a personal account

Register with your email, Facebook, Apple or Google ID

Upload your ID document to complete the verification step

Tap the Cards tab to order your card

Pay the one time 9 USD fee, confirm your mailing address, and your card will be on the way, and should arrive in 14 - 21 days

Revolut travel card

Choose a Revolut account, from the Standard plan which has no monthly fee, to higher tier options which have monthly charges but unlock extra features and benefits. All accounts come with a smart Revolut card you can use in Malta, with some no fee ATM withdrawals and currency conversion monthly, depending on the plan you pick. Use your Revolut account to hold and exchange 25+ currencies, and get extras like account options for under 18s, budgeting tools and more.

Revolut features

Revolut travel card pros and cons.

• Pick the Revolut account plan that suits your spending needs
• Hold and exchange 25+ currencies, and spend in 150 countries
• Accounts come with different card types, depending on which you select
• All accounts have some no fee currency exchange and some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly
• Some account tiers have travel perks like complimentary or discounted lounge access
• You need to upgrade to an account with a monthly fee to get all account features
• Delivery fees may apply for your travel card
• Fair usage limits apply once you exhaust your currency conversion and ATM no fee allowances
• Out of hours currency conversion has additional fees

How to apply for a Revolut card

Set up your Revolut account before you leave United States and order your travel card. Here’s how:

Download and open the Revolut app

Register by adding your personal and contact information

Follow the prompts to confirm your address and order your card

Pay any required delivery fee - costs depend on your account type

Chime travel card

Use your Chime account and card to spend in Malta with no foreign transaction fee. You’ll just need to load a balance in USD and then the money is converted to EUR instantly with the Visa rate whenever you spend or make a withdrawal. There’s a fee to make an ATM withdrawal out of network, which sits at 2.5 USD, but there are very few other costs to worry about. Plus you can get lots of extra services from Chime if you need them, such as ways to save.

Chime features

Chime travel card pros and cons.

• No Chime foreign transaction fees
• No ongoing charges for your account
• Lots of extra products and services if you need them
• Easy ways to manage your money online and in app
• Virtual cards available
• You'll need to inform Chime you're traveling to use your card abroad
• Low ATM limits
• Cards take 7 - 10 days to arrive by mail

How to apply for a Chime card

Here’s how to apply for a Chime account and order a travel card in United States:

Visit the Chime website or download the app

Click Get started and add your personal details

Add a balance

Your card will be delivered in the mail and you can use your virtual card instantly

Monzo travel card

Monzo cards can be ordered easily in United States and used for spending in Malta and globally. Monzo accounts are designed for holding USD only - but you can spend in EUR and pretty much any other currency easily, with no foreign transaction fee. Your funds are just converted using the network exchange rate whenever you pay or make a withdrawal.

Monzo doesn’t usually apply ATM fees, but it’s worth knowing that the operator of the specific ATM you pick may have their own costs you’ll need to check out.

Monzo features

Monzo travel card pros and cons.

• Good selection of services available
• No foreign transaction fee to pay
• No Monzo ATM fee to pay
• Manage your card from your phone conveniently
• Deposits are FDIC protected
• You can't hold a foreign currency balance
• ATM operators might apply their own fees

How to apply for a Monzo card

Here’s how to apply for a Monzo account and order a travel card in United States:

Visit the Monzo website or download the app

Click Get Sign up and add your personal details

Check and confirm your mailing address and your card will be delivered in the mail

Netspend travel card

Netspend has a selection of prepaid debit cards you can use for spending securely in Malta. While these cards don’t usually let you hold a balance in EUR, they’re popular with travelers as they’re not linked to your regular checking account. That increases security overseas - plus, Netspend offers virtual cards you can use to hide your physical card details from retailers if you want to.

The options with Netspend vary a lot depending on the card you pick. Usually you can top up digitally or in cash in USD and then spend overseas with a fixed foreign transaction fee applying every time you spend in a foreign currency. You’ll be able to view the terms and conditions of your specific card - including the fees - online, by entering the code you’ll find when your card is sent to you.

Netspend features

Netspend travel card pros and cons.

• Large selection of different card options depending on your needs
• Some cards have no overseas ATM fees
• Prepaid card which is secure to use overseas
• Manage your account in app
• Change from one card plan to another if you need to
• You may pay a monthly fee for your card
• Some cards have foreign transaction fees for all overseas use, which can be around 4%
• Selection of fees apply depending on the card you pick

How to apply for a Netspend card

Here’s how to apply for a Netspend account and order a travel card in United States:

Visit the Netspend website

Click Apply now

Complete the details, following the onscreen prompts

Get verified

Your card will arrive by mail - add a balance and activate it to get started

PayPal travel card

PayPal has a debit card you can link to your PayPal balance account, to spend in Malta as well as locally, in person and online. One advantage of PayPal is that there are lots of easy ways to add money in USD - but bear in mind that when you spend in EUR you’ll likely pay a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%. ATM fees apply when you make out of network withdrawals, too, which can push up the costs depending on how you use your card.

PayPal travel cards aren’t connected to your checking account which makes them a handy and secure way to spend, particularly if you already have a PayPal balance account.

PayPal features

Paypal travel card pros and cons.

• Globally accepted card
• Easy ways to top up your PayPal balance including cash and check
• Popular and reliable provider
• Use your card for spending online easily as well
• 2.5 USD fee for out of network ATM withdrawals
• 2.5% fee when you spend in a foreign currency
• Other charges may apply depending on how you fund and use your account

How to apply for a PayPal card

Here’s how to apply for a PayPal account and order a travel card in United States:

Visit the PayPal website or download the app

Click Get Sign up or log into your existing account

Add your personal details to create an account, or tap Request a card if you already have a PayPal account

Follow the prompts to order your card

What is a travel money card?

A travel money card is a card you can use for secure and convenient payments and withdrawals overseas.

You can use a travel money card to tap and pay in stores and restaurants, with a wallet like Apple Pay, or to make ATM withdrawals so you'll always have a bit of cash in your pocket when you travel.

Although there are lots of different travel money cards on the market, all of which are unique, one similarity you'll spot is that the features and fees have always been optimised for international use. That might mean you get a better exchange rate compared to using your normal card overseas, or that you run into fewer fees for common international transactions like ATM withdrawals.

Travel money cards also offer distinct benefits when it comes to security. Your travel money card isn't linked to your US Dollar everyday account, so even if you were unlucky and had your card stolen, your primary bank account remains secure.

Travel money vs prepaid card vs travel credit card

It's helpful to know that you'll be able to pick from several different types of travel cards, depending on your priorities and preferences. Travel cards commonly include:

• Travel debit cards
• Travel prepaid cards
• Travel credit cards

They all have distinct benefits when you head off to Malta or elsewhere in the world, but they do work a bit differently.

Travel debit and prepaid cards are usually linked to an online account, and may come from specialist digital providers - like the Wise card. These cards are usually flexible and cheap to use. You'll be able to manage your account and card through an app or on the web.

Travel credit cards are different and may suit different customer needs. As with any other credit card, you may need to pay an annual fee or interest and penalties depending on how you manage your account - but you could also earn extra rewards when spending in a foreign currency, or travel benefits like free insurance for example. Generally using a travel credit card can be more expensive compared to a debit or prepaid card - but it does let you spread out the costs of your travel across several months if you'd like to and don't mind paying interest to do so.

What is a prepaid travel money card best for?

Let's take a look at the advantages of using a prepaid travel money card for travellers going to Malta. While each travel card is a little different, you'll usually find some or all of the following benefits:

• Hold and exchange foreign currencies - allowing you to lock in exchange rates and set a travel budget before you leave
• Convenient for spending in person and through mobile wallets like Apple Pay, as well as for cash withdrawals
• You may find you get a better exchange rate compared to your bank - and you'll usually be able to avoid any foreign transaction fee, too
• Travel cards are secure as they're not linked to your everyday USD account - and because you can make ATM withdrawals when you need to, you can also avoid carrying too much cash at once

Overall, travel cards offer flexible and low cost ways to avoid bank foreign transaction and international ATM fees, while accessing decent exchange rates.

How to choose the best travel card for Malta

We've picked out 6 great travel cards available in United States - but there are also more options available, which can make choosing a daunting task. Some things to consider when picking a travel card for Malta include:

• What exchange rates does the card use? Choosing one with the mid-market rate or as close as possible to it is usually a smart plan
• What fees are unavoidable? For example, ATM charges or top up fees for your preferred top up methods
• Does the card support a good range of currencies? Getting a card which allows you to hold and spend in EUR can give you the most flexibility, but it's also a good idea to pick a card with lots of currency options, so you can use it again in future, too
• Are there any other charges? Check in particular for foreign transaction fees, local ATM withdrawal fees, inactivity fees and account close fees

Ultimately the right card for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

What makes a good travel card for Malta

The best travel debit card for Malta really depends on your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money.

Overall, it pays to look for a card which lets you minimise fees and access favourable exchange rates - ideally the mid-market rate. While currency exchange rates do change all the time, the mid-market rate is a good benchmark to use as it's the one available to banks when trading on wholesale markets. Getting this rate, with transparent conversion fees, makes it easier to compare costs and see exactly what you're paying when you spend in EUR.

Other features and benefits to look out for include low ATM withdrawal fees, complimentary travel insurance, airport lounge access or emergency cash if your card is stolen. It's also important to look into the security features of any travel card you might pick for Malta. Look for a card which uses 2 factor authentication when accessing the account app, which allows you to set instant transaction notifications, and which has easy ways to freeze, unfreeze and cancel your card with your phone.

For Malta in particular, choosing a card which offers contactless payments and which is compatible with mobile wallets like Apple Pay could be a good plan. Card payments are extremely popular in Malta - so having a card which lets you tap and pay easily can speed things up and make it more convenient during your trip.

Ways to pay in Malta

Cash and card payments - including contactless, mobile wallet, debit, credit and prepaid card payments - are the most popular ways to pay globally.

In Malta, both card payments and cash payments are common. You'll be able to make Chip and PIN or contactless payments or use your favourite mobile wallet like Apple Pay to tap and pay on the go, but it's still worth having a little cash on you just in case - and for the odd situations where cash is more convenient, such as when tipping or buying a small item in a market.

Which countries use EUR?

You'll find that EUR can be used in several countries around the world. You may decide to keep your travel card topped up with a balance for this trip to France or for the next time you're headed somewhere which uses EUR.

What should you be aware of when travelling to Malta

You're sure to have a great time in Malta - but whenever you're travelling abroad it's worth putting in a little advance thought to make sure everything is organised and your trip goes smoothly. Here are a few things to think about:

1. Double check the latest entry requirements and visas - rules can change abruptly, so even if you're been to Malta before it's worth looking up the most recent entry requirements so you don't have any hassle on the border

2. Plan your currency exchange and payment methods - you can change USD to EUR before you travel to Malta if you'd like to, but as card payments are common, and ATMs widely available, you can actually leave it until you arrive to get everything sorted as long as you have a travel money card. Top up your travel money card in USD and either exchange to EUR in advance or at the point of payment, and make ATM withdrawals whenever you need cash. Bear in mind that currency exchange at the airport will be expensive - so hold on until you reach Malta to make an ATM withdrawal in EUR if you can.

3. Get clued up on any health or safety concerns - get travel insurance before you leave United States so you have peace of mind. It's also worth reading up on any common scams or issues experienced by tourists. These tend to change over time, but may include things like rip off taxis or tour agents which don't offer fair prices or adequate services.

Conclusion - Best travel cards for Malta

Ultimately the best travel card for your trip to Malta will depend on how you like to manage your money. Use this guide to get some insights into the most popular options out there, and to decide which may suit your specific needs.

How does a Euro card work?

Getting a Euro card can make managing your money easier when you travel to Malta.

Your Euro card will be linked to a digital account you can manage from your phone, so you'll always be able to see your balance, get transaction notifications and manage your card no matter where you are. Just add money to your account in pounds, and - depending on your preferences and the specific card you pick - you can either convert your balance to Euro instantly, or just let the card do the conversion when you spend or make a withdrawal.

If your card gives you the option to hold a Euro balance, there's not normally any extra fee to spend the Euro you have in your account when you're in Malta.

Can I withdraw Euro currency with my card in Malta?

With some cards, you'll be able to add money to your card in US Dollar, and then convert to Euro instantly online or in your card's app.

Once you have a balance in Euro you can spend with your card with no extra fees - just tap and pay as you would at home. You'll also be able to make cash withdrawals whenever you need to, with no extra conversion fee to pay. Your card - or the ATM operator - may charge a withdrawal fee, but this can still be a cheap, secure and convenient option for getting cash when you need it.

With other cards, you can't hold a balance in Euro on your card - but you can leave your money in US Dollar and let the card convert your money for you when you spend and withdraw.

Some fees may apply here - including currency conversion or foreign transaction charges - so do compare a few different cards before you sign up, to make sure you're picking the one which best suits your specific spending needs.

Bear in mind though, that not all cards support all currencies - and the range of currencies available with any given card can change from time to time. If your card doesn't let you hold a balance in Euro you might find that fees apply when you spend in Malta, so it's well worth double checking your card's terms and conditions - and comparing the options available from other providers - before you travel, just in case.

Why should I get a Euro card?

Getting a Euro card means you can spend like a local when you're in Malta. You'll be able to check your Euro balance at a glance, add and convert money on the move, and use your card for secure spending and withdrawals whenever you need to. Best of all, Euro cards from popular providers often offer good exchange rates and low, transparent fees, which can mean your money goes further when you're on a trip abroad.

FAQ - best travel cards for Malta

When you use a travel money card you may find there’s an ATM withdrawal fee from your card issuer, and there may also be a cost applied by the ATM operator. Some of our travel cards - like the Wise and Revolut card options - have some no fee ATM withdrawals every month, which can help keep down costs.

Travel money cards may be debit, prepaid or credit cards. Which is best for you will depend on your personal preferences. Debit and prepaid cards are usually pretty cheap and secure to spend with, while credit cards may have higher fees but often come with extra perks like free travel insurance and extra reward points.

There’s no single best prepaid card for international use. Look out for one which supports a large range of currencies, with good exchange rates and low fees. This guide can help you compare some popular options, including Wise, Revolut and Monzo.

Yes, you can use your local debit card when you’re overseas. However, it’s common to find extra fees apply when spending in foreign currencies with a regular debit card. These can include foreign transaction fees and international ATM charges.

Usually having a selection of ways to pay - including a travel card, your credit or debit card, and some cash - is the best bet. That means that no matter what happens, you have an alternative payment method you can use conveniently.

Yes. Most travel debit cards have options to make ATM withdrawals. Check the fees that apply as card charges do vary a lot. Some cards have local and international fees on all withdrawals, while others like Wise and Revolut, let you make some no fee withdrawals monthly before a fee kicks in.

Both Visa and Mastercard are globally accepted. Look out for the logo on ATMs and payment terminals in Malta.

The cards you see on this page are ordered as follows:

For card providers that publish their exchange rates on their website, we used their USD / EUR rate to calculate how much Euro you would receive when exchanging / spending $4,000 USD. The card provider offering the most EUR is displayed at the top, the next highest below that, and so on.

The rates were collected at 09:36:26 GMT on 25 May 2024.

Below this we display card providers for which we could not verify their exchange rates. These are displayed in alphabetical order.

Send international money transfer

More travel card guides.

Due to a technical fault, erroneous top ups were effected on some Tallinja Cards. This means that credit was added to some Tallinja Card accounts without the card holder actually paying. These erroneous top ups are being reversed. In order to view your transaction history and check whether this has affected your Tallinja Card, please click on the link below and enter your customer number and the last four digits found on the barcode on your Tallinja Card.

• Bus Cards and Tickets

Explore Flex

Welcome to Explore Flex!

Discover the convenient way to explore the beautiful islands of Malta and Gozo with our flexible bus travel card. With Explore Flex, you have the freedom to travel at your own pace and experience everything these stunning destinations have to offer.

Starting at just €6, your Explore Flex card provides you with credit that can be used on a pay-as-you-go basis for all bus services operated by Malta Public Transport. It's a hassle-free and cost-effective way to navigate the islands and discover their hidden gems.

In addition to the pay-as-you-go rates, we offer a range of value-packed bundles to enhance your travel experience.

The bus-only bundles are mainly two, the 24-hour package at  €6 and the 4-day package at  €21 . Both these packages provide bus public transport on all services provided by Malta Public Transport, including Night Services and Tallinja Direct Services.

If you're eager to explore the island in greater depth, we also provide bus travel packages that combine a range of exciting tourist attractions. Our carefully designed packages make sightseeing more accessible and budget-friendly, ensuring you can delve into the wonders of the island with ease. The packages we offer are:

1. Gozo Standard

This package is perfect for those planning to explore Gozo. It includes 6 days of unlimited travel on all bus routes, including the Tallinja Direct routes. You'll also enjoy a return trip to Gozo from Valletta with the fast ferry , ensuring you can make the most of your visit to this charming island. You’ll save €6  on this package costing €34.

2. Short Stay

For just €45 , this package is a deal for customer spending a short stay on our islands. The Short Stay package provides you with 4 days of unlimited travel on the bus, plus, you'll get a day on the Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus tour operated by City Sightseeing Malta. It's a fantastic way to see the major attractions and landmarks at your own pace. Save €4  on this deal, and book it through the Tallinja app.

3. Traveller

At €49 , and a saving of €4 , the Traveller package gives you 7 days of unlimited bus travel to explore both Malta and Gozo. This package also includes a day on the Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus tour operated by City Sightseeing Malta, allowing you to discover the islands' rich history and culture.

4. ExplorePlus

Definitely the package offering the most value, and our most comprehensive package, priced at €72 , the ExplorePlus offers unbeatable value. With 7 days of unlimited bus travel across both Malta and Gozo, you'll have the freedom to roam wherever your heart desires. This package also includes a day on the Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus tour operated by City Sightseeing Malta, a Harbour Cruise operated by iSeeMalta, and a return trip from Valletta to Gozo on the fast ferry Gozo Highspeed.  It's the ultimate way to experience everything the islands have to offer. You also save a good €19  when purchasing this package.

No matter which package you choose, Explore Flex guarantees convenience, affordability, and unforgettable adventures. So why wait? Purchase your Explore Flex card today and embark on a journey of discovery through the enchanting landscapes, captivating history, and vibrant culture of Malta and Gozo.

Where can you buy your Explore Flex value packages?

The Explore Flex cards are available from our Sales Outlets inside the Welcomer’s Hall at Malta International Airport, Valletta Terminus, Bugibba Terminus, and our Sliema Sales Office at The Ferries in Sliema, as well as from any of our card-dispensing machines in popular tourist hot-spots, including the airport upon arrival.

After downloading our Tallinja App you may link your Explore Flex card on the same app to gain access to value bundles you can purchase to suit your needs.

Five main steps to enjoy travelling with your Explore Flex card:

• Download the Tallinja App from Google Play or the Apple App Store
• Register an account
• Add your Tallinja Flex card by scanning the QR code or insert the card number shown below the code in the My Cards section;
• Top up your card with credit;
• Choose from the value packages available that most suits your needs;
• Purchase by clicking the “Buy Offer” and paying with your credit on the Explore Flex card. 

You may also purchase value packages from our Sales Offices at the same time you purchase your Explore Flex card.

Explore Flex - Your ticket to an extraordinary island adventure!

Home » Malta Itinerary

Malta Itinerary: A Travel Guide’s Pro Plan for up to 7 Days

Are you considering a trip to Malta? Or have you already decided to go and wondering how to spend your time there with an organised itinerary?

You’ve come to the right place!

Seven days in Malta is more or less the perfect amount of time to spend in this small island nation. When you have a full week in Malta you’ll have enough time to explore the major highlights at an easygoing pace. Malta has a rich history, natural beauty, and local culture and village life, so there’s plenty to see and do.

In this guide, I’ll help you with the ultimate Malta itinerary for one week. I’ve perfected it after having helped thousands of travellers plan their trips.

As part of my advice, you can also slot in a few optional day plans. That way you can personalise your itinerary and still enjoy a great trip.

Let’s get started!

How to spend one week in Malta

For one week in Malta, I’ve found that this carefully crafted itinerary is the best way to spend your time.

You can find the locations covered on this handy map.

Day 1: Valletta (blue) Day 2: Comino & Blue Lagoon (yellow) Day 3: Exploring Gozo Island (orange) Day 4: Mdina, Rabat and surroundings (green) Day 5: Floriana and The Three Cities (red) Day 6: Blue Grotto, Marsaxlokk and Megalithic Temples (purple) Day 7: Mellieħa and surroundings. (khaki)

A full week in Malta allows you to find a good balance between:

• Discovering its rich, unique history
• Enjoying the country’s natural beauty by the sea, in the quieter West side of Malta, as well as in Gozo
• Getting a taste for local culture and villages in Malta, away from tourist hotspots.

I’ve combined these three elements in the plan below and paced them in a way that makes sense to most.

About this Malta itinerary

Hi! My name is Edward, and I’m a tourist-turned-local with Maltese roots. I’ve experienced Malta as a tourist and know the country inside out now that I’ve lived here for a number of years now.

On Malta Uncovered I help travellers like yourself make their trip to Malta a memorable one.

Last year, I helped over a million readers of this site (and my guidebooks) plan their trip. Based on their feedback, I’ve carefully crafted a few itineraries for visiting Malta:

• 7 Days or one week in Malta (this guide)
• How to spend 4 or 5 days in Malta
• How to spend 3 days in  Malta .

In this particular guide I’ll help you determine the best travel plan for you and your loved one(s). However, at the end of this page you can find references to other guides on my site. They cover topics like where to stay, whether to rent a car or not, and more. So when you’re ready, there’s a lot more you can learn here before you visit Malta.

In the section Practical advice for planning your Malta trip (click/tap to jump there), you’ll find guides on:

• Where to Stay

How to get around in Malta and Gozo

• The best time to visit Malta
• … and more.

You’ll find a few links to recommended tours and services within this guide. I will earn a small commission if you book via these links, but:

• It makes no difference to the price you pay
• It never affects my recommendations. I genuinely want you to have a memorable trip to Malta.

If that’s all fine with you, I greatly appreciate your support!

My Malta Itinerary for 7 days

Day 1: valletta.

Valletta is Mallta’s capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

That’s right, the whole city is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In my opinion, it’s a must to include on any Malta itinerary.

This majestic fortified city is more or less an open-air museum full of age-old buildings. Built in the Baroque style, it has many churches, museums, squares, gardens, and more. Founded by the Knights of Malta in the 17th century, it’s surrounded by fortifications. Steeped in history, Malta’s capital has a lot of stories to tell.

Even though it’s one of the tiniest capital cities in Europe (just 0.8 km2 or 80 ha.), you can easily spend three full days there. In fact, in my Valletta guidebook , you can find walking routes and itineraries for 1, 2 and 3 days in the city.

For most people visiting Malta for the first time, though, one full day is enough to get a good feel for the city.

Valletta – quick facts

• Everything is easy to reach on foot. Some streets have a lot of shallow steps, though, so that can be challenging for some people.
• The centre is pedestrianised, so don’t expect busy, traffic-filled roads
• Inhabited by less than 6,000 people. It’s a place of work for many locals and a popular destination for tourists. Still, not as crowded as you might expect from a capital. The busiest parts are Republic Street and Merchants Street.
• The city has streets laid out with a grid of long streets. There’s also an intricate system of underground tunnels and reservoirs.
• Valletta was heavily bombed during World War II, and several scars still show today.

Valletta in 1 Day: My DIY walking route

• The city of Valletta is surrounded by tall bastions and has a few key entry points. Start at City Gate , which is a stone’s throw away from the main bus terminus and the large MCP parking garage. Valletta’s City Gate is the main entry point to the city and leads you into Republic Street.
• At the site of the former Royal Opera Theatre (to your right), head up the road towards Castille Place and its Auberge de Castille . Built by the Knights, it’s the Office of the Prime Minister nowadays.
• Next, visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens. This is a great little spot to grab a coffee and a snack while enjoying the tranquillity of the gardens. You can take in the views of Grand Harbour behind the arches but don’t get a fright if you’re there at noon or 4 pm. The historic guns of the Saluting Battery fire at those times!
• Visit Saint John’s Co-Cathedral as your next stop. This is the jewel of Valletta, arguably of Malta as a whole. Despite its sober exterior, the interior is absolutely stunning. You can get there by heading into Zachary Street (a much better option than the busy Merchants Street). You can find the visitors’ entrance to the cathedral around the corner on Republic Street.
• The next stop is the Grandmaster’s Palace, its State Rooms and Armory. This beautiful palace in the heart of the city was the seat of power for the Knights. It used to house the Parliament of Malta more recently. It’s used for ceremonial purposes nowadays. The halls and stately rooms are beautifully designed, and its Armoury gives you a glimpse of armour and weapons from the period of the Knights.
• Make your way to another historical beauty next: La Sacra Infermeria (also referred to as Knights Hospitaller). This was the Knights’ Hospital and medical education centre for centuries. Its impressive long ward hall is the main centre of attraction. You’re offered a tour in combination with a short history show at The Malta Experience. To save time, I recommend going for the “ Reliving La Sacra Infermeria ” option. That’s a self-guided Augmented Reality tour using a mobile/tablet app. An entertaining option for families with kids as well.
• Right across the road, your next stop is Fort St. Elmo and the National War Museum . The restored fort at the tip of Valletta’s peninsula was of major importance in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. The museum displays several interesting and historically significant items, including the George Cross. King George VI awarded this medal to the people of Malta towards the end of WWII. During the war, the brave locals endured and resisted years of relentless bombing.
• Walking South, visit the Siege Bell War Memorial next. This monument commemorates the fallen during WWII and rings at noon daily.. You can then enjoy a break at the Lower Barrakka Gardens , which is nearby.
• Finish the day by walking down the colourful balcony-lined Lvant Street , followed by a view of Victoria Gate . Consider having dinner at one of my recommended restaurants in Valletta to finish your day.

Tips for Day 1

• You’ll need comfortable walking shoes for this day. Everything is within short walking distance in this small capital city, but you’ll be on your feet most of the time.
• Have lunch at Nenu the Artisan Baker (143 St Domnic Street) to get a taste of local food.
• Many guides suggest combining The Three Cities with Valletta on a single day. From my experience (and that of my readers), that’s a lot of distance to cover, and you won’t get the most out of your day. Valletta deserves a full day of its own because there’s so much of interest to see there alone.
• John’s Co-Cathedral can get crowded. Go early in the day to get the best experience here.

Sightseeing recommendations

If you plan on visiting multiple museums on your trip, consider getting a Heritage Pass from iSeeMalta . You can save on multiple entrance fees with this combo pass.

Prefer taking a guided tour? These are a few great options to consider:

• Join a 3-hour Valletta: Street Food and Culture Walking Tour and have a local guide take you past several highlights of the city. On the way you can enjoy several samples of traditional Maltese food from the best eateries in town.
• Take this half-day Valletta walking tour (group) with a knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. It covers some of the key stops covered in my route above.

Day 2: Comino & Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a small bay on the island of Comino and is known for its crystal clear azure-coloured shallow water. It’s probably the #1 summer destination for tourists as a result and a must-visit on a trip to Malta for most visitors.

However, be warned: It can get _very_ busy here in summer.

How to get to the Blue Lagoon

• Go DIY , take a long bus ride and a ferry to get there (lots of time wasted, not recommended, especially in summer)
• Book a private boat tour to avoid the crowded shoreline in summer. I highly recommend this provider .
• Take a standard boat tour to the Blue Lagoon (options below), which often combines other sites at Comino, like the Crystal Lagoon and Comino’s Sea Caves.
• The Beaches and Bays catamaran is a great option from Buġibba
• This private boat tour operator gives you a lot of flexibility with custom routes. (Highly recommended!)
• Summer: Blue Lagoon and Quad Bike tour of Gozo OR Blue Lagoon and Tuk Tuk tour of Gozo (Highly recommended!)
• Winter: Quad bike Tour of Gozo OR Tuk Tuk Tour of Gozo , both with pass-by of Comino/Blue Lagoon (weather permitting).

Recommended standard Blue Lagoon tours

• The Spirit of Malta catamaran is by far the best option – Lunch is included and the catamaran is spacious
• Standard tour , great for families with kids
• Sunset tour by catamaran at a quieter time of day (recommended!)

Visiting Comino

Comino Island itself is small but has some charming places to visit on foot. However, I’d only advise exploring the island from October to April/May, as there aren’t many trees to find shade under during the year’s hottest months.

You’ll also need to wear a pair of sturdy walking shoes.

Although you can take the ferry, most day trips and boat tours that stop at the Blue Lagoon allow you to get off and wander around. You will have to be back at a specific time for the return journey.

Some of the highlights on Comino are:

• The beautiful Crystal Lagoon Bay is around the corner from its more famous sibling
• Santa Marija Bay and its cave
• Santa Marija watchtower , built by the Knights.

Day 3: Exploring Gozo Island

Gozo is Malta’s smaller sister island that can be reached easily with a short ferry ride from Ċirkewwa (North of Malta) or Valletta (fast ferries).

Unlike the main island of Malta, this little Mediterranean island is quieter, and life there is still a little more easygoing. Gozo is less of a tourist hotspot but very popular to visit among the Maltese for long weekends or summer breaks.

If you’re spending just a week in Malta, you should at least spend one day there as part of your itinerary. It’s a really unique experience and a combination of raw nature at its best, paired with local culture and interesting places to visit.

Highlights of Gozo

These are some of the best points of interest to visit Gozo on your third day:

• The centrally located “capital” of Victoria (also referred to as Rabat by the locals) and its Cittadella or Citadel on top of the hill.
• Dwejra and its beautiful natural surroundings, including the Inland Sea and Fungus Rock . It’s also the site of the former Azure Window (an iconic rock formation that collapsed into the sea in 2017). For Game of Thrones series fans: This was a filming location for the first season.
• The Xwejni salt pans on the northern coastline, between Żebbuġ and Marsalforn. These salt pans were hewn into the rock in a pattern of shallow basins and are still used to mine salt from the sea.
• The stunning Ramla Bay , with its red sandy beach and raw natural surroundings. You can get great views of the bay from Tal Mixta Cave , which offers wide-open views of the bay.
• Ta’ Pinu Basilica and Shrine is an iconic landmark and one of the most sacred places of worship in Gozo
• The seaside resorts of Marsalforn Bay and Qbajjar , with a variety of seafood restaurants and peaceful sea views.
• Xlendi Bay in the South, with its commanding cliffside, watchtower and rocky bathing area in a quiet part of the island.

Tips for Day 3

• Seasonality: Gozo is an all-year-round destination. Whether you travel to Malta in January or July, it still makes sense to put it on your trip plan. In rare cases in winter, ferry services may be suspended, but any booked tours offer free cancellation.
• Wied il-Mielaħ is a window-shaped rock formation at the seaside to the North of the village of Għarb. It’s a great example of natural beauty, and makes for a great hike, drive or ride to get to.
• Sanap Cliffs on the South of Gozo are at a higher altitude and are worth visiting on a hike, to admire this scenic area.
• Daħlet Qorrot is a small bay to the North of the village of Qala and is a local’s favourite. This pebbly beach is home to a few fishermen but makes for a great spot to swim and snorkel.

Recommended tour options

If you’re interested in visiting most of the above highlights of Gozo, I highly recommend the following (tried-and-tested!) tours, operated by the same provider that gets glowing reviews.

These tours are all-inclusive , with transport to/from your place of stay as well as lunch included.

• Tour Gozo by Tuk Tuk – Explore Gozo on a guided tour on brightly coloured Tuk Tuks that seat up to 6 passengers and are driven by local experts.
• Tour Gozo by Quad Bike – This is a more adventurous option, with high-powered Quad Bikes that seat a driver and passenger. You’ll be following a lead driver who will guide you on a tour of Gozo.

Day 4: Mdina, Rabat and surroundings

Mdina and Rabat are neighbouring towns in the Southwest of Malta. They are popular destinations on most visitors’ itineraries, and for good reason.

This location has deep roots in history, from early settlers to the Romans and, eventually, the Knights of Malta.

Rather than just visiting Mdina, I recommend spending time in Rabat. That way, you can balance the touristic side with local village life and culture to explore.

Mdina: Exploring The Silent City

Nicknamed The Silent City, this small (tiny) town is surrounded by tall bastions and a moat. Visiting this town really takes you back in time. It’s full of ages-old buildings, narrow winding alleys and a few interesting museums, chapels and churches to visit.

St. Paul’s Cathedral is located at the heart of Mdina, and its bell tower can be seen from miles away – an iconic feature of the skyline at night.

Did you know? Mdina’s main gate featured in the first season of Game of Thrones

These are the highlights of Mdina to visit on your fourth day:

• St. Paul’s Cathedral is located in the heart of the town, with its square Pjazza San Pawl in front. Visit the cathedral and consider its museum if you’re interested in exhibits of religious art and objects.
• Palazzo Falson (The Norman House) is one of the best preserved Medieval-era buildings in Mdina. It was built (in its current form) in 1495 and occupied by the first Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, Philippe Villiers de L’Isle-Adam. It’s a museum that showcases all sorts of collections, including paintings, furniture, timepieces, weapons and more.
• Visit the National Museum of Natural History if you’d like to learn more about the history of local flora and fauna. The 18th-century palace itself is also worth admiring, for the modest €5 entrance fee.
• Head to the observation deck to get commanding views of Malta from the bastions.

Rabat and the surrounding area

Situated right on the doorstep of Mdina, Rabat is a small town that offers a good opportunity to get a taste of local life. Once you’ve finished exploring Mdina, head to Triq San Pawl at the nearby roundabout to enter Rabat.

These are a few recommended places of interest to explore:

• Visit St. Paul’s Catacombs and its museum to explore some of the underground catacombs (burial places) that date back to Roman times.
• As in many villages, most local life centres around the Parish Church of Saint Paul .
• Next door, you can find the Wignacourt Museum , named after Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt. It houses a collection of art and religious artefacts as well as an underground grotto . St. Paul’s Grotto is said to have been the temporary home of St Paul while he was shipwrecked in Malta. St. Paul is said to have introduced Christianity to Malta in around A.D. 60.
• Beyond Rabat, there are a few outdoor places to explore on foot, though you’ll need a car or cab ride to get there. The first is Buskett Gardens , one of the few woodland areas in Malta planted by the Knights to serve as a hunting ground. The second is Dingli Cliffs , which lies just beyond the small village of Dingli. Here, you’re at the highest point of the Maltese islands at around 253 metres above sea level. It’s a great spot to walk in nature and take in the panoramic views, but only if you’re going around by car. If not, it’s not worth catching a bus for.

Tips for Day 4

• There are two side gates through which you can enter Mdina: The Greeks Gate and Gharreqin Gate . You can find them by entering the moat around Mdina from near the Domus Romana museum. The moat itself is nowadays a garden in recent years, and you can walk towards the East to explore the garden and views.
• Visit a hidden gem – St. Roque’s Chapel . This little unassuming chapel is beautiful from the inside, especially its painted dome.
• Grab a bite to eat at Xara Trattoria AD1530 (great location, good food) and visit Fontanella for dessert if you have a sweet tooth! Curious about trying typical local snacks? Head over to is-Serkin (Triq San Pawl, as you enter Rabat) to sample a few fresh pastizzi . Choose between these ricotta cheese or pea-filled pastries (or try them both).

• Take a 2.5-hour walking tour of Mdina and Rabat  that will take you past the highlights of both places, led by an experienced local guide.
• The Mdina & Malta highlights tour is a great option for a group tour to the Silent City and some of its surrounding areas, including Dingli Cliffs, the St. Paul’s Catacombs, San Anton Gardens and more.

Day 5: Floriana and The Three Cities

Floriana and The Three Cities offer a combination of history/heritage as well as local village life and culture. Each can be covered on foot for roughly half a day. This part of your itinerary is estimated to take 3 hours in Floriana and another 3-5 hours in the Three Cities.

Floriana is located on the doorstep of Valletta and is a bit of a hidden gem with the right walking route. It’s the best place to start your day since it’s a short walk away from Valletta’s bus terminus.

• Floriana is home to several landscaped gardens, and one of my favourites is the Msida Bastion Historic Garden. It’s a great spot to enjoy morning views of the surrounding areas. You’ll need to walk down the road past the Grand Hotel Excelsior to get there. Head to Sa Maison Garden next, heading towards the South.
• Walking past several fortifications make your way to Port des Bombes . This landmark formed part of the Floriana Lines, an outer defensive perimeter for Valletta. It was one of few entryways as a gate but is nowadays an arch on a major arterial road.
• Walk in the direction of Valletta and follow a turn to your left towards Knisja ta’ Sarria (small church). Next, follow Triq Sarria until you reach Piazza San Publiju (square), also referred to by the locals as il-Fosos. The large circular stones on this square cover gigantic storage silos built by the Knights to preserve food and other precious goods. The imposing Parish Church of Saint Publius is also definitely worth a visit.

Cross the road of St. Anne Street (carefully – use the zebra crossing!) and make your way down the Valletta Waterfront . At the harbourside, former storage facilities for sea trade are now used by restaurants and shops. It’s a great place to grab lunch on one of the (shaded) outdoor terraces.

The Three Cities

This cluster of harbourside villages is made up of three neighbouring harbour towns. Senglea ( Isla ), Cospicua ( Bormla ) and Vittoriosa ( Birgu ) are together called The Three Cities. They’re located just a stone’s throw away from Valletta, across Grand Harbour. The latter was the first location for the Knights of Malta to settle before Valletta even existed.

You can easily reach the Three Cities by taking a short (7 minutes – I timed it!) ferry ride from Valletta. Reach the ferry by following the seafront from Valletta Waterfront and getting to Fort Lascaris. The departure point is indicated as Valletta – 3 Cities Ferry on Google Maps.

You’ll arrive at Bormla to start your walk around the area.

This is my suggested route:

• Start your tour at Senglea by crossing the small bay over the bridge and heading up the seafront following Xatt Juan B. Azopardo . That way, you can enjoy the harbour views and get a glimpse of the sea-facing side of town. You can then head to the end of the small peninsula to reach the Gardjola Gardens and its iconic Gardjola “sentry box” (small watch tower).
• Follow Portu Salvu, then Triq il-Vitorja, to head down the fortified entrance to Senglea. Stop at the La Vincitrice Band Club for a quick drink, view the Knisja Maria Bambina (church) and view the old city gate, that forms part of St. Michael’s Bastion.
• Walk down Triq San Pawl and take a left turn onto ix-Xatt Ta Bormla to head back into Bormla. View the local church, steps and little squares while you follow the road Fuq San L-inkurunazzjoni to take you to Birgu. While Bormla offers a few places of interest they take quite a bit of time to explore. Consider visiting Bir Mula Heritage Museum (local history) and old fortifications, they take quite a bit of time to explore.
• Instead, head to the main gate of Birgu, straight into the narrow streets of this small fortified town, referred to as il-Colacchio . Head to the Inquisitor’s Palace or Maritime Museum for some local history. Then make your way to the West-facing waterfront to reach Fort St. Angelo. This is one of the original fortifications that existed before the Knights landed in Malta.
• Finish your day with dinner at Tal-Petut (local cuisine) or Don Berto (at the waterfront).

Tips for day 5

• Bring water and snacks with you. There will be stops to eat along the way, but especially Floriana doesn’t offer a lot of food options for on-the-go.
• Part of the fun of this day is to wander around and take everything in at your own pace. You can follow each location, but finding your own way around can be very rewarding . It’s hard to get lost, especially with Google Maps in your pocket.
• For Kids: The Esplora Interactive Science Center is located close to Bormla, roughly 20-minute walk away or a quick 5-minute cab ride.

• Join this well-reviewed 2-hour Three Cities walking tour and have Chris, an experienced local guide, show you around its narrow streets, harbourside views and historical landmarks and enjoy a short boat trip on a traditional boat.
• You can also take this guided tour of The Three Cities to get a deeper understanding of the area. It’s a half-day morning tour, which you can follow by visiting Floriana afterwards.

Day 6: Blue Grotto, Marsaxlokk and Megalithic Temples

Southern Malta is often less explored since most of the tourist destinations are located in the North. Nevertheless, exploring this part of the country on a 7-day trip to Malta is a great idea.

The Blue Grotto

The Blue Grotto is a sea cave South of the village of Żurrieq, which has been a popular tourist destination for a very long time. The reason is its magical beauty caused by sun rays reflecting off the white sandy sea bottom inside the dark cave, creating bright blue hues.

You can reach the spot by bus (routes 74 and 201), and walk down to the sea to hop on to one of the small boats that take you inside the cave on a short boat ride. It’s very much worth it, but only if you can combine it with another outing (i.e. one of the below).

The town of Marsaxlokk, located on the southeast coast of Malta, is known as one of the few remaining traditional fishing villages. It has a small harbour lined with various brightly-coloured fishing boats (called the luzzu with its iconic painted eyes at the front.

Although it’s quite touristy, the fisherman’s character is still alive, and the seafront is lined with good seafood restaurants to dine at. On Sundays, it’s a popular destination for a Sunday lunch out, while the Sunday market attracts bargain hunters.

The Megalithic Temples

Malta’s Megalithic Temples are some of the oldest freestanding man-made structures worldwide. They’ve taught us a lot about early civilisations in the Maltese islands, their practices, values and religion.

Even though more temples exist in Malta, seven of them are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

If you’ve visited the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta, the temples themselves add a lot of context to what you would’ve seen there.

The two temples of Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim are the most convenient options on a 7-day trip. They offer a great visitors’ centre full of insightful information.

A visit here is easy to combine with the Blue Grotto, being located only a short drive (or bus ride – same routes) away.

Tips for Day 6

• The Għar Dalam cave is a prehistoric cave in the South of Malta where various archaeological discoveries were made. Most notably, bone fragments from several extinct species of animal, including dwarf elephants, hippos and giant swans. It’s not a destination big enough to deserve a spot on this itinerary but makes for an enjoyable outing with kids.
• One of Malta’s Megalithic Temples is located underground and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right: The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum in Tarxien . If you plan on renting a car on your visit to Malta, this is a great alternative to Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim. However, buy tickets online well in advance!
• When you visit the Blue Grotto, it’s worth taking a short walk up the road to where the bus stop is. You can get off the main road there and snap a picture of the cave entrance from above .
• Beaches: In the area to the East of Marsaxlokk, you can find St. Peter’s Pool and Kalanka Bay . Two hidden gems are rocky beaches frequently visited by the locals. Don’t expect polished sandy beaches; they’re for people who are comfortable in raw nature.

There aren’t many options for tours to this part of the island. Consider these options but keep in mind that these tours are organised on separate days.

• The Full-day Temple tour (Fri mornings) covers all three of the above destinations. It takes you to the Blue Grotto, Marsaxlokk, as well as the Ħaġar Qim and Għar Dalam cave (more info below)
• The Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk combo tour (half-day – mornings) is organised on Sundays only. It takes you to both spots with enough time to explore each at your own pace.
• If you’d like to visit the Megalithic Temples on a separate morning, have a look at this half-day Temple tour (Sat mornings). You’ll visit the Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim Temples, as well as the Għar Dalam cave.

Day 7: Mellieħa and surroundings

Mellieħa is a village in the North of Malta, in a fairly quiet part of the island, surrounded by nature and beaches.

Although it’s a popular tourist resort, it has a unique character and still has a traditional Maltese community and strong local culture. I highly recommend adding it to your Malta itinerary on your final day, as it’s a fairly quiet spot to relax before heading back home.

In Mellieħa, visit:

• The Parish Church at the main square, as well as the chapel to the side of the church. This is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa , with its beautiful courtyard and arches.
• Cross the road and make your way to the Our Lady Of The Grotto shrine , which is a small underground religious site. Pass through the small gate on the side of the road and follow the steps down to the cave.
• A bit further up the road, you can visit the local Air Raid Shelter . Used regularly during World War II, it gives you a glimpse of what those dark days were like for the local population.

Apart from the village itself, there are a few places in the surrounding area I recommend:

• Beaches: Golden Bay Beach and Għajn Tuffieħa (to the West), Anchor Bay, with its film set and theme park of Popeye Village, Mellieħa Bay (the largest sandy beach in Malta) and Armier Bay Beach and White Tower Beach (up North from Mellieħa Bay).
• Hike down to Slugs Bay (on the opposite side to Armier Bay) for a swim. Explore the Coral Lagoon (a large opening in the rock at the northernmost tip of the main island of Malta).
• Visit the St Agatha’s Tower (also known as the red tower) overlooking Mellieħa Bay. Discover part of the local fortifications and enjoy the wide-open views.

Explore some raw nature starting from Selmun Palace (to the southeast of Mellieħa) all the way down to Imġiebaħ Bay – a secluded sandy beach.

Swap Day (Option 1): Malta and Gozo at Sea (Summer)

To add some flexibility to your trip, these are a few swap-day options you can consider.

One of the most beautiful features of the Maltese islands is the sea. In spring/summer, taking a boat trip to discover the islands on the sea is a popular pastime. You can take a day trip from places like Sliema and Buġibba.

These are a few options I highly recommend:

• If you don’t mind the higher price, you can get a lot of value from taking this private boat trip around Gozo and Comino , which is fully customisable. You can enjoy the sights and swimming spots at some of the most beautiful bays at your own pace, and in peace. The Blue Lagoon and/or Crystal Lagoon at Comino are popular spots to visit on such trips.
• Departing from Sliema, this boat trip is a popular option: the Round Malta Day Cruise . As the name suggests, you’ll spend the day 8+ hours exploring the coastline of Malta. Lunch and drinks are included, and it really is an awesome day out, getting good reviews consistently.
• Setting sail from Bugibba, taking the Beaches and Bays catamaran is a similar day trip, but with a twist. It’s focused on bays to the West of Malta Island and at Comino. The boat is spacious, and the optional BBQ lunch is well worth it.

Swap Day (Option 2): Winter hike

If you’re planning a trip to Malta in the off-season, why not enjoy the greener countryside on (mostly) sunny days?

There are several areas that are worth exploring on foot, for example:

• The area around Selmun Palace and Mistra Bay , up North, has a large number of unpaved roads and paths to follow, past pretty bays and landscapes.
• Head over to Xemxija (outskirts of St. Paul’s Bay) and discover the Xemxija Heritage Trail , which leads you to a small woodland area called Miżieb. You’ll find remains of a Roman road, an ages-old Carob tree and several old apiaries for beekeeping. The views and tranquillity are very enjoyable indeed.
• In the vicinity (close to the village of Manikata), you can visit the Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park . This is a protected area with untouched nature and beautiful hidden bays to discover along the way. You can walk towards the North and head to Anchor Bay and its Popeye Village for a great photo opp at sunset too! If you prefer taking a dip in the sea, Golden Bay Beach is nearby and easy to walk to as well.

Itinerary Tips

• The time of year (and weather conditions) can impact your trip plan , especially when it comes to activities by the/at sea. Whenever you need to change plans on specific days consider one of the alternative options I provide in this guide. The summer season usually starts in May and often continues well into October, while November through to April is considered to be winter. Both spring and autumn are usually short-lived.
• This itinerary assumes that you’ll have a full week in Malta, not including arrival/departure days. If you’re booking flights for 7 days (where the first and last days are usually dedicated to travel), have a look at my 4/5-day itinerary instead. You can also mix and match days from the itinerary above. Remember to pace yourself, however : Three long days of walking won’t be ideal for most.

Practical advice for your week in Malta

Everyone has their personal requirements for planning a trip. The same goes for accommodation, timing, whether to book a rental car or not and more.

In this section, I give you the basics and refer you to my full guides on each topic to learn more.

Do you have any questions? Feel free to leave a comment below or contact me , and I’ll be happy to help!

What’s the best time of year to visit Malta?

The best time of year to visit Malta for sightseeing is generally around April-June and October/November. At this time of year the weather is warm but not swelteringly hot. The downside is that weather conditions can sometimes be unpredictable.

If I had to narrow it down to two ideal months, it’s usually June and October that win : Warm enough to swim, not too hot to go sightseeing.

Between July and September, it’s full-on summer in Malta, and heatwaves are common. Humidity usually comes into play around mid-August and lasts well into September.

Where to stay in Malta for 7 days?

Where to stay in Malta for 7 days depends on a few factors. How much sightseeing do you want to do? At what time of year do you want to go? Are you looking to rent a car while there?

If you want to spend a week in Malta for sightseeing, Valletta and Sliema are good options, although the former can be pretty expensive to stay.

For a more balanced stay between sightseeing and enjoying the beaches, staying in St. Paul’s Bay , Buġibba , or Qawra can be a good option. Public transport connections are good, and accommodation is reasonably priced in the area.

If you don’t plan on doing a lot of sightseeing, Mellieħa and Gozo Island are more peaceful places to stay.

What are the best hotels in Malta? Where should I stay?

In these guides, I’ve listed the best options for various locations, and I offer recommendations on where in Malta to stay here .

• The 25 Best Malta Hotels reviewed
• Best Luxury Hotels in Malta and Gozo
• Best Valletta hotels
• Best Mellieħa Hotels
• Best St. Paul’s Bay Hotels
• Best Buġibba hotels
• Best Qawra hotels
• Best St. Julian’s Malta Hotels
• Best Sliema Hotels
• Best Gozo Hotels

These are the main options to get around in Malta and Gozo to consider while planning your holiday:

• The main mode of public transport  is the bus , which is cheap and can take you all over the Maltese islands. It isn’t always reliable though, and sometimes overcrowded and slow.
• Renting a car gives you the most flexibility. However, the busy centre of Malta (outwards of Valletta) is notorious for traffic congestion. Vacant public parking spots can also be hard to find. I would only recommend against a car rental if you’re looking to stay in St. Julian’s or Sliema. The only exception is if your accommodation of choice offers private parking.
• Using an on-demand taxi service like Uber, Bolt, or eCabs can be very convenient but can get pricey quickly. €10-20 Trips are common (depending on distance and demand).
• Hop-on/hop-off buses are available both in Malta and Gozo, but they don’t offer a great experience.
• Bike rental , either from dedicated shops or Tallinja bike, is an option. Just keep in mind that most of Malta’s roads are not designed with cyclists in mind. It can be outright dangerous to cycle on certain roads.

How many days do I need in Malta?

The number of days you need in Malta depends on how much sightseeing you’d like to do. For most people, 5-7 full days or a short week in Malta is enough for a first visit.

There’s a lot to see and do, so it’s pretty easy to plan a Malta itinerary with 5-7 days’ worth of exploring and day trips. Some people prefer balancing out sightseeing with a few lazy days at the beach or pool and book 10 or 14 days in Malta.

Are 7 days in Malta enough?

7 Days in Malta are enough for most people on their first visit to the Maltese islands. A week in Malta will allow you to see the main highlights and have a few chill days at the beach or on a boat trip for the day.

Are 2 weeks in Malta too long?

Two weeks in Malta may be too long if it’s your first visit. Many people choose to return and spend more time, but not everyone falls in love with Malta and may find that two weeks is too much time to spend visiting Malta for the first time.

Do you have any questions?

Leave a comment at the end of this page or contact me , and I’ll help you as best I can!

Edward is the Founder and Editor of Malta Uncovered and author of two guidebooks on Malta and Valletta.

As a tourist-turned-expat with Maltese roots, he knows the islands inside out and helps thousands of visitors enjoy a memorable trip every year.

Check out my two guidebooks full of local knowledge and my best recommendations for your trip, and up-to-date for 2024 !

Malta & Gozo guide book Valletta : An Insider’s Guide to Malta’s Capital

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Having been annexed by many empires, Malta offers visitors an interesting mix of cultures. When traveling here, it’s easy to see the blending styles of Italian, British and North African in cuisine, language, culture and architecture. Thanks to its wonderfully warm climate and relatively cheap travel costs and friendly locals, it is a good place for those who love medieval cities and castles and cities decayed but still has its own charm.

Malta travel guide: Overview of Malta

The Republic of Malta located away 80 km to the south of Italy, 284 km to the east of Tunisia and 333 km to the north of Libya. This country has only an area of ​​316km2 (square kilometer) with a population of about 450,000 people, Malta is one of the smallest countries and the highest population density across the globe. The capital of Malta, Valletta with an area of only ​​0.8 square kilometers is the smallest capital in the European Union. Malta consists of 9 large and small islands, but only 3 large islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino are inhabited.

Malta has strategically located in the middle of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, once occupied by the Phoenicians, the Aragonese, the Knights of Saint John, the French and the British. The country also played an important role in many of history’s most famous wars, such as between Catholic Europe and the Ottoman Empire, the success and failure of Napoleon, as well as World War II. That continuous change of control has given it a unique culture – a blending of architectural styles, culinary and cultures (in fact, Maltese is a blend of Arabic and Italian) that you can’t find anywhere outside of Southern Spain.

Malta is known as an international tourist and leisure destination, with nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The official languages ​​of Malta include Maltese and English. Roman Catholic is the main religion of Malta, in addition to Orthodoxy, Protestantism and Islam.

Malta travel guide: When to come?

Malta has a subtropical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. The average temperature from January to April during the day is 12 – 18 degrees Celsius and 7 – 12 degrees Celsius at night. From mid-April to November, the daytime temperature is 28 – 34 degrees Celsius and nighttime is 19 – 24 degrees Celsius.

In summer from May to October is the best time to explore this island nation. If you want to explore Malta’s beaches, diving, water activities, then from July to September is an ideal time to come, the temperature is approximately 30 degrees Celsius.

Malta travel guide: How to get to Malta?

While most European countries have seasonal flights, not many airlines operate routes to Malta year-round. But Ryanair, Air Malta, EasyJet and Lufthansa, Emirates are the largest airlines that offer services to Malta year-round. If you flying from London, it will take more than 3 hours by flight to reach Malta. Access Google Flights , Momondo , Skyscanner , Kayak to find your suitable flights.

To getting from Malta Airport to city center you can take the bus: BUS X1, BUS X2, BUS X3, BUS X4 or Bus TD2, Bus TD3. In which TD buses stand for Tallinja Direct are direct buses running from airport to your destination and quicker than X buses which running to most localities in Malta and stop at every bus stop.

Alternatively you can reach Malta by waterways with ferries from the ports of Catania and Pozzallo in Sicily, Italy, which take about 2 and a half hours and cost about 61 – 127 euros ($63 – 135) / one-way (depending on each season). Ferry details here .

Malta guide: Getting around

There are 3 main ways to getting around Malta: Buses, taxis and self-drive.

Ticket price: The single ticket costs EUR2 in summer, EUR1.5 in winter and EUR3/night bus.

In addition, there are a 12 SINGLE DAY JOURNEYS for EUR15 for adults (Children up to 10 years old 15€) which can be used for groups, families, valid for 1 year from the first-time you validate it and with this ticket you can take 12 bus rides. Or 7-day ticket for EUR21 / adults and EUR15/children called EXPLORE CARD .

We stayed here for a week, so we chose to buy a 7-day ticket for EUR21, the ticket is made with a very good hard card and can be kept as a souvenir ^^.

• Malta Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Where to buy tickets? There are places to buy tickets in each locality, usually in bookstores or souvenir shops, but note that all supermarkets and shops here close before 7pm. So, we planned to go to Valletta at night to strolling around streets and then buy tickets, but when we arrived, almost shops were closed, but luckily we were help by a local, he said there was a ticket vending machine located at the Valletta bus station , which still operating 24/24.

Bus and ferry times: Buses here are not as frequent as other major cities in Europe, you usually have to wait about half an hour to an hour with a trip, so you should remember to note the departure and return times, especially at night with very few trips, 10:30PM is the last trip.

Renting a car costs $41 / day (rental costs around $53 or higher in the summer). There are many local car rental companies, but I rent at Hertz because it’s close to my Airbnb. Many companies only accept cash payments. Rent a car from big companies to ensure your safety.

Taxi & Uber

Taxis cost EUR10-20, you can book a taxi via Whatsapp in advance and taxi may a good last minute option if you get stuck and can not take a bus. In addition, you also can use Uber rideshare service.

Ferry ticket to Comino island cost about EUR13 / round-trip, from the Cirkewwa wharf with the earliest trip departs at 9:10am and the last trip at 3:40pm, the return trips from 9:30am to 6:00pm daily.

The ferry to getting to Gozo is super big and beautiful, with no cost for departing trip, when return, you buy a ticket for EUR4.65 / person, the ferry running all day and night, and the best thing when we took the return trip at sunset, sitting on the ferry and watching Gozo island lights up against the pink sky of the sunset is really memorable moments (information about the ferry to Gozo here).

For convenient traveling and saving when exploring Malta you can buy in advance some PASS or CARD such as MALTA PASS which allows you free to visit more than 35 museums, architectural or historic, famous tourist attractions throughout the country, it also covering free sightseeing bus ride. Price: 1-day 49.95€ / 2-day 79.95€ / 3-day 99.95€. Website: www.maltapass.com.mt .

Or VALETTA CARD which allows you free to visit some famous attractions in the capital of Valleta as well as traveling from, to, and within Valletta plus 2 free ferry trips. Price: 24 hours 19€. Website: www.publictransport.com.mt/en/valletta-card

Malta travel guide: What to do and where to go?

The capital of Valletta

With an enthralling history, amazing architecture and a bustling urban lifestyle, this city proudly received awards such as the European Cultural Capital of 2018 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. Traveling to Valletta, visitors feel like stepping on a journey through many majestic, magnificent of ancient architectural buildings and structures such as: St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Grandmaster’s Palace, Grand Harbour, Manoel Theater, Regina Square (Republic Square)… Quaint, secluded Medieval architecture attracting and captivating all your eyes, bringing an atmosphere that makes visitors feel like they are immersed in endless stories. The narrow steep alleys, signature and colorful windows of hillhouses make Valletta more charming and romantic.

In particular, take time to strolling and enjoying the beauty of Valletta at night with a vibrant nightlife, you also easily see the world’s famous DJs in the splendid capital along with most luxurious brands in the world also garthering here.

Popeye Village (Film Set Village)

Built as a movie setting in 1979, the Popeye sailors’ village is still today a popular tourist attraction in Malta. “Popeye Village”, also known as “Sweethaven Village” is an amusement complex – an open-air museum, and one of the most popular tourist attractions around Anchor Bay on the Mediterranean coast. Popeye Village was originally built as a filming location for Robert Altman’s “Popeye” film, co-produced by Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Productions.

Throughout the years, many activities have been held in the village, but the most special and attracting the attention of visitors is Popeye and Olive’s wedding. There are also exhibitions of Popeye’s sailor comics, as well as more than 200 original comics and cartoons from the 60s, 70s and 80s. In good weather, visitors can take a tour to explore Anchor bay by boat and admiring the beautiful Popeye village from the sea.

Address: Triq Tal-Prajjet, Il-Mellieħa, Malta Hours: 10:30AM–5:30PM/Monday: Closed

The fishing village of Marsaxlokk

About 30 minutes by bus from the capital Valletta to the South Eastern of Malta, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk is considered a convergence of colors. From the Luzzu boats painted pure white to the gentle blue water reflecting the sunlight. All create a poetic picture bearing typical style of the Mediterranean Sea. Here, you can stroll along the coast, visit fishing village and enjoy specialties in harbor restaurants.

Love the beauty of nature, blue sea and golden sunshine? So, Gozo Island is the perfect destination for you. Gozo Island is one of the 3 largest islands in the island nation of Malta which attracts travelers with a wide coastline, majestic and magnificent Window Azure arch which was formed in a limestone rock in a unique shape lying quietly in space creating a spectacular scenery of nature. Not only that, visiting Gozo you also have the opportunity to visit the ancient and sacred temples of Ggantija. An early morning sunrise on the island of Gozo will be a great start for your journey. You can take a boat tour to visit the rock arch to feel the grandeur and wonder of nature, swimming or diving in the clear water in this sea are also interesting experiences.

With 200km of coastline, Malta possesses beautiful hidden coves, bays, secluded beaches that intriguing visitors at firt sight. In Comino, an island has only an area of ​​​​about 3.5 square kilometers but owns the most beautiful beach in this island nation. In particular, the Blue Lagoon on the island wears a sparkling turquoise blue with a white sand strip in a tranquil space between heaven and earth. Lying on the sand, enjoying the warm sunlight on the beautiful and romantic island of Comino will make you always in a peaceful and happy mood. Wandering around the island, watching the waves crashing on rocks or the magnificent scenes of sunrise and sunset will make you fall in love with this beautiful island more.

Mdina is a fortress town in the North, which served as the capital of Malta during the Middle Ages. The whole city was enclosed within the fortress wall with a total population of less than 300 people. The town is exactly an ancient fortress that has preserved its original structure and shape from ancient time. From the narrow roads surrounded by golden stone walls to the ancient street lamps along the alleys, corners, street signs… All of them still have the impression of medieval times.

There is a wide range of activities to enjoy here such as strolling around the picturesque streets as well as visit many museums. This town is also known for its cute cafes and eateries, perfect for relaxing for hours.

Located just outside the walls of Mdina fortress is the town of Rabat. Rabat means “suburban”, or in other words Rabat is the suburb of Mdina. The small town of Rabat with about 11,000 people, is not as magnificent as Mdina, but literally a more ordinary inhabited town. The road leading into the town center is filled with shops, houses, small cafes with red and blue windows that are very typical of Malta.

Visiting Rabat you will be surprised when green dominating everywhere. The green of the lawns adorning the foot of the ancient citadel, of the sparse forests interspersed and spreading, the town is full of old trees whose trunks are large enough for two people to embrace, with their elaborately trimmed foliage in round or square shape.

Sliema is a coastal town located in the northeast of Malta, bordering St. Julians. Once the home of the Maltese nobility, it has now become a major commercial area, very popular for shopping, bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels. Elegant villas and townhouses as well as many Victorian buildings built by the British lying along the promenade overlooking the rocky coastline. A unique experience that worth a try is Dinner in the Sky, where your dinner table will be lifted 40 meters above by a crane, and the panorama from above is something you’ll never forget.

Qrendi is located in the South West of Malta near Mqabba and Zurrieq. The town is small, with a population of around 3,000 people, but it has two of the most important Neolithic temples in Malta, Mnajdra and aġar Qim. On the seaside, you can find the Maqluba, a massive sinkhole that was formed by a great storm in 1343. Qrendi also home to the spectacular Wied iz-Zurrieq harbour and the famous Blue Grotto. The village center is quiet, with many old buildings, however, the suburbs are quite modern and developed. There are no tourist facilities in the centre, making Qrendi a truly Maltese village.

It is a megalithic temple complex, and one of the UNESCO cultural heritage sites in Hagar Qim area, Mnajdra temple is located 500 meters from Hagar Qim temple. This archaeological site is located in an isolated and rugged stretch of the south coast of Malta facing the sea. The complex consists of three buildings facing a common oval front yard and may be part of a larger complex.

The oldest structure, the southern temple dates from around 3600 to 3200 BC. Two other temples were built between 3150 and 2200 BC. These three structures represent an important period in prehistoric human development known as the Ggantija Period (circa 3150 BC to 2500 BC), which was an important period of The Bronze Age period in Malta (2400 BC – 700 BC).

This rural village has a history dating back to 1436. The Grand Master de Rohan (Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc) elevated Zeborms to a city, renamed it Citta Rohan and built the triumphal arch at the town’s entrance. The main square is decorated by the two-story Baroque Parish Church of Saint Philip with an ornate interior. The original design was created by Cassars, the architect of Saint-John Co-Cathedral in Valletta. Zeborms holds its annual religious festival, The Saint Philip’s Festival at the Parish Church in June.

Blue Lagoon

Great for swimming, water activities, or floating on a life jacket, Blue Lagoon with its emerald water, smooth white sands, the same length as Olympic-sized swimming pool. Good swimmers can cross the cove and small beach on the other side of the lagoon.

From May to October, tourists can stay at Comino Hotel (the only hotel on the island) to enjoy the Blue Lagoon without a tour and enjoy a peaceful vacation more easily. Things to do on Comino Island include walking, hiking, and water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving.

Blue Grotto

Not to be confused with the Blue Lagoon above, located in the Northwest of the archipelago, in Comino Island, the Blue Grotto is an ensemble of seven caves found along the island’s southern coast, directly across from the islet of Filfla and less than a kilometer from Wied iż-Żurrieq village to the west. It was given its name in the 1950s when a British soldier visited the area and compared it to the famous Grotta Azzurra of the island of Capri, which basically means “Blue Grotto”, because the water is so blue.

The breathtaking seaside setting and limestone caves here are a picture of pure serenity, the water surface shines a brilliant blue in the sun. According to mythology, the Blue Grotto was the home of mermaids and sea nymphs, who seduced sailors with their enchanting voices.

The village of Wied iz-Zurrieq (just 1 km from the Blue Grotto) has many souvenir shops, ice cream shops and cafes, as well as cliff restaurants with great views. You’ll enjoy a meal at one of the restaurant’s terraces overlooking the azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

The beach is extremely wide with soft golden sand, clean water, quiet because it is far from traffic, safe for swimming. Many visitors spend whole day here for sunbathing while listening to the soothing sound of the waves crashing against the shore. There are also cafes and restaurants with terraces overlooking the coast and gentle waves.

Ghajn Tuffieha Bay and the beaches of Gnejna Bay

For visitors exploring the area by car, it’s worth the two-kilometer drive from Golden Bay to the pristine beach at Ghajn Tuffieha Bay. Surrounded by cliffs and steep hillsides, the beach is accessed by climbing down 200 steps. Considered one of the top beaches in Malta, Ghajn Tuffieha is popular with locals.

Continuing riding for another seven kilometers from Ghajn Tuffieha Bay is Gnejna Bay, a protected cove surrounded by steep limestone cliffs. Walk down the steep stairs you will reach the beautiful orange-sand beach, which is popular with swimmers and snorkelers. Water ski and canoe rentals are also available as well as public restrooms and food stalls.

Between the bays of Ghajn Tuffieha and Gnejna is the rural village of Mgarr, a scenic spot of vine-covered hills and small farms. Outdoor lovers will enjoy beautiful hiking trails from Mgarr to the countryside and along the coast to Gnejna bay.

Mellieha Beach

Located in the scenic countryside of the Northwest, Mellieha is a family-friendly beachfront destination. The beach is located next to a busy road but does not lose its natural beauty. Mellieha Beach has the largest stretch of sand in the island nation of Malta with a 1.5 km long coastline with fine white sand.

Hal Saflieni Hypogeum

At Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, visitors can explore the prehistoric world (circa 4000BC – 2500 BC). This UNESCO archaeological site is a Neolithic relic discovered in 1902. It is a complex of stone-carved catacombs. In this underground labyrinth, prehistoric humans performed religious burial rituals. The most fascinating thing of the site is that it represents an ancient cultural tradition that no longer exists but remains a mystery to archaeologists and scholars.

Diving at HMS Maori

Malta has a warm climate and is also blessed with azure seas, which means it is the perfect choice for those who love to swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving. There is an array of man-made reefs here as well as a number of military shipwrecks dating back to the Second World War.

One of the most famous diving sites is called HMS Maori, a frigate that was sunk by the Germans and now lies on the seabed at a depth of 14 meters. This is a good diving spot for beginners due to easy access and relatively shallow depths, and if you want to get a diving certificate, some expert divers can support you.

Malta guide: Where to stay?

Hotels in Malta are also very diverse with wide-range choices and different prices, depending on the choice of travelers. Hotels are usually concentrated in St Julian’s , Sliema , St Paul’s Bay , St George’s Bay and Bugibba. In addition, there are many hostels, guesthouses and apartments in Malta for tourists to rent and relax. Campsite in Mellieha will also be an interesting experience if you want to try. Malta also has 2 tourist villages and villas suitable for families and large groups.

If you choose to stay in Valletta, it’s hard to find a cheap hotel (lowest rates are usually 70 euros/night), but one thing is for sure, you will get a room of the right value. Dozens of luxury hotels and apartments are offered in the city, with beautifully decorated authentic buildings, historic buildings and spacious, villa-like hotels. Hotel Phoenicia Malta ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) , Hotel Palazzo Paolina ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) , Palais Le Brun ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) and Ursulino Valletta ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) are just some of the best options if you want the ultimate in experience.

Check out more top rated and best hotels in Malta on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Malta blog: What to eat?

Local, fresh, simple and seasonal dishes are the essence of Maltese and Gozitan cuisine. Maltese cuisine is influenced by its proximity to Sicily and North Africa but it still holds its own flavor and uniqueness.

You can find a wide range of Mediterranean flavors with mains being seafood, vegetables, pasta, meat, bread, cheese and olive oil. To experience the most authentic dishes and a better understanding of Maltese cuisine, look to family-run restaurants in smaller towns.

Stuffat tal-Fenek (Stewed Rabbit)

Stewed rabbit is the national dish of Malta. Rabbit meat is usually prepared in one of two ways, stewed or fried. For stewing, this is a slow cooking process (more than 2 hours) that made the meat to become extremely tender. Stew dishes uasually add a rich tomato sauce and can include a variety of vegetables such as onions, garlic, carrots, and potatoes. It is also often served with spaghetti or some other pasta. You can find this dish at most restaurants in Malta.

Gbejniet (Maltese cheese)

Maltese love their own cheese, especially Gbejniet! Gbejniet is a typical cheese of Maltese people, made of goat or sheep’s milk, salt and rennet. It can be found in 3 forms: fresh, dried or processed and may have peppercorns added to enhance flavor or remain original. In addition to being eaten in original form, this cheese is also commonly served by deep-fried, sprinkled on salads, filling for ravioli (instead of ricotta), and sometimes, even in pies.

Don’t miss this pastizzi. This is one of those wonderfully creative dishes, this pastry is filled with a variety of ingredients, but the two traditional pastizzes contain ricotta cheese or peas. They’re incredibly greasy, delectable and full of calories, so it’s best to try them in the morning when they’re fresh out of the oven!

Aljotta (fish soup)

Aljotta is a soup that uses fish and herbs, has a light, fresh and delicious taste. The flavors stem from herbs, citrus, garlic and of course fresh seafood (mussels, octopus, shrimp, fish, typically kingfish). A hearty meal for any seafood lover!

Timpana (Grilled Macaroni)

These are great pasta pastries. This baked pasta dish is made with very simple ingredients – pasta and dough. Macaroni is cooked in a bolognese sauce with minced meat, bacon, tomatoes, garlic, onions and cheese and then baked in a puff pastry. This dish is quite filling, so make sure you are very hungry before enjoying this meal!

Torta tal-Lampuki (Lampuki Pie)

Always loved by Maltese people, Torta tal-Lampuki brings a sea flavor will surely make diners excited to enjoy. Torta tal-Lampuki is made with fresh sea fish as the main ingredient, cooked in a variety of ways, such as grilled or fried and then topped with tomato sauce, onions, olives and fresh herbs. The time from late August to November is the “season” of this dish.

Imqaret (Doughnuts)

Imqaret is a deep-fried Maltese sweet that can be found at any street corner and on dessert menus at restaurants. The pastry is filled with dates then deep fried and covered with icing sugar and served with ice cream. If you want to get one for takeout, you’ll be missing out the delicious ice cream, so be sure to give it a try while sitting at the shop.

Zalzett tal-Malti (Maltese Sausage)

Maltese sausage is a homemade sausage mainly made of pork. The dish is influenced by British cuisine but prepared in the Portuguese tradition way. Fresh Maltese sausages are made from garlic, herbs, pepper, crushed coriander seeds and spices while the dried ones are made a bit simpler.

Pan-fried Lamb Chops

Maltese people love to eat well-done cooked meats, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find both lamb and pork on many menus. Because the meat is slow cooked and tender, it has more flavorful. The cuts of meat are tender and tastier, especially when covered in gravy and served with butter and potatoes, it’s amazing!

Maltese Platter

The best recommendation when you want to learn about Maltese cuisine is a Maltese appetizer plate. Most of them will have small portions of the most appreciated dishes by locals. In the example below, you’ll enjoy a spread with tuna, capers and dried tomatoes, Maltese sausage, stewed beans, and olives, and a salted cheese and pepper similar to feta cheese (gbejniet).

Recommended bars and restaurants:

Restaurants: Rising Sun (Marsaxlokk) , Loli (vegetarian restaurant), The Grassy Hopper (vegan), Marsaxlokk fish market, Suruchi, Ta Doni, Cuba, Rocksalt, Ta’ Rikardu (Gozo) , Electro Lobster Project.

Bars: Hole in the Wall (Sliema) , Native (and any bars on this street as it is the main hub for nightlife), Dubliner, Legligin, The Thirsty Barber.

Malta travel guide: Malta travel costs

Traveling to Malta is surprisingly cheap, the cheapest one among European countries. I came here in the middle of winter – there is no seasonal increase in accommodation, car rental and airfare and my friends tell me that most costs for food, activities and year-round public transport remains the same. Here is a list of common costs in this country:

• Ferry from Sliema to Valletta: One-way: 1.50 euros. Round-trip: 2.80 euros
• Ferry from Valletta to Gozo: 4.65 euros/person, Car and driver : 15 euros
• Pastizzi (cheap snacks): 1-2 euros
• Sandwiches for breakfast : 3-4 euros
• Full breakfast: 3-4 euros
• Lunch at the cafe: 8-10 euros
• McDonald’s: 5-6 euros
• Sandwiches: 6 euros
• Dinner with wine at a restaurant: 25 euros
• Main meal: 10-14 euros
• Pizza: 6-9 euros
• Bottled water: 1 euro
• Wine: 8-10 euros
• Beer: 3 euros
• Admission to the museum: 6 euros
• Car rental: 38-48 euros
• Taxi fare: 10-20 euros
• Bus ticket: 2 euros

On average, you can travel to Malta on a budget with 30-45 euros per day, but in the summer you’ll need around 50 euros per day. For that price, you will have to stay in a hostel or share an Airbnb with a friend, take public transport, most of the activities you take part in will be free activities, prepare your own breakfast and cheap eats at cafes.

In addition, all churches are free admissions. You will find lots of companies that will take you around the island in a boat for EUR25. Most museums and attractions cost EUR5 entrance fee but you can choose to buy a Malta tourist card as suggested above (there is one for Mdina and another card for Valletta) which will save you around EUR10-20 depending on number of tourist attractions you will choose to visit.

Malta blog: Before you go

• Opening hours of restaurants, cafes and bars will be from 9AM to 1PM. The hotel bars will be open from 1PM to 4PM but will continue to serve guests from 6PM.
• Short-haul flights between Grand Harbour in Valletta and Mgarr Harbour in Gozo usually take about 20 minutes. You can also rent cars and bicycles for your convenience of traveling.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Malta you can refer to

• Valletta Traditional Two Harbours Day Cruise of Malta
• Malta Prehistoric Temples Tour
• Valletta Half Day Tour
• St Paul’s Bay: Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran
• Bugibba: Gozo, Comino, and Blue Lagoon Sightseeing Cruise
• Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon & Gozo – 2 Island Boat Cruise
• Malta: 5-Hour Lazy Pirate Boat Party with Drinks & Food
• Comino: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Seacaves Tour
• Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves Boat Cruise
• Gozo: Full-Day Jeep Tour with Lunch and Powerboat Ride
• Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon, and Caves Day Trip
• Malta: Shuttle Transfer between Malta Airport and Hotels
• Malta: Malta Island Bus Tour and Boat Tour
• Malta: Full-Day Gozo and Blue Lagoon Cruise with Drinks
• Malta: Marsamxett Harbour and Grand Harbour Cruise by Night

Are you looking for more top things to do in Malta: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here . And Malta travel guide here .

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Traveller eSIM Prepaid Offer: What You Need to Know

When’s the Best Time to Install Your Traveller eSIM?

Install your Traveller eSIM before you hit the road! Make sure you’re connected to WiFi or using your main SIM during setup. No rush—just keep it turned off until you’re at your destination. Safe travels! 🌍

How Do I Grab Another Traveller Data Bundle on My eSIM?

First, top up your balance:

• Log in to MyMelita
• Go to “My Services” and select the traveller eSIM
• Tap “Top Up Now”
• Add credit for the bundle you want
• Choose your Traveller bundle from “Available Extras”
• Hit “Buy Extra” and your bundle will be set up in a minute
• You’ll get a confirmation SMS when it’s all set! ✨

Your Traveller eSIM works in Malta and 41 other awesome countries! 🌍

Keep in mind, this list might change, and more countries could be added in the future! 🌍

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