If you are looking for recommendations on where to stay in Malta, we encourage you to keep reading this post! In the following lines we will share with you information about the best areas to stay as well as a selection of hotels that will surely become a great option to get to know this incredible island.
The first and most important thing is to be clear that, depending on your route or even the reason for your trip, one option or another may be better. We want to emphasize this because although we are going to share with you what we believe are the best options, it is also important for you to take the time to read the information and, above all, to evaluate which are the best areas depending on your tastes and needs. It is not the same to choose a hotel in Malta to enjoy several days at the beach than to do it for a cultural tour around the country.
Another of the most important aspects to take into account when choosing an accommodation in Malta is the transportation you are going to use during your trip and even if you want to make a base or several to get to know the island. Do not worry because we will talk about all this throughout the article with recommendations and tips drawn from our experience to make your choice as easy as possible.
Based on our route through Malta, during which we stayed in several locations, we tell you all the information about where to stay in Malta. Let’s get started!
Best places to stay in Malta
With incredible temples that date back beyond the time of the pyramids, fascinating cities with an architecture that takes you back in time as well as people and a delicious cuisine, Malta is one of those countries that do not leave any traveler indifferent. Not to mention its beaches, which can boast of being some of the most beautiful in this part of the world and that will make you move to the Caribbean with waters so blue that it is hard to imagine.
As you can see, the island despite being relatively small, has many attractions and points of interest, something that makes depending on what is the purpose of your trip, it may be more advisable to make one or more bases or even stay in one area or another. Although we will develop each of the proposals later, as a summary, these would be the best areas in which to stay in Malta with its basic characteristics.
- Valletta: capital of the island, this city can boast of having a beautiful historic center as well as a wide range of accommodation and restaurants. In addition to this, buses and ferries depart from here to connect with all the towns, cities and points of interest on the island, so if you have not rented a car, this option is perfect for sleeping in Malta.
- Sliema: located very close to the previous one, this area has somewhat more affordable accommodations and has a lovely promenade.
- Julian’s: very popular with the younger crowd thanks to its lively nightlife, especially in the Paceville area. This is one of the best places to stay in Malta if your trip is focused on nightlife.
- Birgu (Vittoriosa): part of the Three Cities, with a rich historical past and views of the Grand Harbour, this charming town is perfect for travelers looking for a less touristy location than Valletta.
- Mdina: known as the Silent City, this is a walled city with a charming and very quiet atmosphere, perfect for travelers looking for a relaxing stay in Malta.
- Rabat: known for its catacombs and historical sites, this city can be a great option to sleep in Malta if you are looking for something quiet and local.
- Marsaxlokk: this is probably the best known fishing village on the island and it is no wonder since it has a picturesque promenade, dotted with traditional boats, known as luzzu, where you can enjoy dozens of restaurants specializing in seafood.
- Bugibba and Qawra: in the town of St. Paul’s Bay, these areas are very popular among tourists for their resorts and the possibility of enjoying countless water activities.
- Mellieha: probably here you will find the best beaches in Malta, so if your trip is focused on sun tourism, this is undoubtedly one of the best options to stay in Malta.
- Gozo (Victoria): this is the second largest island of the Maltese archipelago and is especially known for its natural beauty. A paradise for nature lovers and spectacular scenery. Our favorite areas of the island to stay are Victoria and Xlendi.
Do you want to know what is our favorite option to stay in Malta? The quick answer is Valletta and Victoria in Gozo, although it should be noted that this is ideal if, like us, you are going to make a one-week tour of Malta focused on the more cultural aspect and want to tour the island by public transport or rental car. We did it this way, adding a night in Sliema and without a doubt, it was a good choice that allowed us to enjoy the island to the fullest.
Do not worry that throughout the post we will develop each area, with its advantages and disadvantages, so you can choose the one that best suits your trip.
Valletta, the best city to stay in Malta
Staying in Valletta, the capital of Malta, is synonymous with enjoying a unique experience thanks to its rich history, vibrant cultural life and magnificent architecture that leaves no traveler indifferent.
In addition, the city has a wide range of accommodation and restaurants, making it the perfect place to discover Maltese gastronomy, another of the most interesting aspects of the island.
Not going to rent a car? Then Valletta is also a perfect option to stay in Malta since the city has a bus terminal next to the City Gate, which is the entrance to the historic center, connecting the city with the rest of the points of interest of the island.
And if this were not enough, from the port, also next to the historic center, ferries depart to connect the city with the Three Cities, Sliema or even Gozo and Comino.
We believe that there is little more we can add to all these advantages to highlight that Valletta is one of the best options to stay in Malta.
The price of accommodation in Valletta is usually around 150 euros (high season). In low season you can easily find double rooms for about 80 euros per night. Keep in mind that many hotels in Valletta include breakfast so this makes the price actually a bit tighter.
- Pros: you will be in a privileged location because in addition to having a charming historic center, the city has public transportation that links to all points of interest on the island. If you are touring the island by car you will have to leave it in a parking lot outside the historic center (10 minutes walk from the center).
- Cons: Prices are higher than in other areas of Malta and also, there is a lot of tourism.
Although we recommend you to finish reading the post before making a decision, if it is within your budget, we believe that Valletta is a perfect city to base yourself and tour the island, either by rental car or by public transport.
You can find much more information in this post about places to see in Valletta and, if you are a food lover, in this post about the best restaurants to eat in Valletta.
Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate we recommend you to use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free and will save you a lot of money.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards for commission-free travel.
Sliema, a cheaper option than Valletta to stay in Malta
Known for being another of the most popular options for sleeping in Malta, Sliema is a town that is very close to Valletta but differs from it for its vibrant atmosphere, especially at night, its attractive promenade, which is one of the longest on the island, and its excellent range of services.
In addition, many of the hotels and apartments in Sliema offer visitors spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea and Valletta, which is a great attraction.
It is also very well connected, both with Valletta and with the rest of the points of interest of the island so if you do not have a rental car, it is also a great option to sleep in Malta.
It is important to know that Sliema tends to be quite busy, especially during the high tourist season, and traffic can become chaotic. If you want to stay in Sliema as a base for touring the island, we would keep this in mind and look for a hotel that is not on the main arteries so that you don’t have to spend so much time each day getting in and out of the town.
The price of accommodation in Sliema is usually around 100 euros (high season). In low season you can easily find double rooms for about 75 euros per night.
- Pros: it offers all the modern conveniences travelers may need in addition to an extensive offer for leisure tourism, with a large number of bars, pubs and restaurants open until late. Although not as vibrant as Paceville in St. Julian’s, which we’ll talk about later, it offers enough options to spend a fun night (or several).
- Cons: what for some travelers may be an advantage for others may be the opposite. If you are looking for rest and a quiet atmosphere, it is an area we would rule out for staying in Malta.
We stayed one night to have the experience and then, to be able to recommend it or not and we believe that, unless you want to go out at night, it is not an overly recommended area to sleep in Malta.
We had also read that the prices of hotels were a bit more affordable than in Valletta but we did not find anything under 100 euros with a good value for money.
Another aspect to take into account, in case you choose to stay here is to try, as long as it is within your budget, to do it in a hotel that is in the promenade area as it is the liveliest area.
St. Julian’s, the best area to sleep in Malta if you want to party and have fun
If your trip is focused on nightlife and partying, without a doubt, the best area to find a hotel in Malta is St. Julian’s. Next to Sliema and very close to Valletta, this is one of the most popular areas if you want to have fun and find a wide range of clubs and bars.
The best known area is Paceville, the epicenter of nightlife where you will find some of the most popular clubs and bars such as Havana, Sky Club, The Nordic Bar and Bar Native as well as many venues offering live music and international DJs.
As you can imagine, the area has a constant party atmosphere, especially during the evening, on weekends and during the high season or holidays. It is not uncommon to find the streets full of young people enjoying music, drinks and a festive atmosphere.
In case you want to stay in this area of Malta you should also keep in mind that it is not all about partying. A few minutes walk away you will find St. George’s Bay and Spinola Bay, two perfect places to relax during the day after a night of partying.
The price of accommodation in St. Julian’s is usually around 100-150 euros (high season) although if you go a little further away from the central area you can find hotels for less than 75 euros a night.
- Pros: unlimited leisure offer. In case this is your goal of the trip, this is the best area to stay in Malta.
- Cons: Lots of noise and large crowds of young people, especially in high season.
As you can see, this area to stay in Malta is very specific and is focused on a younger type of traveler. Despite that, you can also find luxury hotels although it would not be the area we would choose to visit the country.
Birgu (Vittoriosa), one of the most peaceful areas to sleep in Malta
Vittoriosa, also known as Birgu, is one of Malta’s Three Historic Towns, along with Senglea and Cospicua, and is another of the best options for accommodation in Malta if you are looking for a unique, rich in history and above all, relaxed accommodation experience.
Unlike the more touristy and bustling areas of Malta, Vittoriosa offers travelers a tranquil and authentic environment, ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in the local history and culture.
In addition, being only a 15-minute ferry ride from Valletta, it is also a perfect location for connecting to other points of interest on the island.
It is important to note that, although Vittoriosa has a good offer of restaurants and accommodation, it is not as wide as other cities. Also, many of the hotels in Birgu are located in old restored buildings, something that gives the traveler a stay different from what you can experience in other areas but at the same time, also more exclusive and even more expensive than in much more touristy places.
The price of accommodation in Vittoriosa is usually around 200 euros (high season).
- Pros: tranquility at a stone’s throw from Valletta
- Cons: The supply of hotels in Birgu is quite limited and prices are somewhat high.
Although as we have mentioned it is very close to Valletta we would not opt for this area to stay in Malta unless you are going to stay many days and, some of them, you want to spend them in a relaxed way in a more local and less touristy environment.
Mdina
Known as the silent city thanks to its calm and relaxed atmosphere, something that contrasts with the more bustling areas of Malta, Mdina gives the traveler who chooses it as a place to stay, a medieval atmosphere that will take you back in time as you walk through its cobblestone streets, surrounded by houses of medieval architecture.
Although it is a city very well connected with the rest of the island, it is important to note that public transport is not as frequent as in Valletta so the ideal, if you choose it as a base to visit Malta, is to have a rental car.
It is also worth knowing that the selection of hotels in Mdina is more limited than in other areas, although its charming accommodations, including boutique hotels and guesthouses located in historic buildings, make for a much quieter experience than in more touristy parts of the island.
We recommend you to read this post about the places to see in Mdina and Rabat so you don’t miss anything about these two cities.
The price of accommodation in Mdina is usually around 250 euros (high season), a rather high price that is due to the exclusivity of the hotels in addition to the limited supply.
- Pros: One of the quietest areas in Malta. Perfect for travelers who want to spend a few relaxing days in a unique historical setting.
- Cons: The offer of hotels in Mdina is quite limited and the prices are high. The historic center is not accessible by car so you will have to leave it in a parking lot.
Although it is one of our favorite cities, we believe that it is only advisable to choose it as accommodation in Malta if you have enough days on the island and are looking to spend a few days relaxing in a quiet environment.
If you consider that the prices are high, another option is to opt for its neighbor Rabat, another of the most touristic cities of Malta that has a wider range of accommodation. You can find more information in the following point.
Rabat, one of the best cities to stay in Malta
Known for being one of the most visited points of interest on the island along with Mdina, which is located right next door (you can walk from one to the other), staying in Rabat is also an excellent choice if you are looking for a base to tour the western part of Malta.
In addition to being very quiet, although it receives a lot of tourism, Rabat allows you to know the local Maltese life in a relaxed way in addition to having a wider range of accommodation and catering and adjusted in price than its neighbor Mdina. The city also has a good connection with the rest of the points of interest of the island although it is more limited in routes and frequencies than Valletta or Sliema.
The price of accommodation in Rabat is usually around 100 euros (high season) and many of them include breakfast in the price of the room.
- Pros: this is one of the quietest but at the same time touristic cities of Malta. It also has public transport that links with the most important points of interest of the island.
- Cons: The offer of hotels in Rabat is more limited than in other areas of the island although it is still larger and at more affordable prices than its neighbor Mdina. If you have to choose between Mdina and Rabat we think it is better to choose the latter as a place to stay in Malta even though it is not as charming.
Although like Mdina, this is one of our favorite cities, especially for the visit to the catacombs and the local atmosphere that permeates its streets, we believe that it is ideal to choose it to sleep in Malta only if you have a rental car and want to have an experience away from the more touristy areas like Valletta.
Marsaxlokk, the most charming village to sleep in Malta
With its picturesque atmosphere, excellent cuisine based mainly on seafood and a very quiet environment, Marsaxlokk is an excellent choice for travelers looking for a stay in Malta relaxed and above all, away from the most bustling spots, especially at night.
Like the other points of interest of the island, this small fishing village is well connected by public transport so if you are traveling the country without a car it can also be a good option to visit this area of the island, always taking into account that it is about 30 minutes from the rest of the most visited locations in Malta.
However, it should be clear that the frequencies of public transport are not the same as from Valletta so in this case, you should check the schedules before staying in Marsaxlokk.
The price of accommodation in Marsaxlokk is usually around 80-100 euros (high season).
- Pros: being a small fishing village, if you choose it to stay in Malta, you will be able to approach relatively easily to the local Maltese life. Despite that, especially on weekends and in high season, the seafront area is usually crowded.
- Cons: The frequency of public transport is not as extensive as in other areas of the island. This small town is not known for its nightlife so if that is something you value, this should not be your choice for sleeping in Malta.
Although it is a town that we found very picturesque, we believe that as a base for touring Malta is not ideal because there is not much parking, especially on weekends and in high season and also, on weekends, usually receives a lot of tourism.
Bugibba and Qawra in St. Paul’s Bay, one of the most family-friendly areas to stay in Malta.
Located in the St. Paul’s Bay area on the north coast of Malta, these two locations are both known to be popular tourist destinations, offering a wide variety of activities, accommodations and entertainment for all types of travelers, especially families looking to stay in a fully serviced area of Malta.
Of course, it is important to note that here the large resorts are common as well as the mass tourism, especially in summer, attracted by the wide range of accommodation, leisure and above all, relatively low prices compared to other areas of the country. This, coupled with the uncontrolled construction that seems to have been a constant throughout this coastal area, makes it not an option to stay in Malta if you are not particularly fond of this type of tourist spots.
However, we cannot forget that the area has pleasant beach areas and even if you go a little further away from Bugibba, Qawra and St. Paul, which are the most urbanized areas, you can find some beaches not frequented by tourists, such as Selmun Bay.
The price of accommodation in Bugibba and Qawra is usually around 80-100 euros (high season).
- Pros: it is a perfect area to sleep in Malta if you are looking to have everything at hand. The price of many hotels is much more affordable than in the rest of the country.
- Cons: Excessively overcrowded, especially in high season. In addition, uncontrolled constructions make this area has lost much of its charm.
We would only choose this area to sleep in Malta if you want to take a few days in a resort. It can also be ideal for families who want to have a wide range of services.
Mellieha, a perfect area to stay in Malta if you want to enjoy the beach
Also in the northern part of the country, Mellieha is an ideal choice to sleep in Malta if you are looking for a perfect combination of natural beauty, tranquility and a wide range of outdoor activities.
In addition, the area is very quiet, as it is a small inland town, although it is a short 20-minute walk to the coast. And not just any area of the Maltese coastline as here is the bay of Mellieha, an area of shallow, sandy waters, which is perfect for any traveler who wants to enjoy a few days of relaxation.
Taking into account these characteristics, the bay of Mellieha is also an ideal area for families who want to stay in an area of Malta that has all the amenities and also has a perfect beach area for swimming.And if this does not convince you, we can tell you that this also has a wide range of water activities such as windsurfing, jet skiing, paddle surfing or kayaking as well as a good selection of restaurants and hotels, which will surely please any traveler.
Do you want something that involves more activity? Then we can tell you that the surroundings of Mellieha are excellent for hiking trails with panoramic views of the sea. One example is hiking in the Ghadira Nature Reserve, which is particularly well known among travelers.
Moreover, this area is very well connected to Valletta (1h) and Cirkewwa (20 minutes), from where ferries depart for Gozo and Comino.
The price of accommodation in Mellieha is usually around 100 euros (high season).
- Pros: If you are looking for an area to stay in Malta that, although it is a tourist destination, has kept its traditional charm, with a cozy atmosphere, we recommend you to keep an eye on Mellieha.
- Cons: Being in the northern part of the country, it is perhaps a bit far from many of the points of interest in Malta. Despite that, we think it is a perfect area to stay for a few days if you want to enjoy the sea in a quiet area with all the amenities.
Undoubtedly, if you are looking for a few days of relaxation on the island, we would opt for this area because we believe that overall it is the most complete and also, despite being touristy, it is not as crowded as other areas of Malta.
Gozo (Victoria), one of the best areas to stay in Malta
Few travelers visit Malta and do not spend at least one day in Gozo. Although we know that it will depend on the days you have to make the trip, whenever you can, our recommendation is to spend a night on the island. We assure you that you will not regret it.
Known for being the second largest island of the Maltese archipelago, this paradise offers the visitor a unique and different experience thanks to its splendid rural and coastal landscape, its impressive geological formations, some incredible archaeological sites and a tranquil atmosphere, which give the traveler a relaxing and authentic experience.
If, like us, you have fallen into the nets of Gozo and are going to choose to stay in this paradise, our recommendation is that you do it in Victoria, its capital, which will offer you the opportunity to experience the most traditional Malta, that which is shown to the traveler without disguises, when tourists have left this small island after spending a few hours on it.
You can find more information about this paradise in the post about places to see in Gozo.
The price of accommodation in Victoria (Gozo) is usually around 80-100 euros (high season).
- Pros: although most travelers spend only one day in Gozo, the island has so many interesting places to visit, including the paradise of Comino, which is a small uninhabited island, that our recommendation is that you spend at least one night to get to know it and above all, enjoy it.
- Cons: none
As we have already mentioned, if your trip is for a week, we definitely recommend that one of the places to sleep in Malta is Gozo. We assure you that you will not regret it since spending one or two nights on the island will allow you to get to know it from a much calmer and relaxed perspective.
Tips for finding cheap accommodation in Malta
Although we hope we have helped you find your hotel in Malta, we want to share with you some tips, especially for travelers who want a cheap accommodation in Malta.
- Although it may seem obvious, we assure you that booking in advance is always synonymous with savings.
- In addition to booking in advance, it is best not to travel during high season or on weekends or holidays, as hotel prices, especially in the most touristy areas, can double.
- Although it may seem the opposite, in many occasions Sliema and St. Julian’s end up being more expensive than Valletta. We recommend you to compare accommodation and prices as you may be in for a surprise.
- Many of the hotels in Malta have breakfast included. Although eating breakfast out is not excessively expensive, keep it in mind that if it is included, it is an amount that you save.
- If you have rented a car and you want to stay in Valletta, don’t worry about parking. Next to the historic center there is a parking lot where you can leave your car for 3 euros per day.
- Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate we recommend you to use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free of charge and will save you a lot of money.
Travel insurance for Malta
To travel to Malta on your own, there is nothing better than having a good travel insurance. We always travel insured with Heymondo, with whom we take a fully adequate insurance to the needs that we will have on the trip.
If you buy your insurance here with Heymondo, just for being a Viajeros Callejeros reader, you get a 5% discount.
