Where to stay in Malta (2024) – best locations and hotels

The Mediterranean island of Malta offers plenty of historical charm, combined with year round sunshine and sparkling water for boat trips, diving and swimming. If you’re wondering where to stay in Malta for a holiday or short break, we’ve got you covered! In this article we share the best places to stay in Malta based on your interests, with recommended hotels for all budgets.

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Overview of the best places to stay in Malta

Valletta – Malta’s capital, best for sightseeing and short breaks, especially for first time visitors.

Three Cities – Across the harbour from Valletta, with slightly cheaper accommodation, ideal for couples who enjoy history and sightseeing.

Sliema – Connected by ferry to Valletta, for a wide range of hotels, restaurants, shopping and good transport links.

St Julian’s – Best known for its bar and nightlife scene, good for couples and groups who want to party at night and relax by day.

M’dina and Rabat – Malta’s ancient capital is a place for history and culture lovers, ideal for a short stay combined with other areas of Malta.

St Paul’s Bay – The largest resort in the north of Malta, a good base for sunshine and resort holidays.

Mellieha – A traditional holiday town in the north of Malta, close to some of the nicest beaches on the island and a good choice for family holidays.

South East coast – Discover the authentic fishing villages of Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala, with restaurants and rocky bays – for active travellers looking for a quieter break.

Gozo – Malta’s less developed sister island, best for families and beach lovers looking for a relaxing holiday.

Map of best places to stay in Malta

Where to stay in Malta – by interest

Stay in Valletta, Malta

Best for: A short break for culture lovers and first time visitors in Malta’s historic capital.

Malta’s capital Valletta was laid out by the Knights of Malta in the 16th century, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s packed with stunning architecture. Valletta makes an ideal city break destination, where you can wander the narrow streets, visit the cathedral, museums and forts or people-watch in outdoor cafes and squares.

As the island’s capital, Valletta also has the best transport links, either by ferry to Sliema and Three Cities, or by the efficient bus service to other parts of Malta. There’s a huge range of accommodation in Valletta, from luxury and boutique hotels, to holiday apartments that have been converted in the old stone buildings.

What you won’t find in Valletta are many places to swim, so for beach time you’d need to take a day trip to Gozo or spend some time in the north of Malta. Due to the nature of the heritage buildings it’s hard to find a hotel in Valletta with a swimming pool, so for this you should look at some of the modern resort style hotels in Sliema or St Julian’s.

Valletta is ideal for first time visitors to Malta, who are most interested in sightseeing and culture on a short break. It’s also a good option to combine a few days in Valletta with a stay in the north of Malta or Gozo, which is more geared up to swimming and relaxation.

Read more about all the things to do in Valletta in my article: 20 best things to do in Valletta, Malta

Hotels in Valletta, Malta

Stay in Three Cities, Malta

Best for: A cheaper alternative to Valletta for couples interested in a history and culture

Located across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, the Three Cities in Malta are surrounded by water and sheltered marinas. Each of the Three Cities have two names that are used interchangeably: the original Maltese name and the newer name given to them by the Knights of Malta.

Birgu (Vittoriosa) is the oldest and was build by the Knights of Malta as their headquarters when they arrived on Malta in 1530. Senglea (Isla) offers more of a local experience with few formal sights, while Bormla (Conspicua) is set back behind these peninsulas. Also jutting into the harbour is the peninsula of Kalkara, which can be seen across the marina from Birgu.

It’s easy reach the Three Cities from Valletta, either on the old wooden Dgħajsa ferries, or the public catamaran ferry, both of which run from Lascaris Wharf. The atmosphere here is quieter than Valletta and it will only take you a day or two to explore the narrow streets.

Admire the old buildings with their coloured traditional balconies, have a drink or lunch on the quayside and visit a couple of museums. The easy ferry and bus connections mean that you can also make day trips to other parts of Malta.

If deciding which part of the Three Cities Malta to base yourself, I’d recommend either Birgu / Vittoriosa, which has most of the attractions, or Senglea / Isla where the public catamaran ferry to Valletta stops. However, nowhere is really too far to walk to a ferry point or bus stop and taxis are easily available.

Most of the accommodation in Three Cities is in small hotels or holiday apartments and there are no larger resort style hotels here. Staying in the Three Cities is ideal for travellers interested in history and sightseeing, who want a slightly quieter and cheaper location than Valletta.

Read more in my article on: A guide to the Three Cities Malta – top things to do

Hotels in Three Cities, Malta

Stay in Sliema, Malta

Best for: Budget travellers who enjoy restaurants and nightlife

Sliema is across the harbour from Valletta and merges into neighbouring St Julian’s. If you walk along the Sliema Promenade, you’ll reach St Julian’s in only 20 minutes. You can also take the regular Sliema to Valletta ferry across Marsamxett Harbour.

Like many other towns in Malta, Sliema started as a small fishing village and grew throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Now few of the original charming villas remain, replaced by modern high-rise apartments along the seafront.

Despite this, Sliema is quieter than St Julian’s and Valletta on either side. While the area doesn’t have many historical attractions, there’s a wide choice of restaurants and shopping.

The Sliema promenade along the seafront is a pleasant place to walk and Balluta Bay is popular for swimming and diving. At Fond Ghadir Beach look out for the ruins of ancient Roman baths in which you can swim, as well as the historic Fort Tigné which you can see from the promenade.

There are plenty of hotels in Sliema, whether you’re on a budget or looking for more comfort and facilities. Sliema is a more affordable place to stay than Valletta and St Julian’s, but transport to other parts of Malta isn’t as easy as from Valletta.

Hotels in Sliema, Malta

Stay in St Julian’s

Best for: Couples or friends looking to chill by day and party by night

St Julian’s is where to stay if you like to have a night out on the town! It’s well known as being the nightlife capital of Malta. The Paceville area offers many bars, restaurants, and clubs that are open until the early hours of the morning. Because of this, it’s popular with young travellers, particularly 20-something friends travelling in groups.

St Julian’s is also home to luxurious resort-style hotels and luxury developments, as well as many shopping centres. Not much remains here of the older charming villas, and the waterfront is dominated by high-rise buildings.

This is a fun place to stay if you are young and like to go out, but families or couples looking for something low-key would probably be happier in other parts of Malta.

It’s also a chilled place to come in the daytime and relax in the cafes and restaurants. Spinola Bay has lots of restaurants for a nice lunch, and most of the hotels have spas open to hotel non-residents.

Even if you’re not staying here, St Julian’s is a fun place for a night out, a great place to mingle in bars and clubs or meet up with friends.

Hotels in St Julian’s, Malta

M’dina and Rabat

Best for: A short stay for history and culture lovers

Set on a hilltop in the centre of the island, the walled medieval city of M’dina was Malta’s first capital. After the Knights of Malta decided to relocate their capital to Birgu in the 16th century, the city was all but abandoned, becoming known as the “Silent City”.

Enclosed by high honey stone walls, with narrow streets and little traffic, M’dina seems frozen in time. You may recognise M’dina’s imposing main gate as a film location from the first season of Game of Thrones, when the city doubled for King’s Landing.

Outside the walls of M’dina is the town of Rabat, with buildings from the 18th and 19th century. Most of more local shops and restaurants are here, and it’s also a charming location with a town square and quiet backstreets lined with old houses.

There are few places to stay within the walls of M’dina, apart from a couple of grand Palazzos that have been converted into luxury hotels. However an easy stroll from the M’dina walled city are a number of smaller hotels and guest houses in Rabat.

A stay for a night or two in Rabat or M’dina would suit travellers who are interested in exploring the history of these two towns at a slower pace. However, it’s probably not the best place to stay for your whole time in Malta, as you’d need a car to easily get to other parts of the island from here.

Read about all the things to do in M’dina and Rabat in my article: 21 Best things to do in Malta

Hotels in M’Dina and Rabat

Stay in St Paul’s Bay

Best for: Those looking for a resort style holiday in the sun

St Paul’s Bay is an extensive resort area located on Malta’s north coast, encompassing the neighbourhoods of Qawra and Bugibba. Historically, this was a fishing village, but it has now become a popular package holiday destination, so it’s worth looking for deals from the major tour operators.

Much of the accommodation is in larger resort style hotels but there are also plenty of holiday apartment options. Because this is a well developed and tourist-friendly resort, there’s a wide range of dining options. The influence of Italian cuisine is strong, so if you like seafood, pasta, and pizza, you’re in the right place.

Much of the coastal swimming around St Paul’s Bay is on a rocky shoreline, with a few patches of sand. Bugibba Perched Beach has a small sandy area and is great for swimming, St Paul’s Bay waterfront has a nice promenade, or for more secluded swimming try the small pebble cove of Fekruna beach and manmade rocky pool at Qwara Point.

Alternatively you can hop on a short bus ride to Ghajn Tuffieha to discover the sandy beach at Golden Bay, although it can get very crowded in summer. Because of the lack of sandy beaches, you may want to choose a hotel in St Paul’s Bay that has a nice swimming pool.

While St Paul’s Bay does not have much in the way of cultural and historic attractions, its rocky beaches, restaurants and colourful nightlife make it well suited to a younger crowd. Families or couples looking for a quiet getaway may be better to look at staying in Mellieha.

Hotels in St Paul’s Bay

Stay in Mellieha

Best for: Families looking for a relaxing beach holiday

Mellieha is at the northern tip of Malta, near the ferry crossing to Gozo. This area is quieter and more laid back than most of the towns and resorts in Malta, but can get busy in the summer months. It’s the best place to stay if you’re looking for a beach holiday, since some of Malta’s best beaches are in this area.

Mellieha is a popular package holiday destination and you’ll find a lot of accommodation in resort style hotels. It’s worth looking out for flight and accommodation packages from the major holiday companies.

The scenery around Mellieha is less developed, with many lush valleys and small farms. This area is quite hilly and when choosing hotels you need to bear in mind that many are in Mellieha town, which is set on the hill above the main beach.

Ghadira Bay is the best known of Mellieha’s beaches, with a long stretch of sand and clear blue water. The bay’s shallow waters, sun beds and facilities make this a popular beach for families. Just behind the beach is the Ghadira Nature Reserve, a wetlands area that provides a habitat for migrating birds.

Mellieha also makes a good base for visiting the beautiful beaches of Golden Bay and Riviera Beach (Ghajn Tuffieha Bay) on Malta’s north west coast, which are a short drive away.

Mellieha is further away from Valletta and the historic sights. There are buses to Sliema and Valletta, but if you want to explore other parts of Malta, you’ll probably need to hire a car. Mellieha is only a 5-10 minute drive from the ferry that crosses to Gozo.

If you want a relaxed place to stay, Mellieha would be perfect but it doesn’t have a big nightlife scene. You’ll also want to have a good fitness level depending on where you stay, as the town of Mellieha is on top of a hill, although there are regular buses running to the beach.

Hotels in Mellieha

Stay in Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala

Best for: Active travellers looking for an authentic Maltese atmosphere.

Perhaps the quietest and most authentic Maltese experience is found in the villages of Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala, two fishing villages on the southeast coast. Here you’ll find rocky swimming spots, many beautiful churches, and the best seafood on the island.

Marsaxlokk is the largest fishing village, and Marsaskala is smaller, but they both have a similar ambiance. This area still gets tourists, but it’s more popular with locals and has remained low-key and laid back. The promenade along the marina is lined with restaurants, the perfect place to have a fresh seafood dinner while you watch the boats come in at sunset.

Accommodation here is mostly in smaller hotels and guest houses, with no big resort hotels. You may need a car if staying at Marsaskala, but the 81 and 85 bus routes go between Marsaxlokk and Valletta. There’s also a hiking trail along this stretch of coast, overlooking beautiful unspoiled bays and cliffs.

The swimming spots nearby are harder to access than some other beaches in Malta. Swimming is typically in rocky coves such as St Peter’s Pool, Kalanka and il-Ħofra ż-Żgħira, which are near Marsaxlokk.

These secluded coves are rocky with warm shallow pools that are easy to jump into, but you may need to hike to reach them. There’s also St Thomas Bay a little north of Marsaskala, which has a partly sandy beach and does get busy.

These two villages are great for active travellers who aren’t too bothered with nightlife and anyone who considers themselves a foodie (or even just a seafood fan).

Hotels in Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala

Stay in Gozo

Best for: Families and couples looking for a quiet holiday, with access to beaches, nature and culture.

While Malta is packed full of historic attractions, it’s also quite highly developed, especially around Valletta and the northern holiday resorts. Malta’s smaller sister island of Gozo offers a quieter experience and can easily be reached by ferry, either from Valletta (foot passengers only) or from Ċirkewwa on the north coast.

On Gozo you’ll find a calmer atmosphere, with a fortified citadel, boat trips, turquoise bays for swimming and green countryside for walking.

There’s a reliable bus network covering the island that tends to radiate out of Gozo’s capital Victoria, which is located in the centre of the island. If you plan to stay outside Victoria, you’ll probably need to hire a car.

Gozo is where the Maltese own holiday homes, as there’s more open countryside here. It’s an ideal location for families to rent a villa or for travellers who have already visited Malta and want to try something different.

You’ll find that accommodation is slightly cheaper on Gozo than on Malta, although in summer when the Maltese come on holiday, prices do rise.

Most of the accommodation in and around Victoria is in smaller hotels or holiday apartments, and this is the best place to stay if you want to have a car free holiday.

Alternatively there are a few resort style hotels and villas located in country areas, where you’ll need a hire car to get around. Another good option is to spend a few days exploring the historic sites around Valletta and Three Cities, before moving to Gozo for a few days of relaxation.

Read more about Gozo in my article: 13 fun things to do in Gozo

Hotels in Gozo

Where is Malta?

Malta is a small island nation in southern Europe, located in the heart of the Mediterranean. Its closest neighbour is Sicily (Italy) to the north, but the coast of North Africa is not too far away.

The archipelago is made up of the main island of Malta, and the two smaller islands of Gozo and Comino. The Maltese have their own language, but English is also universally spoken.

How long do I need to visit Malta?

Malta is an ideal short break destination, and in a few days you can explore the areas around Valletta and the Three Cities, with perhaps a day trip to Gozo or M’dina.

If you have a week, you’ll get a good overview of the island. A couple of weeks will allow you to see the sights at a more leisurely pace, with plenty of opportunity for walking or beach time.

Best time to visit Malta

Malta is located very close to the southern shores of Sicily and enjoys year round sunshine and hot summers. The ideal time to visit for sightseeing is Spring (March – May) and Autumn (September – November), when the days are warm and sunny but not unbearably hot.

Personally I would avoid visiting in the heat of the summer – July, August and even parts of June and September – unless you are visiting Malta for a beach holiday. During these high season months the Maltese are on holiday and the island can be very crowded.

December, January and February bring rain, but the winter is mild and you can still get sunny days. However you may not get the best of Malta’s Mediterranean climate in winter.

We visited in March and enjoyed the warmth and sunshine at a time when northern Europe can be cold and wet.

Getting to Malta

Most international travellers will arrive in Malta via a flight into Malta’s Luqa airport or on a Mediterranean cruise. If you wish to use transport that avoids flying within Europe, there are easy train and ferry routes through Italy that will bring you to Sicily and from there you can take the daily ferry service to Malta.

Getting around Malta

By Bus

From Malta Airport take the X4 public bus, which will drop you at Valletta bus station, close to the Triton Fountain. Public buses run from Valletta to most parts of Malta, as well as from the airport to main holiday destinations. A single journey is €2 and you can pay on the bus with card or cash.

By Ferry

If you are based around Valletta, Three Cities or Sliema, the ferry is a good way to get around.

• From Lascaris Wharf in Valletta, take one of the small Maltese wooden ferries known as Dgħajsa, to cross the Grand Harbour between Valletta and Three Cities.

• A public catamaran ferry also crosses the Grand Harbour between Valletta and Three Cities every 30 minutes throughout the day.

• The ferry from Valletta to Sliema runs throughout the day, leaving from Boat Street, on the Marsamxett Harbour side of Valletta.

• For a day trip to Gozo, the main car ferry runs from Cirkewwa in the north of Malta. There’s also a passenger only fast ferry from Valletta to Gozo which takes 45 minutes.

By Hop on hop off bus

For an easy way to see the sights around Malta, take a hop on hop off bus tour. The bus runs in 2 different loops to the north and south, leaving Valletta around every 30 minutes in summer and every 60 minutes in winter.

Highlights of the northern route include M’dina and Rabat, San Anton Gardens, Mosta Church and Spinola Bay, while highlights of the Southern route include Marsaxlokk, The Blue Grotto, Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Temples and Sliema.

By Taxi

Taxis are a convenient option to get from the airport or in other urban areas of Malta, especially if you have a lot of luggage or are not able to walk far.

The white official taxis are widely available, with a taxi rank near the Triton Fountain in Valletta, and at other busy places like Rabat and Marsaxlokk. If no taxis can be found, you can use the Bolt taxi app to order one.

Car hire

Hiring a car can be useful if you are staying in a rural part of Malta or beach resort. You may also want to hire a car for part of your stay to visit some of the more remote spots on the island. We recommend comparing car hire prices and options on Rentalcars.com – as always look at the reviews, scores and the small print before choosing a car rental company.

If most of your time will be spent around the urban areas of Valletta, Three Cities or Sliema, it’s better to use the buses and ferries. Since many streets are pedestrianised and there is little parking, you don’t really need a car in these areas and using public transport will be much more relaxing.

Plan your trip to Malta

For more information on things to do in Malta, visit the official Visit Malta Tourism website.

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Some of the experiences mentioned were provided on a press trip hosted by Malta Tourism and British Guild of Travel Writers.

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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