Europe › Malta

Malta

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History, beaches and Mediterranean charm

Malta is a small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea with a rich history visible in its ancient forts and colorful villages. The landscape includes limestone cliffs, clear waters and sunny beaches that attract visitors year-round. Locals speak Maltese and English, making communication easy for most travelers. Traditional foods like pastizzi and rabbit stew reflect centuries of cultural influences from Europe and North Africa. Outdoor activities such as hiking, snorkeling and exploring historic sites provide varied experiences while keeping the pace relaxed and accessible to all visitors.

Country
Climate zone: Mediterranean

Mediterranean: Mid-latitude climates with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, typical of coastal regions around the Mediterranean Basin.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury

Note: There can be large regional differences in price levels within a country. Be sure to check the price data of individual cities or regions to get a more detailed view.

See price details
Safety: 7.9
General Safety:8
Health & medical:8
Accessibility:6
Tap water:9
Read details
Tourist English: 5/5
English is widely spoken throughout Malta, making it easy for tourists to communicate, navigate, and enjoy their visit without language barriers.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Malta Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Strong in historic cities and Mediterranean culture. Explore ancient fortresses, visit temples and museums, swim in rocky coves and enjoy seaside dining.
Place score
8.5
Best at:
Islands
10
Sea
10
Guided tours
9
Walkable
8
Religious sites
8
Personal score
?
Log in to see how this place matches your personal travel interests.
Suited for
👶 8
Families
🧓 7
Seniors
🛡️ 9
Travel Beginners
❤️ 9
Couples
Malta – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type G
Type G:
Diagram of a Type G power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Euro (EUR)
£1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info: Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated. 5-10% in restaurants and rounding up in taxis is common.
Public drinking: There is no general ban on drinking in public, but local restrictions may apply and drunken behaviour in public can be fined. Drinking outdoors is common during festivals.
Public smoking: Smoking is prohibited in public indoor spaces but allowed in designated areas.
Feast of St. Paul
(February)
Religious celebrations and closures.
Independence Day
(September)
Events and parades.
Christmas
(December)
Markets and religious observances.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps: Bolt, eCabs, Uber
Other: Malta is known for its rich history, stunning beaches, and friendly locals. Summers are hot.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Malta, Malta
🌬️
Jan
🌬️
Feb
🌬️
Mar
🌬️
Apr
☀️
May
☀️
Jun
☀️
Jul
☀️
Aug
☀️
Sep
☀️
Oct
🌬️
Nov
🌬️
Dec
High season: June - Sep.
Shoulder season: March - May, Oct.
Crowdedness: 7 (Many tourists)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Beach and swimming season June to September, diving good May to October
November to March: some beach clubs, boat trips and seasonal restaurants close or run reduced schedules
Holy Week (Easter): dramatic processions across the islands, many shops and businesses closed Good Friday

Why travel to Malta?

Malta offers a unique blend of ancient history, stunning natural beauty and lively culture. You can explore historic sites like Valletta and the ancient city of Mdina, relax on picturesque beaches or dive into some of Europe’s best underwater landscapes. The island also hosts numerous festivals, bringing Maltese traditions to life. However, Malta can get quite crowded, especially during the summer and some areas have limited green spaces. It’s also worth noting that driving here can be a bit hectic, with narrow roads and local driving habits that take some getting used to.

🏙️Cities & Regions
  • 1 Valletta
    Capital city on Malta’s central island, Valletta offers fortified walls, baroque architecture and a rich maritime history. Narrow streets lead to grand palaces, museums and the iconic St. John’s Co-Cathedral, while harbor views showcase Mediterranean charm.
  • 2 Mdina
    Perched on Malta's highest point, this fortified hilltop town offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Its narrow streets wind past ancient watchtowers and historic palaces, creating a timeless atmosphere that feels both remote and culturally rich within the island nation.
  • 3 Gozo
    This small Mediterranean island features dramatic limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters and charming villages. The landscape is rugged yet picturesque, with ancient ruins scattered across rolling hills and secluded coves perfect for swimming under the warm sun.
  • 4 Rabat
    A quiet coastal village on Malta’s southern coast, Rabat offers narrow streets lined with historic stone houses and a tranquil harbor. Visitors can explore ancient churches, enjoy fresh seafood and stroll along the scenic promenade overlooking the Mediterranean.
  • 5 Marsaxlokk
    This historic fishing village on Malta's southern coast features iconic painted boats, bustling markets and a vibrant harbor filled with colorful traditional luzzu boats that define its maritime heritage.
🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Saint John's Co-Cathedral
  • 2 Għadira Bay
  • 3 Discover the Three Cities
  • 4 Popeye Village
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Golden Beach
  • 2 Malta National Aquarium
  • 3 Valletta Waterfront
  • 4 Ċirkewwa
  • 5 Verdi Gzira Promenade
  • 6 Triq Paceville
  • 7 Santa Marija Caves
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park
  • 2 Blue Lagoon
  • 3 Kemmuna
  • 4 Għadira Nature Reserve
  • 5 Dingli Cliffs
  • 6 Fomm ir-Riħ Bay
  • 7 Ta' Ċenċ Cliff
  • 8 Rambler Bay
  • 9 Saint Peter's Pool
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Republic Street
  • 2 Valletta Food Market
  • 3 The Point
  • 4 Bay Street Shopping Complex
  • 5 Main Street Shopping Complex
  • 6 Ta' Qali Artisan Village
🎈Events
  • Malta International Fireworks Festival
  • Valletta Film Festival
  • Isle of MTV Malta
  • Malta Jazz Festival
  • Notte Bianca (Cultural Night)
  • Village Feasts (Festas)
  • Carnival in Valletta
  • Malta Music Week
  • Birgu Fest (Candle Festival)
  • Christmas Village in Valletta

Popular travel destinations in Malta

Knowledge before you go

  • Plan for strong sun; coastal walks and cities offer little shade.
  • Public buses connect most sights, but can be crowded and late; allow generous buffer time between island hops.
  • Balance your stay between historic towns like Valletta or Mdina and beach time on Gozo, Comino or northern coves.
  • Visit October–May for milder temperatures, fewer crowds and easier exploring of UNESCO sites, prehistoric temples and traditional fishing villages.

How to travel to Malta

Malta International Airport (MLA) is the main gateway, with direct flights from many European cities. Ferries also connect Malta to Sicily, making it accessible by sea.

Access summary

  • Fly into Malta International Airport (MLA) from major European hub cities.
  • From Italy/Sicily: high-speed Virtu Ferries from Pozzallo or Catania to Valletta.
  • KM Malta Airlines hub at MLA; non-allied carrier with European-focused network.

Where to stay in Malta

Malta offers everything from luxury resorts to budget-friendly guesthouses. Sliema, St. Julian’s and Valletta are popular areas to stay, each offering a mix of hotels, restaurants and entertainment.

How to get around Malta

Malta has a good bus network connecting major towns and tourist spots. Ferries operate between the main islands. Taxis and ride-sharing apps are available, but renting a car can offer more flexibility.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-7 %
Daily expenses in Malta are around 7% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£69
£153
£400
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£34
£75
£180
🍝 Food per day
£27
£68
£182
🚕 Transportation per day
£8
£10
£37
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£31
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£15
🍟 Fast food combo
£9.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£9.50
☕ Cappuccino
£2.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£3.20
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£2
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£22
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.20
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£8.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£15
🤧 Cold medication
£6
💇 Basic haircut
£9

Safety information overview

General safety
8
Malta is generally very safe for tourists, with low crime rates. However, always stay vigilant with personal belongings, particularly in crowded areas.
Health & Medical
8
Malta has a good healthcare system, with public hospitals and private clinics. EU citizens can access free or reduced-cost care with an EHIC card.
Accessi­bility
6
Malta offers decent accessibility, with many hotels and public areas adapted for wheelchair users. However, narrow streets and uneven terrain may pose challenges in historic areas.
Tap water
9
Tap water is safe to drink, but some visitors prefer bottled water due to the taste, as Malta relies heavily on desalinated water.

Packing recommendations for Malta

Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.

📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
👕
Light, breathable clothing
for summer
🩱
Swimwear
🏖️
Beach towel
🤿
Snorkelling gear
optional
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
👒
Sun hat
📃
Travel insurance
🪪
Copies of passport and important documents
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
🩺
Prescription medicines
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
Show more

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