Malta Travel Guide 2025 – Smart, Simple & Budget-Friendly

Malta is a small island nation in the Mediterranean, just south of Sicily – but don’t let the size fool you. It’s packed with UNESCO-listed cities, clear blue water, cosy fishing villages and dramatic cliffs. It’s also a great option for Irish travellers who want winter sun within 4 hours of Dublin. (thesun.ie)

Use this guide as your base and then add your own photos, stories and deals.

 
Quick Overview
Region: Mediterranean, between Sicily and North Africa
Capital: Valletta
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: Maltese & English (English is widely spoken)
Ideal trip length: 4–7 days for a first visit
 
How Expensive Is Malta?
Malta is moderate in price – cheaper than many Western European capitals, but not as cheap as Southeast Asia. (Holidays in Malta)

Average ballpark prices:

Coffee in a café: €1–2.5 (Claire's Footsteps)
Eating out:Simple snack / bakery: €3–6
Casual meal in a café or bistro: €8–15
Sit-down dinner in a restaurant: €15–25 per person (without fancy wine) (Enjoy Travel)
Beer in a bar: €2.5–3.5
Bus ticket: €1–2 (slightly more in summer) (Enjoy Travel)
Taxis:

Shared / short ride: around €5–10
Single passenger airport/longer ride: €15–20 (Enjoy Travel)
Budget travellers can get by from €40–60 per day (excluding flights), mid-range more like €70–120+ depending on hotel choice. (Nomadic Matt's Travel Site)

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Best Time to Visit Malta
Malta has a classic Mediterranean climate – hot, dry summers and mild winters. (Travelsphere)

April–October: Best overall. Warm, lots of sunshine, almost no rain. Sea warmest from June to October. (TUI.co.uk)
Peak summer (June–August):

Temperatures often 30–32°C+
Great for beach days and boat trips, but hot for walking around Valletta in the midday sun. (Thomas Cook)
Shoulder months (May, June, September, October):

15–25°C, perfect combo of warmth and fewer crowds. (Travelsphere)
Winter (November–March):

10–18°C – cooler, but still milder than Ireland. Good for city breaks and hiking; less good for swimming. (Trailfinders)
For Irish travellers you can highlight:
“Great for winter-sun weekends: St Julian’s can reach 18–25°C in late October–November, with cheap Ryanair flights from Dublin.” (thesun.ie)
 
Getting Around Malta & Gozo
Public Transport (Buses & Ferries)
Malta has a nationwide bus network run by Malta Public Transport. (Malta Public Transport)
You can:

Pay cash on board (slightly higher fare), or
Use a tallinja card or Explore card for unlimited travel.(Malta Public Transport)
Key options:

Explore 7-Day card: unlimited bus travel for 7 days (around €25 for adults, cheaper for kids). (Malta Public Transport)
Personalised tallinja card: offers free bus travel for residents and long-term stays (Maltese system). Tourists normally use Explore cards or contactless tickets. (Malta Public Transport)
There are also ferries:

Valletta ↔ Sliema
Valletta ↔ Three Cities
Ferries to Gozo (Mgarr) and Comino / Blue Lagoon run by various operators.
Taxi & Ride Apps
Licensed white taxis, plus ride apps (various local providers).
Taxis are safe but more expensive than buses – use them mainly at night or when carrying luggage.
Renting a Car
Good option if you want full flexibility (especially for Gozo or quiet bays).
Left-hand driving (same as Ireland).
Roads are generally fine but can be narrow in older towns; parking in Valletta/Sliema can be tricky.
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Money, Cards & eSIM
Currency: Euro (€) – no exchange issues for eurozone travellers. (Holidays in Malta)
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) widely accepted in shops, restaurants and hotels.
Cash is useful for small kiosks, local buses if paying on board, and some village cafés.
ATMs are common – as always, use machines attached to banks rather than random standalone boxes.
eSIM / SIM options:

EU travellers can often use their home plans with roaming.
If needed, you can buy local eSIMs or SIMs via Maltese operators, but for most short holidays roaming is enough.
 
Where to Stay – Main Areas
You can later split this into separate “Where to stay in Malta” article.

Valletta

UNESCO capital city, full of history, views and culture.
Great for city-break vibes, close to ferry connections.
Sliema & St Julian’s

Modern seafront promenades, shops, restaurants and nightlife.
St Julian’s / Paceville is the nightlife hub – bars, clubs, and entertainment. (thesun.ie)
Bugibba / Qawra / St Paul’s Bay

More laid-back seafront resorts in the north, good base for boat trips.
Mellieħa

Closer to sandy beaches, quieter, good for families.
Gozo

More rural and relaxed; great for longer stays, diving, hiking and countryside.
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What to See & Do in Malta
Valletta
St John’s Co-Cathedral (rich Baroque interior and Caravaggio paintings).
Upper Barrakka Gardens with harbour views (free). (Enjoy Travel)
Narrow streets, bastion walls, cafés and wine bars.
The Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua)
Historic harbour towns opposite Valletta.
Perfect for evening walks, traditional restaurants and marina views.
Mdina & Rabat
Mdina – “The Silent City”: medieval streets, beautiful architecture, viewpoints over the island.
Rabat – catacombs and local cafés.
Beaches & Coastal Spots
Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha, Mellieħa Bay – sandy beaches.
St Peter’s Pool – natural swimming spot with cliffs and clear water.
Sliema & St Julian’s promenade – for strolls, swimming spots and sunsets.
Gozo
Quieter sister island: countryside, cliffs, small villages.
Highlights: Victoria (Citadel), Ramla Bay, Dwejra area, coastal hikes.
Comino & Blue Lagoon
Famous turquoise bay – beautiful water, but in high season very crowded and there have been issues with overtourism and waste. (thesun.ie)
Best visited early in the morning or shoulder season if you prefer fewer people.
Affiliate idea:
Boat trips to Comino & Gozo, Harbour cruise from Sliema, Day tour Mdina + Valletta.
 
Food & Drink – What to Try
Pastizzi – flaky pastries usually filled with ricotta or peas. Cheap and addictive.
Rabbit stew (Fenek) – traditional Maltese dish.
Ftira – Maltese-style sandwich or flatbread.
Seafood – many restaurants along the coast.
Cisk beer – local lager.
Prices in simple local places are friendly, especially if you avoid the most touristy seafront spots.

 
Safety & Practical Tips
Malta is generally a safe country, but of course you still need normal common sense. (Visit Malta)

Watch for pickpocketing and bag-snatching in busy areas (buses, Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s at night).
Don’t leave valuables in parked cars – theft from hire cars does happen.
At ATMs, shield your PIN and use machines in well-lit areas.
At the beach:

Swim only in designated swimming zones and pay attention to the flag system.
Take jellyfish warnings seriously – they do appear sometimes. (worldnomads.com)
At night:

Around clubs in Paceville it can get rowdy on weekends – stay with people you trust, avoid confrontations and keep an eye on your drink.