Malta

Overview

Malta is small enough to cover in a week and unusually dense with fortified cities, harbours and swimming spots. Visit Malta cites roughly 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and builds its offer around the sea, gastronomy, nightlife, diving with more than 120 dive sites, history and culture, short breaks and family travel. Malta International Airport is the islands' sole air terminal and connects to more than 100 destinations.

Climate: Mediterranean: very hot and dry in July–August, mild winters, and a long swimming season either side of summer.

Plan 4–7 days to see Malta without rushing. Shorter trips work best from a single base; longer trips justify a second region.

Plan & book

Flights, stays and activities for Malta will be bookable here soon. For now, check how Malta fits your budget and dates with the trip finder.

Why go to Malta

• Rated 9/10 for culture (editorial score)
• Rated 8/10 for beach (editorial score)
• Rated 8/10 for food (editorial score)
• Mid-range for daily spending
• Works best on trips of 4–7 days

Travel-style scores

• Beach8/10
• Nature6/10
• Food8/10
• Nightlife8/10
• Culture9/10
• Adventure7/10
• Romance8/10
• Family8/10
• Backpacking7/10
• Luxury7/10

These are WhereWeGo editorial scores — our own calibration of what Malta is good for, not an external measurement.

Budget

Typical independent-travel estimates, excluding international flights. Planning estimates, not quotes.

Guidance, not guarantees. Seafront hotels in Sliema and St Julian's and the July–August peak sit at the top of these ranges; winter and inland stays sit well below.

Flights are not included. We only show flight prices once they come from a live fare source.

Practical information

Language

Maltese and English are both official

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Power

Type G, 230V

Safety

Generally safe for visitors; take normal precautions and note strong sun and sea conditions

Tipping

Rounding up or around 5–10% is common where service is not included

Entry

Entry rules depend on nationality — verify current official requirements before booking.

Where to go in Malta

Pick a city or region to see when to go, how long to stay and what it is good for.

Valletta

City

Baroque capital packed onto a fortified peninsula.

Explore Valletta

Mdina

City

Silent walled hilltop city with wide island views.

Explore Mdina

Three Cities

Region

Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua across the Grand Harbour.

Explore Three Cities

Gozo

Island

Slower sister island: diving, salt pans and rural walks.

Explore Gozo

Comino

Island

Tiny island best known for Blue Lagoon boat days.

Explore Comino

Sliema & St Julian's

Coast

The main urban coastal zone for hotels, dining and nightlife.

Explore Sliema & St Julian's

When to go to Malta

Highlighted months balance weather, crowds and price for most travellers.

Suggested itineraries

• Long weekend

  4 days

  Capital, harbour cities and one sea day.

  Route: Valletta → Three Cities → Comino

• Malta and Gozo

  7 days

  Split the week between both islands.

  Route: Valletta → Mdina → Gozo

Getting around Malta

• Public buses cover the main island and are the cheapest way to move
• Ferries link Malta with Gozo and Comino, plus a fast harbour ferry between Valletta and Sliema
• A small rental car helps for Gozo and rural corners, though parking is tight
• Distances are short, so day trips from a single base work well

Major airports

• MLA · Luqa

  Malta International Airport — the islands' sole air terminal

Malta guides

• Best time to visit

  Best time to visit Malta

  When to go to Malta: the months that balance weather, crowds and price, plus what each season actually feels like.

• Trip costs

  How much does a trip to Malta cost?

  A structured breakdown of flights, lodging, transport and food for a 7-day trip to Malta at three budget levels.

• Where to go

  Where to go in Malta

  Matching Malta's regions and cities to trip types — first-timers, beach weeks, food trips and family holidays.

• Budget guide

  Malta on a budget

  How to travel Malta cheaply without gutting the trip — daily numbers, cheaper months and where the savings actually are.

• Itinerary

  7 days in Malta: itinerary

  A realistic 7-day route through Malta with sensible stop lengths, travel days and costs.

• Seasonal guide

  Malta in April

  What Malta is like in April: weather, crowds, prices and the trips that work best that month.