Malta
Where to stay in Malta: best areas and types of hotel
For a first trip, base yourself in Valletta for sightseeing or Sliema and St Julian's for sea views, restaurants and nightlife — both put buses and ferries within a short walk. Add two nights on Gozo if you have a week. Book April to October stays two to three months ahead.
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GuideMalta
Key facts
- Best area for first-timers
- Valletta (sightseeing) or Sliema / St Julian's (sea, food, nightlife)
- Best for quiet and walking
- Gozo, around Victoria or Xlendi
- Best for families
- Sliema, St Julian's or Mellieħa / St Paul's Bay in summer
- Typical hotel pricecheck
- €90–180 double per night in high season; €60–120 in winter (2026 estimate)
- Hostel dorm bedcheck
- €20–40 per night (2026 estimate)
- Book aheadcheck
- 2–3 months for Apr–Oct; 4–6 months for July–August and public holidays
- Getting around
- Buses from Valletta and Sliema; ferries to Gozo and the Three Cities
Quick answer
Valletta suits travellers who want museums, the harbour and the old city on foot. Sliema and St Julian's suit those who want a seafront promenade, more restaurants and easier parking. Gozo suits slower trips with walking and diving. The islands are small, so one base plus day trips beats moving hotels every night.
Areas by trip type
Match the area to how you will spend your days, not to a hotel photo. Valletta is compact and hilly, with the bus terminus and the ferry to the Three Cities at its edge. Sliema and St Julian's form a continuous waterfront strip about 20–30 minutes by bus from Valletta, with the Sliema ferry crossing to the capital in roughly 10 minutes. Gozo is a 25-minute ferry from Ċirkewwa plus a bus to Victoria.
| Area | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Valletta | First trip, sightseeing, harbour views | Fewer budget beds; steep streets; quiet at night |
| Sliema | Sea views, cafés, ferry to Valletta | Traffic and parking pressure; rocky swimming spots |
| St Julian's / Paceville | Nightlife, restaurants, hotels at all prices | Noisy at weekends; busy with young crowds |
| Mdina and Rabat | Quiet evenings, Mdina at dusk | Limited dining; you will still need buses |
| Mellieħa and St Paul's Bay | Beaches, families, summer swimming | Far from Valletta; car useful |
| Victoria, Gozo | Gozo base, buses, market, ferries | Smaller choice of hotels; quieter nightlife |
Hotel types and prices
Malta mixes five-star harbour hotels, converted palazzi, aparthotels, guesthouses and hostels. Prices swing hard with season: July and August cost the most, while November to March is much cheaper. The figures below are 2026 estimates for a double room per night and should be checked against your dates.
- City tax: a small per-night charge is added to hotel bills in Malta (check the current rate).
- Breakfast is often included in guesthouses but not always in city hotels.
- Sea-view and harbour-view rooms can add 20–40% to the rate.
| Type | Typical price (2026 estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | €20–40 | Mostly Sliema, St Julian's and Valletta |
| Guesthouse or B&B | €60–110 | Often in converted townhouses |
| 3-star hotel | €80–140 | Widest choice in Sliema and St Julian's |
| 4-star hotel | €120–220 | Sea-view rooms cost more |
| 5-star or boutique palazzo | €200–400+ | Valletta, Mdina and harbour areas |
| Aparthotel or self-catering | €90–180 | Good for families and longer stays |
When to book
For April to October, book two to three months ahead; for July, August and public holiday weekends, four to six months is safer, especially in Valletta, Sliema and St Julian's. Winter is flexible, and you can often book a week or two out. If your dates are fixed around a festival or a flight sale, book the room first and the flight second.
- Free-cancellation rates cost slightly more but protect you if plans change.
- Check whether the price includes the city tax and breakfast.
- Confirm the walk from the bus stop if you arrive late at night.
Practical notes
Malta drives on the left and parking is scarce, so a car is optional for a Valletta or Sliema base and more useful for Mellieħa, Gozo and the south. Buses run from Valletta and Sliema to most sights, and ferries link Valletta with the Three Cities and Ċirkewwa with Gozo. Plugs are UK three-pin at 230 V, and the currency is the euro.
- Book the Hypogeum and popular boat trips before you book the hotel if they are the reason for the trip.
- Summer sea-view rooms can be hot; check for air conditioning.
- Gozo ferries are frequent but weather can delay crossings in winter (check).
Questions people ask
Where is the best area to stay in Malta?
Valletta for sightseeing and harbour views, Sliema or St Julian's for sea, food and nightlife, and Victoria on Gozo for a quieter base. All three work with buses and ferries for day trips.
How much does a hotel cost in Malta?
As a 2026 estimate, expect €90–180 for a double in high season and €60–120 in winter. Hostels run €20–40 a bed and five-star or boutique hotels €200–400 or more.
When should I book accommodation in Malta?
Two to three months ahead for April to October, and four to six months for July, August and holiday weekends. Winter bookings can usually wait until a week or two before arrival.
Is it better to stay in Valletta or Sliema?
Valletta is quieter and closer to the museums and the bus hub; Sliema has more restaurants, a seafront promenade and a short ferry to Valletta. Choose Valletta for sightseeing, Sliema for evenings out.
Should I stay on Gozo or visit as a day trip?
If you have a week, two nights on Gozo lets you see Victoria, the coast and the temples without rushing. Shorter trips can visit Gozo as a long day trip by ferry from Ċirkewwa.
Do I need a car in Malta?
Not if you base yourself in Valletta or Sliema, where buses and ferries cover most sights. A car helps for Mellieħa, the south coast and rural Gozo, but parking is scarce.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVisit Malta – official tourism site
- officialMalta Tourism Authority
- officialMalta Public Transport
- officialGozo Channel ferry
- secondaryWikivoyage – Malta