Major city · Malta
Northern Harbor of Malta
Spend a half‑day exploring Sliema and St. Julian’s; no overnight stay needed unless you want beach time.
The northern harbour area (Sliema, St. Julian’s, San Ġwann) is a compact, tourist‑focused strip with shops, cafés, a casino, and dive centres. It is reachable in 20 min by car or 30 min by bus from Valletta, making it ideal for a half‑day visit or a quick evening stop.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat, crowded buses)
- Airport
- MLA
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
- Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
- Malta ↗Malta is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Malta ↗Traffic drives on the left; if you hire a car, expect narrow roads, heavy traffic and limited parking in the towns.
- Malta ↗Sockets are the UK three-pin type (Type G); bring the right adapter.
- Malta ↗Every licensed stay adds an environmental contribution per adult per night (€1.50 from 1 July 2026, capped per stay — check), collected by the hotel or host.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Northern Harbor of Malta112 ▾
- Police / ambulance / fire112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Northern Harbor of Malta, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Malta-wide
- SIM or eSIMGO, Epic and Melita sell prepaid SIMs at the airport and in shops; ID required.Malta-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe but tastes of desalination; bottled or filtered water is normal in homes and restaurants.Malta-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if service is not included.Malta-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Malta-wide
- SafetyLow to moderate petty theft in busy zones; keep belongings secure and avoid isolated alleys at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets at bus termini and main squares, some paid (€0.50 (≈ under US$1)); cafés and museums otherwise.Malta-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police / ambulance / fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on public holidays and some on Mondays; village shops close for lunch and on Sunday…Malta-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMLA Malta International Airport (about 1 h drive or 20 min by bus to the harbour).
- Getting aroundBuses (Arriva) run every 10–15 min; a €2.60 (≈ US$4) day ticket covers unlimited travel.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealSandwich or snack€4–7 (≈ US$5–9)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€25 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range double room, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedMid‑range double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €80 (≈ US$95) · High €120 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MLA Malta International Airport (about 1 h drive or 20 min by bus to the harbour)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Dec (8 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Northern Harbor of Malta: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
1 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses (Arriva) run every 10–15 min; a €2.60 day ticket covers unlimited travel. Ferries cross to Valletta every half‑hour (≈5 min, €1.20). Walking along the promenade is easy.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Valletta
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Arriva bus 13 from Sliema, about 30 min
Historic capital; good for a few hours.
Mdina
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Bus 202 from Sliema, about 30 min
Walled city on a ridge; half‑day visit.
Gozo (Mgarr ferry)
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Bus to Cirkewwa, then ferry to Mgarr, total ≈1 h 30 min
Longer travel; consider an overnight stay on Gozo.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hibernia House Gateway Hostel
budget dorm, few blocks from the beach; good for day‑trippers
Imperial Hotel
mid‑range hotel on Rudolph Street, close to the promenade
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €70–110 (≈ US$85–130) excl. bed
- High
- €110 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed1 × 1 night × €35 | €35 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × €80 | €80 |
| Arriva day bus ticket1 × €3 · check | €3 |
| Sliema‑Valletta ferry one‑way1 × €1 · check | €1 |
| eSIM, 1 week data1 × €15 · check | €15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €13 |
| Trip total≈ €147 per person per day, bed included | €147≈ US$180 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Sandwich or snack | €4–7 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Bus day ticketcheck | €2.60 (≈ US$4) |
| Ferry one‑waycheck | €1.20 (≈ US$2) |
| Dive single divecheck | ≈€50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses can be very crowded in summer; allow extra time.
- Petty theft is the main safety issue in busy tourist zones.
Emergency numbers
- Police / ambulance / fire
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Northern Harbor of MaltaNorthern Harbor of Malta
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Għandek l-indirizz, jekk jogħġbokTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / ambulance / fire112
Embassy
US consulate in Valletta; other embassies also in Valletta.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Sliema ↔ Valletta ferry: ≈ €1.20, 5 min
- Arriva day bus ticket: €2.60 (≈ US$4), unlimited rides
Say or show
- Skużani — Excuse me / Sorry (skużani)
- Grazzi — Thank you (grazzi)
- Kemm jiswa? — How much is it? (kemm jiswa?)
- Fejn hu l-wasla? — Where is the bus stop? (fejn hu l-wasla?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Northern Harbor of Malta. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, crowded buses) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Northern Harbor of Malta
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