Major city · Malta
San Ġwann
Treat San Ġwann as a 2–3 h stop from Valletta or Sliema for the tal-Mensija cart ruts, not a base: buses run about every 15–30 min.
San Ġwann is a residential town on the ridge between Valletta and Sliema, about 20 min by bus from either. Its one sight worth the detour is the pair of cart ruts at tal-Mensija, cut into the rock and first recorded in 1934, with a 16th-century chapel nearby. There is no hotel strip and no evening scene, so a half day is enough and you sleep in Valletta or Sliema.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- All year; Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov for walking weather
- avoid Jul–Aug midday heat
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Ġwann112 ▾
- 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 San Ġwann, 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
- SafetySan Ġwann is a quiet residential town and safe for tourists.
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 12 km (7.5 mi) south; bus or taxi to San Ġwann, roughly 20–30 min by car.).MLA Malta International Airport (About 7.5 mi (12 km) south; bus or taxi to San Ġwann, roughly 20–30 min by car.).
- Getting aroundBuses from Valletta and Sliema stop along the main road; the cart ruts and the chapel are within about a 10-min walk of each other.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, San Ġwann to Vallettacheck€10–15 (≈ US$12–18)
- Metro or bus rideBus single farecheck€2 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedHomestay private room, a night, per person€14 (≈ US$17)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room in Valletta or Sliema, a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedHotel double room in Valletta or Sliema, a night, per room€260 (≈ US$350)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €30 (≈ US$35) · Mid €45 (≈ US$55) · High €70 (≈ US$85)
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 12 km (7.5 mi) south; bus or taxi to San Ġwann, roughly 20–30 min by car.)MLA Malta International Airport (About 7.5 mi (12 km) south; bus or taxi to San Ġwann, roughly 20–30 min by car.)
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
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°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
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Ġwann: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 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 from Valletta and Sliema stop along the main road; the cart ruts and the chapel are within about a 10-min walk of each other. Walking is fine for the sights, but pavements are narrow and traffic is heavy.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Bus from San Ġwann to Valletta, about 20 min
Pair a morning at the cart ruts with an afternoon in the capital.
Sliema
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Bus towards the coast, about 15–20 min
Ferries to Valletta and the harbour front; better base than San Ġwann.
Door to door: 1–1.25 h
Bus to Valletta or the university, then a second bus to Mdina
Two buses each way; go late afternoon for cooler light.
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.
Looza (Triq il-Kwartier ta' Xindi)
Homestay-style private rooms with a shared kitchenette, about a 7-min walk from the University of Malta and Mater Dei hospital; weekly rates from about €98 per person.
Valletta or Sliema
Most visitors sleep here instead and reach San Ġwann by bus in about 20 min.
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
- €30–45 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- €45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- High
- €70 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Homestay private room1 × 1 night × €14 | €14 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × €30 | €30 |
| Bus single fare1 × €2 · check | €2 |
| eSIM, about a week of data1 × €10 | €10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €6 |
| Trip total≈ €62 per person per day, bed included | €62≈ US$75 |
From about €98 per person per week, divided by 7 nights.
2026 estimate in euros; flights and inter-island ferries excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Pastizzi from a kiosk | €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bus single farecheck | €2 (≈ US$3) |
| Taxi, San Ġwann to Vallettacheck | €10–15 (≈ US$12–18) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The chapel is not open on a fixed daily schedule: check locally before walking up.
- Street parking near the centre fills up on weekday mornings.
- Cross at marked points; drivers are not generous to pedestrians.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire
- 112
Pocket card
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San ĠwannSan Ġwann
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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Għal din l-indirizz, jekk jogħġbokTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire112
Embassy
The US embassy and most other embassies are in Valletta (check the address); no consular offices in San Ġwann.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- San Ġwann → Valletta bus: about €2 (≈ US$3) per person, about 20 min (check)
- San Ġwann → Sliema bus: about €2 (≈ US$3) per person, 15–20 min (check)
- Airport → San Ġwann taxi: about €20–25 (≈ US$25–30), 20–30 min (check)
Say or show
- Skużani — Excuse me / Sorry (skuzani)
- Grazzi — Thank you (gratsi)
- Kemm jiswa? — How much is it? (kemm yiswa)
- Fejn hu l-stop tal-bus? — Where is the bus stop? (fejn hu l-stop tal-bus)
- Titkellem bl-Ingliż? — Do you speak English? (titkellem bl-ingliż)
English is an official language, so you can ask in English anywhere.
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 San Ġwann. 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: All year; Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov for walking weather · avoid Jul–Aug midday heat · 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
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bus-pass contract: single-fare and day-ticket cutoffs field-checked, plus the Valletta interchange walk.
- Walking cluster for the cart ruts and Santa Margerita Chapel with a rescue anchor at the university bus terminus.
- Place pages for tal-Mensija and the chapel with verified access notes and no-entry signs.
- Hostile-arrival fixtures for the airport run so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about San Ġwann
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