Malta — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Valletta, the knights' fortress city, the unbelievably clear Blue Lagoon, and stone temples older than the pyramids”
Malta is a Mediterranean gem hiding over 7,000 years of history — Valletta, the World Heritage knights' fortress capital; the gilded St. John's Co-Cathedral; the quiet medieval city of Mdina; the Hagar Qim stone temples older than Stonehenge; and the emerald-clear Blue Lagoon at Gozo and Comino — a small, English-speaking island where they drive on the left and have their own take on Italian-Arab cuisine.
Malta at a glance
Choose a city in Malta
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Malta right for you?
Why people love Malta, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
World Heritage Valletta
A centuries-old walled knights' fortress capital, with the gold-adorned St. John's Co-Cathedral and a Caravaggio painting.
Blue Lagoon, Comino
The crystal-clear blue-green lagoon of Comino island, between Malta and Gozo — a Mediterranean swimming paradise.
Hagar Qim temples
A World Heritage Site over 5,500 years old, older than the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge — prehistoric stone architecture.
The quiet city of Mdina
A walled medieval old town, quiet, with narrow lanes and sea views all around — the polar opposite of Valletta.
Grand Harbour
One of the largest and deepest natural harbors in the Mediterranean — cruise it to see the medieval fortress walls.
Gozo island
Malta's small sister island, with a quiet rural feel, prehistoric stone temples, and clear-water diving.
Malta vs its neighbors
| Malta | Italy | Greece | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $63–130 | $70–155 | $57–130 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Schengen | Schengen | Schengen |
| Known for | History · Blue Lagoon · small islands | Art · food · old towns | Islands · sea · civilization |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) | Euro (EUR) | Euro (EUR) |
| Driving | Left side (UK-style) | Right side | Right side |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
History lover
Valletta–Mdina–Hagar Qim temples — 7,000 years of history on one island over 4–5 days.
See this plan → 💎Sea & diving
The Blue Lagoon at Comino, scuba diving, and boat trips around Gozo — water as clear as it gets in the Mediterranean.
See this plan → 🍽️Food & culture
Pastizzi, braised rabbit, fresh seafood and Maltese wine, in old towns with a medieval atmosphere.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🥟
Pastizzi
Crisp pastry filled with ricotta cheese or mushy peas — the cheap street snack the Maltese love most.
📍 Street food - 2🐇
Fenkata
Rabbit stew in a wine-and-garlic sauce — a traditional celebration dish in Maltese villages.
📍 National dish - 3🍞
Hobz biz-Zejt
Crusty bread spread with olive oil, tomato and gbejniet, the local sheep's cheese.
📍 Breakfast - 4🦑
Fresh Seafood
Fresh fish, squid and prawns from the fishing boats, fried or baked with Mediterranean herbs.
📍 Seaside - 5🍮
Imqaret
Crisp fried pastry filled with fragrant dates — a traditional Maltese festival sweet.
📍 Dessert - 6🍷
Maltese Wine
Wine from local Gellewza and Girgentina grapes, grown in limestone soil under the strong Mediterranean sun.
📍 Drink
- 1🏰
Valletta
The World Heritage knights' fortress capital, with St. John's Co-Cathedral, the Grand Harbour, and the Grandmaster's Palace.
📍 Capital - 2💎
Blue Lagoon
The crystal-clear blue-green lagoon of Comino island — Malta's most beautiful swimming spot.
📍 Comino island - 3🗿
Hagar Qim Temples
Prehistoric World Heritage stone temples, 5,500 years old, older than the pyramids and Stonehenge.
📍 World Heritage - 4⚔️
Mdina
A quiet medieval walled city with tall stone walls, narrow lanes, old churches, and views over all of Malta.
📍 Medieval old town - 5⛵
Grand Harbour
A giant natural harbor ringed by medieval fortifications — cruise it to see the fortress walls.
📍 Valletta - 6🏝️
Gozo
An island with a rural feel, the Ggantija stone temples, clear-water diving, and the Dwejra cliffs.
📍 Sister island
🚆 Getting around Malta
Malta Public Transport buses
A bus network covering all of Malta island, cheap, with a single card — great for budget travelers.
Inter-island ferries
The Malta–Gozo ferry (Cirkewwa) runs frequently every day, plus Blue Lagoon tour boats from several ports.
Car rental
The easiest way to explore the islands; drive on the left, with narrow streets in the old towns and tough parking.
Malta Airport
MLA is the island's only airport; reach Valletta by the X4 bus in about 30 minutes.
Traditional water taxi (Dgħajsa)
A rowed wooden boat across the Grand Harbour — a traditional experience tourists love to photograph.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Malta
English is official
Maltese and English are both official languages; you can communicate in English all over the island with no problem.
Catholic culture
Hundreds of churches across the island, with village patron-saint festivals (festa) full of color and fireworks.
Drive on the left
Malta drives on the left, UK-style — take care with a rental car or when crossing the road.
UK-style tipping
A 10% tip is customary in restaurants if service is good and there's no service charge on the bill.
A slow Mediterranean pace
Some shops close for a midday break, nightlife starts late, and dinner after 8 pm is completely normal.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / guesthouse $34–71
Malta is cheaper than Western Europe — pastizzi cost pennies, buses are cheap, and the beaches are free.
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4★ hotel $71–145
A Blue Lagoon tour, seaside seafood, and entry to the Hagar Qim temples.
Premium
🛏️ Boutique/luxury hotel in Valletta $145+
Palazzo hotels in the old town, harborside fine dining, and a private yacht charter.
🗓️ When to visit Malta
Late spring
Apr – JunPleasantly warm, 20–28°C, not yet crowded, with the sea starting to clear — the best time to visit.
Summer
Jul – AugThe Blue Lagoon and beaches at their best, but very hot (35°C+) and the most crowded with tourists.
Early autumn
Sep – OctThe sea is still warm, the weather cooler, fewer people and lower room rates — the next-best time.
Rainy season
Nov – MarIntermittent rain and cool weather, 10–16°C, but Valletta and Mdina are beautiful and romantic in the winter light.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Malta — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.6💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.4👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.2💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Malta?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Malta
How many days do you need in Malta?+
Four to five days — Valletta 1–2 days, Mdina + Hagar Qim temples 1 day, plus the Blue Lagoon and Gozo 1–2 days covers all the highlights nicely.
Do Thai citizens need a Malta visa?+
Yes, you need a Schengen visa — Malta is in the Schengen area, and one visa lets you travel throughout Schengen Europe. Apply in advance with travel insurance.
Is Malta safe?+
Malta is very safe for tourists, with low crime, and English works all over the island — just watch your bag in crowded places.
How do you get to the Blue Lagoon?+
Take a tour boat from Sliema, Valletta or Mellieha — there are both day-tour boats and speedboats at different prices. Book ahead in summer.
Tips before you go to Malta
- Go to the Blue Lagoon very early or in the evening to avoid the thousands of tourists at midday.
- Eat pastizzi at Crystal Palace or a shop in a local village — cheaper and tastier than in the tourist towns.
- Public buses are very cheap (about €1.5–2) and cover the whole island, far cheaper than taxis.
- Mdina is at its most beautiful in the evening and at night, once the day-trippers have all left.
- Drive on the left — take extra care at junctions and roundabouts, as some streets are very narrow.
- Summer is very hot — always carry water and high-SPF sunscreen for outdoor sightseeing.