Malta Travel Guide: Transportation, Lodging, Food, & More
Planning a trip to Malta? This Malta travel guide will tell you all about how to prepare for your trip: how to get there, where to stay, how to get around, and more!
If you are considering a visit to Malta, then I say: do it! My husband and I recently spent a week here and we absolutely loved it.
We did a lot of research as we were planning our trip to Malta, and we learned even more when we were actually there. In this post I share all the need-to-know information and helpful tips so that you can have a stress-free and enjoyable time in Malta!
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Basic Facts about Malta
Malta is an archipelago in the Mediterranean about 50 miles south of Sicily. It has two main islands: Malta and Gozo. The vast majority of the republic’s approximately 500,000 inhabitants live on the island of Malta, but about 30,000 live on Gozo.
A third island, Comino, only has two residents, but hey, it is technically inhabited! Tourists usually spend most of their time on Malta and Gozo, but Comino is the site of the Blue Lagoon, a major attraction.
The primary language of Malta is Maltese, a Semitic language related to Arabic. Thanks to years of contact with Italy, Maltese is heavily influenced by Italian and is written in the Latin alphabet. This creates a fascinating linguistic hybrid!
English is the second official language of Malta and almost everyone speaks it to some degree. You will have no problem communicating with English in Malta. My husband and I love languages so we learned a bit of Maltese, but we never had to use it. (It was very helpful for pronouncing place names, though!)
Malta, like most countries in the E.U., has the Euro as its currency. But relics of its long period as a British colony remain. Outlets require British plugs (type G) and cars drive on the left side of the road.
And now let’s move on to the heart of this Malta travel guide.
How do you get to Malta?
The easiest way to get to Malta is to fly into Malta International Airport (code MLA). It is located in Luqa, a town located in south central Malta. It is only about 15 minutes’ drive to the capital Valletta.
There are direct flights from multiple countries in Europe and beyond. Over 20 airlines service the region, from budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet to flag carriers like Lufthansa and British Airways.
If you are coming from the US, you will definitely have a layover. My husband and I flew on Turkish Airlines so we went through Istanbul.
I recommend searching for cheap flights on Expedia! That’s where I always head first to get an idea of what I will need to spend.
Many tourists also visit Malta as part of a cruise, for the Grand Harbor at Valletta can hold enormous ships. Additionally, if you are coming from Sicily, you can get a ferry from Pozzallo. But most visitors arrive by plane.
Once you’ve arrived at the airport, it is easy to get anywhere you want to in Malta. See the section below about transport in Malta!
Where to stay in Malta
There are so many places to stay in Malta, but here I will recommend three general areas. I will tell you right now that I think Valletta is hands down the best place to stay. But I love history, so that definitely colors my opinion.
Option 1: Valletta
My husband and I used Valletta as our home base when we were in Malta. This worked out extremely well for two reasons.
- There are direct buses from Valletta to almost everywhere, and ferries run from the Grand Harbor.
- Valletta is an amazing city in its own right. There are so many historical and cultural sites to visit! And the city is so small that you can walk everywhere easily. (Read more about Valletta here.)
We stayed at La Falconeria Hotel and it was wonderful. To begin with, the location was excellent – only a few minutes’ walk from Republic Street, the main thoroughfare. The complementary breakfast was delicious and plentiful, so we were always energized for exploration. Our room was comfortable and even had one of its own adorable Maltese balconies.
Plus the hotel graciously refunded us one night’s stay when our original flight got canceled and we arrived a day later than expected. All around it was a lovely experience working with both the hotel and Booking.com. It’s technically a luxury hotel, but it was quite affordable when we visited in March.
There are many boutique hotels all over Valletta, so I recommend taking a look on Booking.com. You can also find good options a little farther afield in neighboring cities: Sliema, St. Julian’s, the Three Cities, and more.
We considered the beautiful and luxurious Corinthia St. George in St. Julian’s before ultimately deciding we wanted to go more low-key. We wanted to be at the heart of Valletta in the thick of things.
Option 2: Mdina
Mdina can also be a popular destination for tourists, since it is quieter and further away from the hustle and bustle of Valletta and its Grand Harbor. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t a lot of tourists around, because there are. But most of them don’t spend the night, and it’s a different vibe.
Mdina is also well-connected to the bus routes and you should be able to go direct pretty much anywhere. The reason my husband and I decided against staying here is that there just isn’t as much to do in the immediate environs. We wanted to be closer to all the museums and historic sites in Valletta.
That said, Mdina and Rabat (its suburb) have amazing food. And if you just want to chill in a tiny movie-like medieval city, you may appreciate this locale. When we considered this area, we looked at the Xara Palace. It’s a beautiful place that comes highly recommended.
Option 3: Victoria / Rabat
If you’re in Malta for the nature, then you might consider staying on the island of Gozo. The main city of Victoria (and its suburb Rabat) is a great option, since the central location makes it easy to access any point on Gozo.
In the city you can explore the Citadella, the ancient heart of Victoria, and enjoy delicious food. Plus Victoria is only a 10-20 minute ride from cool archaeological sites like Ġgantija. Nature lovers will appreciate the beautiful caves on Gozo’s coast, as well as the nearby island of Comino and its famed Blue Lagoon.
The downside to staying on Gozo is that it is harder to explore the island of Malta. You have to take a ferry and then a bus to get anywhere (more details about transportation below). For this reason my husband and I decided to stay on Malta and not Gozo.
But if you have plenty of time, you could split your stay between Malta and Gozo. I know we barely scratched the surface of Gozo, since we were only there for one day trip.
To summarize: we have no regrets about staying in Valletta. We loved the city and if we have the chance to go back to Malta, we will definitely return to La Falconeria Hotel. The location was perfect for our active, exploratory approach to travel.
How do you get around in Malta?
The benefit of Malta’s tiny size is that you can get most places in under an hour. My husband and I were pleasantly surprised with how easy (and cheap) travel was!
We used a blend of public transportation and ride-sharing apps to do our sight-seeing. Here’s some tips below!
Renting a Car in Malta
You can rent a car at the airport, but to be honest I think it is more bother than it is worth unless you are planning extensive travels off the beaten path.
Another thing to take into account is that you drive on the left side of the road in Malta, just like in the UK. I know I’m not comfortable driving on the opposite side of the road, so be cautious.
If you do decide to rent a car, then you can reserve one in advance on Booking.com and pick it up in the airport. Or you can simply visit one of the rental car stations in the airport upon arrival.
Ride-sharing in Malta
Malta doesn’t have Uber, but it doesn’t matter, because there are two awesome alternatives: Bolt and eCabs.
You can download each app on your smartphone and then call a ride like you would on Uber. Bolt is my first choice simply because the drivers arrive so much faster – typically within 4 minutes.
Bolt and eCabs have similar pricing and both are quite reasonable. For instance, the 20-minute ride across the island from Valletta to the Blue Grotto only cost €20. The 15-min ride from the airport to Valletta was €15.
A quick note if you use Bolt: you can only tip your driver within the first 15 minutes after the ride ends. So don’t put it off til later!
Download Bolt and start to ride!
Download eCabs and start to ride!
Taxis in Malta
Bolt and eCabs are easiest, in my opinion, but if they aren’t an option – say if you don’t have wifi or data – then you can use a traditional taxi from the Malta Taxi Licensed Association. Taxis can be hailed on the street or ordered via phone or the Malta Taxi app.
Note: Official taxis are white. Per Maltese government regulations, taxis on the island of Malta have a black taxi sign on their roof. Taxis on the island of Gozo have a red taxi sign.
There are set taxi rates from the airport, so you can be sure you aren’t being ripped off. For instance, it’s €17 to go from the airport to Valletta. Check the official taxi rates from the airport here.
If this still seems too expensive, don’t worry – public transportation can save you so much money.
Public Transportation in Malta (Buses)
Malta has a very efficient system of buses that will get you anywhere you need to go on either Malta or Gozo. They sometimes run a little behind, but in general they are reliable. We had a great experience with them!
The easiest way to figure things out is to download the Tallinja app. Don’t bother to make a Tallinja account; you don’t need it. Just enter your destination and see what route it recommends.
Sometimes Tallinja has bugs, so you can always look up the best option on Google Maps, too. Usually I see what Tallinja and/or Google Maps has to say and then I double-check specific routes on the Maltese public transportation website.
You can purchase tickets on board the bus. Cash is most reliable (although you need exact change), but I did see some credit card readers, too. One-way tickets for day buses cost €1.50 during the winter and €2.00 during the summer. Night buses cost €3.00.
If you plan to take public transportation multiple times, then you should definitely invest in a multi-use pass. Here are two great options:
- The 12 Day Journey Card costs €15 and covers 12 rides on a day bus, 6 rides on a night bus, or some combination of the two. Up to two people can use the card. This pass reduces the price of a day ticked to €1.25, so it’s definitely worth it!
- The 7-Day Explore Card costs €21 and covers unlimited rides on day, night, and special services for a seven day period. Only one person can use the card.
You can purchase these passes at the airport, major stations, and at various bookshops.
The passes reduce the amount spent per ride AND you don’t have to worry about having exact change to pay the driver. It’s a win-win situation!
TIPS FOR RIDING THE BUS IN MALTA
- Buses have numbers and directions. Make sure both are correct! So, for instance, if you are going from Mdina to Valletta, you need the 51, 52, or 53 bus – in the direction of Valletta.
- The bus will not automatically stop at all stops, so push one of the red “Stop” buttons when you want to get off. The next station will be announced in Maltese and in English and will appear on a display at the front of the bus. This makes it easy to know when to push “Stop.”
- If you want to board the bus in the middle of the route (i.e. not at the first station), you will need to signal to the driver so they will stop to pick you up. When you see your bus coming, stick out your arm.
- If you are in doubt about where you are going, always ask the driver if it is the right bus. Better to be safe than sorry!
How to get from Malta to Gozo
Malta consists of various islands, so ferries are important! The main thing that tourists want to do is travel to Gozo, so I will take some time to explain how you do this.
First, let’s get some geography straight. Gozo is located to the northwest of the island of Malta. The Gozo Channel separates the two and at its widest is only 6.7 km (4.2 mi). On the Malta side is the harbor of Ċirkewwa, while the harbor of Mġarr sits opposite on the Gozo side.
Gozo Channel Ferry
The simplest way to get from Malta to Gozo is to take the Gozo Channel Ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr. The ride lasts about 25 minutes and a return ticket for a foot passenger costs €4.65. Ferries leave roughly every half hour; you can look at the full schedule here.
The Gozo Channel Ferries are huge – they carry cars back and forth as well as people. Snacks and free wifi are available on board. The ferries’ large size means that they run in virtually every kind of weather. Choppy seas don’t make much of an impact.
The ferry will deposit you at Mġarr. From there it is easy to catch a bus to Victoria (€1.5) – or call a taxi (around €10).
The downside to the Gozo Channel Ferry option is that, depending on where you stay, it may take you quite a while to get to Mġarr. And then you have to go even further to whatever your chosen tourist sites are in Gozo.
Let me give you an example. We took a bus from Valletta to Ċirkewwa (1.5 hours), waited for the ferry (30 min), and then took the ferry across the channel (25 min). Then we waited and took a bus to Victoria (30 min total). So, in short, it took us 3 hours to get to our first tourist destination.
On the plus side, all of that only cost us about €8. But it was a lot of travel time.
Even if you take a Bolt or taxi to Ċirkewwa instead of the bus, it still takes almost an hour. That only saves you 30 minutes – and it costs €37.
So, what can you do? Take the fast ferries from Valletta!
Fast Ferry from Valletta
Two companies – Gozo Fast Ferry and Virtu Ferries Gozo – run quick 45-minute trips between Valletta and Mġarr.
Tickets are more expensive, but not prohibitively so: both companies charges €6 one way. Ferries leave from the Lascaris Wharf Terminal in the Valletta Grand Harbor.
The thing about these fast ferries is that they are catamarans – aka much smaller boats. This means that they can’t handle large waves, so if the wind grows too strong, the ferries will be cancelled. You can check the schedule on the website.
My husband and I went to Gozo on a VERY windy day, so the fast ferries weren’t an option for us. That’s why we got stuck with 6 hours of round-trip travel time.
If the weather cooperates, you can save time by zipping back and forth. Or you can take the fast ferry one way and the bus-ferry combination the other.
Traveling to Malta During COVID
These are tough times to travel, and this Malta travel guide wouldn’t be complete without a discussion of health and safety.
Malta COVID Regulations: Entering Malta
Health and safety regulations are constantly evolving, so be sure to check the Maltese government’s website for the most updated information. What I describe below was current as of March 2022.
If you are fully vaccinated (including the booster) and are not coming from a Dark Red country, then it is fairly simple to enter Malta. You need proof of vaccination and you need to fill out a Digital Passenger Locator Form.
You cannot have transited through a Dark Red country OR have been there within 14 days of your travel to Malta. Furthermore, make sure you check to see if your vaccination type and certificate are accepted by the Maltese government.
NOTE: For Americans and anyone with a CDC vaccination card, you have to verify the card with the VeriFly app. Download the app and create a “Travel to Malta” entry. Then upload your vaccination card for approval (which takes a few hours), upload your Digital Passenger Locator Form, and complete your travel checklist. A QR code will be generated; show this QR code to the Maltese health authorities upon entrance into the country.
Malta COVID Regulations: Within Malta
Within Malta, some museums and sites will ask for proof of vaccination. They accept CDC cards as proof. Currently masking is required indoors but not outdoors. Again, you will find the most up-to-date information on the Maltese government’s website.
Leaving Malta during COVID
You can’t just think about getting to Malta: you also have to be sure you can reenter your country of residence. Check the regulations carefully.
If your destination country requires a negative COVID test (like, say, the United States), the easiest thing to do is get tested at the airport before your flight. The Swabbing Malta center in the airport car park offers Rapid Antigen Tests for €35 each.
You book an appointment at this link and pay online. Your results will come back in 20-45 minutes and you will receive an email.
Non-residents can also be tested at a variety of private pharmacies. You can see a list here, but most of the pharmacies don’t allow online bookings. I wrote to a few of them and the only one that answered was Brown’s Pharmacy (which has locations all over Malta). You can schedule an appointment via their contact form.
Top Places To Visit in Malta
Malta is full of lovely destinations, from historic cities to beautiful caves. You can read about the best places to visit in this post.
What To Eat & How To Tip in Malta
The last thing that I want to cover in this Malta travel guide is what you should eat. There are so many delicious foods to try in Malta. Here are a few dishes and desserts to watch out for!
Street Food
Be on the look out for pastizzerijas, stalls that sell all kinds of Maltese street foods. Here are two of the most popular kinds:
- Pastizzi – pastries filled with either ricotta cheese or peas
- Timpana – pasta baked in a pie with meat sauce and a pastry crust
Pastizzerijas are notoriously inexpensive. You can get yourself a solid lunch for under €5!
Maltese Appetizers
- Aljotta or fish soup
- Ġbejniet or sheep’s milk cheeselets
- Bigilla or bean dip (often served with bread)
Main Dishes
Maltese cuisine is strongly influenced by Italy, so you will find many delicious Italian eateries. (Yay pizza and pasta!) There are also some distinctively Maltese dishes, which I list below.
- Stuffat tal-fenek (rabbit stew): this savory dish shows up on most Maltese menus. Rabbit in general seems to be very popular!
- Braġioli (beef olives): despite the name, there are no olives in this dish. Beef is stuffed with various ingredients, and this perhaps resembles an olive and its pit? I hate olives, but I loved this dish!
- Ftira Maltija (Maltese ftira): ftira is a typical Maltese bread that is hard on the outside and soft on the inside. The traditional Maltese ftira sandwich contains Maltese sausage, cheeselets, and tomato paste. It is delicious; this was definitely my favorite thing that I ate in Malta.
- Seafood is also very popular in Malta. You will find swordfish ravioli, sea urchin linguini, and more!
Pastries & Desserts
Desserts are my favorite food, and Malta did not disappoint in that regard. Here are some yummy options!
- Imqaret – diamond-shaped pastries filled with dates; often served with ice cream
- Qagħaq ta’ L-Għasel or honey rings – ring-shaped pastries that have a filling of treacle
- Pudina tal-ħobż – Maltese bread pudding
- Kwarezimal – an almond-based, dairy-free pastry enjoyed during Lent
- Figolla – an Easter pastry with a marzipan-like filling
My husband and I visited in March, during Lent, so we were able to try kwarezimal. These are seriously my favorite pastries ever!
Do you tip in Malta?
To tip or not to tip: the eternal question. In Malta tips are appreciated, but they don’t have to be as high as in the US. We tipped between 12-15%, typically just rounding up to the nearest easy number.
If you pay with card, beware that you will need to specifically tell your server you wish to tip. They will bring the credit card reader and enter the amount you owe, but unlike in the US the card reader won’t ask if you want to tip.
Instead, you need to proactively tell the server you want them to input a higher amount into the machine. It’s a little awkward, but they always responded with a pleased “thank you.”
Malta Travel Guide: Final Thoughts
Whew, that was a lot of information. But if you made it through, you should now be fully prepared to travel to Malta! The only thing left to do is decide what you want to visit. If this Malta travel guide was helpful, then check out my other posts about Malta.
