Where to stay in Malta with video and comparative table

In this post, you’re going to discover where to stay in Malta based on the type of holiday you have in mind.

You will become familiar with all the best areas to stay in Malta, also thanks to a handy map, an easy table that compares all the places and a video of my first-hand experience.

The great thing about Malta is that you can find all the options, at a relatively small distance from the airport, close to amazing historical towns and at great value too. Basically, you will not get bored.

But let’s jump straight into it!

Where to stay in Malta for couples, beaches and families- in a nutshell

If you have just 2 minutes, then this table is really all you need. However, I suggest continuing to read to gain a better understanding of the island.

Click on the Area/Town for a much more detailed description. Swift left or right on the mobile to see the entire table.

Of course, things may be different based on the time of the year you are planning your visit. There is no point in suggesting a beach town for Christmas.

Here is a quick table to see where to stay in Malta based on the month of your trip

Are you planning more than a short weekend in Malta?

• Here are my suggested places to visit in Malta, including a few hidden gems
• And these are the best itineraries of Malta for 3, 5, 7 days or more

Best area to stay in Malta on a map

These are the 10 best areas to stay in Malta. Each one has its own identity. 

Starting with Valletta and Birgu, the description of the popular areas follows an anti-clockwise direction

• Valletta: the capital city of Malta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many historic buildings, the oldest ones being from the 16th century. Perfect spot to stay if you want to get deeper in the history of the city, an otherwise great destination for a day trip
• Birgu: one of the oldest towns in Malta, facing the capital, right in the Grand Harbour. A walk through the small lanes and the little alleys is absolutely a must. Try to make it on Tuesday for the local market. A great boutique place to stay
• Sliema: it is one of the busiest localities on the island, inhabited mostly by a mix of people with a Maltese and British background. Once a fishing village, it has been (over)built with apartment blocks. The number of pubs may make you think of being suddenly in the UK
• St. Julian’s: nice marina and great dining options. This region is a perfect hangout destination for travellers looking for bars and nightclubs open till the early hours of the morning. The place to stay for young couples and singles looking for nightlife.
• St. Paul’s Bay: located to the north of Malta, this region is divided into multiple villages and towns. Bugibba and Qawra are the most popular spots in this area which can get quite busy in the high season (July and August). A great spot for families
• Mellieha: it is one of the topmost northern villages of Malta. The place is famous for Mellieha Bay, also known as Ghadira. The bay’s sandy beach is one of the largest and most beautiful ones in Malta. It is a very quiet area, popular with couples, looking for a romantic stay, and families with kids
• Rabat and Mdina area: these are two of the most popular places in the southwest of Malta. Both Mdina, the old capital city, and Rabat display one of the finest medieval-era architectures, still so well preserved to be featured in movies as Munich (2005)
• Birżebbuġa and the southeast coast: it is one of the developing areas located in the southeast section of Malta. It’s quieter than other parts of the island. It can be visited on a day trip, and you should not miss the Blue Grotto on the south coast.
• Gozo Island: considered the “sister” of Malta, much more rural than the main island. It’s a getaway destination with almost no nightlife, beautiful beaches, which do not get busy even in high season, and lovely nature all around
• Comino Island: a tiny island between Malta and Gozo. This is the perfect place if you are after some trekking in complete isolation. It can be visited also on a day trip from Gozo or Mellieha.

Valletta, the historical capital to visit

• 🌎 Where to stay in Malta for a short stay and history 🏩 Grand Hotel Excelsior is the recommended accommodation in the area
• 👍 Pros: great for a weekend or a short break, amazing history, beautiful architecture, bus hub for Malta, the place to be in winter and Christmas
• 👎 Cons: no beaches, a bit chaotic, no parking

Valletta is the capital city of Malta, in fact, the smallest capital in the whole of Europe with a population of just ~6,000 people.

The city is the centre for the administrative and commercial activities of Malta, facing the Grand Harbour and the Marsamxett Harbour.

UNESCO declared Valletta a World Heritage site in 1980, mainly due to a large number of historic buildings, the oldest ones being from the 16th century.

The city is well known for its baroque architecture and the great variety of Catholic churches, besides the new Parliament House, designed by Renzo Piano in 2011 and inspired by a fort surrounded by bastion walls.

The Upper Baraka Gardens, located in southern Valletta, is one of the unique spots to have spectacular views of the Grand Harbour while having a sip of coffee in the evening in its kiosk or terraces.

Merchant’s Street, one of the longest walks in the city, probably offers the best way to experience small churches, cafes and fancy little shops.

Valletta is a great spot to stay for a short weekend or just a few days to experience the history of this beautiful island, wander around, and have some nice meals at the boutique restaurants scattered around the city.

The Grand Hotel Excelsior has one of the most beautiful views and an outdoor pool in Valletta with easy access to a private beach, too.

Absolutely a dream place in the city, with a hot tub too, and still very close to everything Valletta has to offer. Amazing breakfast.

Check availability at Grand Hotel Excelsior

If you prefer an Airbnb-style apartment, then Door Eight is what you may be looking for. It’s within walking distance of the centre and the bus station, so convenient.

It’s a boutique size apartment in a typical 1930 building, refurbished and recently renewed. The price is very very competitive and probably, for this reason, it’s often booked out.

Latest deal at Door Eight

If you enjoy spending your time between the old lanes and alleys, I would also consider Rabat and Mdina, which, besides the beautiful baroque architecture typical of both towns, are also close to a few amazing beaches.

Birgu, the boutique destination of Malta

• 🌎 Where to stay in Malta for couples 🏩 Palazzino Birgu is the recommended accommodation in the area
• 👍 Pros: very romantic, great for a weekend or a short break, amazing history, beautiful architecture, quiet, boutique hotels and restaurants
• 👎 Cons: no beaches, well connected to Valletta but otherwise hard to get around Malta from Birgu

Birgu was the only town able to not surrender to the Ottoman invaders during the Great Siege of 1565. For this reason, it is also known as “Cittá Vittoriosa” (winning city).

The Knights of St John were based in Fort St Angelo, overlooking the Grand Harbour, hosting still today the arsenal of the Order.

A must-visit place to understand more of the history of Malta and for the spectacular views over the bay.

Birgu, the quieter Senglea (Città Invicta) and the busier Valletta are the three cities to visit in the Grand Harbour.

Nowadays Birgu is developing into a boutique destination with elegant wine bars and restaurants hidden in the winding lanes and alleys of the tiny town.

Also, the Birgu waterfront has been redeveloped with a Marina and a few restaurants and bars, overlooking the water and L-Isla on the other side of the bay, So lovely

The entire city is surrounded by ancient defensive walls, monuments, and incredible old buildings.

Don’t miss out on the weekly Tuesday street market where you may be able to find old treasures.

Other attractions are the St. Lawrence’s Church, the Inquisitor’s Palace, and the Notre Dame Gate.

I wrote a full guide about the Birgu waterfront and all you need to know about this area.

Birgu can be the perfect place for a romantic stay, a weekend or just a few days.

You can mix your time in exploring the city maze, enjoying the local cafes and spending some lazy time in one of the many tiny wine bars.

Sliema, shopping and highrise

Sliema is one of the busiest localities in Malta island.

Finding a place to park the car can be really tricky and expensive too, considering the cost per hour ($3 and over).

On the positive side, Sliema is a good option for any kind of shopping with a few malls around, easily accessible, just walking through the town’s pedestrian area.

For drinks and nightlife, head to “the front”, the 10km long promenade that runs along the northeastern shoreline, from Gżira to St. Julian’s. The view is really beautiful.

Unfortunately, there are no sandy beaches, although you can still access the water through the rocks area.

The water is, however, not the best. Basically, go elsewhere if you are after a swim.

Sliema was once just a fishing village outside Valletta. And surely it was beautiful.

Nowadays, highrise buildings are dominating the landscape and you may feel overwhelmed by it.

I would personally not suggest staying in Sliema unless you travelled to Malta for a shopping experience mixed with a restaurant and pub nightlife.

Sliema can be visited on a day or half-day trip from anywhere on the island (by bus or organised tour). 

If you decide to drive there, you are better off parking in Floriana, just outside Valletta.

From there walk 10 minutes to the Sliema Ferry and grab one of the frequently served ferries.

If you are staying overnight or just visiting the area later in the day, I suggest checking the events at the Teatru Salesjan, a small boutique theatre right in the centre of the town.

They usually have a great mix of local music as well as jazz and plays, too.

How big is Malta?

• Check out this guide to getting around the country
• Thinking to rent a car? Check out this guide with rules and tips

St. Julian’s, the best place to stay in Malta for nightlife

• 🌎 Where to stay in Malta for nightlife 🏩 Holiday Inn Express is the recommended accommodation in the area
• 👍 Pros: best nightlife, great for young couples and singles, backpacking and on a budget, plenty of restaurants
• 👎 Cons: it can be a bit noisy and chaotic, small beach
• 🍷 Best restaurants and bars: Buffalo Bill, 1927 and The Dubliner

St. Julian’s is located just north of Sliema (there is not a real demarcation between the two towns) and a few kilometres from Valletta.

As you may already know, St. Julian’s is the best hangout destination in Malta for travellers who seek a good and long nightlife.

Paceville, an area in the centre of St. Julian’s, is well known for nightclubs as well as bars, which offer a great hangout experience, till easily the early hours of the morning.

St. Julian’s is also renowned for its restaurants, both in Paceville and surrounding the Spinola Bay area, with its long promenade which runs all the way to Sliema.

Entertainment in St. Julian’s has no limits with a bowling centre, a shopping complex and Malta’s largest cinema complex.

Head to St. George’s Bay for the man-made beach.

It’s probably not the best in Malta, probably not even a good one, but certainly within walking distance of any accommodation.

St. Julian’s is undoubtedly the best place to stay in Malta for nightlife, with a crowd mostly based on young couples and singles looking for a fun night, however, still searching for an easy beach to access or good accommodation with a pool.

The Hotel Valentina is one of the best options in St Julian’s, including spacious rooms with air conditioning and modern amenities.

It is right in the centre of the action, however, so well insulated that you will not hear any noise.

There is also a pool on the rooftop which offers a great view. Although advertised with a 3-star hotel price, it definitely offers 4-star service and facilities.

Check the bargain price at the Valentina

The Holiday Inn Express offers quite frequently special deals that make the hotel one of the best bargains on the island, especially considering you can use the facilities of the Intercontinental Hotel next door, a huge gym and a nice swimming pool.

Most of the rooms have a great view. Location is right in the middle of the action, still very nicely insulated from the outdoor noise. The ideal place to explore the local nightlife.

Latest deal at the Holiday Inn Express

From St. Julian’s, you can easily organise day tours or boat trips to some of the most beautiful sandy beaches around Malta.

Places to dine in St. Julian’s

St. Julian’s options are just amazing, definitely the best in Malta, for both variety and quantity. Here below is just a small selection:

• Buffalo Bill: located in Portomaso Marina. The place has a warm, lively atmosphere and is renowned for its meat selection, especially the slow-cooked beef as well as the different BBQ options, all at a reasonable price, although in a great central location.
• 1927: it is the perfect destination for trying out the local Maltese cuisines in Spinola Bay. Pan-fried local rabbits and potatoes marinated with rosemary and garlic seasonings are a must-try.
• The Dubliner: a great Irish pub right on the waterfront of Spinola Bay. Head to the second level for the best view. Good selection of beers and pub food. A nice place for a late afternoon drink.

St. Paul’s Bay, a family-oriented destination

• 🌎 Where to stay in Malta for families with kids 🏩 Park Lane Aparthotel is the recommended accommodation in the area
• 👍 Pros: best for a family trip, small but clean beaches, many organised resorts, very quiet
• 👎 Cons: no nightlife (only a few pubs) , not as charming
• 🍷 Best restaurants and bars: Made in Sud and Bugies

Proceeding north of Valletta, around 30 minutes from it, St. Paul’s Bay is one of the favourite destinations for families with kids.

St Paul’s Bay is actually a municipality organised in different villages and towns. A few of them are mostly inhabited by the local Maltese community.

Bugibba and Qawra are the two popular towns with tourism, that become quite busy during the summer months.

There is not a clear demarcation between the two towns. In fact, you can stay in either of them and you will not notice the difference. Moreover, you can walk between the two in just a few hundred meters.

You can clearly see that the area has been built in the last few decades with the total absence of the nice baroque style you can find elsewhere.

These towns are mostly catered to families, with resorts offering swimming pools and services with particular attention for the kids.

There are a couple of beaches in the area. The Ta’ Fra Ben Beach and the Bugibba Beach.

They are both reclaimed beaches with rocky seabed. Take some sandals with you to enter/exit the water. They will make your life more comfortable.

St Paul’s Bay is the best place to stay for families if you are looking for an organised resort, including all the facilities for young kids and offering the possibility to explore Malta with single days trips, either pre-organised or with a rented car.

There is not much nightlife around. However, there is a wide choice of British pubs to have a beer and some live music.

You can also take a bus to St. Julian’s if you plan to have a crazy night.

The Park Lane Boutique Aparthotel has to be one of the best value accommodations in Malta.

True, it has a small rooftop swimming pool, however, the view is amazing and the apartments are just a perfect base to explore the island.

Check the amazing price at the Park Lane

For a bigger size pool, a great view and a slightly higher price, you can also check the AX Sunny Coast Resort with its well-sized private rooms.

Located right in front of the Mediterranean Sea, it is in an unbeatable location. No extra cost for the breakfast, which includes a nice selection of food and drinks.

Check availability & price

If you plan to go for drinks and/or food, you may want to check out these options:

• Made in Sud: one of the best pizzerias in Malta. It’s a tiny place and finding a table may take time. They also offer a takeaway service, which is a good option if you are in a serviced apartment.
• Bugies: another great value option to eat family and locally made food for a bargain price.

Mellieha, best place to stay in Malta for beaches

• 🌎 Where to stay in Malta for beaches 🏩 Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa is the recommended accommodation in the area
• 👍 Pros: amazing beach, charming village, great for small kids and toddlers, romantic for couples
• 👎 Cons: super quiet, not much happening, small selection of restaurants

Mellieha is a small town on top of a hill overlooking Ghadira Bay. It has a nice village feeling, lacking in other parts of Malta as in the previous St. Paul’s Bay.

The bay’s sandy beach is one of the largest and most attractive places in Malta, with beautiful turquoise shallow water

It’s the perfect spot for families with small kids looking to spend most of their time sunbathing.

It has also gained a blue flag for its amazing clean water.

If St. Paul’s Bay is quiet, then Mellieha is super quiet, with no nightlife to talk about.

It’s more about an easy-going experience, in a lovely village with a few restaurants and cafes to watch life passing by.

Being so quiet, you may want to consider renting a car to visit from here the rest of Malta and the two small islands of Gozo and Comino.

The Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal is just 10 minutes away from Mellieha. From there you can take the ferry to Gozo for a lovely day trip to the island.

You will be spoiled by the selection of beaches in this part of Malta.

Head north to the L-Armier peninsula for a few small sandy coves, and go west to the amazing Golden Bay Beach and Riviera Beach. 

Mellieha is a great place to stay in Malta for a romantic getaway or for families looking to spend lots of time at the beach with the kids.

The Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa is a great choice for couples looking for a bit of quality time.

It has two pools, an outdoor and an indoor pool too, of which one is on the rooftop where you can experience a great view and some lovely Thai food for dinner.

The SPA is absolutely a bonus and the location is so central to Mellieha.

 Check availability at the Maritim Antonine

The db Seabank is the perfect spot for families with small kids that want to enjoy the outdoor pool and the beach nearby.

They offer also a kid’s club which is perfect if you plan to have some time also for yourself. 

db Seabank offers also free parking, in case you are on a road trip

Check availability at the db Seabank

Another alternative is to stay at Golden Beach at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa.

The experience starts with the complimentary welcome drinks to continue to the fabulous rooms with amazing views, the great pools, the lovely beach, 5 restaurants to choose, and the fitness centre.

Really, all you need for a memorable stay.

Check availability at the Radisson Blue

Rabat and Mdina area, the baroque towns

• 🌎 Where to stay in Malta for history 🏩 Xara Palace Relais is the recommended accommodation in the area
• 👍 Pros: more than 4,000 years of history, Mdina is very quiet (no cars), romantic, charming, beautiful architecture
• 👎 Cons: limited accommodations in Mdina, Rabat can be chaotic, far from the beach

These are two of the most attractive places in Malta, based on a mix of baroque and medieval architecture enclosed in fortified walls on top of a hill.

The history of Mdina dates back to 4,000 years ago and once you cross the gate of the city, you may feel suddenly in a time machine, an open-air museum, so beautiful, so unique.

Mdina is also called the “silent city“, mostly because of the absence of any kind of noise.

Even cars are not allowed within the walls.

And this adds up to this idea of an “impossible” place to find. You may actually think it’s a ghost town.

Also for this reason, Mdina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (tentative list).

Mdina and Rabat were once behind the same fortified walls. Following the Arab invasion, Rabat was separated and the wall was destroyed.

Rabat was the film set for a few scenes of the beautiful film Munich in 2005. 

Rabat (meaning “suburb”) is nowadays more of the commercial hub, more modern, much greener and with a bigger population too.

Interestingly enough, Rabat is considered the birthplace of Maltese Christianity. The Apostle Paul lived here in 60 AD, according to tradition.

Both towns are also close to the beautiful sea cliff and Golden Beach, making it an attractive place for sunbathing as well.

Mdina is a great place to stay if you are after a romantic or nostalgic stay. Most of the accommodations are in baroque buildings, making it a unique experience.

Here you can find the highest concentration of boutique hotels.

The Xara Palace Relais is a beautiful, warm and charming hotel, right on the edge of the wall, with a beautiful view of the Malta landscape.

Book only the breakfast and try one of the few restaurants and wine bars in town instead.

Check availability at the Xara Palace Chateaux

Birżebbuġa and the south-east coast

This is another area to drive and experience in Malta.

It’s not very touristy as there are not many beaches and the few existing ones, such as Pretty Beach, are close to the Malta Freeport, a huge harbour for commercial boats.

The small fishing village architecture is a mix of 70s and baroque that somehow has its own distinctive style.

I would personally not suggest Birżebbuġa for a long stay. However, it is evolving as a seaside resort area, mostly between Kalafrana and Marsaxlokk Village.

Its popularity is increasing also thanks to the presence of archaeological places such as the Ghar Dalam caves and the Borg in-Nadur prehistoric site well as natural wonders such as the Blue Grotto and the St. Peter’s Pool.

Gozo Island

• 🌎 Where to stay in Malta for seclusion and a unique stay 🏩 The Duke Boutique Hotel is the recommended accommodation in the area
• 👍 Pros: much quieter than Malta, perfect for seclusion, experience Malta as it used to be, plenty of history, lovely old town in Victoria
• 👎 Cons: very few beaches, far from the airport

Gozo Island is the best place to stay in Malta if you are looking for a secluded and relaxing holiday, even in the peak season of July and August.

Another great reason is the sea, the most beautiful in Malta, with amazing turquoise water which is perfect for both snorkelling and diving

You can visit the island on a day trip, however, I personally suggest spending at least 2 or even 3 nights in Gozo. There are so many things to see and do that it would be a pity to disappear after a few hours.

Gozo is more of a “Malta Island as it used to be“, with the main town, called Victoria, and a few small roads heading to the coast.

Keep in mind that this is a tiny island, no more than 10km from coast to coast.

Victoria is the place to stay on the island. You can still experience the old day’s Malta charm here and still have all the facilities of a big town.

A lovely place to check out is The Duke Boutique Hotel, with its beautiful views over the Cittadella, the Old Town and the islands as well.

I had one of the best experiences in Malta in this hotel, starting from the a la carte breakfast, including mostly locally sourced ingredients and products.

I was lucky enough to be upgraded to the Junior Suite, with a balcony overlooking the old Cittadella and a Jacuzzi, which is the best retreat after a day of walking

Check the price at The Duke    The Duke Hotel Review with lots of photos

Frequently Asked Questions for a stay in Malta

About the Author

Stefano is a seasoned travel expert and the visionary founder of MEL365.com, a leading travel website with traffic across 6 continents. With a rich background in the travel industry, Stefano spent four pivotal years at Amadeus Travel Distribution System, gaining invaluable insights into travel technologies and distribution.