The best places to stay in Malta

Valletta

Best for culture vultures and history buffs

Without a doubt occupying the top spot on the list of Malta's best things to do, the walled city of Valletta is bursting with fascinating museums, delicious eateries, impressive galleries and thrilling nightlife.

Some of the country’s most significant moments happened here, so keen historians should plan at least three days in the city to take it all in (be sure to add the Lascaris War Rooms and an Underground Valletta tour to your itinerary).

Those happy to soak up the sloping sand-coloured streets, bar hop along Strait Street or indulge in Michelin meals at Noni, Aki or Under Grain can make a day trip work well enough.

Book tickets in advance for entry to St. John’s Co-Cathedral, which possesses not one but two Caravaggio paintings (among a host of other opulent artworks) and intricately designed flagstone floors.

In the summer months, Valletta is one big party, with various saints’ days, music and art festivals seeing streets flickering with flags and making it the place to be on the island (Carnival and the Fireworks Festival are particularly exuberant).

Where to stay in Valletta

Accommodation options are plentiful here, with hotels, apartments and Airbnbs in huge supply. For clean cut, apartment-style accommodation with no faff, opt for 1926 Le Parisot, a surprisingly quiet renovated palazzo in the middle of Valletta’s hubbub. Its rooftop dipping pool and dining tables come with superb Grand Harbour views. For pure luxury, splash out on Iniala Harbour House. Perched on the edge of Valletta’s imposing walls, this combination of four townhouses is a five-star spot mixing modern touches with 16th-century roots – and a Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant. Cheaper options, such as dorms, can be found throughout the city, though for a reliable, affordable option go for Mandera’s Suites & Dorms.

Gharb

Best for quiet time and clifftop walks

Gozo is a different beast from Malta. Still busy and beautiful in the summer, it somehow manages a more relaxed pace than its big sister. Coastal villages buzz with live music, bustling restaurants, sun-worshippers and excited snorkellers. Even its capital, Victoria, oozes a sense of calm more palpable than any locale in Malta. But then, this is where the Maltese themselves come on holiday.

One of its strongest assets is its natural beauty, perfectly exemplified in northerly Gharb. This unassuming town is just a stroll away from a stunning cliff-edge trail that loops the island, connecting towns via craggy paths and rough Mediterranean flora.

The central square is dominated (like all Maltese burgs) by a beautiful baroque church, though just 700m away visitors can marvel at the most famous place of pilgrimage for Maltese: the Basilica of Ta’ Pinu. Reportedly the site of numerous miracles, home to a 61m-high (200ft) bell tower and boasting the prestige of having been consecrated by Pope Pius XI, it’s one of Gozo’s most enchanting destinations.

The cherry on the cake? Gharb is kind on the wallet; it’s cheaper than Malta and most other places in Gozo.

Where to stay in Gharb

For morning coffee and a pastizz while watching the world go by, stay somewhere near the town square, such as Il-Gardjola B&B, which offers high-spec, modern rooms and a pool within a traditional Maltese home. If staying away from the (admittedly small) bustle is more your speed, try Grotto’s Paradise, a farmhouse B&B tucked away behind the main drag. For easy access to handy amenities and captivating cliffs, stay closer to the coast at the likes of Ogygia Suites or Bebbuxa Farmhouse, both of which have rooms with pool views.

St. Julian’s

Best for nightlife lovers and party people

This busy town on Malta’s east coast is one of the country’s most popular destinations for first time visitors. Home to an array of hotels and hostels, the islands’ biggest nightlife scene and some beautiful bays (St. George’s and Balluta are popular with sunbathers), travellers will find a little bit of everything here.

If you like raucous and rowdy, head straight to Paceville, a central suburb of St. Julian’s which is known as ‘the entertainment capital of Malta’. Music, chatter and general revelry fill the streets, particularly in the summer months, when many visitors head out at the renowned Sky Club, home to a 330 square-metre dancefloor. Enjoy soul and hip hop vibes at Club Havana, or Latin American beats at Fuego Casa Latina, which blends infectious notes with an open air terrace and pool views.

Thanks to its popular reputation, food options are varied and plentiful. Eat like you mean it at Sciacca, a steakhouse often regarded as selling the best cuts in the city (it also has a branch in Valletta). Pick your preferred piece, then let the chefs choose how best to serve it up. Italian, Greek. Maltese restaurants and more make sure no one is left hungry, no matter the time of day or night.

Where to stay in St Julian’s

St Julian’s is as crammed with accommodation options as Valletta, so where you stay depends on what you’re after. Looking to roll out of the club at 7am and straight into bed? Pick a central hotel option such as The George Malta on Triq Paceville, which also sports a rooftop bar, pool and spa, perfect for restoring dance-weary limbs. For somewhere a little further from the hubbub, try the five-star Hilton Malta or the Cavalieri Art Hotel. Or, for those looking to be more resort-based, opt for the luxurious Malta Marriott Resort & Spa, which sits pretty on St. Julian’s Bay and boasts two pools and a decadent spa.

Mdina

Best for calmer crowds and five-star food

With Valletta hogging the spotlight, Mdina often gets overlooked in the ‘pretty, walled city’ stakes. It's a shame, because it’s a supremely beautiful place.

Just west of Malta’s centre, Mdina is the ‘Silent City’, a narrow-street-clad, (mostly) pedestrian town that’s less about museums and galleries and more about stepping back in time. It’s got an entirely different feel to Valletta’s vibe, but still has its fair share of attractions.

Aside from stunning panoramic views from its bastion walls, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Natural History Museum and the Mdina Dungeons are all well worth a visit.

Wander the sunken gardens of the one-time moat, enjoy a gelato in the sun on the bastion walls and see the spot Ned Stark said goodbye to his wife in the award-winning Game of Thrones.

While it's known to be far less crowded than the Maltese capital, it still gets popular in the high season, so get out and about early to immerse yourself in the city’s unique atmosphere of echoing bell tolls and breathtaking sunrises.

Where to stay in Mdina

Mdina is small. So small, in fact, that there are only two hotels within the city’s walls: the Palazzo Bifora Boutique Hotel and The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux. Both are luxurious and offer a quintessential taste of Maltese life, but we think The Xara Palace – a converted 18th-century palazzo built into Mdina's walls – has the edge. Antique furniture, bespoke rooms and a sun-dappled breakfast courtyard are just the start of a decadently relaxed stay. If Michelin stars were awarded for views, its rooftop restaurant, de Mondion would more than qualify. Fortunately, its superb blend of Maltese and French cuisine has earnt it one already. For more wallet-friendly options, look to Rabat, Mdina’s neighbouring town, which offers a wide variety of accommodation just steps away from Mdina’s main gates.

Xlendi

Best for couples and easy hiking

Gozo’s coastal towns and villages have a melange of vibrant nightlife, sublime views and great gastronomy. Xlendi boasts all of these.

Tucked in a deep, cliff-edged bay on the island’s south west coast, its sparkling waters are filled with bobbing luzzus. Along the seafront, restaurants serve up various fare, including the freshest seafood – visit in late summer and autumn to taste lampuki, a fleshy white fish popular on the islands.

Book a table at Ta Karolina’s, a Maltese restaurant in the bay’s corner that allows diners to eat al fresco on the dock’s edge, or indulge in what’s widely regarded as the best Indian on the island at Sapana Restaurant. Front Bar is set just back from the waterfront and mixes cocktails with an infectious playlist.

After dinner, follow the stone pathway zig-zagging up the cliff’s edge to its natural end: a beautiful rock window made for capturing snaps of the setting sun.

Xlendi is also a great starting point for hikes along Gozo’s coastline – head east around the south coast to see Xlendi Tower (built around 1650), then along the Sanap Cliffs for breathtaking ocean views. Jumping off the bay’s diving platform into the crystal Mediterranean waters is a must, as is snorkelling in the bay where octopus, moray eels, crabs and all manner of fish are a common sight.

Where to stay in Xlendi

Book a sea view room at St. Patrick’s Hotel for four-star service with five-star views. Perched right on the seafront, this property puts Xlendi – and the rest of Gozo – at your fingertips. San Antonio Guesthouse has a swimming pool, coastal views and affordable rates, while Arzella Apartments makes up for a lack of ocean vistas with comfortable, clean rooms just steps from the sea.

Mellieħa

Best for families and scuba enthusiasts

Malta’s most northerly region is one of its most picturesque. Mellieħa sits on a cluster of hills overlooking some of the island’s most beautiful beaches, including its largest sandy stretch, Għadira Bay. This honey-coloured dune is packed with watersports options, snack shacks, sun-lounger rental spots and, in true Maltese style, marks of ancient history: 2,700-year-old cart ruts gouged into its southern shores.

It’s a great area for families to bed down, with plenty of accommodation options in close proximity to a host of fabulous beaches.

Three beautiful cove-tucked bays – Golden Bay, Għajn Tuffieħa and Qarraba Bay – are just a 13-minute drive away and make for great sunset-watching spots. They also tend to be quieter than their better-known neighbour.

If time allows, hike out to Malta’s northern tip, where the stunning Coral Lagoon cuts a hole into the earth straight down to the sea, connected by craggy rock arches.

Mellieħa is also where many of Malta’s diveable wrecks are, so it’s the spot for scuba pros. Highlights include the Um El Faroud, a 115m-long (337ft) oil tanker, the P29, a 52m (170ft) patrol boat and the 35m-long (115ft) tugboat, Rozi.

It’s also minutes from Comino, home to the impossibly cerulean Blue Lagoon, as well as a particularly shallow shipwreck – P31, an ex-minesweeper that can be seen by snorkelling, freediving or scuba diving.

Where to stay in Mellieħa

Mellieħa town itself has a variety of accommodation options ranging from under £50 a night to over £100. It’s a good location for those without a car, as the beach is a short walk away and taxis are easy to find (use the Bolt taxi app for ease). For something a little more remote but still within sight of the sparkling Med, check into Labranda Riviera Hotel & Spa, a pet-friendly, two-pool, spa-toting resort that looks right out to sea. Relax on your balcony or visit the on-site scuba diving shop to start your underwater adventures. For baby-sitting services, an outdoor play area and a kids’ only pool, head to the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa.

Marsaxlokk

Best for succulent seafood and cool souvenirs

Just thirty minutes from Valletta, this vibrant fishing village is the perfect place to sample some of the islands’ local life. Marsaxlokk is home to about 70% of the country’s fishermen so its harbour is chock full with boats, including the brightly-coloured luzzu that the islands are famous for.

Visit on a Sunday to see the biggest fish market in the country line the waterfront, with chefs from all over coming to select the best catch. Everything’s on offer, from swordfish and tuna to octopus and shrimp. Travel in the second half of the year and you’ll also see plenty of lampuki on ice.

As might be expected in such a fish-focused location, restaurants are abundant. Sample the best of the Mediterranean's oysters, calamari, squid, clams and more at La Nostra Padrona or Roots. Both offer serene views of the harbour while you dig in.

Marsaxlokk’s location on the southeast coast puts it just ten minutes from the airport, making it an ideal spot to explore before heading for your flight – particularly as it also has fantastic last-minute souvenir shopping; stalls run by local artists sell paintings, carvings, clothes and jewellery.

It’s also within throwing distance of some of the island’s other attractions, such as St. Peter’s Pool (a natural rock-carved swimming spot), Fort Delimara (a major defence structure used in the filming of 2016’s Assassin’s Creed) and one of the largest watchtowers on the island, St Lucian Tower.

Where to stay in Marsaxlokk

It’s unlikely you’ll be basing yourself in Marsaxlokk for the duration of your stay, but if you’re keen to spend a night or two and explore the local area, there are plenty of options, from four-star hotels to apartment rentals. The South Wind Guesthouse offers spacious, clean and comfortable rooms (book the studio with sea view to enjoy a generous terrace), while the Quayside Apartments provide traditional stone-walled, wooden-beamed spaces with a rooftop jacuzzi.

Birgu

Best for medieval and modern history lovers

Budding historians will want to set up shop immediately in Birgu (also known as Vittoriosa) on arrival to Malta. One of the oldest localities on the island and home of the Order of St. John in the 16th century, Birgu is one of the famed Three Cities that sit across the Grand Harbour from Valletta.

Much of Malta’s fascinating history can be enjoyed here, from the dominating structures of Fort St Angelo and the Inquisitor’s Palace, to a handful of comprehensive museums. Start with the Malta Maritime Museum for a breakdown of how Malta’s strategic position in the Mediterranean attracted all sorts of attention across the ages, then head for the Malta at War museum, which features a tour of the World War II bunkers hidden beneath the city’s honey-coloured streets.

Birgu is easy to get to; ferries run every half an hour from Valletta’s ferry terminal below the Upper Barrakka Gardens into the Vittoriosa Marina. It’s easy to spend a few days wandering the ancient streets here, particularly if paired with exploration of its adjacent neighbourhoods of Senglea and Kalkara (the Esplora Interactive Science Centre is well worth a visit, particularly if you’re travelling with children).

Where to stay in Birgu

Birgu might not have as many accommodation options as Malta’s illustrious capital, but there are still some compelling properties to choose from. Boutique bolthole Locanda La Gelsomina for example, has only four suites, each individually designed and inspired by different corners of the world. It also offers guests rooftop yoga, meditation and sound-healing experiences. Alternatively, truly classical rooms can be found with the likes of Palazzino Birgu Bed and Breakfast, which offers luxurious rooms just a 30-second walk from the Inquisitor’s Palace.