Is Malta Expensive?

Malta Budget Guide: What to Expect and How to Save Money

Malta is a small island country that is rife with historical and cultural sites, luxury hotels, restaurants, bars and museums. It’s also known for being more affordable than other European countries, and its quality of life is excellent. If you know what to expect when travelling to this country, and follow the tips and tricks on how to visit cheaply, you won’t need to spend a fortune on your Maltese holiday.

A Breakdown of Average Travel Costs in Malta

How Much Do Things Cost in Malta

Where to Stay in Malta on a Budget

Malta is home to many mid-range and boutique hotels amongst the luxury and upscale ones, and accommodation is known for its cheaper price compared to other European countries. Here’s where to stay in Malta if you want to ensure you land a great deal on hotels every time:

Boutique Hotels: Boutique Hotels are smaller-capacity hotels that tend to have unique decor and more personal services. The Capital Boutique Hotel in Valletta, Palazzo Bifora in Mdina, and the Casa Birmula in Cospicua are great options for low-cost boutique hotels in Malta.

Budget Hotels: Malta is famed for its well-priced accommodation options. However, being affordable doesn’t mean hotels are bad quality– you can expect to find the same modern and high-quality amenities that you’d normally find in luxury hotels. For some high-quality budget hotels, try the San Anton Hotel in St Paul’s Bay and Casa Lapira in Valletta.

The Best Options for Finding Affordable Accommodation in Malta

Malta is a rich and diverse country with decades of history and gorgeous beaches, and it has its fair share of tourist hotspots. The best cities and towns to visit to be within a better chance of finding cheap deals on food, accommodation and activities are:

St Paul’s Bay: A resort hotspot for tourists, St Paul’s Bay is lined with sandy beaches and holds an abundance of activities and things to do to keep yourself entertained. St Paul’s Bay is also among the most affordable areas in Malta.

Marsaxlokk: A small village, Marsaxlokk is known for its beautiful views and its history. This town is a perfect destination for history or culture enthusiasts.

Valletta: While the inner areas of Malta’s capital see higher than average prices, sticking to the outer suburbs is where you’ll tend to find the cheaper options.

What to Expect from Staying in Malta and How to Book a Cheap Room

Malta is home to many hotels of varying degrees of luxury, from budget-friendly and convenient hotels to luxury upscale ones. Despite hotels being affordable, they are still high quality and will provide you with a comfortable and memorable stay– you can expect pools, free Wi-Fi, basic amenities like plush comfy beds and ocean views across many hotels in different cities and towns in Malta.

While you’ll likely find a cheap hotel no matter where you go, there are tricks to increasing your likelihood of finding an affordable place to stay. These are:

Book in advance: The key to staying anywhere is to book months in advance, as certain seasons and times of the year can see larger tourist crowds, which increases the likelihood of hotels selling out or rates increasing. Try to book your accommodation around 90 days in advance of your travel dates.

Avoid tourist hotspots: Malta may be small, but its capital Valletta is popular with tourists, especially in the summer. This means that hotel rates are likely to soar. No matter where you go in Malta, you’re guaranteed to find something to do, which is why it's a good idea to branch out and discover new places away from expensive and tourist-heavy areas.

How to Get Around Malta Cheaply and Easily

Malta has many cheap public transport options, the most popular and common of which are buses. Buses are inexpensive and efficient and run regularly to hundreds of tourist spots and destinations across the country. Additionally, taxis are also a preferred method of transport, as they too are cheap and efficient. Average prices include:

Buses: Single tickets: 1-2€
Weekly tickets: 22-27€

Taxi fares: Approx. 20-25€ for a single trip

Additionally, if you’re looking to travel around Malta on your own itinerary and timings, why not think about hiring a car? You can find many of the best-known European car hire companies in Malta, giving you assurance that your hire car will be high quality and run efficiently.

How to Eat Well in Malta Without Spending a Fortune

Opt for food stalls: Malta is home to numerous street food vendors that sell a variety of cuisines and dishes. While it’s a good idea not to eat out every day to avoid overspending, street food stalls can work out a lot cheaper than restaurants in the long run.

Avoid tourist spots: Usually, restaurants and eating establishments in tourist hotspots like Valletta can be more expensive so as to take advantage of large crowds. Branded restaurants can also be expensive–If you stick to independent restaurants or restaurants away from busy downtown areas, you may find that the prices are a lot more affordable.

Take advantage of deals: Restaurants and bars can sometimes introduce set menus, deals on drinks and dishes, and member benefit schemes. This means you can get better value for money on food and drinks in certain locations.

Our Top Picks for Free and Cheap Activities in Malta

Each city and town in Malta has its own story to tell and has its own fair share of attractions, sights and activities. While some of these activities are a little pricey, you can still have fun on this European island without breaking the bank.

Malta National Aquarium: Located in St Paul’s Bay, Malta National Aquarium showcases over 150 different species of aquatic animals and reptiles and is the perfect place to learn more about the ocean that surrounds the island.

Dingli Cliffs: If you’re looking for a scenic hiking spot with stunning ocean views, head to Dingli Cliffs. This spot is a popular area to watch sunrise or sunset, which can make it attractive to friends or couples who are travelling around Malta. What’s more, it costs nothing.

St Paul’s Catacombs: If you want to gain a deeper insight into Malta’s history and culture, head down to the catacombs. With an entry price of 6€ per adult and around 4€ for children, the catacombs are cheap and fascinating, and showcase history dating back thousands of years.

Upper Barrakka Gardens: With free entry, these gardens are the perfect place to enjoy the hot weather or the picturesque views. If you want a break from tourist-heavy inner city areas, escaping to the Barrakka Gardens can provide you with the tranquillity and peacefulness you’re looking for.

The Best Places to Find Live Music, Shows and Events in Malta

Malta has a lively nightlife and clubbing scene, with numerous bars, concert and event venues dotted around the island. Some of the best include:

Aria Complex: From concerts and foam parties to weddings and business events, this premium events venue in Malta is the perfect place to go for just about anything. The prices are cheap and reasonable for most events that occur at this venue too!

The Garage: The Garage is another premium live music venue in Malta, showcasing shows and concerts from local and well-known bands and DJs spinning your favourite tunes. The general entry price is 15€ at the door, and the presale ticket price is around 12€.

Festivals: Malta hosts beach parties and festivals, usually in the summer months, which can allow you to experience a taste of the Maltese culture and music scene. Beachfront parties are usually popular, as are boat parties! The island is alive with nightlife, assuring you that you will have a good time no matter where you go.

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Tourist Board Info For Malta