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Malta

Sun-drenched islands of history, harbours and hidden coves

UNESCO-listed Valletta and ancient MdinaCrystal-clear Blue Lagoon and coastal cliffsPrehistoric temples older than the pyramidsLively Mediterranean nightlife and diningCompact, easy-to-explore island nation

eSIM Plans for Malta

From $11.50

Prices updated live. Purchase in the Hello app.

Daily Budget Guide

CategoryBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Stay€30€70€170
Food€20€30€60
Transport€10€10€20
Activities€10€20€30
Daily Total€70€130€280

Tipping: Service charges are often included; rounding up bills or leaving 5–10% in restaurants and for taxis is appreciated but not strictly mandatory.

Stay Connected in Malta

Coverage

5G Available

Yes

Airport WiFi

Malta International Airport offers free WiFi throughout the terminal; speeds are generally stable enough for streaming and messaging.

Recommended Data

8–12 GB

eSIM tip: Most travellers can use eSIMs; download the Hello app and purchase a Malta eSIM before departure, then activate on arrival with a quick QR scan.

Quick Reference

Visa
Malta is in the Schengen Area; many European, North American, and several Asian and Latin American nationalities enjoy short-term visa-free entry, while others require a Schengen visa obtained in advance. Visa-on-arrival is not typical, and there is currently no dedicated Malta e-visa system outside standard Schengen procedures.
Language
Maltese and English are official; Italian is also widely understood.
Best Time
April to June, September to October
Timezone
CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2 in summer)
Power
Type G, 230V
Emergency
112 (Police, Ambulance, Fire)

Top Cities to Visit

Valletta

Fortified baroque capital overlooking Grand Harbour

Valletta is Malta’s compact UNESCO-listed capital, packed with ornate churches, historic palaces, and harbour views. Its pedestrian streets, museums, and easy ferry links make it the ideal base for culture, dining, and day trips.

Mdina

Silent City of golden stone and panoramic views

Mdina, the former capital, is a walled hilltop city known for quiet lanes and medieval-renaissance architecture. Visitors come for its atmospheric streets, viewpoints over the island, and nearby Rabat’s catacombs and cafes.

Sliema & St Julian’s

Seaside promenade, shopping and nightlife hub

Sliema and St Julian’s form Malta’s main coastal urban strip, popular for seafront walks, restaurants, and nightlife. They offer modern accommodation, good bus connections, and easy access to swimming spots and boat tours.

Gozo (Victoria)

Rural island escape with beaches and citadel views

Gozo is Malta’s greener, quieter sister island, centred on Victoria and its hilltop Citadel. Travellers visit for coastal scenery, diving, small villages, and a slower pace, often as a day trip or a few nights away from the main island.

Marsaxlokk

Traditional fishing village with colourful luzzu boats

Marsaxlokk is known for its picturesque bay lined with painted fishing boats and waterfront seafood restaurants. It is a popular stop for Sunday markets, coastal walks, and nearby swimming spots like St Peter’s Pool.

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What to Eat in Malta

Expect to spend $20–$60 per day on food, depending on your style.

Planning Your Malta Itinerary

Malta may be small, but it packs in historic cities, sapphire bays, and quiet countryside across three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and tiny Comino. With 3–4 days, base yourself in Valletta or Sliema and focus on the capital, the Three Cities, Mdina, and a boat trip to the Blue Lagoon. A week gives you time to spend a couple of nights on Gozo and slow down.

Start in Valletta, wandering its honey-colored streets, St John’s Co-Cathedral, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens for Grand Harbour views. Add an afternoon exploring the alleyways of Birgu across the water. On another day, head to Mdina, the "Silent City", for medieval lanes and sunset over the bastion walls.

Use Hello’s trip planning to map out ferry times to Gozo, opening hours for sites, and beach days at Golden Bay, St Peter’s Pool, or Ramla Bay. If you’re traveling with friends, Hello’s expense splitting keeps shared costs for car rentals, boat tours, and restaurant bills simple. You can also use budget tracking in the app to keep an eye on your spending in euro throughout the week, making it easier to decide whether tonight calls for a relaxed seaside snack or a splurge on a harbor-view dinner.

Getting Around Malta’s Islands

Malta is compact, but you’ll still want a plan for getting around. Public buses link most towns and attractions, including Valletta, Mdina, Sliema, and popular beaches; they’re cheap but can be busy in summer. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are useful at night or when you’re short on time. For flexibility, many travellers rent a car for a couple of days to visit places like Blue Grotto, Marsaxlokk, and Golden Bay.

Ferries are part of the fun: take the short hop between Valletta and Sliema, cross to the Three Cities, or ride the larger ferry from Cirkewwa to Gozo. From Gozo, boats run seasonally to Comino and the Blue Lagoon.

Stay connected with a Hello eSIM so you can check live bus schedules, book taxis, and navigate side streets without depending on hotel Wi‑Fi. Buy and activate your Hello eSIM before you land to avoid roaming charges and hit the ground running. A few practical tips:

  • Drive on the left, and streets in older towns are narrow – park once, then explore on foot.
  • Allow extra time for buses in peak season.
  • Carry a light scarf or cover-up for churches when you’re combining sightseeing with beach time.

Food, Cafés, and Local Flavors

Malta’s food scene blends Mediterranean and North African influences, with plenty of seaside spots and cozy wine bars. Look out for pastizzi – flaky pastries filled with ricotta or peas – for a quick snack, and try rabbit stew (fenek) or bragioli (beef olives) at a traditional restaurant. Fresh seafood is a highlight: grilled fish, octopus, and local prawns are common menus in harbors like Marsaxlokk and Spinola Bay.

For an easy food day, start with coffee and a pastry in Valletta, grab a casual lunch by the water in Sliema, then book a harborside dinner in St Julian’s or a quiet village like Gharb on Gozo. Many restaurants now accept card payments, but carrying some cash in euro helps for small bakeries and market stalls.

Use Hello’s expense splitting when sharing a platter of seafood or a bottle of Maltese wine with travel companions, and log meals with budget tracking so you can see how much you’re spending on eating out versus cooked meals. To explore more local flavors, ask for Maltese wines from producers on Gozo, try ftira (local bread often topped like pizza), and finish with a helwa tat-Tork or imqaret (date pastries) from a neighborhood bakery.

Money, Costs, and Practical Essentials

Malta uses the euro (€), and prices feel mid-range compared to other Mediterranean destinations. As a rough guide, a casual meal might cost €12–€20 (around US$13–22), a coffee and pastry about €3–€5 (US$3–5), and local buses €2–€2.50 (US$2–3) per ride. Many hotels and restaurants accept cards, but it’s wise to keep some cash for kiosks, smaller cafés, and boat trips.

Hello’s budget tracking helps you keep all these costs visible in one place, even if you’re paying in different ways over the trip. You can set a daily budget in euro and see at a glance whether beach bars or souvenir shops are eating up most of your spending.

To stay online, activate a Hello eSIM before you fly and arrive with data ready, avoiding any surprise roaming fees. Use it to check exchange rates, confirm opening times for spots like St John’s Co-Cathedral, and locate ATMs when needed.

General essentials:

  • Tap water is officially safe, but many visitors prefer bottled due to taste.
  • Sunscreen, a hat, and light clothing are crucial in summer.
  • Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; around 5–10% in restaurants is common.

Combining a bit of cash with cards and Hello’s tools makes the practical side of your Malta trip smooth and stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions About Malta

Is it safe to travel to Malta?
Malta is generally considered a safe destination with low violent crime and a visible police presence in tourist areas. As in other busy Mediterranean spots, petty theft can occur in crowded buses or beaches, so standard precautions like watching your belongings are recommended.
Do I need a visa to visit Malta?
Malta follows Schengen Area rules: many Europeans, North Americans, and visitors from countries such as Japan and Australia can enter visa-free for short stays, usually up to 90 days. Travellers from nations that are not visa-exempt must apply for a Schengen visa before arrival through a Maltese embassy or a partner country’s consulate.
How expensive is Malta for travellers?
Overall costs are mid-range for Europe: budget travellers can get by on around €60–80 per day using hostels, public buses, and street food, while mid-range visitors typically spend €120–150 daily including a hotel and some paid activities. Prices rise in July and August, especially for accommodation, boat trips, and coastal hotspots.
When is the best time of year to visit Malta?
The most comfortable months are April to June and September to October, when temperatures are warm, the sea is swimmable, and crowds are lighter than peak summer. July and August offer hot beach weather but can bring extreme heat, congestion, and higher prices, while winter is mild with fewer tourists but cooler seas.
What language is spoken in Malta, and will I get by with English?
Maltese and English are both official languages, and English is widely spoken in tourism, business, and public transport. Most visitors experience very few language barriers, and many locals also understand Italian and other European languages.
How good is mobile data and WiFi in Malta?
Mobile coverage is strong across the main island and Gozo, with widespread 4G and growing 5G service in urban areas. Hotels, cafes, and many public spaces provide WiFi, and speeds are usually sufficient for video calls and streaming.
What is the easiest way to get mobile data in Malta?
Most modern phones support eSIMs, so many travellers simply buy a local data package instead of a physical SIM. Download the Hello app to get an eSIM before you travel, then activate it on arrival for instant connectivity without visiting a phone shop.
How do I get around Malta without a car?
Malta has an island-wide bus network connecting the airport, Valletta, resort areas, and most towns, making it feasible to explore without driving. For flexible days out, travellers often combine buses with taxis, ride-hailing, or organised boat tours to reach places like the Blue Lagoon and Gozo efficiently.

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