Cheap Accommodation In Malta
Malta packs an enormous amount of history, coastline, and character into a surprisingly small footprint, which is part of why it works so well for travelers watching their budget. You can base yourself in one spot and still reach fortified old cities, quiet swimming coves, and buzzing harbourside towns without spending much on transport. Accommodation in Malta covers everything from simple guesthouses in backstreet Valletta to self-contained apartments a short walk from the water, and prices generally stay reasonable compared to other Mediterranean destinations, especially outside the peak summer crush. Use the search box above to compare accommodation options in Malta and find the best deal for your dates.
Getting There: Cheap Ways to Reach Malta
Malta International Airport, near Luqa, is the only airport on the island and handles a good mix of full-service and budget carriers flying in from major European hubs. For Australians, the cheapest route is usually flying into a European gateway city first (London, Rome, or Frankfurt are common) and picking up a budget European airline for the short onward hop to Malta. Booking that final leg separately, well in advance, tends to be far cheaper than a single through-ticket. Once you land, the airport is close to Valletta and the main tourist areas, and a public bus into town costs only a few euros, which beats paying for a taxi or private transfer if you’re travelling light. Ferries also connect Malta to Sicily, so if your trip includes Italy, arriving by sea is another budget-friendly option worth checking.
Best Time to Visit Malta
The shoulder seasons of April to June and September to October offer the best balance of good weather and lower accommodation prices. The sea is still warm enough for swimming, the crowds have thinned out compared to July and August, and room rates across Malta tend to drop noticeably once the peak summer rush passes. Winter is the cheapest time to find accommodation in Malta, and the climate stays mild by European standards, though some smaller guesthouses and seasonal apartments close for a few months. If your main goal is stretching your travel budget, aim for late spring or early autumn rather than the height of summer, when both flights and rooms get significantly more expensive.
Top Attractions in Malta
Valletta itself is a free attraction in the best sense: wandering its fortified streets, grand harbour views, and baroque architecture costs nothing beyond your own time. St John’s Co-Cathedral charges a modest entry fee but is worth it for the interior alone. The fortified city of Mdina, Malta’s old capital, is another highlight that’s essentially free to explore on foot, especially in the early evening when the day-trip crowds have gone. The Blue Grotto sea caves and the cliffs around Dingli are free to view, though boat trips into the grotto itself come at a small cost. Popeye Village and the temples at Tarxien or Hagar Qim are worth the modest entry fees if you’re interested in history stretching back thousands of years, since Malta is home to some of the oldest freestanding structures on earth.
For Families and Kids
Malta suits families well because so much of what’s interesting is outdoors and free. The waterfront promenades in Sliema and St Julian’s are easy, flat walks with plenty of spots to stop for gelato without it costing much. Public beaches like Mellieha Bay have shallow, calm water that’s good for younger kids, and there’s no charge to use them. Playgrounds are scattered through most towns, and the Valletta waterfront has open space where children can run around while adults take in the harbour views. Ferries between Valletta, Sliema, and the Three Cities are cheap and short, and kids generally enjoy them as a mini adventure rather than just transport.
Outdoors and Nature in Malta
Malta isn’t a hiking destination in the alpine sense, but its coastal walking is some of the best in the Mediterranean. The cliffs at Dingli offer sweeping views over the sea and are a popular, free spot for watching the sunset. The rugged coastline around the Southwest, including areas near the Blue Grotto, rewards a slow walk with dramatic rock formations and turquoise water below. Gozo, Malta’s quieter sister island, has more open countryside and coastal trails, and a day trip there by ferry is affordable and easy to arrange. Salt pans near Marsaskala and Qbajjar are another low-key spot worth a look if you’re interested in the more rural side of the islands.
Local Culture and Heritage
Malta’s history runs deep, shaped by Phoenicians, Romans, the Knights of St John, and a long stretch of British colonial rule that ended in the 1960s. That layered past shows up everywhere, from the baroque churches to the red phone boxes still standing in some towns. Local festas, held throughout the warmer months in different villages, are free to attend and give a genuine look at Maltese community life, with fireworks, brass bands, and street food. The language itself, Maltese, is a unique blend with Semitic roots and heavy Italian and English influence, and hearing it spoken alongside near-universal English makes getting around straightforward for English-speaking visitors.
Eating on a Budget in Malta
Maltese food leans heavily on simple, hearty dishes that won’t strain your budget. Pastizzi, flaky pastry parcels filled with ricotta or mushy peas, are sold from small bakeries all over the islands for next to nothing and make a solid breakfast or snack. Look for local hole-in-the-wall bakeries rather than tourist-area cafes for the best value. Rabbit stew and fresh seafood are Maltese staples, and you’ll find them at more reasonable prices in local trattorias away from the main harbour strips in Sliema and Valletta. Markets in Valletta and Marsaxlokk are good spots to pick up fresh produce and cheap seafood if you’re self-catering, which is one of the easiest ways to keep costs down if your accommodation includes a kitchen.
Accommodation Options in Malta
Malta’s accommodation scene ranges from backpacker hostels to boutique guesthouses in restored townhouses, and there’s enough variety that budget travelers, couples, and families can all find something that fits.
Budget and Cheapest Accommodation
Hostels are common in Sliema, St Julian’s, and Valletta, and many offer both dorm beds and cheap private rooms. Guesthouses tucked into quieter backstreets often undercut the bigger hotels while still offering a clean, comfortable base, particularly if you’re happy without extras like a pool or restaurant on site.
Self-Contained Accommodation
Self-contained apartments are widely available across Malta, especially in Sliema, Bugibba, and Gozo, and they’re a smart choice if you plan to cook some meals yourself. Renting an apartment for a few nights often works out cheaper per night than a hotel room, especially for two or more people sharing.
Family Accommodation
Family-run guesthouses and larger self-contained apartments suit families well, giving extra space and the flexibility to prepare simple meals rather than eating out for every meal. Areas like Bugibba and Mellieha, closer to family-friendly beaches, are worth considering if travelling with kids.
Boutique and Heritage Accommodation
Valletta and Mdina both have small boutique guesthouses set inside converted historic townhouses, offering a bit more character than a standard hotel room, often at a reasonable rate given the setting.
Long-Stay Accommodation
If you’re planning an extended stay, apartments booked for a week or more typically come with a lower nightly rate than short bookings, and this is common practice across Malta’s rental market.
Airport Accommodation
A handful of options near Malta International Airport suit travelers with early flights or late arrivals, saving the hassle and cost of an unnecessary trip into town the night before departure.
Shopping in Malta
Valletta’s Merchant Street and the Sunday market in the same city are good spots for local crafts, lace, and glassware without the inflated prices you’ll find in heavily touristed shopfronts. Marsaxlokk’s Sunday fish market is worth a visit for fresh seafood and a look at traditional Maltese fishing boats, the colourful luzzu, even if you’re not buying much. For everyday essentials, supermarkets in Sliema and Valletta are the cheapest option, and local pharmacies stock most things you’d need without the markup of tourist-area convenience stores.
Nightlife and Free Fun in Malta
St Julian’s, particularly the Paceville area, is Malta’s main nightlife hub, with bars and clubs ranging from casual to full-on party scenes. For a cheaper night out, the harbour-front bars in Sliema offer a more relaxed atmosphere with sea views that don’t cost extra. Free entertainment is easy to find too: summer evenings often bring outdoor concerts or festa fireworks in one town or another, and simply walking Valletta’s floodlit streets or watching the sunset from the Upper Barrakka Gardens costs nothing and ranks among the best things to do on the island.
Suggested Budget Day in Malta
Start the morning with pastizzi and coffee from a local bakery before walking Valletta’s old streets while it’s still cool. Spend an hour or two in the Upper Barrakka Gardens taking in the Grand Harbour views, then catch the cheap ferry across to Sliema or the Three Cities for a change of scenery. Grab a simple lunch at a local trattoria away from the main tourist strip, then head to a public beach like Mellieha Bay or spend the afternoon wandering Mdina’s quiet lanes if you’d rather stay inland. Round out the evening with a self-catered dinner back at your apartment or a modestly priced meal near the harbour, saving the bigger spend for a proper seafood dinner later in the trip. This kind of day costs very little beyond meals and a ferry ticket, and it captures much of what makes accommodation in Malta such good value for the experience you get in return.