Best Place To Stay In Malta

What is the best place to stay in Malta? This is a question that we always get. There are many hotels, resorts, boarding houses, guest houses and bungalows with any budget. There is no universal "best" area for living and recreation in Malta.

Malta is chosen by travelers who prefer an active and interesting vacation. After all, Malta boasts not only its beautiful landscapes, but also a rich and interesting history and architecture.

Malta is a wonderful place to call home: it has a warm winter and lots of sun. In addition, it is only a few hours flight from Europe, which is convenient for family visits. It's pretty safe and relaxed, and better weather means a healthier and more active lifestyle outdoors.

It is easy to find excellent luxury accommodation in most areas of Malta.

• There are luxury villas that have all the modern amenities and privacy for guests who want the best and want to get the most out of their holidays in Malta. Accommodation options in Malta are located all over the island.
• Maltese towns and villages are diverse, and each has its own character. All of them can be called the best place to live in Malta. Which one to choose depends on your personal preferences.
• Some places are noisy and active, others are more culture-oriented, and some are more like ideal places for yoga and tourism. Choose wisely and Malta will be your ideal home abroad.

Regions of Malta

Geographically Malta is divided into several districts:

• Gozo — the territory of the islands of Gozo and Comino, also belonging to District No. 6. The area of the region is 67 km2.
• Malta Majjistral — The entire northern half of the island of Malta with districts No. 2-4, with an area of 163 km2.
• Malta Xlokk — The southern half of the island of Malta with districts No. 1 and No. 5. The region has an area of 64 km2.

The population of Malta in 2020 is 441,543 people, or 0.01% of the world's population. The country ranks 173rd in the world in this indicator (before Malta comes the Maldives, and after 174th place — Brunei). 93% are residents of cities.

Malta is located on an area of 320 km2, which means that there are 1,380 inhabitants per 1 square kilometer. In Malta, there is a natural increase in the population, last year this figure was 1,192 people, or 0.27%.

Cities of Malta

• Gozo – the island, which is located next to Malta and is the second largest. It is small, calm and picturesque. There are a number of interesting places to visit: Azure Window, Calypso Cave, temples of Gzhantia.
• Marsaxlokk — Malta's fishing village, full of life, vitality and famous lakes. A trip to Marsaxlokk is a Sunday treat for most locals. Imagine that you live in a village where fresh fish is in absolute abundance, and the Sunday market is right at the door.
• Slima — a seaside town where shopping malls, restaurants, rocky beaches and many entertainment venues are located.
• Mellieha – it is good primarily for its coasts and sparsely developed surroundings. The surroundings of Mellieha can be divided into several zones: AħRax, Selmun & Mistra, Manikata.
• St. Julian's — A small town located near the city of Sliema, north of the capital. St. Julian's is the center of business and education in the country. It is here that most of the schools are located, where people come from all over the world who are eager to learn English.
• Valletta — The capital of Malta. If you are the kind of person who is hunting for the next theatrical performance, the best museum exhibitions or perhaps the most popular wine bars in the country; Valletta may be your best destination.
• Gzira — Gzira is a short bus ride from Valletta and has a picturesque promenade where you can relax and watch the beautiful sunset.
• Siggiewi — Head west to get a taste of the rural life that Malta is so proud of. The old buildings, equipped for summer heat and winter coolness, are typically Maltese. Here you will find tranquility, fresh produce, a relaxed lifestyle and friendly neighbors.

Where is the best place to relax in Malta?

Malta's best sandy beaches are located in the western part of the island.

1. The westernmost beach of Paradise Bay Beach is located in Chirkev, in a small, closed bay.
   At the other end of this bay there is the Paradise Bay Resort Hotel 4*, which has its own sandy beach, as well as five swimming pools. The hotel provides various food packages, including All Inclusive. The place is quiet, almost on the edge of the world. Before my eyes – the sea and the steep coast of the island of Gozo. Nearby is Comino Island with a Blue lagoon. If you take All inclusive, then it includes one trip to the Blue Lagoon and back. At the same time, there is a bus terminal near the hotel, from which you can get to different parts of the island.
2. The largest sandy beach is MellieħA Bay / GħAdira (Melieha, or Adira). The beach strip stretches for 800 meters. The closest hotel to the beach is Mellieha Bay Hotel 4*. The hotel has its own beach and three swimming pools, as well as a fitness room.
3. The picturesque bay and the Golden Bay beach and the neighboring bay GajAjn TuffieħA (Tuffiha) are very popular. There is a Radisson Blu Resort & Spa hotel on the edge of Golden Bay. This hotel also has its own beach, three swimming pools, SPA, gym, and several restaurants.
4. Bugibba Beach, or Perched Beach is an artificial sandy beach. White imported sand, gentle approach. There are many hotels in the tourist town of Bugibba, the closest to the beach is Dolmen Hotel Malta.

Pros and Cons of Malta

Where to rent a house in Malta

Most visitors rent accommodation in the central areas of Malta — Sliema and St. Julian's, because the main infrastructure of the island, with numerous bars, shops and offices, is here. Accordingly, the rental cost in these places is also the highest. The minimum monthly rate for a single apartment is €550-600. More comfortable accommodation in a modern complex will cost about € 1 thousand.

But, considering that there are no large cities in Malta – you can get to all points of the island very quickly, there is an opportunity to save money by looking for apartments in simpler areas: St. Paul's Bay, Bugibba, Marsaskala, Birzebbudzha. For €400-450 it is really possible to rent a good one-bedroom apartment, and for €850-900 - an excellent three-bedroom apartment.

The best cities for holidays

If you have any difficulties choosing a city or resort where it is best to stay in Malta, we offer a selection of the most popular ones.

Valletta

Valletta, the capital of Malta, is interesting for its ancient port — one of the largest in the Mediterranean. The city is sure to attract the attention of lovers of history, architecture and shopping.

Quite lively during the day, Valletta turns into a peaceful and quiet city at night.

Valletta was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. It is the center of major events, fairs and exhibitions in Europe and Malta. The only Maltese university is located in Valletta.

Where is it better to stay?

• Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort located overlooking the Bay of St. George near restaurants and nightlife of the town of St. Julian's.
• Osborne Hotel, which is very convenient if you plan to focus on historical sites.
• Excelsior Grand Hotel — the only five-star option in the area. It can please guests with a lot of things: a spacious promenade near the Marsamshett harbor, a large outdoor pool, a terrace, its own bay and a private beach.

Mdina

Travelers like to stay overnight in the medieval city of Mdina, as staying here creates a magical feeling of time travel.

After the day tourists leave the town, a charming secluded atmosphere returns to it, reinforced by the twilight silence.

Where is it better to stay?

• Hotel "The Xara Palace Relais and Chateaux" It offers luxurious five-star accommodation in a reconstructed 17th-century palace, which is located near many historical attractions. There is a gourmet restaurant on site, as well as a trattoria with fresh produce dishes and an outdoor terrace.
• The Xara Palace Retailers & Chateaux Hotel, where you can spend a luxurious night in perfectly decorated rooms. The hotel has a great restaurant. The historical sights of the city, which are under UNESCO protection, are within walking distance from the hotel building.

Harbour Area

If you prefer a more active social life, then look around the harbor area. The harbor area, also known as Greater Valletta, is located around the Great Harbor, one of the most fabulous natural harbors in the world.

Marina St. Julian's in the harbor area, Valletta — the best places to stay in Malta.

Here are the most sought-after areas of Malta: St. Julian's and Sliema, as well as three cities near the Big Harbor: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua.

It is a very lively and cosmopolitan place to live with lots of shops, bars and cafes. It is built up, overloaded with traffic all year round. In addition, nightlife is thriving on the embankment.

The proximity of the object to the embankment greatly affects its price. Grand Harbor and the surrounding area are very popular with tourists and young people.

The north side of the Big Harbor has long been the most fashionable place to live in Valletta. If it seems too expensive to you, look at the opposite end — the south side of Grand Harbor.

There are museums and many entertainment venues.

A regular ferry from Valletta runs both north and south of Grand Harbor. Ferries are a fairly reliable, frequent and interesting form of public transport in Malta.

Where is it better to stay?

• The Waterfront Hotel 4* – picturesque view from the windows of the rooms and the outdoor terrace, excellent location, swimming pool and gym, near the pier and bus stops.
• 1926 Hotel & SPA 4* – a seasonal beach club with an outdoor infinity pool is just a few meters away, a spa center, and a good breakfast.
• Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels 3* – located in the city center, near the sea, bus stops, shops and cafes nearby, hearty breakfasts.

Mellieha, St Paul’s Bay & Buġibba

Melliha, St. Paul's Bay and Bujibba, all towns in the north of the island, also attract many tourists.

The town of Bugibba is one of the best places to stay in Malta.

Melliha occupies one of the first places in the list of the best places to live in Malta, it is very popular among tourists and is famous for its beaches and picturesque landscapes that embody Malta in the old style.

The city is adjacent to the natural-historical park Il-Magistral and has a ferry connection with the island of Gozo.

Bugibba is a lively and lively place offering plenty of nightlife, while Mellieha and St. Paul's Bay is a quieter town.

Where is it better to stay?

• Soreda Hotel 4* (all inclusive) — rating 7.9. The hotel has several swimming pools and a fitness club with a sauna. In the evenings, the hotel offers entertainment programs for guests. Meals: breakfast, half board and all inclusive.
• Pebbles Resort 4* — rating 8,6. The resort hotel with a spa area and swimming pools is located near the beaches. Half-board meals can be ordered at the hotel.
• Dolmen Hotel Malta 4* — rating 8,4. Hotel with its own private beach and territory with 6 pools. Type of food: breakfast, or "half board".
• Gillieru Harbour Hotel 4* — rating 8.5. Romantic hotel with a view of the bay. The hotel's restaurant specializes in fish dishes. The price includes breakfast.

Marsascala

Northeast of Valletta, along the northern coastline, is the small seaside town of Marsascala, located around a magnificent bay called Marsascala Creek.

The best places to relax in Malta are the stunning Marsascala promenade with traditional Maltese fishing boats.

Marsaskala was originally an ancient fishing village. Today it is a small town, spread out on both sides of the bay.

Marsascala Bay has an amazing promenade that continues to St. Thomas Bay with views of low cliffs, colorful fishing boats and salt marshes. Locals use the embankment as a favorite meeting place.

In summer, the village is bustling with life and the population is growing, because not only tourists, but also many Maltese families come to spend the summer months in this magnificent town.

Marsascala has a number of modern leisure facilities, banks, restaurants, small shops/supermarkets, bars and restaurants. The newly opened family park (free to the general public) is suitable for all ages.

Where is it better to stay?

• Sensi Hotel 2* – located a few minutes walk from the shore, in the bay of St. Thomas, a bus stop is also within walking distance.
• Cerviola Hotel 3* – rooftop pool, sun terrace and bar.

Marsaxlokk

Do you like seafood? Walk down the coast to the beautiful fishing village of Marsashlokk, where some of the best seafood restaurants on the island are located.

Marsashlokk is known for its large Sunday fish market and many decorative painted "eyes" boats called Luzzus.

If you want to find a beautiful beach away from tourists and vacationers, Marsashlokk is the right choice.

This is one of the best places to live in Malta if you are looking for a break from tourists.

Marsashlokk has a small sandy beach on the east side. There is also an amazing St. Peter's Pool located in Delimar, a 20-minute walk away. The pool is framed by smooth, weathered limestone ledges, which create good places for sunbathing.

The waters of St. Paul's Bay are ideal for diving, snorkeling and rock jumping.

You can either completely fall in love with Marsaxlokk for its serene and quiet nature, or completely hate it because there is nothing to do there.

Where is it better to stay?

• Port View Guesthouse Hotel — The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. At the hotel you can always find services such as facilities for disabled guests, luggage storage, airport transfer, family room, car rental, price per night from €83.
• Stunning Views Hotel — 4 Bedrooms Penthouse in Marsaxlokk, is a popular choice among tourists visiting Marsaxlokk, whether it's sightseeing or just a short stopover. The hotel has a wide range of services that will make your stay as pleasant as possible, the price per night starts from €103.

Gozo

Gozo is a small island to the north of Malta, which can be reached by regular ferries. Ferries depart every 45 minutes between Mjarr in Gozo and Shirkova in Malta. The transition to the other side takes about 25 minutes.

Gozo is "what Malta used to be" - a quiet rural area where time seems to flow more slowly than in most places.

The island is definitely one of the best places to live in Malta for those who appreciate a quiet and thoughtful life.

Gozo is full of charm and natural beauty with Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses scattered throughout the countryside.

The island features rocky landscapes and picturesque shores with some of the best diving spots in the Mediterranean. Travelers can take a short trip to the amazing relic of the Neolithic era — Ghar-Dalam, which remained from the oldest inhabitants of Malta.

Gozo offers clean air and a traditional rustic lifestyle. Popular areas of Gozo include Marsalforn, Schlendi and the historic capital Victoria.

Where is it better to stay?

Although there are many traditional townhouses on Gozo, you can also rent or purchase modern apartments and rural villas here. Real estate in Gozo is much cheaper than in Malta.

Gozo is very quiet, and life there is slow, rural. The island is very popular with tourists.

There are quite a lot of hotels on Gozo, most of them are located in Victoria, in the capital of the island. The price range is impressive, the cost of a night's stay is from €83 to €430. However, you can pay more if, for example, you rent a luxury suite.

Those who want to spend their holidays on a budget as much as possible, it makes sense to pay attention to a couple of hotels in the capital of Gozo:

• Downtown — located on Europe Street, at a slight distance from the historical center, the cost of a night's stay starts from €48.
• Country Views Bed & Breakfast – located on Triq San Pawl Micalffe, in the historical center, the price per night starts from $83.