First Time in Malta: Complete Guide 2026

Planning your first trip to Malta? This guide is the distilled wisdom from over 500 comments in Polish Malta travel communities — no generic travel agency content, just specifics from people who've been there in 2025–2026.

1. Accommodation — where to stay?

Sliema and St. Julian's — the central base

The most popular choice for first-timers. Everything is walking distance: restaurants, shops, the seafront promenade, and ferry to Valletta. Noisier around Paceville at night, but unbeatable for convenience.

Pro tip: Book on Booking.com with a free airport transfer included — some hotels offer this for bookings made within 60 days of check-in. The driver will wait in a designated spot and often sends a photo of their location.

Mellieha (Seabank Resort) — family base

Popular with families. Close to Malta's best sandy beach (Mellieha Bay), Popeye Village and the Aquarium. Most tour minibuses pick up from this area.

Gozo — 2-3 nights in a farmhouse

If you have more than 4 days: consider a split stay. Three nights on Malta, two on Gozo in a farmhouse with a private pool. Gozo is a completely different world.

2. Getting around

Tallinja public buses

• 2-hour ticket: €2 (includes connections within the 2-hour window)
• 7-day pass: ~€25 (all lines including Gozo ferry)
• 12-trip card: €19 (shareable — two people, tap twice)

Download the Tallinja app — it shows real-time arrival information and finds the fastest connections. Delays of 5–10 minutes are normal — build buffers into your day.

Bolt — faster than the bus, cheaper than a taxi

Note: Uber does not operate in Malta. Bolt and local eCabs do. For two or three people, Bolt to Valletta or Golden Bay costs roughly the same as the bus but takes three times less time.

Sliema → Valletta ferry

Tourist lifehack number one. Five minutes, €1.50 each way instead of 40 minutes by bus in traffic. Runs every 15 minutes or so in season.

3. Tours — what to book in advance?

Gozo — the essential day trip (book ahead!)

Most visitors recommend an organised Gozo tour with a Polish or English-speaking guide for the first visit. Polish-run operators: Wiking Na Gozo (€55/person), My Gozo, Piggy Tours (€65/person).

Valletta — easy to do independently

Ferry + Heritage Malta audio guide or a self-guided walk using Google Maps. The main monuments are visible just walking the streets.

Blue Lagoon (Comino) — boat trip

The water really is that turquoise colour you've seen on Instagram. But the beach is only a few metres wide and packed with thousands of people. Go before 9:00 or after 16:00. Group boat trips depart from Sliema harbour (approximately €15–20).

4. Budget for one week (per person)

• Accommodation (3-star with breakfast): €50–90/night
• Transport (buses + Bolt): €30–50 for the week
• Food (restaurant lunch, dinner, hotel breakfasts): €25–40/day
• Tours (Gozo + Blue Lagoon + Valletta): €100–150
• Entrance fees (museums, attractions): €30–50
• Rough total: €800–1,200 for the week, flights not included

5. Essential practical notes

• Currency: Euro (€)
• Left-hand traffic — remember this when crossing the street
• Language: English is official, widely spoken everywhere
• Power sockets: UK type G (three-pin) — bring an adapter
• Healthcare: EU citizens — bring your EHIC card for free public hospital treatment
• SIM: Available at the airport and in shops. Maltacom and Epic are local operators