Malta is tiny, but where you sleep makes more difference than you’d think. Do you want to wake up inside the fortress walls of an ancient harbour town, on a busy seafront promenade, or above a sandy beach where you can see the sea from your first coffee of the day? We spent more than three weeks travelling around Malta and Gozo, rarely staying more than a night in one spot. That’s how we got to know the whole island, from the fishing boats in the south to the beaches in the north.
Our favourite turned out to be the Three Cities, the historic harbour towns across the water from Valletta. Gozo stole our hearts with its peace and its bays, while Sliema was above all very practical. Every area has its own character, so the best one for you depends on what you’re after.
In this guide we compare the 9 best areas to stay in Malta, with the pros and cons of each and our favourite hotels and B&Bs per area.
Where to stay in Malta at a glance
- Best for history and local life: the Three Cities (our pick: Senglea Suites)
- Best for a city break: Valletta (our pick: The Coleridge Boutique Hotel)
- Best for peace, nature and gorgeous bays: Gozo (our pick: Battistini Boutique Living)
- Best practical base without a car: Sliema (our pick: Amery House)
- Best for medieval streets and romance: Mdina and Rabat (our pick: The Xara Palace)
- Best for restaurants and nightlife: St Julian’s (our pick: Hotel Juliani)
- Best for sandy beaches: Mellieħa and Golden Bay (our pick: Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa)
- Best for an affordable seaside stay: St Paul’s Bay (our pick: Park Lane Boutique Aparthotel)
- Best for a real fishing village: Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala (our pick: Fisherman’s Cove Guesthouse)
Can you explore all of Malta from one base?
Yes, and that makes choosing a lot easier. From north to south Malta is less than thirty kilometres long, so the fishing boats of Marsaxlokk are under an hour’s drive from the beaches of Mellieħa. No need to pack up halfway through your trip to see Valletta, Mdina, the temples and the best bays. Do allow more travel time than the map suggests, though, because traffic around Valletta and Sliema often grinds to a halt.
Gozo is a different story. Malta’s little sister is quieter and more rural, and we really recommend spending a few nights there rather than squeezing it into a day trip. As a base for exploring the main island, though, Gozo isn’t ideal, since taking the ferry back and forth every day eats up time. A week in Malta works best with a few nights on Gozo at the end.
On the main island, pick your base on what you want after a day out. Historic streets with restaurants on your doorstep? Go for the Three Cities, Valletta or Mdina. Sand between your toes and the sea right outside? Then Mellieħa and St Paul’s Bay make more sense.
→ Discover the 14 best beaches in Malta
→ Discover the top 25 things to do in Malta with kids
→ Discover the 22 best things to do in Valletta
Do you need a rental car in Malta?
That depends on where you stay. From Valletta, Sliema and the Three Cities you’ll get a long way by bus and ferry. The ferries from Sliema and the Three Cities take just a few minutes to reach Valletta, and buses run all over the island, even if they’re not always quick at rush hour.
Staying in Mellieħa, Mdina or the south, or keen to see a lot of the island? Then a car makes life much easier. You can easily combine a morning at the temples of Ħaġar Qim with an afternoon on the beach at Għajn Tuffieħa. We’d compare prices on Discover Cars, which lists the big rental companies and local providers side by side, with clear insurance options.
→ Compare rental cars in Malta on Discover Cars
When my parents came to visit us in Malta, they rented a car for a week for next to nothing. Just remember that Malta drives on the left, a legacy of the British, and that parking in Valletta and Sliema is a challenge. If you stay there, pick a hotel that works without a car.
The 9 best areas to stay in Malta
Here are the nine areas we think work best, from the historic harbour towns around Valletta to the sandy beaches up north and the fishing villages in the south.
#1 Three Cities: historic harbour towns facing Valletta
If we could only pick one place in Malta, it would be the Three Cities. Birgu (Vittoriosa), Senglea (L-Isla) and Cospicua (Bormla) sit on little peninsulas in the Grand Harbour, straight across from Valletta. You wander through narrow lanes with painted balconies, past yachts and fishing boats and along old fortress walls. It’s calmer than Valletta and still feels properly Maltese.
On top of that, the Three Cities are practical. Hop on the ferry or a traditional little boat called a dgħajsa and you’re in Valletta in no time, while by car you’re quickly down south. Birgu is the liveliest with the most restaurants, Senglea has the best view of Valletta, and Cospicua is where you’ll sleep most like a local.
#1 Senglea Suites has one of the highest review scores in all of Malta. It’s on a quiet street in Senglea, with spacious, warm rooms and a roof terrace overlooking the harbour, and the Gardjola garden with its famous lookout is around the corner.
#2 IBB Hotel Palazzo Bettina is set in a restored palace in Birgu, a few minutes’ walk from the marina. Classic details meet modern rooms, and up on the roof there’s a pool and a terrace with panoramic views.
#3 Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour is built into the fortifications of Senglea, with roomy suites, high ceilings and big windows. From the rooftop pool you look straight across the Grand Harbour to Valletta, a view you won’t forget in a hurry.
#4 Casa Birmula Boutique Hotel is a small boutique hotel in a historic building in the heart of Cospicua. Rooms mix Maltese architecture with modern interiors, and after a day out you can cool off in the rooftop pool.
→ Discover 15 great hotels in the Three Cities
#2 Valletta: sleep in Europe’s smallest capital
Staying inside the walls of Valletta is an experience in itself. By day the city fills up with day-trippers and cruise passengers, but in the evening the streets go quiet and you’ll have the baroque facades and the Upper Barrakka Gardens almost to yourself. Everything is within walking distance, from St John’s Co-Cathedral to the restaurants on Strait Street.
There are a few catches. Hotels inside the walls cost more than elsewhere, the streets go steeply up and down with plenty of steps, and parking a car here is no joke. Floriana, just outside the city gate, is a good alternative: you’re in the city within minutes and often get a bit more space.
#1 The Coleridge Boutique Hotel is in a historic building in the heart of Valletta, and every suite is decorated differently. Some are sleek and modern, others romantic and classic, which gives the place a real personality.
#2 Ursulino Valletta is a fresh B&B with bright, minimalist rooms. The roof terrace looking out over the city’s rooftops is the perfect spot for a sundowner.
#3 Casa Ellul occupies a nineteenth-century townhouse opposite the Manoel Theatre. With historic tiled floors, high ceilings and classic furniture, it feels like staying with an old Maltese noble family.
#4 The Phoenicia Malta is Malta’s grand hotel, located in Floriana right in front of Valletta’s city gate. It has large gardens and an outdoor pool overlooking the harbour, a rare luxury this close to the city.
→ Discover 10 great hotels in and around Valletta
#3 Gozo: peace, nature and the best bays
Gozo is where we truly fell for these islands. It’s greener and quieter than Malta, with no mega hotels or crowded promenades, just winding lanes, salt pans along the coast and bays like Dwejra, Ramla Bay and Xlendi. We loved the coastline and beaches so much that we could easily have stayed longer.
You reach Gozo by ferry from Ċirkewwa in the north of Malta, or by fast ferry from Valletta. Victoria is the handiest base, with the Citadel and the bus station close by. Xlendi and Marsalforn are small seaside towns, and in villages like Nadur and Xagħra you’ll sleep among the fields. Bring or rent a car on Gozo, as buses don’t run very often. A boat trip to the Blue Lagoon on Comino is easy to arrange from here too.
#1 Battistini Boutique Living is one of the best-rated places to stay on Gozo, right in Victoria. Modern design blends with Gozitan details, and a spa and outdoor pool help you switch off completely.
#2 Cesca’s Boutique Hotel sits just outside Victoria on the road to Xlendi. Stone walls and wooden beams pair with luxurious beds, and from the pool you look out over the Gozitan countryside.
#3 Quaint Boutique Hotel Nadur has sleek rooms with authentic touches in peaceful Nadur. Some rooms come with a hot tub, and the roof terrace gives you a view over much of the island.
#4 Ajuga Luxury Boutique B&B is a small luxury B&B in eastern Gozo, with spacious suites, an outdoor pool and a roof terrace full of sun loungers. The view over the countryside is stunning.
→ Discover the 5 best places to stay on Gozo
#4 Sliema: a practical seafront base
Sliema has more hotels than anywhere else in Malta, and there’s a reason for that. It sits right across from Valletta, a few minutes away by ferry, and buses and boat trips leave from the seafront to the rest of the island. My parents stayed here when they came to visit us, and it worked well for them.
We don’t think Sliema is the nicest place in Malta. It’s modern and busy, with lots of high-rise buildings, shops and traffic. But the long promenade is great for an evening stroll, there’s no shortage of restaurants, and you’ll find the widest choice of hotels for every budget. If you want to see a lot without a car, Sliema is hard to beat.
#1 Amery House is a small boutique hotel on a quiet street, a minute’s walk from the seafront. Rooms are elegant with marble bathrooms, and breakfast sets you up nicely for the day.
#2 AX The Victoria Hotel is a good choice if you’re travelling with kids. It has spacious family rooms plus an indoor and an outdoor pool, so you can swim even on a chilly day.
#3 Travi Boutique by Holi is a modern, quiet boutique hotel close to Sliema’s centre. No frills, just sleek rooms with everything you need.
→ Discover 10 great hotels in Sliema
#5 Mdina and Rabat: medieval silence in the heart of Malta
There’s a reason Mdina is called the Silent City. During the day, coachloads of visitors stream through the gate, but once they’ve gone you’ll have the narrow alleys, the cathedral and the view from the walls almost to yourself. Stay the night and you’ll see Mdina at its best.
Rabat is right next door and feels livelier, with small bakeries, cafés and St Paul’s Catacombs beneath your feet. The choice of hotels is bigger here and prices are friendlier. Mdina and Rabat are in the middle of the island, so you can drive anywhere quickly, but you will need a car for the beach.
#1 The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux is a seventeenth-century palace inside Mdina’s walls. Rooms are classically furnished, some with a private balcony and views across the island, and dinner at the restaurant is an evening out in itself.
#2 Palazzo Bifora is a small hotel in a restored palazzo, with modern interiors that keep the historic details. The rooftop terrace with its pool and view of Mdina is the highlight.
#3 116Townhouse in Rabat is bright and fresh, with designer furniture and wooden beams in a renovated historic building. You’re close to Mdina, but just away from the crowds.
→ Discover the 6 best hotels in Mdina and Rabat
#6 St Julian’s: restaurants, bays and nightlife
Sliema flows straight into St Julian’s, and this area is busy and modern too. Still, it has some nice corners. Around Spinola Bay, fishing boats bob between the restaurants, and Balluta Bay is a lovely place for an evening walk along the water.
The best-known part is Paceville, Malta’s nightlife hub, where clubs and bars stay open until the early hours. It’s not where you’d want to sleep on a family holiday, but if you love a lively atmosphere and plenty of places to eat, St Julian’s makes a good base. Valletta is easy to reach by bus or by ferry from Sliema.
#1 Hotel Juliani sits right on Spinola Bay and has a rooftop pool overlooking the bay. Step outside and you’re on the promenade, with restaurants all around.
#2 HOLM Boutique & Spa is a colourful boutique hotel above Balluta Bay. There are family suites for four and an indoor pool as well as an outdoor one, handy if you travel outside the summer months.
#3 The Stonehouse is a small B&B in an old Maltese townhouse with high ceilings and traditional tiles, plus an outdoor pool to cool off in. Children are welcome from age fourteen.
#7 Mellieħa and Golden Bay: the best sandy beaches
Want a proper beach holiday? Then head to the northwest. Mellieħa Bay is Malta’s largest sandy beach, with shallow water you can wade into for ages, perfect with little ones. A bit further along is Golden Bay, famous for its sunsets, and our favourite beach, Għajn Tuffieħa, which you reach down a long flight of steps. We took turns doing the hike to the rocky Qarraba peninsula, as our kids were too small for the scrambling.
Mellieħa itself is a pleasant hilltop village with a big church and a few terraces. Popeye Village is around the corner and the ferry to Gozo leaves from Ċirkewwa, a few kilometres away. The downside is distance: Valletta is easily 45 minutes by car, and without one you’ll rely on the bus.
#1 Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa is right in the village and a practical base with family rooms. There’s an outdoor pool with a paddling pool plus a heated indoor pool, so the kids can swim here in winter too.
#2 DOMS Boutique Living is a small boutique hotel in Mellieħa’s old centre. From the rooftop pool you look out over the church and the village rooftops.
#3 Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Golden Sands is right on Golden Bay, so you can walk from your room onto the sand. It’s a bigger resort with family rooms, an indoor pool and a kids’ pool.
Travelling without kids? The adults-only Lure Hotel & Spa by the church square is a great place to unwind for a few days.
#8 St Paul’s Bay, Qawra and Buġibba: a lively seafront
Together with Qawra and Buġibba, St Paul’s Bay is the biggest holiday area in the north. It’s touristy, with plenty of apartment blocks, but also cheerful, with a long promenade, restaurants and ice cream parlours. In summer, kids can run through fountains and water cannons at the free Splash Park on the seafront.
You won’t find real sandy beaches here, but Mellieħa Bay and Golden Bay are about fifteen minutes’ drive away. St Paul’s Bay mainly makes sense if you’re after an affordable stay by the sea with everything close at hand.
#1 Park Lane Boutique Aparthotel is a family-run place in Qawra with multi-bedroom apartments and their own kitchen. From the rooftop pool terrace you look out to sea.
#2 Sunseeker Holiday Complex is a few minutes’ walk from the Buġibba promenade, with rooms and apartments for families. In winter there’s a heated indoor pool, in summer a rooftop one.
#3 Buccaneers Boutique Guest House is a small, affordable guesthouse with its own restaurant and a little rooftop pool. Buġibba’s beach is a few minutes’ walk away.
#9 Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala: local life in the southeast
The southeast is where Malta feels least touristy. Marsaxlokk is the fishing village with the colourful luzzu boats in the harbour, and on Sundays there’s a big fish market along the water. St Peter’s Pool is close by, a natural swimming pool among the rocks that we’d call a must-visit in Malta.
A little further on is Marsaskala, a quiet town on a long bay. We loved Sant’Antnin Family Park there with the kids, with big playgrounds and lots of room to run around, and we had a great lunch at Jacob’s Brew. There isn’t a huge amount to do in this corner, though, and you’re further from Valletta and the highlights in the north. Choose the southeast if you want peace and have a car.
#1 Fisherman’s Cove Guesthouse is on the harbour in Marsaxlokk, with family rooms and a rooftop pool. From the roof you look out over the fishing boats and the promenade.
#2 Dun Gorg Guest House is a peaceful B&B a little inland in Marsaxlokk, with family rooms and a good breakfast. The harbour is just a few minutes’ walk away.
#3 Port View Guesthouse is an affordable family-run guesthouse on a side street off the harbour. The seafood restaurants on the waterfront are around the corner.
Travelling without kids? At the adults-only Casa Rosanna in Marsaskala, you look out over the bay from your room and the pool.
More tips for your trip to Malta
Our pickStill looking? Browse all hotels in Malta on Booking.com
Malta drives on the left, but with your own wheels the best bays are never far away. Rent a car with Discover Cars and compare the big rental companies in one go.
Prefer everything arranged? Browse Malta tours on TourRadar.
No flight yet? Compare flights to Malta. You'll land near Luqa, just outside Valletta.
Fancy a swim in the Blue Lagoon? Book a boat trip to Comino with GetYourGuide.
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