The Mediterranean Islands of Malta receive over 2.5 million visitors a year. It is a country known for its historical significance, fine food, brilliant attractions, and for its commitment to the arts. It is a land of festivals and color, and if it is not on your radar arguably it should be.

If you are thinking about a Malta vacation, this post will help you decide where to stay in Malta.

Hotels in Malta

Malta has the full range of hotels from budget bed and breakfasts to five star. It also has a vibrant vacation apartment rental market. Learning about the country and her culture is well supported by the accommodation options available. Both budget and five-star offerings are located close to the best places to visit.

You will also find accommodation in quieter parts of the country. Let’s take a deep dive into the best neighborhoods to stay in Malta.

Sliema

Many that visit Malta stay in Sliema. It has a range of hotels to suit all budgets but due to its tourist and premium location pricing tends to be on the more expensive side. This part of Malta is famed for its range of commercial shops and promenade that stretches for kilometers to Valletta, Malta’s capital. Along the promenade, lively bars and fine restaurants offer vibrant nightlife and great food to suit all tastes.

It also has the added advantage that you can secure boat trips and tours to other parts of the country. Several tour operators can be found in Sliema so you won’t have to go far to find a good one. 

The city offers a great view of Valletta.

Sliema caters both to couples and families. It has an amusement park and rocky beaches with some areas cordoned off to make them child-friendly.

For a romantic dinner, few places in the world offer to crane your table for two 120 feet into the air providing a panoramic view of the whole country while dining on fine food.

St. Julian’s

Any visit to the cosmopolitan city of St. Julian’s will reveal that it is set up for stag, hen nights, and for great weekend breaks. It is the hub of nightlife in Malta featuring every musical style you can think of. Some of the clubs here play new dance and electronica releases so you may hear a tune that you hear a few weeks later in your own country.

One of the great things about St. Julian’s is that locals come here to party after a hard day’s work. So you get a flavor of what local people are like rather than only meeting Maltese people when you order a drink.

The clubs are close together too so you can hop from one to another on a whim. As you can imagine, the region is well served by bus service and taxi firms. It is also close to Sliema, which offers more nightlife entertainment and hotel accommodation.

Valletta

Valletta is Malta’s capital city, and much of her history and culture can be found here. Thanks to investment, much of the capital has been rebuilt. As such, many of the building have been restored or repaired to their original likeness, and museums have been revamped featuring great exhibits and tell the story of Malta in compelling and easy to understand ways.

The city has great nightspots, and many of the buildings have historical relevance. They were built mostly in the 16th century when The Knights of Malta ruled the island.

Valletta is a great place to stay if you want to spend a few days in the capital to see its delights. Hotels here tend to be more on the expensive side due to the exclusiveness of the location.

Like Sliema, you can get a range of tours to take you to other parts of the country.

Victoria / Rabat

Malta is comprised of three islands the second largest of which is Gozo. It is situated in northern Malta and has a slightly different feel to its larger cousin, Malta.

Victoria / Rabat is the capital of Gozo. It is in many ways the heart of the island and is dominated by the awe-inspiring Cittadella, often referred to as the Old Citadel. It sits in the middle of Victoria, and here you can lose yourself in old streets and vibrant markets. You can visit some excellent museums and given the small size of Victoria you can get around by bus, taxi, or hire car quite easily.

The historic city is close to the coast, and there is a range of accommodation options. If you plan to spend a lot of time in Gozo, Victoria could be the place for you.

Mellieha

Hopping back to the larger island, Mellieha is a great neighborhood to stay if you want to be close to the coast. It offers historic buildings and a great view of Azure waters. Many come here to enjoy the range of water sports such as kayaking, jet-skiing, water parachuting and a whole range of activities. While Gnejna Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha, and Golden Bay on the opposite side of Mellieha offer sandy beaches where you can while away the hours and relax.

As well as the coast it has historic places of significance which are worth your time. Consider visiting Selmun Palace and Armier Bay.

The Three Cities – Birgu, Senglea and Bormla

A few minutes ferry ride from Valletta are the historical regions of Birgu, Senglea and Bormla. It is a very historic region and is visible from Valletta’s Grand Harbor. When the Knights of Malta first settled in Malta, they built fortified defences here. After The Great Siege and Valletta was built, the Knights relocated.

As such, many Malta people made their home here, and today it is the place to come if you want to meet locals and soak up ‘the real’ Malta vibe. The region receives tourists but is not overwhelmed by tourist crowds.

The narrow streets and squares feel like walking back in time, and it is very easy to fall in love The Three Cities. With vibrant markets, great views, and engaging museums, this could be the hidden gem when choosing where to stay in the country.

Malta has something for everyone. One visit is never enough.

Thanks to Ed Lansink of MaltaUncovered.com for the guest post!

Malta Uncovered is a travel guide to Malta, written by Ed Lansink, a tourist-turned-expat who lives in this small island nation in the Mediterranean. By sharing his knowledge of Malta, he helps travelers get the most out of their visit and prepares them for a dream holiday with the best points of interest and museum, best places to stay, local cuisine, and much more!