12 Malta Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Planning your first trip to Malta? Here’s everything you need to know — from getting around and where to stay, to must-try foods and local experiences you won’t want to miss.

✈️ Before You Go: Essential Facts About Malta

• Location: A small (316 square km) Mediterranean archipelago made up of Malta, Gozo, and Comino
• Population: 421,000
• Languages: Maltese and English
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Drive on: The left-hand side
• Best time to visit: Spring and early autumn (April–June or Sept–Oct) for great weather and fewer crowds
• Fun fact: Malta was a British colony for 150 years and only gained independence in 1964

12 Malta Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Buses are reliable and affordable. Skip hiring a car, as roads are often narrow, busy, and parking is limited.

• Explore Card: Unlimited travel for 7 days
• ExplorePlus Card: Includes buses, a Valletta ferry ride and a hop-on hop-off or boat tour
• 12 Journey Card: Best if you’re making only a few trips busy, and parking is limited.

⛴️ Tip 2: Plan at Least One Boat Trip

A boat trip is one of the best ways to see Malta and should not be missed.

Top picks:

• Blue Lagoon & Crystal Lagoon (Comino) – Clear blue waters, perfect for swimming
• Valletta Harbour Cruise – A relaxed way to take in the city’s history
• Personal tip: If you’re staying in Mellieha, consider booking with English Rose Cruises for a more intimate and personal experience.

Comino: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Sea Caves Boat Tour

• Duration: 7 hours
• Highlights: Swim stops, sea cave visits, Crystal Lagoon access (seasonal), sun deck and water slide
• Departs from: Bugibba
• ✅ Great for families or couples looking for a full-day experience
• View on GetYourGuide

Grand Harbour Cruise from Sliema

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Highlights: See Valletta’s historic forts and harbours from the water
• ✅ Short and scenic, ideal for history buffs
• View on GetYourGuide

Full-Day Cruise to Gozo and Comino with Drinks and Lunch

• Duration: 7 hours
• Includes: Buffet lunch, open bar, snorkelling stops
• ✅ Combines Gozo and Comino in one tour
• View on Viator

4. Blue Lagoon & Comino Full-Day Boat Tour

• Duration: 6–7 hours
• Includes: Snorkelling gear, sun deck, and optional lunch
• ✅ Great value, highly rated by Viator travellers
• View on Viator

🏖️ Tip 3: Don’t Expect Endless Sandy Beaches

Malta is rocky, and beaches are limited. Head north for:

• Mellieha Bay – Malta’s largest sandy beach.
• Golden Bay or Paradise Bay – Popular but can be rough.
• Blue Lagoon (Comino) – Tiny beach, better enjoyed from the boat!

🍽️ Tip 4: Try Traditional Maltese Food

Maltese cuisine is a fusion of Mediterranean influences — here are a few to try:

• Stuffat tal-Fenek – Rabbit stew (the national dish).
• Lampuki pie – Seasonal fish pie with capers and veg.
• Pastizzi – Cheap and cheerful pastries filled with ricotta or peas.
• Bajtra – Prickly pear liqueur, great as a souvenir.
• Cisk – Local beer, perfect for a sunset drink.

🛏️ Tip 5: Choose the Right Area to Stay

Each area suits different styles of travel:

• Valletta – Central, historic, good for sightseeing.
• Mellieha – Great for beach lovers and boat trips to Comino.
• Sliema/St Julian’s – More modern with shops and nightlife.
• Gozo – Quieter, greener, and ideal for a slower pace.

Read – Malta Area and Accommodation Guide

📅 Tip 6: Choose the Right Time to Visit

Malta enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year, but timing your trip makes a difference:

• April to June: Warm weather, fewer crowds, ideal for sightseeing and boat trips.
• July to August: Hot and busy — expect high temperatures and lots of visitors.
• September to October: Still warm but quieter, especially good for swimming and festas.
• Winter months (Nov–Feb): Mild and less touristy, but some attractions operate on limited hours.

If you want to attend a local festa or avoid cruise ship crowds, it’s worth checking the calendar before booking.

🎉 Tip 7: Time Your Trip for a Festa

Every town in Malta celebrates its saint’s day with a festa – fireworks, food, and fun.

📅 Notable Festa Days in Malta

If you’re planning your visit around Malta’s summer festas, here are some of the most popular celebrations to look out for:

📍 Location	🎉 Festa Name	📆 Date
Valletta	St Dominic	5 August
Mosta	The Assumption of Our Lady (National)	15 August
Mdina	Conversion of St Paul	27 January
Qawra	St Francis of Assisi	1 September
Victoria (Gozo)	St George Martyr	21 July
Mellieha	The Nativity of Our Lady (National)	8 September

Festivals typically include fireworks, music, street food, and beautifully decorated churches and town centres.

🛍️ Tip 8: Shop Local at Markets

Top market experiences:

• Marsaxlokk Fish Market – Especially busy (and worth it) on Sundays.
• Valletta Market – Great for browsing and street snacks.
• Ta’Qali Farmers Market – Buy honey, goat’s cheese and Maltese bread.

📱 Tip 9: Download the Tallinja App

The Tallinja app is a must if you’re using Malta’s bus system. It shows real-time routes, schedules, and even how full the bus is. You can also top up your travel card through the app.

🏛️ Tip 10: Visit the Three Cities for a Local Feel

For a more authentic and less touristy experience, explore Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea (Isla), and Cospicua (Bormla) – collectively known as the Three Cities. They’re just across the harbour from Valletta and offer beautiful views, historic sites, and charming streets.

☀️ Tip 11: Be Sun Smart

Malta experiences intense sunshine, especially during the summer. Pack high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, and reusable water bottles — and take shade breaks, especially in the afternoon.

🎫 Tip 12: Book Popular Attractions in Advance

Places like the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum (an underground Neolithic site) often book out weeks ahead. If it’s on your wishlist, reserve early.

✅ Bonus Tip: Don’t Try to See Everything

Malta may be small, but there’s a lot packed in. Pick a few must-do experiences, allow for downtime, and don’t rush.

📍 Top Things to Do in Malta

Here are a few unmissable highlights to add to your Malta itinerary:

• Valletta: Explore Malta’s baroque capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don’t miss Fort St Elmo, the waterfront at Pinto Wharf, and a harbour cruise for stunning views.
• Mdina: Wander the walled “Silent City” and soak up its medieval charm and panoramic views.
• The Three Cities: Visit Birgu, Senglea, and Cospicua for a glimpse of authentic Maltese life and impressive fortifications.
• Mosta: Admire the Rotunda with its massive dome, and the story of the unexploded WWII bomb.
• Marsaxlokk: Stroll the harbour in this traditional fishing village, especially on Sunday, for the lively market.
• Comino: Swim or snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. Book a boat trip for the best experience.
• Gozo: Escape to Malta’s greener, quieter sister island. Visit the citadel in Victoria and try local delicacies, such as prickly pear jam.