On my second ever solo trip, I spent six days in Malta and I loved every second of it. Now, I want to share my knowledge about this Mediterranean island with you. This is my Malta solo travel guide.
In the early days of my blog, I wrote a blog post about my time as a solo traveller in Malta. But now, I realise that this article was a narrative rather than a blog post that was useful to my readers, so I wanted to write this for the people who want to pursue solo travel in Malta themselves.
Note: this post includes a downloadable 6-day solo Malta itinerary! Subscribe below to get it to your mailbox.
Before we go any further, why don’t you take a look at this Malta travel video I made when I was there in 2017?
Table of contents
- Malta travel information
- How to get to Malta
- What to do in Malta
- Where to stay in Malta
- Solo travel in Malta
- Solo travel in Malta: Tips and tricks
- Free pdf itinerary
Malta travel information
Malta is a small nation-state located in the Mediterranean Ocean, made up of a three-island archipelago. The main island, Malta, is the biggest one and houses the country’s capital, Valletta. The other islands are called Gozo and Comino.
- Malta inhabitants: 433,212
- Capital of Malta: Valletta
- Malta languages: Maltese and English
- Climate in Malta: Mediterranean (mild winters and hot summers)
- Malta currency: euro
- Malta time zone: UTC+1 (winter) and UTC+2 (summer)
Now, a few frequently asked questions to get the most commonly Googled queries out of the way.
- How much does it cost to travel to Malta?
Including expenses like transport and accommodation, you’ll probably need to budget about 50 USD per day when visiting during high season.
(In Malta, high season is between June and August)
- Is solo travel in Malta safe?
Malta is very safe for solo travellers. The locals are friendly and speak English, there’s a vast network for public transport and there is a low crime rate throughout the island.
- What is Malta known for?
Malta is mostly famous for its great diving spots, stunning historical architecture and its nature, which has been used in big movie and TV show productions (like Game of Thrones, World War Z and The Da Vinci Code).
How to get to Malta
The main way to get to Malta is by plane. Most airplanes to Malta will land on Malta International Airport (also sometimes referred to as Luqa Airport).
This airport is served by many budget carriers like Ryanair, WizzAir, EasyJet and Norwegian. It’s also a hub for Air Malta.
International flights to Malta usually connect through a European hub, like Frankfurt (Lufthansa flights) or London (easyJet flights).
Flights to Malta
Finding flights as a solo traveller is easier than when you’re travelling with other people. After all, you only need one seat – duh.
My favourite websites to find flights are Google Flights, Momondo, Expedia, Cheap Flights and Skyscanner.
Ferry to Malta
If you are unable or not willing to take a flight to Malta, there is another option. Two companies regularly operate ferries between Italy and Malta.
Virtu Ferries and Grimaldi Lines operate ferries from Catania to Valletta and Virtu Ferries also operates ferries from Pozzallo to Malta.
Check out their websites for more information.
Be advised that ferries often tend to be more expensive than flights with low-cost operators.
What to do in Malta
Skip to the next section: Where to stay in Malta
The best things to do in Malta will take you more than just a few days to cross off your list.
Below, you’ll find some of my favourite activities and places to visit in Malta, grouped by category. Keep in mind that I spent six days there, so if you have more time, you can add more activities to your travel itinerary.
Here are 20 things you have to do in Malta as a solo traveller.
What to do in Valletta
Valletta is an awesome place for solo travel in Malta. Although it’s quite small, there’s more to do than meets the eye. Here are some of my favourite things to do in Valletta.
Stroll through Valletta Old Town
Valletta, Europe’s smallest capital, has centuries of history packed into its historical old town. And – best of all – this history is influenced by its Mediterranean, Arab, British, Italian and Castilian heritage.
The Maltese capital is renowned for its colourful balconies that tower over narrow streets and its small, independent shops.
Walk around this area for an hour or so without having any real plan. Soak everything in.
Bask in St John’s Co-Cathedral
Unlike any church or cathedral I’ve ever seen, St John’s Co-Cathedral is a real baroque feast for the eyes.
The inside of the cathedral, which was constructed in 1577, is plated in gold and houses many Baroque artworks and a fascinating ornate marble floor. The most impressive feat in this cathedral, though, is one of Caravaggio’s best-known paintings: the Beheading of John the Baptist.
Admission is €10 for adults and €7.50 for students and seniors. This price also includes an audio guide and a visit to the museum.
Walk along the Valletta Seafront
One of my favourite parts of solo travel in Malta was the Valletta Seafront. Finding your way to the water through paths that aren’t on Google Maps to walk along the fishermen is truly a unique experience.
Pro tip: don’t be afraid to leave the main road and head to the rugged rocks down below — they’re not as dangerous as they look from above.
Watch the sun set over Valletta Harbour
A great continuation of the last point: take a ferry across the Grand Harbour and watch the sun set from literally anywhere.
I promise you won’t regret it.
I personally watched the sunset from Valletta itself while waiting for my ferry back to Bormla, because that’s where my Airbnb was.
Get up to $40 off your first booking on Airbnb by signing up through this link!
Enjoy a drink at the Chocolate District
If you’re looking for a place to get an energy fix before lunch time, look no further than the Chocolate District.
This is a small shop in one of the aforementioned narrow streets of Valletta where you can buy great chocolate bars, pralines and teas and coffee beans.
However, I recommend getting an iced chocolate drink if you’re visiting during the summer. It’s VERY refreshing and it tastes amazing.
Learn about history at the Malta Experience
If you’re a history buff, the Malta Experience is something for you. This is a very informative 45-minute documentary on the history of Malta. I’m personally not a huge fan of historical documentaries, but I found this one to be well-made and interesting.
After this short movie, you also get a guided tour through the infirmary.
Have a quick bite at Gugar Hangout & BAR
Gugar is a great place in the city centre to get a cheap and quick bite or drink.
They don’t have a website, so it takes some insider knowledge to find this place. Luckily, I had my Airbnb host Daniel show me Gugar, and I’m glad he did.
On the menu, you’ll find a lot of vegetarian and vegan options. I can’t remember for the life of me what I had here, but the vegan ftira is supposed to be really good.
Have a drink at Cafe Society
One of the best cocktail bars in downtown Valletta is called Cafe Society. The cocktails are very reasonably priced and the bar puts on frequent events, as can be seen on their Facebook page.
In short, Cafe Society is the perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail or a late-night party.
Scuba diving with Diveshack
If you’ve never gone scuba diving, Malta is the perfect place to do it for the first time.
I did the Discover Scuba Diving introduction programme with Diveshack, a dive shop that is located a short bus ride away from the capital (take bus 13, 13A, 14 or 16 from Valletta and get off at Sliema).
The people at Diveshack were very helpful and professional and their material was clean and up to date.
What to do in Rabat & Mdina
Visit the Silent City (Mdina)
Mdina is a fortified walled city that used to be Malta’s capital. Now, the Silent City — as it’s often called — is still home to about 250 inhabitants.
Many travellers visit Mdina for its sandstone-coloured narrow streets with traditional medieval balconies and archways, as well as the many cultural heritage sites within the city walls.
Fun fact: Mdina was used as a filming location for King’s Landing in the first season of Game of Thrones. One particular scene that was filmed in Mdina was the fight between Ned Stark and Jaime Lannister.
Explore Rabat
Rabat is the city located right next to Mdina, so it’s a good idea to combine these two in one day. I recommend visiting Mdina in the morning and heading to Rabat after lunch.
One place I’d highly recommend you visit is St Paul’s Church and the Grotto upon which it was built. This grotto is linked to the Wignacourt Museum, which will be discussed shortly.
Secondly, you can’t miss St Paul’s Catacombs. This place will take you back in time to see burial rituals and urban legends from throughout Malta’s history. The Catacombs are definitely worth the €6 entry fee (€4 for students and seniors).
Check out the Wignacourt Museum
The Wignacourt Museum is located in Rabat and was named after Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt.
Be sure to look at the fascinating exhibits on the Order of Knights and the map room with the intriguing mappa mundi (medieval European world map).
What to do in Gozo & Comino
When you’re travelling alone in Malta, you just have to venture off the main island and take in the beauty of the country’s other islands, Gozo and Comino.
Quick heads up: if you follow these tips, you should see Gozo and Comino in two days, including a night on Gozo.
Take a day trip to Gozo
Starting off your two-day mini-trip, take a bus from Valletta to Cirkewwa, then transfer to the ferry to Mgarr and then take another bus to Qorrot. Then, walk from the Qorrot bus stop to Dahlet Qorrot beach.
DON’T FORGET TO TAKE WATER. Don’t make the same mistake that I made. Okay, moving on.
After baking in the sun and swimming in the sea for a bit, make your way to the other side of the island for your adventurous night. Take bus 303 to Victoria and transfer to bus 312 to Lawrenz. Walk the last part to the Azure Window remains.
If you still have time, you can check out the Citadel and St George’s Basilica in Victoria.
Sleep at Wardija Punic Temple
Before you get to your place to sleep for the night, take a look at what remains of the Azure Window. Although the arch collapsed in March 2017, it’s still a great place to stare at the sea and the natural rocks that the waves created.
Fun fact: before its collapse in 2017, the Azure Window was also used as a filming location for the very first episode of Game of Thrones.
After this, have dinner at the Azure Window restaurant. Pro tip: get a pizza. They’re cheap here.
Once you’ve had dinner, it’s time to make your way to the temple where you’ll be sleeping. I wrote a whole article with everything you need to know about Wardija, so go check that out for a more detailed description of how to get there.
Basically, it comes down to this. You need to use Google Maps (one of my favourite solo travel apps of 2020) to figure out the route from the restaurant to the temple.
Relax in Comino
After waking up in Wardija and walking back to the bus stop at the Azure Window, take the bus back to Mgarr and board the ferry to Comino.
One insider tip I’ll give you: skip the swimming session in the Blue Lagoon if you’re travelling alone. Especially during the summer months, there’ll be too many people in the water for you to enjoy yourself. Besides, it wouldn’t be safe to leave your things unattended while you’re swimming.
If you’re in Malta during shoulder season, knock yourself out.
That being said, you can still enjoy yourself on Comino without swimming in the Blue Lagoon.
Walk around the island and explore the rough landscapes at the less-visited part of Comino. Have a Popsicle. Enjoy the sun.
When you’ve seen it all, take the ferry from Comino back to Malta.
Miscellaneous things to do in Malta
Here are some things to do as a solo traveller in Malta when you have some time left over.
Learn about history in the Three Cities
The Three Cities is a collective name for Conspicua, Birgu and Senglea — three fortified cities across the Grand Harbour from Valletta.
If you have an extra day, you may want to consider taking the ferry across the harbour and walking through the history-lined streets, soaking up the atmosphere.
Visit San Anton Gardens
These gardens are located in Attard and form a part of the President of Malta’s official estate, San Anton Palace. They’re free to enter and there is a very peaceful atmosphere, with different species of fish, birds and even turtles.
These large gardens were established during the British rule over Malta and still form a nice, calming refuge, surrounded by Malta’s busy streets.
Check out Mosta Rotunda
The Rotunda of Mosta, also known as the Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, is a neoclassical church whose construction was completed in the early 1860s. The design was based on the Pantheon in Rome.
The big draw of this church is its ornate dome, which at one point was the third largest unsupported dome in the world.
During the second World War, a German bomb fell into the church during Mass but failed to explode. As if by miracle, nobody was hurt. A replica of the bomb is still displayed in the sacristy at the back of the church.
Visit Marsaxlokk
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to visit Marsaxlokk, but I’ve heard that it can be a great addition to solo travel in Malta.
Any postcard from Malta worth its salt will feature the colourful fishing boats in Marsaxlokk. These boats can be spotted all over the island, but Marsaxlokk is the only place where they’re still used for actual fishery.
After wandering along the promenade, you might want to check out the Sunday fish market or pay a visit to St Lucian Tower, which was constructed by the Order of St John to protect Malta from Ottoman threats.
Where to stay in Malta
Skip to the next section: Solo travel in Malta
If you’re travelling solo in Malta, you have a few options regarding accommodation.
Firstly, you can check Airbnb for cool places to stay with local hosts. This is how I found my accommodation when I was in Malta in 2017.
Sign up through this link and get over €40 off your first Airbnb trip!
Secondly, check Couchsurfing for free accommodation in Malta.
Next, take a look at websites like Hostelworld to find cheap hostel rooms all over the island. The cheapest average cost for hostel rooms is in Sliema, with prices starting at just €10/night during the peak summer months.
Last but not least, since Malta is such a cheap country, you could really find hotel room bargains. Compare websites like Hotels.com, Booking.com and Trivago to find the best deals.
Solo travel in Malta
Skip to the next section: Tips & tricks for solo travel in Malta
Travelling alone in Malta is a great way to discover everything the country has to offer.
And, while that may be true for many countries, I have a special relationship with solo travel in Malta.
Malta was the second place I travelled to by myself and it was the first real solo adventure trip I did. It’s completely different from a solo city trip to Dublin or Berlin, for example.
Since Malta was a British colony for such a long time, English is still commonly spoken throughout the country.
And, since you’re reading this, you can speak English and you can get around easily by talking to locals.
Solo travel in Malta is anything but boring: the Mediterranean island has it all.
Countless diving options, great restaurants, friendly locals, cities steeped in history and breathtaking nature: whatever it is you’re looking for on your first solo trip, you can find it in Malta.
Solo travel in Malta: Tips & tricks
Public transport
- Get a week pass for the bus (Explore Card). This card will give you unlimited access to public transport for 7 days and it costs €21. If you buy individual tickets for every bus ride, you’ll probably pay a lot more.
- If you’re not staying long enough to get value out of your Explore Card, keep in mind that bus tickets are valid for two hours after purchase, even if you transfer buses.
- Use the Journey Planner to see which buses will get you where you need to go.
Discounts
- If you’re a student, don’t forget to take your student card. Many attractions will give you a student discount if you can prove that you are a student (i.e. by showing your student card).
- Similarly, if you’re a senior, take some form of identification with you to prove that you’re over 50/60/65 years old.
- Consider purchasing a Malta Discount Card – check the website to see which restaurants and attractions will give you a discount.
Food and drinks
- Try some traditional Maltese pastizzi (a cheap savoury pastry, usually filled with ricotta or mushy peas).
- Drink Kinnie (a bittersweet soft drink with a strange orange aftertaste).
- Taste some freshly-caught fish and seafood in Marsaxlokk.
- Bring a bottle of water with you everywhere you go. Malta can get very hot and dry in the summer months.
General
- Please don’t forget to bring and regularly apply sunblock.
- Tap water in Malta is safe to drink, but its taste is kind of eh.
- It’s common to tip about 10% at restaurants, but you’ll be fine if you don’t tip.
Malta itinerary (pdf)
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Jan
March 4, 2022 at 1:45 amHi,
I’m thinking of going Malta early June.
Would you recommend any tours/free tours?
I’ve heard some unpleasant things about the buses how expensive is cabs there?
Is it safe I’m a solo female traveler.
How much money should I take for a week?
Any scams I should be aware of?