One of the best kept secrets, is that Malta caters for every kind of tourist.
Whether you want to laze on pristine beaches, enjoy walking in nature, or living the high life, you will find it in Malta
Travelling on a budget does not mean that you have to compromise
Best Time to Visit
Best times to visit Malta is obviously during the summer, but this can be a bit expensive. Consider visiting during May and September as a good cost effective compromise— without the seasonal increase in prices for accommodation, car rentals, and flights, most prices for food, activities, and public transportation stay the same throughout the year
If you are interested in History or culture, consider coming in winter , you won’t be able to get tanned on the beach, but you will be able to see some amazing things.
Where to Stay
Being in a location that is close to all amenities and landmarks, where it is easy to travel to other destinations and have plenty to see and do, look no further than St Julians and Sliema.
The Holiday inn Express is fantastic value for money situated right in the middle of St Julians. It is also the most instagrammed hotel in Malta .
Click here to learn more about this hotel
Airbnb is huge in Malta and worth consideration
Getting Around the Island
Being a small island the main means of transporter is either getting the bus, renting a car, hiring a taxi or getting a ferry to places.
Being on a budget, the best way is to catch the bus. During the winter it is €1.50 and summer € 2 for two hours.
For a 7 day bus pass, to travel to any destination, will cost you € 21.
While car rentals cost about € 39 per day (in the summer they start closer to € 50 ). There are a number of local rental companies.
If you are in Sliema, make your way to Valletta on lesser known means of transport, catch the ferry at a cost of €3 per trip. This trip will take about 20 minutes and offers a new perspective from the water.
Sliema/ Valletta ferry timetable and fares
Leaving from Cirkewwa is the ferry going to Gozo, Malta’s sister island. A walk on passenger will pay € 4 for a round trip and busses are readily available in Gozo.
Gozo ferry timetable and fares
What to eat on a budget
Food prices are relatively inexpensive, though you’ll find higher prices in tourist areas such as Valletta, St. Julian’s, Sliema’s boardwalk, and Marsaxlokk.
The locals love them, tourists love them, everybody loves them, Pastizzi – Malta’s favourite street food costs €0.40 a pop. A mere € 2 for a Maltese bread filled with tuna or meat and veg called a Ftira ,will certainly fill you up. Gbejniet , a traditional sheep’s milk cheese from Malta, served with water biscuits won’t cost you more than € 3.
If your budget is more flexible, then try one of the plethora of restaurants, of different cuisines. Pizzerias are typically the cheapest serving pizza and pasta at an affordable € 10 to € 15 per person
One of the best kept secrets in Malta is eating at local snack bars and the Maltese band clubs (every village has one).Don’t expect much when you arrive, but eating with the locals, savouring a variety of local dishes at an affordable price, certainly gives you an authentic Maltese experience.
Things to do in Malta
If you are visiting from May to September you have the option of spending time on the beach. Hiring 2 deck chairs and an umbrella for a day can vary from € 16 to € 22 depending on the beach.
If you are a lover of culture, most museums and attractions cost €7 but you can get a Malta tourism card (there’s one for Mdina and a separate one for Valletta) that will save you about €10- €20 EUR depending on how many attractions you squeeze in.
Malta has a great number museums, historical caves and temples that are certainly worth the visit. St Paul’s Catacombs- dating back to the 4th and 5th century, the Malta Maritime museum,National museum of Archaeology-Neolithic to Phoenician period, Ghar Dalam Cave- prehistoric site, Malta aviation museum, Explore Interactive science centre and of course the many churches and cathedrals.
