Heading to Malta? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!
TL;DR
- Perfect for: 5–7 days
- Best for: History buffs, sun seekers, solo wanderers, food lovers
- Why visit: Compact, stunning, and super safe—ancient wonders and turquoise seas await!
MALTA AT A GLANCE
- Population: 550,000; Size: 316 km² (tiny but mighty)
- Ancient crossroads: Inhabited since 5900 BC, with layers of Phoenician, Roman, Arab, Knight, French, and British history
- Famous for: Prehistoric temples, dazzling blue waters, Valletta’s UNESCO streets, epic festival culture
- Nicknames: “The Jewel of the Mediterranean,” “Land of Honey” (Melita)
- Solo vibe: Exceptionally safe, easy to navigate, and super hospitable
ESSENTIAL INFO
- 💰 Currency: Euro (€)
- 🗣 Language: Maltese & English (almost everyone’s bilingual)
- 🌦 Best time: April–June & Sept–Oct (sunny, less crowded, prime for swims & sightseeing)
- ✈️ From airport:
- Bus: Most lines (€2, 30–45 mins to Valletta/Sliema/St Julian’s)
- Taxi: €15–30; ride-hailing: Bolt & eCabs apps; 20–30 mins
- 🧳 Safety: One of Europe’s safest nations—walk everywhere, day or night
- 🎭 Festival tip: Don’t miss Carnival (Feb/March), summer festas (May–Sept), or June’s epic Isle of MTV
- 🎦 Watch on the plane: “By the Sea” (shot on Gozo/Malta) for island vibes
WHERE TO STAY (FOR SOLO TRAVELERS)
- 🛏️ Inhawi Hostel (St Julian’s): Top-rated pool hostel, sociable, close to nightlife but serene by day
- 🏘️ Valletta: Lively, history-soaked, totally walkable—perfect for solo city explorers
- 🧭 Sliema: Modern, great sea views, top for shopping/cafés, easy ferry to Valletta
- 💸 Budget: Marco Polo Hostel (St Julian’s)—party vibe & close to buses/beaches
- Tip: Book early for festivals; always check reviews for female-only dorms & personal lockers
TRANSPORT & NAVIGATION
- 🚶♂️ Walkability: Valletta, Mdina, and coastal towns are made for solo strolls—narrow, safe, scenic
- 🚌 Buses: (€2/ride, Tallinja card for savings), covers the whole archipelago; routes run ~6am–11pm
- 🚋 Ferries: Cheap and quick links between Valletta, Sliema, and the Three Cities; Comino/Gozo ferries run regularly
- 🚖 Taxi: Use Bolt or eCabs apps—transparent pricing, or fixed-rate airport taxis
- 🚲 Bike rental: Nextbike stations in Sliema & Valletta, great for seafront rides (be wary of hilly old towns!)
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO ALONE
- 🏛️ Valletta UNESCO core: St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens (catch the midday cannon), palace squares—easy to wander, always lively
- 🌿 Golden Bay: Malta’s most-loved beach; safe, lifeguarded, and stunning for sunrise or sunset walks
- 🧠 Hypogeum: Ancient subterranean wonder (book ahead—solo time travel guaranteed)
- 🧭 Silent City, Mdina: Medieval, car-free alleys—impossibly photogenic; linger at dusk for pure magic
- 🎨 Three Cities walk: Birgu, Senglea, Cospicua—harbor views, wine bars, and local life
- 🔀 Wildcard: Blue Lagoon, Comino: Arrive before 9am for calm turquoise bliss minus the crowds
WHAT TO SKIP
- ❌ Popeye Village: Pretty but overpriced and touristy—better for families than solo travelers
- ❌ Busy Marsaxlokk Market (Sundays): Beautiful village, but market is jam-packed and inauthentic; visit midweek instead
- ❌ Mdina Dungeons: Skip if short on time—there’s more authentic medieval magic above ground
EATING & DRINKING
- 🧍♂️ Solo-friendly: Guze Bistro (Valletta)—chill, cozy, friendly staff, Maltese classics
- 🥃 Pub with character: The Cork Irish Pub (Paceville)—lively, loved by locals, frequent music
- 🍽️ Try this: Rabbit stew (fenek), pastizzi at Crystal Palace, bragioli at Gululu (St Julian’s), fresh seafood in Marsaxlokk
- 💸 Cheap eats: Pastizzeria Sphinx—legendary pastizzi under €1!
- 🥦 Veg/vegan: Balance Bowl (Gzira)—big bowls, fun vibe, near Sliema ferries
- 🍸 Cocktail spot: Café Society (Valletta)—terrace over the harbor, live music, creative mixes
BEST OF MALTA IN 1 DAY – SOLO ITINERARY
- Sunrise: Golden Bay beach—magical light, peaceful start
- Morning: Valletta stroll—St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens cannon, break at a corner café
- Lunch: Guze Bistro or hole-in-the-wall pastizzeria
- Afternoon: Ferry to the Three Cities—walk Birgu’s harbor, snap photos in Senglea
- Evening: Sliema seafront walk, Aperol spritz at a waterfront bar
- Dinner: Dine outdoors on Merchants Street, Valletta—people-watching is half the fun
- Night: Cocktail at Café Society (Valletta) or check out The Social Fun Bar in St Julian’s for upbeat solo mingling
MALTA DIVING 101
- 🌊 Best for: All levels—from total beginner to advanced wreck explorer
- 🏝️ Top sites: Blue Hole & Azure Window (Gozo), Cirkewwa Reef, HMS Maori wreck (Valletta), Ċirkewwa Arch, P29 Patrol Boat (Cirkewwa)
- 🤿 Learn to dive: Loads of certified schools—try Dive Systems Malta (Sliema) or Go Dive Malta (St Paul’s Bay)
- 💶 Costs: Intro dives from €60–80; open water courses ~€350–400
- 🐟 What you’ll see: Crystal-clear visibility, octopus, barracuda, moray eels, shipwrecks, dramatic underwater caves
- 📅 Best season: April–November—warm water, calm seas, top visibility
- 👌 Solo diver tip: Most shops arrange group or buddy pairings—easy to make friends while exploring the deep!
- ⚠️ Safety: Only book with PADI/SSI-certified operators; never touch or take historical artifacts
LOCAL TIPS & INSIDER WISDOM
- 🎉 Summer village festas: Nonstop fireworks, music, and food stalls—join in (May–Sept) for a true Maltese party
- 📍 Hidden gem: Xlendi Bay (Gozo)—cliffside swims and seafood, tranquil and uncrowded
- 📷 Photo spots: Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta), Dingli Cliffs, Mdina sunset walls
- 🧠 Etiquette: Shoulders/knees covered for churches; say “Bonġu” (hello) and smile!
- 🚩 Safety: Incredibly safe—just watch your bag in crowds, standard Euro advice
- 👀 One last thing: Linger in Malta’s ancient streets at sunset—the silence is golden and the views, unforgettable!