Travel Guide to Malta 2026: Valletta, Mdina, Gozo & the Blue Lagoon
Planning to visit Malta? This travel guide to Malta covers everything for a first trip: where Malta is, the best time to go, Schengen entry rules, the 10 best places to visit, a 7-day itinerary across Malta, Gozo and Comino, realistic costs, safety tips and the best hotels and universities. From the honey-coloured fortress capital of Valletta and the silent city of Mdina to the green island of Gozo, the turquoise Blue Lagoon on Comino and temples older than Stonehenge, Malta packs 7,000 years of history into three small, sunny islands.
Last updated: October 2026 Β· Entry rules and taxes in this travel guide to Malta were checked against official sources
π Quick Facts for Your Travel guide to Malta
- Capital: Vallettaπ‘ The EU's smallest capital (UNESCO)
- Currency: Euro (EUR)π‘ Cards widely accepted. Check today's rate
- Languages: Maltese, Englishπ‘ Everyone speaks English
- Population: About 570,000π‘ 2026 estimate; one of the most densely populated countries
- Area: 316 kmΒ²π‘ Smaller than many cities
- Time zone: UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer)π‘ Central European Time. Convert times
- UNESCO sites: 3π‘ Valletta, the Megalithic Temples and the Δ¦al Saflieni Hypogeum
- Power: 230 V, plug type Gπ‘ UK-style three-pin plugs
βΉοΈ Figures in this travel guide to Malta are 2026 estimates from official and international sources.
π Where Is Malta?
Malta lies in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, about 90 km south of Sicily (Italy) and 290 km east of Tunisia. The country has three inhabited islands: Malta, the largest and busiest; Gozo, greener and quieter; and tiny Comino between them, home to the Blue Lagoon. The islands are rocky limestone with dramatic sea cliffs, small sandy bays and no rivers or mountains.
Malta is about 3 hours from London by air and 1.5 hours from Rome. Ferries link Malta with Gozo and with Sicily. Check the distance from your city with our distance calculator.
π Best Time to Visit Malta
Malta has about 300 sunny days a year. The best time to visit is April to June and September to October, when it is warm (22β28 Β°C), the sea is good for swimming by June and crowds are smaller. July and August are hot (often above 32 Β°C) and busy, but bring the village festas with fireworks and processions. Winter is mild (15β17 Β°C) and good for sightseeing, though the sea is cool.
Warm days, wildflowers and the Fireworks Festival.
Beaches, diving and village festas; very hot.
Warm sea, fewer crowds and Notte Bianca.
Mild sightseeing weather and Carnival in February.
π Use the seasons in this travel guide to Malta to match your trip to the weather, festivals and prices you want.
π Malta Visa & Entry Requirements (Schengen)
Schengen rules apply: Malta is in the EU and the Schengen Area. Citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area. EU citizens only need an ID card. Other nationalities need a Schengen visa before travel.
- PassportValid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen Area, and issued within the last 10 years.
- Entry/Exit System (EES)Fully running since April 2026: non-EU visitors have fingerprints and a photo taken at the border on their first visit.
- ETIASA new online travel authorisation (β¬20) for visa-free visitors, expected in late 2026. It is not required yet, so check before you fly and use only the official EU website.
- Main airportMalta International Airport (MLA) in Luqa, about 20 minutes from Valletta.
π Official sources: IdentitΓ Malta Β· EU: EES and ETIAS. Entry rules change, so always confirm before booking.
π Entry rules in this travel guide to Malta were last checked in October 2026.
π° 10 Best Places to Visit in Malta
These are the places we recommend most in this travel guide to Malta, with the best months to see each one.
St John's Co-Cathedral (with Caravaggio), Upper Barrakka Gardens and the harbour (UNESCO).
π‘ Best time: All yearThe walled "Silent City" and St Paul's Catacombs.
π‘ Best time: All yearTurquoise water in a car-free island (book ahead).
π‘ Best time: MayβOctThe Citadel in Victoria, Ramla Bay and Δ gantija Temples (UNESCO).
π‘ Best time: AprβOctBirgu, Senglea and Cospicua across the Grand Harbour.
π‘ Best time: All yearA 5,000-year-old underground burial complex (UNESCO; book weeks ahead).
π‘ Best time: All yearClifftop megalithic temples (UNESCO).
π‘ Best time: All yearColourful luzzu boats and a Sunday fish market.
π‘ Best time: All yearSea caves by boat on the south coast.
π‘ Best time: AprβOctSeafront promenades, restaurants and nightlife.
π‘ Best time: All yearπΊοΈ 7-Day Malta Itinerary: Valletta, Mdina, Gozo & Comino
A first trip with one base in Valletta or Sliema and two nights on Gozo. Buses and ferries reach everything; a car helps on Gozo.
Follow this route from our travel guide to Malta day by day, or shorten it to fit your trip.
- Valletta: St John's Co-Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens and the noon gun.
- The Three Cities: a dgħajsa water taxi to Birgu and Fort St Angelo.
- Mdina & Rabat: the Silent City, catacombs and Dingli Cliffs at sunset.
- The south: Δ¦aΔ‘ar Qim, Mnajdra, the Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk.
- Gozo: ferry from Δirkewwa; the Citadel and Ramla Bay.
- Gozo: Δ gantija Temples, the salt pans and Dwejra.
- Comino: a booked morning at the Blue Lagoon, then back to Malta.
β With more time: add the Δ¦al Saflieni Hypogeum (book weeks ahead), diving the wrecks off Gozo, a harbour cruise or a day trip by ferry to Sicily.
π΅ How Much Does a Trip to Malta Cost?
Malta is good value for the Mediterranean, though summer hotel prices rise sharply. These are approximate daily costs per person in 2026, excluding flights. Use our currency converter to see them in your own currency.
| Travel style | Per day (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | β¬60β100 | Hostels, pastizzi and buses |
| Mid-range | β¬130β220 | Hotels, restaurants and boat trips |
| Luxury | β¬350 + | Palazzo hotels and private yacht trips |
π‘ All prices in this travel guide to Malta are per person, per day, and change with the season and exchange rates.
πΏ Malta's environmental contribution rises to β¬1.50 per adult per night from 1 July 2026, capped at β¬22.50 per stay, and is paid at your accommodation. The Tallinja Explore card gives unlimited bus travel. Tipping 5β10% is appreciated.
π‘ Safety & Travel Tips for Your Travel guide to Malta
Malta is very safe. Take care in Paceville's nightlife area late at night, watch your bag on crowded buses, and drive carefully: traffic is heavy and Malta drives on the left. Sea currents can be strong at some bays, so swim where locals do and watch for red flags. In summer, drink plenty of water and avoid the midday sun.
Free slots, but required.
Only small groups enter each hour.
Unlimited buses on Malta and Gozo.
Malta uses three-pin plugs.
Flaky pastries for under β¬1.
"BonΔ‘u" (good morning) and "Grazzi" (thank you).
π¨ Best Hotels in Malta: 8 Top Picks
Stay in Valletta for history, Sliema or St Julian's for the seafront, and Gozo for peace and quiet.
A 1940s classic with gardens at Valletta's gates.
Check prices on Booking.com βSuites and fine dining above the Grand Harbour.
Check prices on Booking.com βA 17th-century palazzo with a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Check prices on Booking.com βA Relais & ChΓ’teaux hotel on the city walls.
Check prices on Booking.com βA spa hotel near San Anton Gardens.
Check prices on Booking.com βOn its own peninsula with lidos and pools.
Check prices on Booking.com βPools overlooking Portomaso Marina.
Check prices on Booking.com βA spa resort in the Gozitan countryside.
Check prices on Booking.com βπ How we chose for this travel guide to Malta: hotels are picked for location, reputation and a spread of regions and styles. Prices and availability change daily, so the buttons open live Booking.com results for each property.
π€ Affiliate disclosure: hotel buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, AtlasWise may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list.
π Top Universities in Malta
Malta is a popular place to study in English inside the EU.
| University | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| University of Malta | Msida | Public |
| MCAST | Paola | Public |
| Institute of Tourism Studies | Luqa | Public |
| American University of Malta | Cospicua | Private |
Malta's main university, with roots in 1592.
Visit website βMalta College of Arts, Science and Technology.
Visit website βHospitality and culinary training.
Visit website βAn American-style university in the Three Cities.
Visit website βπ How we chose for this travel guide to Malta: the leading higher education institutions in Malta. Last checked: October 2026.
π₯ Maltese Culture & Food
Malta's culture reflects Phoenician, Roman, Arab, Norman, the Knights of St John and British rule. Maltese is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet and an official EU language. Catholic traditions are strong, and every village holds a summer festa for its patron saint, with brass bands, decorations and fireworks.
Try pastizzi (ricotta or pea pastries), ftira (Maltese bread with tuna, capers and olives), stuffat tal-fenek (rabbit stew), lampuki pie in autumn, Δ‘bejniet (small sheep's cheeses from Gozo), and wash it down with a Kinnie or a Cisk lager.
β Travel Guide to Malta: FAQ
Do I need a visa for Malta?
No for US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens: Schengen rules allow 90 days in any 180 days.
Do I need to book the Blue Lagoon?
Yes. Free booking in a time slot on bluelagooncomino.mt is required.
What is the best time to visit Malta?
April to June and September to October.
Is Malta expensive?
Moderately; cheaper than most of the Mediterranean outside July and August.
Do they speak English in Malta?
Yes. English is an official language alongside Maltese.
Does Malta drive on the left?
Yes, like the UK.
How many days do you need in Malta?
Five to seven days covers Valletta, Mdina, Gozo and Comino.
What currency does Malta use?
The euro (EUR).
π Trusted Resources for Your Travel guide to Malta
- VisitMaltaOfficial tourism board
- Blue Lagoon CominoOfficial free booking
- Heritage MaltaTickets for temples, the Hypogeum and museums
Finished this travel guide to Malta? π More Mediterranean guides: Italy Β· Greece Β· Croatia Β· Tunisia Β· Spain
βοΈ Compare Malta with other countries in Compare Countries.
ποΈ Planning a bucket list? See the 20 best World Heritage Sites to visit.
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