Is Malta Worth Visiting in 2026? Tips on Best Time to Visit, Cost & Safety

Gazing at the towering cliffs of Gozo make Malta worth visiting.

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Wondering if Malta is worth visiting in 2026? You’ve come to the right place!

We explored every corner of this amazing country during our 12-day Malta road trip.

We want to share what makes Malta so special and why you should plan a trip to Malta in 2026.

In this post, we share:
🔹 Why Malta is worth visiting
🔹 How safe it is
🔹 Best time of year to visit
🔹 Top attractions and things to do
🔹 Where to stay and how to get around

Hopefully, you will have a better idea of whether Malta is a good holiday destination for you.

Let’s dive in!

Plan Your Trip with My Favorite Resources

🔹Best accommodation site: Booking.com
🔹Reserve your rental car: Discover Cars
🔹Purchase travel insurance: SafetyWing
🔹Book an activity or day tour: Viator
🔹Easily stay connected: Airalo

Is Malta Worth Visiting in 2026?

Valletta is a pedestrian only city full of wide walkways, restaurants and shops to explore.

After spending nearly two weeks exploring this marvelous country, we can confidently say, YES… Malta is worth visiting!

Malta is a good holiday destination for those looking to get off the beaten path and explore a less-visited corner of Europe.

Here are some of the best reasons why you should visit Malta.

First off, the country is teeny tiny and is the 10^th smallest country in the world! We’re talking only 27 kilometers (16.8 miles) long.

This means you can take your sweet time exploring the sights and not feel rushed. This makes for a more relaxing vacation!

Malta has charming historic cities, great shopping, and vibrant nightlife. There are beautiful beaches, numerous water activities, and interesting caves to explore.

Honestly, the Maltese Islands have something for everyone! We promise they will not disappoint.

Plus, the weather is beautiful year-round, and the locals are extremely friendly. They are happy to share their history, language, and culture, offering visitors a well-rounded travel experience.

We are telling you right now… Malta is well worth visiting!

“Is Malta for You?” Checklist:
✅Love history and architecture
✅Enjoy Mediterranean beaches
✅Prefer road trips with short drives
✅Want a compact country you can explore in a week
❌ Not a fan of summer heat and crowds

What is Malta Known For?

A rocky cliff with 2 boats floating in the crystal-clear water below. These amazing landscapes makes Malta worth visiting.

Malta is best known for its breathtaking landscapes, crystal-clear water, a mix of cultures, and awesome weather!

Malta’s landscape is so unique, it has been featured in several blockbuster movies including World War Z, Gladiator, and Popeye. The actual set of Popeye is one of the things to see on the island!

Of course, we can’t forget the legendary HBO series Game of Thrones… yup, it was filmed here too!

Actually, famous people from Malta include Britney Spears, Meghan Markle, and Kerry Ingram, who played Princess Shireen Baratheon on Game of Thrones!

Malta is also known for its mix of cultures, which can be found in its unique language and delicious cuisine!

And if you’re wondering if Malta is part of Italy, the answer is no. But, thanks to its Mediterranean location, Maltese food has the best of Italian and Arabic influences baked right in.

We recommend trying the famous Maltese Rabbit Stew at one of these amazing restaurants during your visit.

Malta is also renowned for having one of the best climates in Europe, with over 300 days of sunshine a year! Yes, this may bring a slightly drier climate, but who can argue with sunshine every day… certainly not us Canadians.

And for those history buffs, you should know that Malta has some of the world’s oldest temples.

Visiting the megalithic Ggantija Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best things to do in Malta.

Best Time to Visit Malta

People sunbathing on a cement dock surrounded by gorgeous cliffs and turquoise waters. Another reason to visit Malta

The Maltese islands are blessed with a fantastic climate, with sunshine almost every day, making it a perfect holiday destination year-round.

👉Best time to visit Malta is May/June or September/October. Crowds disperse, the islands quiet down, and hotels offer the best deals on accommodation.

During this time, the weather is practically perfect… not scorching hot but still warm enough to enjoy the natural swimming spots and beaches around the islands.

🌺Spring

Thanks to warm African winds, temperatures increase at the end of April and are in the mid-20s by May. That’s right… beach season has arrived!

🌞Summer

July and August are hot and dry in Malta. Despite scorching temperatures, crowds are at their peak, so it’s best to plan for accommodations, transportation, and tours.

✅Helpful Tip: We travel during the busy summer months. But, arriving early means we beat the crowds, find a closer park spot, and enjoy a historic site with less noise and no selfie sticks!

☔Autumn

September to November tends to be warm and humid. Expect temperatures in the mid-20s, with the occasional rainfall. Even with the rain, there are great indoor activities in Malta to visit.

❄️Winter

Malta has one of the mildest winter climates in all of Europe, with temperatures around 16 – 18 °C (60 – 64°F). Just make sure to pack a light jacket for the evenings.

🎄Christmas in Malta

Malta in December can be magical! Walled cities dazzling with lights, festive events, tasty food, and no winter storms to battle… just more reasons Malta is worth visiting!

Is Malta Safe?

The entrance gate to the walled city of Mdina with a horse & carriage.

Malta is a beautiful country to visit and is very safe for tourists.

We felt safe and secure while driving in Malta. Since Malta is such a small country, distances between towns are short.

This means you won’t be driving long stretches of highway alone or be too far away from help if needed.

English is the official language in Malta. So, even if you get lost, there will be no language barrier to worry about! Plus, the Maltese locals are friendly and welcoming.

I know, it sounds too good to be true, but Malta really is an amazing destination worth visiting!

Is Malta Expensive?

One of the 3 Cities seen from the harbor

Since it’s known for its beautiful luxury resorts, many people think Malta is an expensive destination. But we are going to shatter that fact… and say Malta is affordable!

By using public transportation or renting a car in Malta and staying in smaller hotels and B&Bs, we think visiting Malta is well worth your hard-earned penny.

Now, remember… we are teachers, so we travel during the more expensive summer months.

For our trip to Malta in July, we averaged 100€ a day per person. This included our flight, rental car, fuel, food, entertainment, and souvenirs.

Our 2-week trip to Puglia, Italy was comparable to our 12-day Malta trip and just as affordable as Greece too.

If you are looking to save money when booking your trip, visit during the off-season when prices are lower.

🚗Looking for a Car Rental? Book your car today!

Is Malta Good for Couples?

A romantic spot for dinner while on Gozo is in Xlendi Bay

Is Malta nice? Is it good for couples? Oh my gosh… YES! Malta is an excellent destination for couples and here’s why.

Malta is known for its timeless architecture, inspired by romantic Renaissance and Baroque designs. The capital of Valletta is an excellent location for couples to take in the sights, get lost in hidden alleys, and enjoy the stunning views.

We stayed at the Valletta Lucente Hotel in the historic center. It was full of charm, character, and romance. We highly recommend it!

The ancient walled city of Mdina is a maze of narrow, hidden alleyways decorated with colorful shutters and scented flowers. The perfect setting for a romantic dinner and evening stroll.

Couples can also enjoy private, secluded dining experiences in several restaurants around Malta and Gozo.

One of the most romantic dinners we enjoyed was at Ta Karolina Restaurant in Xlendi Bay. Our table was on the rocky cliff next to the sea at sunset!

Plus, there are gorgeous cliffs to explore, beautiful beaches to discover, and private sailing opportunities to take you around the islands.

Finally, if you are after a pampered vacation, then you will be pleased to know there are amazing all-inclusive resorts scattered throughout the islands!

All of these reasons make Malta well worth visiting for couples looking for adventure and romance!

Getting Around Malta

A charter boat touring people around the turquoise waters of Comino Island, a popular way to tour the Maltese islands

Malta is comprised of 3 main islands in the middle of the Mediterranean (Malta, Gozo, and Comino). So, you will require some sort of transportation, especially if you want to check out all that Malta has to offer.

Now… since the islands are so small, you can easily visit three or more sights in a day! We know… but it’s true!

Remember, it only takes approximately 3-hours to drive the entire island of Malta, and 2 hours to make your way around Gozo. And the only way to see Comino is by boat.

Sounds like a lot of sightseeing and relaxing time to us… just another reason Malta is worth visiting!

Here are the best ways of getting around Malta:

🚗Rent a Car

Hands down, this is the best way to see Malta and our #1 recommendation! It is by far the easiest and most relaxing way to explore the islands.

Renting a car allows you to travel at your own pace and on your own terms. You can arrive/leave a sight when you want, don’t have to plan your day according to a schedule, and won’t have to fight for a seat.

➡️Looking for a Car Rental?
🚗Book your rental car here!

Surprisingly, there are a lot of cars in this tiny country, and sometimes, it can be difficult to find parking. However, we found that if we just arrived early, we had no problem parking our car.

✔️Parking

For the most part, parking in Malta is free. We did come across some places where we needed to pay for parking, but the fee was extremely reasonable.

Check out our post on How to Rent a Car in Malta for more information.

🚌Ride the Bus

Taking the bus around Malta is popular and a great way to spend less money while traveling. This is especially true if you are a solo traveler.

The buses in Malta are safe, comfortable, and affordable, and operate on a regular schedule. Although not all places can be reached by bus, they do hit most major sightseeing places.

If you can handle public transport, this may be the best option for you. Check out the public transportation schedules here.

⛵Take the Ferry

The limestone cliffs that make up the perimeter of the islands are stunning, and the best way to appreciate these views is by chartering a boat!

So, whether you take the ferry over to Gozo, relax on a catamaran to Comino, or use a water taxi to visit the 3 Cities, you are likely to find yourself on a boat more than once.

It is easy to navigate transportation to Gozo, as the ferry runs every 20 minutes or so. Check ferry prices here.

🚶‍♀️Walk the Towns

Robyn walking through the towering buildings of Rabat with its colorful shutters

One of the best things to do in Valletta is to wander around and explore.

The capital of Valletta and the town of Mdina have wonderful pedestrian-only streets. There are some cobblestones and stairs in Valletta, but the pedestrian-only street is long and flat.

Honestly, most towns in Malta are nice and flat. So, even if you travel with chronic pain or have mobility issues you won’t have to worry about steep hills or staircases.

There is even an elevator down to Valletta harbor from the Upper Barrakka.

🚴‍♂️Bicycle Around

Again, thanks to its tiny size, Malta is a fantastic destination for cycling. Visiting the Dingli Cliffs or St. Peter’s Pool are popular destinations that can be reached by bicycle.

We do not recommend riding your bikes on the busy Valletta streets or Maltese highways. There is too much foot and car traffic for it to be a safe journey.

For more info on bicycling around Malta, check out this site.

🚕Taxi & Private Transport

Of course, you can take a taxi or a private transfer. If you have no desire to drive in Malta and don’t care for buses, then this is the best choice for you.

Although more expensive, taxis and private transport mean you don’t have to share your ride with other passengers and can travel on your own schedule. And for some, this is preferable.

➡️Need an airport transfer?
🚕Book your airport transfer here!

Check out our post if you’re wondering How to Get to Malta?

How Many Days in Malta is Enough?

Robyn standing in an empty square with a bright orange tree outside Valletta. We recommend spending at least 5 days on Malta.

You could easily spend 10 – 14 days exploring Malta, and if you have the time… why not?

One reason Malta is worth visiting is that it feels made for slow travel. We chose to do a 12-day Malta road trip and loved it. It was the perfect amount of time to see the major sights, discover less-visited areas of the island, and still have time to unwind and relax.

Malta is a little further than most European destinations. That means you want to spend enough time there to make it worth the trip and see everything on your list!

Nevertheless, if you are short on time, then 5 days are enough to see the highlights of Malta. We would suggest the following:

2 days: Valletta – explore and eat your way through Malta’s capital
1 day: Mdina & St. Peter’s Pool – wander the walled city and swim in the Mediterranean
1 day: Comino – boat tour of lagoons & caves
1 day: Gozo – a full-day tour of the island

We recommend GetYourGuide or Viator when booking local tours. They have a great selection of Malta tours to choose from.

Where to Stay in Malta

A beautiful room at the Valletta Lucente hotel. It was the best hotel we stayed at while visiting Malta

Although Malta is small, there is a wide variety of accommodations for every destination and budget, including adult-only hotels.

If you are short on time, then we suggest making Valletta your base. Not only will you get to experience everything this amazing city has to offer day and night, but most tours start and end in Valletta.

🏨Book your Valletta Accommodations here!

📍Valletta Lucente Guesthouse: We loved this family run boutique hotel in the historic center with quaint rooms, a delicious homemade breakfast, and elevator.
➡️Book your stay at Valletta Lucente Guesthouse here!

👉Check out our full Valletta Lucente Hotel review HERE!

📍Domus Zamitello: This restored 17th-century luxury hotel has elegant rooms, a spa, airport shuttle and is close to restaurants, bars, and shops.
➡️Book your stay at Domus Zamitello here!

Where to Stay on Gozo

Robyn standing with her arms stretched in front of the ocean of Xlendi Bay. This was our base while visiting Gozo.

Rest assured, there are several areas and hotels to stay for every budget as well. From staying in small towns or close to the Mediterranean Sea, the choice is yours!

🏨Book your Gozo Accommodations here!

📍St. Patrick’s Hotel: We enjoyed our stay at this affordable beachfront hotel with a buffet breakfast, parking, a sea view, a rooftop pool, and direct beach access.
➡️Book your stay at St. Patrick’s Hotel

📍Santa Lucia Boutique Hotel: This beautifully designed hotel offers spacious rooms, a beautiful pool with sun loungers, a hot tub, free parking, and a buffet breakfast.
➡️Book your stay at Santa Lucia Boutique Hotel

An quiet, empty street lined with sandstone colored buildings. Renting a car on Malta is the best way to see the island.

FAQs: Is Malta a Good Place to Visit?

Is Malta good for tourists?

Yes, Malta is a great destination for tourists. It boasts stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, a rich history, a vibrant culture, and a range of attractions and activities. The warm climate, safety, and widespread use of English make it easy for visitors to explore the island.

What is so special about Malta?

Malta’s blend of cultures, traditions, and Mediterranean cuisine, along with its warm climate, make it an unforgettable experience for tourists. Malta offers cultural and natural beauty not found anywhere else in the world!

Is Malta worth visiting in winter?

Yes, Malta is worth visiting during the winter months. Temperatures are mild, and visitors can enjoy a quieter atmosphere with fewer crowds.
Additionally, winter is an excellent time to enjoy the island’s culinary scene, which features hearty dishes and festive specialties.

Is it cheap to visit Malta?

Malta is a reasonably affordable destination for tourists, especially compared to other European countries. Summer is a more expensive time to visit, but generally, food, transport, and accommodation can be found at a reasonable price.

Is Mdina Worth Visiting?

YES, Mdina is worth visiting and a true highlight on any trip to Malta! It is one of the oldest cities in Malta, with a rich history, stunning medieval architecture, and panoramic views of the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Reasons not to visit Malta?

While Malta is a beautiful and unique destination, the island can become crowded during peak season, and traffic congestion can be an issue in certain cities. Nevertheless, there are plenty of places to escape the crowds during your Malta vacation.

Gavin standing on the cliffs on Gozo with the deep blue sea in the distance. Sights like this is what makes Malta worth visiting

Final Thoughts: Is Malta Worth Visiting?

Hopefully, this post answered your question on whether Malta is worth visiting for your next vacation.

Obviously, we think there are plenty of reasons to visit this amazing country, and a variety of interesting sights to explore. From quaint towns and historic cities to stunning landscapes and gorgeous water, Malta has something for everyone.

If you are looking for a less visited European destination, with English-speaking locals, amazing food, and incredible weather, Malta is definitely worth a visit.

Let us know if you have any questions… otherwise, enjoy your journey!