Patric’s guidebook
City/town information
The capital of Malta and the European Cultural City of 2018. The smallest capital in Europe is a must-see, it’s surrounded by the sea, has beautiful authentic streets and buildings. Takes 2-4 hours to visit.
How to get there: All bus stops nearby have direct connections to Valletta, takes less than 15 minutes to get there. You can also walk to Sliema ferries and take the 5-minute ferry to Valletta (with nice views). For the fit ones, you can walk there in about 35-45 minutes.
594 locals recommend
Valletta
The capital of Malta and the European Cultural City of 2018. The smallest capital in Europe is a must-see, it’s surrounded by the sea, has beautiful authentic streets and buildings. Takes 2-4 hours to visit.
How to get there: All bus stops nearby have direct connections to Valletta, takes less than 15 minutes to get there. You can also walk to Sliema ferries and take the 5-minute ferry to Valletta (with nice views). For the fit ones, you can walk there in about 35-45 minutes.
The old capital of Malta with stunning views, one big fort and full of history. Nice to stroll around Rabat as well which is the city next to it.
How to get there: Take bus towards Valletta and then change to 51, 52, 53 to Rabat. Takes about 45 minutes in total.
472 locals recommend
Mdina
The old capital of Malta with stunning views, one big fort and full of history. Nice to stroll around Rabat as well which is the city next to it.
How to get there: Take bus towards Valletta and then change to 51, 52, 53 to Rabat. Takes about 45 minutes in total.
The nice fisher village in the south of the island is gaining more and more in popularity. Sundays there is a nice market where you can get fresh fish. St. Peter’s Pool, a super nice swimming and diving destination is around 20 minutes walking away.
How to get there: Take bus towards Valletta and then change to 82, 85 to Marsaxlokk. Takes about 45 minutes in total.
192 locals recommend
Marsaxlokk
The nice fisher village in the south of the island is gaining more and more in popularity. Sundays there is a nice market where you can get fresh fish. St. Peter’s Pool, a super nice swimming and diving destination is around 20 minutes walking away.
How to get there: Take bus towards Valletta and then change to 82, 85 to Marsaxlokk. Takes about 45 minutes in total.
On the North of the island, has several smaller (sandy) beaches nearby and Popeye Village can be found there as well.
How to get there: Take any bus going towards Cirkewwa (41, 42, 222, X1). Takes about 45-60mins in total.
44 locals recommend
Mellieha
On the North of the island, has several smaller (sandy) beaches nearby and Popeye Village can be found there as well.
How to get there: Take any bus going towards Cirkewwa (41, 42, 222, X1). Takes about 45-60mins in total.
Sightseeing
Also in the south, these caves are gorgeous in combination with crystal clear blue water. Advised to take a boat ride into the caves.
How to get there: Take bus towards Valletta and then change to 74 to get out at Panorama bus stop just by Blue Grotto. Takes about 1 hour in total..
123 locals recommend
Blue Grotto
Also in the south, these caves are gorgeous in combination with crystal clear blue water. Advised to take a boat ride into the caves.
How to get there: Take bus towards Valletta and then change to 74 to get out at Panorama bus stop just by Blue Grotto. Takes about 1 hour in total..
Smaller neighbor island of Malta with great diving and beach spots and a more quiet natural vibe. Plan a full day to visit it.
How to get there: Either take one of the offered boat trips from Sliema ferries or take any bus going to Cirkewwa (41, 42, 222, X1). Takes about 60-90 minutes in total.. Ferry takes around 20 minutes and is around 5 EUR to be paid on the return ride. Since June 2021 you can also take a fast ferry from Valletta to Gozo now.
240 locals recommend
Gozo
Smaller neighbor island of Malta with great diving and beach spots and a more quiet natural vibe. Plan a full day to visit it.
How to get there: Either take one of the offered boat trips from Sliema ferries or take any bus going to Cirkewwa (41, 42, 222, X1). Takes about 60-90 minutes in total.. Ferry takes around 20 minutes and is around 5 EUR to be paid on the return ride. Since June 2021 you can also take a fast ferry from Valletta to Gozo now.
Comino/Blue Lagoon: One of Malta’s highlights is the Blue Lagoon, there you find a small beach with stunning azure crystal clear water which reminds of the Caribbean. Gets pretty crowded in summer but still worth a visit (ideally during the week).
How to get there: Best to take one of the several boat trip offers from Sliema ferries. Check DealToday.com.mt for special discounted boat trips.
179 locals recommend
Comino
Comino/Blue Lagoon: One of Malta’s highlights is the Blue Lagoon, there you find a small beach with stunning azure crystal clear water which reminds of the Caribbean. Gets pretty crowded in summer but still worth a visit (ideally during the week).
How to get there: Best to take one of the several boat trip offers from Sliema ferries. Check DealToday.com.mt for special discounted boat trips.
Food scene
Nice restaurant by the Marina, 3 minutes walk from the apartment with a wide selection of food, Ta’ Xbiex
92 locals recommend
Mamma Mia Restaurant
Nice restaurant by the Marina, 3 minutes walk from the apartment with a wide selection of food, Ta’ Xbiex
Excellent Mexican food with delicious Tacos, quesadillas, etc, 5 minutes walk from the apartment, Ta’ Xbiex
Avotaco
Excellent Mexican food with delicious Tacos, quesadillas, etc, 5 minutes walk from the apartment, Ta’ Xbiex
Big selection of good Thai food for a fair price. Just across Avotaco, 5 minutes walk, Ta’ Xbiex
Tikka's Thai Street Food
Triq l-Abate RigordBig selection of good Thai food for a fair price. Just across Avotaco, 5 minutes walk, Ta’ Xbiex
Nice spot to have some pastries or a coffee, at the Ta’ Xbiex Marina
53 locals recommend
Busy Bee Cafe
30 ix-Xatt Ta' XbiexNice spot to have some pastries or a coffee, at the Ta’ Xbiex Marina
5 minutes walk towards Sliema, you can find here healthy foods and juices/smoothies
10 locals recommend
Dr Juice Gzira
5 minutes walk towards Sliema, you can find here healthy foods and juices/smoothies
eeetwell
Another healthy food option at the sea side towards Sliema, Gzira
Just across Manoel island, a little but very nice burger and tacos place for reasonable prices, Gzira
7 locals recommend
NOVI Bar
202 Triq Ix - XattJust across Manoel island, a little but very nice burger and tacos place for reasonable prices, Gzira
Good and simple place for breakfast or lunch at Balluta Bay, George Borg Olivier St, St Julian's
41 locals recommend
U Bistrot
George Borg Olivier StreetGood and simple place for breakfast or lunch at Balluta Bay, George Borg Olivier St, St Julian's
Very good fast food burger place in Paceville, at the bottom of the stairs. St. Augustine street, St. Julian’s,
14 locals recommend
Hugo's Burger Bar
Saint George's RoadVery good fast food burger place in Paceville, at the bottom of the stairs. St. Augustine street, St. Julian’s,
Excellent food in Valletta, a bit pricier than the previous ones but well worth the money. 53a Old Theatre Street, Il-Belt Valletta
14 locals recommend
Taproom
53a Old Theatre StreetExcellent food in Valletta, a bit pricier than the previous ones but well worth the money. 53a Old Theatre Street, Il-Belt Valletta
Excellent home-made pasta place in Valletta. Old Theatre Street 123, Valletta
10 locals recommend
Pastaus
123 Old Theatre StreetExcellent home-made pasta place in Valletta. Old Theatre Street 123, Valletta
Great sandwiches place in Valletta, Triq il-merkanti 42, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1173
13 locals recommend
The Pub
136 Archbishop StGreat sandwiches place in Valletta, Triq il-merkanti 42, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1173
One of the best restaurants for sea food in the North of the island, Qawra Road, Qawra SPB 1905
49 locals recommend
Ocean Basket
One of the best restaurants for sea food in the North of the island, Qawra Road, Qawra SPB 1905
Fontanella Tea Garden
Good place for desserts (especially cakes) in Mdina
Excellent brunch/lunch menu, good burgers and great pancakes, Wilga St, St Julian's
11 locals recommend
Shoreditch Bar and Kitchen
43 Wilga StExcellent brunch/lunch menu, good burgers and great pancakes, Wilga St, St Julian's
Nightlife
The nightclub district in the heart of St. Julian’s. Usually a rather young crowd, lots of clubs with a selection of Hip Hop, Electronic/charts and Latin music, no entrance fees and cheap drinks.
Around 45 minutes by walk, 5-10 minutes by car/taxi or 20-30 minutes by bus
367 locals recommend
Paceville
The nightclub district in the heart of St. Julian’s. Usually a rather young crowd, lots of clubs with a selection of Hip Hop, Electronic/charts and Latin music, no entrance fees and cheap drinks.
Around 45 minutes by walk, 5-10 minutes by car/taxi or 20-30 minutes by bus
Simple, cheap pub in the heart of Balluta Bay, George Borg Olivier St, St Julian's
38 locals recommend
City of London Pub
George Borg Olivier StreetSimple, cheap pub in the heart of Balluta Bay, George Borg Olivier St, St Julian's
A prohibition-style bar with excellent service, great cocktails and live music on weekends, a bit pricier than most of the other places, Ball Street, St. Julian’s
16 locals recommend
The Thirsty Barber
Ball StreetA prohibition-style bar with excellent service, great cocktails and live music on weekends, a bit pricier than most of the other places, Ball Street, St. Julian’s
Good choice of brewed beers, with 2-for-1 happy hours in the afternoon and decent food. There are also a bunch of similar places nearby with similar offers, like Tex Mex and MedAsia
8 locals recommend
The Brew Bar & Grill
Good choice of brewed beers, with 2-for-1 happy hours in the afternoon and decent food. There are also a bunch of similar places nearby with similar offers, like Tex Mex and MedAsia
Cool bar with jazz music by the Valletta waterfront, Liesse, Il-Belt Valletta
40 locals recommend
Bridge Bar
LiesseCool bar with jazz music by the Valletta waterfront, Liesse, Il-Belt Valletta
Chill outdoorsy place that doesn’t have loud music like many other places, Gzira
The Hatter Irish Pub
34 Triq Gerry ZammitChill outdoorsy place that doesn’t have loud music like many other places, Gzira
Jungle Joy: Relaxed vibed bar, short walk from the apartment that also offers good Asian (Thai) food, Ta’ Xbiex
15 locals recommend
Good Thaimes
Triq il-GziraJungle Joy: Relaxed vibed bar, short walk from the apartment that also offers good Asian (Thai) food, Ta’ Xbiex
City advice
Ways to save
Food deliveries
You can also easily order food, using Wolt (use code OQCWA to get a discount) or Bolt Food apps
Ways to save
Dealtoday
Use dealtoday.com.mt to get discounted tours, restaurants, spa's etc.
Getting around
Taxis
If you take a taxi, never take the white taxis, they often scam people. Best to use Bolt (similar to Uber, you can download the app in store) or eCabs
Getting around
Beaches
Malta mainly has rocky beaches, they are still nice to swim and chill and the water is mostly nice and clean, if you want a sandy beach, you would have to go to the Northern part of the island (Golden Bay, etc.)