Malta is a fascinating country with a rich history and endless natural beauty. And with over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, it’s no surprise that this sun, sea and sand destination is such a popular vacation spot. When it comes to where to stay in Malta, there’s no one size fits all. The country offers a huge range of places to stay, whether you want to be surrounded by intriguing attractions or escape the crowds. Luckily for you, us travel experts here at Plum Guide have all there is to know about staying in Malta. To help you decide where to stay, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on the different areas and neighbourhoods to use as a base for your holiday. So before you start packing, have a read of our top picks below.

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Malta’s capital is a lovely place to stay if you want to be at the heart of the action. You’ll never be bored here as the walled fortress city always has something going on. As well as a wide range of restaurants, cafes and shops, you’ll also find a high concentration of attractions like museums, historic churches, fortresses and palaces. Valletta is directly connected by public transport (bus terminus) so you can easily explore other tourist spots around the island. There are also ferries connecting Valletta to Sliema and the Three Cities, as well as Sicily. The only real downside to staying in Valletta is that it can get quite crowded during the summer months, so this isn’t for those seeking peace and quiet. There is also no beach here, but if your primary aim isn’t lazing on the beach all day, then Valletta could be a great option for you.

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In northwest Malta, you’ll find the popular resort towns of St. Paul’s Bay, Bugibba and Qawra. This area has a relaxed seaside atmosphere, and is one of the most family-friendly places to stay in Malta. You’ll find everything you need here, including a large range of shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as a charming seafront promenade extending to Bugibba and Qawra. If you fancy venturing further afield, the area is well connected by public transport to other towns and cities as well as sandy beaches like Golden Bay and Riviera Beach. It’s also an ideal location if you want to take boat tours to the islands of Gozo and Comino.

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Gozo is the second largest of Malta’s islands, and is the perfect place to escape the tourist crowds and unwind amongst quiet beaches, verdant hills and abandoned rocky cliffs. One of the best places to stay in Gozo is Xaghra, a lovely town surrounded by fertile valleys, picturesque agricultural land and the beautiful bays of Ramla, Għajn Barrani and Marsalforn. As the earliest inhabited part of Gozo, it’s no surprise that Xaghra is home to fascinating historical sites like Ggantija Temples and the Xaghra Stone Circle. When you’re not busy exploring, take a moment to relax on the reddish-golden sands of Ramla Bay, or hike up to Calypso Cave for sweeping coastal views.

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If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Malta with sea and sand, Mellieha is the ideal place to base yourself. Considered to be one of Malta’s best beach towns, this laid-back resort is home to the island’s largest sandy beach, Mellieha Bay, where you’ll no doubt be spending all your time sunbathing, swimming and trying out watersports. The town itself has a wide choice of restaurants and pubs, and a much tamer form of nightlife than neighbouring St Julian’s. Should you fancy venturing away from your sun lounger for the day, Mellieha has great public transport links and is close to other sandy beaches like Għajn Tuffieħa and Golden Bay, as well as Gozo and Comino.

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Another place in Gozo worth staying in is Ghasri, the smallest village on the island. Huddled between a few hills, this is a delightful escape for those looking to spend time in nature. Overlooking the village is Ta' Ġurdan lighthouse which has been perched on top of Ġurdan Hill since 1853. The climb up to the top is quite steep but it’s absolutely worth it for the panoramic views at sunset. Another scenic walk is through the valley of Wied il-Ghasri. Winding its way between the hills, the valley opens up into a secluded inlet flanked by majestic cliffs. This peaceful spot is a haven for swimming, snorkelling and diving with several underwater caves to explore.

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With its colourful boats and picture-perfect harbour, the quaint fishing village of Marsaxlokk oozes seaside charm. The working port is the best place to catch a glimpse of authentic Maltese life, where fishermen come in with their catch aboard traditional luzzu boats. Although Marsaxlokk may be popular with day trippers who come for the twice-weekly market and the fresh seafood restaurants along the seafront, it’s a quiet village otherwise and worth staying for the relaxed vibe. Take a walk along the harbour and watch the fishermen mend their nets, or head further towards Birżebbuġa to see the majestic Fort St. Lucian. The only downside to staying here is that the village isn’t well connected by public transport. Nevertheless, you can easily rent a car if you’d like to go sightseeing.

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History enthusiasts seeking somewhere to stay in Malta should look no further than Zurrieq. One of the oldest towns in Malta, Zurrieq is home to a large collection of remains such as historic buildings, tombs, pottery and catacombs that date back to the Bronze, Punic and Roman times. Some of the must-visit sites include the Xarolla Windmill, the Parish Church of St. Catherine and the Nigret Palace. But it’s not all historical attractions in Zurrieq. One of the most popular natural attractions in Zurrieq is the Blue Grotto. Take a boat ride out to enjoy the azure waters and magical caves which reflect the phosphorescent orange, purple and green colours of the underwater flora. Swimming, diving and snorkelling isn’t permitted here, however, the nearby Wied iz-Żurrieq is a fantastic alternative with equally blue waters.

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As you’ve probably figured out by now, Malta isn’t short of serene seaside villages. Just a short drive from Marsaxlokk is Marsaskala, another working fishing village. Refreshingly, it lacks any high rise buildings and large hotels, giving it a more authentic, genuine feel compared to other tourist resorts around the island. Marsaskala offers plenty of opportunities to chill out, where all you’ll want to do is swim, snorkel, dine on local dishes and enjoy copious amounts of wine along the harbour area. Stroll along the promenade or walk to St. Thomas Bay, a small sandy beach popular for windsurfing. For a dose of history, visit the many fortifications that were built to defend the village. The grandiose St. Thomas Tower is one of the most important, whereas Vendome Battery is one of the oldest.

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Just a five minute ferry ride from Valletta is the coastal city of Sliema. Despite being a popular tourist location all year round, it’s a good place to base yourself as you won’t get the same crowds as you would in Valletta. Once a small fishing village, Sliema is now a major commercial and residential area which has plenty of shopping and dining options. Although Sliema has a few points of interest such as Saint Julian’s Tower and Fort Tigné, it isn’t packed with landmarks. Furthermore, there are only rocky beaches as opposed to sandy stretches. Having said that, the city has good public transport connections to must-visit places like Riviera Beach, Mdina and Tarxien Temples.

To the west of Sliema is St. Julian’s, a high-end tourist town known for its vibrant nightlife. Paceville is the main nightlife area, packed with all kinds of bars and clubs ranging from sleazy to swanky. You can also find a high-end shopping centre and several shopping streets to keep you entertained when you’re not boogieing until the small hours of the morning. Although there are a few bays in the area such as St. George’s Bay and Balluta Bay Beach, it’s not your ideal beach destination. However, if you’re keen to explore other attractions, St. Julian’s is very close to Sliema, which is reachable on foot from the pretty seafront promenade which joins the two towns.

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