Is Malta expensive or cheap?
Well, the answer depends on your lifestyle and homebase.
For many locals, the cost of living in Malta is high. But if you come from a big European city, you might find things like food and transport more affordable here.
That said, I have visited cities in Europe that were cheaper than Malta. This includes Athens and Lisbon.
To help you determine if Malta is expensive to visit, I’ve put together a breakdown of costs for food, transport, accommodation, and attractions.
So, here’s what you need to know.
Table of Contents
Costs in Malta
Before we dive into the costs of visiting Malta, there are two things to keep in mind:
- Although Malta is small, prices for things like coffee and pasta can vary depending on the location. Expect higher prices in tourist hotspots like Valletta and St. Julian’s.
- Accommodation costs fluctuate with the season, rising during the summer and peak periods like Easter.
To account for these differences, I’ve listed price ranges rather than a single figure for most items.
Food & drinks
Okay, let’s start with the basics.
If you’re buying water from a shop or supermarket, it will cost around €0.50 – €0.80 for a small bottle (local brand).
A coffee in Malta costs around €2.00 – €2.50, though some places in Valletta charge €3.00.
If you order a soft drink, you’ll pay around €2.50 – €3.50 for a can or bottle, and up to €5.00 for a pint.
A glass of local wine will cost around €4.00 – €6.00. Same for a can or pint of beer.
Cocktails can be quite pricey. Expect to pay between €7.00 and €13.00 for a mojito or piña colada.
Let’s move on to food. Prices are based on casual and mid-range restaurants.
Fancy a full English breakfast? That will be around €6.00 – €10.00 at most places around Malta.
If you want something light for lunch, like a sandwich or wrap, it will cost around €5.00 – €8.00.
Salads can be quite pricey. I typically pay between €9.00 – €13.00 for a regular salad (with smoked salmon and avocados).
A plate of pasta costs a bit more. Many places charge around €10.00 – €15.00 for popular dishes like carbonara, bolognese, and ravioli.
Average price range for pizzas is €8.00 – €15.00.
Ordering steak? It will likely cost you around €18.00 – €24.00.
Fish isn’t cheap. A starter of fried calamari or mussels costs €7.00 – €10.00. A main course consisting of grilled salmon or local fish will be around €17.00 – €23.00.
Don’t worry — you can always settle for a pastizz instead. This traditional puff pastry snack comes in two different fillings: ricotta and mashed peas.
You can grab one for €0.50 – €0.70.
Pastizzi are typically sold at pastizzerias. These are small outlets that sell pastries and other snacks like Maltese ftira (bread filled with tuna, olives, capers, and onions).
If you dine at a fancy restaurant, the bill will come to around €70.00 – €110.00 for two people, including starters and alcoholic drinks.
Price summary for food & drinks in Malta
- Small bottle of water: €0.50 – €0.80
- Coffee: €2.00 – €2.50
- Soft drink: €2.50 – €3.50
- Glass of wine: €4.00 – €6.00
- Pint of beer: €4.00 – €6.00
- Cocktail: €7.00 – €13.00
- Full English breakfast: €6.00 – €10.00
- Sandwich or wrap: €5.00 – €8.00
- Salad: €9.00 – €13.00
- Pasta: €10.00 – €15.00
- Pizza: €8.00 – €15.00
- Steak: €18.00 – €24.00
- Fish: €17.00 – €23.00
- Pastizz: €0.50 – €0.70
Accommodation
Right, let’s talk about hotel prices.
If you’re visiting Malta for a week between June and September, you’ll pay from €900 up to €1,500 for two adults in a decent hotel.
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort, it will cost €1,500 – 3,000 for one week, two adults (summer prices).
For quiet months like November, prices start as low as €700 at all-inclusive resorts (one week, two adults) in areas like St. Paul’s Bay and Sliema.
You can get an economy room for just €500 (one week) if you book well in advance.
If you stay at a four-star boutique hotel in Birgu or Valletta, you’ll pay around €1,500 – 2,000 for one week, two adults.
Transport
Malta is a compact country, so it’s easy to explore. Here’s a cost breakdown of public transport methods, plus car rental prices in Malta.
Buses
Tallinja is the main bus company in Malta. It’s also the cheapest way to travel around Malta (unless you want to walk or cycle!).
In summer, a single journey ticket costs €2.50. In winter, it’s €2.00.
The night-time fare is €3.00 during both winter and summer.
If you’re planning to do a lot of travelling, I recommend getting one of the following bus cards:
- Explore Flex. This is a pay-as-you-go card that costs €6.00 and can be topped up. You can also use it for the ferry from Valletta to The Three Cities or Sliema.
- Explore. This card costs €25.00 and gives you unlimited travel for seven days.
- 12 Single Day Journeys. As the name suggests, this card gives you access to 12 day journeys for €19.00 (helping you save up to €11.00).
You can purchase these cards from the Malta International Airport, the Valletta Terminus, or the Bugibba Terminus.
Gozo ferry
The Gozo Channel is the main company that operates ferries between Malta and Gozo. It leaves from Cirkewwa (Malta) and Mgarr (Gozo), and runs every 20 to 45 minutes on most days.
The fare is €15.70 for a car and the driver, and €4.65 per passenger. Children from three to twelve years pay €1.15.
Taxis
It’s difficult to give an accurate cost breakdown of taxis in Malta. Different companies have different fares, and typically they’re dependent on the time of day and distance.
If you’re using a ride hailing service like Bolt or Uber, you’ll pay around €14 to get from a place like St. Paul’s Bay to Valletta.
For shorter distances (3-6 kilometres), the fare will be around €5 or €8.
Car rentals
Renting a car in Malta for a week can vary in cost depending on factors such as the type of vehicle, rental company, and time of booking.
In the peak of summer, you’ll pay between €130 and €200 for a manual car with four seats, for seven days. Automatic cars will have a higher starting price.
If you’re visiting Malta in winter, prices start from as low as €70 for seven days.
Attractions
Many museums and historical sites fall under the patronage of Heritage Malta. Others are privately owned.
At the time of writing, these are the adult ticket prices for some of the top attractions in Malta:
- St John’s Co-Cathedral (Valletta): €15.00
- Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Temples: €10.00
- The Hypogeum: €35.00
- St. Paul’s Catacombs (Rabat): €6.00
- Ghar Dalam: €6.50
- St. Paul’s Cathedral (Mdina): €10
You can explore places like Mdina and Cittadella (Gozo) for free. Churches in Malta and Gozo are accessible to everyone, no entrance fees (except for the cathedrals).
How to save money in Malta
If you want to enjoy nice weather without paying summer prices, I recommend visiting Malta in October.
In winter, Malta is very quiet and green. It’s also not that cold. So if you really want to save money, plan your trip for January or February.
I’ve had a few staycations in Malta, and I always managed to get good prices for the off-peak season. I recommend using Booking.com to compare hotel prices in locations like Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian’s, Bugibba, and St. Paul’s Bay.
If you’re eating out, restaurants in Valletta and Sliema tend to be a little pricey. Dining out in places like Mgarr and Mosta will be cheaper, and you’ll likely get larger portions!
Many restaurants offer cheaper lunch specials or set menus. Look for lunch offers, as they tend to be more affordable than dinner.
If you’re staying in self-catering accommodation, take a trip to the farmers market at Ta’ Qali on Tuesday or Saturday morning and get some fresh local produce.
You don’t need a lot of money to truly explore Malta. The island is home to many beautiful beaches and hiking trails that are free to visit.
Plus, Malta hosts numerous free and low-cost events and festivals throughout the year, including traditional village feasts, Notte Bianca in Valletta, and the Carnival celebrations in February.
Keep an eye on local event calendars for opportunities to enjoy Malta’s culture without breaking the bank.
FAQs about costs in Malta
Still can’t decide if Malta is expensive for tourists? Let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
How much does a meal cost in Malta?
A regular meal like a plate of pasta will cost around €10.00 – €15.00.
Meat and seafood dishes cost around €15.00 – €23.00.
If you’re dining out, you’ll likely pay around €30.00 – €50.00 for two people (main dishes & drinks only). If you’re getting starters and dessert, the meals will be around €50.00 – €80.00.
How much money do I need for 7 days in Malta?
If you’re spending one week in Malta, you’ll need at least €300 per person for food (assuming you have breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day).
You’ll also need an additional €100 if you’re planning to visit museums and attractions.
If you’re happy to travel by bus, you can get an Explore card for €25.00. This gives you unlimited bus travel for seven days.
Is Malta expensive for tourists?
No, but it’s not very cheap either. It’s best to do your research and put together a cost estimate for your holiday, so you’ll know how much money you’ll need.
