Capital city in South Eastern Region, Malta
Valletta
Malta's compact, car-light baroque capital on a peninsula, with grand churches, bastions and harbour views. Safe, English-speaking and walkable; hilly streets, summer heat and high rents are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,810–4,050Comfortable, one person · €2,500–3,600Details
- Value for money25/100Better value than 24% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–Jun, OctWarmest: Aug, 27°CDetails
- Air quality11.6 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2024) · ModerateDetails
- Internet209 MbpsFixed broadband, Malta medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe, but mostly desalinated and tastes salty; most residents filter it or buy bottled water to drink.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$34–68Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless work almost everywhere.Details
Where to stay in Valletta
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Upper Valletta (Republic Street) | Sights and restaurants; lively by day, quiet at night |
| Strait Street | Historic bar street with the city's LGBTQ-friendly venues |
| Floriana | Just outside the gate; cheaper rooms and bus links |
| Three Cities (Birgu) | Quieter harbour towns reached by ferry |
Apps that work in Valletta
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- tallinja: Bus routes, live times and travel card
- Taxis: App taxis beat white taxis on price; white taxis have fixed rates posted by the island, so ask before boarding.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Malta.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless work almost everywhere. Keep a little cash for pastizzi shops, small bars and festa stalls.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs (BOV, HSBC, APS) are common; some add a foreign-card fee. Avoid Euronet and decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not obligatory. Leave 5–10% in restaurants if service isn't included; round up taxi fares.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Arrival is by air at Malta International Airport or by fast ferry from Pozzallo in Sicily.
Emergency numbers
All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Epic, GO and Melita prepaid SIMs at the airport and phone shops; passport needed. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Malta
Going to Valletta solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.