Malta is a great destination to experience both history and the beautiful mediterranean sea at every turn.
Depending on your standards of living and what you want out of a trip, you can certainly explore Malta on a budget.
Throughout history, Malta faced a constant struggle for control over the island. Despite this, the struggle created a unique culture unlike any other in Europe. It’s mixed a blend of cuisines, cultural styles and architecture as well as it’s language which is a combination of arabic and italian. A huge bonus for travelers is that 88% of the population speaks english.
Malta is an archipelago with two main islands: Malta and Gozo and a smaller island, Comino. The three islands are a hot destination for its 300 days of sun, clear mediterranean sea, cheap prices and friendly locals.
Let’s say you want to visit Malta on a budget, consider these following tips in order to do so.
Accommodation On A Budget
If you plan to rent an apartment in Malta, it’s necessary to know the difference between a long and a short let. Renting an apartment between 1 day to 6 month is considered a short let and is usually 50% more expensive than a long let. On the other hand, a long let is when rent is longer than 6 months – you can find most of the long let apartments on letting.remax-malta.com.
Otherwise, there are decent hostels with prices starting from 10 EUR in prime locations around the island such as Valletta, Sliema and even in the north of the island in Mellieha.
Airbnb in Malta is also a great option for cheap accommodation in Malta with amazing views and locations. You can share an apartment with a friend in the capital of Malta, Valletta with views of the sea and easy access to local bars for just 50 EUR a night or you can find an apartment with a view of Xlendi bay for only 30 EUR a night. There are a variety of different types of properties with different amenities depending on what you’re looking for and what type of place you’d like to stay in during your time on the island, and whether you’re traveling solo, with friends or a loved one.
There is also an option for more adventurous people that don’t mind staying in the homes of complete strangers. Couchsurfing in Malta is when you stay with locals that open their home to you for you to get the real local experience for a very reasonable price. This is also a great choice for those that want a more local experience.
Furthermore, some hostels and hotels offer breakfast, which if satisfying enough can last you most of the day which offers an even more budget-friendly experience in Malta.
Where To Eat On A Budget
Mmmm, food. Who doesn’t like to talk about food, especially trying cuisine from different countries with various, foreign flavors and traditions.
Food in Malta is relatively cheap, however you will find higher prices in tourist areas just like anywhere else in the world.
However, it is possible to eat on a budget in Malta, depending where you look. If you want fresh fruits and vegetables, there are stands all around the island with seasonal, local ingredients. Buying from these stands are easier and quite cheap. Especially if you are renting an Airbnb that has a kitchen in it, then cooking your meals is a great option to save money instead of eating out.
But, if you’d like to treat yourself to other local foods for a very reasonable price, Pastizzi’s which are savory filled pastries, are popular all throughout the island and range from 1-2 EUR. Finding a pastizzeria won’t be difficult as they are everywhere and you’ll be able to smell it from a mile away!
Also, for those that like to eat vegan and vegetarian there are quite a few options available on the island.
Transportation
Malta is a small island meaning that getting from one place to the other shouldn’t take long. Nonetheless, there can be traffic so it’s important to plan ahead if you need to get somewhere by a certain time depending on the time in the year as well as the time of day.
Bus
The most common way to get around is with Malta Public Transport which is how a majority of tourists and locals get around. Depending on where your starting point is, it’s important to keep in mind that some bus stops can be harder to find than others or might appear less frequently than more populated locations.
However, if you are in Valletta or Sliema, buses come much more often and go to all locations around the island.
You can either purchase a single bus fare when you enter the bus, during the high-season in summer which is 2 EUR for one ticket. This ticket will last you 2 hours, so if you need to make any transfers this same ticket will apply for those rides as well. During the off season which is the wintertime, fares go down to 1.50 EUR.
If you don’t want to purchase a ticket every time you enter the busy, there are different types of bus cards you can purchase in Valletta, Sliema and other locations that sell these cards. For example, there is 12 journey card which is 15 EUR saving you money on each trip.
Keep in mind, that buses can be infrequent and they fill up fast, especially during rush hour or in the summer months when the crowds are doubled causing longer waits.
Taxify
Another option for transportation around the island is with Taxify. No matter where you are on the island, Taxify is convenient and cheap for bringing you from one place to the other. Simply download the app on your smartphone and request a ride!
Rides can vary in price depending on the distance of course, however, on the app, you can see an estimation of the cost for your ride before officially ordering it. The fares for taxis in Malta are much cheaper in comparison to other countries within Europe.
Ferries
There are also ferry options to look out for to get from Sliema to Valletta and to the 3 cities. A single ride for an adult is as little as 1.50 EUR or opt for a return ticket for 2.80 EUR.
There are other alternatives like a weekly pass with unrestricted use for 10 EUR if you plan to take the ferry more than once or twice.
If You Fall In Love With The Island
It’s important to note that if you are planning to stay in Malta for long-term that you’ll need to apply for an ID-card which requires that you have a rental contract, otherwise you could face some legal issues and could be kicked out without notice.
Although most of the real estate agencies do have a fee, it’s only one time and it’s a reliable procedure in finding your perfect living situation. An experienced agent will not only understand the market but will also have a relationship with the landlord to negotiate pricing and can help if any future difficulties are to arise.
Conclusion
Malta, an island small enough to visit for a weekend but with its rich history, natural scenery and interesting culture, can be experienced and explored for a much longer period of time.
You can experience all of this with a small budget as it isn’t expensive to get around and there are different options to do so depending on your needs.
Malta offers a combination of amazing-sunny weather, beautiful landscapes, historic sites, and incredible beaches all-in-one, all within affordable prices.
