Home / Guides / Malta

Malta on a budget

Honey-stone harbours, ancient temples and Mediterranean blue. Here's where to stay, what to do, and how to turn it into a whole trip, without overspending.

Malta packs three islands of honey-stone history into a break you can do on a budget airline. This is the practical version of a Malta guide: where to actually stay (with live prices compared across 100+ booking sites), what's worth your time, where to go after dark, and a budget you can book today.

💡 Local tip: The Valletta-Three Cities ferry costs pennies and beats any harbour cruise for the view.

The cheapest time to visit Malta

For UK travellers, aim for the shoulder seasons, late spring and early autumn, when flights and hotels drop but the weather still holds. Mid-week departures (Tuesday to Thursday) almost always beat weekends on price, and setting a budget first, rather than a fixed destination, is the single biggest money-saver. You can do exactly that with our Malta trip builder.

Where to stay in Malta

The same room is often £30–£50 cheaper on one booking site than another, so always compare before you book. We check 100+ booking sites through Hotellook and show the cheapest stays in Malta, with photos and star ratings, so you can see the floor price in one glance, then book direct.

Compare live Malta hotels →

Things to do in Malta

  • Blue Grotto & Marsaxlokk tour, bookable from £30.
  • Valletta & Three Cities harbour cruise, bookable from £22.
  • Mdina silent city walk, bookable from £18.
  • Comino Blue Lagoon boat day, a local favourite worth your time.
  • St John’s Co-Cathedral entry, a local favourite worth your time.

Where to eat: Noni, Rampila, Ta’ Kris.

Shopping: Republic Street, Marsaxlokk Sunday market, The Point Sliema.

Malta nightlife

After dark, locals head to Uno Malta, Hugo’s Terrace, Café del Mar Malta. For a flutter, try Portomaso Casino. Want more? The what's-around page maps restaurants, shopping, nightlife and casinos near your stay.

Getting there

Most travellers fly, our sample trip uses Gatwick → Malta return.

Find flights to MaltaCompare airlines and dates with our flight partner, you book direct, no fees.
Search flights →

A real budget trip to Malta

Here's a worked example you can book today, flights and hotel are the fixed base, and activities are optional so you can dial the price to your budget:

Malta history & harbours, 3 nights, return flights from Gatwick.
Flight + hotel base: £260 pp · full trip with all activities: £330 pp.
See the full breakdown and book each part →
Bundloo is reader-supported. Hotel and activity links are affiliate links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and you always book directly with the provider. Prices are indicative; confirm on the provider's site.

Ready to go?

Build a Malta trip to my budget →

← All travel guides