Where to stay · Valletta · Malta
Where to stay in Valletta
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Simon Slator, Public domain
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Upper Valletta. City Gate, Republic Street and the cathedral end of the capital. Best alternatives — families: Floriana; budget: Floriana; nightlife: St Julian's and Paceville.
Key facts
- First visit
- Upper Valletta
- Families
- Floriana
- Budget
- Floriana
- Nightlife
- St Julian's and Paceville
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Upper Valletta | City Gate, Republic Street and the cathedral end of the capital |
| Families | Floriana | Bastion suburb of gardens and the Granaries just outside City Gate |
| Couples | Upper Valletta | City Gate, Republic Street and the cathedral end of the capital |
| Budget | Floriana | Bastion suburb of gardens and the Granaries just outside City Gate |
| Luxury | Upper Valletta | City Gate, Republic Street and the cathedral end of the capital |
| Nightlife | St Julian's and Paceville | Spinola Bay restaurants by the water and Malta's main club district |
| Food lovers | Gżira and Ta' Xbiex | Marina-side apartments and local restaurants facing Manoel Island |
| Solo travellers | St Julian's and Paceville | Spinola Bay restaurants by the water and Malta's main club district |
| Shopping | Sliema | Seafront promenade, shopping and swimming platforms facing Valletta |
| Quiet stays | Lower Valletta | Quieter residential streets, Strait Street bars and Fort St Elmo |
| Beach | Sliema | Seafront promenade, shopping and swimming platforms facing Valletta |
Valletta neighbourhoods in detail
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, culture and luxury
Upper Valletta
The upper half of the grid, from City Gate along Republic Street and Merchants Street, contains St John's Co-Cathedral, the Grandmaster's Palace, the archaeology museum and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Boutique hotels occupy restored palazzi, and the main bus terminus is just outside the gate.
- Good
- Steps from the main sights; Next to the bus terminus; Beautiful restored palazzo hotels
- Watch out
- Expensive in summer; Little parking and steep streets
- Nearby
- St John's Co-Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens, City Gate, MUŻA
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and culture
Lower Valletta
Below the main squares, Valletta becomes residential: stepped streets with wooden balconies run down towards Fort St Elmo, the Siege Bell and the Lower Barrakka Gardens. Strait Street, the old sailors' district known as The Gut, now holds wine bars, and guesthouses here are often better value than in the upper town.
- Good
- Authentic, local feel; Close to the waterfront walks; Characterful guesthouses
- Watch out
- Steep streets and steps; Further from the bus terminus
- Nearby
- Fort St Elmo, Lower Barrakka Gardens, Strait Street, Casa Rocca Piccola
$$ · Best for budget, families and quiet stays
Floriana
Floriana, built as Valletta's outer defence, has wide squares such as the Granaries, the Argotti Botanic Gardens and the Triton Fountain at the bus terminus. Hotels here are a few minutes' walk from City Gate and usually cheaper than inside the walls.
- Good
- Lower prices than Valletta; Right by the bus terminus; Green spaces for children
- Watch out
- Fewer restaurants; Busy roads around the terminus
- Nearby
- Triton Fountain, Argotti Gardens, City Gate, Valletta bus terminus
$$$ · Best for families, shopping, beach and first-timers
Sliema
Across Marsamxett Harbour, Sliema is Malta's main resort town, with a long seafront promenade, rocky swimming areas and the Tigné Point shopping area. The Sliema ferry reaches Valletta in about 10 minutes, and boat trips to Comino and around the harbours leave from The Strand.
- Good
- Wide choice of hotels and apartments; Sea swimming from the rocks; Quick ferry to Valletta
- Watch out
- Heavy traffic and construction; Built-up, high-rise seafront
- Nearby
- The Strand, Tigné Point, Sliema ferry, Exiles
$$$ · Best for nightlife, solo travellers and beach
St Julian's and Paceville
North of Sliema, St Julian's wraps around Spinola Bay and Balluta Bay with waterfront restaurants and big hotels, while neighbouring Paceville is a dense block of clubs and bars aimed at a young crowd. It is about 20–30 minutes from Valletta by bus.
- Good
- Malta's liveliest nightlife; Sandy St George's Bay beach; Many hotels and restaurants
- Watch out
- Very loud at night in Paceville; A bus ride from Valletta's sights
- Nearby
- Spinola Bay, Balluta Bay, Paceville, St George's Bay
$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and culture
The Three Cities
Birgu (Vittoriosa), Senglea (Isla) and Cospicua (Bormla) predate Valletta and look back at it across the Grand Harbour. Birgu has Fort St Angelo, a yacht marina and quiet lanes of limestone houses; Senglea's Gardjola Gardens give one of the best harbour views. Ferries and traditional dgħajsa water taxis cross to Valletta in minutes.
- Good
- Peaceful, authentic streets; Views back to Valletta; Good-value guesthouses
- Watch out
- Fewer hotels and restaurants; Relies on the ferry or buses
- Nearby
- Fort St Angelo, Birgu waterfront, Gardjola Gardens, Inquisitor's Palace
$$ · Best for budget, solo travellers and food lovers
Gżira and Ta' Xbiex
Between Valletta and Sliema along Marsamxett Harbour, Gżira and Ta' Xbiex are residential districts of yacht marinas, embassies and everyday restaurants. They are cheaper than Sliema, with a waterfront walk to the Sliema ferry and frequent buses into Valletta.
- Good
- Good value for money; Local restaurants; Harbour views of Valletta
- Watch out
- Traffic on the main seafront road; Few sights of its own
- Nearby
- Manoel Island, Msida Marina, The Strand
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Valletta | $$$$ | St John's Co-Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens, City Gate, MUŻA |
| Lower Valletta | $$$ | Fort St Elmo, Lower Barrakka Gardens, Strait Street, Casa Rocca Piccola |
| Floriana | $$ | Triton Fountain, Argotti Gardens, City Gate, Valletta bus terminus |
| Sliema | $$$ | The Strand, Tigné Point, Sliema ferry, Exiles |
| St Julian's and Paceville | $$$ | Spinola Bay, Balluta Bay, Paceville, St George's Bay |
| The Three Cities | $$ | Fort St Angelo, Birgu waterfront, Gardjola Gardens, Inquisitor's Palace |
| Gżira and Ta' Xbiex | $$ | Manoel Island, Msida Marina, The Strand |
Getting to your hotel
Malta International Airport at Luqa is about 8 km south of Valletta. Malta Public Transport airport buses, including the X4, reach the Valletta terminus in about 25–30 minutes. Taxis from the official desk in arrivals charge fixed fares and take about 20 minutes.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Valletta for first-time visitors?
Upper Valletta. The upper half of the grid, from City Gate along Republic Street and Merchants Street, contains St John's Co-Cathedral, the Grandmaster's Palace, the archaeology museum and the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
+Where should families stay in Valletta?
Floriana: Lower prices than Valletta.
+Which area of Valletta is best for a budget stay?
Floriana ($$): Bastion suburb of gardens and the Granaries just outside City Gate.