Saving Tips
Malta is already inexpensive, but with these strategies, you can save even more:
- Travel in the off-season (Oct–May): Hotels cost 30–50% less than in July/August. Flights from 30€ with Ryanair or Malta Air.
- Buy an Explore Card: The 7-day bus pass (21€) pays for itself in 3 days. Available at machines at bus stations or online at Malta Public Transport.
- Pastizzi as a snack: Malta's cheapest food — flaky pastry with ricotta or peas, from 0.40€. Perfect for in-between. Local bakeries (Pastizzeriji) are everywhere.
- Avoid tap water, but wisely: Tap water is safe but tastes salty. Buy large 5-liter bottles in the supermarket (0.80€) instead of small 0.5l bottles (1€ in tourist areas).
- Heritage Malta Multisite Pass: For 50€, you get entry to all Heritage Malta sites for 30 days — worth it from 5 visits. Includes Ħaġar Qim, Hypogeum, Tarxien, fortresses, and museums.
- Ferry instead of tour to Gozo: The regular Gozo ferry from Ċirkewwa costs only 4.65€ (round trip). Organized day tours cost 40–60€. Take the ferry and explore Gozo by bus (Hop-on-Hop-off: 20€).
- Local restaurants away from promenades: In the alleys behind Sliema's promenade or in the suburbs of Valletta (Floriana, Ħamrun), you eat for half the tourist price.
- Free beaches: All beaches in Malta are public and free. Loungers and umbrellas cost 10–15€/day — bring your own towel.
