In short: First trip and no car: Valletta or Sliema. Nightlife and restaurants: St Julian's. Authentic and good value: the Three Cities. Beaches and boat trips: St Paul's Bay and the north. Space, terraces and pools: Msida, Pietà and Ta' Xbiex. Countryside and quiet: Rabat near Mdina.
| Area | Best for | Getting around |
|---|---|---|
| Valletta | History, culture, first-time visitors | Everything on foot, main bus terminus, ferries |
| Sliema | Seafront, shopping, families | Ferry to Valletta, buses everywhere |
| St Julian's | Restaurants, nightlife, sandy St George's Bay | Buses, walk to Sliema along the seafront |
| Three Cities | Authentic local feel, good value | Ferry to Valletta, buses |
| Msida, Pietà, Ta' Xbiex | Space, pools, terraces, central | Five minutes to Valletta by bus or car |
| St Paul's Bay | Beaches, boat trips, families | Buses, a car helps |
| Rabat and Mdina | Quiet, countryside, the west coast | A car helps |
Valletta: for history and walking everywhere
Valletta is the capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city, small enough to cross on foot in fifteen minutes. You step out onto baroque streets, St John's Co-Cathedral and the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and the main bus terminus at the city gate connects you to the rest of the island.
It suits first-time visitors, couples and anyone who wants to leave the car behind. Homes here are inside historic buildings, so expect stairs and character rather than lifts and big terraces.
Sliema: for the seafront and an easy base
Sliema runs along a long promenade with rocky swimming spots, cafés and the Tigné Point shopping area. The ferry to Valletta leaves from the Strand and takes about ten minutes, and buses from here reach most of the island.
It is the easiest base for families and for anyone who wants the sea, restaurants and transport at the door.
St Julian's: for restaurants and going out
St Julian's wraps around Balluta, Spinola and St George's Bay. Spinola Bay is lined with restaurants, St George's Bay has a sandy beach, and the Paceville nightlife district is a few streets away.
Stay in the residential streets around Spinola and Balluta if you want to be close to the action and still sleep well.
See our 6 stays in St Julian's →
The Three Cities: for an authentic, local Malta
Cospicua (Bormla), Senglea (Isla) and Birgu (Vittoriosa) sit across the Grand Harbour from Valletta. They are older than the capital, still lived in by Maltese families, and far quieter. A ferry crosses to Valletta in minutes.
Prices are lower than in Valletta or Sliema, which makes the Three Cities a smart choice for couples and solo travellers who want character.
See our 10 stays in The Three Cities →
Msida, Pietà and Ta' Xbiex: for space in the centre
These harbour towns sit between Valletta and Sliema, around the yacht marinas. They are where you find penthouses with terraces and private pools for the price of a smaller flat in the capital, with Valletta five minutes away.
See our 5 stays in Msida, Pietà and Ta' Xbiex →
St Paul's Bay and the north: for beaches and boat trips
St Paul's Bay, Bugibba and Qawra form the holiday hub of the north coast. Boat trips to Comino and the Blue Lagoon leave from the bay, and the sandy beaches of Mellieħa and Golden Bay are a short drive away. A car is useful up here.
See our 1 stay in St Paul's Bay →
Rabat and Mdina: for a quieter, rural Malta
Rabat sits at the gates of Mdina, the walled medieval city in the centre of the island. It is the best base for the Dingli Cliffs, the west coast beaches and slower days away from the coast.
See our 1 stay in Rabat and Mdina →
What about Gozo?
Gozo, Malta's sister island, is greener and slower. The ferry from Ċirkewwa takes about 25 minutes. Many visitors stay on Malta and visit Gozo for a day, or split their trip between the two.
Questions
What is the best area to stay in Malta for the first time?
Valletta or Sliema. Both let you explore without a car, have plenty of restaurants and are connected by a ten-minute ferry.
Where should I stay in Malta without a car?
Valletta, Sliema or St Julian's. The bus network and the harbour ferries cover everything you need from these areas.
Which part of Malta has the best beaches?
The north: Mellieħa Bay, Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa have the island's best sandy beaches. Sliema and St Julian's have rocky swimming spots and the small sandy St George's Bay.
Written by the Maltese Stays team, who manage licensed holiday homes across Malta. Updated November 2026.
