Valletta

Valletta travel guide

Driving routes, distances and day-trip ideas nearby.

Valletta is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. Valletta works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The nearest airport is in a neighbouring city, and a rental car is the easiest way to cover the rest. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around Valletta, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 8 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 5 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from Valletta, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.

Accommodation in Valletta starts at around €143 per night, with a typical rate near €195 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.

Well-reviewed hotels: Palais Le Brun, 4-star, guest rating 9.6 from 2298 reviews, from €188 per night; La Falconeria Hotel, 4-star, guest rating 9.4 from 2618 reviews, from €171 per night; Hyatt Regency Malta, 5-star, guest rating 9.4 from 5118 reviews, from €241 per night; Malta Marriott Resort & Spa, 5-star, guest rating 9.4 from 237 reviews, from €245 per night; Best Western Premier Malta, 4-star, guest rating 9.3 from 1782 reviews, from €154 per night.

Day trips & routes: Sliema — about 6 km, 19m drive; Mdina — about 13 km, 25m drive; Qawra — about 18 km, 32m drive; Bugibba — about 18 km, 29m drive; Mellieha — about 24 km, 38m drive. Fastest option is Sliema: 19m by car.

Valletta: what to know

Things to see: "Malta: Luxury Private Taxi Tours, Customize your itinerary", rated 5 from 42 reviews, from €300; "Full Day Private Tour around the Island in Malta", rated 5 from 38 reviews, from €470; "Half-Day Malta Highlights", rated 5 from 30 reviews, from €665; "Malta Sightseeing Tour licensed Taxi - flexible and personalized", rated 5 from 18 reviews, from €230; "The Farsons Brewery Experience Entry Ticket and Beer Flight", rated 5 from 18 reviews, from €15.

Valletta has no direct airport — most travellers fly into the nearest airport city and continue by rental car or transfer. Getting around the city and out to the 5 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in Valletta is around €195, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.

To rent a car in Valletta you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 5 routes worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring Malta, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.

Weather in the days ahead2832 °CSunnyFull forecast

What to see in Valletta in 7 days

A ready week, day by day: highly rated places, lunches, tours and trips out of town. Ratings and opening hours come from Tripadvisor, distances are real driving distances.

day1

Getting to know Valletta

An unhurried first day: the centre on foot, one landmark and a quiet dinner near where you're staying. Don't plan anything far — after travelling, getting your bearings matters more.

  • All day

    A free day — the market, the waterfront, the next neighbourhood over.

Hotel check-in is usually from 2pm — if you arrive earlier, most places will store your luggage.

day2

The main sights

The fullest day: two or three key places back to back. Start early — queues build by midday at the popular ones, and the light is better for photographs after lunch.

  • All day

    A free day — the market, the waterfront, the next neighbourhood over.

Up to 32 °C in the days ahead — do the walking in the morning and spend midday indoors.

day3

Museums, history and local food

A day for what needs time and attention: museums, historic quarters, and lunch somewhere locals actually go.

Many museums close on a Monday or Tuesday — check the opening hours before you set out.

day4

A day out of town

Get beyond the city: the nearby towns and countryside are usually what stays with you. A rental car is the practical way — public transport on these routes is slow and infrequent.

  • All day

    Sliema

    Sliema is 6 km from Valletta, about 19m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.

Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.

Rent a car in Valletta
day5

Walking and what you missed

A free day. Go back to wherever you wanted to linger, and add one or two places from the list you haven't reached.

Carry some cash for markets and small cafés — cards are not taken everywhere.

day6

A tour, or a second trip out

A good day for a guided tour: a guide tells you what the signs don't, and takes the driving off your hands.

  • All day

    Mdina

    Mdina is 13 km from Valletta, about 25m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.

Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.

Rent a car in Valletta
day7

Last day and departure

A calm finish: a favourite spot once more, some shopping, a late lunch. Leave yourself room before the airport.

Allow twice what the map says for the airport run — it is never the quiet hour when you need it.

Route map

Where you can drive from Valletta.

What to see and where to eat

What to see and where to eat in Valletta

Tap a place for photos, opening hours and reviews

Top attractions

Restaurants and cafés

What travellers say about places in Valletta

Source — Tripadvisor

5 The Vincent Boutique Hotel BW Premier Collection by Best WesternCouples

Great place!

What a great place to stay, friendly staff, nice food and awesome location. I definitely recommend!
S6286IPricardop2026-08-07on Tripadvisor
5 The Vincent Boutique Hotel BW Premier Collection by Best WesternSolo travel

My Malta stay at St Vincent Boutique Hotel

This hotel is fantastic with great staff. Great location, spacious rooms, big breakfast and has a lift. Pool on top was a welcome relief from the August summer. Would definitely return here. Denis - Australia
728MariaG2026-08-07on Tripadvisor
5 RubinoCouples

Simply amazing

Simply amazing food. The best place to sample traditional Maltese dishes. Such a wide variety of choices and at reasonable prices considering the quality is amazing. Lovely friendly staff too. (Make sure to book in advance)
EJ1842026-08-07on Tripadvisor
5 San Karlu HotelFamily

Chishti

I stayed in the hotel for 2 Nights. This hotel is exceptional especially reception staff is very helpful especially Manager of this hotel is very helpful . I stayed in July, 2026 in between 16-19 July. Breakfast was excellent & service was very good. I stayed with my wife.
Installation192026-08-07on Tripadvisor

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