🌊 Mediterranean Destination Guide

Backpacking in Malta

Small enough to cross in an afternoon. Rich enough to fill a lifetime of memories. Malta is one of Europe's best-kept secrets for budget travellers, Erasmus students, and volunteers.

Find Accommodation Youth Opportunities
316
Days of sunshine per year
3
Main islands to explore
7,000
Years of recorded history
2
Official languages (inc. English)
Why Malta

More than just a beach destination

Ask most Europeans to point to Malta on a map and you'll get a pause. That's both the problem and the opportunity. Malta remains genuinely off the beaten track for most young travellers — and that means it retains a character, pace, and authenticity that more famous destinations have long since lost.

Situated in the middle of the Mediterranean — 90km south of Sicily, 290km north of Libya — Malta sits at the meeting point of cultures. Centuries of Arab, Norman, Spanish, French, and British rule have left a fascinating architectural and culinary patchwork. Valletta, the capital, is one of the smallest European capitals and one of the most densely historic. Every street turns up a Baroque church, a crumbling palazzo, or a harbour view that stops you mid-sentence.

For young travellers specifically, Malta's most underrated asset is its English-language accessibility. Unlike most Mediterranean destinations, English is an official language here — which means no language barrier for work, study, or daily life. Add to that a robust Erasmus community, a growing volunteer sector, and an increasingly connected youth scene, and you have a destination that rewards staying longer than a long weekend.

Best times to visit

  • April–June: Warm, uncrowded, wildflowers in bloom. Perfect walking weather.
  • September–October: Sea still warm after summer, prices drop sharply, festivals continue.
  • November–March: Cheapest season. Some facilities close but the pace is peaceful and authentic.
  • July–August: Busy and expensive. Still enjoyable if you book ahead.

Getting to Malta

  • Direct flights from most European cities — Air Malta and major budget carriers
  • Overnight ferry from Sicily (Catania or Pozzallo) — scenic and affordable
  • No rail connections (it's an island!), but buses and taxis cover the islands
  • No visa required for EU citizens; Schengen rules apply for others
Accommodation

Where to stay in Malta on a budget

Malta's accommodation scene is more varied than most visitors expect. Here's how to navigate it without blowing your budget.

Sliema & St Julian's

The main tourist strip. Most hostels are here, along with the bulk of bars, restaurants, and nightlife. Convenient but can feel generic. Good base if you want easy access to everything. Expect to pay €15–35/night for a dorm bed.

Best for Nightlife Tourist Hub

Valletta

Staying in the capital puts you inside one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Fewer large hostels, but some excellent guesthouses and boutique options. The atmosphere is unbeatable — especially in the evenings when the day-trippers leave. Slightly pricier but worth it for a few nights.

Best for Culture Historic

Gozo & Rural Malta

Gozo (Malta's sister island, 25 minutes by ferry) is slower, greener, and cheaper. Ideal for longer stays, volunteering placements, or simply escaping the summer crowds. Rural Malta — towns like Mdina, Rabat, and Marsaxlokk — offer self-catering apartments at very competitive prices.

Best Value Quieter
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Longer stay tip: If you're in Malta for more than two weeks — for a language course, Erasmus placement, or volunteer project — renting a room in a shared house is almost always cheaper than a hostel dorm. Prices for a room in a shared house start around €350–500/month in Sliema, less in other areas. Facebook groups and local notice boards are the best way to find rooms.
Things to Do

Malta beyond the beach

Malta has beaches — good ones — but it would be a mistake to come just for that. The islands punch above their weight on history, culture, food, and adventure.

Free & near-free experiences

  • Walk Valletta's main streets, bastions, and fortifications — mostly free
  • Swim at Comino's Blue Lagoon (go early or late season to avoid crowds)
  • Explore the Three Cities (Birgu, Bormla, Isla) by foot — magnificent and tourist-lite
  • Watch the sunset from the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta
  • Visit Marsaxlokk on a Sunday morning for the fish market
  • Hike along the cliffs of Dingli on Malta's west coast
  • Explore Mdina — Malta's ancient walled city — on foot at dusk

Paid but worth it

  • Hal Saflieni Hypogeum — a 5,000-year-old underground temple (book months in advance)
  • Ggantija Temples on Gozo — older than Stonehenge and Giza
  • St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta — Baroque masterpiece, home to two Caravaggio paintings
  • Gozo ferry day trip (€4.65 return from Ċirkewwa)
  • War Museum and WWII sites in Valletta

Outdoor & active

  • Rock climbing at Ta' Ċenċ and other cliff sites on Gozo
  • Snorkelling and diving — Malta has some of the clearest water in the Med
  • Kayaking around the coastal caves and inlets
  • Cycling the Gozo countryside (flat enough for casual riders)
  • Stand-up paddleboarding along the east coast
Youth Opportunities

Malta for Erasmus, volunteers & youth workers

Malta isn't just a place to visit — it's a place to do something meaningful. Here's how to find structured opportunities on the islands.

Erasmus in Malta

Malta has a lively Erasmus community, particularly in the autumn and spring semesters. The University of Malta and several private colleges welcome Erasmus students from across Europe. The country's size means the international student community is tight-knit — you'll make friends fast.

For youth exchanges and non-formal Erasmus programmes, Projekta Malta coordinates projects throughout the year, and Erasmus Malta is the national agency for the programme.

Erasmus Malta ↗

Volunteering in Malta

Malta has a well-developed NGO sector, covering everything from environmental conservation to social welfare and community arts. Volunteers Malta is the primary platform for connecting individuals with placements — you can filter by cause area, time commitment, and location across the islands.

For long-term volunteer placements funded by the EU's European Solidarity Corps, check the European Youth Portal for open calls — Malta regularly hosts ESC volunteers in environmental, social, and cultural organisations.

Find Volunteer Roles ↗

Youth Exchanges & Projects

Several organisations in Malta send and host participants in international youth exchanges. These week-long Erasmus+ projects bring together young people from multiple countries to work on a shared theme through non-formal learning methods.

If you're a youth worker looking to build international connections, Projekta also offers training courses and networking opportunities for professionals in the youth sector.

Youth Project Resources

Community & Social Activities

Malta's international community is warm and social. Beyond the organised programmes, there are regular language exchanges, intercultural meetups, and community events — especially in Sliema, St Julian's, and Valletta.

The GameOn board game project is an interesting example of how Malta's youth organisations are creating structured social spaces. Their library of board games — available to subscribing organisations for loan — is used at community events, youth clubs, and Erasmus gatherings across the islands.

GameOn Project ↗
Practical Information

Malta essentials for the budget traveller

💰 Daily Budget Guide

  • Budget (backpacker): €30–50/day including dorm bed, food, and basic activities
  • Mid-range: €60–100/day including private room and dining out
  • Dorm bed: €15–35/night depending on season and location
  • Local pastizzi snack: €0.30–0.50 (essential)
  • Restaurant meal: €8–15 for a main course at a local restaurant
  • Bus journey: €1.50 single, €2 after 11pm, free with Explore Card
  • Beer at a bar: €2–4

🚌 Getting Around

  • Malta's public bus network covers the whole island — reliable and cheap
  • Buy a Tallinja card (reloadable) for discounted fares
  • Explore Card: 7-day unlimited travel for €21 — great value for active travellers
  • Taxi and ride-sharing apps (eCabs, Bolt) are available and reasonably priced
  • Gozo ferry runs frequently from Ċirkewwa — free on the return leg
  • No need for a car unless exploring Gozo extensively

📱 Connectivity & SIM Cards

  • EU data roaming rules apply for EU citizens — your home plan works here
  • Local SIM cards from Epic, GO, or Melita are available at the airport and shops
  • Wi-fi is widely available in cafés, hostels, and most public spaces
  • Coverage is good across both Malta and Gozo

🍽️ Eating Well on a Budget

  • Pastizzeriji (pastry shops) sell the best cheap food on the island — pastizzi and qassatat start at €0.30
  • Local restaurants ("eateries") in non-tourist areas are far cheaper than tourist strip
  • Supermarkets are well-stocked — self-catering saves significantly
  • Marsaxlokk fish market (Sunday mornings) is brilliant for fresh, cheap seafood
  • Look for "lunch deals" — many restaurants offer €8–10 two-course lunch specials
Keep Reading

Related guides & articles

Ready to discover Malta?

Start planning your trip, explore volunteer opportunities, or find out how Erasmus can take you there — all with a little help from Hostel123.

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