Where to stay in Malta without a car
Waterside view of Valletta
Valletta (Floriana)
Naturally, you’re likely to want to see Malta’s capital, Valletta, on your trip. It’s one of the best places to stay without a car.
Not only is Valletta culture-packed, it’s also the hub of the island’s public transport network, which makes getting around much easier than you might expect.
Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and as soon as you start walking its steep stone streets you’ll see why. Grand historic buildings and sweeping harbour views make it a joy to explore.
It’s also where you’ll find cultural attractions, like St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the Lascaris War Rooms.
What makes Valletta especially good for car-free travellers is the excellent transport access. Malta’s main bus station is just outside the city walls at Vjal Nelson, right by the Triton Fountain.
From here, you can reach almost anywhere on the island by bus. Although I found the layout of the bus bays a bit confusing.
The stands spread out around the corner so you can’t always see where everything is at once. So give yourself a little bit of extra time and don’t be shy about asking for help, English is one of Malta’s official languages, so it’s easy to check directions.
Pro tip: Airport direct buses leave from stand B1 (and on Lascaris, by the fast ferry terminal). Check for any changes to this on the Malta Public Trasport website.
Valletta is also a great departure point for Gozo.
You can hop on the fast ferry to Gozo from the Lascaris Wharf terminal, which is quicker (and far more scenic) than taking a long bus ride north followed by the standard ferry.
From Gozo, you can also reach Comino and the famous Blue Lagoon.
One of my favourite experiences in Malta was taking a traditional wooden boat (a dgħajsa) across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities. The view back to Valletta is unforgettable, one of the best photo spots on the island.
Best places to visit from Valletta without a car
- Mosta Dome (bus #41, #44, #45, #48 or #250)
- Marsaxlokk and St Peter’s Pool (bus #85 direct or #91 and change at Moro to #210)
- The Three Cities (via traditional Maltese boat or ferry)
- The Blue Grotto (bus #74 direct or #72 and a 20-minute walk from Qrendi)
- Dingli Cliffs (bus #52 or #56)
- Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa (bus #44)
- Mdina (bus #51, #52 or #53)
- Gozo Island (via fast ferry from Lascaris)
- Comino and the Blue Lagoon (fast ferry to Gozo then ferry from Gozo to Comino)
Where to stay in Valletta without a car
23 Boutique Hotel, Malta, a great place to stay without a car
On my first visit to Valletta, I stayed right in the centre. While it was certainly convenient, I didn’t get much sleep. Car horns, fireworks, and street noise kept me up most nights.
On my next trip, I tried something different and stayed on the outskirts of Valletta, in Floriana. It was so much better.
I stayed at 23 Boutique Hotel, a stylish boutique hotel, ideally located away from the hustle and bustle of the centre of Valletta but near enough to take advantage of all the public transport options.
Many buses stop just a couple of streets away on St Anne Street.
I loved 23 Boutique Hotel. The modern decor was spot on, and the duplex suite I booked came with a mezzanine bedroom, a huge bathroom, and a little indoor balcony where I could sit with breakfast and watch the world go by.
If you’re travelling without a car and want the best of both worlds, easy access to Malta’s public transport and a peaceful place to sleep, I highly recommend staying in Floriana over central Valletta.
The only downside of 23 Boutique Hotel is that it gets booked up quickly. If there’s no availability for your dates, check out the superb and highly rated Ellul Living apartment instead.
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