It's always difficult to know exactly how much spending money to take with you if you've never visited a country before. If you are heading out to Malta for the first time we have put together a little guide to how much spending money you might need. Our survey looked at the capital, Valletta.
The official currency in Malta is the euro.
Spending in Valletta, Malta
The city of Valletta was the 2018 European Capital of Culture and with an average of 300 days of yearly sunshine, the city and Malta is looking like a very popular destination for 2021. Assuming you have your flights booked, we take a look at the cost of things you might spend your money on while visiting Valletta.
£1 = €1.14 at the time of writing.
Accommodation
Valletta is rich in history and its architecture is a wonderful reflection of this. Since being awarded the Capital of Culture, Malta has been restoring many of palaces, fortresses and homes with several being turned into boutique hotels. You can find accommodation in 16th century homes and historic townhouses from just £50 a night, with most 4 beds coming in at a very reasonably £80-100 (€90-113) per night. For those who prefer hotels popular choices like La Falconeria and Grand Hotel Excelsior will set you back around £1200 (€1353) for 7 nights in May. These prices continue up to around £2200 (€2481) for the elegant and very popular Hotel Phoenicia. If you want to budget then a package holiday may suit your pocket and you can find a range of good quality, budget accommodation on air BnB and most hotel booking websites. Like most popular tourist destinations in 2021, you can holiday according to budget.
Food and drink
Malta offers a wealth of food options from quick grab and go joints to laid back cafes and fine dining. Unsurprisingly seafood is a big feature on many menus and it does not disappoint. The Submarine is a favourite sandwich shop amongst those looking for a quick, low cost choice that is regularly referred to as the best sandwich shop in Malta. For only €3.50 you can choose your bread, like a ciabatta, wrap or baguette along with 3 fillings including meat, cheese and salad. Another favourite is Rubino established in 1904 they serve Maltese and Mediterranean food with a menu that changes daily. You will find a mix of fish and meat like Sea Bass and red prawns, pan fried rabbit and slow cooked lamb with mains costing between €17-23. For pasta lovers looking for something midrange then Pastaus located on Old Theatre Street is a must. This place is renowned for its delicious fresh pasta served with good wine in a great atmosphere. You can find traditional dishes for €8 and specials for €12. When it comes to drink there are some excellent wines across the city and you can usually get a domestic beer for around €2.75-3. Perfect for sitting on the waterfront and watching a sunset.
If you are self-catering, prices of fresh food are more expensive than other European destinations but are still on a par with the UK.
Transport
Malta has a great bus transport network with single fares costing around €2 during the summer, if you are visiting for a week then the 'Explore' card is just €21 for 7 days of unlimited travel. For those wanting to venture further afield to Gozo, the ferry costs €4.65.
Taxis will cost €8 to start and around €3 per km. Car hire from the airport starts at around €100 for a weeks hire for a small Peugeot 108 to around €920 for a BMW 5 series.
Places to visit
There is no shortage of things to do in Valletta, especially if you love architecture and history. The ornate detail at St John's Co-Cathedral is a must see, entry costs €10. The underground tunnels and chambers that make up Lascaris War Rooms, these were the war headquarters for the defence of Malta during the Second World War. Entry is €12 and includes a tour, a family ticket can be purchased for €25. For those who enjoy walking, a stroll around the waterfront and town is a great way to spend a couple of hours. The colourful wooden balconies add Upper Barrakka Gardens make for some charming sights.
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