This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy or book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission .
Are you considering solo travel in Malta? This Mediterranean island nation is certainly pretty, but is Malta safe and enjoyable for a female traveling alone?
As someone who took the leap and traveled without my husband to Malta last year, today I am reporting all about my experience. I am sugarcoating nothing and being completely transparent about my joys and struggles during my first solo trip in Europe.
So without further ado, here is my full report about what it was like to travel as a solo female in Malta.
Solo Travel in Malta: What You Need to Know
Why Travel to Malta?
Of all the different countries to choose from, why did I pick Malta? And why did I go alone?
- I was already traveling in Greece with my husband right beforehand, so staying in Southern Europe made sense.
- Pictures I’d seen of Malta’s Blue Lagoon on Instagram looked gorgeous.
- I’d always wanted to visit the Mediterranean.
- The architecture in Valletta looked incredible and like a dream for photography.
- I was encouraged by the country’s low crime rate and that English is one of its official languages.
Still wonder why I traveled to Malta alone, when I usually travel with my husband? For one, he has less flexibility with work than me, so I’m able to travel more often than him. Second, I’d been yearning to flex my independence abroad, and embrace the confidence that comes from relying on oneself in unfamiliar surroundings.
Top Attractions in Malta
Are you curious about solo travel in Malta, but unsure what all there is to see? Malta has a colorful history, having been an island of strategic importance by essentially being the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, Malta is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
There is plenty to do in Malta, but let’s start by drawing you in with these top five postcard-worthy sights:
1. Valletta
2. Grand Harbour
3. Walled City of Mdina
4. Gozo Island
5. Blue Lagoon
Malta First Impressions
I arrived into Malta International Airport after dark and paid 17 euros for the twenty-minute cab ride into Valletta. As I arrived, I took note of the narrow, hilly streets, which are laid out in a grid. Many of the streets are one way, and the cab driver accidentally missed my Airbnb on the first two tries.
That said, it wasn’t hard to love Valletta pretty quickly. The city is small and easy to explore on foot, although many streets are steep and some have lots of stairs. Of course, the stairs are part of Valletta’s charm, along with its colorful balconies and views of Grand Harbour all around.
I found Valletta to be a nice home base for day tripping to places like the Blue Grotto and Mdina. While I rented a car, many local tour companies leave from Valletta, and there is also good bus and taxi availability.
Admittedly, some of my initial enchantment wore off when I started driving around Malta, due to issues with my rental car. Also, traveling in the middle of September meant that it was really hot outside and I was constantly soaked with sweat.
Meeting Other Travelers
For me, tours are always the easiest way to meet other travelers. However, I did not love the overall tour options available in Malta. Pickings were slim and many had only so-so reviews.
That said, I did book a couple so that I could socialize a bit. On my Gozo Jeep Tour, I ended up meeting another girl from the USA, and joined her and another girl from her hostel for dinner that evening. It was nice to not eat alone for one night!
Although I did not stay in a hostel, this is another good way for solo travelers to meet people. There are a lot of hostels in Malta, though not so much in Valletta. However, you need only go a bit further north to St. Julian’s to find a multitude of options.
Malta Likes & Dislikes
What I liked about Malta
- The beautiful scenery of Grand Harbour, especially from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
- Taking myself out to cozy Trabuxu Wine Bar. It was also fun to stroll down Straight Street on a Saturday evening, when lots of people were out for the night.
- The charming stairs and balconies of Valletta.
- Visiting The Three Cities on a quick and inexpensive ferry across Grand Harbour.
- Visiting prehistoric ruins like Hagar Qim, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Chilling in the airport lounge at Malta International Airport, which I could access thanks to the Priority Pass from my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card.
What I disliked about Malta
- My crappy rental car. I had so many random issues with it, from working the emergency brake to unlocking the steering wheel.
- Driving on the opposite side of the car and opposite side of the road. I accidentally hit the curb more times than I’d like to admit.
- Being constantly sweaty in dry 90 degree F heat. I traveled in September and it hadn’t rained since February. Sadly, the landscapes were largely dry and brown.
- Visiting Mdina in high noon, when it was hot and crowded with tourists. Mdina is known to be much more atmospheric at night, but I was afraid to drive in the dark.
- My Gozo Jeep Tour, where the Jeeps were way too small to reasonably fit four adults in the back. Personal space was not a thing.
Safety in Malta
Malta is generally a safe place for solo travel, but you should always be aware of your surroundings. Below are my observations on safety that I personally dealt with while in Malta. For a deeper dive, I recommend checking out this article here.
- Petty Crime: Theft and pickpocketing do occasionally happen in Malta. I always kept my small purse in front of me, and left some cash and cards back in my room.
- Walking in Valletta after dark: While Valletta did not feel unsafe at night, I still tried to avoid being out after dark. The two times I did, I talked to my husband on the phone until I reached my Airbnb and walked back with the two girls I’d met for dinner.
- Driving in Malta: Driving on the opposite side of the road and car is weird at first, but you’ll get used to it. I found almost all sights pretty easily using Google Maps. In case of car troubles like I had, get your rental company’s roadside assistance number and keep a portable phone charger on hand.
- Hiking in Malta: My cringe hiking moment was slipping on my butt on loose rocks while hiking to see the Dingli Cliffs. There was hardly anyone around, so thankfully I only had a couple bruises. Do better than me by sticking to well-trafficked paths and wearing sturdy shoes. In the heat, you’ll want a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
- Swimming in Malta: Take care when swimming alone in Malta, as water can be deep and have currents or dangerous rocks. I happily swam in the gentle waters of Gozo’s Ramla l-Hamra beach. However, I only did minimal swimming in the Blue Lagoon because the water was deep, and I prefer to wade. Just know your limits and follow the locals.
Should Solo Female Travelers Visit Malta?
I would recommend Malta as a lovely destination for solo female travelers. The country is generally safe and filled with so much beauty. Driving in Malta gave me the most trouble, but it is not necessary to do so. Using public transportation, like buses and taxis, is affordable and easy to access. Booking a full day tour to take you around the islands of Malta or Gozo offers additional convenience and the chance to meet people.
• • •
For a first solo trip in Europe, my stay in Malta was overall a success, with plenty of beautiful photos to show for it. Despite the setbacks, I am still glad I pushed myself to drive around the island. There are probably easier places to visit for a first solo trip abroad, but you have to start somewhere!
Are you considering solo travel in Malta?
