Is Malta Expensive? Real Costs for Food, Hotels, Drinks & Everything Else You’ll Actually Spend Money On

Short answer: Malta is mid-range. Cheaper than Ibiza, Monaco or the French Riviera; about the same as Cyprus or mainland Greece; more expensive than Eastern European destinations or southern Portugal. But “mid-range” covers a huge spectrum, so this guide breaks down exactly what you’ll actually pay for hotels, food, drinks, clubs, taxis and activities. Whether you’re backpacking or splurging, by the end you’ll know if is malta expensive matters for your specific trip and budget.

Is Malta Expensive? The Quick Answer

Depends what you compare it to. Malta sits comfortably in the middle of European destinations — definitely cheaper than the headline-grabbing “luxury” spots, but not a backpacker bargain either. Here’s the 10-second version:

• vs Ibiza or Mykonos — Malta is 30-40% cheaper across the board
• vs mainland Spain, Greece, Italy — roughly similar, sometimes 10-15% cheaper
• vs Portugal or Eastern Europe — Malta is 20-30% more expensive
• vs the UK, France, Germany — comparable or slightly cheaper

The big cost drivers on any trip: accommodation first (huge range), then food and drinks, then activities and transport. Flights are actually one of the cheapest parts thanks to Ryanair and Wizz Air routes. Below, the full breakdown.

Daily Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Malta Cost?

Here’s what you’re realistically looking at per person per day, all-in, during summer 2026:

For a typical 7-day trip for two people at mid-range comfort, expect around €1 400-2 200 total excluding flights. Flights from most European hubs run €80-200 return per person.

Hotel & Accommodation Costs

Where you stay dominates your total spend. Prices vary wildly by zone and season.

Money-saving zones: Gzira, Msida and St Paul’s Bay are 30-40% cheaper than Sliema or St Julian’s, and often just one bus stop away. Mellieħa and Bugibba offer the best deals for family resorts and self-catering.

Food & Drink Prices in Malta

Cost of food in malta ranges from €1 street snacks to fine-dining tasting menus. The sweet spot is around €15-25 for a proper meal.

Meals & Restaurants

• Pastizzi (Maltese cheese/pea pastry) — €0.50-1 each, best snack on the island
• Ftira sandwich — €4-6, massive Maltese-style bread filled with tuna, olives, capers
• Pizza margherita (casual) — €8-12
• Pasta dish (casual) — €10-14
• Fish of the day (main) — €18-28
• 3-course dinner with wine (mid-range) — €40-55 per person
• Tasting menu (fine dining) — €70-150 per person
• Supermarket sandwich + drink — €5-7

Drinks (Bars & Clubs)

• Cisk beer (local) — €3-4 local bar, €6-8 tourist spot, €8-10 in clubs
• Imported beer (Heineken, Stella) — €4-6 bar, €8-12 club
• Glass of house wine — €4-7
• Cocktails (bar) — €8-12
• Cocktails (club or beach club) — €12-18
• Bottle of water (shop) — €0.80-1.50
• Espresso — €1.20-1.80 local bar, €2.50-3 tourist café

Groceries & Self-Catering

If you’re in an Airbnb and cooking half your meals, weekly groceries for two run €60-100. Welbee’s, Lidl and Greens are the main supermarket chains. Fresh produce is good at Marsaxlokk market on Sundays (plus fish straight off the boats).

Club Entry, Bars & Nightlife Spending

Paceville nightlife is one of Malta’s big draws and cheaper than most European party cities.

• Club entry (standard night) — free before midnight, €10-20 after
• Club entry (special events / international DJ) — €20-50
• Boat party ticket — €40-65 with 1-2 drinks included
• Pool party day pass (Cafe Del Mar, Bora Bora) — €25-60 depending on the day
• Beach club sunbed — €15-30/day at proper beach clubs, free at public beaches
• VIP table (4-6 people) — €350-1 200 depending on venue and night

A good way to budget a nightlife trip: count €40-70 per night out (club entry + 3-4 drinks + taxi home). If you’re doing boat parties or special events, add €40-60 for those days. Our Malta events calendar shows exact prices for upcoming parties so you can plan ahead.

Transport Costs — Getting Around Malta

This is where Malta wins on budget. Public transport is cheap, distances are short, and apps like Bolt keep taxi prices reasonable.

• Single bus ticket (summer) — €2.50 flat rate, valid 2 hours incl. transfers
• Single bus ticket (winter) — €1.50 flat rate
• Tallinja weekly unlimited — €21 (best value for week-long stays)
• Bolt / eCabs / Uber (airport to Sliema) — €15-22
• Bolt / eCabs / Uber (short city ride) — €5-9
• Car rental — €20-30/day off-peak, €40-60/day in summer
• Fuel — ~€1.40/litre petrol
• Gozo ferry (car + driver return) — ~€15.70 ; passenger on foot €4.65 return
• Comino boat (Blue Lagoon) — €15-20 round trip

Unless you’re planning multiple Gozo trips or hidden-beach hunting, you don’t need a car. Buses cover everything useful for €21 a week.

Activities & Attractions — What You’ll Actually Spend

The fun part. Typical costs for things you’ll probably do:

• Blue Lagoon boat trip (Sliema) — €35-50, full day
• Gozo day tour — €30-60 depending on group size and inclusions
• Scuba diving single dive — €45-70 with gear
• Jet ski rental (30 min) — €50-80
• Quad bike tour — €60-90 for half day
• St John’s Co-Cathedral entry (Valletta) — €15
• Hypogeum (book 2 months ahead) — €40
• Mdina ghost tour — €20-25
• Malta Aquarium — €15 adult, €7 child
• Popeye Village — €17 adult, €13 child

Browse our Malta activities directory for up-to-date prices and to book in advance — some things (Hypogeum, popular boat parties) sell out weeks ahead in summer.

How to Keep Malta Costs Down

Smart ways to cut your trip budget without cutting the fun:

• Travel in May, September or October — accommodation prices drop 30-50% vs peak summer, weather still excellent
• Fly mid-week — Tuesday and Wednesday departures from most European hubs are €40-80 cheaper than weekends
• Base yourself in Gzira, Msida or St Paul’s Bay — 30% cheaper than Sliema, still close to everything
• Do half your meals at pastizzerias, ftira shops and supermarkets — €1-6 meals vs €20+ at tourist restaurants
• Buy the €21 weekly bus pass and skip daily taxis
• Book clubs through event pages / guestlists in advance — free entry before midnight, discount drink packages
• Skip VIP airport transfers — the €2.50 X2 bus or a €15-20 Bolt does the job
• Share apartments in groups of 4-6 — per-person cost drops to €25-40/night in peak season
• Drink house wine / local Cisk beer instead of imported brands — half the price

What Makes Malta Expensive When It Is

Things that hike your budget faster than anywhere else:

• 5-star seafront hotels in peak summer — €500-1 000/night is common at Corinthia, Hilton, Westin Dragonara
• Paceville VIP clubbing — a table at Twenty Two or Sky Club runs €500-1 500 per night for the group
• Private boat charters — €600-2 000/day for 6-12 people
• Taxi if you refuse ride apps — official airport taxi is €25 vs €15 on Bolt; inside Paceville, random cabs can quote €40 for a 5-minute ride
• Imported spirits in hotel bars — €14-18 for a basic gin & tonic
• Currency exchange at the airport or hotel — 8-12% worse than ATM rates

For official tourism info and practical travel tips, the Visit Malta A-Z guide covers a lot of the basics too.

FAQ — Malta Costs & Expenses

Is Malta expensive to visit?

Moderately. Is malta expensive to visit depends on your benchmark — cheaper than Ibiza, Mykonos or Monaco; similar to Greece and Cyprus; more expensive than Eastern Europe. Budget €100-160/day per person for a comfortable mid-range trip.

How much money do I need per day in Malta?

Backpackers: €50-70. Mid-range travellers: €100-160. Comfort travellers: €180-280. Luxury: €350+. This covers accommodation, meals, drinks, transport and one activity per day.

Is Malta cheaper than Ibiza?

Yes, significantly. Malta costs roughly 30-40% less across accommodation, drinks, club entry and boat parties. Flights are often cheaper too.

Is food expensive in Malta?

No, the cost of food in malta is reasonable. Pastizzerias and local restaurants offer meals from €1 to €15. Only fine dining and tourist-trap waterfront spots hit €30+ per main.

How much is a beer in Malta?

Local Cisk beer costs €3-4 in a local bar, €6-8 in tourist areas, €8-10 in clubs. Imported beers run €4-6 in bars and €8-12 in clubs.

Is Malta expensive compared to Greece?

Roughly similar. Malta is 5-15% more expensive for accommodation, about the same for food, slightly cheaper for nightlife. Flights from most European hubs tend to be cheaper to Malta.

Can I visit Malta on a €500 budget for a week?

Tight but possible. Hostel + pastizzerias + bus + one boat party gets you there. You’d be looking at around €70/day excluding flights. Not luxurious but doable for a backpacker week.

What’s the most expensive thing about Malta?

Luxury hotels in peak summer, followed by VIP club tables and private boat charters. Also: paying tourist prices for drinks at seafront bars vs local equivalents 5 minutes inland.

→ Ready to plan the rest? Our complete Malta holidays guide covers everything from where to stay to the best party spots