How Much Does Valletta Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Valletta is a premium historic destination where costs reflect its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. While daily budgets can range from $88 / €75 for solo travelers to $683 / €580 for luxury seekers, the city remains more accessible than comparable Mediterranean hubs like Capri or Monaco. The compact nature of the capital means that boutique accommodation within the city walls commands a higher price, but these costs are balanced by affordable street food and efficient public ferries. Visitors should expect moderate prices for dining and activities, with significantly lower costs available just a short bus ride from the city gates. Strategic planning around harbor transfers and heritage sites is key to managing a budget in this baroque fortress city.
Is Valletta expensive to visit?
Valletta is a moderately expensive destination with a typical daily budget ranging from $88 / €75 to $683 / €580 depending on whether you choose local guesthouses or historic palazzos.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Valletta
$88
per person /day
$277
per person /day
$683
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $265 | $830 | $2,048 |
| 5-Day Trip | $441 | $1,383 | $3,413 |
| 7-Day Trip | $618 | $1,936 | $4,779 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
Allow for a 15% buffer to cover hidden expenses like the $5.89 / €5 per stay Environmental Contribution tax and the $2.35–$3.53 / €2–€3 'coperto' or bread charge common in upscale Valletta dining rooms. Additionally, budget guesthouses may apply a $5.89 / €5 daily surcharge for air conditioning remote access during peak summer heat.
How Does It Compare?
See how Valletta stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Valletta
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Traditional Pastizzi (Street Food) Classic pea or ricotta filling. Most stands are cash-only. | $0.71 €0.6 |
| Mid-range Dinner (3-Course Meal) Includes a glass of local wine. Seafood dishes often carry a ~$5.89 / €5 premium. | $53 €45 |
| Local Cisk Beer (0.5L Pint) Imports like Peroni or Stella typically cost ~$1.18 / €1 more. | $5.3 €4.5 |
Transport (5)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard Bus Ticket (Summer Single) Summer rates apply mid-June to mid-October. Winter rates are slightly lower at ~$2.35 / €2. | $2.94 €2.5 |
| Official Taxi (Airport to Valletta) This is a fixed government-regulated rate. Pay at the taxi booth in the Arrivals hall. | $20 €17 |
| Valletta Ferry to Sliema (Night Return) Night service applies after 19:30. The day return is cheaper at ~$5.65 / €4.8. | $6.12 €5.2 |
| Gozo Highspeed Ferry (Return) 45-minute journey departing from the Grand Harbour. Cheaper for Gozo residents. | $18 €15 |
| Barrakka Lift (Return Ticket) Free if you have a valid ferry ticket from the Three Cities. | $1.18 €1 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Budget Hostel Dorm Bed (Valletta vicinity) Hostels inside the city walls are rare; most budget options are in neighboring Floriana (10-minute walk). | $41 €35 |
| Mid-Range Boutique Hotel Room Prices for historic 'Palazzo' hotels fluctuate significantly with cruise ship arrivals. | $194 €165 |
| Luxury Hotel (The Phoenicia Malta) Includes access to the iconic infinity pool overlooking the Marsamxett Harbour. | $494 €420 |
Activities (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| St. John's Co-Cathedral Entry Includes a multi-lingual audio guide. Dress code requires covered shoulders and knees. | $18 €15 |
| Heritage Malta Multisite Pass Valid for 30 days; covers 20+ sites including Fort St. Elmo and the Archaeology Museum. | $59 €50 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Prepaid Starter Pack (Melita SIM/eSIM) Includes 25GB of data and ~$5.89 / €5 credit for 30 days. | $12 €10 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is a mix of high-end harbor-front restaurants and traditional bakeries, where a three-course dinner averages $53 / €45. Budget travelers can eat well on local street food like pastizzi for just $0.71 / €0.6, while a pint of local Cisk beer typically costs $5.3 / €4.5.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Jeff's Pastizzeria
$0.71–$3.53 / €0.6–€3St. John's Street · Bakery
The ultimate quick lunch for under ~$2.35 / €2. Grab two ricotta pastizzi and a Kinnie soda.
Nenu The Baker
$14–$21 / €12–€18St. Dominic Street · Local chain
Try the 'Ftira'—it is huge and easily shared by two people for ~$15 / €13.
Soul Food
$11–$18 / €9–€15Merchants Street · Street food area
Excellent for vegetarians; outdoor seating is great for people-watching on the busy market street.
The Submarine
$5.89–$9.42 / €5–€8Merchants Street · Bakery
Legendary for its custom sandwiches; lines can be long at 13:00.
Is-Suq Tal-Belt Stalls
$9.42–$19 / €8–€16Merchants Street · Food court
Entry is free; the basement level has a supermarket for even cheaper picnic supplies.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the region is most cost-effective via the public bus system, which charges $2.94 / €2.5 for a single ticket during the summer months. For those crossing the Grand Harbour, the Valletta Ferry to Sliema offers a scenic night return service for $6.12 / €5.2.
Accommodation Overview
Staying within the historic 'Palazzo' hotels in the city center costs roughly $194 / €165 per night, though prices often spike when cruise ships are in port. Budget seekers will find better value in neighboring Floriana, where hostel dorm beds average $41 / €35.
Accommodation Budget in Valletta
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the Heritage Malta Multisite Pass for $59 / €50 to gain entry to over 20 historical sites, including Fort St. Elmo and the Archaeology Museum.
- 2 Eat at Jeff's Pastizzeria on St. John's Street for a quick lunch of pea or ricotta pastizzi at only $0.71 / €0.6 each.
- 3 Present a valid ferry ticket from the Three Cities to use the Barrakka Lift for free, otherwise a return trip costs $1.18 / €1.
- 4 Visit during the shoulder months of April and May for temperatures of 20–24°C (68–75°F) and savings of up to $71 / €60 per night on boutique hotels.
- 5 Stick to local Cisk beer at $5.3 / €4.5 rather than imported brands like Peroni, which generally cost $1.18 / €1 more.
- 6 Pay the fixed government-regulated rate of $20 / €17 for a taxi from the airport by visiting the official booth in the Arrivals hall.
- 7 Use the Gozo Highspeed Ferry for a $18 / €15 return trip to explore the sister island without the need for an expensive private charter.
- 8 Look for 'Palazzo' hotels that offer discounted rates on days without scheduled cruise ship arrivals in the Grand Harbour.
- 9 Buy a prepaid Melita SIM starter pack for $12 / €10 to get 25GB of data, avoiding expensive international roaming fees.
- 10 Dine at Is-Suq Tal-Belt on Merchants Street, where various food stalls offer a range of price points in a communal setting.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
+35-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
-30-45%
Apr, May, Oct
Shoulder months (April–May) offer pleasant 20–24°C (68–75°F) weather and ~$47–$71 / €40–€60 savings per night on mid-range rooms.
Events to Watch
- ● Isle of MTV (July): +40% hotels
- ● Notte Bianca (October): Valletta central hotels fully booked months ahead
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Watching the midday and 16:00 gun salutes at the Saluting Battery from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
- 2 Exploring the panoramic views of the Three Cities from the Lower Barrakka Gardens.
- 3 Walking the 16th-century perimeter of the Valletta fortifications and bastions.
- 4 Visiting the Siege Bell War Memorial overlooking the entrance to the Grand Harbour.
- 5 Strolling through the historic City Gate and Parliament Square designed by Renzo Piano.
- 6 Watching the sunset from Hastings Gardens on the western side of the city.
- 7 Admiring the baroque facade and interior of the Church of St. Paul’s Shipwreck (entry is usually free/by donation).
- 8 Walking through the historic 'Silent City' of Mdina, located a 30-minute bus ride from Valletta.
- 9 Exploring the Victoria Lines, a 12km network of 19th-century fortifications across the island.
- 10 Viewing the Triton Fountain, a massive bronze landmark located just outside the Valletta City Gate.
- 11 Visiting the garden of the Palazzo de la Salle during public art exhibitions.
- 12 Strolling along the Sliema Promenade for views of the Valletta skyline across the water.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Dinner at ION Harbour by Simon Rogan
The only Michelin-starred terrace with a direct view of the Grand Harbour. The ~$218 / €185 tasting menu is world-class.
Private Day Yacht Charter (Grand Harbour)
Seeing the massive fortifications of Valletta from the water at sunset is the ultimate island experience.
The Phoenicia Afternoon Tea
A colonial-era tradition in the Palm Court; provides access to the grandest hotel in Malta without staying there.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Valletta
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Valletta and what they cost
Gozo (Mgarr & Victoria)
$18 / €15 by Highspeed Ferry
$5.89 / €5
$53 / €45
Comino & Blue Lagoon
$41 / €35 by Excursion Boat
Free
$71 / €60
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Widely accepted in restaurants and hotels; street food (Pastizzi) and some kiosks remain cash-only.
5–10% is customary in restaurants if service is good. Rounding up to the nearest ~$1.18 / €1 or ~$2.35 / €2 is common for taxis.
Avoid Euronet ATMs due to high conversion fees (~$4.71–$7.06 / €4–€6 per withdrawal). Use Bank of Valletta (BOV) or HSBC ATMs.
Connectivity
eSIM: $5.3–$14 for 1GB-10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12 / €10 for 25GB at Melita or Epic kiosks.
WiFi: Excellent in Valletta city center and most cafés; public 'MaltaFreeWifi' covers many squares.
The Melita $12 / €10 eSIM starter pack is the best value, providing 25GB and enough credit for local calls.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Valletta.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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