Where to Stay in Malta: Best Areas for Nightlife, Beach & All Inclusive Hotels

Choosing where to stay in Malta is one of the most important decisions you will make when planning your holiday — and it is one that most travellers do not think about carefully enough. Malta is a small island, but its areas are remarkably different from one another. The right location can make your holiday exceptional. The wrong one can leave you disappointed. This guide will tell you exactly where to stay in Malta, based on what kind of holiday you are looking for.

It All Starts With One Question: What Kind of Holiday Do You Want in Malta?

Malta is not a one-size-fits-all destination. Unlike many Mediterranean islands where a single resort strip caters to every type of traveller, Malta's areas each have a distinct character and purpose. St Julian's is nothing like Mellieħa. Sliema is nothing like Marfa. Getting this decision right is everything — and as the UK's only dedicated Malta specialist, GotoBeach is here to make sure you do.

Where to Stay in Malta for Nightlife: St Julian's and St Paul's Bay

If an active social life is at the top of your holiday agenda, there are two areas that stand out above all others: St Julian's and St Paul's Bay.

St Julian's is Malta's undisputed nightlife capital. At its heart is Paceville — the island's most famous entertainment district, where bars, clubs and restaurants line the streets well into the early hours. This is where Malta's energy is at its most intense, and where the island's best hotels sit alongside its best dining and nightlife venues. The InterContinental Malta, the Hyatt Centric and the Westin Dragonara are all within easy reach of Paceville, giving you immediate access to everything the area has to offer.

St Paul's Bay offers a slightly more relaxed version of the same experience. The nightlife here is lively but less frenetic than Paceville, with a broad selection of bars and waterfront restaurants that attract both locals and tourists. It is a particularly good choice for those who want a social atmosphere without the intensity of St Julian's.

At GotoBeach, we offer a carefully selected range of hotels in both areas — from budget-friendly options to luxury properties — all bookable as part of a flexible package holiday with flights included.

Where to Stay in Malta for All Inclusive Holidays: Mellieha and St Paul's Bay

All inclusive hotels in Malta are genuinely scarce. This is not Turkey or the Canaries — the island has never developed a large-scale all inclusive resort culture, and the number of quality all inclusive properties can quite literally be counted on one hand. If an all inclusive holiday is your priority, your options are concentrated in two areas: Mellieha and St Paul's Bay.

Mellieha is home to some of Malta's finest all inclusive resorts, including the db Seabank Resort & Spa and the Ramla Bay Resort — both of which offer excellent facilities, strong food and drink packages, and direct access to the sea. The northern location is peaceful, the surroundings are beautiful, and the proximity to the Gozo ferry makes it an outstanding base for island exploration.

St Paul's Bay and Qawra also offer solid all inclusive options, including the db San Antonio Hotel & Spa and the Qawra Palace Resort — both well-established properties with strong all inclusive programmes and good facilities.

As the UK's only Malta specialist, GotoBeach has negotiated exclusive all inclusive conditions at these properties that you will not find on any comparison site. If an all inclusive Malta holiday is what you are after, you have come to exactly the right place.

Where to Stay in Malta for a Boutique Hotel Experience: Sliema and Valletta

For those who prefer character over scale, intimacy over sprawl, and a refined atmosphere over a busy resort environment, Sliema and Valletta are the areas to consider.

Sliema is Malta's most cosmopolitan area — a modern waterfront town with an excellent promenade, a superb selection of restaurants and boutique bars, and a wide range of smaller, independently run hotels with limited room counts. If you want to feel genuinely immersed in Maltese urban life, with the flexibility to walk to dinner, browse independent shops and enjoy a sundowner with a harbour view, Sliema is the finest base on the island.

Valletta, Malta's UNESCO World Heritage capital, offers something even more extraordinary — the chance to sleep inside one of Europe's most beautiful historic cities. The accommodation here consists almost entirely of boutique properties, often converted from centuries-old palazzos, offering an intimate and utterly unique experience. There are relatively few hotels in Valletta, which makes it an exclusive choice — but for those seeking culture, history and atmosphere above all else, it is unmatched.

Where to Stay in Malta for a Beach Holiday: Mellieha and the North

This is perhaps the most important piece of advice in this entire guide: if you are expecting a traditional sandy beach holiday in Malta, you need to choose your location very carefully.

The reality is that Malta's coastline is predominantly rocky. Unlike Turkey or the Canary Islands, wide sandy beaches are genuinely rare on the island. With the exception of Mellieħa Bay — Malta's largest sandy beach — and Golden Bay near the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Golden Sands, most of the island's swimming areas consist of rocky platforms and purpose-built lido areas rather than sandy shores.

This does not make Malta a poor beach destination — quite the contrary. The sea is extraordinarily clear, the lido culture is wonderful, and swimming off limestone platforms into turquoise Mediterranean water is a genuinely beautiful experience. But if soft sand is non-negotiable for you, Mellieha is your only realistic option for a beach holiday in Malta.

The Radisson Blu Resort & Spa at Golden Sands and the db Seabank Resort & Spa in Mellieha are both outstanding choices for beach-focused holidays — and both are available exclusively through GotoBeach with our best price guarantee.

Where to Stay in Malta for a Peaceful Retreat: Marfa Bay and the North

For those who want to truly escape — no crowds, no traffic, no urban noise — the northernmost tip of Malta, around Marfa Bay, offers something genuinely rare: total tranquillity combined with extraordinary sea views.

The Riviera Resort Adults Only and the Ramla Bay Resort both sit in this part of the island, offering a level of peace and seclusion that simply does not exist anywhere else in Malta. The added bonus of this location is its proximity to the Gozo ferry terminal at Cirkewwa — meaning day trips to Gozo and the Blue Lagoon are effortless, without the 45 to 60 minute drive that guests in Sliema or St Julian's must endure.

Where to Stay in Malta for Gozo Access: The North

If visiting Gozo is on your agenda — and it absolutely should be — then staying in the north of Malta is a significant practical advantage. Guests staying at Ramla Bay Resort or Riviera Resort Adults Only can walk to the Cirkewwa ferry terminal in minutes, hop on the ferry, and be exploring the Citadella in Gozo within 25 minutes of leaving the hotel. For guests based in St Julian's or Sliema, the same journey requires a 45 to 60 minute transfer — time that is far better spent on the island itself.

Where to Stay in Malta: Quick Reference Guide

For nightlife → St Julian's (Paceville) or St Paul's Bay

For all inclusive holidays → Mellieha or St Paul's Bay / Qawra

For boutique hotels → Sliema or Valletta

For beach holidays → Mellieha (Mellieħa Bay or Golden Bay)

For peace and seclusion → Marfa Bay (Riviera Resort or Ramla Bay Resort)

For Gozo access → Anywhere in the north, particularly Marfa Bay

What Many Travellers Get Wrong About Malta

One of the most common mistakes travellers make when choosing where to stay in Malta is assuming that the island offers the same type of beach resort experience as destinations like Turkey or Spain.

In reality, Malta is very different.

Much of the coastline is rocky rather than sandy, and many popular areas such as Sliema and St Julian’s offer limited direct beach access. Travellers expecting long stretches of soft sand within walking distance of their hotel may find themselves disappointed.

Location is another factor that is often misunderstood. Areas in the north of Malta, including Mellieha and Marfa Bay, offer peace, space and beautiful sea views — but they are far removed from nightlife, shopping and city life. Without a car or regular use of taxis, getting around can become inconvenient.

On the other hand, staying in central areas like St Julian’s or Sliema means easy access to restaurants and nightlife, but comes with higher noise levels, heavier traffic, and a more urban environment that may not feel like a traditional holiday resort.

Understanding these trade-offs is essential. Malta is not a destination where one location fits all — and choosing the wrong area can significantly impact your overall experience.

Who Malta Might Not Be Ideal For

Travellers expecting large sandy beaches everywhere
Those looking for a classic all-inclusive resort destination
People who want everything within walking distance

Why Book Your Malta Holiday with GotoBeach?

As the UK's only dedicated Malta specialist, GotoBeach offers something no generalist operator can match: genuine, first-hand knowledge of every corner of the island. Whatever type of Malta holiday you are looking for — all inclusive, adults only, beach, boutique or cultural — we have the right hotel in the right location for you, available as a flexible package holiday with flights included and a best price guarantee.

There is no need to look anywhere else. Your perfect Malta holiday starts here.

Where to Stay in Malta FAQ

What is the best area to stay in Malta for first-time visitors?

For first-time visitors, St Julian's or Sliema offer the best combination of location, amenities and transport links. Both are well connected to Valletta and offer a wide range of hotels at every price point.

Where is the best place to stay in Malta for families?

Mellieħa is the best area for families, with easy access to Malta's largest sandy beach, the Malta National Aquarium, and a calm, unhurried atmosphere. The db Seabank Resort & Spa is particularly popular with families.

Where should I stay in Malta for nightlife?

St Julian's, and specifically the Paceville district, is Malta's nightlife capital. St Paul's Bay offers a slightly more relaxed but still lively alternative.

Is Sliema good for all inclusive holidays in Malta?

No. All inclusive hotels in Malta are concentrated in Mellieħa and St Paul's Bay. Sliema is better suited to bed and breakfast or half board stays, with its wide range of independent restaurants and bars.

What is the best area in Malta to stay near the Gozo ferry?

The Marfa Bay area, including Ramla Bay Resort and Riviera Resort, is within walking distance of the Ċirkewwa ferry terminal — making it the most convenient base for Gozo excursions.

Are there sandy beaches in Malta?

Sandy beaches in Malta are limited. The main sandy beaches are Mellieħa Bay and Golden Bay. Most other coastal areas feature rocky platforms and lido access rather than sand.

Editorial Note: This guide was authored by the GotoBeach Malta Product Department. Hotel facilities, area characteristics and operational details may change over time. We recommend speaking with one of our Malta specialists for the most up-to-date advice before booking.

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