Is Valletta expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Valletta is mid-priced for Western Europe: cheaper than Paris, London or the Italian hotspots, but no longer a bargain, with boutique hotels inside the walls in high demand. A realistic budget day is about €85 per person, mid-range about €175, and the money goes on rooms in Valletta, heritage sites and boat trips.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €40 | €90 | €190 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €85 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €30 | €50 |
| Local transport | €5 | €10 | €35 |
| Per person, per day | €85 | €175 | €360 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Valletta day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Pastizzi | about €0.60–1 each |
| Bus ticket, summer | about €2.50 |
| Barrakka Lift up | about €1 |
| St John's Co-Cathedral | about €15 |
| Lascaris War Rooms | about €15–18 |
| Grand Harbour boat tour | about €20–25 |
| Taxi from the airport (app) | about €17–25 |
| Boutique hotel double in Valletta | about €130–240 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the main cost: boutique hotels in Valletta's old townhouses run about €130–240 a night, while Floriana and Gzira are cheaper at about €70–120. Heritage sites are paid one by one, from about €6 for the Inquisitor's Palace to about €15–18 for St John's or the Lascaris War Rooms, and the Hypogeum costs about €35–50 and must be booked weeks ahead. Food is fair, with a pastizzi breakfast for about €2 and taverna meals around €25–40. Buses and ferries are cheap. Malta also charges a small eco-contribution per adult per night.
When it is cheaper
From November to March rooms are usually noticeably cheaper than in July and August, and the weather stays mild; Christmas and Easter are exceptions.
How to spend less
- Stay in Floriana or Gzira and walk or take the ferry into Valletta.
- Use the Barrakka Lift down for free and the ferries instead of taxis.
- Eat pastizzi, ftira and imqaret for snacks instead of sit-down lunches.
- Take bus X4 from the airport rather than a taxi.
- Choose a few paid heritage sites; the Upper Barrakka and the cannon salute are free.
- Book the Hypogeum online early instead of paying for a tour that includes it.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
How much does a day in Valletta cost?
About €85 per person on a budget, €175 mid-range and €360 in comfort, sharing a double.
Is Malta cheaper than Italy?
Roughly similar to mainland Italy outside the big tourist cities; buses, ferries and snacks are cheap, Valletta hotels are not.
How much is a taxi from the airport?
About €17–25 with Bolt or eCabs; bus X4 costs a bus fare and takes about 20–25 minutes.