Welcome to the tiny island in the Mediterranean, and welcome to the 3 absolute best hostels in Malta. Malta is a beautiful island, offering a lot of culture, history, and super-tasty food.
In this guide we will share with you the 3 Malta top hostels (including swimming pool, Jacuzzi and SPA) and discuss the best part of Malta to stay in. We have traveled here and found a few tips and places we encourage you to add to your backpacking Malta.
Your Shortcut:
- Inhawi Boutique Hostel – Top pick for solo travellers and couples
- Two Pillow Boutique Hostel – for groups and families.
- Hostel Malti – ideal for backpackers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
In this list you will find the answer to where to stay in Malta. Find all our guide to best hostels in the world. And we are quite confident, you will be surprised and impressed. Or are you already expecting a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Spa, Roof Top Terrace and boutique-style? Let’s get this party started.
- Introduction
- 3 top hostels
- Best Hostel for Solo-Travelers
- What about the cheapest hostels in Malta?
- How to book?
- More hostels worth a mention
- Discounts
- Malta Backpacking Guide
- How to get around Malta?
- All 3 Hostels put on a map + sights
- FAQ
- Flights to Malta
Quick Introduction to Malta Hostels
Average price for a bed: A bed in a dorm can be as cheap as 10€ up to 18€. This is a rough average to give you an idea. Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Malta Tourism Tax: Travelers in Malta pay € 0.50 city tax per person per night. This tax is usually not included in the price.
Rent a car: Malta has three islands. I recommend to visit all three of them, especially Comino Island for the Blue Lagoon. For the main island I highly recommend renting a car. It is cheap and much faster than public transport. In Malta you drive on the left-side of the road. Check more tips on how to get around below.
Things to do and to see: I added all my best tips of best things to see in Malta here. It is important to pre-book the sight Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum as there is limited space.
Where to stay in Malta – the towns: You are most likely considering staying in Valetta, St Julians or Sliema. Actually, you can walk from Sliema to St Julians, it is just 10 minutes. Valetta is the oldest part with all the walls and museums. Most hostels are located in St Julians and Sliema; and this is where to stay in Malta to have fun. There is more bars and restaurants I personally enjoyed more.
For shopping, Valetta is better.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 coolest Hostels in Malta
Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels here in Malta, St. Julians, Gozo and Sliema.
Quick overview:
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Inhawi Boutique Hostel |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Inhawi Boutique Hostel |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Hostel Malti |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Two Pillow Boutique Hostel |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Two Pillow Boutique Hostel |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Inhawi Boutique Hostel |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Hostel Malti |
1. Inhawi Boutique Hostel
If you’re looking to visit Malta solo style then look no further!
Probably the most luxurious hostel Malta for Solo-Travellers and the best place to stay in Malta in October or even any month of the year, the Inhawi Hostel Malta.
It comes with the Instaglam-Factor, just have a look at the photos below. You have a small garden with hammocks and a swimming pool to relax in. Yet if you prefer the sea, just 300 meters down the road you’ve got it.
You have free and fast WiFi connection and the breakfast is included. It is a great breakfast buffet and you can eat at the terrace or the on-side restaurant. It is really not easy to beat that place.
Inhawi Boutique Hostel is one top of the best hostels in Malta for male and female solo-travellers, and couples!
The only downside we see is the dorms not having privacy curtains on the beds.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Here is a nice introduction video, showing you around.
2. Two Pillow Boutique Hostel (pure Luxury)
Okay, get ready for a real treat!
This is the best place to stay in Malta for couples!
Number two on the list of Malta Hostels is also a Boutique Hostel Malta Sliema. While Inhawi may still be more budget-traveler oriented, the Two Pillow Boutique Hostel takes another step up the ladder.
The Two Pillow Boutique Hostel was the first boutique hostel on the island. It caters to all types of guests looking for a social hostel, yet with high-end facilities.
Two Pillows is the top hostel in Malta for:
- Young couples
- students
- retired couples
- families
In 2017 it was refurbished, now offering all types of rooms; from apartments to private double rooms and dorms. The breakfast is always extra; it’s a rich breakfast. However, I would recommend getting breakfast at one of the beach cafés nearby. Food in Malta is really affordable and due to the Italian influence really tasty.
For the Luxury traveler: Get the Superior Suite. It comes with a private spa and balcony. This room challenges and beats the hotels in the area.
If you are traveling with your parents, and you are looking for an excuse to stay with them in a hostel, you have now found your perfect reason. Just show them the photo of the Superior Suite at The Two Pillow Hostel!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. Hostel Malti in St Julian’s (Backpacker’s choice)
This is the best hostel for backpacker Malta has ever seen, Hostel Malti!
Hostel Malti is a typical Backpacker hostel offering lots of fun tours, a fun roof top terrace and events like BBQs. We recommend joining their island tours in summer. They take you to the Blue Lagoon, Gozo and Valletta and Mdina.
After a day exploring the island, we suggest a cocktail in the Jacuzzi. No, we are not kidding!
Hostel Malti is the best Malta hostel for Backpackers!
This now sounds like Hostel Malta St Julian’s is the top party hostel in Malta. Truth be told: The Malta party moves to a different spot at 11pm. The hostel organizes smaller pub crawls as well. It is a perfect combination of having a fun night out or staying in to recharge the inner battery.
Unfortunately the beds do not have curtains; this would be a big plus. On the bright side, the rooms come with black-out curtains, so the rooms can stay dark in the morning.
No worries on the location. Hostel Malti is situated in Saint Julian. There is a bay nearby, a quick 5 minute walk away.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostel in Malta for Solo-Travelers?
We think, there is two answers to the question ‘what is the best hostel in Malta for solo-travellers’.
It depends on your style!
- More Luxury: Go for Inhawi Boutique
- More Backpacker? Go for Hostel Malti
Both hostels are social, although you will find more tours and pub crawls at Hostel Malti. If that is more what you are after, you just found your best bet.
Here is again an overview for the different types of travelers and the hostel-fit for them.
- Female Solo-Traveler (Luxury): Inhawi Boutique
- Solo-Traveler (Backpacker style): Hostel Malti
- Backpacker: Hostel Malti
- Couples: Two Pillows Boutique
- Retirees: Two Pillows Boutique
- Families: Two Pillows Boutique
- Digital Nomads: Inhawi Boutique Hostel
What about the cheapest hostels in Malta?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Malta.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Malta
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
More Malta Hostels worth a mention
We hope that by now you already have a hostel in mind and a pretty good idea where to stay in Malta.
Inhawi Boutique Hostel, Two Pillow Boutique Hostel, and Hostel Malti are our personal favorites and they really standout in our reviews but there are a lot of other hostels that you can consider.
We listed more Hostels that you want to look at.
- Marco Polo Hostel
- Boho Hostel
- Vallettastay Hostel
- Corner Hostel Malta
- Granny’s Inn Hostel
Hostels are indeed the best option compared to Malta hotels because they are more affordable.
Marco Polo Hostel Malta
Macro Polo Hostel is owned by Hostel Malti. This place features an on-site bar and a sun terrace where guests can hangout and meet other travellers.
All units are airconditioned. Private rooms and dorm rooms are furnished with bright and modern decor. Contact the front desk for car and bike rentals.
Perks at Marco Polo Hostel:
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- Beachfront
- Free WiFi
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Bar
Location: Situated in St. Julian’s, this hostel is 300m away from Spinola Bay. Nearest airport is Malta International which is 7km away and Santa Martha Hostel is 39km away from the property.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Boho Hostel
Boho Hostel features a garden with hammocks, a TV lounge with DVD player so guests can relax and hangout. Perfect for travellers who want to meet other people. This hostel is placed just outside the city making it the best place to disconnect, while still being only ten minutes away.
This hostel offers mixed dormitories and female dormitories with fans and lockers. Private rooms are also available.
Perks at Boho Hostel:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free parking
- Free WiFi
- Facilities for disabled guests
Location: Situated in St. Julian’s, this place is accessible to Malta’s attractions. This place is a 10-minute walk from the center of St. Julian’s, The clubbing district is a 20-minute walk from the hostel and nearest airport is accessible by bus.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Vallettastay Hostel
This is one of the best Malta hostels Valletta has to offer. Valletastay Hostel offers private rooms and dorm rooms with a shared bathroom. This place features a living room with bean bags, so guests can hangout and meet other travellers.
Perks at Vallettastay Hostel:
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free WiFi
Location: Situated in Valletta, this place is 50m away from Malta’s National Museum of Fine Arts, St. John’s Co-Cathedral is 350m from the hostel and Sliema Ferry Quay is a 3-minute walk.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Corner Hostel Malta
Corner Hostel is another Malta hostel Sliema neighbourhood has to offer! Hostel is great for visiting surrounding areas. It is near everything.
The staff are really friendly and helpful. The kitchen is fully equipped which can help you save good amount of money from the supermarket. The rooms are very clean and they are the exact same as in the photos.
Perks at Corner Hostel Malta:
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free parking
- Free WiFi
- 24 Hour Security
- Bicycle Hire
- Mini-Supermarket
Location: Located at the heart of Sliema. The hostel is 200 m from Sliema Beach. The Exiles Bus Terminal is 200 m from the property. Buses from here link with Luqa Airport, Valletta and St. Julians.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Granny’s Inn Hostel
Granny’s Inn Hostel is a family run hostel which is ideal for backpackers who want to have a comfortable stay when visiting Malta.
The kitchen is well-equipped so it is perfect if you want to cook your own food. It is very easy to get around by bus from the hostel. It is the center of Sliema, you can easily walk to the bus station, stores, bakeries, lounges and restaurants.
Perks at Granny’s Inn Hostel:
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- Family rooms
- Free parking
- Beachfront
- Free WiFi
Location: Situated 350 m from Sliema’s seafront. Paceville can be reached with a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute bus ride. Luqa Airport is 10 km away.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Malta best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Our Secret Backpacking Tip for Malta
Obviously, choosing a hostel in Malta is a good choice to stay on a budget.
Malta is relatively cheap in food and hostels, so it is a good backpacker destination. It’s actually not pricey staying in Malta. If you are looking for a really unique experience, then we have it for you.
Stay at a camping site on the gorgeous island of Comino!
While the majority of tourists only visit Comino as a day trip, you can actually stay here. Bring your tent and sleeping bag and stay at the Comino Campsite.
Yet: There is no website and no way to book it ahead of time – at least, we didn’t find any way.
Most people only show up and set-up their tent.
The camping is a 20-30 minutes walk from the drop off point at the blue lagoon.
You can swim directly in the Santa Marija Bay. Even the lagoon calms down from 5-6pm as people head home for the day. So come here and enjoy a swim with very few people.
How to get around Malta?
As stated in the beginning, the island of Malta is small.
I mean, really small. Malta, the main island is around 35km long and roughly 16km wide.
Crossing the country by car from North to South takes you around 1 hour for 35km. And from the Dingli Cliffs in the West to Sliema in the East it takes you around 30 minutes for 16km.
You see, it is really small.
We highly recommend to rent a car when you come here.
I always rent my car with Discover Car Hire. It is a price-comparing website, offering as well insurance. Very reliable and great deals!
It is really cheap to rent a car in Malta. Just remember driving on the left-side of the road. Since Malta was a British Colony, they adapted this.
In the map below you will find more details to give you an even better idea of the distances.
What about going to Gozo from Malta with a car?
You can take a ferry with the car.
Departure is from Cirkewwa, Malta and return boat leaves from Mgarr, Gozo. It takes 30 minutes. A passengers pays around 5€, and a car with driver was around 16€.
You can find exact prices for the ferry here.
You see, it is affordable to bring you car to Gozo as well.
Our Favorite Hostels in Malta put on a map + sights
Below we included all the coolest Maltese Hostels and sights in one map.
It helps you to get a better understanding for the island, or better to say, the three islands.
Important to understand: Malta is a really small island and it consists of three islands dotted next to each other. Malta is the main island, Gozo is the second biggest in the west and right in-between you find the gorgeous Comino Island.
When it comes to Malta Hostels and Backpacking Malta in general, there is really only 3 cities/ destinations to stay in:
- St. Julians
- Sliema
- Gozo
Quite frankly: It does not matter if you stay in St Julians or Sliema; both cities are super close to each other. You could walk over in 20 minutes. It feels more like a district rather than two towns. So if you have been to Barcelona, London or Paris, you will have a broad grin looking at the distances.
The main sights in Malta are:
- Take a day trip to Comino and Blue Lagoon
- Wander Valetta
- Azure Window Ruins
- Visit Mdina
- Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples
- Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
- Ġgantija
- Blue Grotto
Here you find all tours and day trips in Malta. For a fun night out we recommend the Malta Pub Crawl.
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FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
Planning to visit Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum?
This is the most UNIQUE thing you can do in Malta. And it requires some preparation.
When planning to visit Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, we recommend to get your ticket asap! Tickets are usually sold out for the next 4-8 weeks.
The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is a complex made up of interconnecting rock-cut chambers set on three distinct levels. Earliest remains at the site date back to about 4000BC, and the complex was used over a span of many centuries, up to c. 2500 BC.
You can buy tickets for Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum directly on their website.
Our Guide to Malta
We wrote up a big guide to things to do in Malta. It is a different kind of guide. It is not public, it is meant only for real travelers.
In our guide to Backpacking Malta we cover for instance.
- a fantastic camping site you cannot miss – you even will have an amazing beach and island just for you and very few people!
- How to get around?! Our smartest recommendation for transport in Malta
- a local beach for having a BBQ right on the sand with locals
- beautiful spot for swimming just off the path
- and a delicious (and cheap) restaurant located directly by the sea
Geeky Tip: We show you what you need to book in advance – the one and only thing actually!
Check out our Things to do in Malta here.
Flights to Malta?
Flights to Malta are easy to find and quite affordable, it always depends on your departure airport. We paid 23€ for a flight to Malta.
The airport is right in the center of Malta. There is regular buses leaving to:
- Sliema,
- Valetta and
- St. Julians.
Just hop in the airport bus and let the driver know your destination. It was really simple and fast. It takes you around 20-30 minutes from the Airport to Sliema.
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Malta.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- 4o Best Hostels in Italy
- 3 best hostels in Rome
- best hostels in Venice, Italy
- best hostels in Greece
- best hostels in Crete Island, Greece
You can find all our new and updates articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list and more.
Over to you
So here you go, we just gave you the 3 best hostels in Malta.
Do you have any questions, doubts?
Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Malta hostels should be as informative and useful as possible.
Your question(s) will help me to understand what I have missed to mention. You will have your questions answered and helped me and your fellow travelers improving this article.
Therefore, do not be shy, drop us a comment, we are keen to help you!
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter and find the best place on a budget! We ONLY recommend places we know you will enjoy, no matter what.
Here we will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We only share with you places we also recommend to our best friends and family!
Enjoy this fine hostel selection and all 5 Star Hostels.
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