7 min read · Published: March 20, 2024 · Updated: October 29, 2026 · Prices and details checked: October 2026
Finding a good holiday apartment in Malta comes down to four decisions: which town, which booking channel, whether the flat is licensed, and which questions you ask before paying. Get these right and the rest, from kitchen to balcony, is easy to check. This guide walks through them in the order you should make them.
Key takeaways
- Choose the town first. Sliema and St. Julian’s suit a seafront base with restaurants, Valletta suits a short, sightseeing-heavy stay, and Mellieħa suits beach days and quiet evenings.
- A flat is only a legal holiday rental if it holds a Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) licence, and you can check it online before you book.
- Booking portals, local agencies and the owner directly each have a different strength. Compare the same flat in more than one place.
- Send a short list of questions before you pay: exact street, air conditioning per room, who meets you, what the total price includes.
- Occupancy is regulated, so a listing that claims far more beds than bedrooms deserves a second look.
Table of contents
Which area of Malta should you stay in?
Pick the area that matches how you plan to spend your days, not the one with the cheapest first listing. The four areas below cover most holiday apartment stock.
Sliema is the practical all-rounder. It has a long promenade, shops, many restaurants and a ferry to Valletta, and it is well connected by bus. St. Julian’s is next door and is the nightlife district around Paceville, with quieter residential streets a few minutes away. If you want to sleep well, ask which street the flat is on rather than just the town.
Valletta is compact and historic. Apartments there are often in old townhouses, which means character, but also stairs, thick walls and sometimes no lift. It works well for short city stays. Mellieħa in the north is the choice for sandy beaches and a slower pace, though you will rely more on buses or a car for sightseeing.
For hidden corners beyond these bases, see our guide to places away from the usual routes.
Which type of apartment fits your group?
Match the number of bedrooms to the people who will actually sleep there, and check the bed setup, not just the headline number. Studios suit one or two people, one-bedroom flats suit couples or a small family, and two or three bedrooms suit families or friends travelling together.
Look at how the beds are described. A sofa bed in the living room counts as sleeping space in many listings, but it also means the living room is a bedroom at night. For groups, ask where each person sleeps and whether there is more than one bathroom.
Combine your trip with a hotel in Malta
Flight plus hotel in Sliema, St. Julian's or Gozo for your dates and budget.
Show Malta offersWhere should you book: portal, agency or the owner?
Use a portal to compare, and use a direct request to confirm. Each channel has a clear strength.
Large booking portals show the widest selection, guest reviews and a standard cancellation process. Their weakness is that listings are written by the host, so details such as “sea view” can be generous. Filter by review count, not only by score.
Local agencies and operators manage several flats and answer questions quickly, because they know the buildings. They are a good choice if you want one contact for check-in, problems and departure. Ask whether the flats they offer are their own or managed for owners.
Direct contact with the owner can mean a better price and a flexible check-in, but you lose the portal’s complaint process. If you go this way, get the licence number in writing, pay by a traceable method and keep all messages.
A useful habit: find a flat on a portal, then search its street and building name to see whether the same flat is offered elsewhere. If prices differ, ask the host why. For timing and price patterns, our guide to booking cheap accommodation in Malta covers when to book.
How do you check that a Malta holiday rental is licensed?
Ask for the MTA licence number and check it on the MTA website. According to the Malta Tourism Authority, operating a short-let without prior MTA authorisation is prohibited, and licences go to the proprietor in title, meaning the owner, an authorised agent or another lawful holder of rights over the property.
The MTA lists a licence checker and a public register of licensed establishments on its short-let page. A licensed property also has to display a notice outside showing the licence number and a 24-hour contact. Occupancy is limited to two people per bedroom and ten per unit in most cases, and a booking may not exceed 90 consecutive days. A named person must be reachable around the clock for complaints.
What this means for you: a host who cannot give a licence number, or a listing that sleeps far more people than its bedrooms allow, is a risk. For the broader checklist on facilities and fees, see our guide to affordable vacation rentals in Malta.
What should you ask before you book?
Send one message with six questions and compare the answers. A clear reply within a day is a good sign for the stay itself.
- What is the exact street, and how far is the nearest bus stop or ferry?
- What is the MTA licence number?
- Is there air conditioning in every bedroom, and does it also heat in winter?
- Is the total price final, including cleaning, linen and the environmental contribution?
- Who meets us on arrival, and what happens outside office hours?
- What are the cancellation terms if the plan changes?
On question four: Malta charges an Eco Contribution of 0.50 EUR per person and night for guests aged 18 and over, capped at 5.00 EUR per person for one continuous stay, according to the Ministry for Tourism. Ask whether it is included or paid on arrival, so the total does not surprise you.
Keep the answers in writing, preferably in the platform’s message thread or by email. If the description and the reply do not match, believe the reply and ask again.
FAQ
Is a holiday apartment cheaper than a hotel in Malta?
It depends on the group and the length of stay. For families, groups and stays of a week or more, an apartment is usually better value because you share the cost and can cook some meals. For a single traveller on a short stay, a simple hotel or guesthouse can be cheaper. Compare the total price including cleaning fees and the eco contribution.
Can I rent a holiday apartment in Malta for a single night?
Many hosts set a minimum stay, especially in summer, so check the listing. If you need only one or two nights, a hotel or guesthouse is often simpler.
Is it safe to pay a deposit to a private host?
Only if the licence number checks out and you pay in a traceable way. Avoid paying a person you have not verified by untraceable methods, and keep the listing, messages and receipt. A portal or agency adds a complaint route if something goes wrong.
Do I need a car if I stay in a holiday apartment?
Not in Sliema, St. Julian’s or Valletta. Buses and ferries cover the main sights and the Valletta ferry from Sliema runs every 30 minutes. A car makes more sense in Mellieħa or in the countryside, where bus routes are sparser. Check whether the flat has parking before you count on it.
How early should I book a holiday apartment in Malta?
Book early for summer and for school holiday weeks, when the best flats go first. In the quieter months you can often decide later and negotiate. Our guide to cheap accommodation in Malta explains the timing in detail.
Next step
Decide the town, shortlist two or three licensed flats and send the six questions above. If you would rather skip the comparison, our own holiday apartments in Sliema and St. Julian’s are available to book directly through us.
Image credits: Pixabay / MICHOFF; Pixabay / Efraimstochter
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