Best Place to Stay in Malta Without a Car: Where Buses, Ferries and Taxis Actually Work

Most visitors to Malta don't need a car, and many are happier without one. Parking is scarce, traffic around the harbour is heavy at rush hour, Maltese driving is an acquired taste, and the island is small enough that buses, ferries and taxis cover almost everything. The catch is that this only works if you stay in the right place.

In short: the best place to stay in Malta without a car is the harbour around Valletta. Gzira is the easiest base, because it sits on the main harbour road with frequent buses and direct taxi access, is a few minutes' walk from Sliema and a short walk from the ferry to Valletta. Sliema and Valletta are close behind. Avoid the far north, the south and inland towns if you are relying on public transport, because you will spend your days travelling.

How getting around Malta without a car actually works

Buses run across the whole island and to Gozo's ferry terminal, operated by Malta Public Transport. Most routes radiate from Valletta, so being near the capital means more direct connections. They are cheap and cover everywhere, but journeys can be slow and buses on popular routes fill up in summer. A transport card is worth buying for a longer stay.

Ferries are the best way to move around the harbour. The Sliema ferry crosses to Valletta in about ten minutes, and another runs from Valletta to the Three Cities. For Gozo, the car ferry leaves from Ċirkewwa in the north, and a fast ferry runs from Valletta to Mġarr in about 45 minutes. Our guide to the Sliema to Valletta ferry covers the crossing in detail.

Ride-hailing apps such as Bolt, Uber and eCabs work well and are reasonably priced for short hops, especially in the evening. Taxis are easy to find from the harbour towns and hard to find in remote ones.

Walking is underrated. The harbour front from Gzira through Sliema to St Julian's is one long promenade, and most of what you need for daily life is on foot. Our complete guide to getting around Malta without a car has more detail on fares, routes and apps.

The best areas to stay without a car, ranked

1. Gzira

Gzira is on the main harbour road rather than at the end of a peninsula, so buses run frequently along the front and taxis reach you without Sliema's one-way loops. Sliema is a few minutes' walk away, the Valletta ferry is a short walk further, and the University and Mater Dei Hospital are close in the other direction. It is the easiest place on the island to get in and out of, which matters on the day you arrive and the day you leave.

2. Sliema

Sliema has the ferry, the promenade, the shops and plenty of buses. The downside is traffic: the town sits on a peninsula with a one-way system that slows taxis and buses at busy times, and some streets are a long walk uphill from the front.

3. Valletta

The capital is the hub of the bus network and the ferries, and everything inside the walls is walkable. But the streets are steep and stepped, taxis can't reach every door, and arriving with luggage can be hard work.

4. St Julian's

Well connected and walkable along the seafront, but further from Valletta and noisy around Paceville at night.

Where not to stay without a car

St Paul's Bay, Buġibba and Qawra have good bus links to Valletta, but journeys are long. Mellieħa is great for beaches but far from everything else. Inland villages, the south and most of Gozo really need a car or a lot of patience. They are lovely places to visit on a day trip from the harbour.

Getting from the airport without a car

Malta International Airport is in the south of the island. A taxi or ride-hailing car to the harbour towns takes around 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic, and there are direct bus routes to Valletta and the main resort areas. Staying somewhere a taxi can pull up to the door, rather than at the top of a flight of steps, makes arrival day much easier.

What to look for in your accommodation

If you are not driving, look for a base within walking distance of a supermarket, a pharmacy, a bus stop and somewhere to eat. A kitchen means you aren't dependent on restaurants every night. And ask your host how to get from the airport and to the ferry: a good one will tell you in a sentence. Our Where to Stay in Malta guide compares all the areas, including those that suit drivers.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a car in Malta?

No, if you stay in the harbour area around Valletta. Buses, ferries, ride-hailing apps and walking cover almost everything. A car is useful if you are staying in the north, the south or Gozo, or want to explore the countryside at your own pace.

Where is the best place to stay in Malta without a car?

Gzira, Sliema or Valletta. Gzira is the easiest, because it sits on the main harbour road with frequent buses and direct taxi access, is a few minutes' walk from Sliema and close to the ferry to Valletta.

Is it easy to get around Malta by bus?

Yes, though it can be slow. Buses cover the whole island and are cheap, with most routes radiating from Valletta. Staying near the harbour means more direct routes; combine buses with ferries and ride-hailing for the best experience.

Morrison Court is five self-contained apartments in a reimagined 1920s townhouse in Gzira, with a lift, Sliema a few minutes' walk away and the Valletta ferry a short walk further. No car required.