An Amazing 4 Day Winter Solo Malta Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Do and Eat

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Malta is truly beautiful woow. I was so in awe with Malta, and it’s only been a week since I went. the food, the architecture in Mdina, Rabat and Valletta and did I say the food? Of course I went for the food, and I loved how I was able to deeply connect with the history of Malta through the food, which I will get into more later. For now, if you are looking for a winter solo Malta travel guide or even considering travelling to Malta during the winter with friends or family? Then here is it your very own Malta travel guide just for you.

This Malta travel guide is specifically for people that are stuck for time, but want to travel and only have a few days to explore, in this Malta travel guide it will give you what to eat, what to do and where to stay in Malta.

I have always wanted to visit Malta. And I wasn’t sure quite what to expect going during the winter, but during my research I saw that it was around 18 degrees in January and thought that was pretty good for me. I often see many people visit Malta during the summer but winter solo in Malta seemed not so bad to me. I knew I would already be in London for a family event and I saw a reasonable flight for less than £40 RT with EasyJet. So what did I do? I booked with haste.

So lets get into the winter solo Malta travel guide for you. If you have any questions, do leave a comment below and I am happy to answer questions via Instagram.

Related post: What to Eat in Malta: A Food Guide to Traditional Maltese Dishes and if you are looking for a hotels to stay in Malta then read Hotels in Malta Sliema: Perfect Stay at The 1926 Le Soleil Hotel

About Malta

Malta is a small Mediterranean island nation located between Southern Europe and North Africa, just south of Italy. Despite its size, Malta has an incredibly rich history shaped by Arab, Italian, French, and British rule, which you can still see today in the architecture, language, and food.

Maltese and English are the official languages, which makes travelling around Malta very easy for English speakers. The island is compact, meaning travel times are short, and it’s possible to explore several areas without constantly moving hotels.

What stood out to me the most about Malta was how manageable and calm it felt as a solo traveller. It’s not overwhelming, it’s not chaotic, everyone is minding their business and not looking at you, and it’s easy to find your rhythm, especially if you’re looking for a slower, more intentional trip.

Worth noting that Malta uses Type G plugs with a voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz, the same as the UK.

Entry Requirements

If you’re travelling to Malta on a UK, USA and Canada passport, entry is very straightforward. All passport do not need a visa for short stays up to 90 days. I would highly advise that your passports are at least 3 months beyond your planning departure date. It is also worth nothing that Malta is part of the Schengen Zone for travellers not with these passport.

As Nigerians, you will need a visa which you can read about more here.

As always, entry requirements can change, so it’s best to double-check the official government travel advice before you fly. As a UK passport holders I often use the FCDO Travel Advice for peace of mind.

Where to Stay

Where you stay is very important as a solo traveller in Malta. I would highly recommend staying in Sliema, it’s walkable, incredibly safe, well-connected, right by the water so very accessible to other key areas in Malta like Valletta (which is 10 mins by ferry).

I stayed at 1926 Le Soleil Hotel & Spa, which is a very nice 4-Star hotel with a spa, roof top pool, a lush gym, a two restaurants one of which is a Michelin star restaurants and very close to other local food restaurants, which are walkable. There is also a lot of British shops that are walkable like Matalan, M&S. Oh and there is a Zara which I was happy to go and do a little shopping in.

My room was super comfortable, modern, and ideal for a solo stay in Malta . The location alone made it worth it waking up near the sea and being able to walk everywhere. I have linked a map below of where the hotel is so you can see the nearby restaurants and landmarks for ease.

What to Eat in Malta

One thing that I didn’t expect in Malta was how good the food would be. I don’t feel like people really talk about the Maltese food enough. The usual focus I have seen is the views and key landmarks, which I totally get. But Malta certainly should be much louder by its food and I can see how it has quietly become a foodie destination in the last 5-10 years, because it actually shows.

And the food in Malta is excellent. I was actually surprised by how much it’s not spoken about enough because Malta is definitely a foodie destination for sure and because of that I will certainly be writing a A Food Guide to Traditional Maltese Dishes just for you because it is necessary.

The Maltese cuisine is shaped by Italian, British, North African, and Mediterranean influences and it shows. Here you will find lots of restaurants that serve pasta (I have a suggestion below), fish and chips, and lots of beans, salads. Below is a list of things you must try, and if you want to kick start you foodie tour in Malta, then you can sign up to this food tour in Malta. You will have things like:

• Pastizzi – a flaky pastries filled with ricotta or mushy peas
• Ftira – a traditional Maltese sourdough bread, often with tuna
• Rabbit stew – Malta’s national dish a little boney but the sauce is very hearty and tasty
• Maltese olives (the best I’ve had) & cheese
• Imqaret – date pastries with light spices and super crunchy
• Kinnie – Malta’s national soft drink and definitely an acquired taste. It starts of really sweet and then leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.
• Maltese honey – especially summer honey

Other Foods & Restaurants You Must Try in Malta

I also had lots of delicious meals in Malta where I ate traditional Maltese rabbit spaghetti, Octopus, goats cheese and more below are a list of the restaurants and what I ordered. You can find them also in the interactive map above.

• Ta’ Kris Restaurant – they serve traditional Maltese food (rabbit stew, local dishes). I had the rabbit stew spaghetti.
• Café Jubilee – here you will find local dishes, small plates, goat’s cheese, beans, olives and local bread.
• Felice Brasserie – I ordered the octopus for my main and for dessert I had the pistachio cookie with ice-cream. Both of which were done perfectly.
• Picasso – I had carbonara cooked in front of me with a view of Valletta.
• Fuwamai – I had the Maltese sausage and some Japanese fluffy pancakes with pistachio sauce.

I would say the food it pretty inexpensive in my opinion most of my dishes ranged from around €14-50, which is pretty reasonable if you compare it to London prices.

Things to do in Malta

I would say that Malta is relatively a small country, but there is a lot of things do. I was able to enjoy quite a bit while also having a relaxed few days too and lots of walking too! You can enjoy history, walking, food, depending on what you fancy.

It’s worth noting that what you do might differ depending on the weather as I was in Malta during the winter I decided to skip Gozo as I knew I wouldn’t be swimming. However, would I like to return in the summer, I would in a heart beat just to go and see the blue lagoons Here are the things I genuinely enjoyed doing during my winter solo trip to Malta.

1. Walk the Sliema Promenade – I loved Sliema. I would say it’s a great base for solo travellers, particularly if you want easy walks, sea views, and good transport links. The promenade is perfect for a relaxed stroll, especially in the morning or at sunset.
2. Take the Ferry to Valletta – One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to get around is by ferry. The Sliema to Valletta ferry route is super quick, affordable (around 2-3 euros), and offers some of the best views of Malta from the water. I couldn’t believe how quick it was.
3. Explore Valletta on Foot – Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth taking your time to explore. I would suggest a full day. You will be tired though but walking through the city feels like stepping back in time, with its honey coloured stone buildings and narrow streets you will be in actual wander. If you do choose to visit just one attraction, St John’s Co-Cathedral is absolutely worth it.
4. Visit Mdina (The Silent City) – Mdina was one of the highlights of my trip. Known as the “Silent City,” it’s calm, atmospheric, and incredibly beautiful. Arriving earlier in the day is best, I got there around 10am and thought it was pretty late. You can get the 202 bus from Sliema there for €2. Once you are there you can walk through Mdina, it is truly cinematic and not to be missed.
5. Wander Through Rabat – About 12 mins walk from (use Google Maps) Mdina, Rabat is often overlooked but definitely worth visiting. It feels more local and lived-in, with small cafés, bakeries, and quieter streets. Pairing Mdina and Rabat together makes for a very full and enjoyable half-day trip.
6. Book a Food Tour – If you’re interested in understanding Maltese culture, food is the place to start. A guided food tour helped me learn about the island’s influences, local ingredients, and traditional dishes. It also gave useful context that made the rest of my meals around Malta more meaningful. You can book the exact tour via GetYourGuide here.
7. Enjoy Malta at a Slower Pace – One thing I am trying to do this year is to try and travel in slower time. I loved Malta and how easy it felt to just slow down. I sat by the water, had long lunches, walking without rushing winter Malta really lends itself to a more relaxed style of travel, especially in the low season.

I did most of the trips by myself, but if you do want to learn some history or have a little more assistance then you can easily book via Viator here.

4 Day Malta Travel Guide Itinerary

Malta can be easily done in 4 days and you can take bits of the itinerary and add your own bits to it to make it your own. If you want to see Malta the same way I did then here is my full 4 day winter solo Malta travel guide itinerary below:

Day 1 – Arrival & Sliema – my flight was slightly delayed so I got an Uber to my hotel – 1926 Le Soleil Hotel & Spa (they also use Bolt in Malta), dropped my bags and went to find somewhere to eat dinner at Ta’ Kris where I ordered a rabbit spaghetti with cheese and it was delicious. The walk was also lovely because I didn’t realise my hotel was right by the promenade. If you stay at 1926 Le Soleil Hotel & Spa you can also enjoy their hotel facilities like the spa and the gym.

Day 2 – Valletta & Food Tour – This is an early start I woke up around 7 am (I am an early riser) got ready and caught the ferry to Valletta for the guided food tour I booked via GetYourGuide. This tour lasted around 3 hours where I had a range of dishes from Pastizzi, rabbit stew and more.

After the tour I stayed in Valletta and explored the city like the famous St. James Street and the Upper Barracca Gardens for the most beautiful panoramic views. I did around 18,000+ steps that day and was shattered! However at night I walked 15 mins from my hotel and ate at Felicia’s where I ordered the octopus for my main and for dessert I had the pistachio cookie with ice-cream.

Day 3 – Mdina & Rabat – Another early morning where I got the 202 bus from Sliema to the Mdina. You can also get uber/bolt but if you are trying to save a little money then it’s a good idea to get the bus. Once you have walked around then you can walk (around 12 mins) to Rabat which is more local. You can also make a stop at St Julians and visit Fuwamai and order the Maltese sausage with some Japanese fluffy pancakes and pistachio sauce. It’s truly delicious. It’s a little more on the pricer side – pancakes where €10 and the sausage was €6.

Day 4 – Spa Day & Slow morning – After two early mornings I wanted to have a bit of a slower morning so walked around Sliema, and then had lunch at Picasso where I ordered carbonara cooked in front of me with a view of Valletta. It was truly stunning and nostalgic. I then returned to my hotel and had quite a bit of time to kill so enjoyed the spa facilities at my hotel. A few hours before I booked an uber to the Malta Airport to depart home.

This itinerary works perfectly for a long weekend or a short few day trip for your winter getaway in Malta. I would like to go back and do Gozo.

Costs Breakdown

There are a few ways to cut back on costs which I have mentioned like walking using ferry’s or going by bus. Ubers/Bolts are fairly affordable but if you are trying to stretch your money and go on more trips the things mentioned are better to save money. I would say travelling to Malta during the winter is perfect for affordability also. Below is a cost breakdown:

• Flights: £34 return depending when you go
• Hotel: £147 for 3 nights depending where you stay
• Meals: €15 – €50 per meal depending where you eat
• Ferries: €2- €4 per journey

Malta in low season is very budget-friendly trip and I would highly recommend. The weather is around 16-18 degrees which I think is a perfect winter sunshine holiday.

Other Travel Tools & Resources

• My Instagram and TikTok have quick reels and specifics of my visit to Malta. 
• Always carry some cash, for smaller businesses they use Euros, just be sure to have XE to know the daily exchange rates.
• Before going to any of these countries, I recommend visiting the Foreign Advice Page for U.K. travellers. Check if you need visas here.
• In terms of taxis, they mainly use Bolt but you can also use Uber.
• Book with Viator or Get Your Guide if you want specific tours for Malta. Please read the reviews before booking!
• I used Airlo, an e-SIM card, for data. You can purchase it here and use the code ADEBOL5279.
• Check out my solo travel hub for tips on how to travel – Solo Travel Tips & Inspiration

Is Malta Safe for Black Solo Female Travellers?

In my experience I would say so yes. I felt comfortable walking alone in the day and at night, using public transport, dining solo, and exploring without feeling watched or out of place. English being widely spoken also makes things much easier.

I would say that I am now a well seasoned solo traveller. However, this would be one of my first destinations I would recommend for first-time solo travellers. Malta is diverse, easy to navigate and super friendly and welcoming.

As always, as a solo traveller especially as a Black women I would always recommend staying aware, but Malta felt calm and so easy for me.

Final Views

So if you asked can I travel to Malta in January? Then the answer is yes you can. Malta in January turned out to be a great decision for the start of 2026. It was more affordable, far less crowded than I expect it to be in the summer, and ideal for slow solo travel. As a solo traveller I didn’t need to rush. I did things in my own time and there was absolutely no pressure. For me Malta was just walking, eating, and exploring at my own pace.

It’s easy, walkable, rich in history, and the food alone makes it worth the trip. If you’re looking for a short solo escape, especially during low season, Malta is a strong option.

Would I return? Yes in a heartbeat and next time, I’d add Gozo even if I go during the winter.

What do you think of my winter solo Malta travel guide? Let me know in the comments. I will be soon doing a hotel review and a food guide in Malta so please subscribe to the blog so you are kept in the loop with my monthly newsletters and new posts!

Speak soon,

Adebola MBV