If you’re planning a holiday to Malta — the sun-soaked Mediterranean island with stunning history, coastal charm, and vibrant island life — it’s helpful to know how far your money will go. From dining out and drinks to transport and tipping, here’s a breakdown of typical costs so you can budget effectively for your stay.
What is the currency in Malta?
The official currency in Malta is the Euro (EUR, €).
You’ll find that card payments are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, although it’s still useful to carry a bit of cash for smaller purchases, markets, or tipping.
Prices for dining out in Malta
Malta offers a mix of Mediterranean fare, seafood, Maltese specialities, and international cuisine, at a range of price levels.
Average meal costs:
- If you’re looking for a budget restaurant or light lunch, expect to pay around £9 – £16 for a main course.
- At a mid-range restaurant, a two course meal for two people is typically between £35 – £60.
- If you’re induldging with some fine dining, courses could cost upwards of £45 per person.
The price of drinks in Malta
Whether relaxing with a drink by the sea or at a bar in the old town, there’s plenty of spots to sit down and enjoy a tipple.
Prices of soft & hot drinks:
- Pick up a cappuccino or similar hot drink from a cafe for about £1.80 – £2.50
- A small bottle of water or soft drink can cost around £0.90 – £1.50
Prices of alcoholic drinks:
- A pint of the local beer is around £1.80 – £2.80
- A glass of house wine in a mid-range restaurant could be around £3.50 – £4.50
- Cocktails or premium drinks can vary depending on if you’re in resort or at a local bar, but expect to pay around £10.
Popular excursions and prices
Malta has a strong historic legacy and heritage which means there’s plenty to see – incredible sights that show a great combination of architecture and character.
- Perfect for cultre seekers and those who love to see the sights: Explore the island with a 32 stop tour on a Hop On Hop Off bus! You’ll enjoy panoramic views while driving around and up close views when you hop off to see sights like Mosta Church or BuleBay Grotto – tickets are around £25 per adult and £18 per child.
- For those who love to combine culture, shopping and views: Elevate your Sunday morning with the Marsaxlokk Sunday Market where you can browse the colourful stalls and shop for fresh produce or find a spot for lunch with waterfornt views. Finish your day off with a visit to the Ħaġar Qim Temple and the Blue Grotto – costing £31 per adult and £13 per child.
- For the history buffs: A must do is a tour of Mdina Old City – ‘The Silent City’ – where you’ll see Malta’s most cherished sights like the Mosta Dome, San Anton botanical gardens and the views from the cliffs at Dingli – tickets are around £30 per adult and £18 per child.
Tipping in Malta
Tipping in Malta is quite common among the locals – but is not a requirement. In some restaurants you’ll find a service charge has been added to your bill (like in the UK), if this is the case, you do not need to tip – and of course, if you’re unhappy with your service you also do not need to tip.
If you like to tip while on holiday, here’s a few ways you can do it in Italy:
- Casual settings, like a cafe: rounding the bill to the nearest Euro, or adding a Euro per person to the bill,
- In a formal restaurant setting: add 5 to 10% to the bill
- Taxis: rounding your fare up to the nearest Euro
- Hotel services, like concierge or cleaning: tipping is not expected, but €1-€2 a day is a good rule of thumb if you feel you’d like to.
How much spending money should I take to Malta?
How much spending money you need for Malta depends on what you plan to do and your style of travel – but here’s some helpful insight for your day to day (excluding accommodation):
Budget travellers ~ £25 – 35 per day
- Simple breakfasts or lunches, occasional sit-down meal, local bus transport, and a few low-cost attractions or activities.
Mid-range travellers ~ £50 – £75 per day
- Mix of casual and mid-range restaurants, a drink or two, moderate sightseeing or tours, and some occasional extras like boat trips or entry fees.
Luxury travellers ~ £90 – £150 per day
- Fine dining, multiple drinks, premium activities such as guided tours, water sports, or cultural experiences, plus occasional indulgences.
If you’re looking for a middle ground, then £50 per day or £350 for the week should have you covered.
Now you should be set for budgetting and prices in Malta it’s time to book your holiday – we’ve got a vast selection of incredible Malta holiday deals available, with something for every type of holiday!
*Prices correct at the time blog was published. T&C’s apply.
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