Best Day Trips from Sliema, Malta Without a Car (Cheap & Solo-Friendly) ⋆ EverlastingWandering

Best day trips from Sliema – a guide to the top budget-friendly day trips around Malta, all possible from Sliema without a car.

Sliema is one of the best bases for exploring Malta – it’s well connected to the rest of the island, as well as smaller islands like Comino and Gozo. Most destinations are easily accessible by bus or ferry (Sliema even has its own ferry port), and the town is also the starting point for many island tours, making it ideal for solo, budget travellers, or anyone looking to explore Malta without a car.

During my 3 week stay in Malta, I mostly based myself in Sliema (with a few nights on Gozo), and took plenty of cheap, solo day trips by public transport. Whether you’re visiting for a short break or staying longer like I did, Sliema is an affordable, convenient starting point for exploring Malta’s historic cities, islands, sandy beaches, and scenic coastal hikes.

In this guide, I’ve put together the best budget-friendly day trips from Sliema, including tips on how to get there cheaply and when it’s worth booking a tour.

Quick Overview – Best Day Trips from Sliema

🏛️ Valletta – Malta’s capital
⚓ The Three Cities – Birgu, Senglea & Cospicua
🌊 Comino Island – Famous Blue Lagoon
🏝️ Gozo – Malta’s sister island
🏰 Mdina – Historic “Silent City”
🏖️ Golden Bay – Popular sandy beach

Table Of Contents

🏛️ Valletta (The Easiest Day Trip from Sliema)
⚓ The Three Cities (Birgu, Senglea & Cospicua)
🌊 Comino Island (Blue Lagoon)
🏝️ Gozo (Malta's Sister Island)
🏰 Mdina (The Silent City)
🏖️ Golden Bay (Best Beach + Coastal Views & Hike Day Trip from Sliema)
Should You Book Tours or Go Independently?
Which Day Trip from Sliema Is Right for You?
FAQ – Best Day Trips from Sliema, Malta
- Best Tours from Sliema (Quick Booking Links)

Destination	Time Needed	Travel Time (One Way, Public Transport)	Approx. Return Transport Cost	Best For	Is a Tour Worth It?
Valletta	Half day	10–30 mins	€4–6 (bus/ferry)	History & architecture	❌ No – ferry is easiest
Three Cities	Half day	45–60 mins	€4–6 (bus)	Quiet waterfront exploring	⚖️ Optional – scenic harbour cruise
Comino (Blue Lagoon)	Full day	1.5–2 hrs DIY	€15–20 (bus + boat)	Swimming & iconic scenery	✅ Yes – saves time from Sliema → See Comino boat tours
Gozo	Full day	1.5–2 hrs	€15–20 (bus + fast ferry)	Variety of landscapes	⚖️ Helpful if short on time → View Gozo day tours
Mdina	Half day	50–75 mins	€4–5 (bus)	Medieval streets & views	⚖️ Good for combining highlights → See Mdina & Blue Grotto tour
Golden Bay	Half / Full day	45-60 mins	€4–5 (bus)	Beach + coastal hike + sunset	❌ No – simple bus ride

Best Tours from Sliema (Quick Booking Links)

🌟 Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon Cruise
🌟 Comino Island and Blue Lagoon Cruise
🌟 5 hour Vintage Bus Tour – Mdina & Blue Grotto
🌟 Cruise Around Malta’s Harbours & Creeks

🏨 Where to Stay in Sliema

Sliema has a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and is perfectly located for day trips around Malta. Some top options are:

Budget:
Two Pillows Boutique Hostel – Sliema’s top rated hostel, just a 2-minute walk from the waterfront, around 6 minutes from the ferry terminal. ➡️ Check availability
Mid-range:
The Strand Hotel Malta – Right on Sliema’s waterfront, with sea views and easy access to ferries and buses (10-minute walk). ➡️ Book your stay
Luxury: AX The Palace – 5* hotel with a rooftop pool and easy access to the ferry (7-minute walk). ➡️ Reserve a room

Tip: Sliema fills up fast, especially in summer, so booking ahead is recommended.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Let’s start with the cheapest and quickest day trip from Sliema: Malta’s capital, Valletta.

🏛️ Valletta (The Easiest Day Trip from Sliema)

Valletta is Malta’s capital city, and is actually a UNESCO World Heritage city – it’s a must visit! With pretty views, lively gardens and squares, as well as museums and history, there’s plenty to see and experience.

Valletta is small and compact, making it ideal for a day trip. Even with just half a day to spare, it’s well worth visiting – you can comfortably see the main highlights. As Valletta sits just across the harbour from Sliema – you can actually see it from Sliema’s waterfront – it’s one of the easiest and most convenient trips you can make.

What to See in Valletta on a Day Trip from Sliema

An amazing spot to start your visit is Upper Barrakka Gardens, especially if arriving by bus through City Gate – the gardens are just a short walk from the entrance. And if you arrive by ferry, heading there first to start your day with impressive views over the Grand Harbour. Upper Barrakka Gardens is free to enter, and is the best viewpoint in Valletta. You can expect a busy, lively atmosphere (especially in summer!).

From here, wander down the city’s main street, Republic Street, which runs from City Gate to Fort St. Elmo, taking you through the heart of the city. Along the way, you’ll pass through Valletta’s main square, St. George’s Square, and see more prominent city sights, including:

St. John’s Co-Cathedral
National Museum of Archeology
Grand Master’s Palace

Along the way, do also take time to explore the narrower city streets, maybe stop for a drink or a bite to eat, and just soak up the Valletta atmosphere.

Finally, from Fort St. Elmo, I recommend walking back along St. Elmo Place toward the Grand Harbour side, and following Mediterranean Street for lovely harbour views across to the Three Cities. This quieter route leads you to Lower Barrakka Gardens, essentially a smaller, more serene Upper Barrakka Gardens, with again stunning harbour views!

Getting to Valletta on a Day Trip from Sliema

🚢 Harbour Ferry (Most Scenic & Stress-Free)

The ferry runs between Sliema Ferries and Valletta Waterfront. It’s often the most pleasant, scenic way to reach the capital, offering fantastic views of the city walls as you arrive.

Time: ~10 minutes
Cost: ~€2–3 one way
Frequency: Every 30 minutes
Best for: A quick, enjoyable crossing with harbour views

Tickets: You can buy tickets at the kiosk before boarding. Or, if you want to avoid queues (especially if visiting in peak season), you can also pre-book online via GetYourGuide.

Good to know: There’s a short uphill walk from the ferry terminal into the city centre.

🚌 Public Bus (Direct Road Option)

Time: ~20–30 minutes
Cost: ~€2–2.50
Best for: Anyone staying on the St. Julian’s side of Sliema – no need to walk round to the ferry terminal

Buses run frequently and arrive at Valletta Bus Terminal near City Gate – convenient for Upper Barrakka Gardens and Republic Street.

💡 TIP: Bus and ferry prices are similar. If you’re after views, more comfort (buses can get very crowded) and a shorter travel time, opt for the ferry.
➡️ Book Sliema – Valletta ferry

⚓ The Three Cities (Birgu, Senglea & Cospicua)

Just across the harbour from Valletta are Malta’s historic Three Cities – Birgu (also known as Vittoriosa), Senglea and Cospicua.

The Three Cities are quieter than Valletta and sit right on the waterfront, with lovely views across the Grand Harbour – perfect for a relaxed wander.

I visited independently from Sliema using public buses, and it was straightforward and budget-friendly.

What to See in the Three Cities on a Day Trip from Sliema

Most visitors (myself included) focus on Birgu, which is the most charming and compact of the three.

Here are a few highlights:

The waterfront marina in Birgu – perfect for a relaxed stroll
Fort St. Angelo (great harbour views)
The narrow backstreets of Birgu
Gardjola Gardens, Senglea – quiet spot with views overlooking the harbour

You don’t need a full day here – a few hours is enough to explore at a relaxed pace. You could even combine a visit to the Three Cities with Valletta: spend the morning exploring Valletta, then head across the harbour to wander Birgu in the afternoon, or vice versa. I did this on the return trip since I had to switch buses anyway, and it worked perfectly.

Getting to the Three Cities on a Day Trip from Sliema

🚌Public Bus

Time: ~45–60 minutes total
Cost: ~€2–2.50
Best for: Budget travellers and solo visitors comfortable using public transport

I took the bus from Sliema to Valletta, then changed onto another bus heading toward Birgu. It was simple to navigate and very affordable.

💡 Tip: Use Google Maps to check connections – buses run regularly but may require a short wait at Valletta Bus Terminal.

🚢 Harbour Ferry

You can also take the ferry from Sliema to Valletta, then connect to a short ferry across the harbour to Birgu.

This is more scenic and faster than taking the bus, but will cost you slightly more.

🚢 Organised Harbour Cruise from Sliema

If you’d prefer a relaxed, no-planning option, you can join a harbour cruise departing directly from Sliema. These tours sail through the Grand Harbour and into the smaller creeks around the Three Cities, offering great views of Malta’s fortifications from the water.

Time: ~1.5 hours
Cost: ~€20
Best for: A short, scenic half-day activity

💡 Tip: If you’re more interested in history and want a guided walking tour of the Three Cities themselves, there are options like Malta: The Three Fortified Cities Tour including Boat Trip.

🌊 Comino Island (Blue Lagoon)

A day trip from Sliema to Comino Island is one you can’t miss! It’s a small island, perfect for exploring in a single day, and is home to Malta’s most famous swimming spot, the Blue Lagoon – renowned for its impressively crystal-clear turquoise water.

But Comino is more than just the Blue Lagoon. It’s a nature lover’s paradise, with scenic walking trails that traverse the island. And despite its popularity, it’s surprisingly easy to escape the crowds and find quiet coves and stunning viewpoints. I loved wandering the island solo and discovering hidden spots!

What to See in Comino on a Day Trip from Sliema

Blue Lagoon – Comino’s hub. The bright turquoise water is striking and inviting, and since it’s shallow, it’s perfect for a relaxed swim. The ‘beach’ itself is tiny though – don’t expect a sandy sunbathing spot here. Instead, most people lay their towels on the large rocky area where they can soak up the sun when not in the water.

This is also the busiest area on the island, especially in peak summer months. Walk just a little away from the main area, and the atmosphere suddenly feels more relaxed, with amazing views over the Blue Lagoon and out across the Mediterranean.

San Niklaw Bay & Santa Marija Bay – I walked to San Niklaw Bay and then on to Santa Marija Bay. For a quieter, sandy beach experience with excellent swimming, Santa Marija Bay is perfect. As a solo traveller, I found this area more relaxing.

Crystal Lagoon – you can easily follow the walking trails to Crystal Lagoon there for dramatic views over the cliffs. Many boat tours actually include a spot here – so you may get to experience it from sea level, and even swim there!

For a deeper insight into a visit to Comino, check out my post: A Solo Day Trip to Comino Island (Blue Lagoon), Malta

Getting to Comino Island (Blue Lagoon) on a Day Trip from Sliema

You literally can’t reach Comino by car – it’s a car-free island – which makes it the perfect day trip from Sliema without a car. So, how do you get there?

🚌 🚤 Bus + Boat from Ċirkewwa (Cheapest Independent Route)

Take a bus north to Ċirkewwa, then catch a small passenger boat to the Blue Lagoon. This option gives you flexibility on the island, and is the best way to maximize your time there (if you arrive early).

Time: 1-1.5 hours by bus + 20-minute boat
Cost: ~€15–20 total
Best for: Budget travellers with a full day available

💡TIP: The bus + ferry is the cheapest way to reach Comino, but it can be a bit of a trek. If you’re short on time or prefer comfort, an organised tour from Sliema is worth the small price difference.

Good to know: If you’re planning to stay on Gozo during your Malta trip, you can also visit Comino from there. It’s just a short bus ride from Victoria to Mgarr Harbour, then a ~15-minute ferry to the Blue Lagoon. I actually travelled this way!

🚢 Organised Boat Tour from Sliema (Easiest & Most Comfortable)

Time: Full-day trip
Cost: ~€25–40
Best for: Travellers seeking a hassle-free, scenic trip with optional stop on Gozo

Tours depart directly from Sliema harbour and cruise along Malta’s coastline. Many include stops at Crystal Lagoon and sometimes Gozo – perfect if you’re short on time in Malta and want to combine both islands in one day.

I’ve put together some popular, well-rated tours from GetYourGuide below:

🌟 Best for longest time on Comino: Comino Island and Blue Lagoon Cruise

🌟 Best for seeing Comino and Gozo: Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon Cruise

🌟 Best for a more ‘thrilling’ experience: Powerboat Tour to Comino Blue Lagoon, Gozo, and Caves

❗ These tours often sell out in summer, so booking in advance is recommended.
➡️ Check out Blue Lagoon day trips from Sliema here

🏝️ Gozo (Malta’s Sister Island)

Gozo is well worth a visit and can be easily done on a day trip from Sliema without a car either independently by ferry, or tour.

Known as Malta’s sister island, Gozo is essentially a smaller and quieter Malta. It’s less developed, with traditional villages, history and nature-filled landscapes. That said, it has a main city which is well-developed, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops alongside historical sites. Even in the city, there’s a more relaxed atmosphere than on Malta itself.

Getting around on Gozo:

Public bus: Cheap and generally quieter and more time efficient than on Malta
Tour bus: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus makes it easiest for seeing the most sights in one day, and without having to do much planning. ➡️ Book your ticket here
Bolt: Perfect for hopping around the island quickly – but costs will add up.

💡 Tip: Not tied to a strict schedule? You could even spend a night or more on Gozo. I spent 3 nights and it was a great way to explore at a leisurely pace. I recommend staying in Victoria, which has plenty of accommodation and easy public bus connections to different areas.

What to See in Gozo on a Day Trip from Sliema

You may not be able to hit up all the must-visit spots on Gozo in one day, but here are some top highlights:

Victoria: Gozo’s capital. Don’t miss the fortified Cittadella, where you’ll find museums, the old prison, the Cathedral of the Assumption, and walking path along the walls for amazing island views.
Ramla Bay: Gozo’s most popular and largest sandy beach. The beach is beautiful and is perfect for swimming. It can get pretty busy, but there is plenty space for everyone!
Tal-Mixta Cave: Located high on the cliffs, Tal-Mixta Cave offers stunning views over Ramla Bay and beyond. A quick stop here is enough to admire the scenery – it’s one of Gozo’s best viewpoints.
Wied il-Għasri: A natural gorge with a small, secluded beach. Perfect swim spot!
Xwejni Salt Pans: Along the northern coast, a short walk from Wied Il-Għasri. The carved limestone coastline has been used for salt production for hundreds of years – a unique spot for a scenic walk.
Marsalforn: A lively fishing village and seaside resort, with a promenade, restaurants, cafes and beaches. I walked here after visiting Wied il-Għasri and the salt pans – a great end point after a coastal walk.

For a deeper dive into what Gozo has to offer, check out my post: Is Gozo Worth Visiting? A Guide to Gozo, Malta

Getting to Gozo on a Day Trip from Sliema

🚢 Highspeed Ferry from Valletta (Most Flexible)

Travel to Valletta first, then take the fast ferry to Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. It’s the best option if you want complete freedom to explore at your own pace.

Time: ~30 minutes to Valletta + ~45-minute ferry
Cost: ~€15 return ferry (+ local transport to Valletta)
Best for: A full independent day exploring Gozo

Schedule: Ferries run from early morning (~5:45am) until evening (~8:45pm), giving you flexibility for a long day trip.

Tickets: You can buy ferry tickets at the terminal or book online in advance.

🚢 Organised Cruise from Sliema (Best If Short on Time)

Time: Full-day trip
Cost: ~€35
Best for: Seeing Gozo and Comino in one day

Everything is arranged for you, often including transport around Gozo plus a Blue Lagoon stop.

✨ Recommended tour from Sliema: Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon Cruise (gives you around 3 hours free time on Gozo, before continuing on to the Blue Lagoon). ➡️ Reserve your spot now
Advance booking is recommended, especially in peak months. You can book online via GetYourGuide

🏰 Mdina (The Silent City)

Mdina is Malta’s former medieval capital, often referred to as ‘The Silent City’. After losing its status as the capital, Mdina became so quiet that it eventually earned its nickname.

Unlike Valletta or the Three Cities, Mdina is inland, offering a completely different atmosphere from Malta’s waterfront towns.

Mdina is super small and compact, it’s really the perfect half-day trip from Sliema. You can walk from the Main Gate to Bastion Square at the far end in just 5 minutes! Of course, you’ll want to take longer than that to fully enjoy the streets and soak up the atmosphere.

Visiting solo, it took me well under an hour to explore from one end to the other, going in and out of the quiet alleyways and getting a good feel for the city. But once you’re done exploring Mdina, you can easily walk over to neighbouring Rabat for even more to discover in the area.

🎬 DID YOU KNOW? If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, a day trip to Mdina is probably a no-brainer. The city was used as a filming location for King’s Landing in Season 1!

💡 TIP: Spend the morning in Sliema and head to Mdina later in the day – that’s what I did. It was pretty cool: I arrived late in the afternoon and stayed just long enough for the tour groups to leave, letting me experience the city living up to its ‘Silent City’ name.

What to See in Mdina on a Day Trip from Sliema

Mdina Gate
St Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Square
The ‘famous’ blue door
Bastion Square (Observation Deck)

Mdina Gate is the main entrance to the city – a striking gateway entrance that reminds you you’re entering an ancient, walled city. You literally can’t miss it!! If you continue straight, you’ll reach Bastion Square, home to an observation deck with lovely views over Malta.

You’ll likely get ‘distracted’ on the walk there, though – the narrow alleyways draw you in, and you’ll also pass by St. Paul’s Square, where St. Paul’s Cathedral is located – the heart of the city.

On the opposite side of the main street from St. Paul’s Square, wandering the streets will at some point lead you to Mdina’s ‘famous’ blue door – one of the city’s most ‘Instagrammable’ spots. That’s not the only pretty door, though – there are plenty more picture-perfect, colourful doors around the city!

💡 Tip: To get the blue door all to yourself, visit later in the day or early in the morning. I wandered back just before leaving Mdina and had it completely to myself for a few minutes – perfect for photos (especially if, like me, you’re trying to snap a solo shot while travelling solo!)!

If you’re travelling on a budget like I was, you don’t need to spend anything to enjoy Mdina – just walking its streets is perfect. I honestly looped the city a few times! But if you want a bit more from your visit and don’t mind paying an entry fee, there are several museums and historic buildings worth a visit.

Museums you can check out include:

The Mdina Dungeons Museum
The Knights of Malta
Palazzo Falson

Getting to Mdina on a Day Trip from Sliema (Without a Car)

Mdina is around 15-20km from Sliema – not too far at all! So, how can you cover that distance?

🚍 Public bus (Budget Option):

Time: ~50–75 minutes (allow up to 90 minutes in peak season)
Cost: ~€2
Best for: Travellers not in a rush

🧭 Tour (Most Efficient for Multiple Malta Highlights in One Day):

Time: ~5 hours
Cost: ~€30–40
Best for: Travellers short on time who want to pack several sights into one organised day

✨ A top pick tour on GetYourGuide is the 5-hour Vintage Bus Tour – Mdina & Blue Grotto. It includes about an hour in Mdina, and also visits Marsaxlokk, Blue Grotto, and Dingli Cliffs – all Malta highlights!
Booking in advance is recommended during peak season, you can do so here ➡️

🚕 Bolt (Fastest Option):

Time: ~25–35 minutes
Cost: Varies (reasonable if shared)
Best for: Saving time, convenience and comfort

🏖️ Golden Bay (Best Beach + Coastal Views & Hike Day Trip from Sliema)

Golden Bay is one of Malta’s best sandy beach day trips from Sliema, and it offers more than just sunbathing – coastal trails, views and neighbouring beaches make it stand out. It’s also rated one of the best sunset spots on the island!

The coastline here feels more secluded compared to some of Malta’s other popular beaches, like Mellieħa Bay – the island’s largest sandy beach. That’s because Golden Bay isn’t located in a town, although there are still a few amenities nearby, including hotels restaurants, and beach kiosks.

Golden Bay can be easily reached from Sliema without a car, with regular buses connecting the two. Thanks to its accessibility and natural beauty, it’s one of Malta’s most popular sandy beaches. It’s also a very budget-friendly day trip – a beach and nature day, with transport as the main cost.

💡 Tip: If you prefer a more relaxed vibe with more beach space and nearby amenities, Mellieha Bay might be the better choice. If you have time, you should take a day trip there too – I did! However, for impressive natural beauty and views, Golden Bay wins, which is why it gets a spot in this guide!

What to See by Golden Bay on a Day Trip from Sliema

A day trip to Golden Bay isn’t just about Golden Bay itself, in my opinion – the walking trails linking it to Gnejna Bay, passing Riviera Beach and Qarraba Bay along the way, are a real highlight! The trail to Gnejna Bay is only around 2-3km, but it’s packed with natural beauty. It really is the perfect combination of a short hike plus beach day! You don’t even need to walk the full way to experience a different perspective of Golden Bay.

Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Tower
Riviera Beach (Għajn Tuffieħa Bay)
Qarraba Bay + Clay Cliffs
Gnejna Bay

Golden Bay, with its wide golden sand shores and inviting water, is lovely but can also be very busy! I loved seeing it, but honestly it felt a little too busy for my vibe the day I was there. That didn’t matter though – even just by the end of the beach and the start of the walking trails, I already escaped the initial crowds.

From the beginning of the trail, there are stunning views over Golden Bay – a totally different, peaceful perspective. Walk around 5-minutes further and you can reach Għajn Tuffieħa Tower, from where there are stunning scenes of Riviera Beach, which lies on Għajn Tuffieħa Bay.

Riviera Beach is a narrower sandy stretch. It can also be pretty busy, but is generally quieter than Golden Bay. At the far end, there’s a viewpoint overlooking Qarraba Bay and the clay cliffs, which make this coastline unique – I loved the views over here!!

Continuing on the trail leads to Gnejna Bay, another sandy beach that’s usually quieter and less touristy than Golden Bay. I wouldn’t say it’s as pretty, but as a solo traveller I enjoyed the more chilled vibe along here!

Gnejna Bay marks the perfect end (turn-around) point for a short hike along the coast (after taking some time to enjoy the beach, of course!). I actually ended up walking back the way on a slightly different trail from Għajn Tuffieħa Tower – instead of going down to Golden Bay, I ended up on the trail directly to the road, which let me mix up the route and views slightly more!

💡 Tip: Amenities at Golden Bay are limited – just a few hotels, restaurants, and beach kiosks. I recommend stopping by a supermarket in Sliema before you go to grab snacks and drinks. If you want something local near the beach, the Gnejna Bay kiosk is a cheaper alternative to Golden Bay’s restaurants – I grabbed some lunch there!

For a more detailed experience, check out my post on Golden Bay to Gnejna Bay Coastal Hike, where I cover the scenic walk, the best viewpoints, and tips for exploring this beautiful part of Malta.

Getting to Golden Bay on a Day trip from Sliema:

Golden Bay is around 20km from Sliema, and can be reached by direct bus or Bolt.

🚌 Bus

Time: 60+ minutes (Malta’s traffic can be pretty bad!)
Cost: €4-5 round trip
Best for: Cheap transfer

I travelled by bus and while it was super busy, by the time I got there and saw the beach I soon got over it!

🚖 Bolt:

Time: ~ 30 minutes
Cost: €20–30 one way (varies by season & demand)
Best for: A fast and comfortable ride, excellent option if there are a few of you travelling together (not so budget friendly for solo-travellers)

Should You Book Tours or Go Independently?

If you’re on a tight budget, then public transport, such as bus and independent ferries are best. As I was travelling solo on a budget, and on no strict time scale (I ended up staying 3 weeks in Malta), independent travel worked fine for me!

On a short stay in Malta? Tours are the most convenient and allow you to maximise your time by seeing multiple sights in one day. They also take any stress out of planning and allow you to have a more relaxed time!
➡️ Explore tours from Sliema and reserve your spot (do book in advance if visiting during peak season – they can sell out, especially to the likes of the Blue Lagoon!)

Which Day Trip from Sliema Is Right for You?

🏰 Best for history → Valletta / Mdina
🌊 Best for swimming → Comino
🏝️ Best for variety → Gozo
🏖️ Best for a beach day → Golden Bay
⚓ Best half-day trip → Three Cities

FAQ – Best Day Trips from Sliema, Malta

Is Sliema a good base in Malta?

Yes, Sliema is one of the best bases in Malta, especially if you’re travelling without a car. It’s well served by public buses, and even has its own ferry terminal with links to must visit destinations such as Valletta, Gozo, and Comino.
Accommodation ranges from backpacker hostels to boutique stays and luxury hotels, so it welcomes travellers of all budgets. Plus, everything you need is within walking distance – restaurants, supermarkets, cafés, shops, a long seafront promenade and (rocky) beaches and swimming spots.
Sliema is a very convenient choice, especially for solo travellers and budget visitors.

Can you visit Gozo from Sliema in one day?

Absolutely. A day trip to Gozo from Sliema is easy to do. You can join a tour directly from Sliema, or take the short trip to Valletta and hop on the fast ferry to Gozo. Ferries run frequenly, from early morning into the evening, so you can spend all day enjoying Gozo.

What is the cheapest day trip from Sliema?

Valletta is the cheapest and easiest day trip from Sliema. As Malta’s capital, it’s well worth a visit! It’s just a 10-minute ferry ride across the harbour or a short public bus journey. Once there, you can explore the city’s viewpoints and historic streets for free.
For budget travellers, it’s the perfect day trip without a car!

Do you need a car in Malta?

No, you don’t need a car in Malta. Public buses, ferries, Bolt rides and tours make exploring the island easy to do without a car, especially if staying somewhere such as Sliema.

Is public transport reliable in Malta?

Public transport in Malta is affordable and a great way to explore the island, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Buses can get very crowded, especially during peak hours, and sometimes they may drive past if full. They are often running late, as traffic can be hectic, so expect delays.

If you’re okay with these factors, public transport is a cheap and convenient option for getting around. I travelled Malta by public bus and ferry and managed to see a lot, but I wasn’t in a rush as I was there for 3 weeks!

Best Tours from Sliema (Quick Booking Links)