Where to stay on Malta, Gozo & Comino

When choosing accommodation in Malta or Gozo, you should not only pay attention to stars, ratings, and price. Equally important is the location. Although the islands are small, the individual regions differ significantly. St. Julian’s feels completely different from Mellieħa, and a stay in a small village on Gozo has little in common with a classic resort holiday in Malta.

Generally, you will find a larger selection of hotels and holiday apartments in Malta. From international 5-star resorts to boutique hotels to simple apartments, practically everything is available. Gozo is smaller and quieter. Here, boutique hotels, traditional farmhouses, holiday apartments, bed & breakfasts, and private guest rooms are particularly appealing.

Especially on Gozo, it doesn’t have to be a large hotel. A small guesthouse or a room with private hosts can be much more personal and better suited to the character of the island.

Accommodation in Malta and Gozo at a glance

Malta offers the largest selection and is particularly suitable if you want restaurants, nightlife, shopping options, and tourist infrastructure nearby. Gozo is the better choice if you prefer peace, landscapes, and smaller places. The distances are short, so you can easily stay outside of Victoria, Xlendi, or Marsalforn with a rental car. In the luxury segment, we consider the Westin Dragonara Resort in St. Julian’s to be one of the best 5-star hotels in Malta. On Gozo, the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz is our favorite. Boutique hotels, apartments, and Airbnbs are often cheaper. Particularly on Gozo, small guesthouses and private guest rooms are also popular.

Hotel or Airbnb in Malta?

One of the most important decisions is whether you prefer to stay in a hotel or a holiday apartment.

A hotel is straightforward. You get a ready-made room, regular cleaning, and depending on the category, breakfast, pool, reception, restaurants, gym, or spa. For a short stay, this is often the most convenient solution.

A holiday apartment, on the other hand, offers you more space and independence. Especially if you are staying longer in Malta or Gozo, having your own kitchen is practical. You can shop for yourself, try local products, and don’t have to eat every meal in a restaurant.

However, you should understand an important difference with an Airbnb: you often do not live in a tourist hotel complex but in a regular residential building.

Airbnb in Malta: You live among locals

Many holiday apartments in Malta are located in regular apartment buildings. People who live there permanently may reside next to you, above you, or below you. Accordingly, you should behave appropriately. Many buildings have clear rules regarding noise and quiet. Especially at night, you should refrain from loud music, parties, or long conversations on the balcony. Maltese houses can be relatively noisy. Additionally, narrow streets, courtyards, and balconies can carry sounds quite far.

An Airbnb is therefore not a private holiday resort. You are a guest in a normal neighborhood. If your host sets quiet hours or specific house rules, you should take them seriously.

The waste disposal plan in Malta is particularly important

One point that many vacationers underestimate is waste disposal. In Malta, household waste is collected according to a fixed system or waste plan. Different types of waste are collected on different days. Therefore, if you are in an Airbnb or another holiday apartment, be sure to pay attention to your host’s instructions. You cannot simply put your waste out on any day and expect it to be collected eventually. Usually, you will find information in the accommodation about when to put out which waste. If this information is missing, you should contact your host directly. This is particularly important in densely populated areas. The waste plan is part of everyday life in Malta and should be respected just like the house's quiet hours.

Airbnb in Gozo

In Gozo, holiday apartments are especially interesting. The island is less densely built and offers numerous small towns with traditional houses. As a result, you will find some apartments and holiday homes with courtyards, terraces, or private pools. If you stay for a week or longer, an Airbnb in Gozo can be much more enjoyable than a classic hotel room. With a rental car, you are also very flexible. You don’t have to stay directly in Victoria, Xlendi, or Marsalforn. Smaller places like Għarb, San Lawrenz, Xewkija, or Nadur can also be interesting starting points. These quieter residential areas provide a completely different feeling than a large hotel.

Boutique hotels: often the best middle ground

Boutique hotels are an interesting alternative between classic hotels and private holiday apartments. They are usually smaller and more personal than large resorts, yet still offer the comfort of a hotel. You don’t have to worry about cleaning, waste disposal, or other organizational matters. This concept fits particularly well with Gozo. Many smaller accommodations are located in traditional buildings and integrate typical Maltese limestone, courtyards, balconies, and rooftop terraces into their hotel concept. This often makes the stay feel much more individual than in a large hotel complex. Boutique hotels can also be interesting in terms of pricing. They are not automatically cheap, but they are often priced lower than an international 5-star resort.

Guest rooms in Gozo

A particularly personal option is private guest rooms and small bed & breakfasts. This form of accommodation is popular especially in Gozo. Sometimes you stay in a traditional house where your hosts also live. In other cases, a larger house has been completely converted into a small guesthouse. The experience is significantly different from a regular hotel. Instead of an anonymous reception, you often have direct contact with the hosts. This allows you to receive recommendations for restaurants, swimming spots, and places that you might not find during a classic hotel search. Especially if you don