South Eastern Malta covers fifteen towns around the Grand Harbour and the southeast coast, from the capital Valletta and the fortified Three Cities to the prehistoric Hypogeum and Tarxien temples and the fishing port of Marsaxlokk.
Accommodation overview
Accommodation in south-eastern Malta clusters in four areas. Valletta and neighbouring Floriana hold the boutique palazzo hotels, the five-star Phoenicia and Grand Hotel Excelsior, and the best restaurant scene, all walkable to the Upper Barrakka Gardens and St John's Co-Cathedral. The Three Cities (Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua) across the Grand Harbour have a growing set of restored-townhouse hotels with harbour views and a quieter atmosphere, linked to Valletta by ferry and dghajsa water taxi. Marsaskala and St Thomas Bay offer budget seaside hotels, and Marsaxlokk has small guesthouses beside the fishing harbour. Larger beach resorts are outside this region.
- Budget
- EUR 50-140/night, guesthouses and 2- to 3-star hotels in Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk and Birgu (USD 58-161)
- Mid-range
- EUR 90-270/night, 3- to 5-star city and Three Cities hotels (USD 104-311)
- Luxury
- EUR 180-1200/night, palazzo boutiques and five-star hotels in Valletta, Floriana and Senglea (USD 207-1380)
- Where to stay
- Valletta for first-time visitors without a car; the Three Cities for a quieter harbour-front stay with ferry links; Marsaxlokk for fishing-village atmosphere
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
Locanda La Gelsomina
Small boutique guesthouse with restaurant in a Birgu townhouse, in the walkable lanes of the historic Three Cities.
Check rates on Booking.comCerviola Hotel
Three-star seaside hotel at St Thomas Bay in Marsaskala with a rooftop pool and sun terrace.
Check rates on Booking.comSensi Hotel
Small hotel near St Thomas Bay in Marsaskala, a budget base for the south-east coast.
Check rates on Booking.comCasa Rosanna
Boutique guest accommodation on the Marsaskala bay waterfront with rooms overlooking the bay.
Check rates on Booking.comHarbour Lodge
Guesthouse near the Marsaxlokk fishing harbour, within walking distance of the waterfront restaurants and the Sunday market.
Check rates on Booking.comFisherman's Cove Guesthouse
Bed and breakfast guesthouse in Marsaxlokk close to the harbour front.
Check rates on Booking.comSouth Wind Guesthouse
Small guesthouse in the centre of Marsaxlokk village, a few minutes from the waterfront.
Check rates on Booking.comPort View Guesthouse
Guesthouse a short walk from the Marsaxlokk harbour and its luzzu fishing boats.
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Embassy Valletta Hotel
Four-star hotel on Strait Street in the former Valletta nightlife quarter, with a restaurant, bar and pool.
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Three-star hotel on South Street in Valletta, a short walk from Republic Street, the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the Grand Harbour ferry.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Hotel Excelsior
Large five-star waterfront hotel on Great Siege Road in Floriana, on the Marsamxett Harbour side, with pools, a spa and several restaurants, about 15 minutes on foot from Valletta.
Check rates on Booking.comIBB Hotel Palazzo Bettina
Four-star boutique hotel in a restored Birgu palazzo in the historic Three Cities, within walking distance of Fort St Angelo and the Birgu waterfront.
Check rates on Booking.comCasa Birmula Boutique Hotel
Boutique hotel in restored Cospicua townhouses a short walk from the Bormla ferry stop, in the Cottonera area of the Three Cities.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury
The Phoenicia Malta
Five-star 132-room hotel built in the 1930s on The Mall in Floriana, directly outside the Valletta city gate, with a spa, bastion-edge pool and gardens.
Check rates on Booking.comIniala Harbour House
Five-star boutique hotel of 23 rooms and suites in restored townhouses and vaults on St Barbara Bastion, overlooking the Grand Harbour; houses the two-Michelin-star ION Harbour restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comCasa Ellul
Small boutique hotel of about nine suites in a converted 19th-century townhouse in central Valletta, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, with a restaurant, bar and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comCugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour
Five-star hotel of 21 vaulted suites in a restored Senglea building facing the Grand Harbour, with a rooftop pool; the nearest ferry stop is Bormla, reached by footbridge.
Check rates on Booking.comRosselli - AX Privilege
Five-star 25-room hotel in the 17th-century Baroque Casa Rosselli Massa palazzo at the corner of Merchants Street and St Christopher Street; its restaurant Under Grain holds a Michelin star.
Check rates on Booking.comPalazzo Consiglia
Boutique hotel of 13 individually decorated rooms in a traditional Maltese townhouse near St Roque's church and the Lower Barrakka Gardens, listed in the Michelin Guide hotel selection.
Check rates on Booking.comBest neighborhoods to stay
Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
Valletta
Palazzo boutiques such as Rosselli, Casa Ellul, Palazzo Consiglia and Iniala Harbour House, plus the Osborne and Embassy hotels, all within a few minutes of Republic Street.
Best for: First-time visitors, couples, car-free stays
Floriana
The Phoenicia Malta and Grand Hotel Excelsior sit just outside the Valletta city gate, with larger facilities and pools.
Best for: Families, longer stays, spa and pool seekers
Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua (Three Cities)
Cugo Gran Macina, IBB Hotel Palazzo Bettina, Casa Birmula and Locanda La Gelsomina occupy restored buildings near Fort St Angelo and the harbour front.
Best for: History lovers, quiet harbour views, couples
Marsaskala and St Thomas Bay
Cerviola Hotel, Sensi Hotel and Casa Rosanna offer seaside budget stays on the south-east coast.
Best for: Budget travellers, sea swimming, long stays
Marsaxlokk
Guesthouses such as Harbour Lodge, Fisherman's Cove, South Wind and Port View sit near the fishing harbour and waterfront seafood restaurants.
Best for: Slow travel, seafood, the Sunday market
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
The Phoenicia Malta
Five-star 132-room hotel built in the 1930s on The Mall in Floriana, directly outside the Valletta city gate, with a spa, bastion-edge pool and gardens.
Check rates on Booking.comIniala Harbour House
Five-star boutique hotel of 23 rooms and suites in restored townhouses and vaults on St Barbara Bastion, overlooking the Grand Harbour; houses the two-Michelin-star ION Harbour restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comCasa Ellul
Small boutique hotel of about nine suites in a converted 19th-century townhouse in central Valletta, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, with a restaurant, bar and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comCugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour
Five-star hotel of 21 vaulted suites in a restored Senglea building facing the Grand Harbour, with a rooftop pool; the nearest ferry stop is Bormla, reached by footbridge.
Check rates on Booking.comRosselli - AX Privilege
Five-star 25-room hotel in the 17th-century Baroque Casa Rosselli Massa palazzo at the corner of Merchants Street and St Christopher Street; its restaurant Under Grain holds a Michelin star.
Check rates on Booking.comPalazzo Consiglia
Boutique hotel of 13 individually decorated rooms in a traditional Maltese townhouse near St Roque's church and the Lower Barrakka Gardens, listed in the Michelin Guide hotel selection.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book Valletta and Three Cities boutique hotels two to four months ahead for May-October, when small palazzo properties fill first.
Compare free-cancellation rates on booking platforms with the hotel's own site; direct rates sometimes include breakfast.
Valletta streets are steep, stepped and mostly pedestrian; confirm lift access and luggage arrangements with small townhouse hotels before arrival.
The Three Cities connect to Valletta by ferry from Bormla and Birgu and by dghajsa water taxi; a Three Cities stay is practical without a car.
Marsaxlokk has no large hotels; guesthouses are small and book out on summer weekends, and Sunday market mornings are busy.
Malta charges a per-person eco-contribution at check-out in many hotels; confirm the current amount with the property.
Prices in this dataset are indicative bands in EUR with USD at 1 EUR = 1.15 USD; check live rates before booking.
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.