10 Money-Saving Tips in Malta

The Maltese absolutely love to party and have been hosting some of the most thrilling and lively carnival celebrations in all of Europe since the 15th century. Celebrated all over the island during February and March each year, Carnival is filled with parades, marching bands, lots of dancing, and plenty of food and drinks too.

What's more, most of the fun happens right out on the streets of the towns and cities, like Valletta, meaning that there are no entrance fees. Each parish also hosts its own religious 'Festa' with fireworks, food, and general merriment for tourists and locals to share in together.

Malta has almost 200 km of coastline in total, meaning that holidaymakers have no shortage of beautiful beaches to enjoy without having to pay a penny for the privilege. There are plenty of beaches all over the island, ranging from large and crowded stretches of golden sand to smaller and more intimate pebble-strewn beaches.

The Blue Lagoon over on the small island of Comino and the fittingly named Paradise Bay on the mainland's northern coast are 2 of the top tourist spots. If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy something a little more peaceful and private, some of Malta’s lesser-known beaches include St. Peter's Pool on the east side of the island and Imgiebah Bay.

While a lot of Valletta's sites of interest have entry fees, you can stroll around the beautiful Barrakka Gardens without paying a single euro. Both the upper and lower gardens are free to enter.

Dating back to the 1660s, the Upper Barrakka Gardens offer some of the most majestic views in all of Malta, as well as hosting several artworks, including the Les Gavroches sculpture by Maltese artist, Antonio Sciortino. The Lower Barrakka Gardens enjoy lovely views of the harbour and Bighi Palace and also host some unique monuments.

The Malta Pass is a must-have item for tourists who want to see the island nation on a budget. It offers free entry to more than 35 different attractions, museums, and sites of interest around Malta, as well as a free ride on a sightseeing bus.

You can purchase 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day Malta Passcards as needed. Enjoy fee-less entry to sites as the Palazzo Parisio, The Palace Armoury, Valletta Living History, and the Mdina Experience. From walking tours to religious sites, the pass can open the doors to many different activities and attractions.

Whether you happen to be visiting Valletta, Mdina, Sliema, Senglea, or another beautiful Maltese town or city, a lot of the urban hubs all over Malta are relatively small, especially when compared with big European capitals. This means that you can get around most places on foot very easily and conveniently.

In fact, places like Valletta are arguably best explored on foot, as walking around gives you time to appreciate the many influences in the architecture and design that surround you. Discovering shops, cafés, and other little locations of interest are also part of the adventure – one you may not be able to experience from a bus or taxi.

Heritage Malta is an organisation responsible for managing and maintaining many of the cultural and touristic sites around Malta, including many of the country's museums and attractions. A lot of these places have admission fees for most of the years, but you can enjoy free entry on 'Open Days'.

Throughout the year, Heritage Malta generously organises several of these Open Days, often in conjunction with other national holidays and celebrations like Maltese Independence Day (21 September) or Victory Day (8 September). Budget-conscious travellers can take a look at the calendar in advance and plan their itineraries accordingly.

Officially known as the Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, the Mosta Dome is a Roman Catholic church right in the heart of Mosta. It's home to the third-biggest unsupported dome on the planet, as well as gorgeous blue, white, and gold interior decorations.

There's also an amazing story to this church – during World War II, the Mosta Dome roof was struck by a Luftwaffe bomb in the middle of an air raid, with 300 people gathered inside for mass. Thankfully, the bomb didn't explode. You can learn more and even see a replica of the bomb in the church's museum. There are over 350 different churches to be found around Malta, and the Mosta Dome ranks among the prettiest and most intriguing.

One of the biggest expenses for many travellers to Malta has to be the food, with many high-priced restaurants around Valletta in particular. To save some cash while still enjoying authentic, traditional Maltese food, grab some pastizzi.

Pastizzi are savoury pastries with different fillings, from mushy peas and chicken to sweet treats like nutty chocolate spread. They're available at bars, cafés, and from street vendors all over the island. The pastry is both affordable and filling, making it an excellent option for those who want to keep their energy levels up and enjoy some local delicacies without paying too much.

Between its reefs, caves, lagoons, and wrecks, Malta is home to some of the best snorkelling spots in the Mediterranean Sea. The best part is that many of these diving locations are free to access. The calm, beautiful, blue waters of the Maltese coastline and surrounding islands provide optimum conditions for divers of differing ages and levels.

Since diving and snorkelling are popular with the locals, you can buy basic equipment quite cheaply in many village shops and then head out to your favourite spot to submerge yourself for some aquatic adventures.