Is Malta Safe for Solo Travellers? A No-Fluff Guide for Solo & Solo Female Travel

A No-Fluff Guide from Someone Who Actually Loves This Island

Let’s answer the big, slightly anxious question first:

Is Malta safe for solo travellers, especially solo women?

Short answer: yes, generally very safe – low violent crime, friendly locals, English widely spoken, and a solid public transport network.

Longer, honest answer: it’s safe, but it’s still real life. There’s nightlife, catcalling in some areas, overcrowded hotspots in summer, and you still need common sense – especially around the famous Blue Lagoon.

This guide is written in that spirit: reassuring but real.

You’ll walk away knowing:

  • What safety in Malta actually looks like day-to-day

  • How safe it feels for solo females

  • Which areas are best for solo travellers

  • How to get around confidently without a car

  • What to know about nightlife and the Blue Lagoon

  • And… whether Malta is your kind of solo destination

How Safe Is Malta Really?

On paper, Malta is one of the safest countries in Europe, with low levels of violent crime and mostly petty issues like pickpocketing in busy tourist areas.

Travel bloggers, solo female travellers and safety sites broadly agree:

  • Malta is generally safe for solo women

  • Violent crime is rare

  • Street harassment can happen, especially in busier coastal areas, but is usually limited to comments and unwanted attention

So think more: “Mediterranean island with a few rowdy pockets and tourist traps” than

“You need military strategy to walk to dinner.”

What feels safe day-to-day

Most solo travellers report feeling comfortable: Walking around Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s and the main towns in the evening. Using buses and ferries to get around to get around the Island. Joining day tours and boat trips and staying in guesthouses, boutique hotels and hostels in central areas

Solo Malta Takeaway #1 – Our POV

Malta is safe – especially compared to many destinations – but not a fantasy bubble. If you use your usual solo-travel common sense, it’s a great “starter” destination or a chilled option after a more intense trip.

Safest & Best Areas in Malta for Solo Travellers

Where you stay has a huge impact on how safe and comfortable you feel.

Valletta – Historic, compact, central

  • Gorgeous streets, city walls, harbour views

  • Easy bus connections to the rest of the island

  • Feels calm at night once day-trippers leave

Great for: culture lovers, walkers, first-timers who want charm + convenience.

Sliema – Seafront, local + tourist mix

  • Promenade, swimming spots, ferries to Valletta

  • Big choice of hotels, apartments, cafés

  • Good for buses and boat trips

Feels like: “I live near the sea but can get everywhere easily.”

St Julian’s (outside Paceville) – Social but strategic

  • Lots of restaurants, seafront walks and nightlife close by

  • Can be loud closer to Paceville – stay a bit back for quieter nights

Best for: travellers who enjoy a bit of buzz but don’t want to sleep inside the party.

St Paul’s Bay / Bugibba / Qawra – Resorty and convenient

  • Great base for day trips, boat tours, excursions

  • Ideally located near beaches in the north

  • Feels more “holiday resort” with a local vibe, with lots of tourists in season

Gozo – Slower, greener, softer

  • Smaller island with more rural landscapes and a calmer vibe

  • Great for hiking, swimming, slower days and sunsets

  • Attracts travellers who want Malta but “turned down a few notches”

Perfect if: you want to feel safe, peaceful, and a little bit off the main tourist conveyor belt.

Areas we’d approach with more intention

  • Paceville (St Julian’s club strip):
    Fun if you like a big night out, but expect drunk crowds, aggressive promoters and a more chaotic feel – go with your antenna switched on.

  • Very isolated areas late at night:
    Like anywhere, quiet back streets after midnight are best avoided alone.

Solo Malta Takeaway #3 – Our POV

If you’re unsure, Valletta, Sliema or Gozo are usually the best bases for a first-time solo trip. When we plan your trip, we match your base to your safety comfort level + social energy – not just to “where the hotel deal is”.

👉 CTA: Want help choosing your safest-feeling base?
Chat with us via WhatsApp and we’ll map out the best area (and hotel) for your solo style.

Getting Around Malta Safely Without a Car

A huge question solo travellers ask: “Do I need to drive in Malta?”

No, you absolutely don’t have to.

Buses

  • Cover most towns and tourist areas

  • Affordable and generally safe to use

  • Can be crowded in summer and sometimes late

Safety-wise, main tips are pickpocket awareness and choosing where you stand/sit if the bus is packed.

Ferries

  • Regular services between Valletta – Sliema – Three Cities, and to Gozo/Comino

  • Well-regulated; follow crew instructions and avoid standing on very crowded edges or steps when the boat is moving

Taxis & Ride Apps

  • Apps like Bolt and eCabs are widely used and considered safe options, especially at night.

  • As always: check the car plate, sit in the back, and share your trip with a friend if that makes you feel better.

Walking

  • In main towns it’s normal to walk home from dinner in the evening

  • We just wouldn’t recommend long, dark, isolated walks after midnight, especially near clubs or industrial areas

Solo Malta Takeaway #4 – Our POV

Malta is one of the easier European countries to navigate solo without driving. When we build your itinerary, we stack your days so you’re not doing stressful late-night transfers.

The Blue Lagoon, Comino & Water Safety

Now for the postcard that causes the most drama: Blue Lagoon, Comino.

It’s undeniably beautiful. It’s also been:

  • Heavily overcrowded in recent years, with thousands of people crammed into a small bay on peak days

  • The location of multiple drownings and boat-related accidents has triggered calls for better safety and regulation

In 2025, the government introduced a cap of 4,000 visitors at any one time and a booking system, claiming peak numbers dropped compared to previous summers.

What does this mean for you as a solo traveller?

If you decide to visit Blue Lagoon

  • Avoid the cheapest “party boat” flyers if safety is your priority

  • Choose reputable operators with clear safety briefings and life jackets

  • Be realistic about your swimming ability – currents, boat traffic and crowds can make the water more challenging

  • Never leave your bag unattended on overcrowded rocks or jetties

Or… choose a calmer alternative

There are other coves, bays and Gozo/Comino spots that give you:

  • Clear water

  • Space to breathe

  • A much more relaxed solo experience

Solo Malta Takeaway #5 – Our POV

We’re not against Blue Lagoon – but we are pro you coming home in one piece. On Solo Malta itineraries, we either: Pick safer, smaller operators and better timings, or Suggest equally beautiful alternatives that feel less like a rugby scrum in swimwear.

👉 CTA: Want a “safe swim, beautiful view” day built for you?
Ask us to add a “Gentle Blue” day to your custom itinerary – curated coves, safe transfers, and zero chaos.

Common-Sense Safety Tips (Malta Edition)

You already know the basics, but here’s how they apply on a Maltese solo trip:

  • Money & documents

    • Use a travel card (e.g. Wise/Revolut) separate from your main bank

    • Keep a photo of your passport and ID backed up securely

  • Nightlife

    • Watch your drink and never leave it unattended

    • If Paceville isn’t your vibe, you are absolutely allowed to say “no thanks” and enjoy a seaside wine instead

  • Dress & attention

    • You can wear what you like, but very revealing outfits in certain nightlife strips may attract more comments – not your fault, just pattern recognition

    • Malta is predominantly a catholic country and lately has seen some protests regarding tourists walking around in bikinis and men with no shirts in the main arreas.

  • Phones & bags

    • Crossbody bag that zips; phone not permanently in back pocket

  • Boundaries

    • “No” and “I’m meeting someone now” are full sentences. English is widely understood, so use it.

Is Malta Right for You as a Solo Traveller?

Safety is one part. Fit is another.

You’ll probably love Malta if you want:

  • Compact, easy logistics – minimal changing hotels, simple transfers

  • A mix of history, sea, and café time, not just beaches

  • Day trips over big road trips

  • A place where you can test solo travel without feeling overwhelmed

You might want to pair it with another trip if you’re craving:

  • Wild nature for days on end

  • Huge nightlife cities

  • Super-cheap backpacker pricing outside of shoulder season

Solo Malta Takeaway #6 – Our POV

Malta is an excellent “Solo 101” or “gentle Mediterranean reset” destination. Safe enough to relax. Interesting enough not to be bored. Small enough that nothing is ever too far from a good glass of wine and a sea view.

How Solo Malta Can Make Your Trip Feel Safer (Without Bubble-Wrapping You)

Here’s how we design safe solo travel with style:

  • We help you choose the best base (Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Gozo) for your comfort level

  • We build Malta and Gozo itineraries that don’t rely on late-night buses or sketchy transfers

  • We recommend trusted hotels, guesthouses and tours we’d happily send our favourite humans to

  • You get a real human + support, not just a booking confirmation email

Your Next Step

If you’re reading this thinking:

“Okay… so Malta is safe for solo travel and I kind of want someone to just design it for me…”

Then this is your move:

👉 Book a free 15-minute Solo Malta Planning Call
We’ll:

  • Map out where you should stay

  • Sketch a safe-feeling 4–7 day itinerary

  • Tell you honestly if Malta is the right fit – or if you’d be happier somewhere else first

Because safe solo travel isn’t just about avoiding bad things. It’s about choosing places and plans that make you feel supported, confident and free.

And Malta, done right, is very, very good at that.

Charlie Banks

LUXURY EXPERIENCE ARCHITECT

Well hello, wanderer. I’m your globe-trotting, adventure-addicted, slightly sassy founder of Solo Malta. I’m also a long-time lover of solo travel, a champion of the confidently curious, and a firm believer that life is far too short for boring!

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