
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
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
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.




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.
👉 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.
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

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
👉 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.
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.
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

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!