When you visit Malta, you’ll probably stay in cities like Sliema or St. Julian's. Popular with tourists and young digital nomads, these two communities are the party centers of the small Mediterranean nation. With ample (if not overcrowded) buses and fleets of ride-shares patrolling the narrow avenues, these neighboring towns might be where you head for a quick bite or name-brand shopping, but they are not prime destinations for long-term living.
With surging tourism numbers, most of which are made up of young visitors looking for cheap booze and a fun party, the majority flock to these communities, which can make it exponentially difficult to handle everyday tasks (or enjoy a morning coffee on your balcony). A few years ago, both Sliema and St. Julian’s would have made the best cities to live in Malta, but with overcrowding and nonstop construction, that’s no longer the case.
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Thankfully, plenty of vibrant communities are perfect for expats, retirees and digital nomads looking to make one of the two livable islands a longer-term home. And even if you enjoy the occasional loud party or weekend bar hop, everything on the main island is a 30-minute drive or less, so you can still have fun and return home to peace and quiet.
Victoria
Talk to anyone who regularly visits Bali, and they will tell you the Bali of old no longer exists. With overtourism and heavy construction, it’s nearly impossible to find what originally made the mystique island so breathtaking. Unfortunately, much of that is happening in Malta.
Certain cities in Malta have completely lost their historical vibrancy, with the sandy-gold limestone of classical buildings torn down for flashy high-rises and bloated prices. Thankfully, cities away from the tourist epicenter have managed to maintain their charm, and no place has done that better than Victoria.
Why has Victoria managed this feat? It’s the capital of Malta’s sister island, Gozo. Only accessible by a ferry running between the main island and Gozo to the north, Victoria looks like the Malta of old. And, because of the ferry, it keeps most visitors away. Tourists looking to party have no reason to visit, and most who do only stay a day, or at most a weekend. In fact, other than Victoria locals, much of the community is made up of Malta island natives who want to break free of the tourists and rest in quiet comfort.
The city's beauty lies in its historical charm, with the medieval citadel and St. George’s Basilica. There are also a number of museums. Excellent restaurants are locally owned, and there's even a small craft brewery. Now, it does make travel a bit longer, as you can’t just hop into an Uber (or Bolt) and drive to the airport. However, if you cherish your tranquility, love the historical aspects of Malta, and don’t mind a slower pace of life, there’s truly nothing better than Victoria.
Rabat
For tourists, Rabat is an afterthought city neighboring Mdina. The famed walled city of Mdina is where a number of Game of Thrones scenes were shot. However, Mdina isn’t exactly a place you’d want to live. Yes, some locals do call it home, but aside from a few tourist-catering restaurants, there are no grocery stores, and grabbing a late-night rideshare is next to impossible. Instead, for this area of the main island, head to Rabat.
Like most Maltese cities, Mdina and Rabat kind of blend together. Where one ends and one begins can be a bit fuzzy at times, but you can head out of the main gate of Mdina (which was a stand-in for King’s Landing on Game of Thrones), there are beautifully quaint homes that maintain their historic charm. You’ll also likely find the best collection of restaurants in Rabat than anywhere else in Malta.
Yes, you will find an excellent array of ethnic foods and sit-down restaurants in the more touristy areas, but when it comes to high-end Maltese restaurants, serving local food with local ingredients, it’s tough to beat Rabat’s scene. And, best of all, from centuries-old dining halls to bars decorated like catholic confessionals, nearly every restaurant has its own story. Just don’t be shocked when you see horse meat pop up on menus (it’s a common ingredient found in some traditional Maltese stews).
You might not find a city in all of Malta with more personality found in every storefront, every restaurant, and every home. And while it doesn’t have the sea views you might crave, as it sits at one of the island's highest points, it offers splendid views over the country.
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St. Paul’s Bay
Named after the supposed spot where the apostle Paul was shipwrecked (there is a monument to the religious figure on a small, uninhabited island, though it can only be reached by private boat), St. Paul’s Bay is, in many ways, what St. Julian’s was a decade or two earlier.
This is the spot if you want to be near an active nightlife that doesn’t entirely consume the city during the summer months. Crowds do come, there’s no denying that, but there is ten times the real estate space in St. Paul’s Bay compared to St. Julian’s, and only twice the population.
Now, you’re less likely to find the classic two-story Maltese limestone building hugging the waterfront in St. Paul’s Bay, so if that’s what you’re looking for, head elsewhere. Instead, you’ll find larger condo complexes and recent renovations. There are also plenty of small shops and restaurants along the walkways, but the avenues offer significantly more space than you’d find in St. Julian’s or Valletta, the nation’s capital.
If you’re considering a beach community in Malta, it is highly recommended to visit in summer so you can see the crowds and decide which community suits you best (and what you’re willing to put up with).
Floriana
Sure, you could move into the capital city of Valletta, but it’s so squished together and overcrowded, year-round, that you probably wouldn’t enjoy it. Yes, it does have one of the few movie theaters in the country (FYI, in Malta there is an intermission forced into movies, so the film will randomly be stopped somewhere in the middle), and many of the live cultural events take place around Valletta, but it’s truly difficult to get around unless you find some tucked-away corner. And that is exactly why Floriana is the best option if you want to be next to the capital without dealing with the massive crowds.
Floriana is the neighboring city (again, most cities in Malta blend together and are more like neighborhoods than cities in the traditional sense), and you can walk to Valletta in a minute or two. The area has some nice parks that are usually empty, so if you have a pup and want a comfortable walk with real grass nearby, Floriana is the spot for you.
St. Publius Parish Church is one of the largest in the country and towers over Floriana. In front is a very large open area that goes unused for most of the year. However, in the summer months, it transforms into a concert venue. In 2026, touring acts like Katy Perry and Pit Bull performed here.
In some ways, the city is like Rabat, where tourists mostly pass by and head to the next attraction.
Mellieħa
Dreaming of sandy beaches? You’ll quickly discover that Malta probably isn’t the place for you. Most of Malta's waterfront is rock. However, if you are hard-pressed for sand and are dead set on Malta as your destination, head to Mellieħa. The views from this community are exceptional, as not only is it a hilltop village away from the rest of the party tourist communities, but it has the longest sandy beach in the country.
Now, this is still a tourist spot, but tourism is different here. It’s an older crowd, and the restaurants and shops cater to that. There are also some rather unique attractions (some you’ll visit once and call it good, while others you’ll visit over and over). Popeye Village, the shooting site of the musical comedy Popeye, is nearby. While it’s overpriced to visit, it’s worth popping in if you have young kids, and there is a nice tribute to Robin Williams, who started as the title character. You’ll also regularly drive past St. Agatha’s Tower, better known as The Red Tower. In a country where nearly everything shares a similar sandy-limestone look, this blood-red tower stands out.
Mellieħa is also probably the best place on the island if you’re a birdwatching enthusiast, as the nearby Għadira Natura Reserve is a sanctuary for migrating birds, so bring your camera and binoculars.
Because the city is built into an angled hilltop, it’s essentially split into two regions. The very top is the historic city center, with plenty of two-story limestone buildings harking back to the country's origins, while the lower portion is mostly new builds and resorts. So even in this laid-back city, you can choose historic chill or updated and lively.
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