Malta

Cost of living

What a month costs

Valletta and the harbor towns are the priciest addresses on the island.

The scores

How it rates for a moving family

See and do

Top 10 in Valletta

1. St. John's Co-CathedralA plain facade hiding a gold Baroque interior and Caravaggio's Beheading of Saint John.
2. Upper Barrakka GardensThe best terrace over the Grand Harbour, with a cannon fired at noon below.
3. Grand Master's PalaceThe old seat of the Knights, now with state rooms and a serious armoury.
4. Fort St. Elmo and the National War MuseumThe star fort at the tip of the peninsula that held out through the Great Siege.
5. Grand HarbourOne of the great natural harbors of the Mediterranean, ringed by the Three Cities.
6. Republic StreetThe pedestrian spine of the city for shops, cafes and people watching.
7. Lower Barrakka GardensA quieter garden with the Siege Bell memorial looking out to sea.
8. National Museum of ArchaeologyHome to the Sleeping Lady and finds from Malta's prehistoric temples.
9. Manoel TheatreOne of Europe's oldest working theatres, a jewel box from the 1730s.
10. Valletta WaterfrontRestored Baroque warehouses along the water, lively for a harborside dinner.

Where to go

Weekend escapes

1. GozoA short ferry to the greener sister island with cliffs, salt pans and quiet villages.
2. MdinaThe silent walled old capital, best wandered at dusk when the day-trippers leave.
3. Comino and the Blue LagoonTurquoise swimming water on a car-free islet, go early before the boats arrive.
4. MarsaxlokkA fishing village of painted luzzu boats and a famous Sunday seafood market.
5. SicilyA fast catamaran to Pozzallo puts Baroque Ragusa and Mount Etna within a weekend.

Coffee

Best cafes

1. Caffe CordinaThe grand old cafe on Republic Square, famous for pastizzi and outdoor tables.
2. Lot Sixty One Coffee RoastersSerious specialty coffee for people who want a proper flat white.
3. Piadina CaffeA snug spot on St. Lucia Street doing Italian piadine and good espresso.
4. Cafe JubileeA cozy vintage-style cafe and bistro that stays open late.
5. Amorino GelatoReliable Italian-style gelato and coffee for a walk down Republic Street.

Restaurants

Where to eat

1. RubinoA beloved family trattoria for Maltese classics and a legendary cassata dessert.
2. NoniA refined Michelin-starred kitchen set in a former bakery cellar.
3. Guze BistroCandlelit Mediterranean dining under a stone vaulted ceiling.
4. LegliginA tiny wine bar cellar serving a set parade of Maltese small plates.
5. Palazzo PrecaElegant seafood and Maltese cooking inside a restored townhouse.
6. Trabuxu BistroA warm cellar bistro popular for local wine and hearty plates.
7. AmbrosiaA small chef-led spot near the Co-Cathedral doing market-driven dishes.

Morning

Best breakfast

1. Caffe CordinaCoffee and a warm pastizz on the square is the classic Valletta morning.
2. Cafe JubileeA proper sit-down breakfast in an old-world setting.
3. The Grassy HopperPlant-based bowls, smoothies and healthy brunch plates.
4. Piadina CaffeSimple morning pastries and strong espresso off Republic Street.
5. Lot Sixty One Coffee RoastersWhere the coffee crowd goes for a flat white and a pastry.
6. Cheeky Monkey GastropubA relaxed spot near the waterfront that does a full brunch.
7. Kantina Cafe and WineOutdoor tables tucked beside St. John's Co-Cathedral for a lazy breakfast.
8. Bridge BarA laid-back cafe by day on the steps of St. Christopher Street.
9. Cafe SocietyA quirky terrace cafe down a stepped lane for coffee and light plates.