Renting a Car in Malta: A Left-Side Driving Survival Guide
ℹ️ Short answer: A rental car in Malta is worth it for 3–4 days, not 7. Pick it up when you leave the Sliema/Valletta area for Mdina, Dingli, the south coast and Gozo; skip it for the city days when buses, ferries and walking are faster. Expect €25–45/day for an economy car in shoulder season, plus €20–30/day in summer surcharges and parking-anxiety. Driving is on the left, the roads are narrow, and Maltese drivers are creatively assertive — but it’s manageable for any confident driver who’s done a 30-minute orientation lap. There’s a question every Malta visitor eventually asks: do I rent a car or not? The internet is split. Forums say “absolutely necessary.” Bloggers say “Malta is too small, just take the bus.” Both are wrong, because the right answer is “depends which days.” Malta is small enough that you can do Valletta, Sliema and Mdina without a car, and big enough that Gozo, the south coast and Comino-side beaches are noticeably better with one. The trick is renting for the days that need it and not the days that don’t.