Mellieha

ℹ️ Short answer: For most first-timers staying 3–7 days without a car, Sliema is the right base — it’s mid-priced, has the ferry to Valletta, the boat departures for Comino, and a thousand restaurants. Pick Valletta if you want to be inside the postcard and you’re OK paying 30–40% more for a smaller room. Mellieħa wins for families who want a beach. Mdina or Three Cities (Birgu) wins for a quieter, more romantic stay. Paceville is for nightlife only — avoid otherwise. Skip Buġibba unless your priority is a budget package deal. Malta is small — 27 km long — so wherever you stay, you can reach the rest of the island in under an hour. That sounds liberating until you realise it means every hotel claims it’s “perfectly located,” and the actual differences between neighbourhoods are about vibe, transport convenience, and price-per-square-foot rather than distance to the sights.