Here are seven reasons why Malta is a great place for women travelling alone:
1. Safety
Valletta, the main city of Malta, is the smallest in the EU. This makes it a dream for people travelling alone. The city is small and easy to get around. It has just under 7,000 people and much history, so you can walk around and take it all in for a long time.
What used to be a quiet city in the Mediterranean is now a thriving and growing urban gem, with more hotels, bars, and restaurants opening every month. Locals and tourists mingle here, and you can walk down the alleys without worrying about safety. The balconies that hang over your head make great picture backdrops.
Outside of Valletta, the rest of Malta is also very safe. The low crime rate of the country is shown by the number of people who leave their doors open and the number of children who play outside long after the sun goes down.
Things can and do happen, and no place is perfect, so it’s best to keep your standard level of personal safety.
2. English Language
English is the official language in Malta, and almost everyone knows it. Almost 90% of the people who live there can speak English. Schools teach English and Maltese, and it’s rare to meet someone who doesn’t speak or understand English.
The country is a mix of different cultures, so you will likely hear many other languages. Italian and Arabic are two of the most popular. The county’s transport system, road signs and almost all other signs are also in English, so you shouldn’t have much trouble getting around if you only speak English.
3. Affordable
As one of the cheapest countries in the EU, Malta is still a pretty cheap place to visit, so you can save money for good food and lodging. You can keep yourself safest if you don’t try to save money by living in the cheapest place possible. Of course, not all choices here are cheap, and there are many options if you want to spend a lot.
Aside from places to stay, getting around is easy and cheap, and most things cost less here than in mainland Europe.
One way to save money is to go to one of Valletta’s famous “happy hours,” when the prices of most drinks drop by a lot and snacks are free. Fill up on freshly baked bread with homemade tomato jam and save your pocket money for shopping.
4. Easy to get around
Valletta is a small, tight city, and walking is the best way to get around. Just outside Valletta are the famous Three Cities, the historic towns of Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua. All these places are worth visiting and are best seen on foot.
The bus system in the country makes it easy, cheap, and simple to get out of Valletta and see other parts of the island. Get a card at a machine when you get to the airport, and then all you have to do is tap it each time you want to use it. You can add money to the card at machines at almost every stop if you need to.
In addition to buses, the county has ride-sharing apps like Bolt and Ryde that make getting around easy, safe, and inexpensive. Gozo, a small and beautiful island near Malta, can be reached by a quick boat ride. Once there, Gozo is also well-connected by bus.
5. Greeting the locals
With only about 500,000 people, you might think the Maltese are cold and alone, but nothing could be further from the truth. People from Malta are known for being friendly, and when you visit their country, you can see that for yourself.
The people of Malta will warmly welcome you because they are kind, helpful, friendly, and patient with tourists. I lost a lot when walking around Malta and Gozo, but locals always stuck their heads out of their windows to point me in the right direction.
6. Options for Solo
You might not think that Malta and Gozo, the tenth smallest country and island country, are great places to go climbing, but they are. With well-marked paths around the outside, you can safely explore the beautiful cliffs, coves, and towns on your own (just stay away from the cliffs when the wind picks up, trust me!).
Of course, you should take the usual safety steps, but the trails here are well-marked and used by many people, so you shouldn’t feel out of place or vulnerable if you’re hiking alone. Aside from climbing, people often go out to eat or look around alone. You won’t look out of place when you sit down for a drink.
7. Wonderful Weather
Lastly, Malta is great for women who want to travel alone because of its great weather. Malta has an average of 300 sunny days a year, so it’s likely that you’ll be able to enjoy the sun when you go there.
With normal Mediterranean weather, Malta’s summers are hot and dry, and temperatures can reach 90 degrees, so it’s time to enjoy those beautiful beaches. Winter is mild but can be a bit wet, and temperatures can drop to the mid-40s, so bring a scarf if you plan to come then.
One thing to remember is that sand from Africa can and often does blow over to Malta, which can cause haze-like smog on some days. I saw this a lot when I went there in April. Even though it doesn’t happen every day, it’s important to be ready so you don’t end up sad.
