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Are you making travel plans to come to Malta? Not sure what it’s like when it comes to safety for tourists? I’m here to help!
The question of whether Malta is a safe holiday destination isn’t uncommon. The short answer: Yes, it is. Crime rates are low, there is no threat of terror attacks and no unusual health risks. In general, you’ll be fine if you follow local advice, however, there are a couple of things to keep in mind and to be wary of.
(Last updated: February 2024)
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With tension and conflict in North Africa and the Middle East, it seems Malta’s geographical location may be uncomfortably close to all of the unrest in the area, but the risk of terror attacks is relatively low in Malta, and no major warnings have been issued.
Crime rates in Malta have historically been low compared to other EU member states and tourist destinations across the globe. However, reports of crimes have increased in the past decade, as outlined by various local media platforms. With a growing population and increasing number of visitors, that upward trend will likely continue in the coming years.
The more common threats to traveller safety are:
Although Malta is a safe country in general, in this guide, I’ve collected a few items to be aware of to ensure your and your loved one’s safety and security while travelling to the Maltese Islands.
But first, have a look at this list of things that you should keep in mind:
If any of your questions are not answered here, please leave a comment at the bottom of this article, and I’ll be happy to offer some local advice!
Despite its close proximity to areas of conflict, terror threat levels are low in Malta, as gauged by the UK government and the US Department of State.
Since Malta is a relatively neutral state with few (if any) enemies internationally, it’s unlikely the threat of terrorist attacks will increase in the foreseeable future.
The Malta crime rate is relatively low and the police are statistically successful in catching criminals. Having said that, as a tourist you need to be aware of your surroundings in busier areas as crime reports have increased in recent years.
Crimes like pickpocketing, handbag-snatching and muggings are more common tourist hotspots, particularly in:
Often, crime reports increase with the arrival of gangs causing a temporary increase in crimes until they’re caught.
That makes it difficult to predict how much at risk you are in tourist areas. Knowing such incidents take place, my advice is to use your common sense and be vigilant as you would in any other tourist destination to be able to travel to Malta with relative peace of mind. It’s far from a lawless jungle, yet it’s no longer the peaceful and safe place it was 10-15 years ago.
More detailed data on crime rates in Malta can be found here: Crime Malta Observatory.
Generally speaking, walking outside in the evening shouldn’t be a problem when visiting Malta. You’ll find lots of people who go for their daily run along the coast, people heading to after-work drinks, and others just going about their day. That being said, there are few exceptions, as you would expect in other countries.
It’s always best to avoid walking alone in areas like Paceville. If you need to catch a cab or head back to your hotel if it happens to be within the area, just make sure you’re walking back with a friend.
The same can be said for areas like Sliema and Buġibba. For the most part, you’ll be fine, but as you’d expect with other main cities around the globe, it’s important always to be aware of your surroundings.
I wouldn’t say there are particular places to avoid in Malta, though there are a few areas of concern when it comes to crime.
Paceville (the centre of nightlife in Malta, which is part of St. Julian’s), Sliema, Valletta and the outskirts of the harbour-side village of Marsa (also referred to as Albert Town) are places to be vigilant. The last is an unlikely place to visit as a tourist, and crimes are still rare so I won’t go into much detail about that.
When it comes to Paceville, unfortunately, security has been lacking here in recent years. Although the area isn’t considered a “high-risk” location, it pays to be vigilant and to stay out of trouble, especially since it’s one of the most crowded places on the island.
Although there is a small police presence, they haven’t proven effective in preventing and remediating other petty crimes in the area on weekend nights. Bouncers provide private security for nightclubs but don’t have the best reputation for being correct in their dealings as some have been known to turn violent, unfortunately.
If you decide to go clubbing at Paceville, stick to these recommendations, and you should be fine:
St. Julian’s and Sliema are tourist hotspots, and Gżira (next to Sliema) is inhabited and frequented by foreigners employed by iGaming companies in the area. That means there are plenty of targets for muggers looking for a quick score.
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There are few big threats or surprises to safety at sea if you use common sense. These are a few things to keep in mind to keep yourself away from harm:
Malta is one of the few countries in Europe where the spring hunting season is still allowed. The season is usually open around mid-April and ends around the first week of May. Hunting is allowed from two hours before sunrise until two hours after sunrise.
If you decide to go for walks in rural areas, that means you’ll want to be aware of your surroundings, not so much because of the risk of getting hit by gunshot fire, but more for trespassing into fields owned (or claimed to be owned) by hunters. These privately owned fields are usually marked with RTO (Restricted To Outsiders). Incidents are rare, but be aware of your surroundings when you’re out and about in the countryside to avoid hunting areas.
As you would expect in most European cities, the Maltese local authorities impose penalties for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.
As far as road safety in Malta goes, that’s another story. In general, drivers aren’t very courteous and speeding isn’t uncommon. The best thing to do is to anticipate and be aware of your surroundings, and you should do fine. More detailed info: Driving in Malta: Top tips, facts and FAQs.
Further information about statistics can be found in the 2022 Road Safety Report published by the European Commission.
The weather in Malta rarely poses a serious threat. The only exceptions are:
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Edward is the Founder and Editor of Malta Uncovered and author of two guidebooks on Malta and Valletta.
As a tourist-turned-expat with Maltese roots, he knows the islands inside out and helps thousands of visitors enjoy a memorable trip every year.
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How safe do you think it will be at christmas in malta this year . Ive booked for 7 days 23-30 december . Im unsure yet what to do
Hi Alison, unfortunately it’s very hard to tell. I expect the current spike to take at least a few months to be under control, but how colder weather will impact the spread of the virus is a big unknown. What I can tell you is that precautions have been taken seriously in hospitality and catering establishments and I don’t expect that to be any different come Christmas 2020.
While travel insurance probably won’t get you very far there are options for flexible cancellation and refund with airlines and accommodation sites like Booking.com and Airbnb.com which you could consider, however.
My 24 year old son maybe going to Malta for a football trial on his own is this safe for him and how well will he be taken care of?
Hi Jacqueline, without knowing the specifics of the situation it’s a tough question to answer accurately, though generally local sports clubs (be it football, basketball, etc.) usually offer close support to ensure their guests are well looked after and integrate well with the team at the same time. For a country where football is generally semi-professional, it’s in their interest to make sure potential foreign players are taken care of and feel at home (and safe).
Thanks for the interesting article! I will be going to Malta in April (so pretty soon) and I was wondering if there are any places that I should maybe avoid (at certain times of the day maybe?) I am an 18 year old girl and I will be traveling alone, so… I was just wondering of certain areas might be a bit sketchy. Thanks in advance for your reply!
Hi Alice, literally the only area I’d call sketchy is around the harbourside at Marsa, which is a very unlikely place for any visitor to end up.
Do you know what the locals/natives attitude is towards homosexuals?
Hi Ben, Malta has become a lot more LGBTQ+-friendly in the past decade or so (interesting article here), and I personally haven’t heard of any hate crimes. I do know a large part of the population is traditionally conservative, however, so PDAs may provoke verbal reactions. I would suggest reaching out to https://www.gaymalta.com/, who will probably be able to guide you better.