The best villas and unique home rentals in Malta
Searching for the ultimate place to stay? Our travel experts have selected the best Malta villas to book for your next trip. The Mediterranean archipelago of Malta is small but mighty, with 21 miniature islands offering wide golden beaches lapped with aquamarine waters, glorious sandstone cities filled with Baroque temples, cathedrals to potter through, and a foodie haven in its laidback capital Valletta. Of course, there are plenty of wonderful Malta hotels – and cosy Airbnbs – scattered throughout the archipelago, but those looking for ample space to lounge should look to its smart selection of villas and townhouses instead. These feature multiple bedrooms, dreamy pools, endless views and magazine-worthy interiors, inviting you in to spend a weekend or longer in chic Maltese style. From sprawling homes for 14 to chic boltholes for two, we’ve scouted seven of the best Malta villas and charismatic home stays to know about ahead of your next getaway.
Elegant villa with large private pool, Pietà
For big group getaways, this luxurious villa is one of Malta’s best around. It has six bedrooms each with their own bathrooms, eliminating tedious queues, and a huge glimmering outdoor swimming pool centred in a leafy plant-filled courtyard. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the whole area in sunlight, and a huge open-plan kitchen/living/dining space makes a large, comfortable social gathering hub. The location is a crowd-pleaser too, sitting right between Valletta and Sliema, making it well-placed for beach days, bar hopping and shopping trips alike.
Sleeps: 14
Price: £497 per night, with a four-night minimum
Traditional farmhouse with views over the lagoon
On Malta’s more sedate sister island, Gozo, you’ll swap city buzz for slow living and serious R&R. This isn't a villa so much as a farmhouse, and it's a particularly special find. Set among rolling countryside, is just a hop and a skip from the glittering coast, it offers a rural bolthole with all the charms of a beachy escape. Inside is classic Maltese living, with honeyed stone walls and gently curving entryways, plus elevated interiors in soothing neutral tones. Shake off the heat with a dip in the shimmering azure pool, then take up on a lounger and relax. The views from this place, over the area’s famous Blue Lagoon, are second to none.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From around £233 for a two-night stay
Artistic contemporary space, St Paul’s Bay
Forget Malta’s baroque leanings – this is a contemporary showcase through and through, with a bold deep colour scheme, modern art on the walls and chic understated furniture; veined marble-style floors, tan leather sofas, jet black kitchen cabinets. Pop the kids in the second room, which features a Japanese-style low slatted bed, and steal away to the master bedroom, which has a bijou balcony for people-watching below with a cocktail or espresso. It’s an easy stroll to the waterfront, where you can explore the area’s clutch of wonderful seafood restaurants, and if you hail a cab, you’ll be wandering through Valletta within minutes.
Sleeps: Four
Price: From around £377 for a three-night stay
Japanese-inspired villa, Ghajnsielem
Check into this smart villa and, if not for the endless ocean beyond the impressively-sized windows, you’d forget you were in Malta at all. With a distinct Japanese feel that deftly combines understated minimal elegance with an intricately beamed ceiling, it’s an architectural gem that doesn’t scrimp on the views. It has three spacious bedrooms, each with en-suites, and a muted colour palette that all but implores you to relax. Previous guests have loved this space – it’s clean, tidy, pindrop quiet. Plus, it’s won extra points for being so close to the beaches and area’s restaurant scene, which lies just a short walk away.
Sleeps: Six
Price: From around £810 for a two-night stay
Cosy biophilic home, Għargħur
In the quiet village of Għargħur, this beautifully restored maisonette packs in plenty of Maltese heritage alongside discreet, contemporary luxury. Its centrepiece is a leafy patio that’s drenched in sun during the day, made for languid breakfasts, afternoon reading sessions and lazy long suppers with friends. Indoors, high-end finishes elevate two serene bedrooms, two modern bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and an airy living space. If you need extra room, or a quiet place to work, head to the separate annex, where there’s a sofa bed and separate bathroom. As an extra bonus, this spot is pet-friendly, which is rare for Malta.
Sleeps: Five
Price: From around £216 for a two-night stay
Brand new townhouse, Rabat
Set on the edge of storied Mdina, this brand new Rabat townhouse makes a refined base in Malta’s cultural heart. You’re right in the thick of the action, so wander to St Paul’s Catacombs, hike the dramatic Dingli Cliffs, or slip away to the golden curves of Għajn Tuffieħa. Back home, sleek interiors include a skylit living room, two elegant ensuite bedrooms and a fully equipped modern kitchen. The showstopper is the rooftop – head up to find a private pool with cinematic views across the city skyline, perfect for sunset dips and leisurely evening catchups under the stars.
Sleeps: Four
Price: From around £564 for a four-night stay
Colourful traditional home, Żejtun
A mishmash of influences surely makes this crumbly stone home one of Malta’s cosiest villas. Traditional Maltese patterned tiles and original ceiling beams bleeds into cottagecore loveliness – sage green window frames, deep pink kitchen cabinets, a Belfast sink and iconic cream Smeg fridge. There’s a freestanding tub from where to wash off the day’s dust and a roof terrace giving you the best seat in the house for far-reaching views over the busy city of Żejtun.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From around £316 for a three-night stay
