Published 13 Oct 2026 · Updated 13 Oct 2026
The simplest first trip to Malta is two nights in Valletta, a day in Mdina and the western cliffs, a day on Gozo and a boat day to Comino’s Blue Lagoon, all by bus and ferry. Budget roughly ₹1.1 to ₹1.55 lakh per person for five days including flights, and start the Schengen visa at least six weeks before you fly.
Visa and entry rules for Indians
Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa (type C) for tourism in Malta, applied for in advance. We checked VFS Global’s Malta visa information for India on 13 October 2026, and it says:
- Where to apply: through VFS Global, which handles Malta’s applications in India. The page we read does not list the centres, so pick yours on the VFS site.
- Fee: €90 (₹9,994 on that page) for tourist applications by adults, and €45 (₹4,997) for children aged 6 to 12. The rupee amount follows the exchange rate and can change without notice. The fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.
- VFS service charge: ₹2,931, GST included. Optional extras such as courier (₹808), SMS updates (₹149) and a premium lounge (₹3,983) cost more.
- Processing: 15 days from when the Maltese mission receives the application, not from VFS submission. It can take up to three weeks, and VFS says to add 3 to 6 days for documents in transit.
- When to apply: VFS recommends at least four weeks before departure. Its pages are not consistent on how early you can apply (three months in one section, six months in others), so confirm the window when you book your appointment.
- Insurance: travel medical insurance is mandatory. For applications lodged in India from 1 January 2026, VFS says it is accepted only from companies on the approved list linked on the page. A Malta checklist on VFS asks for at least €30,000 cover.
- Documents: a passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least three months beyond your stay with two blank pages, photocopies of all passport pages, the signed application form, a passport-style photo, Aadhaar card with a photocopy, and an itinerary with accommodation details. Biometrics are captured at the centre.
The usual Schengen rule applies: apply to the country where your main stay is. If Malta is a side trip from Italy, apply to Italy. One visa covers other Schengen countries, so Malta pairs with Italy, Greece or Spain. More facts are on the Malta hub.
Apply only through VFS Global. Look-alike “Malta visa” sites charge large fees for the same appointment. Book flights on a refundable or flexible fare until the visa is in hand.
What it costs in rupees
Per person, sharing a mid-range double room, for five days (four nights). These are our estimates for typical fares and rates, and they swing with season. One euro is roughly ₹100 to ₹105, so check the day’s rate.
| Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Return flights Delhi or Mumbai, one stop | ₹55,000 – ₹75,000 |
| Visa fee (₹9,994) plus VFS service charge (₹2,931) | about ₹12,900 |
| Hotels, 4 nights (half a €80–120 room) | ₹16,000 – ₹25,000 |
| Food, about €30–40 a day | ₹15,000 – ₹21,000 |
| Buses, Gozo ferry and local transit | ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 |
| Attractions and boats (St John’s, Mdina, Comino boat) | ₹5,000 – ₹9,000 |
| Travel insurance, eSIM, small extras | ₹4,000 – ₹6,000 |
| Total | ₹1.1 – ₹1.55 lakh |
Malta is a little cheaper than mainland Schengen trips like Slovenia because distances are short and there are no intercity fares. The biggest saving is staying in Sliema or Valletta for all four nights, which avoids packing up and changing hotels.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Valletta
Malta’s airport is about 20 to 30 minutes from Valletta by bus or taxi. Drop your bags and walk the fortified capital: Upper Barrakka Gardens for the view over the Grand Harbour, St John’s Co-Cathedral with its Caravaggio painting, and the car-light streets of the old town. Have dinner near the harbour and walk the bastions at dusk.
Day 2: Mdina and the cliffs
Take a bus to Mdina, the walled former capital, and walk its narrow lanes and bastions. Next door Rabat has catacombs and good pastizzi (flaky pastry with ricotta or peas, cheap and vegetarian). In the afternoon, continue by bus toward Dingli Cliffs for sunset over the sea, the island’s highest point.
Day 3: Gozo
Take a bus to the Ċirkewwa terminal and the ferry to Gozo, about 25 minutes. The fare is charged on the way back from Gozo. On the island, use the bus or hop-on tour: the Citadel in Victoria, the Ġgantija temples, older than the pyramids, and the salt pans and cliffs near Marsalforn. Take the evening ferry back and check sailing times before you set off.
Day 4: Comino and the Blue Lagoon
Boats to Comino leave from the Ċirkewwa area and from Gozo, and a day trip usually includes a swim stop at the Blue Lagoon. Go early: the lagoon is crowded in July and August and can be quiet in spring and autumn. Carry a towel, water and a hat, as there is little shade, and book return times with the operator.
Day 5: Marsaxlokk and departure
If your flight is in the evening, take a bus to Marsaxlokk, the fishing village known for its painted luzzu boats. The Sunday market is the busiest. Return to Valletta or go straight to the airport.
Eating in Malta as an Indian traveller
Vegetarians do well: ftira (flatbread with tomato, olives and cheese), pastizzi, pasta, pizza, salads and falafel. Traditional dishes such as rabbit stew are meat, so ask about stock and fillings in soups. Sliema, St Julian’s and Valletta have Indian restaurants. Supermarkets such as Lidl and Welbee’s are the cheap lunch option.
Best time to go
April to June and September to October are the best months: warm sea in autumn, long days, fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy, with the highest prices. November to March is cool and rainy but quiet and cheapest, and sea swims are for the brave.
Practical tips
- Money: Malta uses the euro. Cards work in most places, UPI does not. Use a bank ATM for cash.
- Transport: buses cover almost the whole island, and the Valletta bus terminus is the hub. Buy a Tallinja card or a ticket on the bus and check the operator’s site for timetables. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available.
- Language: Maltese and English are both official, so English is spoken everywhere.
- Plugs: Malta uses the three-pin Type G plug at 230 V, as in the UK. Pack an adapter.
- SIM: an eSIM bought before you fly saves queueing at the airport.
- Sun: SPF, hat and sunglasses even in spring, as there is little shade at the coast.
- Border check: you may be fingerprinted and photographed under the EU’s Entry/Exit System on arrival, so allow extra time.
Related guides
Want another Mediterranean trip on the same visa? See the Greece 8-day plan, the Italy 8-day plan, the Croatia 7-day plan or the Spain 8-day plan. For an island trip outside the Schengen area, see the Cyprus 6-day plan. All facts for Malta are on the Malta hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Malta?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa (type C) for tourism in Malta, applied for through VFS Global's Malta service in India. It allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Apply to Malta only if Malta is your main destination or where you spend the most nights.
How much is the Malta Schengen visa fee for Indians?
VFS Global's Malta page for India lists €90 (₹9,994 on the day we checked) for adult tourist applications and €45 for children aged 6 to 12, plus a VFS service charge of ₹2,931. The rupee figure follows the exchange rate, and the visa fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.
How long does a Malta visa take from India?
VFS says standard processing is 15 days from when the Maltese mission receives your application, not from the day you submit at VFS, and it can take up to three weeks. Add 3 to 6 days for documents to travel. VFS recommends applying at least four weeks before departure, so plan for six weeks to be safe.
How many days are enough for Malta?
Five days covers Valletta, Mdina, a day on Gozo and a boat day to Comino. Malta is about 27 km long, so most places are under an hour by bus. Add two days if you want diving, the Three Cities or a slower pace on Gozo.
How much does a Malta trip cost from India?
Roughly ₹1.1 to ₹1.55 lakh per person for five days, sharing a mid-range hotel room, including return flights from Delhi or Mumbai, the visa, food, buses, ferries and entry tickets. Flights and the July and August hotel rates are the biggest swing.
Is Malta good for vegetarians?
Yes, easier than most of Europe. Italian-style pasta, pizza, ricotta pastizzi, ftira bread, salads and falafel are everywhere, and Valletta, Sliema and St Julian's have Indian restaurants. Traditional stews and rabbit are meat, so ask about stocks and fillings. Jain food needs planning.
Can I use UPI in Malta?
No. Malta uses the euro and UPI is not accepted at shops or restaurants. Cards and contactless work in most places, but keep some cash for small cafés, boat operators and bus drivers. Use a bank ATM rather than changing money at the airport.
