Yes, there are free tours in Malta - they are based mainly in the capital Valletta and the fortified city of Mdina, next to nearby Rabat, and operate on a "pay as you wish" basis: participants walk with a local guide, and at the end, a tip is given at personal discretion depending on the enjoyment and quality of the explanation. Tours usually last about two hours, are held in English and sometimes also include Italian or other languages during the busy season, and focus on the history of the knights, the Baroque architecture, and the urban story of the island.

Besides Volta and Medina-Rabat, other cities on the island occasionally offer spot-tip tours - usually around seasonal events or at the initiative of an individual guide, so it's worth checking actual availability against the date of your visit.

Free tours by city

Why you should travel in Malta with a local guide

Malta is a destination born for walking: the island is small, compact, and rich in historical layers that are literally revealed while walking through the yellowish limestone alleys. Valletta, the capital of the Knights and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is entirely contained within a single fortress wall - so a typical walking tour crosses it from end to end, starting at the City Gate and Republic Street, and continuing to St. George's Square, Upper Bracka Gardens with its dramatic view of the Grand Harbour, and sometimes also to St. John's Cathedral, famous for its painted ceiling.

Medina, the “Silent City,” sits on a hill in the center of the island and has retained its medieval character—its narrow, almost traffic-free streets are particularly suited to a guided tour that tells the story of the knights’ era and cinema (parts of famous series were filmed here). Nearby Rabat adds the catacombs and paleo-Christian heritage. Local guides tend to incorporate personal anecdotes, food recommendations, and cultural nuances that are hard to find independently, making the free tour an excellent starting point for any visit to the island.

Important tips before you go out

The official currency is the euro, and the guide can also be tipped in euros in cash or sometimes in a payment app - it's worth arriving with a little cash just in case. The language of the tours is almost always English (Malta's second official language alongside Maltese), so there is no language barrier for the Israeli tourist. Public transport on the island is mainly based on a national bus network that connects Valletta, Mdina, Sliema and St. Julian's, and short ferries connect to the islands of Gozo and Comino.

The summer season in Malta is very hot and humid, so the early morning or late afternoon hours are significantly more pleasant for a long walk; in the winter months the weather is much milder. It is worth arriving at the meeting point a few minutes in advance, wearing comfortable shoes for walking on smooth stone, and remembering that guided tours usually require advance registration via a website or app and not spontaneous joining on the street.

All free tours in Malta on the GuruWalk website

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there really free tours in Malta?

Yes. There are several free tours in Malta based on platforms like GuruWalk, mainly in the capital Valletta and the fortified city of Mdina, alongside nearby Rabat. Participation in the tour itself does not require any upfront payment, and at the end, a tip is given to the guide at your own discretion, depending on the level of enjoyment and content you received.

How does the payment model work on tip tours?

You register in advance through the tour website without charging a credit card, arrive at the meeting point at the appointed time, and at the end of the tour - which usually lasts about two hours - each participant decides for themselves how much to give the guide, depending on how much the guide had in their possession.

Which cities in Malta have the most free tours?

Valletta, the capital of the Maltese, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to a large number of tours - from general introductions to the city to tours focused on history and architecture. Mdina and Rabat, the quiet hilltop city that was once the capital of Malta, also offer combined guided tours focusing on the ancient fortifications and catacombs.

Do I need to know English to participate?

Most of the tours in Malta are conducted in English, which is an official language on the island alongside Maltese, so there is no communication problem for Israeli travelers. It is worth checking in advance on the specific tour page to see if there is an option in another language.

What happens if it rains or the weather is not suitable?

Walking tours are weather dependent, so it is worth following the organizer for updates closer to the tour date. In Malta, the summer season is very dry and hot, while winter brings with it most of the rain - it is worth bringing comfortable shoes and a layer of protection according to the season.

Do I need to book in advance?

Highly recommended. Popular tip tours fill up, and sometimes a minimum number of participants is required for the tour to actually take place, so pre-registration through the booking website guarantees your spot and updates you if there is a change.