The Little Airbnb by the Sea
The Short Version
I loved this beautifully designed vintage studio in the heart of Valletta, but the real standout was the shared rooftop terrace with incredible views of the city and ocean. I spent almost every morning and evening watching the sunrise and sunset. If I go back to Malta, I will definitely be booking one of Valletta Vintage’s properties!
Location: Valletta, Malta
Sleeps: 2
Layout: Studio with kitchenette and bathroom and access to a full kitchen and rooftop terrace upstairs.
Perfect for: Solo travelers and couples who want a walkable home base during their Malta stay.
Highlights: Beautifully curated vintage furniture, coffee, an enclosed balcony and stunning views.
By the time I finally arrived in Malta in August 2025, I had been traveling for more than 24 hours, and I was beyond exhausted. What was supposed to be a fairly straightforward travel day had turned into an absolute nightmare when our plane turned around nearly two hours into the flight due to mechanical issues. We were delayed for almost an entire day before we could depart again, and I didn’t land in Malta until around 11 p.m. the following evening.
At this point, all I wanted was to get to my Airbnb and go to bed. I ordered a Bolt from the airport to Valletta, where I’d booked an Airbnb hosted by Valletta Vintage. Thankfully, the apartment was self check-in, so I was able to let myself in despite the ridiculously late arrival.
You would think that after traveling for more than 24 hours, I would’ve immediately gone to sleep. Instead, I was so excited to finally be in Malta that I ended up staying awake until 1:30 AM, just hanging out. I decided not to set an alarm the following morning, figuring I’d sleep until at least 10:00 AM.
Nope. At 7:30 AM, I was wide awake and ready to explore.
The Best Part of the Airbnb Was Upstairs
One of my favorite things about the Airbnb was its rooftop terrace, which ended up being where I started and finished almost every day of my trip.
From the apartment, you walked up a few flights of stairs to the top floor, where there was a full kitchen and dining area shared by the other Airbnbs in the building (all run by Valletta Vintage). The kitchen opened onto a beautiful outdoor terrace, with a long bar and chairs on one wall.
But that wasn’t it, it got even better. An outdoor staircase led up another level to the actual roof deck, where you had an incredible 360-degree view of Valletta and the ocean.
Every morning, I would take my coffee up to the roof and enjoy the views before heading out to explore. And every evening, I’d make my way back upstairs with a glass of wine to watch the sunset.
Golden hour was my favorite time. Valletta is filled with these gorgeous historic buildings made from golden stone, and watching the evening sun light up the city was absolutely stunning.
Inside the Apartment
Valletta Vintage operates several apartments throughout Valletta, all with a strong emphasis on vintage design and carefully curated interiors. As someone who loves interior design, I was completely obsessed with my home-away-from-home.
The apartment is a large studio, so everything is arranged within one open living space. You enter through an enormous steel door into the living area, with the queen bed positioned off to the right.
The furniture is incredible. Everything has this beautiful vintage aesthetic, with dusty pastel colors, interesting artwork, and carefully selected pieces that work so well together. Even better, the apartment includes a printed welcome guide explaining the history of the property and some of the furniture and artwork, along with the hosts’ favorite restaurants and places around Valletta.
I absolutely loved this detail. Not only was the guide useful, but it gave the apartment so much more character to learn a little about the pieces that had been selected for the space. It’s also beautifully printed, and you better believe I took it home with me.
My favorite architectural feature was the enclosed balcony overlooking the street. The windows open, so you can enjoy the fresh air and look out over the neighborhood and local pigeons. Combined with the other large windows throughout the living area, the apartment had the most beautiful natural light.
On one side of the studio is a small kitchenette with a sink and coffee provided, which is a morning necessity. Beyond that is the bathroom, which had a great shower and a separate little dressing area with clothing racks and a mirror.
The apartment also had excellent air conditioning, a ceiling fan, and Wi-Fi. Considering how hot Malta was in August, I was particularly grateful for the AC.
Although the apartment itself only has a kitchenette, guests also have access to the larger shared kitchen upstairs. I didn’t cook during my stay, but I did stop by regularly to refill my water bottle with the filtered drinking water provided.
Why I Loved Having Valletta as My Home Base
I spent my time in Malta exploring as much of the island as possible, from the historic streets of Valletta and Mdina to swimming spots, beaches, and boat excursions around Comino and Gozo.
I also found myself coming back to the Airbnb constantly. I was doing so many different activities that what I wore in the morning wasn’t necessarily appropriate for what I had planned that afternoon or evening. I was constantly changing outfits, and being able to return to the apartment between activities made things so much easier.
On one particularly memorable day, I even managed to fall into one of the rock pools in Sliema while trying to get a picture of it. After getting my dress absolutely filthy, I was more than happy to head back to the Airbnb, change, and pretend that hadn’t happened.
But I also came back simply because I enjoyed being there. I’d rest for a while, figure out what I wanted to do next, or head upstairs to enjoy the rooftop before going out again.
I didn’t rent a car in Malta, and Valletta worked really well for the way I traveled. I could spend hours wandering around the city on foot, use ferries and Bolt to reach other parts of the island, and come back to an apartment I looked forward to returning to.
In the evenings, the upper area of Valletta came to life with people enjoying late dinners, live music and beautiful weather. The Airbnb was perfectly situated within walking distance of the social scene but far enough away that the street noise never reached the apartment. I love going out at night for a late dinner and wandering the bustling streets before heading home for the evening.
A Few Things I’d Want to Know Before Booking
Atelier is a studio apartment, with the living area and bedroom sharing one large room. It was perfect for my solo trip, and would be great for couples as well.
The kitchenette inside the apartment is fairly limited, although there’s a larger shared kitchen upstairs if you’d prefer to prepare your own meals.
You’ll also be climbing several flights of stairs to reach the rooftop, particularly if you want to go all the way up to the upper deck. It was worth every step for me, but the stairs are something to consider.
Finally, the rooftop is shared with the other Airbnbs in the building. I happened to have it to myself throughout my stay, but it isn’t a private terrace.
I found the apartment incredibly comfortable, beautifully designed, and well suited to the way I wanted to spend my time in Malta.
Would I Stay Here Again?
Absolutely. In fact, I’d happily stay at another Valletta Vintage property, although I’d have a hard time giving up this one’s incredible rooftop.
I spent my days exploring all over Malta, but some of my favorite memories are from the time I spent back at the Airbnb. Drinking coffee on the rooftop in the morning, enjoying the apartment between activities, and watching the sun set over Valletta with a glass of wine.
And after the absolute nightmare it took to get to Malta, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to finally arrive.
Book your stay with Valletta Vintage here.