Is Malta or Sicily cheaper?

They sit in a similar bracket — roughly $35–130/day in Malta, $35–130/day in Sicily.

When is the best time to visit Malta vs Sicily?

Malta is at its best in April, May, October; Sicily peaks in April–June, September, October.

Is Malta or Sicily better in August?

Sicily is the better of the two in August. Sicily has the edge in June, July, August, September, and both are at their best in April, May, October.

How long do you need in Malta vs Sicily?

Plan 1–1 weeks for Malta and 1–2 for Sicily.

Should I choose Malta or Sicily?

Pick Malta if you want somewhere more urban / city-focused. Pick Sicily if you want somewhere stronger for food, culture. Both deliver on history, so on those either works.

Malta vs Sicily

Two strong destinations, different in important ways. Here's the side-by-side, then a verdict on which suits which traveler.

Southern Europe

Malta

A sun-baked limestone island with more history per square mile than almost anywhere.

Best time to visit

January: fine
February: fine
March: fine
April: peak
May: peak
June: fine
July: avoid
August: avoid
September: fine
October: peak
November: fine
December: fine

Peak Fine Avoid

Southern Europe

Sicily

Italy at its most layered and intense — Greek temples, Baroque towns, street food, and a live volcano.

Best time to visit

January: fine
February: fine
March: fine
April: peak
May: peak
June: peak
July: fine
August: fine
September: peak
October: peak
November: fine
December: fine

Peak Fine Avoid

Read our full guides about Malta and Sicily.

Side by side

Emphasised where they differ. Muted rows are much the same either way.

	Malta	Sicily
Best time	April, May, October	April–June, September, October
Climate	warm	warm
Budget	Budget – Mid-range · $35–130/day	Budget – Mid-range · $35–130/day
Trip length	1–1 wks	1–2 wks
Visa	Schengen area; visa-free for most Western passports (90 days). Verify before travel.	Schengen — visa-free for most Western passports (90 days).
Currency	EUR (€).	EUR (€)
Language	Maltese and English (both official).	Italian; English patchy outside tourist areas.
Tap water	Tap water is safe but heavily desalinated; many prefer bottled for taste.	Tap water safe and good.
Safety	Very safe, with low crime across the islands.	Generally safe, but Palermo and Catania have real petty theft — watch bags and cars.

General guidance — visas, safety, and health change, so check your government's travel advisory and the official sources before you go.

Malta or Sicily, month by month

Which of the two is the better bet for each month of the year, scored on how well the season suits each place.

Which to choose

Choose Malta if:

You want somewhere more urban / city-focused.

Choose Sicily if:

You want somewhere stronger for food, culture.

Both deliver on history — so on those dimensions either works.

Common questions

Is Malta or Sicily cheaper?: They sit in a similar bracket — roughly $35–130/day in Malta, $35–130/day in Sicily.
When is the best time to visit Malta vs Sicily?: Malta is at its best in April, May, October; Sicily peaks in April–June, September, October.
Is Malta or Sicily better in August?: Sicily is the better of the two in August. Sicily has the edge in June, July, August, September, and both are at their best in April, May, October.
How long do you need in Malta vs Sicily?: Plan 1–1 weeks for Malta and 1–2 for Sicily.
Should I choose Malta or Sicily?: Pick Malta if you want somewhere more urban / city-focused. Pick Sicily if you want somewhere stronger for food, culture. Both deliver on history, so on those either works.