Attard City
City in Malta, known for its gardens and parks
A short drive from Mdina, Attard attracts visitors to San Anton Gardens and the stately San Anton Palace, quiet villa-lined streets, weekday markets and cafés serving ftira and pastizzi-handy base for exploring central Malta.
Attard at a Glance#
Costs: $80-140 per day - midrange Maltese prices; good value apartments available.
Safety: Very safe and calm - quiet residential town with very low violent crime.
Best Time: April-June, September-October - pleasant weather for gardens and central Malta sightseeing.
Why Visit Attard?#
Attard is a leafy Maltese town prized for San Anton Gardens and the nearby President’s Palace, a quiet contrast to bustling coastal resorts. Strolling through manicured gardens, sampling local pastries like pastizzi and timing a visit for a village festa reveal the island’s slower rhythms. Its central location makes Attard a peaceful base for exploring Malta’s cultural and natural highlights.
Best Things to Do in Attard#
Attard Bucket List#
San Anton Gardens and Palace - Extensive formal gardens and the presidential palace surrounded by shaded paths and fountains.
Ta’ Qali Crafts Village and National Park - Former airfield housing craft workshops, local artisans, the National Stadium and open parkland.
Malta Aviation Museum - Retro aircraft displays and aviation exhibits located within Ta’ Qali’s restored hangars and grounds.
Ta’ Qali craft markets - Weekend craft markets showcasing Maltese lace, glassware and local artisan products.
Traditional village festas and band clubs - Traditional village festas with brass bands, fireworks and decorated streets during summer.
Local artisan workshops - Small studios producing ceramics, glass and souvenirs where visitors can meet makers.
Mdina and Rabat - Walled silent city of Mdina and neighbouring Rabat’s catacombs, museums and narrow streets.
Valletta - Malta’s capital with museums, baroque churches, waterfront fortifications and busy harbour promenades.
Best Time to Visit Attard#
Attard enjoys Mediterranean weather - spring and autumn offer the most pleasant conditions for gardens and villas. Summers get hot and busy, while winters are mild with some rain.
December - February
10 - 16 °C (50 - 61 °F)
Winters are mild and rainy - quiet time to explore Attard’s gardens and palaces without crowds, though outdoor swimming is rare.
March - May
13 - 22 °C (55 - 72 °F)
Spring bursts with flowers, warm sunny days and gentle breezes - perfect for strolling Villa Bologna and outdoor cafés before tourist influx.
June - August
24 - 33 °C (75 - 91 °F)
Summers are hot and busy - inland Attard heats up, so explore early mornings and evenings; daytime sightseeing can be sweaty but lively.
Attard's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 9°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (544 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Attard#
Attard is a centrally located town on Malta’s main island close to Mdina and the central belt. Malta International Airport (MLA) plus the Tallinja bus network or a short taxi ride are the usual ways to arrive and move around.
Malta International Airport (MLA): Malta’s only airport is Malta International (MLA). From MLA to Attard (central Malta) the drive is about 15-25 minutes depending on traffic; taxi fares are typically €10-€20 and bus connections via Valletta or local routes take 20-35 minutes with fares around €2-€3.
Other: No other airports serve the Maltese islands.
Train: Malta has no railway network.
Bus: Tallinja buses connect Attard with Valletta, Msida and other central towns. Buses are frequent on main routes; single fares are generally €2.00 when paying onboard with cash/contactless and journeys across central Malta are typically 10-25 minutes depending on origin/destination.
How to Get Around Attard#
Attard is best navigated by bus for cheap travel or taxi for direct transfers; for sightseeing a hire car or bicycle can be useful, but the town centre is easily explored on foot.
- Tallinja buses (€2.00) - Tallinja provides reliable, frequent services across central Malta; Attard is served by multiple routes linking it to Valletta, Mdina and Sliema. Buses are the cheapest option and journey times across the centre are short (10-25 minutes).
- Taxi / private transfer (€10-€20) - Taxis from the airport to Attard typically cost €10-€20 and take around 20 minutes. Taxis are convenient for luggage or late arrivals when buses have reduced frequency.
- Car hire (€35-€80/day) - Hiring a car gives freedom to visit Mdina, Rabat and countryside around Attard; parking is available but can be limited near popular sites. Malta’s roads are small and can be busy in summer, so plan accordingly.
- Bicycle / scooter hire (€10-€30/day) - For short trips around Attard and neighboring towns, bicycle or scooter hire is an option - parking and narrow streets make two-wheelers handy, but be cautious on busier roads.
- Walking - Attard is compact and walkable for visiting gardens, cafés and the old town areas. Walking is the easiest way to enjoy the local streets and nearby Mdina approaches.
Where to Stay in Attard#
Attard / Mdina approach - $40-90/night
Attard is inland with modest accommodation choices: family-run guesthouses and self-catering apartments are the primary budget options.
Small guesthouses & farm stays (Attard) - Budget B&Bs and simple rooms.
Self-catering apartments - Affordable private apartments.
Attard / Mdina vicinity - $80-160/night
Mid-range stays often use boutique hotels near Mdina or comfortable B&Bs in Attard, offering characterful rooms and convenient access to central Malta.
The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux (nearby Mdina) - Historic boutique, short drive away.
Comfortable B&Bs near Attard - Well-equipped mid-range stays.
St. Julian’s / Sliema - $180-400+/night
Attard itself lacks resort luxury; for high-end hotels and full spa resorts, head to St. Julian’s and Sliema, a short drive away.
Hilton Malta (St. Julian’s) - Full-service luxury resort a short drive away.
InterContinental Malta (St. Julian’s) - Upscale resort amenities nearby.
Where to Eat in Attard#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Attard’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Attard#
Shopping in Attard itself is limited to convenience stores, bakeries and small boutiques; for crafts and a concentrated selection of Maltese souvenirs, nearby Ta’ Qali Crafts Village is the go-to spot. Supermarkets and specialty food shops cover everyday needs.
Nightlife in Attard#
Attard’s evening scene is quiet and local: family restaurants and neighbourhood bars make up most options. For more bars and late-night entertainment, head to St. Julian’s or Valletta.