Attard Travel Guide

Town

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 Map data © OpenStreetMap contributorsSt. Paul's CathedralTa' QaliTa' Ħaġrat TemplesMaltese islandsPopeye VillageRotunda of MostaSan Anton PalaceSkorba TemplesVerdala PalacePalazzo FerreriaTriq il-Wiesgħa TowerBuskett GardensMisraħ Għar il-KbirRoyal Opera House, VallettaĦal Saflieni HypogeumMaltaSt Paul's IslandTa' Qali National StadiumMnajdraĦaġar QimManoel IslandTarxien TemplesTa' DmejrekGrandmaster's Palace, VallettaGħar DalamAttard

Attard essentials

Country: Malta
Driest months: Jun-Aug
Pay in: Euro (€)
Language: Maltese

Where to Go in Attard

Sight Ġgantija ĠgantijaAncient megalithic temples on Gozo, extremely early structures Sight Għar Dalam Għar DalamPrehistoric cave in Malta with ancient animal remains Sight St. Paul's Cathedral St. Paul's CathedralMdina cathedral housing baroque art and historic relics Island Gozo GozoSmaller Maltese island with rural landscapes and megaliths Island Comino CominoTiny Maltese island famed for the Blue Lagoon Island Malta MaltaMain Maltese island housing Valletta and historical sites History Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum Ħal Saflieni HypogeumUnderground Neolithic burial chamber in Malta, exceptionally preserved History Mnajdra MnajdraNeolithic megalithic temple complex on the southern coast History Ħaġar Qim Ħaġar QimNeolithic megalithic temple complex near Qrendi Nature Filfla FilflaSmall uninhabited rocky islet south of Malta Nature Ta' Qali Ta' QaliLarge public park with crafts village and national stadium Nature Popeye Village Popeye VillageFormer film set in Malta converted to village attraction
Neighbourhoods

Attard at a Glance

Local Time
12:38 AM
GMT+1
Population
11,377

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.

San Anton Gardens in Attard surround the presidential residence and are open to the public seasonally.

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

Don't Miss

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.

Hidden Gems

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.

Day Trips

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.

When to Go

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.

Winter

December - February10 - 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.

Spring

March - May13 - 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.

Summer

June - August24 - 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.

Climate

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.

Air Quality: AQI 50 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 10° - 16° 13° 89 mm partly cloudy 74% 3.8 m/s 0.4 low 9.9h
February Very Good 9° - 16° 13° 60 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.2 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.8h
March Very Good 10° - 17° 14° 40 mm partly cloudy 80% 3.6 m/s 1.0 high 11.8h
April Excellent 12° - 20° 16° 23 mm some cloud 83% 3.8 m/s 1.5 high 13.0h
May Ideal 15° - 24° 19° 9 mm mostly sunny 82% 3.7 m/s 1.9 very high 13.9h
June Ideal 19° - 28° 23° 2 mm clear 80% 3.5 m/s 2.3 extreme 14.4h
July Ideal 21° - 31° 26° 0 mm clear 77% 3.1 m/s 2.4 extreme 14.1h
August Ideal 22° - 31° 27° 5 mm clear 75% 3.1 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.3h
September Ideal 21° - 29° 25° 45 mm mostly sunny 75% 3.2 m/s 1.5 high 12.3h
October Excellent 17° - 25° 21° 82 mm some cloud 76% 3.1 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.2h
November Very Good 14° - 21° 17° 86 mm partly cloudy 74% 3.2 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.2h
December Good 11° - 17° 14° 103 mm partly cloudy 73% 3.8 m/s 0.3 low 9.7h
Getting There & Around

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.

By Air

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.

By Train & Bus

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

Budget

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.

Mid-Range

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.

Luxury

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.

Eat & Drink

Where to Eat in Attard

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Attard’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza
Burger
Italian
Mediterranean
Regional
Kebab
Chinese
Pasta
Indian
Seafood
Chicken
Turkish
Coffee Shop
Asian
Sushi
Pastizzerija
Sandwich
Maltese
Breakfast
Steak House

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.

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.