Car hire in Marsaskala

Getting to Marsaskala from the airport

Marsaskala (also spelled Marsascala) sits on the south-east coast, only about 13 kilometres from Malta International Airport, so the drive is short: roughly 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic, sometimes less when the roads are quiet. You collect your car at the airport with meet-and-greet, so there is no shuttle to a separate depot, then drive straight down to the bay. Remember that Malta drives on the left, which is worth a moment's thought if you have just landed. The price you see before you book is the price you pay, with what is included shown clearly at checkout.

A quieter, local-feel base

Marsaskala grew from a fishing village into a largely residential seaside town, and it stays calm where the bigger resorts get busy. The appeal is the long promenade that runs around Marsaskala Bay, the harbour and quiet evenings by the sea rather than nightlife. One thing worth knowing before you arrive: the town's own waterfront is rocky rather than a wide sandy resort beach, so do not expect a stretch of sand inside the bay. The nearest swimming spot is St Thomas Bay, a short distance south of the centre, and it is a mix of small sandy patches, rocky ledges and slipways where people swim off the rocks as much as off sand. For sandy bays you will want the car. It is also easy to mix Marsaskala up with Marsaxlokk: both names start with the Maltese word for harbour, but they are different towns, and the famous Sunday fish market with the colourful luzzu boats is in Marsaxlokk, a short drive away.

Why a car helps here

Bus links from this corner of the island are limited, so a car makes a real difference from a Marsaskala base. With your own car you can reach:

• Marsaxlokk fish market: a short drive away, busiest on Sunday mornings, so arrive early before the tour buses around 8 to 9am.
• The south-east coast: St Thomas Bay for rock swimming, Zonqor Point for open headland walks, and Birzebbuga and Pretty Bay further along.
• The wider island: Valletta and the Three Cities, Mdina and the north all sit within easy reach for a half-day out. See the full fleet to pick the right car for your trip.