All-inclusive car rental in Sliema
Sliema, on Malta’s coast opposite Valletta, is a handy, lively base for touring the island by car - Valletta, St Julian’s, Mdina and the north are all close. An all-inclusive rental gives full insurance with zero excess. Remember, Malta drives on the left.
Sliema is Malta’s seafront hub - a strip of promenades, shops and ferries facing Valletta across the water. It makes a convenient, central base for exploring the compact island by car: the capital, neighbouring St Julian’s, the old city of Mdina and the northern bays are all a short drive away.
A Cardamar all-inclusive rental includes comprehensive zero-excess cover, unlimited mileage and free cancellation, with pick-up in the Sliema area and at Malta Airport (MLA). One key point: Malta drives on the left.
Good to know before you drive in Sliema
| Pick-up | Sliema area or Malta Airport (MLA) |
|---|---|
| Drives on | The LEFT (legacy of British rule) |
| Best day trips | Valletta, St Julian’s, Mdina, the north & Gozo |
| Good to know | Busy, narrow coastal roads; park in garages |
A central base for touring Malta
From Sliema the whole island is within easy reach: a ferry or short drive to Valletta, a hop to the nightlife of St Julian’s, inland to Mdina, or north to the sandy bays and the Ċirkewwa ferry for Gozo. Nothing on Malta is far, so you can pack a lot into a day.
The coastal roads are busy and some are narrow; the included zero-excess cover keeps a mirror scrape worry-free while you adjust to driving on the left.
Driving on the left
Malta drives on the left, so give-way and roundabout priorities are mirrored from the mainland - take it gently at first, especially on the roundabouts. Park in a garage in the busy harbour towns and explore the historic centres on foot.
Bring your driving licence, passport or ID and the lead driver’s card; an all-inclusive Cardamar booking avoids a deposit at most pick-up points.
All-inclusive vs. a cheap basic rate plus counter insurance
Two cars on the same lot in Sliema can advertise very different prices. The gap is almost always insurance: an all-inclusive rate settles it up front, while a "basic" rate leaves you to buy excess cover at the desk. Here is what each really means.
| All-inclusive (Cardamar) | Basic rate + counter insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Damage & theft excess | €0 – fully covered | High excess (often €800–2,000) blocked on your card |
| When you insure | Before you travel, at a fixed price | At the desk, under time pressure, price varies |
| Tyres, glass & undercarriage | Included | Usually excluded or charged extra |
| Deposit / card hold | None or low at most stations | Large hold blocked for the whole trip |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation | Often non-refundable |
| What you pay in total | Known the moment you book | Can climb sharply at the counter |
A basic rate can look cheaper online, but once you add proper excess cover at the desk it usually costs more than an all-inclusive booking - with none of the certainty.
Sliema car rental - FAQ
Is Sliema a good base for touring Malta?
Yes - it is central and lively, with Valletta, St Julian’s, Mdina and the north all a short drive away, plus ferries from the seafront.
Does Malta drive on the left?
Yes - a legacy of British rule, so roundabouts and give-way are mirrored from mainland Europe. Start on quieter roads and you will adjust quickly.
Is the insurance excess really zero?
Yes. An all-inclusive Cardamar booking includes comprehensive cover with no excess - reassuring on Malta’s busy, narrow coastal roads.