Your Guide to the Malta Book Festival 2026 at Ta’ Qali
The Malta Book Festival 2026 runs from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 November at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali, and entry to the festival and all of its events is free. Ian Rankin is this year’s headline guest, which makes early November a very good week to bring a book to Malta.
Here’s what’s on, how to get to Ta’ Qali from Gżira and Sliema, and how to build a few bookish days around the festival.
What’s On at the Malta Book Festival 2026
This is the 47th edition of the festival, and its 2026 theme is “Uncover the Story”. The Malta Book Festival is the biggest date in the country’s literary calendar: last year’s edition welcomed more than 40,000 visitors over five days, with over 40 exhibitors and more than 100 events.
Expect book launches, author talks with international guests, workshops, and a strong family programme with theatre shows and activities for young readers. From Wednesday to Friday the doors open in two sessions, 09:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 21:00, so a weekday evening visit is easy to fit around a day of sightseeing.
Ian Rankin at the Malta Book Festival 2026
The creator of Inspector Rebus has two events on the Malta Book Festival 2026 programme. On Thursday 5 November at 19:00 he gives a masterclass titled “Why Crime Fiction Is Good For You”. On Saturday 7 November at 19:00 he sits down with National Book Council Executive Chairperson and fellow crime writer Mark Camilleri, followed by a book signing.
Both events are free, but you need to register in advance and places go on a first-come, first-served basis. Register as soon as booking opens, and bring your own copy of a Rebus novel if you want it signed.
Getting to MFCC Ta’ Qali from Gżira and Sliema
Ta’ Qali sits in the centre of the island, below Mdina, so it’s a ride rather than a walk from the coast. For the 19:00 author events, a taxi or a ride-hailing app such as Bolt or eCabs is the simplest option, especially for the trip home after 21:00.
Public buses also serve Ta’ Qali. Use the Malta Public Transport journey planner on the day to check your connection, since inland routes are less frequent than those along the coast. Our Malta public transport guide explains fares, the Tallinja card and how the network fits together.
Make a Day of It in Mdina and Ta’ Qali
Ta’ Qali’s neighbour is Mdina, the walled former capital on the ridge above it. Spend the afternoon in its quiet streets, stop at Fontanella Tea Garden for cake with a view over the island from the bastions, then head down to the festival for the evening session.
Ta’ Qali itself has more to offer than the MFCC. The Ta’ Qali Crafts Village is the place to watch Maltese glassblowing and browse local filigree and ceramics, and the National Park next door is a good space for children to run off energy between festival activities.
A Reader’s Afternoon in Valletta
Keep the literary theme going on another day with the ferry from Sliema to Valletta. Valletta View Apartments sits on the Strand around five minutes’ walk from the ferry landing, which makes this an easy half-day for guests staying there.
In Valletta, take in the façade of the National Library on Republic Square, then walk to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for the view across the Grand Harbour. For the background before you go, read the story behind Valletta’s streets and bastions.
Where to Stay for the Malta Book Festival 2026
Families coming for the children’s programme will find the most space at Blubay Apartments, where two- and three-bedroom apartments come with their own kitchens for easy early dinners before an evening session. Valletta View Apartments suits readers who want Valletta on their doorstep by ferry, with sea-view apartments looking toward the capital. For a quiet November reading break, Bayview Hotel & Spa has the indoor pool, sauna and Sea Salt Spa to make a rainy afternoon something to look forward to. And Alavits Hotel offers a Junior Suite with a private terrace, a good spot to finish a new book in the mild autumn sun.
Staying on for a few more days? Browse more easy day trips from Sliema. For wider event listings and travel information across the islands, visit the Malta Tourism Authority.
