The best Meetup alternatives in Malta are Facebook groups for reach, InterNations for expat events, Eventbrite for classes and ticketed events, Bumble For Friends for one-to-one friend matches, walking and sports clubs for regular activity, language exchanges, volunteering, and MeetNow for small plans with a few people at a public place. Meetup itself has some groups on the islands, but much of Malta’s social life is organised elsewhere, so most people get the best results by combining two of these: one for larger events and one for smaller, repeated contact. Below is a side-by-side comparison and who each option suits.
Short verdict: want the biggest pool? Facebook groups. Expat networking events? InterNations. A regular activity with the same faces? A club or walking group. Small plans you can join or host with a clear time, place and who pays? MeetNow. Most people do best with one large-group option plus one small-group habit.
Why look for Meetup alternatives in Malta?
Meetup works well in big cities with hundreds of active groups. Malta is different: the population is small, many communities formed on Facebook years ago, and a lot of activity happens through clubs and word of mouth. On Meetup, organisers also pay a subscription to run a group, so some smaller groups move elsewhere. None of this means Meetup is bad; it just means you will usually find more going on if you look beyond it. For a direct comparison with an event platform, see Meetup vs Eventbrite for meeting people.
Meetup alternatives in Malta side by side
Last checked November 2026. Costs and features change, so check each platform before you sign up.
| Option | Format | Cost to join | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook groups | Community groups, posts and events | Free | Reach, local tips, finding activity groups |
| InterNations | Expat community with events | Free basic membership; paid tier for more events | Expats who like larger networking events |
| Eventbrite | Ticketed and free events | Free to browse; events vary | Classes, workshops, talks, parties |
| Bumble For Friends | One-to-one friend matching | Free with paid extras | People who prefer chatting first |
| Walking and sports clubs | Regular sessions with members | Often a membership fee | A weekly habit with the same people |
| Language exchanges | Regular evenings pairing languages | Usually free or a drink | Students, newcomers, language learners |
| Volunteering | Shared tasks for a cause | Free | Meeting people while doing something useful |
| MeetNow | Small plans at public places | Free | Joining or hosting a plan with a few people |
The 8 options in detail
1. Facebook groups
The single biggest source of social activity in Malta. Expat groups, hobby groups, sports groups and neighbourhood groups post events, ask for players and share recommendations. The downside is noise: busy groups move fast, and posts asking “anyone want to meet up?” often go nowhere without a specific plan. Use them to find activity groups, then commit to one.
2. InterNations
InterNations runs an expat community in Malta with events and activity groups. Basic membership is free, and a paid tier opens up more events. It suits people who enjoy larger mixers and meeting other internationals. See our InterNations alternative guide if large events are not your thing.
3. Eventbrite
Good for finding classes, workshops, talks and parties. Events give you a reason to be in a room with other people, though turning a one-off event into friendships takes effort: talk to the same people afterwards and suggest a follow-up.
4. Bumble For Friends
The friend-finding app from Bumble, formerly known as Bumble BFF, matches you one to one with people nearby. It suits people who like to chat before meeting. The common frustration is long chats that never become a meeting. Our comparison of Bumble BFF vs Meetup for making friends goes deeper.
5. Walking and sports clubs
Clubs give you the one thing apps struggle with: seeing the same people every week. The Ramblers’ Association of Malta organises walks, and there are clubs for running, cycling, swimming, diving, padel and more. Many ask for a membership fee, which also tends to mean committed members.
6. Language exchanges
Regular evenings where people pair up to practise languages. They are built for strangers, so nobody feels awkward approaching someone new. Popular with students and newcomers, and usually free apart from a drink.
7. Volunteering
Beach clean-ups, animal shelters, food banks and community projects all need hands. Working side by side on a task is one of the easiest ways to start a conversation, and you meet people who care about the same things.
8. MeetNow
MeetNow is a free app for meeting people in person, live on the web and starting in Malta. Instead of groups, it is built around single plans: a host posts a plan at a real public place, such as dinner, drinks, a game or a concert, sets the date, time and seats, and says who pays: host pays, split, pay your own or free. People nearby ask to join with a short note, the host picks who comes, and accepted guests get a group chat. Afterwards both sides confirm “we met”, which builds each person’s track record. It suits people who want a small, specific plan rather than a big event.
How to choose
Before picking, ask yourself three quick questions. How much time do you have each week: one evening, or several? Do you prefer big rooms full of new faces, or two or three people around a table? And do you want something regular, or flexible plans you can fit around work? Your answers usually point clearly to one or two options. Someone with a busy job and a preference for small groups will get more from a fortnightly small plan than from a monthly mixer, while a sociable newcomer with free evenings might enjoy InterNations events and a weekly language exchange.
| If you want… | Try |
|---|---|
| The widest choice of groups and events | Facebook groups |
| Large expat mixers | InterNations |
| A class or workshop | Eventbrite |
| To chat one to one before meeting | Bumble For Friends |
| The same faces every week | A walking or sports club |
| To practise a language | A language exchange |
| To meet people while helping | Volunteering |
| A small plan with a clear time, place and who pays | MeetNow |
A practical combination for newcomers: pick one large-group option to discover what is out there, and one small-group habit, such as a weekly club session or a regular small plan, to turn faces into friends. For a wider view of apps on the island, see friend apps in Malta, the best apps for expats to meet people and, if you were looking at dinner-with-strangers apps, our Timeleft alternative guide. For the bigger picture on apps that start with a plan rather than a profile, read how activity based friend apps compare.
Safety box
- Meet new people at busy public places, whichever platform you use.
- Tell a friend where you are going and who you are meeting.
- Arrange your own way home.
- Never send money to someone you have not met.
- Leave if you feel uncomfortable, and use the platform’s safety tools for anyone who makes you feel unsafe; on MeetNow, any user can block another user. In an emergency in Malta, call 112.
Want to turn this into an actual plan? Open MeetNow and see the plans near you.
Related questions
- Meetup vs Eventbrite: which is better for meeting people?
- Is there an InterNations alternative in Malta?
- Which friend apps work in Malta?
- What are the best apps for expats to meet people?
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the best Meetup alternative in Malta?
It depends on what you want. Facebook groups have the widest reach, InterNations suits expats who like larger events, clubs suit people who want a regular activity, and MeetNow suits small plans with a few people at a public place.
Is Meetup popular in Malta?
Meetup has some groups in Malta, but many local communities organise through Facebook groups, clubs and messaging groups instead. It is worth checking both before you decide.
Are there free ways to meet people in Malta?
Yes. Facebook groups, many language exchanges, volunteering and MeetNow are free to use, and walks along the coast cost nothing. Some clubs ask for a small membership fee.
Which option is best for expats in Malta?
Expats often combine InterNations or expat Facebook groups for larger events with a club or a regular small plan for closer friendships. Regular contact with the same people matters more than any single platform.
How is MeetNow different from Meetup?
Meetup is built around groups and their events. On MeetNow, anyone can host a single plan at a public place, set the seats and who pays, and pick who joins from the requests. It is free, works in the browser and is starting in Malta.
