Malta’s Sole Climbing Gym to Close

As Malta’s only commercial bouldering gym prepares to close, the country’s climbing community reflects on what it built—and what might come next.

In December 2025, Malta will lose its sole commercial indoor climbing facility. Ġebla Climbing, a small but widely respected bouldering gym founded in 2021, has announced it will cease operations by year’s end. The decision, the owners say, stems from persistent financial pressure and structural limitations within Malta’s sporting landscape. While the move marks the end of an era for the island’s climbing community, it also signals a return to roots—specifically, the limestone cliffs that originally inspired the venture.

In just four years, Ġebla became more than a gym. It was the first internationally rated climbing wall in Malta, the host of national indoor bouldering championships, and a springboard for the country’s competitive youth climbers. With professional coaching, frequent route setting, and a strong sense of community, it set a new standard for the local sport. Yet, despite steady interest, the gym struggled to remain financially viable.

“Climbing will always be niche,” says co-founder Carly, “and the local market is not large or mature enough to support even a small gym like ours and make it viable.” She cites a combination of factors: limited population, competition from more mainstream sports, and the difficulty of converting first-timers into dedicated climbers. Malta’s transient expat population also poses a challenge—“many of our core members leave within a few years.”

Crucially, the team believes the fundamentals of their operation were sound. “We sized the gym properly for the market,” Finance Director Chris explains, “but high fixed costs, rent inflation, and zero institutional support made the business an ongoing challenge.” With little public subsidy for climbing and no government-backed grants for facility development, even well-run gyms face tight margins. “The business model is essentially fixed,” he adds. “Without public support, we don’t currently see the opportunity for an indoor gym to thrive.”

There is also a paradox at play: Malta’s exceptional outdoor climbing, one of its great strengths, is also a key obstacle to indoor viability. With over 300 days of sunshine, short approaches, and thousands of bolted routes across Malta and Gozo, many local climbers prefer to head outside—especially in the summer. “The easy access to crags keeps a share of existing climbers out of the gym,” Carly notes.

And yet, the team remains optimistic. The decision to close is not a retreat but a pivot. Ġebla Climbing will live on, transitioning into a leaner, outdoor-focused business offering coaching, courses, and guided climbing experiences on real rock. “This model is smaller but more sustainable,” Carly says. “And Malta offers something truly special—world-class climbing with easy logistics and stunning settings, particularly from October through May.”

She’s keen to raise the island’s profile among international climbers. “People are surprised when they discover Malta’s outdoor offering. We have beautiful movement in the 6s and 7s, epic sea cliffs, shaded valley routes, and routes that overlook the clearest blue water. The combination of rock, weather, scenery, and heritage is hard to beat.”

As for the indoor scene, the future is uncertain. “Others may step in to fill the gap,” Chris allows. “The community is here. The outdoor quality gives indoor climbing a purpose. But unless the market changes or support structures improve, the same challenges will persist. It will always be a tight market.”

In the meantime, Ġebla will carry on until December with full operations—regular resets, youth programs, coaching, and a final celebration. Their exit marks the end of Malta’s first chapter in commercial indoor climbing. But the story is far from over. The legacy of Ġebla is not just in walls and holds—but in people, skills, and a renewed ambition to take climbing outdoors, where Malta shines brightest.