Travel Guide To Malta

An Essential Guide To First Time Travellers

This travel guide to Malta is your go-to guide when planning your trip to the islands.

Malta is an excellent choice for everyone, whether you are interested in the beaches, the beautiful weather, or events. Throughout the year, Malta has a lot of great hiking and running events.

But before you book your flight and pack your bags, here are some things you need to know about Malta before visiting it for the first time.

On this guide, we will provide a summary about all that you need to know before travelling here. Whether it is about essential things about the island, the weather in Malta, how to get to the island, where to stay, places to visit, and our personal opinions on when to visit.

Travel Guide To Malta | The Grand Harbour From The Upper Barrakka Gardens Valletta

an overview of malta

The Maltese islands located in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, barely visible on the world map but several millions of people come every year for holidays, business and repeated visits.

The Maltese archipelago, a hidden gem in the Mediterranean, consists of Malta, Gozo, and Comino, each offering its own slice of paradise. Malta, with its historic charm, melds ancient fortresses with vibrant city life. Gozo, a tranquil retreat, boasts lush landscapes and serene beaches, while Comino's azure waters and secluded coves provide an unspoiled escape. Together, these islands create a mosaic of rich history, stunning nature, and timeless beauty, waiting to be explored.

Travel Guide To Malta | Exploring Mdina, The Silent City's Historic Streets

Weather in Malta - When Is The Best Time To Come

With around 300 days of sunshine a year, it is the warmest country in Europe. Malta is pleasant to visit anytime during the year, however, the best months are probably between April and June because the weather is starting to get warm but not too warm. Keep in mind, this all depends on what your intentions are. If you want to wander the historic sites, go for walks in the countryside, swim at one of our beaches, go on a tour, or take a trip to Comino.

The weather in Malta has it's up's and down's but the majority of the year it is quite warm.

The main reason people come to Malta is for the heat. In fact the hottest period in Malta is between June, July and August with an average daily temperature of around 31°C (88°F). This is the time when we see the highest peak of tourism, so expect to find many tourists all over the island.

Tip: Make sure to carry sunscreen and plenty of water during the peak summer months.

What To Pack For Your Holiday

It all depends which time of year you will be visiting. If you are coming during the summer months you will only need light clothes, if during the winter months, get warm clothes.

See what to wear for the summer months of June, July, August and September. Definitely bring sunscreen during the summer months since the heat is very intense due to the high UV. If you enjoy swimming and seeing what's under the water, then get swimming goggles to make your experience even better.

Where To Stay In Malta

The best places to stay in Malta are the Sliema, St. Julian’s, Gzira and Valletta area. The Bugibba, Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay in the north of Malta

Choosing where to stay in Malta is something everyone must do when travelling here. It can be a challenge if you don't know anything about Malta, but we have created a full guide of several locations which we recommend you accommodate at.

The versatility of the accommodation is as diverse as the people who visit us. Whether for business or pleasure, you will find international brands, self-catering flats, friendly boutiques, resorts catering from 2 to 5 star. They are found spread all over the islands of Malta and Gozo.

staying in valletta malta

• Valletta is very small, so anywhere you stay in the capital city, you will automatically be in the city centre. Valletta is around a 15-minute walk from one side to the other. Here you find a mix of converted boutique hotels, 5 star hotels and also cheap hotels.

Interesting Things To Know About Malta

When planning your trip to Malta, or just researching about the islands, here are some things you need to know.

paying in Malta - the currency in malta is euros

All over the island, including Gozo and Comino, we use Euros as our currency. Credit cards are used in nearly all shops, restaurants, bars and other establishments.

ATM's are easily found anywhere on the island. There are many exchange offices, especially around tourist areas, so it is very easy to exchange your currency to Euros. If you decide to pay in cash, 50 euros bills or smaller are accepted. One hundred euros and higher bills are not very common and can even be rejected when paying in cash.

All types of credit cards are accepted like VISA, MasterCard and American Express. The named banks in Malta are namely HSBC, Bank of Valletta, Lombard, BNF and APS.

in malta we speak two languages

Our official language is Maltese, however English is our second Language.

If you are worried about communication with the locals, don’t be, because English is widely used, and the majority of the locals speak it. Although Maltese is the official language, knowing it is not necessary, however, helpful. 

Italian is another language some Maltese can speak, as it was an official language until 1934.

Communication in Malta is not very difficult, if you were wondering if we will understand you.

What's the history of the languages in Malta?

Having been a British colony for 150 years, according to recent statistics, 88% of the population can speak English. Both Maltese and English are official languages according to the constitution of the archipelago.

Maltese is a Semitic language where it is believed that Phoenicians arrived here around 750 BC introduced the basis for the language that we speak today. Though through many rulers our language acquired many words from other languages like Italian, English. Around 75% of the Maltese can speak some sort of Italian, many speak it well.

malta is part of an archipelago

The Maltese archipelago is made up of three main island and other small islands. The three island include, Malta being the largest, Gozo being the second largest and Comino being the third largest.

You can see the sea from all angles of the island

If you can see the sea from anywhere on the island, how big is Malta then? The width of the island is only 14.5 kilometres (9 miles). Being that we are also in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea with no other land surrounding us, the only things you see on the horizon is beautiful blue sea.

is the water in malta safe to drink?

Malta’s tap water is a blend of groundwater extraction and desalinated water.

In every home tap water is supplied directly from the main supply pipes and is safe to drink. Tank water is supplied in the rest of the household for general use. Hotel room water supply is probably from roof tanks and is suggested not to be taken.

If you don’t like drinking from the tap you can buy bottled water in plastic bottles which is available anywhere on the island.

Everybody Knows Everyone

Living on a small island has its positive and negative things. Many know each other, but when they say that everybody knows everybody is not true. Foreigners think that being so small everyone knows each other. It is in our blood that we try and make friends as we might need each other’s help in something that is useful to us.

At the same time it is rather easy to make many friends on such a small island, even more easy on the sister island of Gozo with a smaller population.

Very Hot Island - If You Come In Summer Get Sunblock

The weather all over the islands is typically Mediterranean. Summers are very hot and dry with barely any rain. Winters are mild with low temperatures, windy and humid. For many Europeans it will be like summer as their temperatures are much lower. Over all you can expect warm weather. The sun shines for around 300 days a year. Our weather is very similar to southern Italy and Greece.

We use the UK standard 3-Pin Plugs

This is very important for your packing process because you should know which plug to bring. Plugs in Malta are the UK standard, meaning type-G, three-pin, but if you do not have any, there is no need to worry, because you can find adapters very easily in local stores.

Travel Guide To Malta | The Fortifications Of the capital city And La Valletta Port

Getting To Malta And Around

When you arrive, there are several choices on how to travel around the island. By public transport is the cheapest way, you can rent a car and have more freedom, taxis, but it can come quite expensive if you use them on a regular basis, especially if you travel long distances. There are several ferries around the island, such as the Gozo Ferry and the Valletta Ferry Service.

The most common way travellers visit Malta is by air. Apart from that, you have the choice to come by sea, either with an international cruise liner or with the Sicily to Malta ferry.

Walking is also always a good option, and it’s a great way to stay fit and healthy during your trip. Because the island is tiny, walking to your destination should not really take a lot of time depending on where you are going.

public transport

The bus is the most obvious option for almost everyone, but keep in mind that you cannot always expect it to arrive in time – either it’s late, or it’s early, you need to get used to it.

The public transport system in Malta is good, however not the best. It covers all villages and towns. Most of the routes from merge at the capital city Valletta, where you will find the main bus hub. Apart from this, all important cultural and historical sites are covered with the routes. Buses get delayed due to traffic, so expect to spend time waiting and travelling on the bus, especially if you need to travel long distances.

getting a taxi

Taxi's have become quite a common use to travel around the island. If you are coming from the airport, there are flat fees to all the places on the island. They are usually arranged through a simple phone call or even the hotel where you are staying. Today, mobile apps have become the norm to book your taxi. So head to App Store or Play Store and download one of the applications in Malta such as Bolt, eCabs and Uber.

flights to malta

The number of flights to Malta have increased throughout the years, making it more accessible to catch a direct flight. Several popular airlines fly to Malta from most European destinations.

Flight Duration To Malta

The average duration flight from a European destination to Malta averages around 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours. Some flights are more and some are less. Due to Malta being in the heart of the Mediterranean, it is not that difficult to catch a flight to here.

Connections are also possible when flying from far away countries, especially from other continents. The easiest way is to fly to a European destination, where then you have a direct flight to Malta.

Malta International Airport

The Maltese archipelago has only one airport at Luqa in the southern part of the islands, called Malta International Airport. It is a very modern airport that offers all the commodities like other international European countries. The island being so small that it does not take you long to arrive to and from the airport. The only drawback is traffic and peak time due to working hours.

arriving by sea

The most common route is a direct connection to our closest Italian island of Sicily. It is 100 kilometres away. The Virtu Ferries makes round trips all year round to the port Pozzallo taking around 1 hour 45 minutes and back to our capital city Valletta Grand Harbour.

The catamaran is very fast, and you can come over with your car. Many locals use this service to go on holiday across Italy. It is best to enquire and book beforehand as during summer the service is very popular.

renting a car - Transport Possibilities To Move Around

The best way to see our island is by having your own car, or if as a visitor, you can rent a car. This will permit you to go wherever you wish and to any corner of the islands any time you wish.

Driving A Rental Car

There are various car hire companies in Malta. You can book your car rental packages in Malta through internet booking or when you arrive at Malta International Airport. Be sure to source either a hard copy of a Map of Malta or online before your arrival in order to familiarise yourself and have a bit of an idea of what to expect prior to your arrival here.

Malta car rental deals are preferably done before you come to Malta as this usually affords you a better deal where you can check prices and conditions of rental.

Driving On Maltese Roads

Driving in Malta might not be easy as the island is overcrowded with cars, but still many foreigners choose to rent a car. We drive on the left-hand side, since we were a British colony. Likewise for Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Cyprus. Having a car, you will be able to reduce the driving time a lot and can fit into your day many sites to see. You can be very flexible on what you choose to do.

Travel Guide To Malta | KM Malta Airlines at Malta International Airport

places to visit in malta

The first thing that you should know (if you do not already), Malta is a very small country. You can drive from one end of the island to another in a matter of around one hour. There are 5 big villages in Malta. The first one is the capital city Valletta with around 5000 people. The other villages are Sliema, St Julian’s with Paceville, Bugibba to Qawra to St. Paul’s Bay, and Victoria which is the capital of the island Gozo.

valletta

The capital city Valletta is served well with accommodation from luxurious 5-star hotels, boutique hotels, apartments and town houses. They are charms of architecture built at various stages, some from the time of the Knights in 1570 to some built after World War II. Today they are restored to their former glory with modern amenities. The capital has its attractiveness that still enchants visitors to this day.

mellieha

The town of Mellieha, rural and surrounded with nature, attracts visitors for its charm cut off from the rest of the island with a lot of open spaces and the open sea that surrounds the north part of Malta.

Hotels in this part of the island are very popular, were they range from budget-friendly 3 star to luxury 5-star hotels. Most hotels have plenty of amenities and there are several that look over the open sea within the popular bays. Apartments are plenty but more within the town and surrounds. The area is more relaxed, plenty countryside, great for a relaxing holiday.

Sliema, Gzira, St. Julians, Paceville Areas

Sliema and the surround villages are the hub for all sorts of accommodation, expensive housing, shopping, promenades and pleasure. Entertainment is not least with Paceville clubs just on the side of Sliema.

Here you will be in the centre of all activity and the best location to reach everywhere on the island. It spreads along the coast for a stretch of 5 kilometres from the village of Msida, followed by Gzira, Sliema, St. Julians, Paceville and St. George’s Bay.

It is also a great stretch of promenade walks, for jogging and a place where locals meet.

Bugibba, Qawra And St Pauls Bay Areas

This area has developed over the past 60 years from very quiet to summer houses for Maltese and holiday apartments to mostly British who were here due to the presence of the British military units.

These localities are very popular and are amongst the largest touristic areas with ample of accommodations.

Many cafés, bars and restaurants run across the promenade and side streets. Several shops from groceries, mini-markets, clothing to fish shops. All the area is a residential area for Maltese and many foreigners who are on the island to work.

Planning your holiday from the eyes of two locals

Below are our personal tips to ensure you plan your holiday just right. Here is a list of our personal tips for you to know whilst planning your holiday here to Malta.

• May and June are ideal months to visit during the transition of the summer period where the weather is not too hot yet. Sea temperature is still cold, but people tend to start going for their first swim.
• March and May are idea months to visit before the peak summer season begins. During these months, weather will be mild and pleasant.
• Summer is the time when village feasts start to be celebrated in both Malta and Gozo. This is something that all foreigners appreciate as they see something that is typically Maltese.
• Spring is the best time for walks in the countryside where green vegetation is still abundant with splendid flowers everywhere.
• During the month of September, plenty of locals go on their holiday, typically before the children and students start their scholastic year.
• Late autumn is when we go full swing preparations for Christmas start early, and you can already start seeing decorations first days of December.
• During the winter months, it is not uncommon for a warm day to occur, and it is not unusual to see people swimming at one of Malta's beaches.
• During public holidays, bridge holidays or yearly festivities, people go a lot to Gozo for a vacation especially if it falls at the start or at end of the weekend.
• Schools start again during the last week of September. During this time, the touristic season will be much lower and also entertainment in Malta will be less crowded including the beaches.
• Summer and also beautiful days in winter, is best for sunbathing, beaches, outside entertainment, evening promenade walks, day trips to Gozo, the Blue Lagoon in Comino, open air discos and ample water sports.

Travel guide to Malta hopes to have helped you find the right information. Hope you will be with us soon.

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Thinking About Renting A Car For Your Holiday?

Renting a car for your holiday gives you so much freedom to explore the islands at your own pace without any possible restrictions. We personally tried Discover Cars and loved their great service and affordable prices.

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Need to book a hotel for your Malta visit?

Looking for the perfect place to stay? Booking.com is always our go-to website as we know that we will find the right accommodation for the best prices possible. This super-easy platform cannot be recommended enough!

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By Albert and Benjamin Magro