Know before you go
Malta
General Information
Malta is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy. Malta’s capital city is Valletta, which at 0.8 km2, is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area; its largest town is Birkirkara, while its chief economic centre is Sliema. Malta is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement. They drive on the left side of the road.
Visa
Holders of a EU passport don’t require a Visa. For holders of a different passport check out this link to see if you are required to apply for a visa or not or contact your ministery of foreign affairs.
Watch Geography Now!
The video will give you a good first overview of Malta.
Power
Malta uses Type G plug outlets. The voltage is 230 Volt and the frequency is 50 Hz.
Language
Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English. It’s easy to get by with English.
| Maltese | English |
|---|---|
| Hello! | Hello! |
| Ċaw!/ Saħħa! | Bye! |
| iva | yes |
| le | no |
| Grazzi! | Thank you! |
| Jekk joghġbok! | You're welcome! |
| Skużani! | Excuse me! |
| Evviva!! | Cheers! |
Weather Forecast
Climate
Malta has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers, hotter in the inland areas. Rain occurs mainly in autumn and winter, with summer being generally dry.
Average Temperature in Valletta
Average Precipitation in Valletta
Transportation
How to get there?
Malta International Airport (MLA) is the only airport serving the Maltese islands. From the airport the busses X1, X2, X3 and X4 will take you to your destination on the island. Take X4 to go to Valletta. If you don’t want to fly to Malta, there is also a ferry connection between Malta an Sicily.
How to get around?
Within the oldtown of Valletta, you can walk everywhere.
How to get from town to town?
Malta has a well served bus network around the islands of Malta and Gozo. On Malta island the main bus station is right outside oldtown Valletta at Triton Fountain.
To get from Malta island to Gozo or Comino you need a boat. If you rent a car and are driving yourself, the ferries to Gozo and Comino depart at Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal. If you are not driving yourself, you can book daytrips to Gozo and Comino in Valletta.
Money, Money, Money
Currency
Malta uses the Euro as its currency. Check out the currency converter to find out about current exchange rates.
Accommodation
Depending on where you are staying prices will vary of course. Using Airbnb, we paid around 35€ per person per night for an apartment in oldtown Valletta.
Cash
Even though credit cards are widely accepted, you should bring some cash because not every restaurant and shop offers credit card payment. How much you will need of course depends on your spending habits. Retrospective I found I needed around 35€ per day. This includes food, transportation, activities and souvenirs.
