Malta

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Malta is a Mediterranean island and coastal destination with a tradition of tourism from the UK because of its historic links with Britain.

In fact, Malta is the largest of a group of three islands. The other smaller islands are called Gozo and Comino. Together these are known as the Maltese Islands. Most tourists stay on Malta but may visit at least one of the other islands on an excursion.

Malta has a long history as a number of nations have ruled the island in the past. Malta has a key position in the Mediterranean Sea where number of important battles and sieges have taken place. The main town, Valetta, is an historic city enclosed by a number of fortresses which have been built to defend the city from invaders. 

Part of the importance of Malta is that Valetta has a very large harbour in which ships would be protected. Valetta’s Grand Harbour is still operates as a port and is very important for ships today.

Malta has been occupied by many nations. From 1800 the island has been occupied by the British. Malta was captured by the Germans in the Second World War and then re-captured by the British navy. After the Second World War British forces were stationed on the island.

Malta was a British colony before becoming independent and is now a member of the European Union using the euro as its currency. Due to these links with Britain, Malta became an important destination for early package holidaymakers in the 1960’s. These tourists were attracted partly because of a British feel to the island and the fact that English was widely spoken. Red telephone boxes and post boxes remain today and the Maltese people drive on the left hand side of the road.

The Maltese government also encouraged the growth of tourism and many hotels, providing accommodation for package holidaymakers, were built from the early 1970’s onwards.

Today the UK is still an important market for Malta, but tourists also arrive from Italy, Germany and Spain as well as other European countries.

Malta does not only provide for holiday tourism. Business tourism, health tourism and education tourism are also important.

 

 

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Valletta
Valletta, Malta

Valletta is the capital of Malta thanks to the famous defeat of the Ottoman Turks during the Great Siege of 1565.  Built on a peninsula in the eastern part of the country, with a population around 6000, the entire town is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.It sits on top of Mount Sceberras and has wonderful examples of baroque architecture dating from the 16th century.Valletta is the largest harbour town in Malta and from The Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens you’ll get incredible views of the Grand Harbour.

Sliema
Sliema, Malta

Just 5k from Valletta, Sliema is the Maltese hub for delicious food and fantastic shopping. It’s the main resort destination now, though it was once the playground of the country’s aristocracy. You’ll find a lot of expats here, as well as a large number of Maltese. There are a lot of options for boat trips around the Grand Harbour and Sliema serves as the starting point for hop on/off sightseeing buses that cover the entire island. In town, be sure to check out the Independence Garden and the De Redin tower.

Gozo
Malta

Just off the coast of Malta is the small island of Gozo.  Most tourists come for the day and enjoy sites like the Temples of Ggantija, Inland Sea, The Citadel. Gozo is a mainly farming and fishing community, and most people enjoy the villages of Xlendi and Marsalforn. There’s been very little development here so an afternoon roaming the island will give you a nice feeling for a more traditional Malta.  Most arrive by ferry, but for some excitement, try the seaplane.

Birgu (Vittoriosa)
Birgu, Малта

On the south side of the Grand Harbour is Birgu, one of the older cities in Malta.  Because of its location, it’s been of military significance for centuries.  The town even played an important role in the Siege of Malta. At one point, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Phoenicians, Normans, Arabs, and Aragonese all control the city and influenced its history and culture. The main entrance to the city is the love Couvre Porte and the entire place is surrounded by fortified walls. Inside you’ll find monuments and ancient history at every turn.

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Location

Malta is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km south of Italy, 284 km east of Tunisia, and 333 km north of Libya.

Transportation

One of the major advantages of Malta’s small size is that getting around is easy and you won’t need much travel time to explore the country. Malta offers a modern, relatively cheap and reliable public transport system of route buses, high-quality taxi services and other types of transport.

Languages Spoken

The native Maltese language is most popular and is the national language of Malta. Maltese is spoken by around 97% of the population. The Maltese language is a Semitic language heavily influenced by its neighbouring countries, with most of the vocabulary coming from the Italian and Sicilian languages.

Currency

The only currency used in the Maltese islands is the Euro, which was adopted on 1 January 2008 after the country joined the European Union on 1 May 2004.

Visas

Visas for Malta are not required by nationals of EU/EEA countries, regardless of the purpose and/or length of stay. Australian, Canadian and US nationals may stay in Malta without a visa for up to 90 days.

Electricity

In Malta the power plugs and sockets are of type G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Vaccinations

Some vaccines are recommended or required for Malta. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Malta: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza. 

Emergency Calls

Emergency: 112
Ambulance: 196
Police: +356 2122 4001-7,  +356 2122 1111

When to visit
Best time to visit the destination

Spring and early summer, April, May and June is the best time to visit Malta.  The weather is not hot (sunny days and the nights are cool) and there are fewer tourists. You'll able to swim if you don't mind it the slightly cooler waters.

What to do?
Don’t miss to challenge your world

Visit the old capital of Mdina

Mdina is the ancient capital of Malta and sits of a scenic hill in the center of the island. It is famous for being encircled by dominating fortifications and as such it is not to be missed if you are something of a history buff. There are a huge range of activities to enjoy here such as strolling around the picturesque streets as well as ducking into the many museums. The town is also known for its cute cafes and eateries that are perfect for whiling away the hours.

Take in the views from Upper Barrakka Gardens

Upper Barrakka Gardens sits close to Valletta and is the place to come if you want to take in some of the best views across Malta. From the vantage point of the pretty gardens you will get to look out across the famous ‘Three Cities’ of Malta and can see as far as the Grand Harbor. Once you have finished taking in the scenery and enjoyed a stroll around the garden you can then walk down into the center of the capital city of Valletta.

Dive beneath the seas at the HMS Maori

Malta enjoys a warm climate and is also blessed with azure seas which mean that it is perfect if you like swimming, snorkeling, or diving. There are a range of artificial reefs here as well as a number of military wrecks which date from the Second World War. One of the most famous is called the HMS Maori which is a destroyer that was sunk by the Germans and now rests on the sea floor at a depth of 14 meters. 

Marvel at Mosta Dome

Malta doesn’t hide away from lavish architecture and this includes the Mosta Dome. The church is dedicated to St. Mary and is furnished in the neo-classical style. The dome is the main feature here and measures 121 feet and 220 feet high, making it bigger than the uber-famous St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Much of the inside of the church is decorated in gilt and the floors are paved with marble. It is meant to be modeled on the Pantheon in Rome and you will also find a pipe organ here with an impressive 2,000 pipes.

Explore the Ggantija Temples

The Ggantija Temples translate to ‘Gigantic’ and sit on the idyllic island of Gozo. Amazingly these structures actually pre-date the Pyramids of Egypt and there are two temples here encircled by an outer fortification wall. Their huge size is the main draw here and it is even more difficult to imagine how they were built when you consider that they were constructed before the invention of the wheel. In ancient times the temples would have been used for sacrifices and as a place to make offerings.

You ask, we answer
FAQs about Malta

Is Malta safe for tourists?

Malta can be described as a very safe place to visit, and there are no known terrorist activities that have taken place on the island any time in the recent past. The crime rate in Malta is low in terms of violent crimes.

Officially the tap water is safe to drink in Malta, but it tastes awful. The desalination process removes particulates and contaminants but leaves it heavy in minerals. It's not toxic, but many visitors find it hard to stomach – literally.

Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English. Maltese is the national language.  According to the Eurobarometer poll conducted in 2012, 98% of Maltese people can speak Maltese, 88% can speak English, 66% can speak Italian, and more than 17% speak French.

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