VISIT MALTA

Between Sicily and the coast of North Africa, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, sits the archipelago of Malta, a wonderful destination for hiking and diving.

Currency

€ - Euro (1€ ≃ 1,05$ ≃0,86£)

POPULATION

0,5 million

MAIN LANGUAGES

Maltese, English

AREA

316 km²

TIME ZONE

UTC+1 / UTC+2

FLAG

🇲🇹

Malta is an islander nation in the Mediterranean sea forming an archipelago. With only half a million citizens, this nation is the smallest both in terms of population and land area among the EU members. Despite its modest size, Malta is a significant tourist destination, packing an amazing variety of prehistoric temples, fossil-studded cliffs, secret coves, exhilarating scuba diving spots, and a history of extraordinary intensity.

There are a couple of things to know before travelling to Malta:

Water: Tap water is considered safe to drink in Malta.

Driving: Traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road. The main speed limits are as follows: 50 kph / 30 mph on main roads within built-up areas, and 80 kph / 50 mph on main roads outside built-up areas.

Plugs: The plug type used in Malta is: G, which has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Malta operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency.

Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory in restaurants and cafés in Malta, but it is customary to tip around 10% of the bill.

Payment: Bank cards - either debit or credit cards - are widely accepted across Malta, the most common ones being Visa and Mastercard. American Express cards can be used in fewer places. The use of cash money is still very common, especially in kiosks, bars and smaller businesses, which may not accept cards.

Basic language: Ħello = Hello; Bonġu = Good morning; Ċaw = Goodbye; Iva = Yes; Le = No; Grazzi = Thank you; Grazzi ħafna = Thank you very much; Jekk jogħġbok = Please; Ta’ xejn = You're welcome; Skuzani = Excuse me; Jum = Day; Lejl = Night; Il-lejla t-tajba = Good evening; Il-lejl it-tajjeb = Goodnight; Sinjur = Mister; Sinjura = Ma'am

Holidays and closing days: Sunday is a closing day for many stores. There are 15 official public holidays in Malta: New Year's Day (January 01), Feast of Saint Paul's Shipwreck (February 10), St. Joseph's Day (March 19), Freedom Day (March 31), Good Friday, Labour Day (May 01), Sette Giugno (June 07), Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29), Assumption Day (August 15), Feast of Our Lady of Victories (September 08), Independence Day (September 21), Immaculate Conception Day (December 08), Republic Day (December 13), Christmas Day (December 25). On these days, most businesses and offices will be closed, and many attractions may be shut or have limited opening hours.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information below is provided merely as an indication and applies for short-term tourism visa purposes only. Before your trip to Malta, or if you are planning to come to Malta for another purpose (work, studies, ...), check the official information on the Maltese Central Visa Unit website: https://www.identitymalta.com/

No visa is needed if you are a citizen of one of the following countries:
Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czechia; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland

Visa-free but limited to a maximum of 90 days for 180 days if you are a citizen of one of the following countries: Albania; Andorra; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Australia; Bahamas; Barbados; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Brazil; Brunei; Canada; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominica; El Salvador; Georgia; Grenada; Guatemala; Honduras; Hong Kong; Israel; Japan; Kiribati; Macao; Malaysia; Marshall Islands; Mauritius; Mexico; Micronesia; Moldova; Monaco; Montenegro; New-Zealand; Nicaragua; North Macedonia; Palau; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; San Marino; Serbia; Seychelles; Singapore; Solomon islands; South Korea; Taiwan; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tuvalu; Ukraine; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States of America; Uruguay; Vatican; Venezuela

Visa required (Schengen visa) if you are a citizen of one of the following countries: Afghanistan; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahrain; Bangladesh; Belarus; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Bolivia; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cambodia; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; China; Comoros; Congo; Congo (Dem. Rep); Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast); Cuba; Djibouti; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Eswatini; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Kosovo; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Laos; Lebanon; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Madagascar; Malawi; Maldives; Mali; Mauritania; Mongolia; Morocco; Mozambique; Myanmar; Namibia; Nauru; Nepal; Niger; Nigeria; North Korea; Oman; Pakistan; Palestinian territories; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Qatar; Russia; Rwanda; Sao Tome and Principe; Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Suriname; Syria; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Thailand; Togo; Tunisia; Turkey; Turkmenistan; Uganda; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu; Vietnam; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe

❄️ December – February: Malta has a relatively short winter season when compared to other European countries, making it the ideal destination to get some winter sun. Although no being the ideal time for swimming, Malta is full of hiking trails that can be enjoyed all year round. During winter, the temperatures in Valletta usually range from 9°C (48F) to 16°C (61F).

🌱 March – May: In Malta, Spring is regarded as the most beautiful season by many locals who consider nature to be at its finest then. The weather strikes the ideal balance between the bitterly cold winter and the scorching Maltese summer.

☀️ June – August: For beach seekers and diving enthusiasts, Summer is the prime season to visit Malta. Malta is well-known for its crystal-clear, blue waters. The country is filled with a variety of creeks and reefs, making it ideal for you to have some fun there. The country's incredible beauty is further enhanced by the numerous natural caves and rock formations. During summer, the temperatures in Valletta usually range from 19°C (67F) to 32°C (90F).

🍂 September – November: Even though it is a brief season, autumn in Malta is a great time to take advantage of the slightly cooler temperatures and venture outside to take in the numerous sights as the island gets ready for winter.

Prepare your trip

Pick a (Maltese) destination

Make your choice from the list below or the map to access all the articles related to specific cities or regions of Malta.

MALTA HIGHLIGHT ATTRACTIONS

HIKE IN GOZO

At only 67 km² (26 sq mi), Gozo is Malta's second-largest island and offers a wealth of activities, mostly around its breathtaking shoreline.

WANDER IN MDINA

The first capital of the nation was located in the walled city of Mdina, which stands out for its exceptional fusion of baroque and medieval styles.

EXPLORE VALLETTA

The small capital city - counting less than 6000 inhabitants - is well recognized for its magnificent cathedrals, museums, and palaces and is listed as a World Heritage Site.

SWIM IN THE BLUE LAGOON

Located on the west shore of Comino island, the Blue Lagoon is a small picturesque bay with shallow, azure-colored water.

VISIT MARSAXLOKK

An authentic little coastal town, Marsaxlokk is a haven in the southwest of the island of Malta, appreciated for its picturesque seafront and colourful boats.

ETHICAL WILDLIFE TOURISM IN MALTA

JOIN A BOAT TOUR TO SPOT MARINE WILDLIFE

Malta is known for its diving locations and has a historical shoreline that is home to many marine species such as dolphins, turtles, tuna, swordfish, jellyfish, and many others.

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