Malta Travel Tips

Malta is a small country nestled in the Mediterranean Sea. The nation is formed of 3 main islands, each with a unique history that dates back some 5,000 years. However, it is not a place that time left behind. The modern age is also here, creating a unique blend of modern and antique features.

In this page you will find practical information to plan a scuba diving trip to Malta:

Where to stay?

Tourism is a major industry in Malta. The three major islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino each have attributes that attract tourist. Malta island is the main island of the country and is the hub of tourism.

• Valletta is the capital city of Malta and is on the east coast. Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site with many examples of medieval architecture.
• Set along a rugged coast line with great beaches, the north coast is the largest tourism destination. The towns of Buġibba, Qawra, St. Paul’s Bay, and Mellieħa are the heart of this region. St. Julian’s and Paceville are considered to have the best nightlife in the area.
• All of Malta is considered laid back, but Gozo takes it a step further.

In term of accommodations, it’s mostly between the islands of Malta and Gozo. In fact, Comino is largely inhabited, except for one small resort and few campgrounds.

• There is a nice selection of two to five star hotels and resorts on both islands.
• You can rent a farmhouse, many of which are more than 400 years old. While old, they have been update with modern conveniences.
• Guesthouses & Bed and breakfast style accommodations are cozy and quaint.
• When you are looking for a fun place to stay and at a low price, nothing beats a hostel.
• Upscale private accommodations.
• Small apartments available for weekly, or longer, rentals – such as AirBnb.
• Camping! Nothing beats the outdoors on Malta, and there’s plenty of campgrounds on all of the three islands.

Activities and excursions in Malta

Malta has a culture that dates back 5,000 years. Blend that with beaches, water sports and many other activities and you have an outstanding vacation. Here’s a short list of what is a must to explore while traveling in Malta!

• The Three Cities: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua are ancient cities, thousands of years old.
• Archaeological Sites: Malta and Gozo’s temples are thought to be the oldest free-standing buildings known to man.
• Fortress of the Knights of Malta: Emperor Charles V gave Malta to the Order that became know as the Knights of Malta in 1530. They then built fortresses, many of which exists today.
• Malta is known for their outstanding beaches… they’re everywhere to be found!
• Malta has a lively nightlife in most of its villages, but mainly in Valletta, St-Julian’s Bay, Sliema and Buggiba.
• Diving and snorkeling are great on Malta! Actually, the destination seems to get more and more popular among divers, but nothing quite like the Red Sea or the Maldives so far. Thus, it’s a great time to scuba dive in Malta, discover the pristine reefs and stunning wrecks!

 

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Hidden Gem // On Comino Island, the Blue Lagoon is a must! Our best advice is to head there with the first boat at around 9, especially if going on a hot summer day! Indeed, there will be fewer people than in the afternoon’s peak time, so you can enjoy the shades of blue!

Best time to visit Malta

Anytime of the year is good for visiting Malta. Indeed, the weather is always comfortable, and even too hot during the summer months! Here’s a quick list of the seasons and what to expect:

• April to June may be the best months as it’s not too hot, but has nice weather for any activity! Also, April and early May is the end of the festival season. May and June sees nice weather and conditions are acceptable for swimming and water activities.
• July, August and September are the peak tourist season with hot weather and many tourists.
• The shoulder season of October and November will still see temperatures warm enough for water activities.
• December to March will see periods of rain and cooler temperatures.

Health and Safety

Malta has an outstanding health care system with both a public and private sector. The hospitals are modern and are an integrated part of a regional network of health centers.

Visitors from EU member states should make sure that they have a European Health Insurance card. Also, travelers from countries that are required to obtain a visa will also be required to obtain health insurance in the process.

It is advisable that all visitors, irrespective of their nationality, take out a personal medical insurance policy. Payment may be requested in advance in non-life threatening situation if insurance cannot be verified.

In addition to EU member states, there are reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom. Nationals of these countries, visiting the Islands for no longer than one month, are entitled to free medical and hospital care in both Malta and Gozo.

The US State Department list Malta as Level 1: Exercise normal precautions. Pick-pocketing is the most common criminal act against tourist. The Canadian government has similar warnings.

If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to Malta, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Where is Malta located in the world?

Malta is a Southern European 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. There are three major islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino as well as 15 minor ones. Only the three major islands are inhabited and even, as of 2017, Comino had only three residences!

How to get to Malta?

Malta International Airport in Luqa (MLA) is the country’s only airport. However, there are 33 airlines that provide service to the small country, connecting it to 111 airports in 36 countries. Some flights are seasonal but the majority are operated year-round.
For more information about flights to Malta visit www.maltairport.com.

Do I need a visa for Malta?

Malta is a member of the European Union and is a part of the Schengen agreement. Thus, nationals of any Schengen/EU country can travel to Malta freely. These will only need a valid travel document if entering Malta from outside of the Schengen area.

Travelers from all over the world can visit Malta, assuming that they fit both the EU and Schengen agreement’s conditions. You will find all the details and documents to have in hand on the Identity Malta’s Website.

Visitors who plan to stay over 90 days including any time spend visiting in the last 180 days will be required to obtain a visa. Also, nationals of certain countries will require a visa for any visit.

Getting Around

Malta Public Transport operate a public bus services in Malta and Gozo. The service covers both islands very well. Malta has 80 different routes and the smaller Gozo has 15.

Extra travel tip // The buses on Malta run frequently, and are, mostly, reliable. It does happen that a bus goes early, or simply never shows, but there’s always another one around the corner! Plus, the buses are reaching to small villages and places that would appear to be “off the beaten path“. Also, the best about Malta’s bus system is that it is integrated to Google Map, and the stops are clearly indicated!

There are also taxi service available, including water taxi service in some parts. Many people opt to renting bicycles and just riding around the islands.

Plus, there is frequent ferry service between Malta and Gozo which takes about 20 minutes. The same applies to the smaller Comino Island.

Malta is a destination that offers more than what you might first envision. One that will capture your heart and soul.

Malta Photos

Scuba diving

You will find all information about sea life, best time to visit, top dive spots, etc. in our review: Malta Diving