A country so small it’s often not even included on a world map, Malta has been gaining some popularity on the Europe trail in the last few years and is quickly becoming a hot spot along the Mediterranean.
A group of three tiny islands floating in the Mediterranean, Malta is becoming a hot spot on cruising itineraries, as well as for travellers looking for somewhere new to explore. There’s so much history and culture packed onto this island, as well as heaps of stunning rocky beaches.
When To Visit: Between May and October during the European summer is definitely the best time to visit Malta, when the weather is hot and sunny. It gives the ultimate Euro summer feels, with few days during the peak season that don’t offer perfect weather.
Language: The official language of Malta is Maltese, although there are a few different dialects that are used, especially between Malta and Gozo. Most people working in tourism and hospitality will also be able to speak and understand English, generally there is no issues with communication here.
Visas: Most visitors travelling to Malta will not require a visa for stays of under 90 days, including passport holders from Australia, Canada, USA and all other European Union countries.
Hot tip: Make sure you get off the mainland and explore some of Gozo. Just a short 30 minute ferry ride away, Gozo is kind of like the country town of Malta where you can find endless beautiful beaches, a more laid back vibe and get around in an open air jeep, where seat belts are not required!
Capital City: Valletta
Time Zone: Malta follows Central European Time UTC +2 with Central European Summer Time UTC +3 being in effect from roughly the end of March until the end of October each year.
International Airport: There is only one airport in Malta, Malta International Airport (MLA) which is located on the main island of Malta. There are direct flights to Malta from most major cities around Europe.
Currency: The currency in Malta is Euros €. At the time of writing, 1€ converts to $1.59AUD, $1.12USD or £0.89GBP.
While a few places around Malta will accept credit and debit card, it’s always a good idea to carry some cash on you just in case. Many of the main attractions around Malta are not in the cities and the more remote villages run mainly on cash.
Driving: Always drive on the right side of the road in Malta.
Power: In Malta the power plugs and sockets are of type G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Internet Access: Malta is a bit hit and miss for wifi, depending on where you visit. Most hotels and rental houses will have good internet access, although it can be a little patchy and unreliable at times. Don’t expect to find free wifi around the streets of Malta or in locals restaurants, you will need to purchase a sim card if you need to access the internet while you’re out and about.
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