Malta is an island country in the south of Europe that goes by the official name of the Republic of Malta. It consists of a Mediterranean archipelago that is south of Italy, north of Libya and east of Tunisia. It is one of the world’s smallest countries in terms of area and is the fifth most densely populated. The capital of Malta is Valletta, but the largest city is St. Paul’s Bay. The official languages are Maltese and English. The largest ethnic group is also Maltese.
The climate of Malta is entirely Mediterranean with mild winters and hot summers. Temperatures do not fluctuate much as a rule and snow is very rare. As an island destination, Malta is very popular with tourists. The beaches are the main draw for tourists visiting Malta. More people visit Malta as tourists than actually live there as residents.
Tips for excursions in Malta
Here we present some excursion tips for a varied holiday on the Mediterranean island.
After breakfast, we board the bus at Bugibba bus station, which should take us to Valletta. In winter, the bus ticket costs 1.50€ - in summer, the fare increases to 2€. As several bus lines have Valletta as their final destination, we decide to just take the first bus that leaves. We drive for almost…
We are approaching Malta and the first houses come into view below us. I notice a large round building in the middle of a town. A church?I decide to find out later at the hotel what kind of building it could be.
Malta's cities are not so big that you have to rely on exploring them by bus or something similar. We set out on foot for a leisurely stroll through Mdina and Rabat.
On our second day in Malta, it is storming and raining. After we luckily made it to the Malta National Aquarium in the dry, dark clouds roll in and the rain starts.
I was on Malta with my daughter. We opted for the "all-round carefree happiness package" of an all-inclusive holiday at the db San Antonio Hotel. A week of relaxation and enjoyment was the order of the day.
Do you know Popeye… yes, the spinach-eating sailor with his wife Olive.For me, Popeye was and is one of the most beautiful comic series I read as a child.But Popeye also exists as a feature film. To be honest, I had not seen it before I came into contact with Popeye Village in Malta.
Travel information for Malta
Arrival
By plane
Malta’s airport is served by the planes of Air Malta and numerous other airlines.
By ferry
There is a ferry connection between Pozzallo on the south coast of Sicily and Valetta. It carries passengers and vehicles. The trip takes about 2 hours and takes place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 1-2 times a day.
On the way in …
By car
On the island there is left-hand traffic. The roads are often narrow and the traffic routing challenging!
Many gas stations are closed on Sundays, however, it is increasingly possible to pay at the ATM.
By taxi
There are two types of taxis in Malta. The white taxis can be found at the taxi rank, they are a bit more expensive. The black taxis can only be obtained by (telephone) order. These providers are cheaper.
By bus
Malta has a well-developed public transport system.
Unfortunately, the partly historic vehicles have been abolished and replaced by new air-conditioned vehicles. The old buses had a lot of charm and were very popular with visitors to the island.
The bus system was taken over by the Ministry of Transport at the end of 2013.
Entry requirements / Visa
German nationals and travellers from the Schengen area require an identity card or passport when entering Malta.
Best time to travel
Malta has a typical Mediterranean climate, so it is relatively mild all year round. The summer months are quite hot during the day and the beaches attract visitors. At this time of year, the chance of rain is quite low.
Language
Besides Maltese, English is the official language.
Currency
The small island state of Malta is one of the countries where payment is made with the Euro (€).
Tip
Tipping is customary in Malta and is between 5% and 10% for good service in restaurants. However, if the bill already includes a service charge, a tip is not necessary.
If you travel by taxi, you should also add 5-10% tip to the fare.
Tips are welcome in the hotels, but not expected.
Power plug
Type G plugs are used in Malta. This is not compatible with the German plugs / sockets. Travellers from Germany need an adapter!