Compact, straightforward to get round and with a pleasant English-speaking inhabitants, Malta is a relaxed and handy vacation spot full of pleasures.
Taking word of some pre-departure ideas will make a visit to the Mediterranean’s smallest island nation much more fulfilling. Right here’s all it’s worthwhile to know earlier than your journey to Malta.
Ebook effectively forward for Malta’s most wonderful sight
A 5000-year-old subterranean necropolis solely rediscovered in 1902, Malta’s Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is without doubt one of the nation’s important sights. As such, it’s extraordinarily common – and to guard the delicate, centuries-old inside, entry is restricted to 80 folks per day. Booking ahead on-line earlier than arriving in Malta is very really helpful. Last-minute entry tickets, which additionally promote out rapidly, can be found the day prior for a further cost of €15.
Pack a very good pair of strolling sneakers
Malta is a good place to discover on two legs, particularly round Valletta and within the hilltop walled metropolis of Mdina. Word that each locations contain loads of steps and centuries-old cobblestones, and sporting a snug pair of strolling sneakers is really helpful. If there’s a little bit of rain, laneways and plazas can even turn out to be slippery, and are most likely not finest negotiated in a pair of sandals or flip-flops. Good strolling sneakers additionally come into their very own when exploring clifftop mountain climbing routes like Malta’s Park tal-Majjistral or the Xlendi Stroll on Gozo. An efficient solar hat and sun shades are additionally important to fight the warmth of a Mediterranean summer season.
Hit the bottom working when exploring Malta’s fascinating meals scene
As an island nation in the course of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta has a delicacies that’s been influenced by numerous cultures all through the centuries. French, British, Italian – particularly Sicilian – and Arabic flavors all overlap within the various meals traditions right here. Earlier than leaving house, ebook a strolling tour with Offbeat Malta Meals Trails for whenever you first arrive in Malta. That method, you’ll be on top of things and armed with cultural and historic culinary insights as you discover native eating places, island vineyards and meals markets throughout Malta and its smaller sister island of Gozo.
It’s additionally price reserving effectively forward for common Michelin-starred eating places like Valletta’s Noni, particularly throughout Malta’s busiest journey months from July to August.
Join an Worldwide Driving Allow
Malta is a wonderful vacation spot to discover independently in a rental automobile, particularly on the quieter roads of Gozo. Automotive rental costs are a few of the lowest in Europe, and having your personal trip gives extra comfort and effectivity than counting on Malta’s in depth however typically sluggish bus service. As within the UK and most Commonwealth nations, drivers want to stay to the left-hand facet of the highway. Reserving forward for rental automobiles is really helpful for visits in July and August.
Vacationers from the UK and European Union nations can use their house driving licenses, however if you happen to’re coming from a non-EU nation you’ll additionally want an Worldwide Driving Allow (IDP). These are issued for a one-year interval by native vehicle associations in vacationers’ house nations.
Convey your driving A-game
Particularly when driving round Malta’s primary city conurbation (incorporating Valletta, Sliema and St Julian’s), it’s price channeling a assured method to getting behind the wheel. Site visitors is usually very busy, and native drivers can regard indicators for signaling a flip as non-compulsory. Yielding (giving method) at roundabouts can be routinely ignored. Simply drive with confidence (plus an added degree of consciousness) and also you’ll be positive.
Outdoors of Malta’s most built-up areas, driving is way much less worrying, and having a automobile makes getting round Gozo and to Malta’s extra distant seashores and locations a lot simpler. As a pedestrian, additionally by no means assume that native drivers will cease for you at pedestrian crossings.
Apply in-car security
Malta has a really low fee of violent crime, however there are occasional stories of rental automobiles being damaged into at seaside automobile parks, particularly in the event that they’re adjoining to a extra distant stretch of sand. Lock your automobile and don’t go away something of worth inside. Additionally take additional care with belongings when swimming and sunbathing on all seashores, as occasional opportunistic thefts do happen.
Study just a few phrases of Maltese
Everybody speaks English in Malta, nevertheless it’s nonetheless price studying just a few key phrases within the nation’s nationwide language (also referred to as Malti). Most intently associated to the Arabic dialects of western North Africa, Maltese is Europe’s solely Semitic language (different Semitic languages embrace Arabic, Hebrew and Amharic) and it’s additionally a language with just a few mortgage phrases simply traced to their nation of provenance.
Listed below are just a few key Malti phrases to help you throughout a visit:
• merħba (hiya)
• bonju (good morning)
• bonswa (good night)
• grazzi (thanks)
Do not forget that Malta is a largely conservative nation
With a robust Roman Catholic heritage, Maltese society stays largely conservative. Costume respectfully when coming into a church – having a scarf to cowl shoulders is a good suggestion – and hats and sun shades needs to be eliminated. Away from the seaside, cowl up with a sarong and T-shirt, and word that topless and nude sunbathing is illegitimate. When assembly somebody for the primary time, a handshake is suitable.
Anticipate a excessive degree of well being care
Excessive-standard well being and dental care is available, and Maltese pharmacists may give recommendation and promote a variety of over-the-counter medicines. Holders of a European Well being Insurance coverage Card (EHIC) – accessible to residents of the EU and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – obtain free or reduced-cost well being care whereas in Malta, and the nation has reciprocal health-care agreements with Australia and the UK. Guests from different nations ought to positively have journey insurance coverage.
Look to the locals for swimming security
The Maltese have a widely known phrase, “Il-baħar żaqqu ratba u rasu iebsa,” which means “The ocean has a gentle stomach, however a tough head.” Whereas seashores are largely protected in calm climate, storms, windy climate and robust undercurrents can current hazard, and locals advise by no means to swim in tough seas. Main seashores function a flag system and have lifeguards on patrol from June to September. If there’s no flag system working, or if you happen to’re unsure, ask a neighborhood about whether or not and the place it’s protected to swim.
Be vigilant in nightlife areas
Fueled by alcohol, fights and drunken violence have been recognized to happen in nightlife areas, particularly across the late-night golf equipment of the Paceville space. Preserve your wits about you, even (or particularly) after a cocktail or two.
Malta and COVID-19
As of Might 9, 2022, sporting a masks in Malta is just necessary on flights, or when visiting a hospital or aged care house. Whereas not necessary, the Maltese authorities nonetheless recommends masks be worn when attending giant gatherings.
Vacationers not want to finish a digital Passenger Locator Kind (PLF) however should current both a vaccine certificates, a latest unfavorable PCR take a look at or COVID restoration certificates upon arrival. See Malta’s Well being Ministry website for the most recent on COVID-19 laws.
