Country

Malta

First trip: one base on the main island (Valletta or Sliema) for 4–5 nights with buses and ferries for day-trips, plus 2 nights on Gozo if you have a week; do not move hotels every night on islands this small.

Open Valletta Plan a trip Compare in Europe

More: share, save offline, report a correction

2 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days

Every region, city and park in Malta (Atlas) →

Key facts

Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct by month →
Visa: Depends on your passport
Currency: Euro (EUR, €)
Language: Maltese and English
Plugs: G · 230 V
Time zone: CET, UTC+1

Month by monthIn detail ↓

Rules in force · 4Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…

Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…

Understand in one strip

Capital: Valletta (about 6,000 residents; the harbour conurbation around it holds most of the country's roughly 570,000 people)
Language: Maltese and English (both official); Italian widely understood
Currency: Euro (EUR, €)
Plugs: Type G (UK three-pin), 230 V 50 Hz
Driving: Left-hand side; heavy traffic and scarce parking
Tipping: 5–10% in restaurants; round up taxis
Emergency: 112 for police, ambulance and fire
Time zone: CET, UTC+1; UTC+2 from late March to late October

Malta is a small archipelago south of Sicily: Malta, Gozo and tiny Comino. Distances are short but roads are congested, so a well-placed base and the ferries across Valletta's harbours matter more than a car. English and Maltese are both official languages, traffic drives on the left and sockets are the UK three-pin type. The traps are July–August heat, summer crowds on Comino's Blue Lagoon, and the village festa season, which is a highlight but blocks streets and fills buses.

About Malta

The EU's smallest member state by area and population (about 570,000 people on 316 km²) and one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Malta's position between Sicily and North Africa made it a prize for Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, the Knights of St John, Napoleon and the British. It became independent in 1964, a republic in 1974, joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2008.

Where's good this month

Each region's weather and verdict, holidays, crowds

NovemberGo with a planCrowds low· Prices low

First storms; sea still swimmable early in the month.

Where's good: no region is at its best; pick the fair ones below

Malta and Gozo (land)Valletta, Mdina, Sliema, VictoriaFair
Fairok: workable
Mild, wet-ish winters (14–17 °C (57–63 °F) by day) and dry hot summers (30–35 °C (86–95 °F)) with humidity; the sirocco can bring dusty, hot days in spring and autumn.Mild, wet-ish winters (57–63 °F (14–17 °C) by day) and dry hot summers (86–95 °F (30–35 °C)) with humidity; the sirocco can bring dusty, hot days in spring and autumn.
Sea and divingComino, Gozo dive sites, Għadira, St Peter's PoolFair
Fairok: workable
Sea is 15 °C (59 °F) in winter and 26–27 °C (79–81 °F) in August; diving runs all year with a wetsuit; boats cancel in strong gregale (north-east) winds.Sea is 59 °F (15 °C) in winter and 79–81 °F (26–27 °C) in August; diving runs all year with a wetsuit; boats cancel in strong gregale (north-east) winds.

Holidays and festivals in November

No national holiday that changes transport or opening hours in Malta this month.

Pick a route

Nights per stop, as the guide plans them

7 days10 days14 days

Malta and Gozo

Valletta, 5 nightsArrival + day plans
Gozo, 2 nightsNo guide yet

Comino by boat from Gozo; Hypogeum booked before arrival.

Sicily and Malta

Taormina or Catania, 3 nightsNo guide yet
Syracuse, 2 nightsNo guide yet
Valletta, 5 nightsArrival + day plans

Fly into Catania and home from Malta; the ferry is 1 h 45 from Pozzallo.

Rome and Malta

Rome, 4 nightsArrival + day plans
Vatican (morning), 0 nightsArrival + day plans
Valletta, 6 nightsArrival + day plans
Gozo, 4 nightsNo guide yet

One flight links the two; winter makes this a mild-weather city-and-sea trip.

Customize this route Explore cities

Top destinations in Malta, ranked

For a first or second trip

Ranked for a first trip. Nights are the minimum that does the place justice.

Valletta
Arrival + day plans
The Knights' capital, St John's and the harbour views.
2–3 nights in Valletta · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
Three Cities
No guide yet
Fortified harbour towns by ferry from Valletta.
0 (day trip) nights in Three Cities · Best All year
Mdina
Basic guide
Walled old capital on the ridge.
0 (half day) nights in Mdina · Best Late afternoon
Gozo
No guide yet
Slower island with walks, temples and diving.
2–3 nights in Gozo · Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Comino and the Blue Lagoon
No guide yet
Turquoise lagoon by boat.
0 nights in Comino and the Blue Lagoon · Best May–Oct, early morning
Temples and the Hypogeum
No guide yet
Some of the oldest free-standing buildings on earth.
0 nights in Temples and the Hypogeum · Best All year
Marsaxlokk
Basic guide
Fishing boats and the Sunday market.
0 nights in Marsaxlokk · Best Sunday mornings

Decide the trip

What the country is like, who it suits and how long to give it

Open Decide the tripClose Decide the trip7 partsUnderstand in one strip · At a glance · Understand · First vs second trip · Good for · Time math · Fit my nights

Understand in one stripCapital · Language · Currency · Plugs · Driving · Tipping · Emergency · Time zone8 parts

Capital: Valletta (about 6,000 residents; the harbour conurbation around it holds most of the country's roughly 570,000 people)
Language: Maltese and English (both official); Italian widely understood
Currency: Euro (EUR, €)
Plugs: Type G (UK three-pin), 230 V 50 Hz
Driving: Left-hand side; heavy traffic and scarce parking
Tipping: 5–10% in restaurants; round up taxis
Emergency: 112 for police, ambulance and fire
Time zone: CET, UTC+1; UTC+2 from late March to late October

Malta: open now, and what is next

4 regions planned

On this page

1 of 5 regions open, with where to sleep and for how long
1 trip line with arrival paths and day plans
19 basic city guides
How to split 3, 5, 7 days
Money: cash, cards and ATMs
Safety notes and the rules that apply on every page below

Coming as the guide grows

Mdina and Central Malta — The walled old capital, Rabat and the south coast cliffs as day-trips · 0–2 nights
Gozo and Comino — Quieter island by ferry: Victoria's citadel, coast walks and diving · 2–3 nights
Sliema and St Julian's — Seafront hotels, promenade swimming and nightlife in Paceville; ferry to Valletta · 3–5 nights
Mellieħa and the north — Sandy Għadira beach, the Ċirkewwa ferry to Gozo and quiet bays · 2–4 nights

Meanwhile

At a glance

1–5, with the reason

Each bar is 1 to 5. Green means the score makes the trip easier, amber is middling, red is harder; the words next to each score say what that end of the scale means, so colour is never the only signal.

Cost3/5 · middling

Mid-priced for southern Europe; cheap food and buses, pricier beds in summer.

Cash necessity2/5 · cards everywhere

Cards widely accepted; cash for kiosks, village bars and boats.

English on the ground5/5 · widely spoken

Official language; everyone speaks it.

Connectivity5/5 · fast everywhere

Fast 4G/5G with EU roaming; Wi-Fi everywhere.

Transport ease3/5 · middling

Buses and ferries cover it all but traffic slows everything.

Safety5/5 · very safe

Low crime; the risks are the sea, the sun and the roads.

Heat / climate risk4/5 · severe

Hot, humid summers with little shade on rocky coasts.

Understand

People, belief, history that matters on the ground

The EU's smallest member state by area and population (about 570,000 people on 316 km² (122 sq mi)) and one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Malta's position between Sicily and North Africa made it a prize for Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, the Knights of St John, Napoleon and the British. It became independent in 1964, a republic in 1974, joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2008.The EU's smallest member state by area and population (about 570,000 people on 122 sq mi (316 km²)) and one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Malta's position between Sicily and North Africa made it a prize for Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, the Knights of St John, Napoleon and the British. It became independent in 1964, a republic in 1974, joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro in 2008.

People: About 570,000, of whom roughly a quarter are foreign residents — among the fastest-growing populations in Europe.
Belief: Roman Catholicism is the state religion; parish festas shape the summer.
Government: Parliamentary republic; Labour and the Nationalist Party dominate a sharply two-party politics.
Economy: Tourism, online gaming, financial services, shipping and English-language schools.
Islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino are inhabited; Filfla and others are uninhabited.

History that still shows on the ground · 10 dates

When	What happened	Where you meet it today
c. 3600–2500 BCE	Megalithic temple builders	Ġgantija, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra are older than the Egyptian pyramids; the Hypogeum is an underground burial complex.
60 CE	St Paul shipwrecked on Malta	The foundation story of Maltese Christianity; St Paul's Bay and the Rabat catacombs.
870–1091	Arab rule	The Maltese language and many place names.
1530	The Knights of St John arrive	Birgu, the auberges and a fortified harbour.
1565	The Great Siege: the Knights repel the Ottomans	Valletta is founded the next year on the peninsula.
1798–1800	Napoleon expels the Knights; the British take over	British rule lasts until 1964; red phone boxes and left-hand driving.
1940–1942	Second World War siege and bombing	The George Cross awarded to the island; the Lascaris War Rooms.
1964–1979	Independence, republic, and British forces leave	Freedom Day, 31 March.
2004–2008	EU membership, Schengen and the euro	Open travel with Italy and the rest of the Schengen area.
2017–2026	Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia murdered; rule-of-law reforms; construction and population boom	Debates on overdevelopment and tourism caps that shape the islands today.

Show all 10 rowsShow fewer

Read or watch before you go

The Kappillan of Malta — Nicholas Monsarrat: a priest in the wartime siege, as a novel.
The Great Siege: Malta 1565 — Ernle Bradford: the siege that made Valletta.
Malta: A Travellers' History — various editions; short histories sold in Valletta bookshops.

First trip vs second trip

Which regions, and what to leave

Trip	Go to	Why	Leave for later
Long weekend (3–4 nights)	Valletta, the Three Cities and Mdina	History within 30 minutes of the airport.	Gozo in a rush.
One week	Valletta or Sliema 5 + Gozo 2	Two beds cover the whole archipelago.	A car on the main island.
Diving week	Gozo base (Xlendi or Marsalforn)	Some of the Mediterranean's best shore dives and wrecks.	Paceville nightlife hotels.
Combined with Sicily	Sicily 7–10 nights → Pozzallo ferry → Malta 4–5	Two islands without an extra flight.	Winter, when ferries cancel.

Good for…

Where each kind of traveller does best

Verdict is how well Malta works for that traveller.

English-speaking, compact and safe.

1Valletta — walkable capital with the main sights.
2Gozo day or two — a different pace in 25 minutes.

Time math

How to split a stay, by total days in the country

3 days in total: Valletta 3 (the Three Cities by ferry, Mdina one afternoon)
5 days in total: Valletta or Sliema 4 + a Gozo day-trip
7 days in total: Valletta or Sliema 5 + Gozo 2

Which regions fit my nights?

Tick the regions you are weighing up. The nights are the ranges this guide gives for each region.

Regions you want to see

Valletta and the Grand HarbourThe capital, the Three Cities and Sliema across the harbour by ferry3–5 nights
Mdina and Central MaltaThe walled old capital, Rabat and the south coast cliffs as day-tripsPage still planned0–2 nights
Gozo and CominoQuieter island by ferry: Victoria's citadel, coast walks and divingPage still planned2–3 nights
Sliema and St Julian'sSeafront hotels, promenade swimming and nightlife in Paceville; ferry to VallettaPage still planned3–5 nights
Mellieħa and the northSandy Għadira beach, the Ċirkewwa ferry to Gozo and quiet baysPage still planned2–4 nights

Nights you have

Tick the regions you are considering.

Cities

Regions, cities and the places between them

Open CitiesClose Cities5 partsRegions · Cities · Other destinations · See · Do

Regions

5 regions · 1 open

Valletta and the Grand Harbourpublished

The capital, the Three Cities and Sliema across the harbour by ferry

3–5 nights in this region

Valletta

Mdina and Central Maltaplanned

The walled old capital, Rabat and the south coast cliffs as day-trips

0–2 nights in this region

Gozo and Cominoplanned

Quieter island by ferry: Victoria's citadel, coast walks and diving

2–3 nights in this region

Sliema and St Julian'splanned

Seafront hotels, promenade swimming and nightlife in Paceville; ferry to Valletta

3–5 nights in this region

Mellieħa and the northplanned

Sandy Għadira beach, the Ċirkewwa ferry to Gozo and quiet bays

2–4 nights in this region

Cities

The ones to know; each says what Voykit has for it

VallettaArrival + day plans

Il-Belt Valletta

Capital built by the Knights: St John's Co-Cathedral, Upper Barrakka and harbour views.

SliemaBasic guide

Tas-Sliema

Seafront hotels, promenade swimming and the ferry to Valletta.

St Julian'sBasic guide

San Ġiljan

Bays, restaurants and Paceville's nightlife.

Mdina and RabatNo guide yet

L-Imdina

Walled 'silent city' on the ridge and catacombs next door.

Birgu (Vittoriosa)No guide yet

Il-Birgu

Oldest of the Three Cities: Fort St Angelo and the Inquisitor's Palace.

Victoria (RabatNo guide yet

Ir-Rabat

Gozo's capital with the Cittadella.

MarsaxlokkBasic guide

Marsaxlokk

Fishing village with painted luzzu boats and the Sunday market.

MellieħaBasic guide

Il-Mellieħa

Northern base for sandy beaches and the Gozo ferry.

Other destinations

Parks, bays, heritage sites, islands

Place	What	Getting there	Why go / verdict
Three Cities	Fortified harbour towns	Ferry from Valletta, 10 min	Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua; Fort St Angelo and quiet lanes.
Mdina →	Walled town	Bus from Valletta, 30 min	Medieval streets and ramparts; best at dusk.
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum	Prehistoric underground temple	Bus to Paola	A 5,000-year-old rock-cut complex; tiny groups, booked far ahead.
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra	Megalithic temples	Bus from Valletta, 40 min	Temples on cliffs above the sea; solstice alignments.
Gozo (Cittadella, Ġgantija, Dwejra)	Island	Ferry from Ċirkewwa, 25 min	Slower pace, walks and the best diving.
Comino and the Blue Lagoon	Island and lagoon	Boat from Ċirkewwa, Mġarr or Sliema	Turquoise water; go early or late to avoid crowds.
Blue Grotto	Sea caves	Bus to Wied iż-Żurrieq, then boat	Boat trips into lit caves, calm mornings only.
Marsaxlokk →	Fishing village	Bus from Valletta, 30 min	Sunday fish market and seafood lunches.
Dingli Cliffs	Coast walk	Bus via Rabat	Highest cliffs on the island; sunset walks.
Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa	Beaches	Bus from Valletta, 1 h	Sandy bays on the quieter west coast.

Show all 10 placesShow fewer

See

By theme, not by list

The Knights' capital

St John's Co-Cathedral (Caravaggio) · Valletta
Upper Barrakka Gardens and saluting battery · Valletta
Fort St Elmo and National War Museum · Valletta
Grandmaster's Palace · Valletta

The noon gun fires from the Saluting Battery; go to St John's at opening to see the Caravaggios quietly.

Prehistoric temples

Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum · Paola
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra · South coast
Ġgantija · Gozo
Tarxien Temples · Tarxien

Book the Hypogeum first; the Multisite Pass covers the other temples.

Fortified towns

Mdina and the Rabat catacombs · Central Malta
Birgu and Fort St Angelo · Three Cities
Cittadella · Victoria, Gozo

Mdina empties after 17:00; stay for sunset on the bastions.Mdina empties after 5:00 PM; stay for sunset on the bastions.

Do

Where, when, what it costs

Activity	Where	Best months	Cost (2026 estimate)	Verdict
Diving and snorkelling	Gozo (Blue Hole, Inland Sea), Comino, wrecks off Malta	All year; best May–Nov	Shore dive €40–60 (≈ US$50–70); courses €400 (≈ US$500)+	Clear water and easy shore entries; one of Europe's best dive destinations.
Coastal walking	Gozo's coast, Dingli Cliffs, Majjistral park	Oct–May	Free	Winter and spring walking is the local secret; summer is too hot.
Boat trips	Comino, Blue Grotto, harbour cruises	Apr–Oct	€20–60 (≈ US$25–70)	Choose small operators and early departures.
Festas	Every parish, June–September	Weekends	Free	Band marches, fireworks and street food; check the parish calendar.
Rock climbing and kayaking	Gozo, Comino	Oct–Jun	€50–90 (≈ US$60–110) guided	Sea-cliff climbing and cave kayaking with local outfitters.
Film locations	Popeye Village, Fort Ricasoli, Mdina	All year	€15–25 (≈ US$18–30)	Game of Thrones and Gladiator sets; fun if you know the films.

Connect the cities

Ready-made routes, the route builder and the legs between cities

Open Connect the citiesClose Connect the cities4 partsItineraries · Route builder · Routes · Between cities

Itineraries by length

Nights per stop (the number after each place); fly the long legs

Malta is small: two bases at most. Add Sicily or Rome for longer trips.

7 days

Malta and Gozo

Valletta → Mdina, Three Cities and temples by bus → Gozo

Valletta5n
Gozo2n

Comino by boat from Gozo; Hypogeum booked before arrival.

10 days

Sicily and Malta

Catania → Taormina and Etna → Syracuse → Pozzallo ferry → Valletta

Taormina or Catania3n
Syracuse2n
Valletta5n

Fly into Catania and home from Malta; the ferry is 1 h 45 from Pozzallo.

14 days

Rome and Malta

Rome (Vatican) → fly → Valletta → Gozo

One flight links the two; winter makes this a mild-weather city-and-sea trip.

Build a route

Days and interests in, cities, nights, transfers and cost out

Days in Malta

Interests (optional)

Based on: Sicily and Malta (10 days, itineraries by length)

Taormina or Catania3 nights
Transfer not on file yet: check the A-to-B tool.
Syracuse2 nights
Transfer not on file yet: check the A-to-B tool.
Valletta5 nights

Fly into Catania and home from Malta; the ferry is 1 h 45 from Pozzallo.

Open the trip planner

What this route costs

StyleTravelers

Taormina or Catania3 nights€1,000≈ US$1,200
Syracuse2 nights€650≈ US$750
Valletta5 nights · city prices€1,900≈ US$2,500

Total, 2 travelers

€3,500≈ US$4,500

Per person per day: €180≈ US$250

2026 estimate (check): rooms for two, food, local transport and sights; international flights, visas and insurance excluded. Tweak it in the budget calculator.

Routes that work

Nights per city

Valletta only, 5 nights

VallettaLand MLA; Three Cities by ferry, Mdina one afternoon, Gozo as a long day-trip

One bed; buses and harbour ferries do the rest. Book the Hypogeum before you fly.

Sleep in Valletta for history and evenings, or Sliema/St Julian's for the seafront and more restaurants; the harbour ferries connect them.
The Gozo ferry leaves from Ċirkewwa at the northern tip; there is also a fast ferry from Valletta.
Buses cover the whole island but are slow in traffic; use ride-hailing for evenings and airport runs.
Visit Comino's Blue Lagoon early or late; midday boats in summer are packed.
Book the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum well ahead: daily entries are very limited.
Add Malta to Sicily by the Pozzallo fast ferry, or to Rome by a 1 h 30 flight; it is not on any rail line.
Plan swims for May–October; winter is mild for sightseeing but the sea is cool and many boat trips stop.

Getting between cities

Door to door, fastest first · 2026 estimate, check fares

Between	Fastest	Other ways
Valletta to Sliema	Ferry / boat · about 5 minAbout €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)Harbour ferries	Bus / van · 30 min–40 min	All options →
Valletta to Mdina	Bus / van · about 30 min€2–3 (≈ US$3–4) single, fare by season — checkPublic bus (Tallinja)	—	All options →
Valletta to Marsaxlokk	Bus / van · about 1 hBus about 40 minutes	—	All options →

How each mode works here Any two places: A-to-B Is a rail pass worth it?

This month

Weather and crowds by month

Open This monthClose This month2 partsYear at a glance · Climate

Year at a glance

Every month in one list: how it rates, how busy and pricey it is, and which holidays land in it.

Busiest or big holidays: Mar, Apr, Jun–Sep

Jan
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low
- New Year's Day (low impact)
Feb
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low
- St Paul's Shipwreck (medium impact)
Mar
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Good Friday and Easter (high impact)
- St Joseph (low impact)
- Freedom Day (low impact)
Apr
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Good Friday and Easter (high impact)
May
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
- Workers' Day (low impact)
Jun
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high
- Mnarja (Sts Peter and Paul) (medium impact)
- Sette Giugno (low impact)
Jul
CautionCrowds: highPrices: high
Aug
CautionCrowds: highPrices: high
- Santa Marija (high impact)
Sep
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high
- Victory Day (Our Lady of Victories) (medium impact)
- Independence Day (medium impact)
Oct
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium
Nov
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low
Dec
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: medium
- Christmas (medium impact)
- Immaculate Conception (low impact)
- Republic Day (low impact)

Climate by region and month

When each region works

Zone	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Malta and Gozo (land)Valletta, Mdina, Sliema, Victoria	cool	cool	ok	best	best	best	hot	hot	best	best	ok	cool
Sea and divingComino, Gozo dive sites, Għadira, St Peter's Pool	cool	cool	cool	ok	ok	best	best	best	best	best	ok	cool

best: dry, mildok: workablecool: jacket, greyhot: short walking windows

Malta and Gozo (land): Mild, wet-ish winters (14–17 °C (57–63 °F) by day) and dry hot summers (30–35 °C (86–95 °F)) with humidity; the sirocco can bring dusty, hot days in spring and autumn.Mild, wet-ish winters (57–63 °F (14–17 °C) by day) and dry hot summers (86–95 °F (30–35 °C)) with humidity; the sirocco can bring dusty, hot days in spring and autumn.
Sea and diving: Sea is 15 °C (59 °F) in winter and 26–27 °C (79–81 °F) in August; diving runs all year with a wetsuit; boats cancel in strong gregale (north-east) winds.Sea is 59 °F (15 °C) in winter and 79–81 °F (26–27 °C) in August; diving runs all year with a wetsuit; boats cancel in strong gregale (north-east) winds.

April–June and September–October are the sweet spots; July–August are hot, crowded and priced at peak; winter is quiet and fine for sightseeing, not swimming.

Cost

What a day costs, and how to pay

Open CostClose Cost4 partsMoney at a glance · Daily budget · Costs · Money & passes

Money at a glance

Cash or card, ATMs, a day's spend, tipping

Currency and cash

Euro (EUR, €)

Card-friendly; small cash for markets

Cash or card

Cards work in most restaurants and shops; carry cash for kiosks, village bars and some boat trips.

ATMs

At ATMs choose to be charged in euros; standalone cash machines in St Julian's charge extra fees.

A day, per person

Budget€63–118 (≈ US$75–140)
Mid-range€145–280 (≈ US$170–350)
Comfort€330–770 (≈ US$400–900)

Per person per day, bed included

What that covers ↓

Tipping

Restaurant: 5–10% if service is not included.
Café: Leave small change.
Taxi or ride-hail: Round up.
Boat crew or dive guide: €5–10 (≈ US$6–12) for good service.

Also

Tipping of 5–10% is usual in restaurants when service is not included.

Money & passes Card, cash or ATM: the cheapest way to pay Tipping calculator

Budget per day, per person

2026 estimate · converted to your currency · totals include a bed

Per person per day, sharing a room at mid and comfort. Flights not included. 2026 estimate; July–August and Easter cost more.

Tier	Bed	Food	Transport	Sights	Extras	Total, bed included
BudgetDorm, pastizzi and ftira, buses, one site	€25–45 (≈ US$30–55)	€20–35 (≈ US$25–45)	€3–8 (≈ US$4–10)	€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)	€5–10 (≈ US$6–12)	€63–118 (≈ US$75–140)
Mid-range3–4★ hotel, restaurants, ferries and a boat trip	€60–120 (≈ US$70–140)	€45–75 (≈ US$55–90)	€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)	€20–40 (≈ US$25–50)	€10–25 (≈ US$12–30)	€145–280 (≈ US$170–350)
ComfortBoutique or 5★ hotel, fine dining, private boat or driver	€150–350 (≈ US$180–450)	€90–180 (≈ US$110–250)	€30–80 (≈ US$35–95)	€40–100 (≈ US$50–120)	€20–60 (≈ US$25–70)	€330–770 (≈ US$400–900)

Costs per day

Per person, 2026 estimate

Budget

€65–95 (≈ US$80–120)

Hostel dorm in Sliema or St Julian's, pastizzi and ftira, buses.

Per person per day · Includes a bed

Mid-range

€130–220 (≈ US$160–300)

3–4★ hotel (double shared), restaurant dinners, Gozo ferry and a boat trip, two sights.

Per person per day · Includes a bed

Comfort

€300–550 (≈ US$350–650)

Boutique Valletta palazzo hotel or 5★ seafront, fine dining, private boat or driver.

Per person per day · Includes a bed

Typical price	Amount
Pastizz (ricotta or pea)	€0.60–1 (≈ US$1–2)
Ftira sandwich	€4–7 (≈ US$5–9)
St John's Co-Cathedral	€15 (≈ US$18) — check
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum	€35–50 (≈ US$45–60) depending on booking time — check
Gozo ferry (foot passenger, return)	About €5 (≈ US$6) — check
Cisk beer in a bar	€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
Environmental contribution	€1.50 (≈ US$2) per adult per night from 1 July 2026 (€0.50 (≈ under US$1) before), capped per stay — check

2026 estimate. July–August and Easter lift room prices by 30–60%; Gozo farmhouses are good value for groups.

Budget calculator

DaysTravellersStyleInternal flights

Beds1 room × 10 nights€1,100(≈ US$1,300)
Food and drink2 × 10 days€1,200(≈ US$1,400)
Local transport2 × 10 days€300(≈ US$350)
Sights and tours2 × 10 days€600(≈ US$700)
Flight from Rome or the Pozzallo fast ferry, one way2 × 1€180(≈ US$250)

Trip total, 2 travellers

€3,500(≈ US$4,000)

Per person per day: €170(≈ US$200)

2026 estimate. Beds priced per room for two; international flights, insurance and visas excluded. The eco-contribution sits on the bed line; the Hypogeum and boat trips on the sights line.

Money & passes

Cash necessity: 2/5 (5 means cash for most things)

Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Cards work in most restaurants and shops; carry cash for kiosks, village bars and some boat trips.
Tipping of 5–10% is usual in restaurants when service is not included.
Pastizzi, ftira and bus fares are cheap; restaurant meals in Valletta and St Julian's are priced like southern Europe's cities.
At ATMs choose to be charged in euros; standalone cash machines in St Julian's charge extra fees.

Heritage Malta Multisite Pass (about €50 adult — check)

Entry to most state museums and temples (Ħaġar Qim, Ġgantija, Fort St Elmo, Mdina's museums) for 30 days; worth it at four or more sites. The Hypogeum is not included.

Tallinja Explore card (7 days unlimited buses, about €25 — check)

Unlimited buses across Malta and Gozo; pays off after ten or so rides.

Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry · Money and cards

Getting in

Before you go, entry rules and the first day

Open Getting inClose Getting in5 partsBefore you go · Arrive · Entry · Documents · First 24 hours

Before you go

Dated steps for your passport

What to sort, and by when, before a trip to Malta. Pick your passport and flight date; everything else follows.

My passportI fly on

Add your flight date to turn “weeks before” into dates.

No arrival card
No arrival card. EES fingerprints and face photo at Malta International if it is your first Schengen entry; flights from Italy and other Schengen states land without passport control.
No visa needed: 90 in any 180 (whole Schengen area)
Visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 across all 29 Schengen countries combined. Border police can ask for a return or onward ticket, accommodation and proof of funds; airlines from outside Europe may check the return ticket.
Entry rules Identità — visas (Government of Malta) ↗

Passport valid long enough
90 days before
Non-EU passports must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid at least 3 months beyond the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
Passport check
Travel insurance
30 days before
Dive centres ask for your card and a medical questionnaire.
Insurance check
Vaccines and medicines
30 days before
Some vaccines need weeks or two doses; carry prescriptions in their boxes.
Health Medicine rules
Driving permit (only if you drive)(optional)
30 days before
EU and UK licences valid; others should carry an International Driving Permit.
Driving abroad
eSIM or roaming
2 weeks before
Travel eSIMs work on unlocked phones; coverage is good on Gozo and Comino.
eSIM finder
Cards and cash
2 weeks before
Card-friendly; small cash for markets (cash need 2/5). At ATMs choose to be charged in euros; standalone cash machines in St Julian's charge extra fees.
Money & ATMs
Pack a plug adapter (type G)
7 days before
Sockets here: type G. US plugs need an adapter. Mains is 230 V against 120 V at home: phone and laptop chargers cope (check the label says 100–240 V); hair dryers and straighteners usually do not.
Packing list

Lead times are Voykit's safe margins, not official deadlines (check the official portal). The full countdown with calendar reminders: Before-you-go countdown · Passport check.

Arrive

MLA

Malta International (Luqa)

The only airport; bus, taxi or ride-hailing to Valletta and Sliema

Entry: visas and borders

2026 rules — confirm on the official portal

Malta applies the common Schengen rules. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens need an ID card; visa-exempt visitors get 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area; everyone else needs a Schengen visa. In 2026 the change is EES biometric registration at the first Schengen border (often Malta airport itself), with ETIAS expected to follow.

My passport

Visa-free90 in any 180 (whole Schengen area)

Visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 across all 29 Schengen countries combined.

Cost: Free; ETIAS €20 once it starts — check
Form to fill: Nothing before arrival in 2026 unless ETIAS has started; EES biometrics at the first Schengen border.
Arrival card: No arrival card. EES fingerprints and face photo at Malta International if it is your first Schengen entry; flights from Italy and other Schengen states land without passport control.
Passport: Non-EU passports must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid at least 3 months beyond the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
Onward ticket: Border police can ask for a return or onward ticket, accommodation and proof of funds; airlines from outside Europe may check the return ticket.

Days in Italy before or after Malta count against the same 90.

Identità — visas (Government of Malta) ↗

Who	Rule	Stay	Watch
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens	Free movement with an ID card or passport	Unlimited as a visitor	Longer stays need registration with Identità.
Visa-exempt passports (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and about 60 others)	No visa; EES at first Schengen entry; ETIAS expected from late 2026 — check	90 days in any 180 across Schengen	Malta has a large English-language-school market: study stays over 90 days need a national visa.
Visa-required passports	Schengen C visa via a Maltese consulate or visa centre	As printed on the visa	Appointments can be scarce; apply early.

By land and river

Crossing	To / from	Mode	Visa there	Trap
Pozzallo (Sicily) – Valletta	Italy	Virtu Ferries fast catamaran, about 1 h 45	Schengen internal; carry ID	Rough-sea cancellations, especially October–April; cars must be booked ahead.
Catania (Sicily) – Valletta	Italy	Seasonal fast ferry, about 3 h — check	Schengen internal	Season and timetable vary year to year.
Ċirkewwa – Mġarr (Gozo)	Malta – Gozo (domestic)	Gozo Channel car ferry, 25 min, round the clock	None	You pay on the way back from Gozo; summer Sunday evening queues for cars.
Valletta – Mġarr (Gozo) fast ferry	Malta – Gozo (domestic)	Foot-passenger fast ferry, about 45 min	None	Book at weekends in summer; cancels in strong winds.

EES has been fully in force since 10 April 2026: first entry via Malta airport takes longer; passports are no longer stamped.
ETIAS is not live on any date we can promise: the EU has announced a start in the last quarter of 2026 with a transition period. Apply only on travel-europe.europa.eu once it opens; the fee is €20.
Malta is a Schengen external sea border for arrivals from Libya and North Africa; ferries from Sicily are internal.

Documents checklist

Tick as you go; saved in this browser

0/6 ready

Passport or EU/EEA ID cardbefore bookingIssued within 10 years and valid 3 months beyond your planned exit from Schengen for non-EU visitors.
Schengen visa (if required)15 days to 6 months before travelFrom a Maltese consulate or visa centre, or from the Schengen state of your main destination. Official site ↗
ETIAS (visa-exempt visitors, once live)before flying — check start date€20, valid 3 years; only on the EU site. Official site ↗
Hypogeum ticketweeks to months aheadTimed slots on the Heritage Malta site sell out. Official site ↗
Dive certification and insurancebefore divingDive centres ask for your card and a medical questionnaire.
Driving licenceif you hire a carEU and UK licences valid; others should carry an International Driving Permit.

First 24 hours

Tick these before you leave the airport

Most first-day trouble in Malta is a slow bus from the airport or heat on the first afternoon.

Airport transfer: Express bus X4 to Valletta or X2 to Sliema — check routes — or the fixed-fare taxi kiosk or Bolt.
Clear fares; 15–30 minutes.
Avoid: Unmarked drivers offering rides.
Bus card: Buy a Tallinja Explore card if you will ride often.
Cheaper than singles.
Adapter: Get a UK plug adapter before you land.
Type G sockets.
Bookings: Confirm the Hypogeum slot and Gozo ferry times.
Hypogeum sells out; fast ferries fill.
Heat: Plan the first afternoon indoors or by the sea.
Temples and bastions have little shade.

Getting around

Modes, times and the clock

Open Getting aroundClose Getting around2 partsGet around · Local time

Get around

Door-to-door, 2026 estimate

Mode	Valletta → Gozo	Cost	Use it when	What breaks
Public bus (Tallinja)	Valletta–Mdina 30 min; Valletta–Ċirkewwa 1 h–1 h 30	€2–3 (≈ US$3–4) single, fare by season — check	Covers everything from the Valletta terminus; cheap and frequent.	Slow in traffic; full buses in summer skip stops.
Harbour ferries	Valletta–Sliema 5–10 min; Valletta–Three Cities 10 min	About €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)	The fastest way across the harbours.	Last sailings in the evening; check winter hours.
Gozo ferries	Ċirkewwa–Mġarr 25 min; Valletta fast ferry 45 min	About €5 (≈ US$6) foot passenger return; fast ferry about €7.50 (≈ US$9) one way — check	Day-trips or two nights on Gozo.	Fast ferry sells out on summer weekends.
Ride-hailing and taxis (Bolt, Uber, eCabs)	Airport–Valletta 15–20 min	€10–25 (≈ US$12–30) across the island	Evenings, airport runs and awkward cross-island trips.	Surge pricing on festa nights and in Paceville.
Hire car	End to end in about 1 h	€25–60 (≈ US$30–70) a day	Only for Gozo or for rural corners; not for Valletta or Sliema.	Left-hand driving, aggressive traffic and almost no parking in towns.
Boat trips	Half or full day to Comino and the caves	€20–60 (≈ US$25–70)	The way to reach Comino and see the coast.	Operators pack boats in summer; go early.

Local time

What time it is there now, compared with the clock on your device.

Valletta
…
Checking your clock…Europe/Malta

Practical

Money rules, safety, holidays, health, phones and phrases

Open PracticalClose Practical15 partsNext 90 days · Holidays · Safety & health · Safety · Safety by region · Health · Scams · Emergency card · Practical · Connect · Talk · Survival phrases · Cope · Learn & work · Who travels

Holidays in the next 90 days

What closes, sells out or costs more

Dec 8
in 37 days
Immaculate ConceptionMinor
Dec 8
Public holiday; Cospicua festa.
Dec 13
in 42 days
Republic DayMinor
Dec 13
Offices closed.
Dec 25
in 54 days
ChristmasSome impact
Dec 25
Cribs and midnight Mass; many restaurants closed.
Jan 1
in 61 days
New Year's DayMinor
Jan 1
Fireworks in Valletta the night before.

The full holiday list Holidays on your dates Festivals by month

Holidays and festivals

Operational effect, not a calendar

When	What	Impact	What it does to a trip
8 Sep	Victory Day (Our Lady of Victories)	medium	Regatta in the Grand Harbour; festas in Senglea, Naxxar and Mellieħa.
21 Sep	Independence Day	medium	Offices closed; ceremonies in Floriana.
8 Dec	Immaculate Conception	low	Public holiday; Cospicua festa.
13 Dec	Republic Day	low	Offices closed.
25 Dec	Christmas	medium	Cribs and midnight Mass; many restaurants closed.
1 Jan	New Year's Day	low	Fireworks in Valletta the night before.
10 Feb	St Paul's Shipwreck	medium	Procession in Valletta; offices closed.
19 Mar	St Joseph	low	Public holiday; Rabat festa.
31 Mar	Freedom Day	low	Marks the 1979 departure of British forces; ceremony in Birgu.
Good Friday (26 Mar 2027 — moves yearly)	Good Friday and Easter	high	Processions across Malta and Gozo; some sites shut.
1 May	Workers' Day	low	Offices closed.
7 Jun	Sette Giugno	low	Commemorates the 1919 riots.
29 Jun	Mnarja (Sts Peter and Paul)	medium	All-night folk festival in Buskett woods near Rabat.
15 Aug	Santa Marija	high	Festas in several villages and Victoria; ferries to Gozo packed.

Show all 14 datesShow fewer

Safety and health at a glance

Advice, risky areas, water, shots, numbers, scams

Emergency numbers

Where to take care

5/5 for a careful visitor · Low crime; the risks are the sea, the sun and the roads.

medium Paceville (St Julian's) · Drunken fights, drink spiking and taxi disputes on weekend nights.
medium Coastal walks and cliffs · Unfenced drops at Dingli and Dwejra; strong currents off rocky shores.

Tap water

Tap water is safe but tastes of desalination; bottled or filtered water is normal in homes and restaurants. Tap water by country

Health

Main risks: Sun and heat, Jellyfish, Sea and cliffs, Diving.

Top scams

1. Overpriced Blue Lagoon boats and sunbeds · Compare the licensed operators' posted prices; bring your own shade — sunbed rentals on Comino are controversial and capped.
2. Unmetered taxi fares · Use the airport's fixed-fare kiosk or a ride-hailing app with the price shown upfront.
3. Drink spiking and inflated bar bills · Watch your drink; avoid bars with touts pulling people in.

Safety Stay healthy Emergency card Scam spotter Health check

Safety

Summer heat and strong sun: swim early, carry water and use shade in the afternoon.
Sea conditions change quickly around rocky coasts; swim at marked spots and watch the flags.
Traffic comes from the right when you cross the road; look both ways.
Emergency: 112 (the EU number) works everywhere.
Paceville nightlife in St Julian's sees fights and drink spiking on weekend nights; keep drinks in sight.

Malta is a short flight from Sicily, Rome and most European hubs, and a fast ferry links Valletta with Pozzallo in Sicily.

What four governments say

Comparison not available yet for this country

Read each government's own advice: US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australia Smartraveller, Canada Travel Advice.

Strikes and disruptions

Official notices for the next 90 days. Open the full calendar.

No official-source strike or disruption notices for the next 90 days

That is not a promise that nothing is planned. This calendar lists only what a government or a public authority has published. Check US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australia Smartraveller, Canada Travel Advice and the transport operator for your dates.

Safety by region

Risk to a careful visitor, not a crime index

Malta is among the safest countries in Europe; the sea, sun and traffic are the realistic risks.

Region	Risk	What to watch
Valletta and the Grand Harbour	low	Steep stairs, traffic on the approach roads; very low crime.
Paceville (St Julian's)	medium	Drunken fights, drink spiking and taxi disputes on weekend nights.
Gozo and Comino	low	Rough seas and cliff edges; crowds at the Blue Lagoon.
Coastal walks and cliffs	medium	Unfenced drops at Dingli and Dwejra; strong currents off rocky shores.

Stay healthy

Risk	Where / when	Do this
Tap water	Everywhere	Safe but desalinated and salty-tasting; most people drink bottled or filtered water.
Sun and heat	Everywhere, June–September	Little shade on the coast and in the temples; hat, water and sunscreen.
Jellyfish	Beaches in summer	Watch for warning flags; vinegar or seawater on stings, not fresh water.
Sea and cliffs	Rocky coasts, Dingli cliffs, Blue Lagoon crossings	Swim at lifeguarded beaches in rough seas; do not jump from cliffs without local knowledge.
Diving	Gozo and Comino	Use licensed dive centres; Gozo has a hyperbaric chamber at the general hospital.
Medical costs	Everywhere	EU/EEA visitors use the EHIC, UK visitors the GHIC at public health centres and Mater Dei Hospital; others need insurance.

Scams and overcharges

Trap	Where	Defence
Overpriced Blue Lagoon boats and sunbeds	Comino, Ċirkewwa and Sliema touts	Compare the licensed operators' posted prices; bring your own shade — sunbed rentals on Comino are controversial and capped.
Unmetered taxi fares	Airport and Paceville	Use the airport's fixed-fare kiosk or a ride-hailing app with the price shown upfront.
Drink spiking and inflated bar bills	Paceville, St Julian's	Watch your drink; avoid bars with touts pulling people in.
Fake EES or ETIAS 'registration' sites	Search ads and email	EES is free at the border; ETIAS only on travel-europe.europa.eu when it opens.
Timeshare and 'free gift' promoters	Bugibba and Qawra seafront	Walk on; the gift is a sales presentation.

Emergency card

Numbers, disasters, who to call

Malta emergency numbers — screenshot this card

112

Emergency (police, ambulance, fire)

21 22 40 01

Police (non-emergency)

112

Armed Forces of Malta (sea rescue)

21 56 16 00

Gozo General Hospital

Natural and on-the-ground hazards

Hazard	When / where	Do this
Heat	Jun–Sep	Plan temples and walks for mornings; carry water.
Rough seas	Autumn–spring, gregale winds	Ferries and boat trips cancel; do not swim off rocks in big seas.
Flash floods	Sep–Dec storms	Some roads (e.g. in Birkirkara and Msida) flood quickly; avoid valley roads in downpours.

Alerts and apps

112 Malta app (location and text to emergency services — check).
Your embassy's registration service.

Police, embassies, paperwork

Mater Dei Hospital near Msida is the main hospital; Gozo General Hospital in Victoria.
Report theft at the nearest police station; insurers need the report.

Insurer and 24-hour linePolicy numberWhere I'm staying

Kept only in this browser; nothing is sent anywhere.

Emergency card · Malta

My passport: — · find my embassy
Insurance: —
Staying at: —

Hospitals with emergency care

Mater Dei Hospital · Msida, about 10 minutes by taxi, Valletta
Floriana Health Centre (check) · Floriana, Valletta

Emergency numbers, every country

Practical

Plugs, water, tips, hours

Gtype

230 V · 50 Hz

UK three-pin sockets; bring a UK adapter.

Tap water: Tap water is safe but tastes of desalination; bottled or filtered water is normal in homes and restaurants.
Toilets: Public toilets at bus termini and main squares, some paid (€0.50); cafés and museums otherwise.
Weekly closing days: Many museums close on public holidays and some on Mondays; village shops close for lunch and on Sunday; boat trips and some Gozo restaurants reduce hours November–March.

Tipping by situation

Situation	What locals do
Restaurant	5–10% if service is not included.
Café	Leave small change.
Taxi or ride-hail	Round up.
Boat crew or dive guide	€5–10 for good service.

Opening hours

What	Typical hours	Watch
Shops	Mon–Sat 09:00–13:00 and 16:00–19:00; malls open all dayMon–Sat 9:00 AM–1:00 PM and 4:00 PM–7:00 PM; malls open all day	Sunday closures outside tourist areas.
Restaurants	Lunch 12:00–15:00, dinner 19:00–22:30Lunch 12:00 PM–3:00 PM, dinner 7:00 PM–10:30 PM	Book Valletta restaurants at weekends.
Museums and sites	09:00–17:00 (summer later)9:00 AM–5:00 PM (summer later)	Last entry 30 min before closing; Hypogeum by slot only.
Churches	Mornings and late afternoon	St John's closes to visitors on Sunday and during services.

Connect

GO, Epic and Melita sell prepaid SIMs at the airport and in shops; ID required.
EU and EEA SIMs roam at home prices; UK SIMs depend on the operator.
Travel eSIMs work on unlocked phones; coverage is good on Gozo and Comino.

Tallinja (public buses)Bolt, Uber or eCabs (ride-hailing)Google MapsA banking or card app with travel notificationsGozo Channel and Virtu Ferries (ferry times and tickets)

Post: MaltaPost offices in towns; red British-era postboxes still in use.
Wi-Fi: Free in hotels, cafés and many public squares (WiFi Malta hotspots).
Blocked services: None of note.
Numbers: Country code +356; eight-digit numbers, mobiles start with 7 or 9.

Talk

Maltese and English are both official, and English is used on signs, menus and in business, so language is rarely an obstacle. Maltese is a Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet with many Italian and English loanwords; locals switch between the three mid-sentence.

Useful words: bonġu (good morning), grazzi (thank you), jekk jogħġbok (please), saħħa (goodbye/cheers).
Maltese letters ċ, ġ, ħ and ż matter in place names: Ħaġar Qim is 'haj-ar eem'.
Italian is widely understood thanks to Italian television.

Survival phrases

8 phrases · tap one to show it full screen

Translate a sign or menu Diet and allergy card

Cope

Embassies, laundry, lockers, media, lost things

Embassies: The US, UK, Australia, Canada (consulate) and EU states are in Valletta, Ta' Xbiex or Attard.
Pharmacies: Green cross signs; Sunday rota pharmacies listed in newspapers and online.
Clinics: Public health centres and Mater Dei Hospital; private clinics in Sliema and St Julian's.
Media: Times of Malta and Malta Independent in English.
Laundry: Self-service launderettes in Sliema and St Julian's.

Learn and work

Study, teaching, working holidays

English courses: Malta is a major English-language-school destination; courses from one week.
Study visa: Non-EU students on courses over 90 days need a national visa and residence permit.
Diving courses: PADI and SSI courses at dozens of centres, especially on Gozo.

Working legally

Route	Who	The rule	Watch
Nomad Residence Permit	Remote workers for non-Maltese employers or clients	One-year permit, renewable, with an income threshold of about €42,000 a year — check.	Apply through Residency Malta; health insurance required.
Employment	Non-EU nationals with a job offer	Single permit via Identità.	Processing takes weeks.
EU citizens	EU/EEA/Swiss	Free to work; register for an e-ID card.	Rents are high.

Travellers with specific needs

Short and factual

Traveller	On the ground	Do this
Solo women	Safe and English-speaking; Paceville at night is the one place to take care.	Ride-hailing home after nights out.
LGBTQ+	Malta ranks at the top of European LGBTQ+ equality indexes; same-sex marriage since 2017.	Pride in September; St Julian's and Valletta have gay-friendly venues.
Families	Short distances, sandy beaches in the north and English everywhere.	Għadira and Golden Bay for kids; Popeye Village in Mellieħa.
Wheelchair users	Valletta is steep with stepped streets; buses are low-floor.	The Upper Barrakka lift links Valletta to the harbour ferries; ask Heritage Malta about accessible sites.
Older travellers	Popular winter destination for older Europeans; mild climate and English.	Choose a seafront hotel in Sliema for flat walks.

Culture and food

Rules, manners, what to eat, where to sleep and what to buy

Open Culture and foodClose Culture and food6 partsRules · Respect & laws · Eat · Drink · Sleep · Buy

Country rules

Inherited by every page below

Malta is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
Traffic drives on the left; if you hire a car, expect narrow roads, heavy traffic and limited parking in the towns.
Sockets are the UK three-pin type (Type G); bring the right adapter.
Every licensed stay adds an environmental contribution per adult per night (€1.50 from 1 July 2026, capped per stay — check), collected by the hotel or host.

Etiquette

Cover shoulders and knees in churches, including St John's Co-Cathedral.
Malta is strongly Catholic; festas and Holy Week processions are religious events first.
English is an official language; locals also speak Maltese.
Beachwear stays at the beach; walking through towns in swimwear draws stares and, in some places, fines.

Holy Week and Easter: Processions in towns and villages; some sites close.
June–September (village festas): Weekend feasts with fireworks and band marches; streets close and buses divert.
Aug 15 (Santa Marija): Public holiday at the summer peak; ferries and beaches are full.
Carnival (February, before Lent): Floats and parades in Valletta and Nadur on Gozo; rooms fill that weekend.

Respect and laws that surprise

What gets visitors fined, refused or arrested

Topic	The rule	What happens
Religious sites	Shoulders and knees covered; no photos during Mass.	Refused entry at St John's and most parish churches.
Swimwear in town	Swimwear and bare chests are for beaches and lidos; local councils fine it in some town centres.	Fines and refused service.
Cannabis	Adults may carry up to 7 g for personal use since 2021; smoking in public or near children is illegal; selling outside licensed associations is a crime.	Fines; prosecution for supply.
Other drugs	Illegal; trafficking penalties are severe.	Prison.
Protected sites	Do not climb megalithic temples, take stones or fly drones over them.	Fines under heritage law.
Driving	Left-hand traffic; drink-drive limit 0.5 g/L (0.2 for new drivers).	Fines and licence loss.
Abortion law	Among Europe's strictest; relevant for pregnant travellers seeking care.	Legal restrictions on medical options.

Everyday manners

Situation	Do	Avoid
Greeting	A handshake; 'bonġu' or good morning	Assuming Malta is 'like Italy' or 'like Britain' — it is its own country
Churches	Dress modestly and keep quiet	Flash photos during services
Festas	Join the crowds and street food	Standing in front of the band or statue procession
Politics	Listen	Taking sides between Labour and Nationalist supporters in public
Driving	Expect sudden stops and narrow lanes	Road rage — it escalates fast

Eat

Regional food, diets, allergy card

Maltese food mixes Sicilian, Arab and British habits: rabbit stew, flaky pastizzi, fish in season, sheep's cheese from Gozo and heavy bread. Street snacks are cheap; restaurant menus lean Italian. Sunday lunch is the big family meal, and festa weekends bring nougat and fried dough to the streets.

Region	Style	Order this
Valletta and the harbour	Wine bars, pastizzerias and modern Maltese restaurants	Pastizzi, ftira, rabbit, local wine
Marsaxlokk and the south	Fish restaurants by the harbour	Lampuki (Sep–Dec), aljotta, grilled fish
Gozo	Farm produce and sheep's cheese	Ġbejniet, Gozitan ftira pizza, honey

Dish finder

Region

Diet

12 of 12 dishes

PastizziNationwide
pastizzi
Flaky diamond-shaped pastries filled with ricotta or mushy peas; the national snack.
Any time · Usually has milk, egg · vegetarian version common
Rabbit stewNationwide
stuffat tal-fenek
Rabbit braised in red wine, garlic and tomato; the national dish, often fried first (fenkata).
Dinner · No meat or fish in the usual version
FtiraNationwide
ftira
Ring-shaped bread filled with tuna, tomatoes, capers and olives.
Lunch · Usually has fish/seafood · vegetarian version exists — ask
Ħobż biż-żejtNationwide
ħobż biż-żejt
Bread rubbed with tomato paste and oil, topped with tuna, capers and onion.
Snack, beach · Usually has fish/seafood · vegetarian version exists — ask
Lampuki pieNationwide
torta tal-lampuki
Pie of dorado fish with spinach, olives and raisins, made in autumn.
Sep–Dec · Usually has fish/seafood
TimpanaNationwide
timpana
Baked macaroni with meat sauce and egg inside a pastry case.
Sunday lunch · Usually has beef, pork, egg, milk
Beef olivesNationwide
bragioli
Thin beef slices rolled around bacon, egg and breadcrumbs, braised in sauce.
Dinner · Usually has beef, pork, egg
ĠbejnietGozo
ġbejniet
Small sheep's cheeses, fresh, dried or peppered.
Antipasto · Usually has milk · vegetarian version common
AljottaCoast
aljotta
Garlicky fish soup with tomato and rice.
Lunch · Usually has fish/seafood, fish stock or sauce
KapunataNationwide
kapunata
Maltese ratatouille of aubergine, peppers, capers and olives.
Side dish · No meat or fish in the usual version · vegetarian version common
QassatatNationwide
qassatat
Round pastries filled with ricotta, peas or spinach and anchovies.
Snack · Usually has milk, egg · vegetarian version exists — ask
ImqaretNationwide
imqaret
Deep-fried pastry filled with dates and aniseed; festa street food.
Dessert · No meat or fish in the usual version · vegetarian version common

Tags describe the usual recipe, not every kitchen. Stocks and sauces hide animal products: ask, or show the allergy card below.

Table manners

Pastizzi are eaten standing at a pastizzeria counter, usually with tea or Kinnie.
Sunday lunch is long and family-centred; book restaurants.
Ask for the bill; service may be added on the bill in touristy places.

Allergy / diet card — show it, do not say it

Jien allerġiku/a għal ___. Dan l-ikel fih ___?

“I am allergic to ___. Does this food contain ___?”

Peanuts: karawett
Tree nuts: ġewż u lewż
Shellfish: frott tal-baħar
Fish: ħut
Egg: bajd
Milk: ħalib
Wheat / gluten: qamħ / glutina
Meat: laħam

Diets: the reality

Diet	On the ground	Do this
Vegetarian	Workable: pastizzi, kapunata, ġbejniet and Italian dishes; stocks and fish hide in some.	Ask about tuna in ftira and anchovies in qassatat.
Vegan	Growing in Valletta and St Julian's; hard in villages.	Pea pastizzi use a pastry that may contain lard or butter — ask.
Halal	Halal butchers and restaurants around Paola and in St Julian's.	Turkish and North African restaurants are the easiest option.
Gluten-free	Awareness is good; many restaurants offer gluten-free pasta.	Pastries and bread are wheat-based.
Nut and shellfish allergy	EU allergen rules apply; English makes it easy to ask.	Nougat (qubbajt) and festa sweets contain nuts.

Drink

Laws, what to order, what it costs

Legal age: 17 to buy or be served alcohol — check (18 is common in venue policies).
Drink-driving: 0.5 g/L (0.2 for new and professional drivers).
Public drinking: Legal in most places; glass bans in Paceville and at festas.

Drink	What it is	Typical price
KinnieKinnie	Bitter-orange and herb soft drink, the national soda.	€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
CiskCisk	Local lager, drunk everywhere.	€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
Maltese wineinbid Malti	Ġellewża and Girgentina grapes from Malta and Gozo.	€5–8 (≈ US$6–10) a glass
BajtraBajtra	Prickly-pear liqueur, served chilled.	€3–6 (≈ US$4–7)
Tea in a glasste fit-tazza	Strong sweet tea served with pastizzi.	€1 (≈ US$2)

Valletta's wine bars on Strait Street and the steps around it are the evening scene.
Toast with 'saħħa'.

Sleep

Types, registration, booking

Type	Price (2026 estimate)	Use it for	Watch
Hostel dorm	€25–45 (≈ US$30–55) a bed	Budget and solo	Most are in Sliema and St Julian's, near Paceville noise.
Valletta boutique hotel or guesthouse	€120–300 (≈ US$140–350) a double	History, evenings in town	Old palazzi have stairs and small rooms.
Seafront hotel (Sliema, St Julian's)	€90–250 (≈ US$110–300) a double	Swimming and restaurants	Sea view rooms cost more; construction noise in parts of town.
Gozo farmhouse	€150–350 (≈ US$180–450) a night for a house with pool	Groups and families	A car helps; weekly rentals in summer.
Resort hotel (Mellieħa, Qawra)	€80–200 (≈ US$95–250) a double	Beach holidays	Far from Valletta by bus.

Registration and the law

The environmental contribution (€1.50 per adult per night from 1 July 2026, €0.50 before) is added to the bill with a per-stay cap — check.
Short-let apartments must hold a Malta Tourism Authority licence; check the listing shows it.

Booking reality

Book July–August, Easter, Carnival and festa weekends in Gozo early.
Winter rates are low, and many hotels offer long-stay deals to older European visitors.

Buy

Tax-free, bargaining, customs

Prices are fixed and include 18% VAT. Markets sell food, lace and souvenirs; Valletta's Merchants Street and Sliema's Tower Road have the shops.

Tax-free and refunds

Non-EU residents can reclaim VAT on purchases of €100 or more in one shop — check; get the tax-free form and validate at the airport before check-in.

Prices and bargaining

Marsaxlokk Sunday market and Valletta's Sunday market allow light haggling; shops do not.

What to bring home

Item	Where	Watch
Gozo lace	Gozo Cittadella and villages	Real handmade lace is expensive; much cheap lace is imported.
Mdina glass	Ta' Qali crafts village	Shops wrap for travel.
Filigree silver	Valletta jewellers	Maltese cross designs.
Honey, capers and sun-dried tomatoes	Markets and delis	Liquids in checked bags.
Kinnie and Bajtra liqueur	Supermarkets	Bajtra is prickly-pear liqueur.

Customs allowances on arrival

What	Limit or rule
Cash	Declare €10,000 (≈ US$12,000) or more entering or leaving the EU
Tobacco (from outside the EU, 17+)	200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g tobacco
Alcohol (from outside the EU, 17+)	1 L spirits or 2 L fortified wine, plus 4 L wine and 16 L beer
Other goods	€430 (≈ US$500) by air or sea

Deep dive

Questions, where next, photos, reading and every source

Open Deep diveClose Deep dive3 partsGo next · Deep dive · Sources

Go next

Valletta

Arrive MLA, bus or taxi 20 min

The base for most trips; day plans and arrival guides.

Italy

Fast ferry to Pozzallo (Sicily) 1 h 45, or fly to Rome, Catania or Milan

Sicily first, Malta second is the classic pairing.

Rome

Flight 1 h 30

Add Rome and the Vatican before or after Malta.

Tunisia

Short flights to Tunis — check schedules

North Africa is under an hour away by air.

Italy and Malta

Subregion

How Malta fits with Italy, the Vatican and San Marino.

Sources compared: Wikivoyage — Malta · Wikitravel — Malta. Section coverage was checked against community guides (CC BY-SA) as secondary sources; the text on this page is Voykit's own, with facts cross-checked against the official sources above.

Deep dive

4 min read · 6 chapters

Malta packs seven thousand years of history into an area smaller than most cities. This deep dive explains the temples older than the pyramids, the Knights who built Valletta, the British century that left English and red phone boxes, and the pressures on a tiny, crowded EU state in 2026.

1Before the pyramids1 min

Farmers crossed from Sicily around 5900 BCE. Between about 3600 and 2500 BCE their descendants built megalithic temples of huge limestone blocks — Ġgantija on Gozo, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra on the south coast, Tarxien near the harbour — among the oldest free-standing stone buildings anywhere.

The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, cut into the rock beneath Paola, held the remains of thousands of people and has painted ochre ceilings and carved chambers that echo the temples above ground. Its fragile climate is why visitor numbers are so tightly limited.

The temple culture ended abruptly around 2500 BCE, for reasons still debated. Later Bronze Age settlers left cart ruts cut into the rock across the islands, whose purpose is also unclear.

Ġgantija: c. 3600 BCE
UNESCO temples listing: 1980, extended 1992
Hypogeum visitors: Small groups each hour, booked ahead

See itĦal Saflieni HypogeumĦaġar Qim and Mnajdra

2Phoenicians, Arabs and Normans1 min

Malta's harbours made it valuable to every Mediterranean power. Phoenicians and Carthaginians traded here, Rome annexed the islands in 218 BCE, and St Paul was shipwrecked here in about 60 CE, according to the Acts of the Apostles — the origin story of Maltese Christianity.

Arab rule from 870 to 1091 left the deepest mark on daily life: the Maltese language is Semitic, descended from Siculo-Arabic, and many place names come from that period. The Norman conquest of 1091 tied Malta to Sicily and to Latin Christianity for four centuries.

The result is a language written in the Latin alphabet with Arabic grammar and a large Italian and English vocabulary — the only Semitic language that is an official EU language.

Roman rule begins: 218 BCE
Arab period: 870–1091
Maltese: EU official language since 2004

See itSt Paul's Catacombs, RabatMdina's old gates and walls

3The Knights and Valletta1 min

In 1530 Emperor Charles V gave Malta to the Knights of St John, a military religious order driven from Rhodes by the Ottomans. They settled in Birgu and fortified the Grand Harbour. In 1565 the Ottomans besieged the islands for nearly four months and failed — the Great Siege, a defining event in Maltese memory.

The next year Grand Master Jean de Valette founded a new fortified capital on the Sceberras peninsula. Valletta was laid out on a grid with bastions, auberges for each national 'langue' of knights, and St John's Co-Cathedral, whose gilded interior holds Caravaggio's Beheading of St John.

The Knights ruled until 1798, when Napoleon took the islands without much resistance. The Maltese revolted against French rule within months and asked Britain for help.

Knights arrive: 1530
Great Siege: May–September 1565
Valletta founded: 1566
Knights expelled: 1798

See itSt John's Co-Cathedral →Fort St Elmo →Valletta centre →

4Fortress colony1 min

Britain held Malta from 1800 to 1964 as a naval base on the route to India via Suez. The Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet was based in the Grand Harbour; English became an official language alongside Maltese, and left-hand driving, red postboxes and a taste for tea arrived with it.

In the Second World War Malta was one of the most heavily bombed places on earth. Axis air raids between 1940 and 1942 destroyed much of the harbour towns, and convoys fought through to keep the islands supplied. King George VI awarded the George Cross to the whole population in 1942; it is still on the flag.

Independence came in 1964, a republic in 1974, and the last British forces left on 31 March 1979 — Freedom Day.

British rule: 1800–1964
George Cross awarded: 15 April 1942
Independence: 21 September 1964

See itNational War Museum →Lascaris War Rooms, VallettaFloriana →

5Faith, festas and language1 min

Catholicism remains the state religion and parish life is intense. Every town and village has a patron saint and a summer festa: the church is lit, statues are carried through the streets, rival band clubs march, and fireworks go off for days.

Politics runs on the same loyalty. Labour and the Nationalist Party divide most families and villages, turnout is among the highest in Europe, and elections are fought with festa-like rallies.

Language switches constantly between Maltese and English, often within a sentence. Most Maltese are bilingual from school, and Italian is widely understood thanks to decades of Italian television.

Festa season: June–September
Official languages: Maltese and English
State religion: Roman Catholicism

See itValletta →Is-Suq tal-Belt food hall →

6A crowded island in 20261 min

Since EU entry in 2004, Malta's economy has grown fast on online gaming, financial services, tourism and English-language schools. The population has jumped past 570,000, with foreign workers making up about a quarter, and cranes and new apartment blocks now dominate the view from many towns.

Rapid growth has brought traffic, construction complaints and questions about governance. The 2017 murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia led to public inquiries, protests and rule-of-law reforms, and the sale of citizenship to investors was ruled contrary to EU law by the European Court of Justice in 2025.

For visitors, the changes show up as crowded buses and beaches in summer, higher accommodation charges — the environmental contribution tripled to €1.50 a night in July 2026 — and a push to spread tourism into winter and to Gozo.

Population: About 570,000
EU / euro: 2004 / 2008
Environmental contribution: €1.50 per adult per night from 1 July 2026 — check

See itValletta in three days →Arriving at Malta airport →

Read, watch, wordsReading · Watching · Glossary · Sources4 parts

Reading

The Great Siege: Malta 1565 — Ernle BradfordThe siege that made Valletta.
The Kappillan of Malta — Nicholas MonsarratA priest through the wartime siege.
Siege: Malta 1940–1943 — Ernle BradfordThe islands under bombardment.

Watching

Malta Story — Brian Desmond Hurst, 1953The wartime siege, filmed on location.
Gladiator — Ridley Scott, 2000Fort Ricasoli stood in for Rome.

Glossary

Term	Local	Meaning
Festa	festa	Parish feast with processions, bands and fireworks.
Pastizzi	pastizzi	Flaky savoury pastries, the national snack.
Luzzu	luzzu	Painted fishing boat with the Eye of Osiris.
Il-Belt	il-Belt	'The City' — Valletta.
Gregale	grigal	Strong north-easterly wind that stops ferries.

Read for this deep dive

Background reading only: the text above is written by Voykit, not copied from these pages.

Sources

officialIdentità — visas and residence (Government of Malta)
officialEU — Entry/Exit System and ETIAS
officialVisit Malta (official tourism site)
officialMalta Tourism Authority — environmental contribution
officialHeritage Malta
officialMalta Public Transport
officialGozo Channel
officialUK travel advice — Malta
secondaryWikivoyage — Malta

Open Valletta Up to Italy and Malta

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About Malta

Holidays and festivals in November

Read or watch before you go

Also with a guide 15

Jan

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Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Budget calculator

By land and river

What four governments say

Strikes and disruptions

Natural and on-the-ground hazards

Alerts and apps

Police, embassies, paperwork

Tipping by situation

Opening hours

Working legally

Etiquette

Everyday manners

Dish finder

Table manners

Diets: the reality

Registration and the law

Booking reality

Tax-free and refunds

Prices and bargaining

What to bring home

Customs allowances on arrival

Reading

Watching

Glossary

Read for this deep dive

Ask about Malta