Malta Country Guide
Malta is a small but populous republic located in Europe - a microstate formed from seven islands in a scenic archipelago. Malta became a member of the European Union in May 2004 and has consistently worked on improving the standard of living for its people while also enhancing the tourist infrastructure. As a holidaymaker here, you are sure to be delighted. Investments by the government include the creation of SmartCity, an IT hub on the lines of Dubai's Internet City. Membership to the EU has opened up new avenues and Malta's progress in non-tourism sectors has also picked up pace in recent years.
An idyllic holiday destination in Southern Europe, Malta has taken great care to woo the travellers that sustain its tourism-dependent economy.
Our Malta Country Guide below will tell you all the travel information you need to know for a visit to Malta. If you are more interested in events, attractions and things to do, visit our Malta Destination Guide and our local Malta Tour Ideas. Let us guide you through Malta with our local suggestions.
Check out the latest Malta Travel features on YouTube.
Malta Country Guide
Climate/Weather
Check out our Malta weather page for some handy information regarding the climate and weather in Malta. Our six-day Valletta weather forecast will help in planning the upcoming weeks activities.
Communications
Telephone
Malta's country code is 356 and the same code works across the republic. There are no separate area/city codes. You can make calls from public phone booths that can be found across Malta.
Mobile Telephone
International mobile phone coverage is good due to agreements for roaming facilities with most major service providers from overseas.
Internet
Malta has some internet cafes, but they aren't too common.
Post
The republic has a good, functional postal service that serves the island.
Malta's country code is 356 and the same code works across the republic. There are no separate area/city codes. You can make calls from public phone booths that can be found across Malta.
Mobile Telephone
International mobile phone coverage is good due to agreements for roaming facilities with most major service providers from overseas.
Internet
Malta has some internet cafes, but they aren't too common.
Post
The republic has a good, functional postal service that serves the island.
Currency/Money
The standard currency of the European Union, the Euro, denoted €, is used here. 1 Euro has 100 cents and currency is issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro in notes and 1 cent, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1 and 2 Euro in coins.
Currency Exchange
Travellers can exchange money at banks and exchange bureaux besides some bigger hotels, shops and restaurants. You can withdraw money from ATMs at various locations around the islands. Bank exchange rates and charges will apply. Exchange bureaux function 24/7 while banks work fixed hours and have closed days. Some larger stores and hotels may even accept foreign currency as payment.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
ATMs are available at multiple locations and cards issued by MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express are accepted.
Traveller's Cheques
You can exchange your traveller's cheques at authorized institutions.
Banking Hours
Banks work Monday to Friday between 8.30 am and 12.30 pm. On Saturdays, working hours are shorter and banks close by 11.30 am. All banks are closed on Sundays. Remember, winter timings could vary and some banks have extended working hours, so do check to make sure.
Currency Exchange
Travellers can exchange money at banks and exchange bureaux besides some bigger hotels, shops and restaurants. You can withdraw money from ATMs at various locations around the islands. Bank exchange rates and charges will apply. Exchange bureaux function 24/7 while banks work fixed hours and have closed days. Some larger stores and hotels may even accept foreign currency as payment.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
ATMs are available at multiple locations and cards issued by MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express are accepted.
Traveller's Cheques
You can exchange your traveller's cheques at authorized institutions.
Banking Hours
Banks work Monday to Friday between 8.30 am and 12.30 pm. On Saturdays, working hours are shorter and banks close by 11.30 am. All banks are closed on Sundays. Remember, winter timings could vary and some banks have extended working hours, so do check to make sure.
Electricity
Electricity in Malta is 220 (230) Volts, 50 Hz. Standard plugs are continental two-pin plugs.
Embassy Locations
For a list of Malta embassies around the world and foreign embassies within Malta, check out EmbassyWorld.com.
General Information
Population: 401,880 (estimate 2007).
Total Area: 316 sq km (122 sq miles).
Capital: Valletta (6,315 people)
Time Zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
For current time in Valletta, click on this link to TimeAndDate.com.
Total Area: 316 sq km (122 sq miles).
Capital: Valletta (6,315 people)
Time Zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
For current time in Valletta, click on this link to TimeAndDate.com.
Geography
Malta is slap-bang in the middle of the sunny Mediterranean. Malta's main island (of the same name), lies a mere 93 km or 58 mi south of Sicily. The archipelago is 290 km or 180 mi from the North of the African continent. There are just three inhabited islands in the group of seven - Malta, Gozo and Comino. All three have green terraced fields and lazily sloping hills. The hills on the main island are low and Malta has no rivers at all. The coastline is dotted with rocky coves, sandy beaches, creeks, bays and harbours. The main island is connected to Gozo and Comino via ferry services. Comino has hardly any inhabitants and is a quiet getaway while Gozo is more populous and has lush vegetation, cliffs and hills.
Health
Special Precautions
When you travel to Malta you need to take inoculations against diphtheria and tetanus. No inoculation is needed against hepatitis A, malaria, rabies or typhoid. If you are travelling to Malta from a region considered infected with yellow fever, then you will require a vaccination certificate proving you have been inoculated.
Food and Drink
Local water supply comes chlorinated and is usually safe to drink. However, some travellers do find it can cause mild stomach upsets, so it may be wiser to stick to drinking bottled water. If you are on a short trip, use only bottled water.
Milk and dairy products sold here are generally safe and pasteurized. The poultry, meat, seafood, vegetables and fruit are also fine for consumption.
Health Care
In case you fall ill or have an accident while in Malta, you can make use of the reduced cost or free healthcare facilities available for all European nationals. Remember to carry your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - valid of course - if you intend to make use of this facility. If you are a citizen of a non EU country, comprehensive health insurance is your best bet. Australians can also make use of the reciprocal health agreement the republic has with their country. If you are Australian, and on a vacation of less than one month to Malta, you are eligible for free hospital care.
Malta's main hospital, St. Luke's is located at Guardamangia. Ambulance services are provided free of cost for any emergency situations but you will need to furnish evidence that the treatment was necessary.
When you travel to Malta you need to take inoculations against diphtheria and tetanus. No inoculation is needed against hepatitis A, malaria, rabies or typhoid. If you are travelling to Malta from a region considered infected with yellow fever, then you will require a vaccination certificate proving you have been inoculated.
Food and Drink
Local water supply comes chlorinated and is usually safe to drink. However, some travellers do find it can cause mild stomach upsets, so it may be wiser to stick to drinking bottled water. If you are on a short trip, use only bottled water.
Milk and dairy products sold here are generally safe and pasteurized. The poultry, meat, seafood, vegetables and fruit are also fine for consumption.
Health Care
In case you fall ill or have an accident while in Malta, you can make use of the reduced cost or free healthcare facilities available for all European nationals. Remember to carry your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - valid of course - if you intend to make use of this facility. If you are a citizen of a non EU country, comprehensive health insurance is your best bet. Australians can also make use of the reciprocal health agreement the republic has with their country. If you are Australian, and on a vacation of less than one month to Malta, you are eligible for free hospital care.
Malta's main hospital, St. Luke's is located at Guardamangia. Ambulance services are provided free of cost for any emergency situations but you will need to furnish evidence that the treatment was necessary.
History
Malta has been inhabited from as early as the Neolithic times and evidence of early settlements can be found even today. In 2000 B.C., as the Neolithic era civilizations went into decline, a number of external invaders arrived here. The Romans and Arabs followed the Phoenicians and Carthaginians. The Arabs invaded the island nation in the Middle Ages, during the Byzantine-Arab Wars. Later, in 1091, the Normans took control and Roman Catholicism was restored as Malta's state religion.
The Knights of Malta, otherwise called the Order of Knights of St. John, reigned supreme between 1530 and 1798, following which Napoleon ruled the islands. Malta even had a period of British rule when the Throne took charge for a period of 160 years. The Germans made their attempts to capture this piece of paradise during World War II but the locals fought off the onslaught and their bravery won them the George Cross. Malta gained independence from British rule in 1964 and finally became a republic, sovereign state as it remains to this date.
The Knights of Malta, otherwise called the Order of Knights of St. John, reigned supreme between 1530 and 1798, following which Napoleon ruled the islands. Malta even had a period of British rule when the Throne took charge for a period of 160 years. The Germans made their attempts to capture this piece of paradise during World War II but the locals fought off the onslaught and their bravery won them the George Cross. Malta gained independence from British rule in 1964 and finally became a republic, sovereign state as it remains to this date.
Language
English and Maltese are the republic's official languages. Maltese has its roots in the Sicilian Arabic of Southern Italy and is a Semitic language. It incorporates elements of Sicilian, French, Italian and even English.
Until 1934, Italian was the country's official language, after which it was replaced by the new official languages, Maltese and English. Many locals still speak Italian as a second language while a few are extremely fluent in it.
Everyone living here speaks Maltese, while 88% speak English, 66% speak Italian and 17% speak French as well, but local preference is clearly skewed towards Maltese. Only 12% say English is their language of choice and 2% say Italian is the language they prefer communicating in, while a whopping 86% find Maltese the most comfortable language of communication.
Until 1934, Italian was the country's official language, after which it was replaced by the new official languages, Maltese and English. Many locals still speak Italian as a second language while a few are extremely fluent in it.
Everyone living here speaks Maltese, while 88% speak English, 66% speak Italian and 17% speak French as well, but local preference is clearly skewed towards Maltese. Only 12% say English is their language of choice and 2% say Italian is the language they prefer communicating in, while a whopping 86% find Maltese the most comfortable language of communication.
Location
Malta is located in the Mediterranean, south of Sicily. To view a map of Malta, click on this link to WorldAtlas.com.
People & Culture
The local people are famous for their warmth, generosity and hospitality. Guests are made to feel welcome and people in general are quite helpful. If you need directions or any assistance, don't hesitate to ask. Besides their innate courtesy, European manners are the norm here, so you will feel right at home.
Do remember to respect their culture and beliefs on your trip and you should be just fine. If you plan to visit a church, wear clothes that cover your shoulders and legs. Don't smoke in public buildings or on public transport or in cinema houses - it is against the law.
Do remember to respect their culture and beliefs on your trip and you should be just fine. If you plan to visit a church, wear clothes that cover your shoulders and legs. Don't smoke in public buildings or on public transport or in cinema houses - it is against the law.
Public Holidays
Follow the link to view a current list of public holidays in Malta.
Religion
Everyone has the right by law to practice a religion of their choice as per the Constitution, but the state has recorded Roman Catholicism as the main religion. 98% of the population is believed to practise this faith, making Malta one of the most dominantly Catholic countries globally.
The country's patron saints are St. Paul, St. George and St. Agatha. St. George Preca or San Gorg Preca is much revered as Malta's first canonized saint, though he is not a patron saint. St. George Preca was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in June 2007. Many Maltese have also been named ‘Blessed'. Nazju Falzon and Maria Adeodata Pisani were beatified in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. A number of different orders of Roman Catholicism are found here including the Franciscans, Jesuits, Little Sisters of the Poor and Dominicans.
The country's patron saints are St. Paul, St. George and St. Agatha. St. George Preca or San Gorg Preca is much revered as Malta's first canonized saint, though he is not a patron saint. St. George Preca was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in June 2007. Many Maltese have also been named ‘Blessed'. Nazju Falzon and Maria Adeodata Pisani were beatified in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. A number of different orders of Roman Catholicism are found here including the Franciscans, Jesuits, Little Sisters of the Poor and Dominicans.
Visas/Passports
Since Malta is part of the European Union and has also become part of the Schengen agreement, entry into the republic requires a valid European Union Schengen visa.
If you're a citizen of a European Union member country, Canada or the United States you will not need a visa to enter Malta. However, if you're not from the EU, you will still need to submit a filled landing card on arrival, which you can ask your cabin crew for in-flight before you land or pick up at the arrivals halls near the customs area. Non EU nationals will also have to hold a valid return ticket and a passport that is valid for at least three months past the proposed date of departure. European Union nationals must carry a valid national identity card.
If you're a citizen of a European Union member country, Canada or the United States you will not need a visa to enter Malta. However, if you're not from the EU, you will still need to submit a filled landing card on arrival, which you can ask your cabin crew for in-flight before you land or pick up at the arrivals halls near the customs area. Non EU nationals will also have to hold a valid return ticket and a passport that is valid for at least three months past the proposed date of departure. European Union nationals must carry a valid national identity card.
Merhba! Welcome to Malta and meet your local connection, the enthusiastic team of EC Meetings for this dynamic Mediterranean island! As being residents of Malta and having great knowledge about our island, we are pleased to provide travellers with any information needed in order to plan their perfect trip to Malta and her sister islands.
