9 Things to Know Before Visiting Malta

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Adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, the small European nation of Malta really is a one-of-a-kind. Compared to your typical Mediterranean destinations, Malta is more than just a place to sit by the beach and party. It’s home to some remarkable history, beautiful scenery and a proud culture. After spending more than a month visiting Malta, I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say I know a little about the place. There’s no way I’m like a local or anything, but I’ve picked up a thing or two.

The good news is that Malta is the kind of place anyone can visit, be they first time traveller or veteran nomad. It’s always good to be prepared before a trip and have all the information at your fingertips. In that spirit, here are something things to know about visiting Malta that should help with your trip. And if you want to know more about where to stay in Malta, do check out my dedicated post on the different areas.

1. More than One Island

If you’ve never been to Malta before, or haven’t read my other articles, chances are you don’t know much about Malta’s geography. It’s possible you didn’t even know that Malta has more than one island, or that Malta is even an island at all! Yes, the country of Malta is actually an archipelago made up of several islands, the largest of which is also called Malta. The other main islands of Malta are Gozo and Comino, although only Gozo is inhabited.

Whereas Malta is quite thoroughly settled and has some major urban areas, Gozo is far more rural and rustic. Across its hilly landscape, villages are separated by fields and valleys. Comino, which lies between Malta and Gozo, is more rugged and sparse. However, because it lacks cars and people, Comino is the most serene of the islands. Comino is also home to the Blue Lagoon, a popular swimming spot. Finally there are the really small islands like St Paul’s Island that really come into play.

2. Entry and Arrival

Despite being a less well-known European destination, visiting Malta is still incredible straightforward. As a member of the EU and part of the Schengen Zone, entering Malta is much the same as elsewhere in Europe. This means your time in Malta will count to your number of days within the Schengen Area, but also that immigration is usually more straightforward.

Given its island nature, your arrival options of boat or plane shouldn’t come as a surprise. The less likely option, you can actually take a ferry across from Sicily, with up to 15 ferry crossings a week. It’s far more likely though that you’ll fly in to Malta’s Luqa Airport. Finding flights from Europe shouldn’t be too tough, with Italy a particularly easy and cheap choice. This is largely thanks to services by the national airline, Air Malta, as well budget carriers like Ryanair. 

3. Getting Around

Although the islands of Malta are relatively small, their road networks don’t seem to have been built with cars or buses in mind. This means that traffic is usually pretty rough and it can take longer than you’d expect to get places. For instance, getting to and from the airport can take way longer than you’d imagine if the traffic is bad. Basically, it’s best to expect an unpredictable journey if you’re driving about or going by bus.

Ferries on the other hand are far more reliable, be it from Sliema to Valletta or the ferries to Gozo and Comino. One of the more popular methods for getting about for tourists is with island cruises that take in many of Malta’s sights.

All that being said, your best option for getting about is certainly by bus. Malta’s extensive bus network reaches nearly every corner of the country and tickets are quite reasonable. I highly recommend picking up a 12 single journey card at the airport on arrival to make matters easier.

4. Escape the Cold in Winter

No surprises, but Europe gets cold in winter. Therefore the desire to flee that cold is perfectly rational. Thanks to its Mediterranean climate and southern location, Malta actually does pretty well in winter. Sure you’re bound to have the odd rain shower and I wouldn’t exactly call it beach weather. However, compared to the frozen state of mainland Europe, Malta will feel positively tropical. The weather’s perfect for sightseeing or for going on hikes on Gozo. Average highs from January to March are 17°C which beats the -7°C I’m experiencing writing this.

5. An Affordable Getaway

One of the great appeals of visiting Malta is how affordable a visit can be. Sure, like anywhere you can find ways to spend money on luxurious digs, but in general Malta offers great value for money. Normally, island destinations like this come with a significant price hike in everything from transport to food and accommodation, but not really on Malta. Relative to say Italy, food and accommodation is cheaper and €2 bus fares is still quite reasonable. Perhaps the only thing that’s not too cheap is the entrance to some of the attractions and museums.

I’d also say that it’s kind of ideal for digital nomads – affordable, decent Wi-Fi and an easy place to sightsee in your down time. Due to the nature of the tourism market, serviced apartments are very common around Valletta and are a great choice for people looking to cook the odd meal. My one gripe is that the only cafes around in places like Sliema, Gzira and St Julian’s are busy chains like Starbucks.

6. A True Melting Pot

Lying at a crossroads in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta has always balanced influences from its neighbours. It’s possible that Malta is actually the most quintessentially Mediterranean country in the world. For millennia its been a crucial trading port, which explains why it has changed hands so many times. The Romans, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, French and British have all controlled it at one time or another. It’s no wonder then that you can feel all these different influences about the islands.

For instance, Maltese houses often look like something you’d find in North Africa while its people bear more in common with their neighbours in southern Europe. The many fortresses across the island were built by the Order of St John and likely inspired by the order’s time in the Holy Land. Later influences from the French and British can also be found scattered about, like the old red mailboxes on certain corners. This melting point of influences is a defining characteristic of Malta and one not to be ignored.

7. A Language Like No Other

Before visiting Malta, I had this naive expectation that it would be very similar to Italy. There are indeed some similarities in things like language, but only to a certain extent. Just as Malta is a melting pot of influences, so is Maltese a jumble of languages.

I actually think that Maltese is one of the rare cases where it is easier to understand it being spoken than it is written down. When you hear Maltese, the words can actually sound familiar. That’s really not the case when you try to read it. Heavy on unusual consonant combinations and letters like ‘Z’, ‘J’ and ‘X’, attempting to read and sound out Maltese words can be a real challenge.

Look no further than the names of bus stops. While tourists typically learn the English names of neighbourhoods and areas, the Maltese bus service only uses the Maltese names for places. When the two are nowhere near alike, you’re in for a hard time. It may not be too hard to figure out San Giljan is also Saint Julian’s, but best of luck figuring out L’Isla is also Senglea.

8. Maltese Food

Partly thanks to its historic influences and partly thanks to tourism, you can find basically any cuisine in Malta. One of my favourite restaurants in Gzira was actually a Hungarian place, Margaret Island Bistro. Then there’s all the fast-food chains, seemingly there to comfort less adventurous eaters. Beyond that, you’ll find plenty of Italian restaurants, seafood restaurants, steakhouses etc. What is actually harder to find is genuine Maltese food.

I do say harder, because it’s not impossible. In some of the more popular areas like Sliema you will find restaurants that specialise in Maltese cuisine, such as Ta’ Kris. If you do eat there, I can happily recommend the Bragioli, which is basically slow-cooked stuffed beef and quite delicious. Another dish you can try when visiting Malta is Ftira, a flatbread topped with potato, fresh tomato, onion, capers, olives and seafood like sardines. As for snacks, a common one found everywhere is Pastizz, a crunchy pastry filled with ricotta or mushy peas.

9. So Many Brits!

I don’t think it’s truly possible to convey just how many British and Irish tourists there are in Malta. Nothing against British tourists – technically I’m one – but when you have a saturation of tourists from one place, it tends to have an undesirable impact. I’m well aware that Malta used to be a British protectorate for 150 years and lingering influences are inevitable.

This is more about the feeling that Malta panders to British tourists at the expense of other nationalities. Or the expectation that if you’re a tourist, that you’re British. I remember a woman, upon hearing me speak in the supermarket, asked curiously what part of Britain I was from. Apparently the idea that I was from somewhere else was unfathomable.

Resources for Visiting Malta

• Getting There: To find the cheapest and most convenient flights to Malta make sure to check Skyscanner.
• Accommodation: Here you can find hotels, apartments and guesthouses for both Malta and Gozo, plus don’t forget Airbnb.
• Tours: There are countless day trips, cruises, and sightseeing tours available on Malta.
• Car Hire: If you want to travel more independently, consider renting a car to drive yourself about.
• Guide Books: Lastly, if you’re after a physical guide to take with you then you can’t beat a Lonely Planet Guide.

What questions do you have for visiting Malta? Have you been before and think there are other things people should know before going? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.