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Malta Country Information
The main island of Malta, covering just
95 square miles (246 sq km), is also a popular holiday destination
because of its secluded
bays and sandy beaches, washed by unpolluted clear blue waters. Set
against the backdrop of the island's scenery and its honey-coloured
stone buildings, Malta is alluring and fascinating.
Malta and its little sister island, Gozo, are not stuck in a time
warp, however. The islanders enjoy life to the full, and the calendar
is filled with summertime 'festas' with fireworks and revelry in
every little parish in honour of the village patron saints, as well
as the major carnival in early spring every year. The capital, Valletta,
besides offering some awesome Baroque buildings and fortifications
as its main sightseeing attractions, is bustling and bursting with
restaurants and cafes. The island's compact size is also a plus for
visitors; it takes no more than an hour to drive between any two
points on the main island, and there is very little open space. The
dense population means that the island is virtually one large urban
area, with buildings occupying every inch.
Malta has its mysteries too, in the form of 30 prehistoric sites
boasting massive Neolithic temples, considered to be the oldest freestanding
stone buildings known to man.
The Basics
Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday
in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 240 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin square plugs are
used.
Money: The currency was changed to the Euro (EUR) on 1 January 2008.
(Maltese lira are no longer accepted.) Banks, ATMs and exchange bureaux
can be found all over the islands, as well as foreign exchange machines
in the tourist areas. Banks generally open mornings Monday to Saturday,
but exchange bureaux at the international airport are open 24 hours
a day. Many hotels, shops and restaurants accept foreign currency,
but currency and travellers cheques can be changed into lira at banks
and tourist offices. Most hotels and restaurants, as well as many
shops, accept Access, American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club
International, MasterCard and Visa. Language: English and Maltese are the official languages; Italian
is also spoken
Travel
Health: There are no health risks attached
with travel to Malta, and water and food is safe for consumption.
A reciprocal health agreement exists between the United Kingdom
and Malta and as a result British citizens receive emergency medical
treatment on the same terms as Maltese nationals on presentation
of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Visitors should, however,
take out adequate medical and travel insurance in case medical
evacuation or further treatment is required. Travellers coming
from a recognised infected area require a yellow fever vaccination
certificate.
Tipping: A gratuity of 10% is expected in hotels and restaurants
if a service charge is not included in the bill. Most services
are tipped about 5-10% (including taxi drivers).
Safety
Information: Malta is considered very safe for tourists.
Crime is rare, though theft from parked cars and handbag snatching
can occur. Local driving conditions are poor so exercise caution.
Local
Customs: The wearing of skimpy clothing away from the beaches
should be avoided, and dress should be conservative to enter churches.
Business: Business in Malta tends to be conducted as elsewhere
in Europe; formally and politely. Punctuality is important; dress
should be formal with suit and tie the norm, unless weather is
hot when one can forgo the jacket. Handshakes and the exchanging
of business cards takes place on greeting. English is widely spoken
and so a translator is unnecessary. Business hours can vary but
are usually 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Some businesses
open for a half-day on Saturdays.
Communications: The country code for Malta is +356, and the outgoing
code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for
the United Kingdom).City/area codes are not required. Local and
international telephone calls can be made from hotel rooms, and
most hotels also offer fax and Internet access. Maltacom telecommunications
offices also provide these services in the main towns, and coin
and card operated telephone boxes can be found all over Malta and
Gozo. The islands are covered by two comprehensive GSM 900 and
1800 mobile phone networks. Internet cafes are to be found in all
the main towns and tourist resorts.
Visa and Entry
Information
- Entry
requirements for Americans: United States citizens require a passport, but
no visa, for a stay of up to three months.
- Entry
requirements for UK nationals: British citizens must have a
passport, but a visa is not required. British passports endorsed
British National (Overseas), British Overseas Territories
Citizen
or British Subject with right of abode in the UK do not require
a visa for stays of up to three months.
- Entry
requirements for Canadians: Canadians require a passport, but
no visa, for a stay of up to three months.
- Entry
requirements for Australians: Australian citizens require a
passport, but no visa, for a stay of up to three
months.
- Entry
requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a
passport and visa.
- Entry
requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealanders require a passport
but a visa is not necessary for
a stay of up
to three
months.
- Entry
requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a
passport, but a visa is not required.
Passport/Visa
Note: All visitors (except members of EEA and Switzerland)
must hold return or onward tickets, all documents required for
their next destination, and sufficient funds for maintenance
during the period of their stay. The borderless region known
as the Schengen
area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
The Netherlands,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a
multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely
within the
borders of all.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short
notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements
with their embassy or consulate.
Top of Page
Weather and
Climate in Malta
The Mediterranean climate
of Valletta ensures the weather is hot and dry during summer (June
to September) and
slightly cooler in
winter (December to March). Summer temperatures can reach 84ºF
(30ºC), but the heat tends to be tempered by sea breezes.
In spring and autumn, the hot Xlokk wind sometimes brings high
temperatures and humidity. Valletta experiences little rainfall,
and it occurs only in winter.
The climate of Malta is Mediterranean with typical hot, dry summers
and mild, wet winters. Fog is common between November and March,
and most of the limited annual rainfall occurs between October
and April. During spring and autumn a hot wind, called the Xlokk,
sometimes blows.
Attractions
in Malta
- St
John's Co-Cathedral - Valletta's magnificent medieval cathedral
is famous for the painting by Caravaggio, which hangs in its oratory,
and the 369 inlaid mosaic
marble tombstones that cover its floor.
- Malta
Experience - A dramatic presentation that illustrates the
history of Malta, from Neolithic to modern times, can be enjoyed
at the Mediterranean
Conference Centre at St. Elmo's bastion in Valletta.
- Three
Cities - Malta's main maritime towns have merged into a
fortified conglomerate known as the Three Cities, resting on the
promontories opposite
Valletta. Walking tours of the area are popular. Vittoriosa is
the oldest town in Malta after Mdina.
- Toy
Museum - Located in Valetta, the Toy Museum showcases three floors of
Maltese
and international toys dating back to the 1950s, including matchbox
cars, planes, dolls, train sets and an impressive Corgi car collection.
Events in Malta
- Carnival - Springtime is carnival time in Malta. Carnival week with its
traditional
boisterous revelry, is centred in the capital Valletta. Carnival
includes extravagant gaudy floats, fancy dress, and some wild
nightlife in the Paceville club area.
- Competition
winner - National Art Competition and Exhibition
The National Art Competition and Exhibition is a major event in
Malta's art calendar bringing together more than 100 artists
and their work in a single venue making it the largest show of
artistic works on the island.
- Malta
Fireworks Festival - The Malta Fireworks Festival is an exciting
event
held annually
at the Grand Harbour in Valletta. The highlight of the festival
is the 'History of Malta' laser show, featuring an exceptional
fireworks display accompanied by invigorating music.
- Malta
Jazz Festival - Every year a number of world-renowned jazz musicians
gather in
Valletta to entertain enthusiast with a classy selection of live
performances.
Airports
in Malta
Malta International (MLA)
- Location: The airport is situated three miles (5km) southeast of Valetta.
- Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before
last Sunday in October).
- Contacts: Tel: +356 2124 9600.
- Getting
to the city: Malta Airport has a system whereby passengers
pre-pay before boarding a taxi. The taxi
booth is situated in
Arrivals, where the fare can be paid and a voucher
obtained for presentation
to the taxi driver. A regular bus service operates
between the airport and Valetta; the journey time to Valetta
is about 15
minutes.
- Car
rental: Car rental companies at Malta International include
Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty and
Sixt.
- Facilities: There are several restaurants, bars and shops and a duty-free
outlet in the departure area.
Banks and
24-hour foreign
exchange bureaux are also available Malta International
Airport. Disabled facilities are good; wheelchairs
can be organised though
the airlines.
- Parking: Parking is available.
- Departure
Tax: None.
Top of Page
Driving
Information
Drinking and driving:
If the level of alcohol in the bloodstream is 0.08 per cent or
more, severe penalties include fine or imprisonment.
Driving licence:
Minimum age at which a UK licence holder may drive a
temporarily imported car and / or motorcycle 18.
Fines:
No on-the-spot fines but if any motoring or parking offence is
committed, for
which a fine is payable, this may be settled prior to departure.
Fuel:
Unleaded petrol 95 octane, lead replacement petrol 98 octane and
diesel is
available but not LPG. Petrol in a can permitted however it is
forbidden aboard
ferries and Eurotunnel. Credit cards are generally not accepted
at filling stations;
check with your card issuer for usage in Malta before travel.
Driving
Distances:
Please click here http://www.viamichelin.com/ for
driving distances
Lights:
Spotlights are prohibited. Lights should be switched on whilst
travelling
through tunnels.
Motorcycles:
Wearing of crash helmets compulsory for both driver and passenger.
Motor Insurance:
Third-party compulsory, green cards are accepted.
Passengers / Children in cars:
Children under 3 cannot travel as front or rear seat
passengers unless using a suitable restraint system.
Children between 3 and 10 or under 1.5m in height travelling in
front or rear seats
must use a restraint system as appropriate or adult seat belt if
a restraint system is unavailable.
Seat belts:
Compulsory for front / rear seat occupants to wear seat belts, if fitted.
Speed limits:
Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private
vehicles without trailers: In built-up areas 31 mph (50 km/h), outside
built-up areas
49 mph (80 km/h).
Compulsory equipment:
Other
rules / requirements:
The rule of the road is drive on the left, overtake on the
right.
The use of the horn is prohibited in inhabited areas between 2300hrs & 0600hrs.
Parking in Valetta is extremely limited and there is a charge to
enter the city.
There is a park and ride system located on the outskirts of the
city offering a free
shuttle to the centre
Cars involved in a bumper-to-bumper accident need to contact the
local warden
service.
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