Travel guide – malta

malta
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Overview

It has been said that the Maltese islands are the ‘open air museum of the Mediterranean’, offering 7,000 years or more of history to explore with numerous cultural, historical and megalithic sites unique in the world. The islands boast prehistoric ruins older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Egypt, and are steeped in the legacy of the medieval order of the Knights of St John, who used the island as their stronghold for defending Christendom.

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 lies about 60 miles (97km) south of Sicily and 160 miles (257km) north of Libya, a strategic position in the Mediterranean that has made the islands a crossroads of history. The last occupiers were the British, who granted Malta independence in 1964, but the biggest and most unique influence was left by the Knights of St John, to whom the island was donated in 1530; the Knights reigned supreme over the island for 270 years, building magnificent churches and monuments to themselves.

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.

Regions and cities within Malta...

Malta
Gozo

Climate

Malta has a typically Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. In summer temperatures can reach 84ºF (30ºC), but the heat tends to be tempered by sea breezes. In spring and autumn a hot wind, known as the Xlokk, sometimes brings high temperatures and humidity. There is little rainfall, and it occurs only in winter.

Health

There are no health risks attached to 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.

The basics

Time

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.

Language

English and Maltese are the official languages.

Tipping

A gratuity of 15% is expected in hotels, and 10% in restaurants, if service charge is not included in the bill. Most services are tipped about 10%.

Safety

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.

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 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.

Duty Free

Travellers arriving in Malta do not need to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco; two bottles of alcohol; a still camera; gifts up to the value of Lm50. Any large items or electrical equipment should be declared on entry (video cameras and televisions for example), and currency must also be declared. Firearms and drugs are prohibited.

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