Malta
Malta squeezes 7,000 years of history into an archipelago smaller than the Isle of Wight: megalithic temples older than the pyramids, the honey-stoned fortress capital of the Knights of St John, and Caravaggio's largest painting. Clear water for diving and swimming, reliable sunshine and English spoken everywhere make it an easy short break from the UK.
Overview
Malta's three inhabited islands sit between Sicily and North Africa, and their history shows it: Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, the Knights of St John and the British all left their mark. Most visitors base themselves in Valletta, Sliema or St Julian's and make day trips by bus or ferry to Mdina, the Three Cities across the Grand Harbour, the southern temples and Marsaxlokk's fishing harbour. Gozo, about 25 minutes by ferry from Ċirkewwa, is greener and slower and deserves at least a night; Comino, between the two, is a boat trip for swimming.
Malta is compact but congested, and getting from one end to the other can take longer than the map suggests. Prices are moderate by western European standards, with pastizzi and ftira keeping lunch cheap. July and August are hot and crowded; spring and autumn are warm enough for swimming without the queues. Sandy beaches are few — swimming is mostly off rocks and lidos, which divers love for the clarity. Visitors are often surprised by the summer festas, when each parish celebrates its saint with brass bands, fireworks and statues carried through decorated streets.
Map of Malta
Top 5 highlights
- 1Architecture
Valletta and St John's Co-Cathedral
The Knights laid out Valletta on a grid after the Great Siege of 1565. Behind the plain facade of St John's Co-Cathedral lies a gilded baroque interior, a floor of inlaid marble tombstones and Caravaggio's Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
- 2History
Mdina
Malta's walled former capital, the 'Silent City', crowns a ridge in the centre of the island. Wander its lanes at dusk after the tour groups leave, then visit the Roman villa and St Paul's Catacombs in neighbouring Rabat.
- 3History
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra
Two megalithic temple complexes on the cliffs of the south coast, begun around 3600 BC and older than Stonehenge. At Mnajdra, the rising sun lines up with the main doorway at the spring and autumn equinoxes.
- 4History
Gozo's Ċittadella
The hilltop citadel in Victoria looks out over Gozo's terraced fields and flat-topped hills. Combine it with the Ġgantija temples in Xagħra, the salt pans near Marsalforn and the sea cliffs at Dwejra.
- 5Beach
Blue Lagoon, Comino
A shallow channel of startlingly clear turquoise water between Comino and the islet of Cominotto. In summer it is packed by late morning, so take the first boat or stay into the evening when the day-trippers leave.
Biggest cities
St Paul's Bay
The fastest-growing locality, taking in the resort strip of Buġibba and Qawra; convenient for the northern beaches and boats to Comino, but short on character.
Birkirkara
Malta's largest traditional town, a residential inland area whose baroque Basilica of St Helen anchors one of the island's grandest summer festas.
Mosta
Worth a stop for the Rotunda, one of Europe's largest unsupported domes, which a German bomb pierced in 1942 without exploding during a crowded service.
Malta has no large cities: the main island is largely one continuous built-up area, and these are its most populous localities (2024 estimates). Valletta, the capital, has around 5,000 residents.
When to go to Malta
Best time: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Average climate in Valletta
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarMalta Carnival
In the days before Lent, Valletta and Floriana fill with satirical floats and costumed dancers, while Nadur on Gozo stages a darker, unofficial 'spontaneous' carnival.
- Apr–MayMalta International Fireworks Festival
Late April displays light up the Grand Harbour, with pyrotechnic teams from Malta and abroad; watch from Valletta's Upper Barrakka Gardens or the Three Cities.
- Jun–SepVillage festas
Every summer weekend some parish honours its patron saint with decorated streets, brass bands, processions and competitive fireworks; check local listings for each weekend's festa.
How much does Malta cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Stuffat tal-fenek
Rabbit slow-cooked in red wine with garlic, tomatoes and bay, the centrepiece of a fenkata, a communal rabbit feast; the sauce often dresses spaghetti first.
Pastizzi
Flaky diamond-shaped pastries filled with ricotta or mushy peas, sold hot from hole-in-the-wall pastizzerias for small change.
Ħobż biż-żejt
Thick slices of crusty Maltese bread rubbed with tomato paste and olive oil, topped with tuna, capers, olives and onion.
Getting around
Malta Public Transport buses cover almost everywhere from Valletta's terminus, and a tallinja Explore card cuts fares for visitors. Ferries cross from Valletta to Sliema and the Three Cities, and the Gozo Channel ferry runs from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr around the clock, with fast ferries from Valletta too. Bolt and eCabs work well. Driving is on the left, but traffic and parking are trying; a car is most useful on Gozo.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- G230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +356
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Service is not always included: leave 5–10% in restaurants for good service and round up taxi fares.
- Etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches, which are still very much places of worship. Malta is strongly Catholic, so avoid beachwear in town centres and keep noise down near services.
- Main airports
- Malta International Airport (MLA), Luqa
Visas & entry for Malta
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Malta, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
The requirements for working in Malta are different.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Bat Lyssavirus
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Malta
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Tue 8 Dec 2026 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception |
| Sun 13 Dec 2026 | Republic Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Wed 10 Feb 2027 | Feast of Saint Paul's Shipwreck |
| Fri 19 Mar 2027 | Feast of Saint Joseph |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Wed 31 Mar 2027 | Freedom Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Worker's Day |
| Mon 7 Jun 2027 | Sette Giugno |
| Tue 29 Jun 2027 | Feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Feast of the Assumption |
| Wed 8 Sep 2027 | Feast of Our Lady of Victories |
| Tue 21 Sep 2027 | Independence Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Maltese
| English | Maltese | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonġu | BON-joo |
| Thank you | Grazzi | GRAHT-see |
| Please | Jekk jogħġbok | yek YOJ-bok |
| Excuse me | Skużani | skoo-ZAH-nee |
| How much is this? | Kemm jiswa dan? | kem YIS-wa dan? |
Know before you go
- Book the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum online weeks or even months ahead — daily visitor numbers are tightly capped to protect the underground chambers.
- On the Gozo Channel ferry you pay only on the return leg from Gozo, so there is no need to look for a ticket office at Ċirkewwa when heading out.
- Buses can be crowded and slow in summer; harbour ferries are often quicker between Valletta, Sliema and the Three Cities, and far more scenic.
Malta travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Malta?
The best time to visit Malta is generally Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Peak months are April, May, June, September and October. Average highs in Valletta range from 16°C to 32°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Malta cost per day?
Roughly £60 a day on a tight budget, £125 mid-range and £250+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Malta?
Euro (EUR).
What plug type does Malta use?
Type G sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Malta?
Traffic drives on the left in Malta — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Malta?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Malta?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Malta, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Malta before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malta/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Malta?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Bat Lyssavirus sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
