General Information on Malta
The Maltese Archipelago lies
virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean, with Malta 93kms south of Sicily
and 288kms north of Africa. Gibraltar is 1,826kms to the West and Tel Aviv is
1,940kms to the East. You
can find all the information you need for a visit to Malta at
www.visitmalta.com.
So, if you cannot find what you need on Getting Away, be sure to go to
www.visitmalta.com.
Tourist Information Offices
Malta operates worldwide
through a number of overseas offices and representatives, and have tourist
information offices across the Maltese Islands. For information on the Malta
Tourism Authority, see
About Malta.
Climate
Currency, Credit Cards & Banks
Electricity
Health
Language
Postal Service
Public Toilets
Shop Hours
Swimming & Sunbathing
Telecommunications & Internet
Time Difference
Tipping
Visas
Water
Climate
Malta’s climate is strongly influenced by the sea and
is typical of the Mediterranean. The Islands have a very sunny climate with a
daily average of five to six hours sunshine in mid-winter to more than 12 hours
in summer. Winters are mild, with the occasional short chilly period brought
about by the north and north-easterly winds from central Europe.
Summers are hot, dry and very sunny. Day-time temperatures in summer are often
mitigated by cooling sea breezes, but in spring and autumn a very hot wind from
Africa occasionally brings unseasonably high temperatures and humidity. This is
known as the Sirocco, or, in Maltese, the Xlokk – this wind affects Greece and
Italy as well; in Malta the air is generally drier because of the short sea
track from the African coast.
Annual rainfall is low, averaging 578mm a year, and the length of the dry season
in summer is longer than in neighboring Italy. Sea bathing is quite possible
well in to the ‘winter’ months, and the peak beach season can last until mid- to
late October.
Currency, Credit Cards & Banks
Currency
The Maltese Lira(Lm), often referred to as the Maltese
pound, is divided into 100 cents. Exchange controls have been removed but any
person entering or leaving Malta carrying cash or other monetary instruments,
the value of which is equal to or in excess of LM5000 or equivalent will be
obliged to fill in the appropriate declaration form available from Customs.
Banks & Currency Exchange
Banks are normally open between 08.30 a.m. and 12.30
p.m. from Monday to Friday, and up to 11.30 a.m. on Saturday. Some banks work
longer hours. Summer and winter opening hours may differ. Exchange Bureaux at
Malta International Airport are open 24 hours a day. International bankcards
are accepted and foreign currency is easily exchanged. Banks, Automated Teller
Machines (ATMs) and exchange bureaux can be found all over the Islands. Many
hotels and larger shops and restaurants accept foreign currency. Exchange rates
offered by hotels, restaurants and shops may not be as competitive as those
available at banks.
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Credit Cards
Most hotels and restaurants, as well as many shops,
accept Access, American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club International,
Mastercard and Visa.
Electricity
The electrical supply is 240 volts, 50 hertz. The
three-pin rectangular plug system is used, as in Britain.
Adapters are very easy to find.
Health
Malta has an excellent health service. Hospitals are
modern and supported by a regional network of health centers. Travelers do not
normally require certificates of vaccination or insulation to enter the Maltese
Islands. It is advisable to take out a personal medical insurance policy.
Malta has reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom.
Nationals of these countries, visiting the Islands for no longer than one month,
are entitled to free medical and hospital care in both Malta and Gozo. Visitors
receiving special medical treatment should bring a medical prescription or a
letter of introduction from their family doctor, in case they need to purchase
particular medicines. Tap water is safe to drink.
Language
The official languages are Maltese and English.
Maltese is a language of Semitic origin written in the Latin script. Over the
centuries, it has incorporated many words derived from English, Italian and
French. More on the origins of the Maltese Language.
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Postal Service
Malta has an efficient postal service. The main post office (for parcel
collection too) is at 305, Qormi Road, Qormi and is open from 07:45 to 18:30
Monday to Saturday in winter (1 October to 15
June); and from 07:30 to 18:00 in summer (16 June to 30 September). In Gozo,
the main post office is at 129 Republic Street, Victoria. Most towns and
villages have post or sub-post offices. Stamps are frequently available from
hotels and souvenir shops as well. Poste Restante is only available at the main
post offices and only on written application, made in advance to the chairman.
Public
Toilets
There are plenty of public conveniences in towns and
villages across the Islands. You will find them mostly at entrances to gardens
or in village and town squares. They are generally well kept and clean. There
is usually an attendant and it is the custom to leave a few cents small change
as a tip.
Shop Hours
Commercial centers and shops are usually easily
accessible by public or private transport. Shops are normally open between 9.00
a.m. and 1.00 p.m. and between 4.00 p.m. and 7 p.m. In tourist areas, many shops
remain open till 10.00 p.m. Shops are normally closed on Sundays and Public
Holidays.
Swimming & Sunbathing
The Maltese coastal waters are generally clean and
safe for swimming as there are no tides. Some bays are exposed to north and
north-easterly winds which do produce some strong undercurrents at times. Ghajn
Tuffieha Bay and Golden Bay areas can be dangerous – a red flag flies to
indicate when bathing should be restricted to only the innermost, shallow
waters. The sea temperature averages around 22.8 degrees centigrade in summer.
For where to swim, see
beaches and our interactive map. For swimming
pools, see
land sports and training facilities
Sun Bathing
The Maltese Archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean
and has a latitude more southerly than that of northern Tunisia. You are
therefore advised to take precautions to ensure you avoid over exposure to the
sun. Even in winter it is advisable to wear a suitable factor sunscreen for
your skin type. This is all the more important if you are out walking, or taking
part in water sports. A sun hat of some sort is a must. Children and especially
babies need extra protection from the sun. If you are sunbathing, it is
advisable to avoid the strongest sunlight between the hours of 11am and 3pm in
peak summer months.
Telecommunications & Internet
Local and international telephone calls can be made from
hotel rooms. Most hotels also offer fax and Internet access. Maltacom provides
round the clock international telecommunication, telex, fax and Internet access
at its offices in St. George’s Bay, St. Julian’s. Its office in South Street,
Valletta provides these services during office hours from Monday to Friday. The
same services, as well as the sale of telecards, are available from 8.00 a.m. to
10.00 p.m. at Maltacom’s offices in Sliema, St. Paul’s Bay and Malta
International Airport. The Islands are well-wired (there are around 8 Internet
Service Providers). You will find several Internet Cafés on the Islands.
Coin and card operated telephone boxes can be found all over Malta and Gozo. New
communication technologies are widely available. Local mobile phone companies
have agreements with the major international operators. Nevertheless, it is
recommended that you ask your operator for details before you leave your country
of origin.
Useful & Emergency Telephone Numbers
00
International Code
356 Direct Dialing Code
(Malta)
191 Police
196 Ambulance
199 Fire Brigade
1182 Directory Enquiries
1152 Overseas Operator
195 Time Check
Time
Difference
Malta is on Central European Time (CET), which is 1
hour ahead of GMT in winter and 2 hours ahead between the last Sunday in March
and the last Sunday in October. Malta is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time
(EST) in winter and 7 hours ahead between the last Sunday in March and the last
Sunday in October.
Tipping
Gratuities are usually in the region of 10 – 15%, as
in most European countries. As a rule of thumb: taxi drivers – not expected,
but up to 10%; porters – 10c to 15c per piece of luggage; restaurants, unless a
service charge is added to the bill, 10%
Visas
You will need a passport, and probably a visa to visit
Malta. It is advisable that you check about visa and entry requirements before
making your travel arrangements.
List of Third Countries whose citizens are subject to visa
obligations.
List of Third Countries whose citizens are exempt from the
visa requirement.
Visa Application Form (pdf).
You can also access the
Malta Government Website or contact an official
Malta
diplomatic representative near you. Details can
also be obtained from: The Immigration Police, Police Headquarters, Floriana.
Malta. Tel (00356) 21240803 or 21240775. Fax (00356) 21242223.
Email :
cmru.police@gov.mt.
Maltese Embassies & Consulates - Click here for a list of Maltese Embassies and Consulates.
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Water
Tap water is safe to drink throughout the Maltese
Islands. Local and imported bottled mineral water is also readily available.
