Travel Guide Malta A jewel between Orient and Occident
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Travel Guide
Malta
A jewel between Orient and Occident
02 Quick view 04 Top 10 sights 10 Hotels
02 Malta 06 Shopping in Malta 11 Best of …
03 Travel etiquette 07 Restaurants
04 Health 08 Nightlife
04 Phone calls & Internet 09 Calendar of events
© Getty Images/iStockphoto
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Quick view
Malta – a brief overview
One of Europe’s smallest countries, Malta, and its sister islands Gozo and Comino,
manages to pack a sizeable cultural punch. It’s home to two UNESCO-listed
monuments and one UNESCO-listed city centre (Valletta), and successive waves
of occupying powers have helped create an eclectic culture that has seemingly
taken the best from each one.
From Gozo’s Citadella to Valletta’s knightly palaces, Malta is endlessly fascinating
and boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, as well as some
incredible rock formations such as the iconic Azure Window. Scores of sleepy
fishing villages, excellent local wines and toothsome local fare complete a very
enticing picture.
Malta
General Information
Country overview
From the MTV music festival in Valletta to abseiling and climbing in Gozo, Malta
rocks.
Small in size but big in character, Malta offers cool cafes, buzzing night clubs,
exhilarating activities, exciting festivals and amazing archaeological wonders,
whatever the time of year.
Geography
The Maltese archipelago is situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, with the
largest inhabited island, Malta, lying 93km (58 miles) south of Sicily and 290km
(180 miles) from North Africa. Gozo and Comino are the only other inhabited
islands. The landscape of all three is characterised by low hills with terraced fields.
Malta the largest island and the cultural and commercial centre, has a rolling
terrain and a largely rugged coastline, indented with harbours, bays, creeks, sandy
beaches and rocky coves.
It has no mountains or rivers. Gozo is connected to Malta by ferry and is more
verdant, with many flat-topped hills and craggy cliffs. Comino, the smallest island,
is connected to Malta and Gozo by ferry and is very sparsely populated.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 430146 (2014)
Population Density (per sq km): 1346
Capital: Valletta.
Language
Maltese (a Semitic language) and English are the official languages. Italian is also
widely spoken.
Currency
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Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100,
50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and
1 cents.
Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin plugs are in use.
General business opening hours
Mon-Fri 0830-1730, Sat 0800-1300.
Public holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December
2021.
2020
L-Ewwel tas-Sena (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2020
San Pawl Nawfragu (Feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck): 10 February 2020
San Ġużepp (Feast of St Joseph): 19 March 2020
Jum il-Ħelsien (Freedom Day): 31 March 2020
Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira (Good Friday): 10 April 2020
Jum il-Ħaddiem (Labour Day): 1 May 2020
Sette Giugno (Republic Day): 7 June 2020
L-Imnarja (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul): 29 June 2020
Santa Marija (Assumption Day): 15 August 2020
Jum il-Vitorja (Feast of Our Lady of Victories): 8 September 2020
Jum l-Indipendenza (Independence Day): 21 September 2020
Il-Kunċizzjoni (Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2020
Jum ir-Repubblika (Republic Day:): 13 December 2020
Il-Milied (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020
2021
L-Ewwel tas-Sena (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2021
San Pawl Nawfragu (Feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck): 10 February 2021
San Ġużepp (Feast of St Joseph): 19 March 2021
Jum il-Ħelsien (Freedom Day): 31 March 2021
Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira (Good Friday): 2 April 2021
Jum il-Ħaddiem (Labour Day): 1 May 2021
Sette Giugno (Republic Day): 7 June 2021
L-Imnarja (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul): 29 June 2021
Santa Marija (Assumption Day): 15 August 2021
Jum il-Vitorja (Feast of Our Lady of Victories): 8 September 2021
Jum l-Indipendenza (Independence Day): 21 September 2021
Il-Kunċizzjoni (Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2021
Jum ir-Repubblika (Republic Day:): 13 December 2021
Il-Milied (Christmas Day): 25 December 2021
All information subject to change.
Travel etiquette
How to fit in
Social Conventions
The usual European courtesies are expected, but the visitor should also bear in
mind the tremendous importance of Roman Catholicism; if visiting a church, for
instance, modest dress covering the shoulders and legs will be expected.
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Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in all public buildings, including
cinemas, restaurants and bars.
Health
Health
Food & Drink
Mains water is normally chlorinated and, whilst safe, may cause mild abdominal
upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay.
Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat,
poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Schembri Wismayer, Mark
Krypton Clinic
Ibragg Road
Ibragg
Malta
Tel. +356-99494006
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
bear the cost of any treatment.
Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +356
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway
and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without
incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for
phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do
apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on
data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your
country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the
new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using
public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all
passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or
security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Malta
Ġgantija Temples
One of the world’s most important architectural sites, Gozo’s UNESCO-listed
Ggantija Temples are thought to date from between 3600 and 3200BC.
Ggajtina, Temples Street Opening times:
Xaghra Gozo Daily 0800-1915 (Apr-Sep)
Malta Daily 0900-1700 (Oct-Mar)
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Tel.: +356 2153 3194 www.heritagemalta.org
Blue Lagoon
A spectacular sheltered cove tucked into the western end of Comino and obscured
by the islet of Cominotto, the Blue Lagoon is a little slice of the Caribbean in
Europe.
Comino
Malta
The Palace State Rooms, Grand Masters Palace
It might look plain from the outside but once through the front door, the opulent
lifestyle of Malta’s ruling Grand Masters becomes plain. Owned by the Knights of
St John, this 16th-century palace is packed with stunning artefacts.
Palace Square Opening times:
VLT 1191 Valletta Mon-Wed and Fri 1000-1600
Malta Sat-Sun 0900-1630
Tel.: +356 2124 9349
www.heritagemalta.org
Calypso’s Cave
A natural sea cave said by some to have been the home of Homeric nymph
Calypso, the rock formation itself is underwhelming (and usually sealed off) but the
spectacular view over Ramla Bay makes it well worth the trip.
Ix-Xagħra
Malta
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Another Maltese monument to win UNESCO listing, the Ħal-Saflieni Hypogeum is
a huge and incredibly well-preserved tomb of a similar vintage to the Ggantija
Temples.
Hal Saflieni Street Opening times:
PLA 1116 Paola Mon-Fri 0900-1600
Malta
Tel.: +356 2180 5019 www.heritagemalta.org
Fort Rinella
Built by the British in the 19th century, Fort Rinella is one of two built to counter the
threat from the then newly united Italy. Boasting two 100-tonne Armstrong guns,
the largest ever built, the fort also doubles as a military museum.
St Rocco Road Opening times:
KKR 9063 Kalkara Tue-Sun 1000-1700
Malta
Tel.: +356 2180 9713 www.fortrinella.com
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The Azure Window
A sight that ought to be familiar to fans of Game of Thrones, the Azure Window is a
huge natural rock arch perched just off the coast of Gozo.
Dwerja
San Lawren
Gozo
Malta
St John’s Co-Cathedral
The religious seat of the Knights of St John, St John’s Co-Cathedral is one of the
largest in Valletta and was built during the 15th century. Austere from without,
inside the church is a homage to Maltese baroque complete with a marble floor
and lashings of gilt.
St John Street Opening times:
Valetta 1156 Mon-Fri 0930-1630
Malta Sat 0930-1230
www.stjohnscocathedral.com
Citadella
Fortified since the Bronze Age, the Citadella glowers out across Gozo’s capital
Victoria from its lofty perch atop a hill. A mixture of fortified ramparts, a baroque
cathedral and a smattering of homes, boutiques and restaurants, it’s well worth the
(exhausting) climb.
Victoria, Gozo
Malta
Villa Rundle Gardens
Laid out by British Governor General Sir Leslie Rundle in 1914, this set of century-
old gardens are some of the prettiest in Malta and include some beautiful
examples of local flora. Perfect for an afternoon’s wandering.
Republic Street Opening times:
VCT 1019 Victoria, Gozo Daily 0600-2000
Malta
Tel.: +356 2215 6400 mgoz.gov.mt/en/Pages/Other/Villa-Run
dle-Garde...
Shopping in Malta
Shopping in Malta
Key Areas
Valletta is home to most of the major international brands, although things do have
a very British feel: expect to find branches of M&S, Next and The Body Shop as
well as local boutiques. Elsewhere, Gozo’s capital Victoria is heaven for anyone
looking for local crafts, with everything from Maltese wine to sea salt on offer.
Markets
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Most Maltese towns hold an open-air market once a week but one of the best is in
Birzebbugia, where on Thursdays, you can find local produce and crafts galore.
Shopping Centres
Daniel’s Shopping Centre (St Joseph High Street) in Hamrun has a good selection
of big names while Valletta’s Embassy Shopping Complex (St Lucia Street) is vast
and modern.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Malta
An eclectic hybrid of Italian, Arabic and, yes, British influences, Maltese cuisine
can throw up some unusual combinations but is nearly always delicious.Seafood
is a local staple as is rabbit. The salty local goat’s cheese is not to be missed.
Tarragon
With outside tables overlooking the Mediterranean, Tarragon dishes up melt-in-
your-mouth steaks and sensational seafood – try the octopus in chilli and cherry
tomato marmalade.
Church St Price: Expensive
St Paul's Bay
Malta
Il-Horza
Fresh local fare in a cosy little eatery tucked away down a cobbled Valletta street.
6 St. Christopher's Street Price: Expensive
Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1468
Malta
Ta'Rikardu
Traditional Maltese fare, including brilliant homemade goat’s cheese, in the heart
of the Citadella.
Triq il-Fosos, Cittadella Price: Moderate
Victoria, Gozo,
VCT 1842
Malta
Blue Creek Restaurant
Nice restaurant with a stunning view over Ghar Lapsi. Families welcome.
Ghar Lapsi Price: Moderate
Siggiewi
Malta
Xerri il-Bukkett
With incredible views over Comino and a nice line in Maltese tapas, this is a
locals’ favourite.
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Triq iż-Żewwiega Price: Cheap
QLA 1433 Qala, Gozo
Malta
Nightlife
Nightlife in Malta
Despite its staid reputation, Malta and Gozo have no shortage of bars and clubs –
many of which attract big-name DJs.Along with pretty beachside bars,
traditionalists can enjoy the many British pubs, nearly all of which serve real ale on
tap.
Il-Forn
A chic bar with a huge open courtyard and more than 100 different types of wine on
the menu.
27 Tramuntana
Birgu BRG1160
Malta
Level 22
A glitzy 22nd-floor bar with an excellent cocktail menu and incredible views.
Level 22, Portomaso Tower
PTM 01 Portomaso
Malta
La Grotta
Housed in a huge natural limestone cave, La Grotta has two large dance floors and
live DJs.
Triq tal-Ghajn
Il-Munxar, Gozo
Malta
Tico Tico
Edgily glamorous in a part of town once famous for its Royal Navy dive bars.
61 Strait Street
Valletta
Malta
Fat Harry’s
English beer, English food and very Anglo-Saxon ideas about hospitality – great
fun.
Pjazza Walkway
St Paul's Bay
Malta
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Calendar of events
Calendar of events
Carnival
A five-day programme of colourful floats, children running around in extravagantly
designed costumes and parties in the streets and night clubs. Top night spot,
Paceville, comes alive, catching the late night carnival goers who pile into its clubs
and bars, still wearing their outrageous outfits. In Nadur on Gozo the carnival takes
on a more macabre mood.
February 21 - 25, 2020
Venue: Various
Malta International Fireworks Festival
Over the last weekend in April, Malta will put on a fabulous fireworks show against
the spectacular backdrop of the Grand Harbour in Valletta. Malta is famous for its
fireworks, a tradition which goes back to the time of the Order of the Knights of St
John. The festival commemorates Malta's accession into the European Union in
2004 and will feature magnificent fireworks displays synchronized to music. Live
entertainment will also be provided by Maltese musicians and artists. Ta' Liesse
and the Barriera Wharf provide the best viewing spots.
April 18 - 30, 2020
Venue: Various venues
MTV Malta Special
Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg and the Black Eyed Peas have headlined the Isle of MTV
Malta Special, Malta's biggest open-air party. The line-up of top musicians and DJs
provides the finale to the popular Malta Music Week.
July 2020
Venue: Floriana Granaries, near Valletta
Malta Arts Festival
Enjoy a celebration of theatre, dance, music and art from top Maltese and
international artists. A wide variety of different art forms are performed in various
locations depicting a vast array of styles and genres.
June - July 2020
Venue: Throughout the city
Village Festas
Virtually every weekend throughout the summer months, different villages
celebrate the feast of their patron saint with extensive firework displays, parades of
extravagant gold-decorated wooden statues and parties in town squares. Banners
and flags adorn people's balconies and kiosks sell local produces including
nougat and other Maltese delicacies.
June - September 2020
Venue: Valletta, towns and villages
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Malta Jazz Festival
The Malta International Jazz Festival takes place annually in July over three nights
at Ta‘ Liesse down by the Valletta quay inside the Grand Harbour. A line-up of top
Maltese and international artists from countries such as Brazil, Africa and the
Middle East present an eclectic mix of jazz styles over three days. World famous
artists who have performed in the past have included John Scofield, Al Di Meola,
Chick Corea and Dee Dee Bridgewater.
July 13 - 18, 2020
Venue: Ta’ Liesse, Valletta
Farsons Great Beer Festival
This 10-day festival is a big social event that's enjoyed by Maltese and tourists
alike with things for all the family to do, besides just drinking beer! Live
entertainment is provided courtesy of top local singers and bands, and a variety of
food complements the large selection of beers produced and imported by Farsons.
There are over 300 hours of music, 40 live performances, 15 bars and two stages
in the festive open-air atmosphere of the park. The event draws many thousands of
visitors each year.
July 30 - August 8, 2020
Venue: Ta' Qali Park
Hotels
Hotels in Malta
Malta and its little sister Gozo have no shortage of hotels to choose from, whether
you’re after 5-star luxury, stylish boutique properties or a cheap and cheerful bed
and breakfast.Either way, you’re spoilt for choice.
Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz
A huge and comfortable 5-star hotel with all the amenities you’d expect from
Kempinski.
Triq ir-Rokon Category: Expensive
SLZ 1040, San Pawl il-Baħar
San Lawrenz, Gozo
Malta
The Xara Palace
This family-run pile is tucked away in medieval Mdina but boasts every modern
luxury imaginable.
Misrah il-Kunsill Category: Expensive
MDN 1050 Mdina
Malta
Grand Excelsior Hotel
A huge 426-room hotel with harbour views, the Grand Excelsior has its own private
marina.
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Great Siege Road Category: Moderate
FRN 1810 Floriana
Malta
The George
This smart boutique hotel comes with classy contemporary décor and a gorgeous
rooftop pool and bar.
Paceville Avenue Category: Moderate
STJ 3103 St Julian’s
Malta
British Hotel
One of Valletta’s oldest hotels, the family-run property has a terrace overlooking
the harbour.
40 Battery street Category: Cheap
Valletta VLT1222
Malta
Best of …
… dive into Malta
mauritius images / tony french / Alamy
Gozo, the peaceful. Comino, the small. Malta, the lively. Three islands make up the
Maltese Archipelago situated between Libya and Sicily, which is popular above all
for its sunny climate and crystal-clear waters. Some of the best diving grounds in
the Mediterranean lie just off the coast, while on land, you will find the highest
density of religious buildings in all of Europe.And that means you can enjoy some
of the excellent bathing and boating to be had on these shores and also immerse
yourself in European history – a tour of discovery above and below the water.
Mdina
The 4000-year-old walls of the former capital, Mdina, stand on a mountaintop at the
heart of the main island, Malta. Mdina’s imposing architecture is entirely preserved,
and the city is a UNESCO-designated Urban Conservation Area today. Only some
240 people still live here, but visitors abound in its streets, which would make a
perfect movie set. From the main gate, tourists make their way along the narrow
streets as far as a small square and magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral. Some of
Malta’s best restaurants are tucked away inside Mdina’s ancient walls – and as
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well as culinary delights, they offer magnificent views over the island.
1, Bastion Street Opening times:
Mdina Victoria, Malta Monday to Saturday 1900-0100
Tel. +356-21 45 30 89
www.vinumwinebar.com/
Dive into the Blue Hole
Shipwrecks, caves and craggy underwater canyons: Malta is well known for its
excellent diving spots. Because the coast is solid rock with no outflowing rivers, the
sea here is extremely clear. Like a cylinder ten meters wide, this opening in the
coastal rock face goes down 15 meters and is ideal for snorkelers and scuba divers
– after floating through a tunnel, you emerge inside a seemingly utopian
underwater world.
A dive costs 50 euros, equipment included.
Mgarr Road gozodiving.com/
Xewkija, Gozo
Malta
Tel. +356-79 00 95 65
The Blue Lagoon
Comino is the tiny island between Malta and Gozo. The famous Blue Lagoon is a
rocky bay with waters so turquoise and clear that the ships anchored there almost
appear to be floating heavenward. There are several boat tours available to take
tourists across from Gozo and Malta to the lagoon, a blue marine pool that
positively invites you to take the plunge with snorkel and flippers.
Price: 20 to 30 euros, day tours last approx. 6 hours
Ramla Bay bluewaveswatersports.com
II-Mellieha MLH 7100
Malta
Tel. + 356-99 82 68 63 oder +356-21
52 58 61
Valletta
Most of Malta’s tourist attractions can be found in its capital city, Valletta. The old
citadel in its entirety is a historical monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Grand Master Palace is considered to be the most splendid building here, St.
John’s Co-Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches anywhere in the
Mediterranean. Knights of the Maltese Order of St. John shaped its stone walls,
while Calabrian artists painted its vaulted ceiling. A relaxing change after all the
history: a stroll along the promenade of harbor island Manoel and through colorful,
ever-bustling Republic Street with its many bars, restaurants and shops.
Valetta
Malta
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Sea Kayaking
Like to see Malta from a different perspective and take a little active exercise at the
same time? Rental sea kayaks are available almost everywhere here. It’s a good
idea to book one of the guided tours, as they will usually take you a little further –
across to Gozo and Comino or along the coast to bays that cannot be reached on
foot. Along the way, everyone shares a beach picnic. Alternatively, you could book
yourself a three-day kayak tour, with beach camping, sleeping in caves and a trip to
the imposing cliffs of Xlendi Bay included.
Price: Day tour (roughly 7 hours) 75 euros
7, Triq Sant Indrija Website
Victoria, Malta
Tel. +356-99 99 45 92
Mosta Church
There’s a church for every day of the year in Malta – in fact, with its 365 houses of
worship, the density of churches here is greater than in Rome. But the Church of St.
Mary, or the Rotunda, in Mosta is of particular interest due to its special story: On
April 9, 1942, a German bomb fell onto the Rotunda, crashed through its dome and
landed in the nave, where some 300 people had taken refuge. The bomb failed to
explode, however, and that is still celebrated as a miracle to this day. A replica of
the bomb now lies in the sacristy, while the original is housed in the National War
Museum in Valletta. The Rotunda of Mosta is worth a visit even beyond this
anecdote since at 39 meters in diameter, its dome is the world’s fourth-largest.
Pjazza Rotunda Opening times:
Mosta, Malta Monday to Saturday 0900–1100 and
Tel. + 356-21 43 38 26 1500–1700
Blue Grotto
Gouged deep into the rocks on the southwest coast of Malta, there’s the Blue
Grotto – a cave 90 meters long and 40 meters high with two entrances, which can
be reached only from the sea. The water there is a magical color, a brilliant sky
blue that’s created by the slanting rays of the sun reflecting off the blue algae in the
water. In calm waters, boats can sail into what is, in fact, a system of caverns – and
right through those six “halls” of rock. Boat tours set out from neighboring Wied iz-
Zurrieq south of the village of Qrendi, which also has some nice cafés and
restaurants.
Price: 8 euros for adults, 4 euros for children
Wied iz-Zurrieq Opening times:
Monday to Sunday 0900–1700
bluegrottomalta.com.mt
Casino
There are plenty of opportunities for dancing, or enjoying a game of poker or a
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good drink in the islands’ many casinos, which aside from gambling, generally also
provide entertainment in the form of concerts, shows and comedy. The casinos can
be found equally in old colonial villas beside the sea and modern hotels, or tucked
away in a restored 17th-century, harbor-side mansion. St. Julian’s boasts the
Casino Malta, which with its bars, night club, slot machines, roulette and all the
table games is the largest in Malta.
Eden Place St. Augustine Street Opening times:
St. George’s Bay round the clock
St. Julian’s, Malta
Tel. + 356-23 71 05 55 casinomalta.com.mt
Diving to the P29
One of the best and most famous dives from the island of Malta takes you to the
wreck of the patrol ship P29. Its intact hull lies on the seabed, 35 meters beneath
the waves, and is almost entirely overgrown with seaweed. The dive begins with a
gentle swim out from the shore across a small, calm lagoon. On the other side, you
dive over the edge into the deep blue sea and keep on diving down until you catch
sight of the wreck. Visibility at the site is roughly 30 meters, and you can even climb
on board the ship: engine room, bridge and superstructure are all great to dive.
Dive, equipment included: 47.50 euros; two dives: 85 euros
Triq George Borg Olivier divemalta.com.mt
St. Julian’s, Malta
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