Malta is an intriguing island nation in Southern Europe, that will defy your expectations and surprise you. Prior to visiting it, I only know it to be an incredible wreck diving destination with natural beauty and rich culture, but upon arrival, I soon learned that it is much more than that. I was more than pleasantly surprised by everything Malta has to offer. I just wish that someone had given me these Malta tips as it would have made the planning process easier.
Whether you are interested in history and culture or just want to relax at the beach, Malta has something for everyone. And once you start exploring the island beyond Valletta and Mdina, you will realize that there is much more to the island than just the locations where Game of Thrones and movies were filmed.
All of these Malta travel tips are based on my own experience and observation. And while some of them might be obvious to frequent travelers, others sure did surprise me. I promise that these Malta tips will help you make the most of your adventure, so you can experience it just as I did.
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Malta Tips: Getting Around
1. Use the Public Transport
Public transport in Malta is affordable and reliable, and the perfect way to explore the entire island. While this might change in the future, there are currently no rails in Malta. However, many bus lines connect the entire island nation. A bus ride during the day costs 2.50€, and a night ride costs 3€.
In addition to buses, there are also ferries. Aside from the ferry between the main island and Gozo, there are also shorter ferry rides between places like Sliema and Valetta, and The Three Cities and Valetta.
While these ferries that connect Valetta run according to schedule most of the time, service can be suspended if the sea in the harbors is rough. If you want to avoid walking to the ferry pier only to realize that the ferry service is suspended, you can check the ferry status here.
Be sure to download the Tallinja app. It is the Maltese public transport app and you can use it to look up the best bus routes, and when the next bus will depart. Sometimes the buses are delayed, so the app is the perfect way to know how long you will have to wait. You can also connect it with your Tallinja Card.
2. Use UBER or Bolt instead of taking the Taxi
If you want to get around in Malta and do bit want to take the bus or rent a car, it is very affordable to use UBER or Bolt. Hereby, it is entirely up to you if you use Uber or Bolt as both tend to be within the same price range. If you have an account with both, it can be worth it to compare prices during peak hours.
I often paid between 4€ and 6€ to cover distances that would be longer walks than 30 minutes, and an UBER from Sliema all the way to Mdina is usually no more than 20€ and can be as little as 14€. For comparison: A taxi ride within Sliema costs 10€.
3. Small Cars are better
Another useful Malta travel tip is that smaller cars are better when it comes to getting around the island. If you plan to rent a car in Malta, you should be prepared for narrow streets. The narrow streets and tight turns in many parts of the island can make driving a larger car a challenging and stressful experience. In addition to that, parking can be limited in some areas, so having a smaller car can make finding a parking spot easier.
While I initially planned to rent a car for part of the trip, I ultimately decided against it due to the small roads in the towns and cities of Malta. While a car would have made getting around easier at times, I implore you to consider whether you actually need a car or not. And if your answer is yes, you should do yourself a favor by renting a small car.
Rent a small car for your Malta trip now.
Malta Tips for Digital Nomads & Travelers
4. Book your Accommodation well in Advance
Given my own experience of looking for a place to stay in Malta, I would say that booking your accommodation at least two months in advance is one of the most vital Malta travel tips. Nowadays, Malta is a popular tourist destination, and even higher-end accommodation options can fill up quickly – especially during the peak travel season.
Therefore, it is essential to book your hotel room as soon as possible or you risk having to choose another accommodation at a much higher price.
While this is already crucial for travelers visiting Malta for a week or two, it is even more important if you are a digital nomad who is planning to stay for at least a month. In recent years, accommodations in desirable locations have become much more expensive, which means you have to book your accommodation sooner than you would for other digital nomad hotspots around the world.
Book your hotel now to ensure you get the best price and can stay in the hotel of your choice!
5. Pack for any weather
If there is one Malta tip I wish someone had told me, it is to pack for any weather if you visit outside of summer. Onion look is best as it can be super warm while you are in the sun only for it to be much cooler once you are in the shade and there is a breeze. It is often quite windy, so pack a windbreaker. A windbreaker and rain jacket combi is ideal in spring and autumn.
At the beginning of April, I was actually wearing my winter coat at night as temperatures dropped below 10°C at times.
6. Visit during the off-season
Malta can get crowded during peak season, which is between June and September. Consider visiting during the off-season (October to early May) to avoid the crowds and have a more relaxed time.
Aside from saving money on your accommodation and potentially even your flights to Malta, you will also benefit from an off-season trip as you will be able to simply show up at popular restaurants in Sliema or St. Julian’s without a reservation. Additionally, you will not have to book day trips weeks in advance as there will still be plenty of options at the last minute.
Malta Travel Tips for Foodies
7. Give the Maltese Cuisine a Shot
Given the country’s proximity to Sicily, it is no surprise that there is a lot of Italian food on restaurant menus and in supermarkets. However, you should also try the local Maltese food. Malta might not be known as a foodie destination, but the food is influenced by all kinds of Mediterranean cuisines with the addition of some North African flavors. It is a melting pot of international food and there are plenty of amazing restaurants.
Some of my personal favorites include Maltese cookies and pastizzi (with peas). Trying at least one of the latter is a must, as a tour guide described them the following way: “Pastizzi is the Maltese equivalent of tea in Britain. It’s everywhere and you can’t escape it. It’s the staple of Maltese breakfast”, but also eaten at other times of the day.
And if you happen to have fewer dietary limits than I do, you could also try a variety of dishes with rabbit meat or seafood.
If you want to learn more about Maltese food and drinks, you should join one of these two Valletta food tours:
Don’t know where to eat in Malta? Check out these fantastic restaurants in Sliema and in St. Julian’s. And of course, Gozo is a foodie hotspot too!
8. Early Happy Hour in Malta
If your travel plans include sitting in the sun and sipping a cocktail, you should know that the happy hour in many bars tends to start quite early. In some places, it begins at 3 PM or 4 PM and ends at 6 PM (particularly along the beach in Sliema), while it lasts all night long in other bars (including the bar opposite St. John’s Co-Cathedral).
Given that there is a lot to be seen during the day, it might just be best to pay the full amount to make the most of your day.
9. Don’t throw away Empty Bottles
Malta has a Beverage Container Refund Scheme that is similar to that of Germany. If you return single-use plastic bottles (and glass bottles), you get back 0,10€ per bottle. If you return Maltese wine bottles, you will be refunded 0,30€. On the one hand, it will make your trip more sustainable, and on the other hand, you can use the refunded money to buy a refreshing popsicle at the supermarket!
You can find places where you can return your bottles on the official website, but most bigger supermarkets are part of this system, so extensive research on where to go is not required. Just know, that the automates will likely be quite full after the weekend, which means it is best to return your bottles during the week.
Malta Tips
10. Learn Basic Maltese
While English is one of the official languages of Malta, most people will more than appreciate it if you put in an effort and try to learn at least a few Maltese words.
Many words in Maltese have Arabic roots, but Italian, Sicilian, and English also influence the language. The Arabic roots are based on an old Siculo-Arabic dialect that changed over the course of the centuries.
Some words and phrases like ‘hello’ (ħello), ‘good morning’ (bonġu), and ‘cheers’ (saħħa) might sound familiar to you, but words like ‘please’ (jekk jogħġbok) will be harder. I recommend asking a local to help you when it comes to the pronunciation of the word.
‘Ħ/ħ’ is pronounced, while ‘h’ is not. And like in the Yucatan in Mexico, ‘x’ is pronounced as <ch>.
11. Be Respectful
As is the case in every other country around the world, it is crucial that you respect local customs and traditions. Malta has a rich cultural heritage and locals take great pride in it. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the customs and to follow them. After all, doing so is a sign of respect and helps avoid misunderstandings.
When visiting churches and monasteries in Malta, it is essential to behave respectfully as they hold significant cultural and religious value for the locals. Avoid using flash photography or talking loudly, and dress conservatively by covering your shoulders and knees.
And given what I have seen, I would also like to point out that this includes not screaming at locals for any ridiculous reason. Always remember that Malta is their home and that they do not just live there for the amusement of tourists (who had a few drinks too many).
12. Research Festivals happening while you are there
Malta has many religious festivals that take place throughout the year. Be sure to research if any of them are happening while you are there. After all, attending them is a fantastic way to experience the local culture and traditions, while also making your trip unique.
I was in Malta during Easter, and it was fascinating to see many houses decorated with lit-up crosses. And of course, there are also many Easter processions in the day leading up to Easter and on Easter Monday.
Aside from religious festivals, there are also plenty of other festivals throughout the year.
Near the end of April, the Malta International Fireworks Festival is an event not to be missed. Follow the festival’s account for detailed information.
My Malta travel tip for the fireworks festival: While the main celebration of the events in Valetta takes place at the Quarry Wharf, you should watch the fireworks from the Sliema Ferry Pier at least once. From here, you’ll see the fireworks illuminate the night sky around the dome of the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Do not worry if you miss the fireworks festival. Once it is ever, there are festas with fireworks all over Malta every single weekend until September, so all you have to do is look up which one takes place while you are there.
Are you planning a trip?
Check out these useful websites and resources I use to plan my adventures around the world.
Malta Tips Roundup
Malta is a stunning country that is more than worth a visit. If you are planning a trip there soon, these Malta tips will hopefully make it easier to plan your trip (in terms of transportation and accommodation) as well as enhance your experience once you are there.
When it comes down to it, I wish I had known these Malta travel tips. If so, I definitely would have packed my suitcase accordingly. And then there is also the fact that I did not really research festivals aside from Easter before arriving in Malta and was then surprised by how many events there are every single week. It definitely was a pleasant surprise, but definitely lead to some adjustments to my Malta itinerary.
Generally speaking, I can only encourage you to visit this country and stay a while. Venture off the beaten path, and always follow your nose to the nearest shop that sells pastizzi! It certainly is a country that defies your expectations and surprises you, but that is what makes it so charming.
More about Malta
If you are planning your first trip to Malta, you might also be interested in these destination guides:
Sliema
Gozo
Did any of these Malta Tips surprise you?
Let me know in the comments down below!
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