About Malta

Malta is a beautiful group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It includes three islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Located south of Sicily and north of Africa, it covers an area of 316 square kilometers with over 400,000 people living there. Malta is the biggest island and the main cultural and administrative center. Gozo is known for its peaceful life and countryside charm, while Comino is small, almost empty, and great for day trips.

The islands have a lot of historical sites that go back thousands of years. You can see old structures from different times, like big stone buildings, medieval ruins, and fancy Baroque architecture. It’s like a big outdoor museum showing the history of people.

Also, Malta is famous for diving. The clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea make it perfect for exploring underwater. Divers can see sunken ships, caves, and coral reefs, enjoying the amazing underwater world. From the sea, you get stunning views of the islands, showing their natural beauty and historical importance.

Exploring Malta is super easy and fun, thanks to its awesome public transport. Buses run all over the islands, covering pretty much every spot you might want to check out. And guess what? Renting a car won’t break the bank – it’s actually pretty good value. But here’s a little tip: for a chill time, why not hop on a boat? You can take a lovely harbour cruise or zip between Valletta and Sliema with boats running every half hour.

Car Rental

If you want to rent a car in Malta, there are branches of many international car rental companies. You can also use local companies. They offer cars for rent, with or without a driver. The rental prices are quite good compared to other European countries.

Taxis

Many taxi companies in Malta offer a 24-hour service. All taxis have meters. If you take a taxi from Malta International Airport, pay at the taxi booth in the arrivals hall. You will get a ticket with your destination and the fare. Give this ticket to the driver at the end of your trip. If you have any problems or complaints, call Transport Malta at (+356 2122 2203).

Ferries

Regular ferry services operate in Malta too. They connect Valletta, Sliema, and the Three Cities. They run throughout the day. You can see the schedule at www.vallettaferryservices.com.

Buses

In Malta, you can use the convenient bus service by Malta Public Transport. Buses run every day from about 5:30 am to 11 pm. In some areas, night buses run after these hours. More than 100 routes connect you to different central places. You can visit interesting places, beaches, hotels, and nightlife spots.

If you plan to visit Gozo Island, you’ll enjoy a ferry ride that takes people and cars between Malta and Gozo. For information and the ferry schedule, you can call The Gozo Channel Company Ltd at +356 2210 9000, or check their website www.gozochannel.com. On your way, you’ll see amazing views of the open sea and the coastline. The colors of the sunset on the Mediterranean Sea are beautiful and memorable. As you get closer to Gozo, you’ll see its green hills and traditional Maltese buildings.

In Malta, the standard for electrical power is set at 230 volts and 50 hertz frequency. The type of plugs and sockets used here is the three-pin rectangular kind, which is the same as what you’d find in Britain.

Malta offers top-notch healthcare services with both private and public hospitals, supported by health centers across the region. Visitors, especially those from outside the EU, should consider getting personal medical insurance. However, EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens with a European Health Insurance Card can access Malta’s public healthcare for free. There’s also a health agreement with Australia, allowing Australian visitors staying up to a month to receive free medical and hospital care in Malta and Gozo. Those undergoing special medical treatments should bring a prescription or a doctor’s note for purchasing specific medicines.

In case of emergencies, call 112 to reach emergency services. All public general hospitals in the area operate accident and emergency departments around the clock.

You can find pharmacies across the islands, and they’re open during regular shopping hours. On Sundays, they follow a schedule: in Malta, they’re open from 9am to 12.30pm, and in Gozo, from 7.30am to 11am. To find out which pharmacies are open, you can check the local Sunday newspapers or visit www.pharmacy.com.mt/roster online.

Located almost in the middle of the Mediterranean, the Maltese archipelago is even further south than northern Tunisia. Therefore, it’s important to be cautious about sun exposure. Particularly, children and babies require additional protection from the sun’s rays. When sunbathing, especially during the peak summer months, it’s wise to avoid the most intense sunlight, which typically occurs between 11am and 4pm.

• For detailed five-day weather forecasts, visit www.maltaweather.com.
• Check out www.airmalta.com for flight schedules, booking, and check-in options, as well as other passenger details for Air Malta.
• Visit www.transport.gov.mt for comprehensive information on Malta’s transportation system, provided by the local transport authority.
• The Times of Malta’s online edition can be accessed at www.timesofmalta.com.
• For ferry schedules and details between Malta and Gozo, go to www.gozochannel.com.
• Information about arrivals, departures, and various passenger services at Malta’s airport, as well as weather updates, can be found at www.maltairport.com.
• Discover Malta and Gozo’s heritage sites and museums under the care of the national heritage agency at www.heritagemalta.org.
• An online telephone directory for Malta is available at www.go.com.mt.