Visiting Malta – All you need to know

The small archipelago of Malta has enough to offer for a long weekend in the European summer months. Ancient buildings with stunning architecture, beautiful beaches with crystal clear water, good food, and lively nightlife are among the things you can find in Malta to make your holidays unforgettable. A former British Colony located between Italy and Tunisia, Malta has inherited from both cultures, making it a great location to spend a few days. Read this travel guide to make the most of each moment when you are visiting Malta.

How to get to Malta?

The most common way to get in and out of Malta is by air. Malta has only one airport “Malta International Airport”. In the worst case, you must do a layover in a European country before landing in Malta. Another alternative way to get to Malta is by taking the ferry from Italy to Malta. This way is less used.

At the airport, you can find several bus lines that connect it with different cities. For example, you may use lines 71, 72, and 73 to go from the airport in Valletta.

Best time to visit Malta?

The location in the Mediterranean gives Malta more than 300 sunny days yearly and guarantees good weather all year around. Malta is a popular European summer destination, and its relatively small size makes it overcrowded during the peak season. Most of the beaches are relatively small, and you may end up being a bit disappointed in what Malta has to offer. So, the best time to visit Malta can be spring and fall, exactly late May – early June and late September – early October.
The weather is super nice, and you will find less crowds. So, consider visiting Malta all year round.

 How many days to stay in Malta?

As for the perfect number of days to visit Malta, I would say 5 days, but it can vary on what you want to do during your stay. Five days are enough if you want to visit the main attraction, explore history, culture, and tradition, also enjoy the afternoons by the beach. The small size of the island gives you the possibility to see so much in a short space of time.

If you want to have more relaxing holidays, you may consider adding to your itinerary 3 or 4 more days. Booking a resort and enjoying the golden sand beaches will give you a boost of energy for a fresh start.

Check this travel guide on what not to miss in Malta during your stay.

Where to stay and how to get around?

There are two main cities where you can stay and two ways to move based on where you are located:

St Julian’s (Paceville)

A modern town is known for its vibrant nightlife. There you can find a lot of bars, restaurants and nightclubs, casinos offering you a lot of choices for every moment of your stay in Malta. If you are a shopping addict, Paceville is the place to be too. It is also home to Spinola Bay and St Gorge’s Bay, two popular beaches with many water sports and activities to do.

Valletta

The capital of Malta is much a smaller city than Paceville. It’s the most unique city in Malta and it has a lot of history. Valletta is home to the most iconic landmarks and the most important historical sites to visit in the country. Valletta is also home to great restaurants and bars and there are several Michelin Stars restaurants.

So, if you are an energetic one and focused on nightlife you must stay in Paceville. If you are seeking a cultural and historical experience, you must choose to base yourself in Valletta.

As mentioned above there are also two ways to get around in Malta.
Renting a car – This is the most comfortable way to get around in Malta. Renting a car will save you time and give you the possibility to locate wherever you want to. So if you are planning to stay in Paceville this option is ideal for you. Visiting Malta by renting a car, is very comfortable.

Tip: To rent a car in Malta, have must hold your license for at least 2 years and you must be at least 21 years old (age may vary by car category).

Public transportation – The island of Malta is a very small island, and that’s because you don’t need a car to get around. The public transportation in Malta is well-connected and efficient. You can visit all the major sites by using the buses, they practically go everywhere in the country. The ticket cost 2 euros during the day and 3 euros at night. Downloading a route map, you can visit Malta on a budget, without renting a car.

The main bus station is in Valletta. I suggest you stay in Valletta if you want to use public transportation, so you will have more choices and schedule your time better.

Tip: The ticket’s duration is 2 hours and in the ticket is written the starting and ending time of the ticket, so you may consider using the same ticket two times.

Tip: Instead of using taxis, you may use the Bolt app. It tends to be a little bit cheaper than the taxis.

More things to keep in mind while visiting Malta:

The language spoken is English. They have their own language, but everyone speaks English too.

The country’s currency is the Euro. The credit card is used almost everywhere, but if you are using public transport, bring some cash with you. I found the card machines not working on the major part of the buses.

Don’t forget the sunscreen, cover up and drink plenty of water. In the summer could be very hot.

A great way to get faster information is by asking the locals. They are very friendly, and in Malta, everybody knows everybody and every road. The island is very small.

If you are renting a car, keep in mind that in Malta they drive on the left side of the road.

The plugs used in Malta are as in the UK, Type G, and not European style. So, check the hotel if they have an adapter or bring yours.

Don’t skip Gozo and Comino. They are the cherry on top of your trip to Malta.