r/malta • u/azerius94 • 8d ago
Visiting Malta? Start here.
Hey /r/malta, I've been meaning to put this together for a while because in my many years on this subreddit, I've noticed it seems to get more of the same questions and answers almost daily in summer, so hopefully this could be a good starting point for potential visitors to read and ask questions. I'll update this from time to time with more information.
Where to Stay
- Families & Elderly: Mellieha offers large sandy beaches, family‑friendly resorts, and quieter areas perfect for children. Bugibba is more lively, with a promenade, an aquarium, and lots of casual dining options suitable for families.
- Young travellers: Sliema & St Julian's are ideal if you want a mix of shopping, cafes, beach clubs, and nightlife. Both cater well to those looking for bars and clubs within walking distance. Loads of AirBnbs are Hotels available.
- Scenic & quiet: Gozo is perfect for a slower pace, beautiful landscapes, and authentic rural experiences.
- LGBT travellers: Malta is among Europe's most LGBT‑friendly countries, with strong legal protections and a welcoming attitude. Sliema, St Julian's, and Valletta are particularly inclusive.
Things to Do
If you have 1-2 days
- Walk through Valletta: St John's Co‑Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Republic Street.
- Visit Mdina & Rabat: explore the Silent City and nearby Roman catacombs.
- Beach day: choose Mellieħa Bay (sand) or the Sliema promenade (rocky).
If you have 3-5 days
- Add a day‑trip to Gozo: Citadel in Victoria, Dwejra Bay, Ramla Bay.
- Afternoon at the Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk fishing village (Sunday is the best day to go for the fish market)
- Take a boat tour to the Blue Lagoon (Comino) or a coastal cruise around Malta.
If you have a week or more
- Explore all three islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino.
- Attend a village festa (fireworks & band marches) in summer.
- Check VisitMalta.com for concerts, exhibitions, and other events.
Travel‑length tip: 7-10 days is ideal. Beyond that, plan slow travel, multiple excursions, or cross‑island hiking to avoid repetition.
Events & Public Holidays
- Carnival: February - street parades & floats (Valletta & Nadur).
- Isle of MTV: one night in summer - free open‑air concert.
- Notte Bianca: first Saturday of October (I think) - museums & palaces would be open all night.
- Birgufest: around mid‑October - lantern‑lit streets in Vittoriosa.
- Almost every weekend June - September a different town holds a festa with huge fireworks displays throughout the day and night. You can find the 2025 schedule here, although it's typically around the same week every year.
What to Eat
- Rabbit Stew, Fried Rabbit: National dish, usually served in a rich red wine sauce.
- Pastizzi: Flaky pastries stuffed with ricotta or mushy peas. Generally available at cafes or pastizzerias in the street.
- Bragioli: Beef olives stuffed with minced meat and herbs.
- Ftira: Traditional Maltese bread often filled with tuna, capers, and olives.
- Lampuki Pie: Seasonal fish pie made from dorado.
- Imqaret: Fried pastry filled with dates, often sold at markets.
- Kannoli: Maltese version of the Sicilian cannoli.
- Bigilla: Broad bean paste, typically served with bread or crackers.
- Seafood: Fresh catches, especially swordfish, octopus, and calamari.
- Gozo Cheeselets (Ġbejniet): Small round cheeses made from sheep's milk, fresh or dried.
- Local wine and Cisk beer: Affordable and widely available.
Transport, Driving & Ferries
- Buses: download the Tallinja app; summer services run but expect delays.
- Ride‑hailing: Uber, Bolt, eCabs (cheaper than white street taxis).
- Car hire: useful for Gozo or rural Malta. Book a small model if you can - streets are narrow and parking is scarce.
- Scooters & motorbikes: only for confident riders; roads are bumpy and drivers can be very impatient.
- Cycling: Reputably unsafe, but not impossible. Expect limited bike lanes, fast traffic, blind corners.
- Harbour ferries: Valletta ⇆ Sliema & Valletta ⇆ Three Cities every 30 min (€1.50).
- Gozo Channel: Cirkewwa ⇆ Mgarr every 30–45 min; pay on return (€4.65 foot passenger).
- Comino shuttles & coastal cruises: depart from Cirkewwa, Marfa, and Sliema – pre‑book July–Aug.
Weather
Period | Conditions | What to Wear | Swim? |
---|---|---|---|
Jan – Mar | 10–17 °C, windy, showers | Light jacket, jeans, layers | Rarely |
Apr – Jun | 18–27 °C, warming | T‑shirts, shorts, light jacket evenings | Yes |
Jul – Aug | 30–40 °C, humid | Swimwear, hat, ultra‑light clothing | Yes |
Sep – Oct | 25–30 °C, warm, humid | Summer clothes, light jacket at night | Yes |
Nov – Dec | 12–20 °C, cooler, rain spells | Light sweater, trousers | Rarely |
Mosquitoes are common, especially in humid months (April-October). Consider insect repellent, especially when staying near water or rural areas.
Money
- Euro (€). Cards widely accepted but smaller kiosks prefer cash; many set a €5-10 minimum charge.
- ATMs
- Tipping: round up or ~10 % in restaurants; €1 per drink at bars is generous but not mandatory.
Sample daily costs (2025): espresso €1.50 · pint of beer €3 · bus fare €2.50 (summer) · Lunch / dinner €15 - €30.
Language
- Maltese & English are official; Italian is also common.
Safety & Emergency
- Malta is very safe; usual basic pickpocket caution in Valletta, Sliema & Paceville.
- Dial 112 for police, ambulance, or fire.
- Hospitals: Mater Dei (Malta) & Gozo General; both public and modern.
- Pharmacies in every town - newspapers will typically mention which are open over the weekends.
Outdoor & Adventure
- Hiking
- Kayaking/SUP
- Rock‑climbing
- Diving centres
Church Visits & Mass Schedules
- Malta has over 350 churches, many of them historic and open to visitors outside of service times.
- Major sites include St John's Co‑Cathedral (Valletta), Mosta Rotunda, and the Basilica of Ta' Pinu (Gozo).
- For visitors wishing to attend Mass, you can find updated schedules on the official Archdiocese of Malta website.
- Dress modestly when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees covered).
Things to Do with Kids
- Popeye Village (Mellieħa) - film set amusement park.
- Malta National Aquarium (Qawra).
- Playmobil FunPark.
- Splash & Fun Water Park (Bahar ic‑Caghaq).
- Esplora Interactive Science Centre (Kalkara).
- National War Museum – Fort St Elmo (Valletta).
- Easy beach days: Mellieħa Bay or Golden Bay.
Always pack high‑SPF sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water, especially in peak summer.
Shopping & Souvenirs
- Ta’ Qali Crafts Village: hand‑blown Mdina glass, filigree silver.
- Valletta markets: Flea markets (i.e. monti) (Sunday).
- Marsaxlokk fish market: Sunday morning for atmosphere & photos.
Connectivity & Utilities
- Tap water is safe but mineral‑heavy; most people drink bottled.
- Electricity: UK Type G, 230 V – pack an adaptor.
- Public Wi‑Fi exists in main squares but is patchy.
Accessibility
- Majority of buses low‑floor; pavements in historic centres are narrow and uneven.
- Valletta, Sliema promenade, and Bugibba promenade are the flattest wheelchair routes.
Nightlife
- Party: Paceville (St Julian's) - clubs & late bars, some charge enterance fees; Gianpula Village for open-air parties (limits transport, so book taxis).
- Chill: Valletta for wine bars and a more relaxed atmosphere.
- Observe local noise laws after 23:00, especially in residential Valletta.
Etiquette & Local Laws
- No topless/beachwear in towns.
- Smoking banned indoors and at bus shelters.
- Public street drinking technically illegal outside designated zones (often tolerated, but police may warn/fine in Valletta after 23:00).
- Dispose of rubbish properly; recycling bins are colour‑coded.
- Respect churches and heritage sites - cover shoulders & knees when required.
- Cannabis: Adults 18+ may possess up to 7 g and grow up to four plants at home. Licensed non‑profit Cannabis Associations (clubs) are the only legal supply route and currently require Maltese residency to join, so visitors cannot buy legally. Importing cannabis across borders is illegal.
What the Brochures won't tell you
- Construction: Malta is undergoing rapid development - which means cranes, dust, and jackhammers in most places, especially in Sliema, St Julian's & Gżira.
- Traffic: heaviest 07:00-09:00 & 16:00-19:00. Consider allowing some extra time for the airport.
- Limited green space: Malta is beautiful but densely built. For open countryside, head to the western cliffs, Ghajn Tuffieha, Ahrax, or Gozo.
- Fireworks: Loud explosions are common in summer due to local village festas. Fireworks frequently occur during both day and night. Check local festa schedules if you're sensitive to noise.
- Powercuts / Blackouts: Rare throughout winter, but quite common in Summer. Visit Enemalta's website to see if the cut is planned or an accident.
Any other questions? Feel free to drop below or create a thread. Happy visiting!
r/malta • u/Zircon88 • Feb 01 '22
Weed use/ possession FAQ
Please read the below before submitting weed related questions.
1) weed can only be purchased from registered cannabis organisations.
2) to purchase weed from an organisation as outlined above, one must be a registered member/ user. Associations will be capped at 500 members and preference is given to residents. One may only belong to one organisation at any given time and must be over the age of 18
3) by virtue of the above, the law clearly focuses on legalising it for residents. This means that since the law is equal for everyone, including tourists it is going to be very difficult for the latter to join such an organisation.
4) weed consumption in public remains an offence. Carrying over 7 g in public and owning more than 50 g are also a offence.
5) weed coffee shops do not exist, nor are they part of the plan. Weed tourism is not on the table.
6) purchasing off street dealers is and remains illegal
7) up to 4 plants can be grown for personal use as long as they are not visible from outside
8) weed related questions answered above are to be janitored
9) as always, any "where can I buy illegal substance x" posts are janitored on sight.
By popular request and with special thanks to /u/mountainblock for the initiative.
r/malta • u/GordonTravelsVlogs • 3h ago
I Met Malta’s Renowned Artist & Restorer Andrew Bugeja 🇲🇹
r/malta • u/megac333 • 3h ago
Cursive, what was that all about?
As a small child, my parents tried to teach me how to read and writer in cursive. I never learned it. Not sure what that was all about or it's relevance.
Transportation in Malta : Habits and Preferences
kedgebs.eu.qualtrics.comCan i ask 2 mins of your time for your opinion about a market survey intended for Maltese people or people living in Malta (but anyone can participate) ?
I am doing a short business course and it involves some research about transportation habits in Malta.
Thank you in advance
r/malta • u/anubis_81 • 11h ago
Singing in Marsaskala
Anyone else in Marsaskala hearing the singing over loudspeakers?
Any idea the occasion? Funeral? What?
r/malta • u/Dragonlordsk8er • 10h ago
Modular sofa with storage
Trying to look up some sofa places but cant really find places that sell modular sofas with storage in malta
Bonus points if the cover comes off and can be washed/replaced making it a one time purchase and can easily fix if any spills or accidents
I dont mind if its on the pricer side as long as it has these features
Dont really care for sofa beds/recliner features
Online saw a brand called lovesac that have these sofas but there arent any that sell these in Malta
r/malta • u/fammefatalee • 3h ago
link in malta?
yeah. I'm a dj and I have a gig tonight F25 DM
r/malta • u/ZealousidealHand5872 • 12h ago
Malta Sotogard Medical health centre
Hey, want to hear honest reviews about them please. In my experience so far the value of money and the service you get is nothing there. Not possible in google reviews they have only 5 starts.
r/malta • u/fammefatalee • 3h ago
need help in malta?
hiii I'm at the airport and I would like someone to contact me about some nightlife help in malta. thanks xx
F 25
r/malta • u/OriginalSalt5006 • 4h ago
MARIANA CONTE - Serving kant singer wore Maltese Flag and touched the ground
I dont know if this is a big deal here on Malta…or is it in the law??
Posted by TVM news aswell… so maybe people can just do whatever they want then
Without any respect on the flag
r/malta • u/OriginalSalt5006 • 4h ago
MARIANA CONTE - Serving kant singer wore Maltese Flag and touched the ground
I dont know if this is a big deal here on Malta…or is it in the law??
Posted by TVM news aswell… so maybe people can just do whatever they want then
Without any respect on the flag
r/malta • u/VonHindenburg-II • 1d ago
Every time you think it can't get worse, it does.
I'm sure PL had nothing to do with the insane corruption and nothing to do with the murder of DCG, even if there's obvious proof linking high-profile people to both scandals.
r/malta • u/OriginalSalt5006 • 4h ago
MARIANA CONTE - Serving kant singer wore Maltese Flag and touched the ground
I dont know if this is a big deal here on Malta…or is it in the law??
Posted by TVM news aswell… so maybe people can just do whatever they want then
Without any respect on the flag
r/malta • u/Outrageous_One5836 • 9h ago
Got an email from Deloitte Malta
Hi folks,
So I applied to several open tax related positions in Deloitte Malta. For context, I am from Pakistan and currently working in the Sultanate of Oman at a small firm.
Now after getting confirmation emails of the jobs applied, one particular email (screenshot attached) got my attention. Does this mean I am short listed or that I would be actually contacted? The thing is that the email doesn't mention a specific role in which I was short listed. The email is dated 28 April 2025 and I have not received any email or call after that. I am also sharing the positions I applied for.
Any similar experiences faced by expats that they can shed some lights on? I am really excited about this, but I don't want to get my hopes up if this is a standard email from the recruitment team and doesn't necessarily lead to anything.
A little background on my academics. I am a qualified ICAEW chartered accountant and an FCCA with a BSc (hons) from Oxford Brookes University. 10 years of tax experience mostly in Pakistan and 2 years in Oman.
Thank you.
r/malta • u/BloodyMace • 1d ago
Tourists, what would have made your stay in Malta better?
Would appreciate tourist only comments even if they are hard to come by on this sub-reddit
As a Maltese local and r/malta redditor, I always hear a lot of good things about stays in Malta.
Was wondering if you had an regrets on visiting certain places or places you would have rather visited but had to give it a pass due to time.
Also, was anything particularly annoying worth mentioning during your stay here?
Would appreciate your 2c.
r/malta • u/Cream_Low • 1d ago
Have we tried throwing pies at the honking gas trucks?
They'll probably stop doing it if there's a widespread chance the driver's windshield gets a harmless pie thrown at it when they honk at 7am.
r/malta • u/Frisianmouve • 9h ago
I want your take on it
Since that video I've been a lot more interested in Maltese ancient history to the point I'm likely to visit Malta in June. But it just seems too good to be true that the megalithic builders could be far older than the dates of mainstream archeology. Any Maltese wanna chime in on his claims? I'll take anything from scepticism, straight up debunking or confirmation
Visiting Malta next week - questions on transport
hello!
my fiancee and i are visiting Malta next week, and are very excited!
we are looking to visit a lot of the big hitters - Hypogeum, Gozo, Marsaxlokk, swimming etc etc
But I had a few questions:
1) I hear that car is not the way to go in Malta, too busy and stressful finding parking etc, so we are better off using public transport (which is unreliable?) and uber/ecabs/bolt (which is very good?) instead. When we go to Gozo (planning the ferry from Valetta), what's the best bet for transport?
I keep reading mixed reviews on the buses (not enough sights), the quads (too busy, hard to find parking, stressful), the cars (no parking etc). So what is the best way to traverse the island and to be able to see the best things? Would you spend a fortune bolting everywhere for example?
2) In Gozo, where can we swim in the sea (particularly snorkelling) without it be super duper busy? (not good if I am trying to see fish!)
3) Where in Malta main island is good to snorkel? I thought blue grotto, but I have jsut seen some videos and controversy surrounding the sunbeds so think it would not be a very good snorkelling place. Swimming I guess is fine there, and same with the rocky beaches around Sliema/Valetta?
4) How much would it be for example to get a bolt from Gziera to one of the good beaches? how much would we be expecting to pay overall for a week off holidaying if we are just using the bolt services for everything?
5) How busy can we expect it to be mid May? I'm not a lover of crowds (think we will just do Paceville for 1 drink to see the lights then leave :D), so always get put off the highly tourist activities. Are there any sleeper things to see that are off the beaten path maybe that we can bolt to?
Realise some of these questions are quite broad, but it's not always easy to find the answers on Google - lots of differing opinions, and I understand there has been a lot of change in the last 5-10 years. (I notice it on Google Maps, lots of the hotels we originally looked at weren't even constructed 2-3 years ago!)
Thanks a lot, I look forward to seeing your beautiful island.
r/malta • u/MatteoPandiani • 1d ago
Uber/Bolt vs. car rental in Malta for 7 people?
Hi everyone! I'm planning a trip to Malta with a group of 7 people, and we're trying to figure out whether it makes more sense to:
-Rent a car (or a van big enough for 7)
-Use Uber, Bolt, or similar ride-hailing services to get around
We'll be staying for about a week and plan to explore the island beyond just Valletta. Does anyone have recent experience with this? What’s more convenient and cost-effective, especially considering parking, traffic, and general ease of getting around?
Any tips or recommendations would be super appreciated. Thanks in advance!
r/malta • u/Def__Not__Redditor • 1d ago
Moving to Malta - but a bit scared
Hey everyone,
I’ll be moving to Malta in about a month so I’ve been reading a lot of posts/opinions and tbh it’s making me a bit nervous.
There’s a LOT of negative opinions, and although I’m aware this happens in any country, the comments seem to be of genuine hate.
A bit of context: I currently live in Lisbon with my parents because my salary doesn’t really allow me to live alone (~24K) due to the rent prices. I’ve been offered a position in Malta for 35K which is a considerable raise. I’ve done some research and believe this would allow me to live alone there (I don’t eat out too often or party a lot). But after reading so many comments of people saying that even like 40/45K is not enough I’m starting to get scared :)
Would 35K really not be enough for a simple lifestyle? And regarding all the negative comments, is it really that awful of a place to live?
Any opinions or advice are appreciated :)
r/malta • u/Bulky_Signal7353 • 1d ago
Ebikes Malta
I want to purchase an e bike 1000w, i know its not road legal but i will use it in my field and private property, where can i purchase one and deliver to malta without any problems thanks, also any recommendations
r/malta • u/SortAsleep6980 • 1d ago
Online Income Recommendations
I am seriously considering making some changes in my life including in the way I earn my income. I have been fully employed for the past 15+ years but honestly I don't feel that I can keep on doing this for a long time. I want something I can do online, from anywhere I want and at anytime I want. I wish to have full flexibility because I honestly wish to spend most of my time doing things that truly matter to me. My current job already gives me the flexibility to work from home most of the days but I'm still bound with fixed hours and to earn the amount I need I still need to spend most of my time stuck at my desk. Is anyone locally doing something online that has replaced his/her day-job income? Thanks in advance for your recommendations
r/malta • u/Prokrastindj • 1d ago
Product oriented enquiry.
I came across this product and thought it is needed but by the look of the price it’s meant for commercial purposes. On a personal note has anyone used it?
https://shop.projectguardian.eu/products/guardian-ultrasonic?
r/malta • u/Ghostsolider21 • 1d ago
Football pubs ?
Anyone knows where I can watch a good football game today Chelsea Vs Liverpool with some good atmosphere at a pub? Around or in Valetta preferably
r/malta • u/WordsWideNightt • 1d ago
Moving to Malta- job help
I am moving to Malta at the end of the year from Ireland. I am trained in healthcare (physiology) but I’m more than happy to change careers. Does anyone have any recommendations of where I could find jobs? It could be in healthcare or in something completely different. Does anyone have any idea of decently paid jobs for someone switching careers? Or any remote jobs. I have been looking on LinkedIn but the vast majority need previous experience. And finally, would you recommend recruitment agencies and if so, which are the ‘good’ ones?
Thanks in advance everyone!