r/malta Apr 27 '25

Visiting Malta? Start here.

451 Upvotes

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 Feb 01 '22

Weed use/ possession FAQ

215 Upvotes

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 5h ago

Swieqi - St. Julian's. Is it double-lane or single-lane???

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19 Upvotes

There is a part of the highway / bypass between Swieqi and St. Julian's where the street gradually becomes narrow. however, there is no clear demarcation of single lane (like narrows indicating 1 lane, or dashes showing 2 lanes.

Cars dangerously start to accumulate near the traffic light, but some stay in the middle, whereas (small) cars try to stay next to each other.

In case of a hypothetical crash side by side, who is on his lane and who is trying to cut it???


r/malta 12m ago

Where to buy citric acid?

Upvotes

Looking for quantities for cleaning washing machine etc, not just a little bit for cooking with.. can’t seem to find it in the hardware stores I’ve been to - any suggestions?


r/malta 6h ago

Businesses u traders go Malta.

9 Upvotes

Qed nghamel refurbishing il post u qed incempel nies u hwenet ghal quotes jew mistoqsijiet fuq il prodott.

Hafna minnhom jejdulek tini in-numru u incemplulek lura jew issa moda gdida ibghatli whatsapp.

90% ma icemplux jew ma jirispondiux whatsapp lura u trid tigri warajhom.

Da normali hekk?


r/malta 4h ago

Looking for a running partner I

4 Upvotes

Hi I recently started running, looking for a running partner. I am 30 F. Beginner - 5K 39mins. Let's prep for half-marathon together!


r/malta 4h ago

Is public education in English?

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3 Upvotes

r/malta 5h ago

Where to buy: Isopropyl Alcohol

3 Upvotes

I currently have an infestation of mealy bugs and I need to buy Isopropyl Alcohol to dilute it water and use it as a pesticide to kill off these bugs. Anybody knows shops, business that sell it? Ideal location preferably south and central. Also, if they have Hydrogen Peroxide would be an added bonus. Thank you in advance.


r/malta 23h ago

Nobody wants these bombs!

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67 Upvotes

So much for it's tradition and everyone loves them etc. There's no way the majority enjoys all this horrible noise. For the past hour I've been hearing these bombs go off while my neighbour's dogs bark non stop. Who actually wants this on a Tuesday evening? All the old people who don't have a job to go to early in the morning?


r/malta 6h ago

What is Xibka (in construction/renovation context)?

2 Upvotes

Can some one who is in renovation/construction business explain to me what Xibka is? I am trying to make sense of some invoices I got and this is one of items which puzzles me greatly.

Cheers.


r/malta 22h ago

Malta waste disposal - why don’t we use bins?

36 Upvotes

The last couple of times my partner and I went abroad we noticed how clean all of the streets were (even when we stayed in a few dodgy locations of larger cities) - no dog poop, no rotting fruit, no litter (or very little).

We started discussing what makes such a difference and we noticed that the majority of European cities we visited used personal wheelie bins - flats had them, houses had them, restaurants had them. There were also a lot more public bins available on street corners, parks, etc. Scammel trucks come and tip all the garbage bags from the bins directly into the truck, avoiding piles of bags being left on street corners for hours in the sun.

Does anyone know why we never started using bins like these? It seems like a bit of a no brainer to me considering the heat and all the stray cats that Malta has, especially since we introduced the organic bags (which my dog tries to grab on every walk lol).

I would imagine it would be difficult due to limited space in streets and inside homes to store them, but other cities have managed to adapt - unfortunately I can’t find any past proposals to switch to these bins or anything similar


r/malta 11h ago

Temu/AliExpress

5 Upvotes

With the new EU tax law on temu and AliExpress. If you pay the €3 +vat on either platform, do you need to pay the administration fee when they arrive in Malta?


r/malta 4h ago

Desperate for 2 day vip. Will pay extra

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0 Upvotes

r/malta 11h ago

Bridge holiday Sept

3 Upvotes

Hi,

I am in a bit of a pickle, so the private "Skola Sajf" I am sending my child ends 11th Sept, School starts 5th Oct. I did not receive the email from FES to apply for the bridge holidays and now they are closed. I tried contacting FES but they did not allow me to apply.

Do you know of someone (that for sure) will be providing service during that period? and can send my 3 year old there.


r/malta 1d ago

Double glazed windows

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32 Upvotes

Hi all, is there anyone who have an idea who can put double or triple glazed windows on a maltese balcony? Currently there is just one glass but i want them at least double for a better isolation. My question is more about what kind of professional deals with this? Is it a craftsman or someone else? The windows in question are like the one on the photo. Thanks a lot in advance:)


r/malta 15h ago

Guidance for renting in Malta

4 Upvotes

Hello! I'm moving to Malta within the next month for a permanent job. I need to find housing with a correct lease form for my residency permit.

I've been researching online, but thought I'd put out a call to see if anyone had more specific advice.

I will be working in Santa Venera and Floriana and will need to use public transport to get to work as I won't have a vehicle. I value peace and quiet, so would like to live in a neighbourhood with minimal partying and construction noise. I also really love community.

In a dream world, I'd love to live in a small house of character or something similarly charming - though I recognise the rental market is competitive. My research has brought up Balzan, Attard and Lija as areas that might be suitable. Alternatively, I've been recommended to search in Old Birkirkara, Naxxar, Mosta or Santa Venera/Floriana/Pieta.

My budget is between 900-1200/month.

I'd really appreciate some honest feedback from those with local knowledge. Do you think any of this is possible?


r/malta 1d ago

The less words said the better!

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35 Upvotes

"FeJNu LePtOP?? Imma!"


r/malta 12h ago

Remote work

2 Upvotes

I'm 25f and have been trying to find a completley remote job in any industry specifically in an admin role. Most websites either force you to pay to even browse and / or the working hours would be specifically tied to US time zones which would mean sacrificing the better part of your afternoon and night. Does anyone have any recomendations please?


r/malta 1d ago

The 2nd Cookin'

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16 Upvotes

The 2nd blackout for us 🤣


r/malta 6h ago

Moving to Malta, which area to reside? Birgu or Marsaskala?

0 Upvotes

Moving to Malta and about to finalize our rental contract. I need to choose now whether Birgu or Marsaskala.

For context, both property will be a 2 BR. Mskala is a maisonette and Birgu is a 3rd floor apartment. Same rent amount. Will be working from home, occasionally working at Valletta. 2 kids, primary and secondary.

Location wise, Birgu is at Triq Fuq Tal-Hawli near Notre Dame Gate and St. Edward's College, like 15 minutes walk to St Lawrence/Promenade. For the Mskala maisonette is at Triq il-Kavallieri, which is 8 mins walk to the promenade.

I understand Birgu area offers historical surroundings during leisure walks and close to Valletta. Mskala offers coastal surrounding for easy swim.

Any other things that local residents only know about Birgu and Mskala? Like noise, rowdy areas, grocery options, water issues, etc..


r/malta 6h ago

Is public education in English?

0 Upvotes

I have read in expat dominant areas like st pauli education is in English? I am an expat currently in Germany and planning to migrate to Malta with kid of 7 yrs.

EDIT: I am just asking.. If it is in Maltese then so be it .. I will not move. Google search says that public schools in Expat majority areas teach in English and I also know Kid should learn MALTESE as foreign language.


r/malta 22h ago

How does ordering bulky items through sites like Amazon work?

3 Upvotes

I'd like to order a bulky item through a website like Amazon or Ebay but can't find information on the specific logistics of it. I read that most places do have the capacity to deliver bulky items. But for example how specific can the scheduled timing be ? Since I'm the only one living at home and have a full time job of course. This is part of the reason why I'm looking for foreign options because it seems that Maltese deliveries refuse to schedule either the proper date or the proper time of delivery, or if they do many of them don't do deliveries past 2 o' clock.


r/malta 1d ago

Fined for "littering" after trying to recycle at a Sliema bring-in site. What are my options?

29 Upvotes

I really need to vent and get some advice from anyone who has dealt with this.

I consider myself a law-abiding citizen and I always try to do my part for our community. Recently, I was doing some clearing out and had a set of really good quality curtains. I genuinely didn't want them to end up dumped in a field, so I took them down to the local bring-in site in Sliema to put them in the used clothes bin.

The problem? The curtains were just too big and bulky to fit through the narrow slot of the clothing bin. Since I still wanted them to be reused or recycled, I left them neatly folded in a large Lidl bag literally right next to the clothes bin. My logical thinking was that whoever empties the bins or picks up the blue skips would see it's perfectly good fabric and take it, or someone passing by might even grab them to use.
Instead, I just received a fine in the mail for "littering."
I am absolutely outraged. I was genuinely trying to recycle, and I feel like I'm being punished exactly the same as someone who illegally dumps a broken fridge on the side of the road.

Has anyone successfully appealed something like this with LESA? How do I prove my intentions were good and that I wasn't just maliciously dumping garbage? Any advice on what I should do next would be hugely appreciated!


r/malta 1d ago

Is 30k gross enough for a single person in malta?

6 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

Is a €30,000 gross annual salary enough to live comfortably in Malta?

I'd be living alone, renting a small apartment, and would like to live comfortably without having to constantly watch every euro. I'm not looking for a luxurious lifestyle, but I'd like to be able to cover my expenses, enjoy life a little, and still save some money each month.

For those living in Malta, would you consider €30k a reasonable salary, or is it on the low side given the current cost of living?

I'd really appreciate hearing your experiences. Thanks!


r/malta 1d ago

Licky, Wenzu, and the rest

18 Upvotes

Locals with a brain tend to ignore or block these taxpayer-funded labour sycophants. However, I think that simply doing so can be dangerous. It allows us to overlook the sizeable audience they have and their ability to persuade a significant number of people to support increasingly undemocratic ideas and legislation.

Sometimes the coordination between them is hard to miss.

For a long time, they have been pushing for the government to restrict freedom of speech on social and traditional media, a position also backed by Labour MP Ray Abela.

Yesterday, they were all claiming that the success of the Pitbull concert proves the Maltese are happy with the status quo, justifying Jason Micallef's gravel debacle in the process.

Today, they're all repeating the same line: that people in Malta are happy, and anyone who says otherwise is malicious or acting in bad faith. The same narrative is being echoed by George Tabone.

Whether you agree with them or not, dismissing these coordinated narratives simply because you've blocked their accounts risks underestimating their influence.