Malta is an amazing travel destination. You can enjoy the glorious weather for most of the year, it’s idyllic scenery, beautiful beaches and marvelous cuisine. What more could you ask for? However, there may be a few things to know about before visiting the island which may help your stay run more smoothly.
Do you want to be informed about the next post?
Typical shopping hours in Malta
Shops are normally open between 9am and 1pm and between 4pm and 7pm. In tourist areas, many shops remain open from 8am to 10pm. Shops are normally closed on Sundays and public holidays.
The Maltese speak English, too
English is the second official language of Malta with a staggering 76% of the population speaking English, 36% Italian and 10% French. Although speaking Maltese would be greatly admired by the locals, it is quite difficult to both speak and understand. Being a Semitic language it is no mean feat combining its origins of Arabic, Spanish, Italian and Norman French. Although beautiful to listen to, rest assured conversing in English is quite the normal.
Everybody knows everybody in Malta
Since Malta only had 431,453 residents as of the end of 2017, the saying “it’s not what you know, but who you know” often applies to the entire island. Each hamlet has a close-knit community, so if you need advice (on anything!), just ask a local who, if unable to assist, will know someone who can.
Drivers drive in the shade
Driving can be a little chaotic; this exaggeration may be due to the extreme heat in Malta. Be prepared and keep your wits about you so that nothing should catch you off guard. At an authorized crossing, standing on the kerb does not guarantee that automobiles will stop so you can cross. Roundabouts are governed by their own set of laws, and everyone is often left to fend for themselves. It could imply you are in the wrong, in the way, you need to speed up, you need to slow down, to let you know they are there, or it could just be a general kind hello. So don’t take it personally if someone beeps their horn at you. The list goes on and on.
Leave plenty of time to go shopping in Malta
Be prepared to wait whether you’re in line to pay for a pint of milk or a variety of goods. Regardless of how long the line is, the cashier will talk to the customer they are serving if they feel like it. The Maltese are very amiable, so you’ll frequently find yourself chatting away and holding up the line when it’s your turn. No amount of huffing and puffing will make them go any faster. If you are not in a rush, it is quite endearing.
Free hospital care for all Maltese, British and EU citizens
Most pharmacies in Malta have their own physicians on staff if you are feeling a little under the weather. Only the day of the appointment may be arranged, and in all circumstances, the consultation fee, along with any prescribed medications, is around €10. If you need hospital care and are a Maltese, British, or EU citizen, you are eligible for free care if you provide your passport at some point during your stay.
The tap water is safe in Malta
Contrary to popular assumption, drinking tap water is safe. Even though it tastes somewhat weird, it won’t harm you. Despite being desalinated, tap water still has a strong flavor, making bottled water the better option for a cool, pleasant beverage. However, using tap water will save time and money compared to buying bottled water while cooking and making hot beverages.
What rises must eventually fall
Construction work appears to never end as more and more people choose to reside in Malta and tourism grows. There is always work being done somewhere, whether it is the construction of new flats, the addition of more storeys to hotels, or the demolition of older structures. Fortunately, most of the construction tends to happen in the winter when it’s colder outside and there are less tourists on the island, but if you see any construction, you might want to turn your head.
Stray cats are well looked after
Sadly, there are a lot of stray cats in Malta. They lurk on calmer routes, in overgrown areas, and abandoned buildings. There are just not enough resources for all of them, despite the best efforts of a few committed charity to save as many people as they can. Even though many of them are feral and ignorant of anything else, the locals take care of them. Fresh water containers, cat food bowls, and even cat beds are frequently left on walls or doorways outside of homes to keep stray cats as content as possible.
Bus travel is cheap in Malta
Bus transportation is an alternative if driving around the island is not your thing. You might have to let a few full buses pass during the busiest times of the year, but for just €2, you can travel the entire island. The tickets are good for two hours, so if you need to switch buses or travel somewhere else within that period, just have the driver scan your ticket. Nothing is too difficult to get on such a small island, yet once the bus comes, any formal bus lines tend to dissipate.
Be prepared for the mosquitoes
The mosquitoes emerge as the evenings become warmer. Maltese mosquitoes don’t transmit any diseases, however their bites can be extremely itchy. Get rid of or stay away from the stagnant water that attracts them, and if you are prone to bites, cover yourself in repellant.
Wi-fi internet access is accessible on buses and in a number of public spaces throughout Malta and Gozo. Roaming data ought to be accessible from your phone as well. Charges do vary, so before visiting us, please check with your provider.
Do you need travel insurance?
Prior to your trip, you should get adequate travel and medical insurance. Before leaving home, you need obtain a free European Health Insurance Card if you’re visiting Malta.
Going to the beach in Malta with your pet
Pets are not permitted on sand beaches and are not permitted to bathe in the Official Bathing Zones, according to Legal Notice 125 of 2008 – Management of Bathing Water Quality Regulations, 2008. Pet owners are reminded that, where permitted, pets must be kept on a leash and that it is their responsibility to always clean up after their animals.
