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Climate

The Maltese climate is typically Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters. The average yearly rainfall is low, enjoying dry days in winter, perfect for exploring the local heritage and beautiful landscapes. If you cannot fathom the heat, we do not suggest visiting in Summer as temperatures are high and the air is humid. Hence the reason why the local beaches are swarmed with locals and tourists, refreshing themselves in the beautiful blue seas. The transitionary seasons of Autumn and Spring are usually accompanied by blue skies, a slight breeze, and pleasant weather.

Driving

Driving is one of the best ways to explore the Maltese islands and their remote beaches. In Malta and Gozo, driving is on the left, and the general speed limit is 80km/h. The roads’ speed limits vary, depending on the area. Parking around the islands is mostly free of charge. In saturated cities like Sliema, which is one of the main shopping hubs, you can find dedicated, private car parks where parking is against a fee, depending on the duration.

Language

The national language of Malta is Maltese, very unique due to its Semitic and Latin origins. In the past, the Arabs had inhabited the Maltese islands for close to 4 centuries, heavily influencing the Maltese dialect. Italy has also left its mark, where the Maltese have altered some essentially Italian words to fit their vocabulary. Being one of the island’s official languages, English is widely spoken and understood by the local population. Italian is also a well-known language however is not as spoken as fluently as English.

Currency

As of the 1st of January 2008, the Maltese islands adopted the Euro as the only legal currency. Before the Euro, the Maltese islands used to have the Maltese lira, a currency exclusive to the country. Banks are located in almost all towns and cities over the island, and there are a couple of Exchange bureaux, with the one at the Malta International Airport, open 24 hours. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) can be found in each locality, some also available in all major hotels and establishments. The majority of outlets and shops accept international cards.

Transportation

The Malta Public Transport operates all bus services in Malta and Gozo. These generally run daily between 5:30 and 23:00hrs. There are various routes linking localities to the major hotspots in Malta, mainly Valletta, Mater Dei (main hospital), and Airport.

Kindly click on this link for further information on timetables and fares: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/.

There are also a variety of taxi services that transport passengers from one place to another. These include the white taxi service and companies like Bolt and ecabs. The latter two provide an instant service through their respective mobile applications, downloadable for free.

Traveling to Malta’s sister islands, Comino and Gozo, is available by ferry or boat. These ferry services offer transport to and from each island separately. The ferry between Malta and Gozo also allows cars onboard, and people visiting the other island can explore freely using their own transportation. There are also water taxis between Valletta and The Three Cities, and Valletta and Sliema.