A little island with a lot of character
About Malta
The island that we call home is found in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, 80km south of Italy.
Our country is quite tiny! The Maltese Islands cover a total area of just 316 km2, and that includes Malta, Gozo, Comino, and a number of small uninhabited islands. The population of Malta is 450,000 and our capital city is Valletta. The Maltese people speak English & Maltese, although many also speak Italian. We are known for being a very friendly bunch, although a bit noisy, we’re always happy to give directions and answer questions.
Weather
Because of our position in the lower part of Europe, North of the African continent, we experience amazing weather all year round. Our winters are mild with infrequent rainfall, and our summers are long allowing us to enjoy our beaches from May to October. Maltese summers get very hot, so if you’re planning a visit between July and August be sure to pack a hat and a fresh supply of sunscreen.
For an up-to-date weather forecast, we recommend maltaweather.com
Activities
Malta used to be known as a purely historical destination, but the range of activities you can do here have expended over the past decade.
History is certainly a huge part of what attracts visitors to Malta. Apart from Malta’s prehistoric megalithic temples (Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, the Hypogeum), our capital city Valletta is completely unique and captivating. Built by the Knights of St John in the 16th Century, we suggest ditching the map and just getting lost in the beautiful streets.
In the summer time, Malta & Gozo are the place to be for water sports. We have several top diving spots, ranging from beginner level to advanced (the Blue Hole, Blemheim Bomber, Um el Faroud). Swimming, sailing, snorkelling, and waterskiing are also great ways to enjoy your stay in Malta.
Getting Around
Although Malta is so small, it may not be as simple to get around as you may expect. While other European locations have advanced tram, rain and underground networks, Malta does not. You may not know this, but Malta did have a train about 100 years ago! That means that our transport system relies on roads, and to a lesser extent, ferries by sea.
The Maltese public transport system doesn’t have the best reputation because it has changed hands multiple times over the last decade. At the moment it has certainly improved, as the bus system known in Maltese as Tal-Linja offers inexpensive transport all over the islands. Tourists may prefer to use an Explore card which offers unlimited use over 7 days. If you need any travel cards when you’re here let us know and we’ll sort them out for you.
Depending on your budget you may also be interested in renting a car. In Malta, we drive on the left. Our reputation as drivers is quite poor – however don’t let this scare you off! You just have to be very careful about the drivers around you. Parking is quite tough, especially in the Sliema & St Julian’s area, but it’s not a problem in Birkirkara. If you’re planning a day trip to Gozo (highly recommended), taking a rental car will give you more flexibility than the bus. You can take your rental car across to Gozo on the ferry.
Get in touch with us for our recommendation of rental car companies – beware, some treat clients very poorly!