What NOT to Do When Visiting Malta
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re sharing some of the best tourist tips and do’s and don’ts for visiting Malta. If you are planning a trip to Valetta or Gozo or anywhere in Malta, these are our tips and tricks. From the food in Malta, to safety in Malta, and the best things to do in Malta.
Don’t Think Malta is Part of Italy
Although Malta is just south of Sicily, it is not part of Italy. Malta is its own country. But you will see Italian influences, including lots of pizza and pasta!
In fact, you will likely see more British influences in Malta as it was a British colony from 1814 until 1964. They drive on the left (don’t forget to look right!) and they even have some old red telephone booths around. The electrical outlets are the same as the UK as well, so don’t forget your power adapter!
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Don’t Worry if You Don’t Speak Maltese
The language of Malta is a Latinized version of Arabic, so even if you speak Spanish or Italian, you would struggle to understand Maltese. Pretty much nobody outside of Malta speaks Maltese. As a former British colony, English is widely spoken here, so you’ll get by just fine with English.
Don’t Worry About Breaking the Bank
Malta is a very affordable destination once you get there. It’s not crazy cheap, but the prices for accommodation and dining are quite reasonable. For a Mediterranean vacation on a budget, we highly recommend Malta. It has a little bit of everything.
Don’t Underestimate Traffic in Malta
Despite being a fairly small island, traffic in the cities of Malta can be horrendous. So if you’re in a hurry, it can be frustrating. Distances may seem pretty close, but with traffic it can take you a lot longer to get where you are going. Give yourself extra time to get where you are going, especially if you have a flight to catch!
In fact, don’t be in a hurry anytime during your trip to Malta. “Island time” isn’t just for Caribbean islands. Take the opportunity to relax and enjoy the slower pace.
Don’t Forget About the Ferries
Ferries are a common way to get to Malta and to travel between the islands of Malta. There are two ferries to Malta from Sicily; the cheaper one can take over five hours, while the faster and more expensive ferry is around two hours. Make sure you weigh all of your options before purchasing a ferry ticket.
You can also take ferries between the islands of Malta and from different towns on the main island. Sliema is a great town and you can ferry from there into Valletta to see the sights while saving a bit of money on accommodation.
Don’t Expect Nightlife in Valletta
Valletta is great for dining and shopping, but if you’re looking for actual nightlife, you need to go to St. Julian’s. Here you’ll find nightclubs, beach clubs, casinos, and luxury shopping. From Valletta, you can take a ferry to Sliema and then walk or take a taxi to St. Julian’s.
Don’t Expect Crowds Everywhere
Although the cities of Malta can feel quite crowded, once you leave them, you will notice that it’s pretty nice and chill. If you’re not into crowds, plan to spend most of your time in the countryside or some of the smaller towns along the North and West coasts.
Don’t Miss the Architecture of Valletta
As you explore the capital city, you’ll likely visit some beautiful churches and cathedrals. There’s a saying that there are more churches in Valletta than there are days of the year. And many of them are stunning. But don’t forget to look up and notice the balconies around town. There are some beautiful wrought-iron balconies around town that are works of art.
Don’t Miss the Summer Festivals
Summer brings so many festivals to Malta! Each small town has their own celebrations for the various patron saints and holidays. If you visit Malta in the summer, check out the festival schedule and make sure you include a few in your itinerary.
Don’t Skip Gozo and Mdina
Gozo is another island that makes up the Malta archipelago; it’s easy to visit by ferry. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Malta, with crystal clear water and sandy beaches.
In the center of the main island, Mdina is the old capital and has lots of cool things to see, including St. Paul’s Cathedral. The city walls are still standing, and they’ve made a park out of the old moats. They even have a few restaurants on top of the old walls for amazing dining views!
Don’t Forget to Buy Malta Glass
If you are going to purchase any souvenirs in Malta, don’t forget to check out the Malta glass or Valletta glass. It’s beautiful and comes in many forms and price ranges. We have drinking glasses from Malta, which is a practical souvenir we use often at home to remember our trip. It’s very thick and travels quite well.
Don’t Worry About the Weather
It’s almost always hot and humid in Malta, so there’s really no bad time to visit. Summer can be really hot and humid, though, so be prepared with lots of drinking water and sunscreen. Luckily, Malta has some of the cleanest swimming water to enjoy! Just don’t expect sandy beaches; a lot of them are rocky. You can find sandy beaches along the south and north coasts. Make sure you bring your water shoes!
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Don’t Worry About Safety
Malta is one of the safest countries in Europe, so there aren’t a lot of safety concerns. We didn’t see pickpockets or street scams, and we felt totally comfortable letting our teenagers run out for an errand on their own. The sun is the biggest danger here, so don’t forget your sunscreen and hat!
Don’t Skip Malta Cuisine
Like anywhere we travel, food is a big part of the cultural experience, and Malta is no exception. With such a diverse history, you’ll find influences of Greek, Italian, Lebanese, and Mediterranean cuisine. Here are a few of our favorites to try:
- Kinnie is the local soda; it’s an acquired taste so we recommend just buying one bottle to see if you like it. It’s labeled a “bittersweet” refreshment and does taste like bitters you would use in a cocktail. Jocelyn thinks it smells like Jagermeister.
- Cisk is the local beer. It’s a lager and quite tasty, so definitely try that at least once.
- Maltese wine is actually really good. They don’t export a lot, so take the opportunity to drink some while you are here.
- Cheese from Gozo is the best! If you like goat cheese, you have to try the cheese from Gozo.
- Pastizzi is the most Maltese food you can have, and it’s delicious! It’s a puff pastry stuffed with cheese or a pea mixture. You can get them for as cheap as 50 cents, and it’s a great snack on the go
- You’ll see rabbit on the menu a lot. It’s a traditional Maltese food, and it’s delicious. Rabbit dishes come in many forms, including croquettes and pasta dishes. Liam had a fantastic rabbit ragu on our last visit.
- Of course, the seafood here is fresh and fantastic. You can get all varieties of seafood, and some of the best grilled fish you’ve ever had, including octopus, sea bass, clams, and grouper. Lampuki, which is often served in a pie, is also known as dorado or mahi-mahi.
- Ftira is a Maltese bread that looks like a bagel but is much softer inside.
- Pizza and pasta are pretty great in Malta, due to being so close to Italy! The cannoli and bread pudding in Malta are tasty, too!
- Anise is a popular flavor in Malta; it is featured in a lot of breads and even drinks.
Make sure you have dinner reservations if you are visiting during the busy season. Many of the restaurants are small, and it can get quite busy. If you want to try the best Maltese dishes, you need dinner reservations!
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We really enjoyed visiting Malta and seeing the Maltese pride in their country and their individual regions and villages. With so many things to do in Malta, and the very affordable prices, it makes a great family destination.
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