After living in Malta for over three years, I learned the ins and outs of the archipelago and I think there are a few things you need to know before visiting the island.
So how can you make the most of your Malta travel? I have gathered a list of travel tips to help you to get the most out of your holiday and have a more enjoyable time.
In no particular order, here are 10 quick Malta travel tips for your trip to Malta.
1. When crossing the street, look left, look right, Repeat
This may seem like an obvious tip but believe me, Malta is full of reckless drivers who love loud cars. I would even go as far as to say that Malta probably produces Europe’s most crazy drivers. So whether you are on a busy, bustling thoroughfare or a quiet, residential street, look carefully in both directions before you cross.
2. Don’t get the white cabs
After a long flight, you may be exhausted and just want to get to your hotel as soon as possible. But here a piece of advice for you: don’t take the white cabs. Why? Because they are such crazy drivers and you will need to handle the stress of thinking you are going to get in an accident at any moment. This goes without saying that they are part of the reckless drivers’ community that I mentioned in the previous tip. A safer and cheaper alternative is to book a taxi in advance or use the Taxify app.
3. Always carry cash with you
Most restaurants and shops in Malta accept debit cards but there are some small shops like grocers and newsagents that only take cash. Other places accept credit cards only up to a certain amount, so it’s advisable to carry at least a little money with you. You can find ATM’s pretty much everywhere, however, avoid Euronet’s as they can be a serious rip-off. They usually charge more fees than Bank ATMs.
4. Avoid drinking tap water
Well, the tap water in Malta is desalinated seawater and officially is safe to drink, however, the majority of households drink bottled or filtered water because of concerns over the purity of the tap water in Malta. Besides, it tastes awful.
5. Pharmacies close for lunch
Most of the pharmacies in Malta close for lunch between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm. So if it happens that you need to buy medicine, make sure to go during the opening hours or check which pharmacy in your area is open all day. These are usually located in busy areas such as Sliema, St Julian and the Airport.
6. Download the bus tracking app
Buses are the most common type of public transport you can use in Malta but don’t expect them to arrive at the times indicated in the timetable. They are often late, especially in the afternoon and evening. Tallinja app is your travel companion, you can use it to know when your bus is arriving or to see whether it’s running behind schedule.
7. Order Cisk beer
If you like beer then you cannot visit Malta without trying Cisk (pronounced Chisk). You can find signs for it wherever you go. Cisk is actually one of the few products that are made in Malta and are hard to find elsewhere.
8. Tip minimally
Tipping is not a part of the Maltese culture. It is never included in the bill, and it’s always optional, but since service staff is not compensated generously, they will appreciate being told to keep the change.
9. Avoid construction noise. Check out the surrounding area before you book a hotel
Here’s one of my best Malta travel tips!
Construction sites have been spreading everywhere in Malta and nothing here ruins your relaxation time faster than the deafening noise of these construction activities. The permitted hours of work are from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm and some of them start drilling even earlier. With that in mind, it’s advisable to check online reviews and call the hotel in advance to ask if there is any ongoing construction you should know about.
10. In winter, some popular towns are almost deserted
If you plan to visit Malta during the off-season, then look no further than the main coastal towns. Sliema, San Julian, Gzira, and Valetta are the best areas to stay when visiting Malta in winter. The island is very quiet in low season and many businesses are closed in the other towns like Buġibba and Mellieħa.
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