Malta information    Beaches on Malta     Shopping    Nightlife    Money / currency    Changeover to Euro
   Driving in Malta    Restaurants   Traditional Local dishes   Banking & Money changing

Photograph Mosta Church, Malta. Third largest unsupported dome in the world
Famous for a German bomb going through the dome and not exploding during a church service in World War 2

Malta information

The inhabited Maltese Islands of Malta, Gozo & Comino are famous for there impressive sunshine record, wealth of historical attractions, colourful fiestas, clear blue seas, legendary friendly hospitality, and fabulous churches. Malta makes for a great Mediterranean escape

 

The rocky Maltese Islands are located in the roughly in the centre of the Mediterranean sea between Sicily 95 km and Tunisia in North Africa 290 km. This central location places Malta in a very strategic position and the island has undergone 2 famous sieges in it's history.

 

• The Great Siege by the Ottoman Turks in 1585 when the Knights of St John were based on Malta
• The second World war when the islands where attacked by Italian and German forces, earning the George cross for bravery for its people defending the islands along side the British

Malta - its very name evokes enduring images of the George Cross and the Knights of St John. And with over seven millennia of history to its name, it’s easy to see why. From Neolithic remains to fortified walled cities, this small island boasts a colourful and intriguing past and is often described as an open-air museum. Set in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta’s strategic position established it as the prize jewel of many an empire. From the Romans to the Byzantines, from the Arabs to the Normans, all the great powers have fought to preside over Malta and have played a part in molding the island’s rich and varied cultural heritage. Up until the 1960’s, the island formed part of the British Empire and today there are plenty of reminders of Malta’s links with the United Kingdom - London-style red telephone boxes can still be seen on street corners and English is widely spoken. History aside, Malta is also known for its breathtaking scenery. The colours are striking – honey-hued stone against the deepest Mediterranean blue. Stroll through fields carpeted with wild orchids, poppies, tulips and anemones towards sleepy, off-the-beaten-track villages, followed by the scent of wild herbs, olives and citrus groves. So, if you’re looking for a destination that offers more than just a suntan, Malta is a great choice.

 Beaches on Malta

The waters around Malta are widely regarded to be among the clearest in the Mediterranean. Mellieha Bay has a wonderful sweep of clean, gently shelving sand which benefits from the shelter of a sunny headland. In other resorts sand is scarce and bathing areas comprise mainly of smooth rocks. Snorkeling and scuba diving can be excellent as the array of fish and coral are simply breathtaking. You will find almost every imaginable water sport from windsurfing to paragliding to water-skiing.

 

Shopping

The island brims with artisan shops and stages numerous markets which sell locally-produced goods such as gold and silverware, lace and glass. There is good shopping to be had in

• Valletta, especially Republic Street and Merchants Street
• Sliema
• Paceville in the Bay Street Centre
• Marsaxlokk
• Ta' Qali Crafts Village.

Nightlife

Malta is well known for its nightlife,

• Malta's nightlife centre is in Paceville (pronounce Patchy ville) this area caters for the young and loud music is the name of the game. More information  Paceville bars & clubs
• St Julian's which has plenty to offer in terms of bars, discos and nightclubs catering for older clientele.
• For traditional Maltese entertainment, meanwhile, take in a village fiesta. These are lively affairs with impressive firework displays and plenty of revelry.
• Early March sees a week long carnival, replete with lively processions, decorated floats and dance troupes.
• Easter sees towns across the island stage spectacular Biblical re-enactments and Malta’s most famous celebration, the Valletta festival, takes place in April. Streets are decorated with banners and flags emblazoned with the Maltese cross and hundreds of locals parade in period costumes playing tambourines and trumpets to remember the courage of the Knights of Malta.

More information  Malta's nightlife  

Money / currency

Changeover to Euro January 1st 2008

• The change over from Maltese Lire to the € Euro started on January 1st 2008
• A phase out of the LM Maltese lira will come into operation on the changeover date. For 3 months after the changeover, all banks will change LM notes & coins to Euro free of charge . Then only the Bank of Malta will continue to change LM to Euro for 10 years from changeover.
• There are 100 cents to a euro
  • Coins: 1 cent, 2 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent and 50 cent as well as the €1 and €2
  • Notes: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, and €500

Before the change over date Malta uses it's own currency the LM Maltese lira (sometimes called the Maltese pound) and not the € Euro, although you may see prices displayed in both currencies as preparation for the change over, but until the change over on the proposed date of 1 January 2008, the euro is NOT legal tender. 

Bank of Malta Change over info

Banking & Money changing

• Banking hours are Monday-Thursday 08.30-14.30, Friday 08.30-15.30, and Saturday 08.00-12.00.
• Credit cards are widely accepted at most shops, hotels and restaurants. 
• There are plenty of Bureau de change' offices for the changing of bank notes or travelers cheque's in all the resorts, and many hotels, restaurants & large shops will take foreign money. Although the banks usually give a better rate of exchange.

Euro - Pound conversion

For a rough and ready method reduce the euro price by a third to convert to pound sterling

Driving in Malta

• The good news for UK tourists and bad news for continental tourists is that the driving is on the left, the same as the UK.
• The roads are full of potholes which could be a good thing because this reduces speed, and the island is small so  the slower speed does only extends driving time by a few minutes
• There are rules of the road but the number of motorists that obey, or possibly know about them them is to say the least, debatable, therefore always drive with caution.
• The quality of local hire cars is also debatable, such things as important items such as lights and brakes, may not be to the standard you would expect in the UK. Because of this I would recommend the use of international car hire companies.
• Cars require a special permit to enter Valletta, see if this is included in your car hire

Restaurants

From simple taverns overlooking harbours filled with luzzu, brightly-painted fishing boats, to grandiose restaurants offering a la carte gastronomy, there’s something to suit all tastes in Malta.

The island’s cuisine has been heavily influenced by the many cultures that have occupied the island over the centuries.

The most influential and not surprising is the very strong Italian , and to a lesser extent North African influences to Maltese cuisine. Many restaurants serve anti pasta, pasta and spicy Moorish sauces incorporated into the local dishes.

Pastry appears heavily on many menus, such as ampuki pie is a particular favourite see Ampuki pie

Traditional Local dishes

• Bragioli (beef olives), made from a fillet of beef wrapped round a filling of bacon or ham, breadcrumbs and hard boiled eggs, all slowly simmered.
  
  
• Fenek (rabbit), which is cooked a variety of ways.
  When I was younger rabbit used to be a very popular meat dish, now it is rarely seen on a UK menu which is a pity because although a similar texture to chicken it has a far more stronger and better flavour. Take the opportunity to try this popular local dish.
  
  
• Kusksu, a traditional springtime soup made with tomatoes and broad beans.
  
  
• Ampuki pie which combines fish, spinach, cauliflower and chestnuts in short crust pastry.

Buses on Malta & Gozo

Malta is very well serviced by local transport with very frequent buses on most tourist routes.  The quieter island of Gozo also has a good bus network but they are not as frequent

Malta buses   Paceville buses   Sliema buses   St. Julians buses

Gozo buses  

Tourist information Offices

Telephone

Country dialling code: 356.