Malta

Malta is a small Mediterranean archipelago nation consisting of three inhabited islands—Malta, Gozo, and Comino—located between Sicily and North Africa. Despite its compact size (just 316 km²), Malta punches above its weight as a tourist destination, welcoming over 3 million visitors annually.

The country has a single international airport, Malta International Airport (MLA), located in the town of Luqa. Following the cessation of Air Malta operations in March 2024, the new KM Malta Airlines launched as the national carrier, operating a focused European network. Malta's strategic central Mediterranean location makes it well-connected to major European hubs.

Malta is a Schengen Area member and part of the European Union, using the Euro as its currency. English is an official language alongside Maltese, making it particularly accessible for English-speaking travelers.

International Airports

Airport	Code	Location	Role
Malta International	MLA	Luqa	Only airport, all commercial traffic

Malta International Airport (MLA) — Located in Luqa, 8km southwest of Valletta, this is Malta's only commercial airport. The airport handles over 7 million passengers annually and serves as the base for KM Malta Airlines. Despite the small country size, MLA has excellent connectivity to European destinations, with particularly strong links to the UK, Italy, Germany, and France.

The airport has a single terminal that underwent significant modernization. Facilities include duty-free shopping, restaurants, car rental desks, and a VIP lounge. City center transfer options include:

• Bus X4: To Valletta (20-30 minutes, frequent service)
• Taxi: Fixed fare zones, approximately €15-20 to Valletta
• Transfer services: Pre-booked private transfers widely available
• Car rental: Major agencies in arrivals hall

Getting Between Islands

There are no airports on Gozo or Comino. To reach these islands:

• Gozo: Gozo Channel ferry from Cirkewwa to Mgarr (25 minutes, frequent daily service)
• Comino: Small boat services from Malta (Cirkewwa) or Gozo (Mgarr)
• Helicopter: Heli Sightseeing Malta offers transfers between Malta and Gozo

National Carrier

KM Malta Airlines (KM) — Malta's new national airline, which launched operations in March 2024 following the closure of Air Malta. Based at MLA, it operates a fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft serving key European destinations including London, Rome, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and other major cities. The airline focuses on leisure and business routes connecting Malta to Europe.

Former National Carrier

Air Malta (KM) — The original Maltese flag carrier operated from 1974 until March 2024, when it ceased operations due to financial difficulties. Its routes and slots were transferred to the new KM Malta Airlines.

Major International Airlines

Malta is well-served by European carriers:

Full-Service Airlines:

• Lufthansa — Frankfurt and Munich connections
• British Airways — London Heathrow service
• Air France — Paris connections
• Turkish Airlines — Istanbul hub access
• Emirates — Dubai service (seasonal)

Low-Cost Carriers:

• Ryanair (FR) — Major presence, routes across Europe
• easyJet (U2) — UK and European connections
• Wizz Air (W6) — Central/Eastern European routes
• Vueling (VY) — Spanish connections
• Eurowings (EW) — German routes

Schengen Area

Malta is part of the Schengen Area, meaning:

• No border controls when arriving from other Schengen countries
• Single Schengen visa valid for Malta and 26 other European countries
• 90-day limit within any 180-day period for visa-exempt visitors

Visa-Free Access

• EU/EEA citizens: Freedom of movement, unlimited stay
• UK citizens: Visa-free up to 90 days in any 180-day period (post-Brexit)
• US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan: Up to 90 days visa-free
• Many other nationalities: Check Schengen visa requirements

Visa Required

Citizens requiring visas should apply for a Schengen C visa:

• Apply at Maltese embassy/consulate or VFS Global center
• Processing: typically 15-45 days
• Required for tourism, business, family visits up to 90 days

Passport Requirements

• EU/EEA citizens: National ID card sufficient
• All others: Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond planned departure
• Passport must have been issued within the last 10 years

ETIAS (Coming Soon)

From 2025, travelers from visa-exempt countries (including US, UK, Canada, Australia) will need ETIAS authorization before traveling to Malta and other Schengen countries. This will be a simple online application (~€7, valid 3 years).

Official visa information: Identity Malta

Domestic Travel

Malta is tiny—the main island is only 27km long and 14.5km wide. There are no domestic flights or trains.

Public Buses

Malta Public Transport operates an extensive bus network:

• Coverage: All major towns and tourist sites on Malta and Gozo
• Fares: €1.50 single, €2 in winter, €3 in summer (contactless/Tallinja card)
• Tallinja Card: Prepaid card with cheaper fares, available at MLA arrivals
• Frequency: Main routes every 10-20 minutes, rural areas less frequent
• Night buses: Limited service on weekends

Ferries

• Gozo Ferry: Gozo Channel — Cirkewwa to Mgarr, every 45 minutes, 25-minute crossing
• Valletta Ferry: Sliema ↔ Valletta (5 minutes), convenient harbor crossing
• Three Cities Ferry: Valletta ↔ Birgu/Vittoriosa

Car Rental

Popular for flexibility but consider:

• Drive on the left (British legacy)
• Narrow, winding roads, especially in villages
• Limited parking in historic areas (Valletta, Mdina)
• Traffic congestion common, especially around Sliema/St. Julian's
• Minimum age: 21-25 depending on company
• International license accepted

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

• Bolt: Primary ride-hailing app, widely used
• eCabs: Local taxi app
• White taxis: Metered, available at ranks and airport
• Fixed fares: From airport to major destinations

Walking

Valletta and the Three Cities are best explored on foot. Historic cores are compact and pedestrianized.

Peak Season (June-September)

Mediterranean summer—hot and dry (28-34°C). Beach season, outdoor festivals, busiest tourist period. Highest flight prices, especially July-August. Book accommodation well in advance.

Shoulder Season (April-May, October-November)

Best overall value. Pleasant temperatures (18-25°C), good for sightseeing without extreme heat. Fewer crowds at historic sites. Flights 20-30% cheaper than summer. Some beach swimming still possible, especially October.

Off-Season (December-March)

Cheapest flights, mild winter (10-15°C). Occasional rain but rarely cold. Carnival season (February) brings festivities. Good for: cultural tourism, diving, avoiding crowds. Some tourist facilities may have reduced hours.

Weather Considerations

Season	Temperature	Conditions
Summer	28-34°C	Hot, dry, beach weather
Autumn	18-25°C	Warm, occasional rain
Winter	10-15°C	Mild, wettest months
Spring	15-22°C	Warming, wildflowers bloom

Malta averages 300+ days of sunshine per year, making it one of Europe's sunniest destinations.

Cities and Towns

Destination	Getting There	Known For
Valletta	Bus X4 from MLA (25 min)	UNESCO capital, baroque architecture, Grand Harbour
Mdina	Bus 51/52 from Valletta (25 min)	"Silent City", medieval walled town
Sliema/St. Julian's	Bus 13/14 from Valletta (15 min)	Promenade, nightlife, restaurants, hotels
Three Cities	Ferry from Valletta (5 min)	Birgu, Senglea, Cospicua—maritime heritage
Marsaxlokk	Bus 81 from Valletta (45 min)	Fishing village, Sunday market, luzzu boats

Gozo Island

Destination	Getting There	Known For
Victoria (Rabat)	Ferry + bus from Mgarr	Citadel, Gozo's capital
Dwejra	Bus from Victoria	Azure Window site, Inland Sea, diving
Ramla Bay	Bus from Victoria	Red sand beach
Ggantija Temples	Near Xaghra	UNESCO megalithic temples, older than Pyramids

Comino

• Blue Lagoon: Crystal-clear swimming spot, day-trip boats from Cirkewwa/Mgarr
• Almost uninhabited island, no cars, no hotels

Historical Sites

• Hal Saflieni Hypogeum: Underground prehistoric temple, advance booking essential
• Megalithic Temples: Ggantija, Hagar Qim, Mnajdra—UNESCO World Heritage
• St. John's Co-Cathedral: Caravaggio paintings, baroque masterpiece
• Fort St. Elmo: Military history, Great Siege

Money

• Currency: Euro (EUR, €)
• Cards: Contactless widely accepted, even for small purchases
• Cash: Useful for markets, small vendors, rural Gozo
• Tipping: 5-10% at restaurants if service not included, round up for taxis
• ATMs: Widely available, use bank ATMs (avoid independent machines)

Electrical

• Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
• Plug type: Type G (three rectangular pins—UK-style)
• Adapters: Essential for US and continental European travelers
• UK plugs and adapters work directly

Connectivity

• Mobile: GO, Vodafone Malta, Melita
• eSIM: Supported, Airalo and Holafly work well
• EU roaming: Free for EU mobile plans
• WiFi: Widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants

Language

• Maltese: National language (Semitic origin with Italian/English influences)
• English: Official language, universally spoken
• Signs and menus typically in English
• Italian also widely understood

Safety

Malta is very safe for tourists:

• Low crime rates
• Safe to walk at night in tourist areas
• Standard precautions in crowded areas (pickpockets)
• Strong sun—use sunscreen, stay hydrated in summer
• Sea currents can be strong—swim at designated beaches

Useful Apps

• Tallinja: Bus routes and real-time arrivals
• Bolt: Ride-hailing
• Gozo Channel: Ferry schedules
• Google Maps: Good coverage for navigation

Cultural Notes

• Malta is predominantly Catholic—dress modestly when visiting churches
• Sunday is quiet; some shops closed, especially in villages
• Festa season (May-September): Village saint festivals with fireworks
• Maltese cuisine blends Sicilian, North African, and British influences
• Try: Pastizzi (savory pastries), rabbit stew, ftira (Gozitan bread)

• Tourism: visitmalta.com
• Visa Info: identitymalta.com
• Malta Airport: maltairport.com
• Public Transport: publictransport.com.mt
• Gozo Ferry: gozochannel.com
• Heritage Malta: heritagemalta.mt (museums and historic sites)
• Malta Weather: maltairport.com/weather