Useful Information
Emergency
Emergency number in all the Maltese islands is 112 . This number can be dialled from all local telephones, phone box or local mobile phones. This service is FREE.
Renting Accommodation
When renting out accommodation always verify that you are booking and paying for a Malta Tourism Authority Licensed property. Several unlicensed properties are being advertised on popular holiday booking websites. These properties are ILLEGAL and offer no security, no insurance and no guarantee of a smooth holiday. They lack safety, security, cleanliness and most of them are not well maintained. Plus, if after your booking and payment these premises is caught operating illegally you will end up loosing your money and you have no way to reclaim it back. You have been saving for your holiday for all this time, why let it be ruined by someone who is operating illegally. Make sure that when you book, ask for the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) license number. Also, if you want, this can be verified by emailing [email protected].
Climate
Malta's climate is typical of the Mediterranean and is strongly influenced by the sea. The Maltese Islands have a pleasantly sunny climate with a daily average of around 12 hours sunshine in summer going down to 5 to 6 hours in mid-winter.
Summers are hot, dry and very sunny. Day-time temperatures in summer are often mitigated by cooling sea breezes.
Spring and autumn are cooler, except when the occasional Scirocco wind from Africa brings unseasonally high temperatures and humidity.
Winters are mild, with the occasional short cold spells brought about by the north and north-easterly winds from central Europe.
Annual rainfall is low, averaging 568mm a year. Bathing in the sea is quite possible well into the ‘winter' months, and the peak beach season can last until mid- to late October.
Check out the weather here.
Driving
In Malta and Gozo, driving is on the left. There are speed limits of 80 km/h on the open road and 50 km/h in built-up areas, unless otherwise indicated on relevant road signs.
If you intend to rent a car or drive in Malta, it is advisable to take out comprehensive insurance. National or international driving licences are accepted.
For more information please see the Malta Highway Code.
Electricity
The electrical supply is 230 volts +/- 10%.
The frequency of the supply is 50 hertz.
The three-pin rectangular plug system is used, as in Britain.
Adapters are very easy to find
Water
Tap water is safe to drink throughout the Maltese Islands. Local and imported bottled mineral water is available from shops, supermarkets, restaurants and bars.
Language
The official languages of Malta are Maltese and English.
Maltese, a language of Semitic origin written in the Latin script, is the national language of Malta. Over the centuries, it has incorporated many words derived from English, Italian and French.
Italian is also widely spoken.
Passports and Visas
For official information about travel documents please visit Ministry for Foreign Affairs website.
Pet Importation
Regulations regarding the importation of pets into the Maltese Islands fall under the responsibility of the Veterinary Regulation Directorate within the Agriculture & Fisheries Regulation Department of the Ministry for Resources & Rural Affairs. Information can be obtained directly from the Directorate as shown below:
Phone: 356 21650393
Fax: 356 21650273
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.vafd.gov.mt/pet-travel-scheme
Public Holidays
Malta and Gozo have 14 annual Public Holidays. With the exception of Good Friday, whose date varies from year to year, every other public holiday is celebrated on a fixed day of the year.
The dates are the following:
1st January - New Year's Day
10th February - Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck
19th March - Feast of St. Joseph
31st March - Freedom Day
March / April (date changes) - Good Friday
1st May - Labour Day
7th June - Sette Giugno
29th June - Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul (L-Imnarja)
15th August - Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady (Santa Marija)
8th September - Feast of Our Lady of Victories
21st September - Independence Day
8th December - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
13th December - Republic Day
25th December - Christmas Day
For more information, go to Annual Festivals & Traditions or consult our Events Calendar.
Timeshare
During your stay in Malta, you may be approached by individuals who offer you freebies for attending a presentation. These may be selling timeshare or a similar product.
For practical tips on what to look out for, read the leaflet:
Common Sense Guide To Buying Time Share published by the European Consumer Centre (Malta).
Source www.visitmalta.com
Emergency number in all the Maltese islands is 112 . This number can be dialled from all local telephones, phone box or local mobile phones. This service is FREE.
Renting Accommodation
When renting out accommodation always verify that you are booking and paying for a Malta Tourism Authority Licensed property. Several unlicensed properties are being advertised on popular holiday booking websites. These properties are ILLEGAL and offer no security, no insurance and no guarantee of a smooth holiday. They lack safety, security, cleanliness and most of them are not well maintained. Plus, if after your booking and payment these premises is caught operating illegally you will end up loosing your money and you have no way to reclaim it back. You have been saving for your holiday for all this time, why let it be ruined by someone who is operating illegally. Make sure that when you book, ask for the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) license number. Also, if you want, this can be verified by emailing [email protected].
Climate
Malta's climate is typical of the Mediterranean and is strongly influenced by the sea. The Maltese Islands have a pleasantly sunny climate with a daily average of around 12 hours sunshine in summer going down to 5 to 6 hours in mid-winter.
Summers are hot, dry and very sunny. Day-time temperatures in summer are often mitigated by cooling sea breezes.
Spring and autumn are cooler, except when the occasional Scirocco wind from Africa brings unseasonally high temperatures and humidity.
Winters are mild, with the occasional short cold spells brought about by the north and north-easterly winds from central Europe.
Annual rainfall is low, averaging 568mm a year. Bathing in the sea is quite possible well into the ‘winter' months, and the peak beach season can last until mid- to late October.
Check out the weather here.
Driving
In Malta and Gozo, driving is on the left. There are speed limits of 80 km/h on the open road and 50 km/h in built-up areas, unless otherwise indicated on relevant road signs.
If you intend to rent a car or drive in Malta, it is advisable to take out comprehensive insurance. National or international driving licences are accepted.
For more information please see the Malta Highway Code.
Electricity
The electrical supply is 230 volts +/- 10%.
The frequency of the supply is 50 hertz.
The three-pin rectangular plug system is used, as in Britain.
Adapters are very easy to find
Water
Tap water is safe to drink throughout the Maltese Islands. Local and imported bottled mineral water is available from shops, supermarkets, restaurants and bars.
Language
The official languages of Malta are Maltese and English.
Maltese, a language of Semitic origin written in the Latin script, is the national language of Malta. Over the centuries, it has incorporated many words derived from English, Italian and French.
Italian is also widely spoken.
Passports and Visas
For official information about travel documents please visit Ministry for Foreign Affairs website.
Pet Importation
Regulations regarding the importation of pets into the Maltese Islands fall under the responsibility of the Veterinary Regulation Directorate within the Agriculture & Fisheries Regulation Department of the Ministry for Resources & Rural Affairs. Information can be obtained directly from the Directorate as shown below:
Phone: 356 21650393
Fax: 356 21650273
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.vafd.gov.mt/pet-travel-scheme
Public Holidays
Malta and Gozo have 14 annual Public Holidays. With the exception of Good Friday, whose date varies from year to year, every other public holiday is celebrated on a fixed day of the year.
The dates are the following:
1st January - New Year's Day
10th February - Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck
19th March - Feast of St. Joseph
31st March - Freedom Day
March / April (date changes) - Good Friday
1st May - Labour Day
7th June - Sette Giugno
29th June - Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul (L-Imnarja)
15th August - Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady (Santa Marija)
8th September - Feast of Our Lady of Victories
21st September - Independence Day
8th December - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
13th December - Republic Day
25th December - Christmas Day
For more information, go to Annual Festivals & Traditions or consult our Events Calendar.
Timeshare
During your stay in Malta, you may be approached by individuals who offer you freebies for attending a presentation. These may be selling timeshare or a similar product.
For practical tips on what to look out for, read the leaflet:
Common Sense Guide To Buying Time Share published by the European Consumer Centre (Malta).
Source www.visitmalta.com