r/malta • • Apr 27 '25

Visiting Malta? Start here.

475 Upvotes

Hey /r/malta, I've been meaning to put this together for a while because in my many years on this subreddit, I've noticed it seems to get more of the same questions and answers almost daily in summer, so hopefully this could be a good starting point for potential visitors to read and ask questions. I'll update this from time to time with more information.

Where to Stay

  • Families & Elderly: Mellieha offers large sandy beaches, family‑friendly resorts, and quieter areas perfect for children. Bugibba is more lively, with a promenade, an aquarium, and lots of casual dining options suitable for families.
  • Young travellers: Sliema & St Julian's are ideal if you want a mix of shopping, cafes, beach clubs, and nightlife. Both cater well to those looking for bars and clubs within walking distance. Loads of AirBnbs are Hotels available.
  • Scenic & quiet: Gozo is perfect for a slower pace, beautiful landscapes, and authentic rural experiences.
  • LGBT travellers: Malta is among Europe's most LGBT‑friendly countries, with strong legal protections and a welcoming attitude. Sliema, St Julian's, and Valletta are particularly inclusive.

Things to Do

If you have 1-2 days

  • Walk through Valletta: St John's Co‑Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Republic Street.
  • Visit Mdina & Rabat: explore the Silent City and nearby Roman catacombs.
  • Beach day: choose Mellieħa Bay (sand) or the Sliema promenade (rocky).

If you have 3-5 days

  • Add a day‑trip to Gozo: Citadel in Victoria, Dwejra Bay, Ramla Bay.
  • Afternoon at the Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk fishing village (Sunday is the best day to go for the fish market)
  • Take a boat tour to the Blue Lagoon (Comino) or a coastal cruise around Malta.

If you have a week or more

  • Explore all three islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino.
  • Attend a village festa (fireworks & band marches) in summer.
  • Check VisitMalta.com for concerts, exhibitions, and other events.

Travel‑length tip: 7-10 days is ideal. Beyond that, plan slow travel, multiple excursions, or cross‑island hiking to avoid repetition.


Events & Public Holidays

  • Carnival: February - street parades & floats (Valletta & Nadur).
  • Isle of MTV: one night in summer - free open‑air concert.
  • Notte Bianca: first Saturday of October (I think) - museums & palaces would be open all night.
  • Birgufest: around mid‑October - lantern‑lit streets in Vittoriosa.
  • Almost every weekend June - September a different town holds a festa with huge fireworks displays throughout the day and night. You can find the 2025 schedule here, although it's typically around the same week every year.

What to Eat

  • Rabbit Stew, Fried Rabbit: National dish, usually served in a rich red wine sauce.
  • Pastizzi: Flaky pastries stuffed with ricotta or mushy peas. Generally available at cafes or pastizzerias in the street.
  • Bragioli: Beef olives stuffed with minced meat and herbs.
  • Ftira: Traditional Maltese bread often filled with tuna, capers, and olives.
  • Lampuki Pie: Seasonal fish pie made from dorado.
  • Imqaret: Fried pastry filled with dates, often sold at markets.
  • Kannoli: Maltese version of the Sicilian cannoli.
  • Bigilla: Broad bean paste, typically served with bread or crackers.
  • Seafood: Fresh catches, especially swordfish, octopus, and calamari.
  • Gozo Cheeselets (Ġbejniet): Small round cheeses made from sheep's milk, fresh or dried.
  • Local wine and Cisk beer: Affordable and widely available.

Transport, Driving & Ferries

  • Buses: download the Tallinja app; summer services run but expect delays.
  • Ride‑hailing: Uber, Bolt, eCabs (cheaper than white street taxis).
  • Car hire: useful for Gozo or rural Malta. Book a small model if you can - streets are narrow and parking is scarce.
  • Scooters & motorbikes: only for confident riders; roads are bumpy and drivers can be very impatient.
  • Cycling: Reputably unsafe, but not impossible. Expect limited bike lanes, fast traffic, blind corners.
  • Harbour ferries: Valletta ⇆ Sliema & Valletta ⇆ Three Cities every 30 min (€1.50).
  • Gozo Channel: Cirkewwa ⇆ Mgarr every 30–45 min; pay on return (€4.65 foot passenger).
  • Comino shuttles & coastal cruises: depart from Cirkewwa, Marfa, and Sliema – pre‑book July–Aug.

Weather

Period Conditions What to Wear Swim?
Jan – Mar 10–17 °C, windy, showers Light jacket, jeans, layers Rarely
Apr – Jun 18–27 °C, warming T‑shirts, shorts, light jacket evenings Yes
Jul – Aug 30–40 °C, humid Swimwear, hat, ultra‑light clothing Yes
Sep – Oct 25–30 °C, warm, humid Summer clothes, light jacket at night Yes
Nov – Dec 12–20 °C, cooler, rain spells Light sweater, trousers Rarely

Mosquitoes are common, especially in humid months (April-October). Consider insect repellent, especially when staying near water or rural areas.


Money

  • Euro (€). Cards widely accepted but smaller kiosks prefer cash; many set a €5-10 minimum charge.
  • ATMs
  • Tipping: round up or ~10 % in restaurants; €1 per drink at bars is generous but not mandatory.

Sample daily costs (2025): espresso €1.50 · pint of beer €3 · bus fare €2.50 (summer) · Lunch / dinner €15 - €30.


Language

  • Maltese & English are official; Italian is also common.

Safety & Emergency

  • Malta is very safe; usual basic pickpocket caution in Valletta, Sliema & Paceville.
  • Dial 112 for police, ambulance, or fire.
  • Hospitals: Mater Dei (Malta) & Gozo General; both public and modern.
  • Pharmacies in every town - newspapers will typically mention which are open over the weekends.

Outdoor & Adventure

  • Hiking
  • Kayaking/SUP
  • Rock‑climbing
  • Diving centres

Church Visits & Mass Schedules

  • Malta has over 350 churches, many of them historic and open to visitors outside of service times.
  • Major sites include St John's Co‑Cathedral (Valletta), Mosta Rotunda, and the Basilica of Ta' Pinu (Gozo).
  • For visitors wishing to attend Mass, you can find updated schedules on the official Archdiocese of Malta website.
  • Dress modestly when visiting religious sites (shoulders and knees covered).

Things to Do with Kids

  • Popeye Village (Mellieħa) - film set amusement park.
  • Malta National Aquarium (Qawra).
  • Playmobil FunPark.
  • Splash & Fun Water Park (Bahar ic‑Caghaq).
  • Esplora Interactive Science Centre (Kalkara).
  • National War Museum – Fort St Elmo (Valletta).
  • Easy beach days: Mellieħa Bay or Golden Bay.

Always pack high‑SPF sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water, especially in peak summer.


Shopping & Souvenirs

  • Ta’ Qali Crafts Village: hand‑blown Mdina glass, filigree silver.
  • Valletta markets: Flea markets (i.e. monti) (Sunday).
  • Marsaxlokk fish market: Sunday morning for atmosphere & photos.

Connectivity & Utilities

  • Tap water is safe but mineral‑heavy; most people drink bottled.
  • Electricity: UK Type G, 230 V – pack an adaptor.
  • Public Wi‑Fi exists in main squares but is patchy.

Accessibility

  • Majority of buses low‑floor; pavements in historic centres are narrow and uneven.
  • Valletta, Sliema promenade, and Bugibba promenade are the flattest wheelchair routes.

Nightlife

  • Party: Paceville (St Julian's) - clubs & late bars, some charge enterance fees; Gianpula Village for open-air parties (limits transport, so book taxis).
  • Chill: Valletta for wine bars and a more relaxed atmosphere.
  • Observe local noise laws after 23:00, especially in residential Valletta.

Etiquette & Local Laws

  • No topless/beachwear in towns.
  • Smoking banned indoors and at bus shelters.
  • Public street drinking technically illegal outside designated zones (often tolerated, but police may warn/fine in Valletta after 23:00).
  • Dispose of rubbish properly; recycling bins are colour‑coded.
  • Respect churches and heritage sites - cover shoulders & knees when required.
  • Cannabis: Adults 18+ may possess up to 7 g and grow up to four plants at home. Licensed non‑profit Cannabis Associations (clubs) are the only legal supply route and currently require Maltese residency to join, so visitors cannot buy legally. Importing cannabis across borders is illegal.

What the Brochures won't tell you

  • Construction: Malta is undergoing rapid development - which means cranes, dust, and jackhammers in most places, especially in Sliema, St Julian's & Gżira.
  • Traffic: heaviest 07:00-09:00 & 16:00-19:00. Consider allowing some extra time for the airport.
  • Limited green space: Malta is beautiful but densely built. For open countryside, head to the western cliffs, Ghajn Tuffieha, Ahrax, or Gozo.
  • Fireworks: Loud explosions are common in summer due to local village festas. Fireworks frequently occur during both day and night. Check local festa schedules if you're sensitive to noise.
  • Powercuts / Blackouts: Rare throughout winter, but quite common in Summer. Visit Enemalta's website to see if the cut is planned or an accident.

Any other questions? Feel free to drop below or create a thread. Happy visiting!


r/malta • • Feb 01 '22

Weed use/ possession FAQ

211 Upvotes

Please read the below before submitting weed related questions.

1) weed can only be purchased from registered cannabis organisations.

2) to purchase weed from an organisation as outlined above, one must be a registered member/ user. Associations will be capped at 500 members and preference is given to residents. One may only belong to one organisation at any given time and must be over the age of 18

3) by virtue of the above, the law clearly focuses on legalising it for residents. This means that since the law is equal for everyone, including tourists it is going to be very difficult for the latter to join such an organisation.

4) weed consumption in public remains an offence. Carrying over 7 g in public and owning more than 50 g are also a offence.

5) weed coffee shops do not exist, nor are they part of the plan. Weed tourism is not on the table.

6) purchasing off street dealers is and remains illegal

7) up to 4 plants can be grown for personal use as long as they are not visible from outside

8) weed related questions answered above are to be janitored

9) as always, any "where can I buy illegal substance x" posts are janitored on sight.

By popular request and with special thanks to /u/mountainblock for the initiative.


r/malta • • 12h ago

Maisy is learning to trust people again — and now she needs a home ❤️ Urgent

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36 Upvotes

Meet Maisy, my current foster girl.

Maisy was abandoned and found living on the streets. Before she was rescued, someone spent more than two weeks patiently feeding her, and even then, this was about as close as she would allow a person to get before she was finally trapped and brought to safety.
When she first came into foster, she was very nervous around people. But underneath all that fear, she clearly wanted company and affection.

Slowly, Maisy started changing.

She began coming out to look for me instead of waiting for me to approach her. She meows when she wants company, follows me around, climbs onto higher places just to be closer to me, and now she’ll even relax in my arms and purr. ❤️

She’s also turned out to be a hilarious little character — she loves jumping around, can somehow move her little bed across the room all by herself, and definitely has opinions about being left alone. 😂

Seeing the old video of her outside compared with the cat now curled up against me feels very special. She trusted humans once and was let down, but she’s choosing to trust again.

I’m travelling to Italy soon, so my time fostering icoming to an end. Maisy is now looking for her next safe place — hopefully her forever home.

She may need a little patience at first, but once she feels safe, she’s a sweet, social little girl who really enjoys human company.

If you’re interested in adopting Maisy, please contact CLaws through their Facebook page. ❤️
She’s already learned to trust again. Now she just needs someone to choose her.


r/malta • • 16h ago

Help me review bomb AI-slop pretending to be Maltese Cinema.

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67 Upvotes

Made completely using AI, the creators keep defending it by saying it's too expensive to make by humans, even though I know many people who would have loved to help make a Maltese superhero movie for little to nothing. They now pretend that its high Maltese cinema up there with the works of Alex Camilleri. I wanna show them that if you try and make such a mockery of Maltese culture you're not gonna get a positive reception.

A link to their social media to prove theyre ai and support it:
https://www.instagram.com/ilmerill/

https://boxd.it/17ar4


r/malta • • 10h ago

U jkomplu ġejjin u nġibu iżjed!

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22 Upvotes

Inkella kif ħa nimlew l-appartamenti li bnejna ħiiii


r/malta • • 1h ago

Ordni minn Agenda Bookshop

• Upvotes

Hawn xi ħadd li għandu esperjenza ta' ordni ta' kotba online minn għand Agenda fejn il-kotba kienu disponibbli mill-pubblikatur fil-UK u mhux dirett minn Malta? Ghaliex f'Awwissu għamilt ordni fejn dan kien il-każ u jgħidlek li dawn il-kotba ghandek bejn ħmistax u xahar sabiex jaslu però kważi għaddew xahrejn u għadhom ma waslux. Diġà bgħattilhom email u qaluli li kif jaslu Malta jintbagħtu mingħajr spjegazzjoni ta' xejn rigward għalfejn qed idumu daqshekk. Xahrejn qed narhom wisq biex jintbagħtu kotba mill-UK.


r/malta • • 6h ago

Redditors of r/Malta, which car is best for driving on our roads?

8 Upvotes

Genuinely curious. I see many powerful cars stuck in traffic, and it made me wonder, with what logic does one buy a high performance car for our traffic clogged streets. Which in turn made me wonder, what is the best car to drive for our Maltese roads? Also, ICE, Electric, or Hybrid?

If I had to start, I would go for the Toyota Yaris/Vitz Hybrid.


r/malta • • 3h ago

Affordable dog boarding/kennel

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

​I'm looking for a reliable place to board my two dogs for a few nights. I want a place that takes good care of them but isn't excessively expensive.

​So far, the only decent place I've found charges around €55 a day for the two of them, which is a bit steep for my budget. Does anyone know of any better or more affordable alternatives? Location doesn't matter, anywhere in Malta is fine!

​Thanks in advance for the suggestions!


r/malta • • 14h ago

Inappropriate messages

13 Upvotes

​I would like to speak to the people of Malta about a situation that happened to me on a random Sunday morning at 10 AM. Out of nowhere, I started receiving sexually explicit and unwanted messages from a man I had only spoken to twice in my life and was never close with. He reached out by replying to my Instagram story and kept contacting me until I blocked him.

​Two years ago, I moved away from Malta. This man and I had only spoken a few times in person and were never close. Out of nowhere, he reached out by replying to my Instagram story and began sending me sexually explicit, unwanted messages. He continued contacting me until I blocked him.

​I saved and recorded the messages to preserve evidence in case he tried to unsend or delete them.

​What makes this situation particularly disturbing is that he comes from a wealthy family with a good reputation, yet had zero hesitation in sending these messages. It makes me question whether he genuinely believes his family's wealth and social standing make him immune to consequences.

​To make matters worse, some of my male friends made fun of the situation instead of taking it seriously. Unwanted sexual messages and persistent harassment are not something to laugh about.

​Since we share mutual friends, I am thinking of sharing screenshots of the messages, but I don't know if I should include his name in them. My intention in speaking out is simply to share my experience, not to encourage harassment against anyone.


r/malta • • 15h ago

Cowboys being cowboys

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14 Upvotes

r/malta • • 9h ago

Another Carlo Stivala in the making

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5 Upvotes

After this week, it is clear that the PA is in the pockets of developers and business men.

We MUST organize ourselves.
Complaining in the comment section isn’t enough.

We must actually start damaging their reputation and hurt them where it hurts the most. Their pockets.


r/malta • • 8h ago

The Convience Shop or Maypole?

4 Upvotes

What is your say?


r/malta • • 13h ago

A normal day on the Maltese roads

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9 Upvotes

r/malta • • 1d ago

Update on Maltas best Pizza :) Made in Sud

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56 Upvotes

Hi,

I‘ve recently asked you guys what the best pizza in all of Malta is and thought I would give a quick update for people that are still unsure/ visiting.

After a full day of exploring we went to Salumeria Gardens yesterday because Google said it‘s open until 01:00am. We went shortly after 11:00pm and it was already fully closed sadlyso we went back to the hotel.

Today we wanted to see St. Paul‘s Bay and hoped to eat at Made in Sud. And I am SO glad we did.

The staff was very very friendly and welcoming. The appetizer was fresh and a huge portion (would‘ve been almost enough by itself😂)

But the Pizza? I have never in my life eaten a better Pizza. Not even in Italy. It was piping hot, made with fresh and high quality ingredients which they don‘t just take out of cans (they have everything in a fridge which they cut up by themselves as you see in the photo). And even though I can not stand buffalo mozzarella, I tried a slice from my father and absolutely loved it.

Then we had the homemade Tiramisu which I will be thinking of for a while. Perfectly balanced and a great finish.

Despite many reviews the place was very clean, there wasn‘t a single cockroach or anything of the sort and the staff was very attentive checking on us every few minutes.

They even offered us a free bottle of Aperitivo on our way out which we politely declined as we don‘t drink.

Amazing amazing place which I will be thinking of every time I order a disgusting, soggy and fatty pizza back in Germany😂

That being said. Thank you all so much for the recommendations and the hospitality and friendliness we have received so far in Malta.

Disclaimer: It may sound like it but this is not an ad😂 I just love Pizza and almost never have a chance to catch a good spot.


r/malta • • 15h ago

How long will the property model keep sustaining itself?

9 Upvotes

Owning a property in Malta in 2026 feels increasingly impossible. It’s not just the purchase price, but also taxes, notarial fees, finishing costs, and all the expenses that come with it.

People are frustrated, stressed, and worried about their future. How can younger generations afford a home, let alone start a family? And then we wonder why Malta’s birth rate is declining.

When will the government take this seriously?

Genuine question: What can I, as one individual, realistically do to help change this situation? Because right now, it feels impossible to make a difference alone.


r/malta • • 4h ago

Techno parties clubs

0 Upvotes

Are there some techno clubs or parties around Paceville or anywhere during this weekend? Feel free to dm aswell. Thanks!


r/malta • • 5h ago

Anyone in Malta using Odoo ERP (Community or Enterprise)

0 Upvotes

​

Hi everyone!

I'm an independent developer based in Gozo, and I've been developing an Android app called BizNii for Odoo.

I originally built it for my own business because I wanted a better way to use Odoo on my phone.

It now includes customers, quotations, invoices, tasks, calendar, inventory, discussions, offline functionality and Android widgets.

It's currently working well with my Odoo 19 Community installation, and I'm preparing it for Google Play.

I'm curious:

Is anyone here using Odoo Community or Enterprise in their business?

Which Odoo version are you running?

Would you be interested in testing an alternative Android app for Odoo?

I'm looking for some genuine feedback from local Odoo users before releasing it publicly.

Thanks!


r/malta • • 9h ago

Maltese Kitchen Suppliers + The Sicily Option/s

2 Upvotes

Creating this thread as I haven't seen a comprehensive, recent post about kitchens here.

_____________

My wife and I are looking to gut our kitchen and get a new one instead of it.

We're not interested in getting the cheapest possible kitchen and saving the most money we possibly can. We're most interested in good value, durable, high bang-for-buck options from reliable, reputable, and responsive suppliers with excellent customer service.

Broadly speaking, the way I see it, our options realistically are:

  1. Local big suppliers
  2. Local smaller carpenters
  3. Sicily
    ______________

  4. Local Suppliers - Looking at each one's website, and asking around for recommendations doesn't really help much as all the stock photos and styles look very similar, there is the same praise and criticism for each company as every other, and you don't find the same type of review for kitchens as you do with, say, consumer electronics.

Some places currently on my radar include:
- Carmelo Delia
- Form
- Dari
- Casa Moderna
- One Percent

  1. Local smaller carpenters - we've worked with some before on other furniture in our home. Not something we're considering for our kitchen this time round. We think it'll cost more, take longer to get delivered, and be of similar enough quality assuming we go with similar materials.

  2. Sicily - This is where I have the most questions. I often hear or read about people saying "Just go to Sicily for your kitchen" but without any specific points of contact or other pertinent details. The nuts and bolts of this option elude me.

____________

TL;DR - Questions:

  1. Which local suppliers do you have recent experience with and would recommend or avoid, and why?

  2. Any specific kitchen furniture brands you would recommend or avoid? (e.g. LUBE, Scavolini, IKEA, etc etc).

  3. If you have experience getting a kitchen from Sicily recently, how would you advise us to go about it, where did you go, and how much money did you save vs something comparable locally, even after accounting for the trips abroad and the overseas delivery? Was it an absolute no-brainer? What about a lack of local aftersales service? And the language barrier (we speak no Italian)?

  4. What's a reasonable middle-of-the-road budget one can expect to spend on a fully equipped kitchen nowadays, complete with counter tops and appliances (double fridge-freezer, dishwasher, hob, extractor, oven/MW, sink)?

  5. What's the typical timeframe between deposit and delivery? Are they all more or less the same, and is there any difference between Malta and Sicily?

__________

Thanks a lot!


r/malta • • 6h ago

Notary fees on property

0 Upvotes

I bought an apartment and signed the POS a few months ago, upon which I paid the 10% deposit and 1% tax.

I should be signing the deed in around January/February once the property is in shell form - I just wanted to check what else is left to be paid aside from the notary fees? There have been plenty of hidden costs along the way and I don’t want to get a surprise in a few months time 🥲


r/malta • • 7h ago

Selling ps5 slim digital edition.

1 Upvotes

Trying to sell my PS5 slim edition. But I don't know what's a fair price to list it at, I got a PC so I don't need it anymore. I was thinking 280-300. What do you guys think? Is this fair?


r/malta • • 15h ago

Politikant iehor fuq Facebook 🤣🤣🤣🤣

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5 Upvotes

r/malta • • 1d ago

I wanna share some pics I took during my first trip to Malta

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76 Upvotes

r/malta • • 14h ago

Malta Pagana - The Ritual 1st Edition

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0 Upvotes

Malta Pagana is Malta's first Pagan Festival. A Day filled with various Workshops, Rituals, Pumpkin Carving and Costume Competitions, Music, Market stalls, and More. This Samhain will be one to remember.

Tickets at the door - €15 per person, children under 12 free. Pets (on-leash) welcome.

You can follow Malta Pagana on FB and insta for the latest updates.


r/malta • • 8h ago

✨ MODERN ROOM FOR RENT | BORMLA | ✨

0 Upvotes

Looking for an affordable and modern room in a good location? A great option for a girl looking for accommodation!

* Modern room
* 1 bathroom
* Affordable rent: €500/month
* Available now
* Convenient location in Bormla

📩 DM me for pictures, more information, or to arrange a viewing!


r/malta • • 1d ago

Anyone know what happened to the "Fuq Il-Werqa" podcast ?

2 Upvotes